MakerBot Replicator+ (EDU) 3D Printer: Is Easy as They Claim?

The MakerBot Replicator+ (5th Gen) (Educator Edition) is an easy to use fused deposition modeling benchtop 3D Printer for beginners. We think it is a great 3D Printer for the novice 3D Printer, but it has some troublesome issues. Is ease of use is worth the hefty price to add 3D printing capability to your lab?

Is the MakerBot Replicator+ (5th Gen) (Educator Edition – EDU) a Good 3D Printer for Beginners?

Automation labs can be a vibrant and changing work space.  Every day we face challenges that push the boundaries of off the shelf automation device solutions. When my team reaches the limits of the technology, we turn to unique solutions to solve those challenges.

Looking to capitalize off our in-house solution ideas, we implemented 3D printing over a year ago in to our lab.  We bought the MakerBot Replicator+(5th Gen) (Educator Edition – EDU) , a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D Printer. We made this choice because we had some familiarity with an earlier model from MakerBot in another lab. 

The reviews claimed that it was an easy to use model and great for beginners. This sounded good to us because we were looking for an out the box solution that was low maintenance. 

I wanted to provide a one-year review of our experience using the MakerBot Replicator+ (5th Gen) (Educator Edition – EDU).  Many of you may just be thinking of adding 3D printing capability to your labs. This perspective from a relatively new user to the 3D printing world will hopefully give you a better perspective on deciding if this printer is for you. 

What are the Specs for the MakerBot Replicator+?

Out the box, the MakerBot Replicator+ (5th Gen) (Educator Edition – EDU) is a nice and sleek looking self-contained unit. Its sturdy plastic construction and four side open access fits in very nicely into most lab areas. With benchtop lab space being a premium for most groups, its footprint of 52.8 L X 44.1 W X 41.0 H cm [20.8 X 17.4 X 16.2 in] and weight of 18.3 kg [40.4 lbs.] allows it to fit on a standard lab benchtop.

Build Volume	29.5 L X 19.5 W X 16.5 H cm 9,492 Cubic Centimeters [11.6 X 7.6 X 6.5 in] [573 Cubic Inches]
Layer Resolution	100 microns [0.0039 in]
Material Diameter	1.75 mm [0.069 in]
Filament Types	PLA Tough PLA (with Tough Smart Extruder), and Others (with Experimental Extruder)
Nozzle Diameter	0.4 mm [0.015 in]
Product Dimensions	52.8 L X 44.1 W X 41.0 H cm [20.8 X 17.4 X 16.2 in]
Product Weight	18.3 kg [40.4 lbs]
XY Positioning Precision	11 Microns [0.0004 IN]
Z Positioning Precision	2.5 Microns [0.0001 IN]
Supported File Types	STL, OBJ
Operating Systems	Windows (7, 10) Mac OS X (10.9+)
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet, Wi­fi
Camera resolution	640 x 480

How much does a MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer Cost?

When we initially purchased the system over a year ago, it cost around $2700 USD, but you may want check for a current price for the Makerbot Replicator+. That price did not include an extended service warranty that I recommend you do look in to.  This price made it one of the most expensive benchtop FDM’s you could purchase when compared to other enthusiast models like the PRUSA based models or the Creality Ender 3 3D Printer which you can buy for under $500. (Read our in-depth review of the Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Review: Best Budget Prusa Clone)

We hoped that premium we paid would lead to easy setup and maintenance with many good prints. 

How easy is It to Setup the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

I was immediately frustrated during setup because the directions in the box required me to setup the printer via a wireless connection; and required a cell phone app I had to download.  Though this is forgivable, I ran into an issue because my cell phone was not running the latest compatible version of the Android OS.  I had to upgrade to a newer more expensive phone with the proper OS because my cell phone service provider had no plans on updating my OS.

I found out later that the system could be setup with the USB plug on the back to your PC, but I didn’t find clear instructions included with the printer to set that up.  You can also connect it directly to your network via an ethernet port on the back. Sadly, you can’t adjust any of the ethernet or Wi-Fi internal settings of the system as it is pretty much plug and play.

I also, didn’t recall seeing any requirements for the version of OS I needed and that would have been nice to know earlier.  Also, you have to setup an account with MakerBot prior to completing setting up your printer, which means I’m now on their emailing list.  Yes, this allows you to access some nice goodies like viewing or starting your prints remotely.

I wish I didn’t have to have an account or have to purchase a new expensive cell phone in order to run an already expensive 3D printer.

With all that said, minus my own personal hiccups, the setup process was relatively easy with the cell phone app guiding you through a nice portion of the setup.

What is are the System User Interface and Controls like for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

Controls for the MakerBot Replicator+ are located at near eye level when placed on most lab benches or tables. The color digital display is navigated with a push button wheel and two additional buttons.  It also gives you a nice preview picture of the print item while selecting them before and during a printing.

If you plan on using the MakerBot Replicator+ as a stand-alone unit that is not connected to a PC, you can either print your prepared builds directly from a USB thumb drive, or add them via the USB thumb drive to the internal storage drive to be printed later.  We use it to store some common widgets that we break often (something I will discuss later). 

One troubling thing I had to figure out is that some USB thumb drives didn’t work with this printer.  I went through half a dozen thumb drives I had laying around to find one that this system would recognize.  I’m still not sure why this is the issue.  I would plug some of them in and it would just be searching my drive forever.

Something to be aware of is that the screen does not scroll a long name past a few characters. I had several versions of a build I wanted to add to the internal storage, and was unable to tell which one I wanted by name.  I ended up shortening up the names with the version designations so that they would fit on the screen.

A cool feature is that this printer comes with a camera for you to monitor your prints live.  From the control screen on the printer you can actually take screen shots and save them locally or transfer them to your USB thumb drive to share with others.

What is the Filament Storage for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer Like?

Unlike other printers that have their filaments external and hanging off them, the MakerBot Replicator+ hides the spools inside the back portion of the system, while allowing you to monitor how much you have left.  This feature can be a double-edged sword. 

In a lab setting this is a nice touch to limit taking up space, in addition to not being able to have a separate external filament roll that could get snagged on.  Loading filament from this back mounted storage compartment is very easy. The filament is fed into the extruder, for the most part, effortlessly.

The downside of this setup is that you are limited to Makerbot’s proprietary filament spools. I am now seeing some knock offs in the market place, but that is a buyer beware. If your print requires more than a full roll, you might be out of luck unless you setup some external filament feed. 

Also, with some materials that are sensitive to being left out in the open air and moisture (i.e. PLA), you will have to unmount the spool to prevent future issues with your prints.

What are the Extruders for the MakerBot Replicator+?

Now, to get that filament to print your desired build, you have several options of proprietary extruders for your system. MakerBot makes their extruders easy to attach and change out using magnets.   

The MakerBot Replicator+ comes with the Smart Extruder+ that is designed to use only PLA filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm [0.069 in] which is disappointing.  On the plus side it detects when you’re out of filament and automatically pauses the print.  It will send a notification to you via the MakerBot Desktop software and the MakerBot Mobile iOS or Android app.

You can purchase their Tough Smart Extruder+ at an additional cost to use their proprietary Tough PLA filament plastic for prints that require extra toughness and strength. They claim tough PLA builds are equal to or better than ABS plastic. 

What is the Experimental Extruder for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

Finally, they released an Experimental Extruder that you can purchase for your system that opens up additional materials such as ABS and Nylon that you can use and print with.  This extruder comes with additional nozzles of various size and materials along with some removal tools.  I attached the the experimental extruder to the system and it unlocked settings that were not available with the other two extruders. 

Sadly, MakerBot provides very little guidance or recommendations for settings for using these new materials or this Experimental Extruder.  You’ll have to search the various forums and rely on the filament manufacturer’s recommended temperature settings to work out what works best. In other words, novice applicants need not apply.

Loading and unloading filament into the extruder is very easy, as the system walks you through the steps.

What are the Surface and Build Plate for the MakerBot Replicator+?

So far, most of the shortcomings of the Replicator+ are forgivable and workable.  The build plate is where all the good things fall apart. Why?  Because the surface your print needs to adhere to is very important.

MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer Surface and Build Plate: The good…

The build plate for the Replicator+ is made out of semi flexible material and comes with a proprietary removable surface sheet.  Most build plates from other units are rigid and difficult to remove prints stuck to their surface.  The Replicator+ build plate allows you to easily remove it from the slotted base platform and with a few bends of the plate you can remove your printed item without the use of a spatula, for the most part.

Additionally, the Replicator+ build plate is factory leveled has an auto Z feature that acts as a level feature for the build plate which saves you a ton of time over other cheaper 3D printers.  These features of the build plate provide a novice an easy path to getting up and running.

MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer Surface and Build Plate: The bad…

The build plate for the Replicator+ is made out of semi flexible material and comes with a proprietary removable surface sheet.  Excessive flexing of the build plate can warp the plate causing prints to not be properly attached to the build plate surface even with rafts.  The surface sheet material that comes with the printer provides a poor adhesion surface for the PLA plastic to bind to.

Additionally, due to the build plate not being heated, you may be limited in the materials you can use as they may shrink and detach from the surface of the build plate.  I recommend that if you’re looking to use other materials besides PLA that you think long and hard about getting the MakerBot Replicator+ due to the unheated build plate.  

The combination of these issues has caused many of my larger prints to be warped.  The build plate and build surface will become consumables that need to be replaces often.  I searched the internet for over a year for a solution to my problem and only recently found an answer.

I detail solutions to fix the surface adhesion for the Replicator+ in our Top 5 Tips to Fix MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Print Warping.

What is the Printing Software for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

One of the saving graces of the Replicator+ is the easy to use MakerBot Print software. You download the software that works with your printer to create slices for the printer.  You will have to create an account with MakerBot online in order to utilize their software.

I believe is the only one that works with their printer.  It allows you create a project from your .STL or .OBJ files and prepare them for printing.

Is the Makerbot Replicator+ 3D Printer Software Easy to Use for Beginners?

For a novice it is easy to get up and running with some of the recommended settings.  It allows you to do some adjustments to your system, but this may not be enough for a seasoned pro.  I found it at the right about of complexity for my beginners need.

You’ll first need to create a project by importing your .STL or .OBJ file into the MakerBot Print program, where you can adjust the orientation and settings for your print. You can save your project for later use.  If you want to print your project using your USB thumb drive, you can’t just save your project and load it into the Replicator+.  

You will need to export it to your USB thumb drive with the export function.

One cool aspect of the MakerBot software is that you can have it loaded on to a remote PC and be able to control the printer as if you were right next to it as long as the printer is connected to the internet. You can also see live video of the lighted print build plate at any time and the system.

Issues with PC Connectivity Caused by Software or Hardware?

My only issue with the software is my inability to connect my PC to the printer via the USB consistently.  I have looked through the various forums and even updated my USB drivers to fix this issue to no avail. It is possible that the connection is broken in the printer itself. 

There is also a mobile phone app for Apple and Android that allows you to visually monitor your print and gives you some limited control over the printer.

Finally, if you log into your account on the MakerBot’s website, you can view a periodic picture of your build plate and even setup a print with very limited setting control (read almost none). But it is still a nice touch.

What is the Print Build Quality for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

Here is what you all came here for.  The Replicator+ has a generous build volume and claims to be able to accommodate a 29.5 L X 19.5 W X 16.5 H cm [11.6 X 7.6 X 6.5 in] or 9,492 Cubic Centimeters [573 Cubic Inches] build.  It is able to print to a layer resolution of 100 microns [0.0039 in] with PLA. 

For most basic prints, the build quality is fine. The accuracy and precision of my builds is decent when compared to what I specified in my CAD software program.  But if my specifications require precision of less than a millimeter, fine accuracy in print leaves something to be desired.  Luckily in the world I live in, a millimeter’s accuracy is fine. I was even able to print out some decent sized threads and bolts without having to use a die and tap. 

Some of the included demo prints in the internal storage show off some the things you can do including a linked chain printed made together at one time.  

Like most FDM’s you’ll see the layers during your print which will require some post processing sanding to smooth them out, but I don’t find this a major issue.

Is the Support Density Adjustable for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer?

Maybe it is due to my inexperience, but I’m finding it hard to reduce the density of the supports for prints, even though I lower the density within the software.  Removal of these supports sometimes require some needle nose pliers to successfully clean the print.

As I stated above, we have had warped prints on anything larger than 8 cm in length or width.  Our warping occurred on the same side of the build plate causing us wonder if it was due to a cool air draft in the lab.  We did some experiments to block air flow and found that was not the case.  

To read what we tried to fix the issue please check out our article Top 5 Tips to Fix MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Print Warping.

Finally, the system isn’t very noisy during printing.  When you already have a ton of robots and other systems going in the lab, it is nice not to have an additional noise to deal with.

Conclusions

MakerBot tries to give you a one stop shopping experience with their closed ecosystem for the Replicator+.  It lowers the entry barrier for getting individuals into 3D printing.  If you have very little experience with 3D printing and want to get started quickly, the MakerBot Replicator+ MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer may be your answer. 

For experienced creators this system may not be to your liking, due to the lack of control and lack of a heated build plate.  Tinkerers may hate the closed ecosystem MakerBot has built around the Replicator+, it’s filaments, and extruders. 

The premium price you have to pay for the Replicator+ may not be an issue for your company to get your team up and running quickly, but if you want more control and perhaps a better build quality you may need to look elsewhere.  I personally think that this system has served us well as an entry into the 3D printing space.  If you have to jump in to 3D printing, and you have the dough, you could do a lot worse than the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer from what I’ve seen.