MakerBot Replicator unboxing and assembly (photos)

The Replicator ships in a box about the size of a large air conditioner. It fit in the trunk of a Nissan Versa hatchback, although I had to lower the rear passenger seat.

The manual for the Replicator only covers hardware setup. The instructions are easy enough, but to learn about the software installation and using the device, the guide refers you to the MakerBot Web site.

Here I've removed cardboard from the top and from around the sides of the printer. Despite cardboard-only packing material, the package feels secure.

MakerBot supports the interior of the printer with cardboard spacers and boxes of plastic filament. It's not an Apple packing job, but it's about as smooth and efficient as it can be given the design of its contents.

A few accessory and support boxes on the bottom of the box.

A power supply, a USB cable, and tubing to guide the plastic filament.

This is the print head with two extruders. It's this piece that gives the Replicator its unique ability to print objects in two different colors.

MakerBot graciously includes two spools of 1.75mm ABS plastic filament, one black, and translucent/natural. Each spool has 1 kilogram of printing material.

The Replicator and all of its included hardware and accessories.

First step to putting the printer together, anchor this cable to the base of the unit.

Next, attach the extruder head to the mounting assembly, using two hex screws (screws and wrench included).

The Replicator's only janky-feeling part so far: four pieces of cut rubber tubing. You slide these on the Replicator to keep it from wobbling while it prints.

The mounting hardware for the spools of plastic filament.

Rubber tubes guide the filament from the spool to the extruder head.

Mounting the spool is simple and self-explanatory.

This shows the full filament pathway, from spool, to tubing, to extruder head.

Next step, installing the ReplicatorG software on our computer.

The MakerBot Replicator next to the MakerGear Mosaic 3D printer. We built the smaller printer from a DIY kit back in January.