Operation Manual
ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a
widely used thermoplastic, and the primary
material used for making things on the
MakerBot Replicator 2X.
BUILD PLATFORM: The support for the
heated build plate. The build platform
includes knobs for manual leveling.
DRIVE GEAR: The gear that pushes the
MakerBot Filament into the heated part of
the extruder.
DUAL EXTRUSION: A process in which two
extruders loaded with two dierent colors
or kinds of plastic work together to 3D print
an object.
ENCLOSURE LID: The clear acrylic hood
that helps keep warm air inside the
MakerBot Replicator 2X. The enclosure lid is
shipped separately.
EXTRUDER: The assembly that draws
the filament from the spool, melts it and
pushes it through a nozzle onto the heated
build plate. Your MakerBot Replicator 2X
has two extruders.
EXTRUDER FANS: The fans that keep the
MakerBot Replicator 2X extruder motors
cool and disperse heat from the heat sinks.
EXTRUDER LEVER ARMS: The levers
on the MakerBot Replicator 2X extruders.
These move the bearing inside the extruder
away from the drive gear, allowing for easier
loading and unloading of filament.
FAN GUARDS: The grills that protect
the extruder fans and protect the user
from the fans.
FILAMENT GUIDE TUBES: The plastic
tubes that guide the MakerBot Filament
from the filament spools to the extruders.
GANTRY: The metal rods that allow the
MakerBot Replicator 2X extruders to move
on the X and Y axes.
GCODE: The computer language used
to describe the toolpath your MakerBot
Replicator 2X will use to 3D print an object.
GCode is converted to X3G before being
saved to your SD card.
HEAT SINKS: The components that
dissipate heat from the cartridge heaters.
They look like aluminum plates with fins.
HEATED BUILD PLATE: The heated surface
on which the MakerBot Replicator 2X builds
an object.
INFILL: The printed internal lattice that
provides structural support for your object.
KAPTON TAPE: A heat-resistant film
that adheres well to ABS plastic at high
temperatures. Use it to cover the heated
build plate so that objects will stick to the
plate during the build.
LCD CONTROL PANEL: The liquid-crystal
display at the front lower right corner of
the MakerBot Replicator 2X. This control
panel provides status information about
the MakerBot Replicator 2X and includes
control menus and diagnostics.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
107REFERENCE