Skip to content
Contact us
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Method Labs: FAQ

How do I slice for the MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder?

  1. To slice for the LABS Extruder, you will need MakerBot Print 4.5 or higher.

  2. Select “LABS Extruder” under “Extruder Slot 1” in MakerBot Print.

  3. When the LABS extruder is selected, you will have access to a wider range of print settings. We highly recommend using filaments that have been qualified by our partners. You will find a list with all qualified materials and print settings in this Thingiverse Group .

 

Are there print modes in MakerBot Print for the LABS materials?

There are currently no print modes for LABS materials in makerBot Print. Most materials work well with one of our default material modes with just a few settings adjustments. We publish these settings in our Thingiverse Group for MakerBot LABS. Soon, we will also be offering a downloadable guide that will list all the materials that have been qualified for MakerBot LABS as well as the print settings.

What kind of filaments can I print with the MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder?

MakerBot is working with several leading filament companies  to qualify materials for the MakerBot LABS extruder. An up-to-date list with qualified materials and print settings can be found in this Thingiverse Group.

How do I load third-party filament into the MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder?

  1. Filament from our partners can be loaded into METHOD through the aux port on the top left side of the machine.

  2. For materials that are hydroscopic (absorb moisture from the air) like the Jabil PETG ESD, for example, we recommend buying the Polymaker PolyBox . A longer PTFE tube to connect the PolyBox to your METHOD is available here (product 52335K53).

 

What do I need to do when switching between different filaments?

If you switch between filaments, we recommend that you always run some MakerBot material through the extruder in between. This will clear the extruder from any left over filament and avoid getting jams. You should always choose a MakerBot filament that is close to the last filament you printed with. For example, if you printed with ABS ESD and you want to switch to PETG Carbon, just run some MakerBot ABS through the extruder before you load the PETG CARBON.

What is the difference between MakerBot materials and the materials from your LABS partners?

MakerBot materials for METHOD have been tested for several thousand hours to achieve a very high standard of reliability and print quality. For our precision materials, we guarantee a finished part dimensional accuracy of 0.02mm.

MakerBot LABS materials are qualified by our partners. While we maintain a high standard for the approval of these materials, the testing is a little more limited than for our MakerBot materials. We mainly focus on print quality with MakerBot LABS materials, but do not perform the more extensive lifetime and dimensional accuracy testing that we perform with our MakerBot branded materials.

Where can I find out about new materials that have been qualified for the MakerBot LABS Extruder?

We post new materials and print settings in the MakerBot LABS Thingiverse Group. Very soon we will also be offerings downloadable materials guide.

Can I only print materials from your partners?

No, the MakerBot LABS extruder turns your METHOD into an open materials platform, which means that you can print with any material. We do, however, recommend that you use materials from our partners, since these materials have gone through testing and we publish print settings for them to make sure you will have a good experience.

Where can I buy the materials from your partners?

We currently don’t resell any of the materials from our partners, but you can find all of them at Matterhackers.com or at the reseller of your choice.
 

Why does the MakerBot LABS Extruder not come with a warranty?

We conduct extensive lifetime testing with our MakerBot materials in order to meet our warranty requirements for the METHOD extruder. Since the LABS extruder allows you to print with any material, we do not know what you are printing with and therefore can’t guarantee a certain lifetime. Since we know that in the majority of cases failure will be caused by the PTFE tube or nozzle, we made it easier to remove both on the LABS extruder and even include a spare nozzle and PTFE tube, so you can easily swap both. This design change can significantly extend the lifetime of your extruder when printing with exotic materials.