Thing-O-Matic Assembly Instructions / User Manual
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Welcome, Thing-O-Matic Operator!

You are embarking on a journey on the forefront of MakerBot technology. Owning a Thing-O-Matic puts you in the ranks of a small, dedicated, international group who have their own 3D printer. Soon you will have a tool to materialize your ideas into physical objects. This is going to be awesome, and you can do it.

The build will be fun and potentially challenging. Only a few short years ago, low-cost 3D printing was a pie-in-the-sky idea. We've come a long way since then, and things have gotten much easier. Low-cost 3D printing is still a frontier, so you may encounter a few bumps along the way.

If you get stuck and need some help, there's a great community and our dedicated support staff to help you.

Before You Begin

  1. Read the documentation, so nothing is unexpected. Every page has a discussion link at the bottom where you may find comments from builders.
  2. Install the Software
  3. Identify Your Parts
  4. Gather Your Tools
  5. About T-slot Construction
  6. Prepare wood pieces

The Build Process

  1. X Stage Assembly
  2. Y Stage Assembly
  3. Z Stage Assembly
  4. Extruder Assembly
  5. Body Assembly
  6. Build & Install your Safety Cutoff (MK6+ and later)
  7. Update the Firmware
  8. Electronics Installation
  9. MakerBot Gen 4 LCD Interface (Optional)

Using Your Thingomatic

  1. Proper Belt Tensioning
  2. Testing Your Bot
  3. Your First Print
  4. Maintenance and Upkeep
  5. Fine Tuning & Calibration
  6. How to Print Raftlessly

Troubleshooting

  1. Troubleshooting your Thingomatic
  2. Getting help

Reference Information

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under GNU Free Documentation License.