MakerBot Announces the Replicator 2X

If you’ve felt an extra level of energy in the tech crowd recently, it’s probably being generated by CES. 3D printing is part of the excitement of the technology and innovation expo, and today has brought us the announcement of a new additive manufacturing (AM) system from MakerBot.

It wasn’t all that long ago that MakerBot made waves by announcing the Replicator 2, an AM system aimed at professionals from a company known for its hobbyist roots. But where the Replicator 2 was created to work with PLA, the Replicator 2X Experimental has been designed to push the boundaries of what can be accomplished with ABS.

“If you are a MacGyver, a Doc Brown, or have a little mad scientist in you, and want to experiment with one of the fullest featured desktop 3D printers and see where it can take you, the MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental Desktop 3D Printer is for you,” said Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “The MakerBot Replicator 2 was optimized for PLA Filament, which has been proven to be a consistent-use filament.  But there are many ABS Filament fans out there that want to keep using ABS, even though it can be a trickier and more challenging product to use.”

The Replicator 2X has a build area of 11 x 6 x 6 in. (28.5 x15.3 x 15.5 cm) and a resolution of 100µ. The new printer also offers a dual-extruder head that can print in two colors, simultaneously. According to the company, the re-engineered extruder head has been designed to reduce errors, and make reloading easier.

Other features include an update to the MakerWare software that has been designed to guide the dual-extruder Replicator 2X, and enclosed sides to help regulate the temperature of ABS as it cools. The new printer will go on sale January 11 at a cost of $2,799.

Below you’ll find the announcement video for the Replicator 2X.

Source: MakerBot