Makerbot Z18 User Manual

USER MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

WELCOME 04

Legal 05

Safety and Compliance 07

About the MakerBot Replicator Z18 10

2

GETTING STARTED 14

Accessory Checklist 15

Unpacking the MakerBot Replicator Z18 16

Setting up the MakerBot Replicator Z18 21

3

STARTUP 25

The MakerBot Replicator Z18 Control Panel 26

First Steps 27

4

MAKERBOT DESKTOP 30

Downloading and Installing MakerBot Desktop 31

Printing from MakerBot Desktop 33

5

THE CONTROL PANEL 41

Home Screen 42

Print 43

Filament 47

Preheat 49

Utilities 49

Settings 51

Info 52

VERSION 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6

TROUBLESHOOTING 53

Printing Problems 54

Leveling the Build Plate 57

Updating Firmware 59

Emptying the Filament Waste Bin 59

7

REFERENCE 60

Specifications 61

Glossary 62

How to use MakerBot Support 65

Contact 66

Welcome.
Let’s get started.

VERSION 1

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.

LEGAL

PRODUCT WARRANTY

The MakerBot® Replicator® Z18 3D Printer is covered by a limited warranty. For terms and
conditions, see makerbot.com/legal.

OVERALL PROVISIONS

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.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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.

5

WELCOME.

LEGAL

DISCLAIMERS

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.

6

WELCOME.

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

WELCOME.7

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.8

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

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.

WELCOME.9

ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

HOW IT WORKS

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, or your local network.

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. During
printing, the heated build chamber will allow the extruded PLA to cool slowly, minimizing
warping and curling.The method of 3D printing used by the MakerBot Replicator Z18 is
called fused deposition modeling.

WELCOME.10

ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS

1

2

3

1. Build plate

2. Filament waste bin

WELCOME.11

3. Build plate latches

4. Control panel

4

5

5. Filament drawer

ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS

2

1

3

4

3. USB port1. Power switch

2. Power input port 4. Ethernet port

WELCOME.12

ABOUT THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

MAKERBOT REPLICATOR DIAGRAMS

2

1

3

4

1. Gantry

2. Extruder carriage

WELCOME.13

3. Filament guide tube

4. Bellows

2

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.

ACCESSORY CHECKLIST

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

SAFETY BOOKLET MAKERBOT REPLICATOR

POWER CORDBUILD PLATE TAPE USB CABLE 5 MM HEX WRENCH

GETTING STARTED15

SMART EXTRUDER

LARGE MAKERBOT PLA
FILAMENT SPOOL

UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

1 REMOVE THE BOX

Cut the straps holding the MakerBot
Replicator Z18 box in place and li o the
cardboard lid and sleeve.

2 REMOVE PACKAGING MATERIALS

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.

GETTING STARTED16

UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

3 REMOVE ACCESSORIES

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 STARTED17

UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

5 ADJUST LEVELING FEET

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 STARTED18

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 STARTED19

UNPACKING THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

7 REMOVE GANTRY CLIPS

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.

GETTING STARTED20

SETTING UP THE MAKERBOT REPLICATOR Z18

1 INSTALL SMART EXTRUDER

Locate and unwrap the Smart Extruder and
press it against the back of the extruder
carriage, with the connector pins facing the
front of the MakerBot Replicator Z18. Magnets
will lock the Smart Extruder into place.

Note: If you need to install the Smart Extruder

i

again at any time, go to the control panel and

select Utilities > System Tools > Attach

Smart Extruder.

Caution: Never remove the Smart Extruder from your 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.

2 LOAD FILAMENT SPOOL

2a. Locate the Large MakerBot PLA Filament
spool and remove it from its plastic bag.

2b. Push the right side of the filament drawer
to open it.

2c. Place the spool in the drawer with the
MakerBot logo facing up.

GETTING STARTED21