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
- Read the documentation, so nothing is unexpected. Every page has a discussion link at the bottom where you may find comments from builders.
- Install the Software
- Identify Your Parts
- Gather Your Tools
- About T-slot Construction
- Prepare wood pieces
The Build Process
- X Stage Assembly
- Y Stage Assembly
- Z Stage Assembly
- Extruder Assembly
- Body Assembly
- Build & Install your Safety Cutoff (MK6+ and later)
- Update the Firmware
- Electronics Installation
- MakerBot Gen 4 LCD Interface (Optional)
Using Your Thingomatic
- Proper Belt Tensioning
- Testing Your Bot
- Your First Print
- Maintenance and Upkeep
- Fine Tuning & Calibration
- How to Print Raftlessly