Makerbots Method X delivers next-generation desktop 3D printing that combines industry expertise and technologies from Stratasys® with MakerBot’s accessibility and ease of use - providing professionals with an industrial 3D printer at a disruptive price point. 

3D print manufacturing-grade parts with dual performance extruders, advanced engineering materials and a 100°C heated chamber for end-use assemblies and manufacturing tools.

Engineered as an automated, tinker-free industrial 3D printing system, METHOD X includes industrial features such as Dry-Sealed Material Bays, Dual Performance Extruders, Soluble Supports, and an Ultra-Rigid Metal Frame. METHOD X’s automation and industrial technologies create a controlled printing environment so professionals can design, test, and iterate faster. 

• Dry-Sealed Material Bays
• Dual Lifting Nozzles
• Multi-Material
• Versatile Print Volume
• Circulating Heated Build Chamber (100°C)
• Smart Material Management
• 5-inch Full-Color Capacitive Touchscreen
• Removable Spring Steel Print Bed System
• Maximum Uptime with Swappable Material-matching Performance Extruders
• MakerBot LABS Compatible
• High-Resolution 3D Printing
• Automatic Extruder and Bed Callibration
• Dual-geared, 19:1 ratio
• 21 intelligent smart sensors
• Built-In Monitoring Camera
• USB-Port, Ethernet & WiFi
• MakerBot Print Slicing Software
• and much more!

Full Product Details

Rigid Enclosed Construction

The Makerbot Method X features a a structurally-optimized metal frame that runs the full length of the body to offset flexing. Less flexing means more consistent prints with better part accuracy and fewer failures. The ultra rigid frame is critical to print complex assemblies with exact tolerances and a finished part dimensional accuracy of ± 0.2mm (± 0.007in)2.

* ± 0.2mm or ± 0.002 mm per mm of travel – whichever is greater. Based on Makerbots internal testing of selected geometries.

100°C Circulated Heated Chamber

The Makerbot METHOD X leverages break through technologies and patents from Stratasys® to deliver a consistent and reliable circulating heated chamber. The chamber can be heated up to 100°C to control the temperature and quality of every layer—not just the first. While heated build plates are effective at reducing warping, the METHOD X takes this further with full active heat immersion during the entire duration of the print.

With METHOD X, the 100°C Circulating Heated Chamber significantly reduces part deformation while increasing part durability and surface finish. This enables printing of engineering materials like real production-grade ABS with superior Z-layer bonding and higher strength without warping or curling.

Smart performance with Performance Extruder System

The METHOD X's interchangeable extruder design delivers a growing platform with ever-improving interchangeable hardware while allowing for simple, tool-free maintenance. Each extruder is securely locked into place with a latch mechanism – minimizing extruder wobble and contributing to METHOD’s unique dimensional accuracy spec.

The Dual Performance Extruder system is built from the ground up to accelerate print times while providing dimensional accuracy. Each performance extruder contains a suite of sensors that detect when material is running low and allows for active jam detection during the entire print duration. It’s like autonomous protection for your print—and your printer. A lengthened thermal core and a fast start up time ensure that materials are ready to go when your ideas are.

The METHOD X is packaged with 1 x Model 1XA extruder and 1 x Support 2XA extruder. The Model 1XA extruder is optimized for printing with model materials such as ABS, PC-ABS and ASA and the Support 2XA extruder is optimized for printing exclusively with SR-30 dissolvable support material.

The METHOD X is also compatible with the METHOD's Model 1A and Support 2A extruders in addition to the Model 1C and Makerbot LABS extruders. The 1C Composite Extruder can be purchased to bring all the benefits of printing Nylon Carbon Fiber parts to the MakerBot METHOD and METHOD X 3D printer. The MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder is designed for unlimited material testing with third part materials.

Makerbot METHOD and METHOD X Extruder Material compatibility

Dual Geared Feeders

From great strength comes great performance. The 19:1 dual-drive gear ratio keeps material loaded and ready for reliable material extrusion at every layer.

Auto-nozzle lifting system

Print complex prototypes and end use parts with new confidence using MakerBots dual performance extruder system, auto-nozzle lifting and automatic nozzle calibration. This design mechanically lifts and lowers the second nozzle to avoid part crashing and minimize material contamination.

Intricate  printing with SR-30 Soluble Supports

The Makerbot METHOD X's dual performance extrusion system enables printing complex and accurate components with soluble support structures. Soluble support structures enable better support and surface quality when printing overhangs and reduces the risk of breaking detailed and fine parts during support removal.

Now you can print complex geometries that are impossible to print with advanced materials on a single extrusion 3D printer – Enabled by Stratasys SR-30 soluble supports. SR-30 is a proprietary material developed by Stratasys to work seamlessly with ABS, ASA, and various other high-temp materials. Because of this focused development, using SR-30 with these typically more challenging materials can yield exceptional results not possible with PVA which is very difficult to use with ABS.

Flexible Spring Steel Build Plate

The build surface is a crucial element in FDM 3D printing and an uneven surface can lead to a warped print. The METHOD X combines two elements to create a unique solution. First is an aluminum base plate, machined and factory-calibrated for extreme flatness. Second is a spring steel build plate that magnetically conforms to the base plate via a dozen high-strength magnets. This not only provides flatness, but also makes print removal a breeze. Just pick up the build plate and flex it to pop the print off.

Platform for advanced 3d Printing Materials

The Makerbot METHOD X is a platform designed for printing with a wide range of professional and advanced 1.75mm 3D printing materials. MakerBot Materials for METHOD X are manufactured to exacting diameter and quality specifications and shipped in a vacuum-sealed Mylar bag to preserve quality right up until opening. The new Smart Spool system sends all of your Makerbot material information including color and amount remaining wirelessly to MakerBot Print for up-to-the-second material management. 

Users can immediately take advantage of the circulated heated chamber to print Makerbot ABS, ASA, PC-ABS and PC-ABS FR materials with SR-30 soluble supports. Other Makerbot Method materials like PLA, PETG, Tough and Nylon can be printed with PVA soluble supports by purchasing the METHOD Model 1 Extruder AND Support 2 Extruder. The MakerBot METHOD is also compatible with Makerbot Method Carbon Fiber Nylon by purchasing the METHOD Model 1C Extruder.

Access unlimited materials with an Open Materials Platform enabled by MakerBot LABS (sold separately). With the MakerBot LABS experimental extruder you can print your choice of advanced 3rd party modelling materials, such as Carbon Fiber ABS, TPE (flexible), PETG ESD, and PC. Built on the same industrial architecture as the Performance Extruder, the Experimental Extruder brings power and precision with the added benefit of interchangeable nozzle assemblies. Additionally you can discover pre-qualified materials from leading filament companies such as Polymaker - exploring new 3D printing applications.

Versatile Build Volume

The Makerbot METHOD X has a versatile build volume of 190* x 190 x 196 mm (Width x Depth x Height).

*When printing with two extruders the maximum printable width (x axis) is 152mm.

ON-LINE CAMERa

METHOD X's built-in onboard camera also allows users to monitor their print progress remotely with MakerBot Print or the MakerBot Mobile app

dRY-sEALED MATERIAL bAYS and Automatic Filament Loading

Dry-Sealed Material Bays form a near-perfect seal to keep material free of damaging humidity. A suite of built-in sensors provides that your material is stored in its optimal environment— a feature previously only available in industrial 3D printers.

These material bays feature pre-feeders to automatically load the filament; just drop the Smart Spool into the Dry Sealed Material Bays located on the front of the printer, and feed the filament tip into the slot, close the drawer and the printer loads the filament all the way up and into the extruders so that it’s ready to print.

Touch Screen / Connectivity

Swipe, tap, print. With the built-in 5” full-color capacitive touchscreen display, receive up-to-the-second status of your current print job and navigate menus in the most intuitive way you already know—with your finger.

Calibration

The MakerBot METHOD X utilizes a combination of automatic calibration and assisted leveling to maintain high performance printing.

With every dual nozzle 3D printer it is critical that the nozzles are calibrated to align with each other in X, Y and Z axis. Traditionally 3D printer nozzle calibration may be achieved through manual adjustment or through software compensation. The METHOD X automates the Nozzle calibration process so you can focus more on product design and less on maintenance.

End to end Management with Ultimaker Software

The MakerBot METHOD X is compatible with MakerBot Print and MakerBot Cloud management software.

MakerBot Print is the best and easiest way to prepare, manage, monitor, and share your 3D print files. Enjoy the best of everything that 3D printing has to offer on your Mac, PC or in the Cloud. Import design files and fine-tune settings for optimum results when printing, streamline print preparation and file management with native CAD file support and control and monitor multiple 3D printers via live camera feeds and print status updates.

MakerBot Cloud enables you to print and monitor your project - from your browser straight to your MakerBot 3D Printer. Add the Print from CAD integration for your favorite CAD program and start a print in just two clicks. MakerBot Cloud Supports SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor, AutoDesk Fusion 360 and Onshape. Open a native CAD file in MakerBot Cloud, adjust your print settings, and start a print on your connected MakerBot 3D printer. No downloads or updates required. Now print directly to your MakerBot 3D Printer in just two clicks from within your native CAD environment.

To learn more about the MakerBot METHOD X, click the "Specifications" and "What Is Included?" tabs.