What you've learned about your Makerbot Replicator2

[ToddF]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

Looks very nice. We're looking at doing something similar with our Replicator 2, except maybe just flat out replacing the side panels with plastic sheets. Might also look into adding a heating element inside, but these are both summer projects at earliest.

No need for a heating element. If you block off the airflow, it gets toasty warm inside the chamber. I encourage you to try it, even if you just use poster board or foamcore taped over the sides, and a tub set on top. It made an instant difference on our machine.

[IVAN]

Todd could you show some before and after pics of of quality with and without the covers?

Also the mos effective thing that i have found for removing parts from the build platform is a cheap tape measure just unroll it and the metal is thin enough that it'll separate the part from the platform quite easily raft or no raft.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by IVAN

Todd could you show some before and after pics of of quality with and without the covers?

Also the mos effective thing that i have found for removing parts from the build platform is a cheap tape measure just unroll it and the metal is thin enough that it'll separate the part from the platform quite easily raft or no raft.

We use a little paint scraper type tool to remove ours. Not even sure exactly what to call it, but it's a miracle worker.

I definitely agree with the no rafts philosophy. We haven't printed a single part yet that required a raft. For most things they're just a waste of material and time (that is assuming you've nailed removing parts from the build platform).

[ToddF]

Originally Posted by IVAN

Todd could you show some before and after pics of of quality with and without the covers?

It looks like any of the bad parts that came from before the shielding have long since been thrown away. Our problem was having parts cool and pull away from the bed in one corner.

[engunneer]

there are many good vendors out there, just don't get the cheapest and you'll be fine.

[IVAN]

enguneers could you post some links to them ?

[yash101]

This is off topic, but not worth making a new thread about.
Has any team tried 3D printing a 3D printer? . That'd be cool
I think the replicator has the precision required for such a complex print!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by yash101

This is off topic, but not worth making a new thread about.
Has any team tried 3D printing a 3D printer? . That'd be cool
I think the replicator has the precision required for such a complex print!

330 has, with some success. Go take a look at the RepRap project--the basic premise there is that if you have one, you can build one more with that one, some items from the local hardware store, and a few electronics items.

At last count, 330 had printed something like 3-4 printers worth of parts. I would know: I spent part of a summer keeping an eye on the first two we had while they printed the rest.