Makerbot Replicator 2:

Specs: The Makerbot’s build volume is 28.5 X 15.3 X 15.5 which is bigger than most print beds, this allows for large prints. Unlike it’s brother the Replicator 2X it only has a single extruder.

It can print in only PLA, so it does not have a very wide range of materials. The printer size without a spool is 49.0 X 32.0 X 38.0 cm, which still allows it to fit on a desktop comfortably.

The printing quality is very good, it has three settings for printing, high quality, which prints at 100 microns, medium quality which prints at 200 microns or low quality which prints at 300 microns.

Features: The printer has a black powder coated steel frame which makes it look and feel nice, while also protecting the inside of the printer.The printer is quite heavy at 11.5 kg it is not easy to move around as it’s competitors such as the cube, afinia and solidoodle 3.

It uses standard 1/16 micro stepping stepper motors. The Replicator 2 also has a heated bed which is very useful when printing with ABS. The spool holder which comes with the printer is sturdy and reliable. The heated bed can have kapton tape put on it to help prints grip the print bed.

Software: The software for the replicator 2 is called Makerware and it is very user friendly, and it allows you to manipulate objects e.g. resizing and replacing. Objects can be downloaded from Thingiverse (a website which has thousands of free designs) or you can create your own, using a number of different programs and then export it as an .stl file or .obj file

Overview: The printer has a very solid build and it is able to print in a variety of resolutions allowing a full choice of quality’s for the operator. The printer can print with many different colours made by Makerbot.

The Makerbot Replicator 2 is good for someone who is new to 3D printing as it is reasonably user friendly and easy to use.