MakerBot Industries

We’re cleaning out our inventory at the Botcave! Last week we put up a grab bag of extra parts in our store and everyone loves it – so we made another one with a whole new set of items in it. You can pick up some pulleys, M8 bolts, timing belts, all at a fraction of their cost for your own projects. The best part is we’re selling each bag for only $9.99! Most of these parts are from the cupcake – so this is a chance to stock up on some extra parts for veteran MakerBot operators, but it’s really just a great deal that makes sense. My favorite things in this kit that I know are a great deal are the smooth steel rods used in the cupcake. If I tried to buy these separately I’d probably spend over thirty dollars just for the rods.

In the spirit of crazy grab bagness, we don’t guarantee items and quantities in each bag, but we do guarantee an incredible deal on each one (10 Bucks!). It’s a fraction of the cost! So pick up one in the store today: grab bag#1 and make your parts drawer all that much happier.

We’re cleaning out our inventory at the Botcave! We’ve put together a of grab bag of great parts that you can pick up at a fraction of their cost for your own projects – We’re selling each bag for only $9.99! Most of these parts are from the cupcake – so this is a chance to stock up on some extra parts for veteran MakerBot operators, but but it’s really just a great deal that makes sense. Some of my personal favorites in this kit that I know are a great deal include the USB to TTL cable from grab bag #1 which usually retails for $20, and that big collection of thermistors.

In the spirit of crazy grab bagness, we don’t guarantee items and quantities in each bag, but we do guarantee an incredible deal on each one (10 Bucks!). It’s a fraction of the cost! So pick up one in the store today: grab bag#1 and make your parts drawer all that much happier.

This is the end...

That’s right folks: this is the end of an era.  We have looked over the numbers, and it’s official: we’ve just sold the very last Cupcake CNC kits that we’ll ever be able to offer.

Though we’ve moved on to bigger and better things, the Cupcake was the kit that got it all started for us, and we’ll never forget that.  It’s also still a darn good little machine, so if you have an order that’s among the last, you’ve just gotten yourself a great deal on your first 3d printer.

This must be what it’s like to send your kids off to college…snif.  I told myself I wouldn’t cry…

Of course we still have lots of parts for servicing and upgrading your Cupcakes at the store, so don’t be a stranger!  Check in once in awhile!

3D Printing for Fathers Day!

This is an unheard-of 3D Printing bargain, the likes of which shock even me, your dear narrator. On Sunday 6/18, The CupCake CNC Ultimate Kit is dropping to a brain-freezingly low price. We love the CupCake CNC and know what a st/deal this is, so take advantage and get one soon! These are the last units of the CupCake, and we have run out of space for them here at the BotCave. Yesterday an avalanche of printed parts temporarily blocked access to the bathroom, and the decision was made. “Sell, sell, sell!” called Commander Bre. The big wheel keep on turning, and Fathers Day is looming! So get cracking and get the all-time best bargain in DIY 3D printing history. It’s everything you need to get started 3D Printing with a fun build, a great device, and a great Fathers Day gift! This is a limited time offer so carpe diem!

Hey it’s Friday!  In light of that, we’ve whipped up another addition of Robot Hospital, which we hope you’ll enjoy.  We’ve got a new product announcement (new Nema 17 motors), a report from the Blip festival, where we’ll be demoing bots tonight and tomorrow, and the final installment of Matt’s squirrel modeling tutorial.

Thing-o-matic modified backplane to accomodate rear-mounted electronics by usiegj00

I realize full well that there are very practical reasons for wanting external electronics on a 3D printer.  That’s one of the cool things about the MakerBot Cupcake CNC.  It’s a snap to just jump right in, disconnect some wires, swap out circuit boards, and generally just hack and tinker away.

With an automated build platform, MK5 extruder¹ , MK6 plus heater upgrade kit, safety cutoff switch, Twotimes Z-rider, and Twotimes Mendel inspired XY lowrider carriage you can upgrade your Cupcake to near-Thing-O-Matic abilities.

Seeing usiegjoo’s modification of their Thing-O-Matic gave me a good chuckle.  Ever since seeing Charles Pax’s Muffin CNC, I wanted to perform a similar hack to put the electronics inside my Cupcake.  So, despite knowing all of the practical benefits to external electronics, I couldn’t help but think of this an almost…  downgrade for the Thing-O-Matic. ²  Since the release of the Thing-O-Matic the trend has been very much the reverse – with people working to upgrade their Cupcakes to near-Thing-O-Matic levels of functionality.

Thing-o-matic modified backplane to accomodate rear-mounted electronics by usiegj00

The ATX power cable and supply cables needed a notch in the lower back of the case along. This is added to this backplane as well as side-channels for easier cable routing. This is based off of thingiverse.com/thing:4973

This thing brought to you by

1. Apparently the truly adventurous can try their hand at the completely unofficial and unsupported wiki entries on the StepStruder MK6 with Gen 4 electronics. [↩]
2. That said, it’s not a downgrade.  It’s really more of an alternate configuration. [↩]

In this episode Keith takes us on an awesome tour of RobotFest 2011 at the National Electronics Museum, Ethan pushes the extreme limits of acrylic T-Slot construction, and Matt traps and traces a massive squirrel- Check it out!

The Mendel inspired x and y carriage lowrider by twotimes

Just how good is Twotimes’ XY lowrider? ¹  Well, take a listen for yourself.  MakerBot operator RealBaxsie uploaded videos of his Cupcake in operation before and after the installation of this must-have printable upgrade.

Printing with a Cupcake CNC before installation

Printing with a Cupcake CNC with an XY lowrider installed

Mendel inspired x and y carriage lowrider by twotimes

Here is my take on merging the lowrider and the mendel inspired y carriage for the cupcake. link to bearings:vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/3mm/623ZZ10-1 I went with smaller bearings than the Mendel because it allowed me to do everything with M3 screws and it allowed me to drop the height a bit. This design is shorter than the standard platform by 10mm, I was pushing for more, but the bearings killed the height gains. It does mean that you can gain back about half of the height that you loose by putting in the automatic build platform. Also, the y rails have been separated to 70mms so hopefully that means that the platform is a bit more stable. I attached the solidworks file for people who want to play (WARNING - the file is messy and I was bad and made all of my parts in one part file). If you would like any other formats like .igs, .step and the like, just shout. Should have all of the holes teardropped later today. - Truncated teardrop holes are up, that's a pain. Update: The stl files from solidworks would not slice in Rep G, I have no idea why, if you know please tell me. I reuploaded all of the stl files and tested them in Rep G 19 they seem to work but I will not have a chance to print until Monday. I have all of the parts, now on to the debug... so you do not have to... The updated files are in the zip file, I got rid of the first generation of parts. Things were moved around a bit and these are the updates after printing round one and putting it into the makerbot. I should have all of the gen 2 parts printed and through debug tomorrow. Update 2 - I got the bearings in and other that a few "What the hell was I thinking..." moments that were easily repaired with an X-acto knife, everything went great. I'm in the process of printing the gen 3 parts and everything should be cool now. I'll post pictures and video once the final draft is printed. Update 3 - In process of using gen 3 platform to print gen 4 platform. Once I have printed and assembled it, I will upload files. I think that will be it for variations. Update 4 - Gen 5 files are out and I can now say you can download them and print! Update 5 - Instructions are up. Update 6 - I just uploaded the gen 7 version - I have not had a chance to print it yet, I was getting annoyed with the slight curve in my heat spreader and decided to rip it apart and lap it until it was flat. This update addresses: Adding nut pockets on all adjusting screws for bearing tension to make adjusting easier (do not have to hold nut in place) Back X bearings cluster has been reworked so the is less interference with the X pulley. Back X bearing adjustment screw head has been nested into the plastic to have less interference with X belt. Interference between Y belt attachment nuts and plastic bodies has been addressed X belt attachment point has been lowered. First shot at integrating endstops have been added. I think that that is about it. I will shout when the directions have been updated, everything should be the same except the endstop part. If you have already printed this and do not want to reprint, reprint parts 09 and 16, those have to do with X belt and pulley issues. (and they are small) I just sent out the third package of nuts, washers, and screws. If anyone else wants them, just message me. Gaffertape kindly updated the files so if you are using the older repG and skeinforge, use the resaved gen 7 files. Update: Finally updated for mechanical endstops, instructions still need to be updated though.

This thing brought to you by

1. You know, besides being the most commented thing on Thingiverse… [↩]

This position is in the heart of the action of a growing start-up and demands a person who wants to work hard, has patience, technical knowledge and writing skills. You’ve got fires to put out, questions to answer, orders to process, and infrastructure to implement, all the time.

You’ll be responsible for eloquently representing a growing DIY 3D printer and technology company to it’s customers directly. Via email, on the phone, or in person. You’ll help customers solve their technical challenges, sooth their nerves, and reinforce our brand. It’s a challenge, but it’s a dynamic, fun one. The person best suited for this position is an adaptable problem solver with a mind for mechanical, electronic, and software troubleshooting challenges. You’ll put your strong interpersonal and written skills to the test.

We need you to answer emails, but you should also be proficient and comfortable with Mac, PC, and Linux operating systems, design/editing softwares, cameras, and the creative process. The office tools we use most of the time should be a no-brainer. Current MakerBot Operators preferred, but not a requirement. If you’ve had experience with DIY technology, that could be very helpful. You will be processing orders, so an interest in participating directly in a multifaceted online store is a final requirement. Full time, on-site only.

Desire to offer revolutionary technologies and change the world a plus.
Help democratize manufacturing and establish personal manufacturing as a household phrase.

Submit your cover letter, resume, and linkedin profile (preferred)

Brooklyn. Easy access to subway.

Reply to: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/tch/2239730862.html

No phone calls, please.