MakerBot, who introduced their Replicator and Replicator 2 3D printers back in 2012, has just announced three new 3D printers at the 2014 CES show.
MakerBot was purchased by Stratasys, a well-established leader in commercial plastic filament-based (fused deposition modeling) 3d Printers, and it looks like some of their know-how has influenced the designs of these new printers.
MakerBot Replicator (2014 Edition)
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Not to be confused with the original MakerBot Replicator, the new 2014-edition Replicator is MakerBot’s 5th-generation 3D printer. MakerBot describes the new Replicator 3D printer as being the new standard for ease of use, quality, and reliability.
MakerBot Replicator Features
- USB, USB flash drive, ethernet, and Wi-Fi (coming soon) connectivity
- “Smart” extruder, motion controllers, gantry design
- On-board camera, diagnostics, assisted build plate leveling mechanism
- Build capacity of 9.9″L x 7.8″W x 5.9H” (25.2 cm x 19.9 cm x 15 cm)
- Build volume of 456 cubic inches (7,522 cm^3)
- 100µm layer resolution (~ 0.004″)
- Optimized for PLA plastic filament (1.75mm diameter)
- 0.4mm nozzle diameter
- Glass build platform
- 3.5″ color LCD display
- Dial-based user controls
- On-board utilities
Price: $2,899
ETA: February 2014
MakerBot Replicator Mini
MakerBot Replicator Mini Features
- Plug and play operation
- USB or Wi-Fi connectivity
- No-leveling of build plate required
- Build capacity of 3.9″L x 3.9″W x 4.9H” (10 cm x 10 cm x 12.5 cm)
- 200µm layer resolution (~ 0.008″)
- Optimized for PLA plastic filament (1.75mm diameter)
While all of the Replicators are near turn-key machines, MakerBot seems to have designed the MakerBot Replicator as a more plug and play solution. It’s smaller, simpler, slightly less featured, prints with a lower resolution, and is also far less expensive than the 2014-edition of the Replicator.
Price: $1,375
ETA: Spring 2014
MakerBot Replicator Z18 (Jumbo)
MakerBot Replicator Z18 Features
- “Massive” extra-large build volume
- heated build chamber
- USB, USB flash drive, ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity
- On-board camera
- “Super-flat” build plate
- Build capacity of 12.0″L x 12.0″W x 18.0H” (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 45.7 cm)
- Build volume of 2,592 cubic inches (42,475 cm^3)
- 100µm layer resolution (~ 0.004″)
- Presumably optimized for PLA and ABS plastic filament (1.75mm diameter)
- 3.5″ color LCD display
- Dial-based user controls
- On-board utilities
Price: $6,499
ETA: Spring 2014
Common Features
A number of features are common to all of MakerBot’s newest Replicator 3D printers:
- Powered by MakerBot’s newest 3D printing software
- Mobile app and cloud-based operation
- “Smart” extruder that can pause prints and send notifications to MakerBot desktop and mobile apps
- Built-in enclosed filament storage area
First Impression
These are indeed MakerBot’s most advanced 3D printers to date, and I definitely like some of the new features, but I also have several hesitations.
It seems that only the most expensive model can handle ABS printing. MakerBot’s Replicator 2X printer (introduced in 2013) can handle ABS, but it is still listed as being “experimental” and is only recommended to very advanced users. PLA is now preferred by a lot of users, but ABS is also extremely popular.
MakerBot’s base model price keeps going up. The Replicator is priced close to $3000.
MakerBot’s warranty is still ambiguous and vague. This is why I have yet to purchase a MakerBot 3D printer – there’s basically no warranty and no guarantee of no-cost support.
MakerBot products do not carry a long-term warranty. Returns are possible only on unused items, within 14 days of receipt. We will provide parts or service on items that prove to be defective from the time of manufacture, and we’ll always work with you to get your bot running again.
If you want a 1-year “protection plan,” you’ll have to pay $345 or more within 30 days of purchase. They also have an extremely strict and very limited 14-day return policy. Their machines are non-returnable once powered up.
MakerBot Products(via Amazon)
More Info(via MakerBot)
Dennis says
I want one but I don’t know what I would do with any of the models. I’m sure I could find something to make with a 3d printer. I just have to figure out how to get a few grand to spend on a toy to tinker with…
KenZ says
We’ve got one at work. We were actually all pretty impressed with the quality that comes out of it given the price (we’re comparing it to our $20k FDM machine). The new prices may be going up, but still a bargain compared to the competition. I know someone with the X model and he said it does take a lot of noodling to get it to print ABS well; basically he had to insulate the size walls as the “heated chamber” wasn’t heated enough and the larger parts would warp.
ABS is pretty key if you want to build for anything other than showing off. PLA will sag if left in a hot car… not that ANY plastic out of an FDM machine will come anywhere close to the strength properties of the same polymer injection molded….
RX9 says
“ABS is pretty key if you want to build for anything other than showing off.”
Indeed. I want to be able to make something more useful than plastic toys.
Hats off to MakerBot for their efforts, but for all intensive purposes, this thing is nothing more than a complicated toy.
When they make a machine under 10K that allows me to sinter out custom exhaust headers from 304 stainless or inconel, then the revolution has arrived.
RX9 says
P.S. The open source MIG based 3d printer that came out last month looks promising, but the resolution needs work.
Dave L says
Kudos to MakerBot for pioneering, but they have lots of competition.