MAKERGEAR M2 User manual

MAKERGEAR
M2V4 Rev. E
Made in the USA since 2009
USER GUIDE

Contents
1 - Welcome
2 - Warning & Important Safeguards
4 - What's Included
5 - Set Up
8 - Slicing .STL or .OBJ Files
10 - Changing Filament
11 - M2 Features
15 - What's The Function?
16 - Maintenance & Technical Support
17 - Shutdown & Storage18-Warranty
19 - What Does "M2 V4 Rev. E" Mean?
20 - About Us

1
WELCOME
Your MakerGear M2 3D Printer has arrived!
Do not change your M2's firmware unless you
know exactly what you're doing or have been
instructed to do so by MakerGear Support.
Do not remove the film of yellow polyimide
tape from your M2's glass bed; this functions as
your print surface, and should be facing up.
With the exception of minimal set up, your M2 is ready
to print out-of-the-box. To ensure both safety and
high quality printing, carefully follow the Set Up
instructions included in this booklet. This machine was
assembled and tested at the MakerGear shop in
Beachwood, Ohio, USA and was fully operational at
the time that it was shipped, as demonstrated by the
sample objects included with your M2—these were
printed on your machine before shipping. This booklet
can also be found on the MakerGear website at
www.makergear.com/pages/m2-assembled, where
you can also access more specific instructions and
resources.

2
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY BEFORE
PRINTING!
PLEASE
SAFETY FIRST,
INSTRUCTIONS SECOND!

3
Important Safeguards
1. To protect against electrical shock, do not put the
machine body, cord or electrical plug in liquid. If your
printer falls into liquid, do not touch it. Instead, unplug
the unit, then remove it immediately. Do not reach
into the liquid without unplugging the unit first.
2. This machine should not be used by children unless
supervised by an adult who understands the risks and
precautions involved in using this machine. To avoid
potential injuries, close supervision is necessary when
unit is used by or near children.
3. Unplug power cord from outlet when not in use. To
unplug, grasp the plug and firmly pull it from electrical
outlet. You should not ever pull the cord.
4. Avoid any contact with moving parts.
5. Keep hands/hair/clothing away from attachments
of printer while the unit is operating to reduce risk of
injury to persons, and/or damage to the unit.
6. Do not operate your unit if: damaged cord/plug,
malfunctioning, dropped or damaged in any way,
or not operating properly.

4
What's Included
Power Supply— ensure
that the voltage setting is
correct for your
outlet before powering on.
Two 1 kg spools of 1.75
mm PLA (color may vary).
Tool kit, M3 driver, tweezers,
filament guide tube,
polyimide tape, USB
cord, feeler gauge, and 4
extra bed hold-down clips.
Spool holders with screws
and a sample print, both of
which were printed on your
M2 using files on the
included SD card.

5
Set Up
Carefully remove the foam from the top of the printer
and from inside the printer frame. Remove the HBP
from its slot in the foam and place it on the 4 legged
“Spider” inside the frame, with the glass facing up.
Remove the printer from the bottom foam. Remove
(and please read) WARNING sheet from underneath your
glass bed by removing the binder clip. Rotate the bed
hold-down clips to point toward the front and back of
the bed in order to secure the glass in place.
Unpack the power supply and set the Voltage Switch to
the voltage supplied through your outlet. There are only
two settings: 115V (for 100 – 130V) and 230V (for 220 –
240V). To find the standard voltage level for your
country, visit www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-
voltage-by-country/ .
Install the Spool Holders with the four screws using the 3
mm allen key, ensuring that the longer side is facing up.
Place your PLA on the Spool Holders so that each tip
unwinds upwards through its Filament Guide Tube. Cut
the PLA so the tips are flat, then feed the filament into
the Filament Guide Tube and into the Filament Drive (If
you have trouble feeding filament with a flat tip, then try
cutting it at a 45 degree angle).
1
2
3

6
4
5
Insert the 6 Position Power Supply Connector into the 6
Position Electronics Connector in SECURELY IN PLACE
the electronics case—note that the power supply
connector should run under all other wires. Next, plug the
power supply into a wall outlet and flip the power supply
switch to the on position.
"Download the MakerGear via Quick Start App
www.MakerGear.com/pages/QuickStart-App. Carefully
follow the instructions below to set your starting height
and align your extruders' nozzles.
To use the Quick Start App with your M2e Dual, you must
first elevate your nozzle 2 (right) approximately 2mm
higher than nozzle 1 (left). After tightening the screw to
secure nozzle 2 in its elevated position, simply follow the
instructions provided by Quick Start in order to complete
the "Check Platform" step for Extruder 1.
Loosen the adjacent screw slightly in order to lower
Extruder 2 so that both nozzles are horizontally aligned.
Use your feeler gauge to ensure that Extruder 2 is at the
correct position. After you've placed Extruder 2 in the
correct position, tighten the screw to secure it in place.
7
6
To access the
visit M2 Quick Start App Tutorial,
http://www.makergear.com/pages/quickstart-app

7
Printing - Dual Extruder
Both Pronterface and Simplify3D work with Dual Extruder units with
only minor changes.
In S3D, to control the second extruder, you need only select "Tool 1"
from the "Active Toolhead" drop-down menu in the Machine Control
Panel; this will send any extruder control commands (Extrude,
Retract or Set Temperature) to Tool 1, instead of the default Tool 0.
Switching back to "Tool 0" as the Active Toolhead will allow you to
control Tool 0 again.
In Pronterface, you first need to change the machine settings - click
on the Settings menu, and then the Options item. In the "Edit
settings" window that opens, you can change your machine
preferences - we are most concerned with "Extruders count" at the
bottom, which you will need to change from "1" to "2". Once
changed, click "OK" to save the settings and close the window, and
then close and open Pronterface to refresh everything.
Once that change has been made, you will have a "Tool: " item next
to the Extruder controls, which will let you toggle between Tool 0
and Tool 1. All Extruder related commands (Set Temperature,
Extrude and Retract) will apply to the selected Tool.
To preheat both nozzles for printing, you would first ensure that Tool
0 is select, and then Set your target temperature; then, select Tool 1,
and Set that target temperature as well.
Once both extruders are up to temperature, you can select either
and click Extrude to extrude filament; before attempting a print,
ensure that both Tool 0 and Tool 1 have extruded filament.
Select Tool 0, and then select "MGkey.g" from the SD card to being
printing. In S3D, that is done by clicking "Print from SD Card" and
selecting "MGkey.g" from the list that pops up; in Pronterface, the
same list can be accessed by clicking on "SD", and then "SD Print".
1
2
3
4
5
6

8
Slicing Files
If you try to download and print a file from the internet,
you’ll notice its format is either .STL or .OBJ, which your
M2 is unable to read. In order to print these files, you
must use special software designed to “slice” them into
“.g” or ".gcode" format - this file format, known as G-
Code, gives your M2 step-by-step commands for
where/how to extrude material. The steps listed below
will help you set up your slicer settings to convert .STL
files into .g format.
Remove your SD Card from the card reader on your M2
and insert it into your computer’s card reader—this will
enable significantly faster transfer of files between your
computer and the SD card (if your computer does not
have an SD card reader, then you can use an external USB
card reader).
Move “MGkey1.stl” and “MGkey2.stl” from your SD card
onto a folder stored on your computer.
Download the most recent version of Slic3r from
slic3r.org. Your slicer settings will be incorrect. To correct
them, click “Load Config Bundle” under “File” and select
the “DualConfig.ini” file available on your SD Card.
1
2
3

9
4Import "MGkey1.stl" and "MGkey2.stl" into your slic3r, and
arrange them on the bed to mimic the sample print
included with your M2E Dual. Double-click one of the two
models to bring up its properties, and select "Extruder 2"
for that model, to have it print with the second (Tool 1)
Extruder. Slice the plate (click "Export G-code..."), and
then name it "myMGkey.g". Transfer this new .g file to
your SD card, eject the card from your computer, and then
insert it back into the card reader on your printer.
Use your printer control software (e.g., Printrun by
Pronterface, available at
http://www.pronterface.com/#download) to instruct your
M2 to print "myMGkey.g" from your SD card.
If this print does not have similar strength and appearance
to the sample print included with your M2e Dual,
reference the online resources offered by your slicing
software provider in order to familiarize yourself with
different slicing settings' impact on various aspects of print
quality. If you experience persistent issues, you can always
contact MakerGear Support via
www.MakerGear.com/support.
*
5

10
3
2
1After ensuring that your hot end is hot enough to print
with your current filament material, use the manual
controls in your software package to "Retract" while
pulling filament gently until it is released from filament
drive.
If switching between filament material types (e.g., PLA to
ABS), heat your extruder to the hottest printing
temperature of the two materials in order to purge the old
material and properly extrude the new material.
Cut the end of your new material so the tip is flat/round,
and feed it into the filament drive.
After placing the tip of the new material into the filament
drive, use the manual controls in your software package to
"Extrude"the filament until you can see it extruding from
the nozzle. This may require gentle downward pressure.
4
* If unable to feed filament properly, then try cutting the tip at
an angle before feeding it into the filament drive.
*The M2 allows you to print with many different filament
materials; however, we recommend using non-experimental
filament materials provided by MakerGear.
Changing Filament

11
M2 Features
1 Z-Fine Adjust Knob
2 Heated Build Platform
3 X-Axis Rail
4 X-Axis Belt
5 Z-Axis Leadscrew
6 10mm Linear Rods
7 Z-Axis Limit Switch
8 SD Card Reader Slot
9Manual Reset Button
10 USB Port
11 Spool Holder

12
M2 Features
17 50 mm Fan
18 40 mm Fan
19 Filament Drive
20 Extruder Wire Mount
21 V4 Hot End

13
M2 Features
12 X-Axis Limit Switch
13 Filament Guide
14 Y-Axis Rail
15 Y-Axis Belt
16 6 Position Electronics Connector
17 Y-Axis Limit Switch

14
M2 Features
20Extruder WireMount 21V4HotEnd 22V4Nozzle
1750mmFan
1840mmFan
19 FilamentDrive

15
What's The Function?
6 Position Electronics Connector Brings power to your M2.
10 mm Linear Rods Guide your bed up & down.
40 mm Fan Cools your filament drive.
50 mm Fan Helps solidify printed layers (as needed).
Extruder Wire Mount Houses wiring for the extruder.
Filament Drive Pulls filament into your extruder.
Filament Guide Guides your filament from spool to guide tube.
Heated Build Platform (HBP) Controls glass bed temperature.
Manual Reset Button Stops all current M2 operations.
SD Card Reader Slot Retrieves stored command info.
Spool Holder Keeps your filament spool secure during printing.
USB Port Receives command info.
X-Axis Belt Keeps your extruder in-sync with your X-motor.
X-Axis Limit Switch Sets "home" position for X-axis motion.
X-Axis Rail Guides your extruder during side-to-side movement.
Y-Axis Belt Keeps your bed in-sync with your Y-motor.
Y-Axis Limit Switch Sets "home" position for Y-axis motion.
Y-Axis Rail Guides your bed during front-to-back movement.
Z-Axis Leadscrew Rotates to move bed up & down.
Z-Axis Limit Switch Sets "home" position for Z-axis motion.
Z-Fine Adjust Knob For last-minute changes to the distance
between your nozzle & bed.
Simple explanations of M2 Features.

16
Maintenance & Support
Weekly (every 50 hours)
Ensure that your bed is at the correct hight and properly
leveled. To do so, open the MakerGear Quick Start application
and follow the commands within the Set Up process in order to
complete the following steps:
1) Check Starting Height 2) Check Bed Level
Ensure that the print surface is free of defects (torn or bubbled
tape) and dust/dirt/grease, and replace tape or clean surface
with appropriate cleaner (alcohol/water at
50%/50%recommended).
Monthly (every 200-250 hours)
Ensure the machine is free of dust and filament debris, and clean
if necessary. Focus areas include fans and fan guards, filament
surface and filament drive, and the entire frame. Clean oil from
the X and Y linear rails and apply a fresh coat to each. A dot of
oil in each of the long grooves on the X and Y rails is sufficient.
Once applied, move that axis through its full travel multiple
times to spread the oil.
Technical Support lives on our website
at www.makergear.com/pages/support
For more maintenance tips
visit MakerGear.wikidot.com

17
Shutdown & Storage
If using your M2 regularly, then turn off the power supply and
unplug both the power supply and USB cords when finished.
If storing your M2 for a period of 1-2 weeks, follow the
instructions listed above AND store the filament spool in its
original bag (fully sealed, with the desiccant packet inside).
If storing your M2 for a period of 2 weeks or more, follow the
instructions listed above THEN cover your entire machine in
order to protect it from the buildup of dust and other airborne
particles.
DO NOT unscrew your nozzle directly from your M2!
To change or remove its nozzle, you must first remove the
entire hot end. Visit our website and Youtube channel for step-
by-step instructions on how to remove the hot end and change
its nozzle.
Technical Support lives on our website at
www.makergear.com/pages/support

18
Warranty
New M2s ordered from MakerGear or from an authorized
MakerGear distributor have a Six-Month Non-Transferable
Limited Warranty. MakerGear will replace defective parts on
M2s that are under warranty. Replacement parts may be new
or refurbished and include free shipping in the US only. Non-US
customers are responsible for the shipping costs for
replacement parts.
Exceptions
The M2 has an open design (no proprietary cartridges) and M2
owners are free to use 3rd party filament. However, the
MakerGear hot end is only covered when MakerGear filament
and authentic MakerGear components are used. Due to
variances in quality, MakerGear is unable to provide tech
support for issues related to third party filament. If you are
using filament or extruder components from a third party, you
must contact your vendor for technical support. The six-month
warranty offered by MakerGear does not cover machine abuse.
Technical Support lives on our website at
www.makergear.com/pages/support