MakerBot Replicator+ User manual

MakerBot Replicator+
3D Printer
Quick Start Guide

*Safety Warning*
During the course of normal operation of the Replicator+ a couple potentials for injury will
arise. The extruder (or print nozzle) will reach temperatures of around 230 C (446 F). The
extruder and other metal parts nearby will cause burns if care is not taken. The Replicator+
also has several “pinch points”. While the Replicator+ is printing the user should never place
their hands or other body parts inside the machine. Long hair or dangling attire over the
printer may also become snagged in the printer’s moving parts. Please be sure to work
cautiously and ask staff for assistance if you are unsure on operating procedures. At any time
the printer can be paused by using the MakerBot Print software or the Replicator+’s onboard
controls. When in doubt, ask.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of copies or
other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using GCLS equipment is liable for
any infringement.

Loading and Unloading Filament
1. Turn on computer connected to the MakerBot Replicator+ (if not on already).
2. Locate power switch in the bottom rear of the MakerBot Replicator+ and turn on (if not on already).
3. Changing Filament: The easiest way to change the filament for your
MakerBot Replicator+ is to use the control panel on the front of the

machine. The large dial to the right of the display is also your main
button.
*Please note*  If filament is already in the printer as seen below, follow
this step. If the printer is already empty of filament, skip to step X.

On the control panel, select Filament > Unload Filament.
The Smart Extruder+ will now start to heat up. Remove the filament from
the extruder only when prompted by the control panel. Attempting to
remove the filament prematurely will damage the machine.
4. Open the filament drawer by pushing down on the tab in the photo
below and pulling up on the drawer.
5. Once lifted up as shown in the photo below, the drawer will stay in
place.

6. Now, unload the filament by rotation filament spool clockwise. Be sure
to grab ahold of the end of the filament (as seen below). While holding
onto the spool and the end of the filament, gently pull the spool towards
you to remove from the machine.
7. Now, place the end of the filament into one of the four sets of holes on
the outside of the filament to prevent unwinding. First use the closest
hole of the set and then the furthest as shown in the photo below.

8. We are now ready to place the new spool of filament into the filament
drawer. If the drawer is closed refer to Step 4 on how to open. Be sure to
align the spool so that the filament feeds out clockwise and into the
guide tube (the white tube).
9. Trim the end of the filament (if needed) so that there is a clean edge.
Begin feeding the filament into the guide tube. Continue feeding until an
inch or so of filament is sticking out of the end of the guide tube nearest
the extruder (as shown).
10. On the front control panel select Filament > Load Filament. The
printer may need to heat back up again. Once the printer is ready the
onboard display will prompt you to insert the filament into the top of the
extruder. Follow the on screen display for instructions.

11. Once your filament is extruding you should cancel the operation by
pressing the button (dial). *Please note* if you are changing from one
color to another, you will see the original color extruding first and then
your new color. Wait until your color is extruding before cancelling
loading.
12. Now, close the filament drawer gently (do not let it drop). Make sure
the guide tube is snugly tucked into the top of the extruder.
13. Be sure to double check that the build plate is empty and properly
secured, your filament is loaded correctly, and that there are no foreign
objects inside the printers area of operation.
LOADING AND PRINTING A FILE
1. You can print a design of your own creation, or find many free designs online at a site
like Thingiverse.com or myminifactory.com. These are sites where members of the 3D
Printing community share designs out with other users. Thingiverse has a wide selection,
but does not guarantee the printability of everything on the site. Myminifactory has a
more limited selection, but vets every design for printability. In the next steps, we’ll use
Thingiverse to download a design. Open a web browser on the computer and visit:
http://www.thingiverse.com

3. Open MakerBot Print Software located on the desktop of the computer.
Once open, you should see this screen: