MakerBot Replicator Z18 User manual

USER MANUAL

1 WELCOME 04
Legal Notices 05
Safety and Compliance 07
About the MakerBot Replicator Z18 10
2GETTING STARTED 14
Accessory Checklist 15
Unpacking the MakerBot Replicator Z18 16
Setting up the MakerBot Replicator Z18 21
3STARTUP 25
The MakerBot Replicator Z18 Control Panel 26
First Steps 27
4MAKERBOT DESKTOP 30
Downloading and Installing MakerBot Desktop 31
Printing from MakerBot Desktop 33
5THE CONTROL PANEL 41
Home Screen 42
Print 43
Filament 47
Preheat 49
Utilities 49
Settings 51
Info 52
VERSION 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome.
Let’s get started.
6TROUBLESHOOTING 53
Printing Problems 54
Leveling the Build Plate 57
Updating Firmware 59
Emptying the Filament Waste Bin 59
7REFERENCE 60
Specifications 61
Glossary 62
Contact 65
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERSION 1

WELCOME.
Welcome to the User Manual for the MakerBot®
Replicator®Z18 3D Printer. With the MakerBot
Replicator Z18 you can print high-resolution,
industrial-quality prototypes bigger than ever,
but it also requires care and attention, so please
be sure to read this manual all the way through.
1

5
LEGAL
The MakerBot®Replicator®Z18 3D Printer is covered by a limited warranty. For terms and
conditions, see makerbot.com/legal.
All information in this user manual (“Manual”) is subject to change at any time without
notice and is provided for convenience purposes only. MakerBot Industries, LLC and our
respective aliates and suppliers (“MakerBot”) reserves the right to modify or revise this
Manual in its sole discretion and at any time and makes no commitment to provide any such
changes, updates, enhancements, or other additions to this Manual in a timely manner or
at all. You agree to be bound by any modifications and/or revisions. Contact the MakerBot
Support Team for up-to-date information.
In order to protect MakerBot proprietary and confidential information and/or trade secrets,
this document may describe some aspects of MakerBot technology in generalized terms.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
OVERALL PROVISIONS
The design of this Manual and all text, graphics, information, content, and other material are
protected by copyright and other laws. The contents are copyright 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014 MakerBot. All rights reserved. Certain trademarks, trade names, service marks, and
logos (the “Marks”) used in this Manual are registered and unregistered trademarks, trade
names, and service marks of MakerBot and its aliates. Nothing contained in this Manual
grants or should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license
or right to use any Marks without the written permission of MakerBot. Any
unauthorized use of any information, materials, or Marks may violate copyright laws,
trademark laws, laws of privacy and publicity, and/or other laws and regulations.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
WELCOME.

6
LEGAL
MakerBot does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, products,
or services provided by or through this Manual and assumes no assume no responsibility
for any typographical, technical, or other inaccuracies in this Manual, which is provided
“as is” and without any express or implied warranties of any kind, including warranties
of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual
property. In connection with your use of this Manual, MakerBot shall not be liable to you for
any damages whatsoever, be they direct, economic, commercial, special, consequential,
incidental, exemplary, or indirect damages, even if MakerBot has been advised of the
possibility of such damages, including without limitation, loss of business revenue
or earnings, lost data, or lost profits. MakerBot assumes no responsibility, nor will be
liable, for any damages to, or any viruses or malware that may infect, your computer,
telecommunication equipment, or other property caused by or arising from your downloading
of any information or materials related to this Manual. The foregoing exclusions do not apply
to the extent prohibited by law; please refer to your local laws for any such prohibitions.
MakerBot makes no warranties to those defined as “consumers” in the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act.
DISCLAIMERS
WELCOME.

WELCOME.7
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERFERENCE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
You may also find helpful the following booklet, prepared by the FCC: “How to Identify and Resolve
Radio-TV Interference Problems.” This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Oce,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer or registrant of this equipment
can void your authority to operate this equipment under FCC rules.
MANUFACTURER
MakerBot Industries, LLC
One MetroTech Center, 21st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
347.334.6800
WIRELESS SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency
WLAN RF
Frequency Range Protocol Antenna Type
Antenna
Specifications
2.4 GHz 2.412 - 2.472 GHz 802.11 b/g/n
Taoglas, part #
FX831.07.0100C
2.5 dBi in the 2.4
GHz band

WELCOME.8
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
Safety alert symbols precede each safety message in this manual. These symbols indicate
potential safety hazards that could harm you or others or cause product or property damage.
Warning: The MakerBot Replicator Z18 generates high temperatures. Always allow
the MakerBot Replicator Z18 to cool down before you reach inside.
Warning: The MakerBot Replicator Z18 includes moving parts that can cause injury.
Never reach inside the MakerBot Replicator Z18 while it is in operation.
Warning: There is a risk of shock. The MakerBot Replicator Z18 is not user serviceable.
Caution: Avoid leaving the MakerBot Replicator Z18 unattended during operation.
If you must leave the MakerBot Replicator Z18 unattended during a print, exercise
caution and follow these guidelines:
• • Verify that the MakerBot Replicator Z18 has started the print and is
operating normally.
• • Ensure that filament is wound tightly on the spool, free of tangles
• and feeding properly.
• • Monitor your print periodically.
• • If possible, monitor your print via the on-board camera.
•
Caution: Two people are required to li the MakerBot Replicator Z18. Do not li
alone. To prevent injury, li with your legs, not your back.
Caution: Do not print using materials that have not been approved by MakerBot for
use with the MakerBot Replicator Z18. Refer to the Specifications section on page 61
for more information.

WELCOME.9
Caution: The socket outlet must be located near the machine and must be
easily accessible.
Caution: In case of emergency disconnect the MakerBot Replicator Z18 from
the socket outlet.
Caution: The MakerBot Replicator Z18 melts plastic during printing. Plastic odors
are emitted during this operation. Make sure to set up the MakerBot Replicator Z18
in a well-ventilated area.
Caution: Never remove the Smart Extruder from your MakerBot Replicator Z18 or turn
o the MakerBot Replicator Z18 during or immediately aer printing. Always allow the
Smart Extruder to cool completely before removing it from the MakerBot Replicator
Z18 or turning o your 3D printer.
Caution: Do not look directly at any operating LED component.
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

WELCOME.10
ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
The MakerBot Replicator Z18 makes solid, three-dimensional objects out of melted
MakerBotPLA Filament. First, use MakerBot Desktop to translate 3D design files into
instructions for theMakerBot Replicator Z18. Then transfer those instructions to the
MakerBot Replicator Z18 via USB drive, USB cable, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
The MakerBot Replicator Z18 will melt MakerBot PLA Filament and squeeze it out onto
the build plate in thin lines to build your object layer by layer. With the huge build volume
of the MakerBot Replicator Z18, this part of the process can take a long time. The method of 3D
printing used by the MakerBot Replicator Z18 is called fused deposition modeling.
HOW IT WORKS

WELCOME.11
ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
1
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS
4. Control panel
5. Filament drawer
1. Build plate
2. Filament waste bin
3. Build plate latches
5
2
4
3
6. Smart Extruder
6

WELCOME.12
ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
2
1
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS
3
4
3. USB port1. Power switch
2. Power input port 4. Ethernet port

WELCOME.13
ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
2
1
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS
4
4. Bellows
1. Gantry
2. Extruder carriage
3. Filament guide tube
3

GETTING STARTED
When you set up your MakerBot®Replicator®
Z18 3D printer, remember that it was built and
packaged very carefully at the MakerBot factory.
We hope you’ll take your time and be just as
careful unpacking it and getting it set up.
2

GETTING STARTED15
ACCESSORY CHECKLIST
POWER CORDBUILD PLATE TAPE USB CABLE 5 MM HEX WRENCH
SAFETY BOOKLET MAKERBOT REPLICATOR
SMART EXTRUDER
LARGE MAKERBOT PLA
FILAMENT SPOOL
Inside your MakerBot Replicator Z18 you’ll find everything you need to get started, including
a spool of MakerBot PLA filament and a sheet of build plate tape. To order more build plate
tape or filament, go to store.makerbot.com

GETTING STARTED16
2 REMOVE PACKAGING MATERIALS
UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
Cut the straps holding the MakerBot
Replicator Z18 box in place and li o the
cardboard lid and sleeve.
Remove the tape and foam holding the
door and filament drawer of the MakerBot
Replicator Z18 open.
Peel the film o the outside of the
MakerBot Replicator Z18.
1 REMOVE THE BOX

GETTING STARTED17
3 REMOVE ACCESSORIES
UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
Take the accessory and filament boxes out
of the MakerBot Replicator Z18 and set
them aside.
4 TAKE THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18 OFF OF THE PALLET
Li the MakerBot Replicator Z18 o of the
pallet and place it on a stable surface.
You will need to remove the lid of the
MakerBot Replicator Z18 in order to load
filament, so make sure the surface is low
enough to allow you to access the top of
your 3D printer.
Caution: Two people are required to li
the MakerBot Replicator Z18. Do not li
alone. To prevent injury, li with your legs,
not your back.

GETTING STARTED18
5 ADJUST LEVELING FEET
UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
If the MakerBot Replicator Z18 shows any
tendency to wobble, stabilize it using the
adjustable leveling feet.
To adjust one of the feet, tilt the MakerBot
Replicator Z18 up at one corner and rotate
the foot to raise or lower that corner of your
3D printer.

GETTING STARTED19
UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
6 REMOVE LID
Use a tool to unlock the lid of the MakerBot
Replicator Z18. Pull the lid o and set it aside.

GETTING STARTED20
7 REMOVE GANTRY CLIPS
UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18
Remove the orange plastic clips from
the top compartment of the MakerBot
Replicator Z18. There are two clips, one on
the belt at each side.