MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2X VS THE REPLICA-

TOR 2

We have had the Replicator 2X for a few weeks now, and have been running it through its paces. I have to admit, being a big fan of the Replicator 2, my first impressions of this machine were not good. We were given a prototype machine a little earlier than this machine was released and quite frankly it continues to be a very difficult machine. If this is all I had to judge this machine on this review would read differently; however I am fortu-nate enough to have two 2X's in my personal collection and have tested over 10 others from our sale stock; so it is with great confidence that I can report that this latest 3D printer in the Makerbot collection can be a very good machine. It does however have limitations, and the note by Makerbot that it is a “machine for the experienced 3D printer” is one that should definitely be heeded!

HOW WE COMPARED PRINT QUALITY AND CAPABILITY We used Macouno’s Walking Blu, a figurine that includes the following assessable characteristics: 1. A small foot print : Showing the ability to complete fine detail in

the first layers and adhesion to the bed to the completion of the print 2. An unsupported right raised foot, right front thigh and chin :

demonstrating the ability to deal with droop (over hang) 3. Flat back : showing resolution on the straight 4. Round head : showing resolution on the curve

5. Sharp curve at the top of head : which challenges the resolution capabilities

Take 1 : Fill 10%, Layer height .20mm, 4 Shells Replicator 2 (PLA) : Time and time again this machine printed this file perfectly. We used the filament fan from the third layer up, and you will note in all 5 assessment areas it performed perfectly. In fact we believe it would be just as perfect with no fill, however you really do need the 4 shells to provide the smooth finish on the steep gradient edges

Replicator 2X with PLA : The Replicator 2X does not have a filament fan, as a result the PLA can not be cooled and set as rapidly as the Replicator 2. The results are obvious in the tummy overhang which contains some droop, as does the chin and head. The most glaring fault however is evident in the top of the head, where you will notice gaps in the shell.

By Lee Bilby, BilbyCNC

1.1 Printed on Replicator 2 in PLA. Notice the perfect raised foot, no droop on the chin, superb finish all round.

1.2 Printed on Replicator 2X in PLA. Notice the slight droop on the foot, chin, thigh and stomach, and the hole in the head! Really not impressive.

We decided to test our hypothesis, and paused the print just before the top of the head, letting the print cool and set, and then resume. Notice the difference in the head quality….the filament fan is an incredible asset in the Replicator 2. Unfortunately it is not included in the 2X; however after this experiment we have started looking into what modifications could be done Replicator 2X with ABS: We were not surprised to see that ABS was considerably poorer in quality, after all ABS cools slowly and over hangs are not its strong point. It is worth noting that support material would considerably improve the outcome, but what we are testing here is the machines capabilities without the help of support and rafts.

The overhangs here are considerably poorly printed, especially the foot and chin. You will note what looks like a seam line on the whole model, down the front right side. It took us a bit to work out exactly why. The outer shells are drawn in continuous circles, so there should not be a line; however when it finishes the fill on each layer and returned to the outer edge to resume the shells, the nozzle pushed the soft shell of the previous layer out just enough to cause the anomaly. We found this was far worse on some colours than others. Purple for example was far more noticeable with this effect than white.

Take 2 on the 2X with 30% Fill and 6 Shells ABS on Replicator 2X with more shells and fill Looking at the results, especially at the top of the head and raised heel, we looked at what settings would be required to achieve the same results on the 2X we could obtain on the Replicator 2. We raised the shells and fill and think the results speak for themselves. You will see from the photos that the raised fill and shell levels definitely improved the quality at the top of the head, the base of the foot however still leaves much to be desired; and droop still exists on the under tummy and head. Again, different colours show this effect at varying degrees. Solution : we would hypothesis that a lower layer height or support material would rectify these issues, however as yet this has not been tested. Unsolvable problem You may notice on all Replicator 2X prints there is a slight line up the model on the models right side, vertically in line with his wrist. This is caused by the nozzle pushing the filament out slightly when it returns to draw the shells after hav-ing completed the fill of the previous layer. It is especially bad with ABS as its set time is so long.

©BilbyCNC 2013 all rights reserved www.BilbyCNC.com.au Ph 1800 245 297

1.4 Printed on Replicator 2X in ABS—Not very impressive

1.4 Printed on Replicator 2X in ABS with higher shells and fill

1.3 Difference to top of head with cooling, Right model was paused.

MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2X VS THE REPLICATOR 2 A FRANK REVIEW AND COMPARISON

PLA on The Replicator 2X with higher shells and fill Almost perfect. The head is almost perfectly filled in at the top and droop is almost solved. Look at the foot and tummy almost perfect, with only very slight separation in the shell on the top of the head. All and all a very good print, however not ad perfect as that you would get off a Replicator 2

In Conclusion ABS has always been, and continues to be, a more difficult material than PLA to print with. It warps and contracts when not cooled slowly, but the side effect of cooling slowly (especially when coupled with dual extruders) is that your print is sensitive to nozzle drag. This being said, there are applications where PLA is just not usable. These include:

• Where flexibility is required

• Where the model will be used in a wet environment

• Where the model is to be used orally (eg in denture prototyping as to date PLA is not certified for this application)

For more about the difference between ABS and PLA please refer to the Replicator 2X brochure or the “ABS vs PLA” fact sheet at support.bilbycnc.com.au We must admit that in dealing with ABS, the Replicator 2X has generated better resolution and reliability than any other printer we have used to date. ...and then there are the Dual extrusion possibilities. In conclusion, if you do not need ABS and do not require Dual extrusion, opt for the Replicator 2 it wins hands down every time. But if you need ABS/Dual capabilities you will find the Replicator 2X a great machine to use; just bear in mind the key limitations outlined within this report. Ahh but what about Dual extrusion

So we can confidently say that the Replicator 2X does generate the best dual extrusion we have ever seen. We do however believe that largely the novelty of this will wear off. Less than 10% of people who bought the Replicator 1 Twin extruder ever use the dual extruding function. This may change if Makerbot introduce auto placement of support material using the second extruder; but to date this has not been an option. This being said, Dual extrusion is still cool, and some of our dual prints are pictured here. You will find that the “drip” line caused by the second extruder dripping colour onto the area of the first extrusion is stronger and more evident when using PLA than ABS because of the liquid state of PLA when printing.

©BilbyCNC 2013 all rights reserved www.BilbyCNC.com.au Ph 1800 245

By Lee Bilby, BilbyCNC

1.2 Printed on Replicator 2X in PLA with higher shells and fill. Still slight gap on head, and some drag from second head on the side, especially near hip, otherwise quite good, but not as crisp as the Replicator 2