MakerBot Replicator 2X
Desktop 3D Printer
The MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer is an ABS-optimized machine for those who want to explore the frontiers of 3D printing. The troubleshooting guides and documentation in these pages will orient you and get you back on track if something should go wrong. If you need more help, reach out to us through email at [email protected].
- Troubleshooting
- Unpacking
- Printing Problems
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- ReplicatorG
- Error Codes
- Tried Everything
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- MakerWare
- ReplicatorG
- Dual Extrusion
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- Unboxing
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- Dual Extrusion
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting for your MakerBot Replicator 2X
This page explains some problems you may come across while using your MakerBot Replicator 2X. If you're having trouble with a MakerBot product other than the Replicator 2X, go here.
Issues Encountered During Unpacking
One of the parts listed in the What's in the Box section of my User Manual was not included with my MakerBot Replicator 2X.
Please check your User Manual to find out where the missing part should have been packed. If you've double checked, contact MakerBot Support by emailing [email protected] and we'll be happy to resolve this issue.
My MakerBot Replicator 2X is missing a bolt, nut, switch, or other mechanical component.
Please contact MakerBot Support for a replacement by emailing [email protected]
My MakerBot Replicator 2X was damaged in shipping
We ship the Replicator 2X in specially designed packaging to protect it from damage. If your Replicator 2X was injured in shipping, please hang on to all your packing materials, take photos of the damage, and email us immediately at [email protected] We'll be happy to assist you in making a shipping insurance claim and getting up and running again as soon as possible.
Having Trouble Printing
Extrusion stops during a build
This one can be hard to figure out because there are a few different possible problems. Here's a checklist of possible causes.
• Is your extruder motor rotating? Use a marker to draw a line across the end of the motor shaft visible at the back of the motor. When the extruder is running, you should be able to see the shaft turning. It may sometimes reverse direction in order to retract filament, but during extrusion it should be moving at a slow but constant rate. If it does not turn, or stops turning, please get in touch with MakerBot Support and we'll help you figure out what's going on.
• Is your filament tangled? Check that the spool is spinning smoothly on the mount.
• Is the build plate too close to the extruder? If they're too close together, there may not be room for the plastic to come out of the extruder. This is a likely culprit if your extruder stops extruding during the first or second layer of a build.
• Is the nozzle clogged? Run the Load script from your bot's onboard menus. Observe the plastic as it emerges from the nozzle. Does it drop straight down, or curl up toward the extruder? If it curls back up toward the extruder, the nozzle may be partially clogged. Get in touch with MakerBot Support and we'll help you get that sorted out.
Still having trouble? You can always get in touch with [email protected] if you need more help.
• Is your extruder motor rotating? Use a marker to draw a line across the end of the motor shaft visible at the back of the motor. When the extruder is running, you should be able to see the shaft turning. It may sometimes reverse direction in order to retract filament, but during extrusion it should be moving at a slow but constant rate. If it does not turn, or stops turning, please get in touch with MakerBot Support and we'll help you figure out what's going on.
• Is your filament tangled? Check that the spool is spinning smoothly on the mount.
• Is the build plate too close to the extruder? If they're too close together, there may not be room for the plastic to come out of the extruder. This is a likely culprit if your extruder stops extruding during the first or second layer of a build.
• Is the nozzle clogged? Run the Load script from your bot's onboard menus. Observe the plastic as it emerges from the nozzle. Does it drop straight down, or curl up toward the extruder? If it curls back up toward the extruder, the nozzle may be partially clogged. Get in touch with MakerBot Support and we'll help you get that sorted out.
Still having trouble? You can always get in touch with [email protected] if you need more help.
My extruders print a line accross the front of the build plate when I start a print.
This is normal! The Replicator 2X uses that line to purge a length of filament so that both of its extruders are always ready to start printing.
My print won't stick to the build plate!
Usually prints peeling off of the build plate means the plate isn't quite close enough to the extruder nozzles. Try leveling the plate again and using a thinner piece of paper or feeler gauge to check the distance. It's important that Every part of the plate be the same distance from the nozzles -- if one part of your model peels up, the rest can follow.
It's also a good idea to make sure the plate is clean. Dust, oil from your hands, scratches and bubbles can prevent objects from sticking to the build plate, so you should wipe it down regularly.
It's also a good idea to make sure the plate is clean. Dust, oil from your hands, scratches and bubbles can prevent objects from sticking to the build plate, so you should wipe it down regularly.
My print is stuck to the build plate!
Try waiting for the object and plate to cool. If your object is still stuck, use a craft spatula or similar tool to gently pry the object from the build plate. Carefully work the edge of the spatula under the object, then twist the handle.
I can't load filament into one of my extruders.
Run the unload script to heat your extruder and open the extruder lever arm. Make sure that the filament has a clean edge and that there are no bends in it. Then push the filament into the hole at the top of the extruder. Keep pushing the filament in until you start to see plastic come out of the nozzle. You may have to push the filament pretty hard.
If plastic doesn't emerge from the nozzle, remove the filament and check for a bend at the end. That might mean the filament is slipping under the extruder bearing instead of entering the heater. Use the extruder disassembly instructions in your User Manual to remove the fan and heatsink so you can watch the filament make its way through the extruder.
When the filament is loaded, make sure you close the extruder lever arm.
If plastic doesn't emerge from the nozzle, remove the filament and check for a bend at the end. That might mean the filament is slipping under the extruder bearing instead of entering the heater. Use the extruder disassembly instructions in your User Manual to remove the fan and heatsink so you can watch the filament make its way through the extruder.
When the filament is loaded, make sure you close the extruder lever arm.
I can't get the filament out of my extruder.
Open the extruder lever arm and push a short length of filament through. Then try pulling it out again. Repeat as necessary.
My extruder stays heated after I load or unload filament.
If you have Preheat turned on, the extruder won't stop heating after you load or unload filament. To stop the extruder from heating, choose Preheat from the bot's main menu and select "Cool!"
My build is the wrong size.
Sometimes the intended size of an object can get lost in translation between your design software and slicing. Our software expects units to be set to millimeters, so make sure that your modelling software is also set for millimeters. You can also use the Scale feature in MakerWare to scale an object to a specific size.
My extruder nozzles aren't aligned correctly.
Check the Utilities menu on your Replicator 2X's LCD interface for the Calibrate Nozzles script. This script will print some test extrusions and allow you to give your Replicator 2X some feedback so that it knows exactly where the two nozzles are in relation to each other.
My MakerBot Replicator 2X can't see my SD card
If your Replicator 2X does not recognize that there is a card in the SD slot, make sure you're using a FAT16 formatted SDSC card no larger than 2GB. If your card doesn't correspond to this description, your Replicator 2X will not be able to read it. If the card is formatted correctly but your Replicator 2X fails to recognize it, something may be wrong with the card.
I can't find my file on the SD card.
If your Replicator 2X recognizes that an SD card is present but can't see your file, make sure that the file is in the correct format. Your Replicator 2X can only read files in the .x3g format. To create an .x3g file in MakerWare, click Export to File in the make dialog and select X3G from the file type dropdown menu.
Your Replicator 2X also can't read file names longer than 26 characters -- 30 characters if you count the file extension. If you're trying to print an .x3g file with a long file name, shorten it and try again.
Your Replicator 2X also can't read file names longer than 26 characters -- 30 characters if you count the file extension. If you're trying to print an .x3g file with a long file name, shorten it and try again.
Help! My bot sounds like it's shaking itself to pieces!
Check to make sure you have acceleration turned on. Attempting to print at high speeds with acceleration turned off can harm your Replicator 2X. You can turn acceleration off and on through General Settings in your Replicator 2X's onboard menus or through Onboard Preferences in MakerWare or ReplicatorG. Acceleration is turned on by default. If you have acceleration turned off, you should not print at speeds above 40 mm/s.
How do I update firmware on my Replicator 2X?
Select the Upload Firmware option from the MakerBots menu in MakerWare. The software will walk you through the process.
Do I need to do any maintenance on my Replicator 2X?
Not much! But if you've been printing for more than fifty hours or if you start hearing squeaking noises while building then it's probably time to lubricate your threaded rod and idler pulley, and you should definitely be updating your firmware whenever we come out with a new version. You'll also need to apply a new sheet of Kapton tape to your build plate every once in a while. Consult our Maintenance page or your User Manual for instructions on how to do all of those things.
MakerWare
I'm having trouble installing MakerWare.
Try running the installer again. If the installation fails a second time, please collect as much information on the failure as you can and open a support ticket.
I can't connect to my MakerBot Replicator 2X through MakerWare.
This probably means something has gone wrong with Conveyor, the part of the MakerWare toolchain that handles the connection to your bot. Go to the Services menu and select "Restart Background Service."
I'm trying to print an object with dual extrusion, but I don't see the Object Information menu.
You may not have the correct bot type selected. Go to the MakerBots menu and check that Type of MakerBot is set to Replicator 2X.
For more help with MakerWare, head over to the MakerWare Troubleshooting page.
ReplicatorG
ReplicatorG is our older program for preparing models for building. If you're having any trouble with it, consult the ReplicatorG Troubleshooting page here.
I got an error message on my MakerBot Replicator 2X
Okay -- head over to our page on Replicator 2 error codes. We have a list there of all the error messages you can get.
I’ve read everything and I need more help.
OK — Don’t panic. You’ve just joined a great community, and there are lots of resources at your disposal. To get in touch with the official MakerBot support crew, open a Support Ticket or email [email protected]
