MakerBot Replicator 2 unboxing

We've finally got our hands on the Replicator 2 from MakerBot — here's what you can find in the box.

We're more than a little in awe of just how quickly home 3D printing has advanced. MakerBot's Replicator 2 is just AU$2540, has a build platform that can handle 410 cubic inches and a resolution of 100 microns.

Home fabricating is now absurdly easy and, more importantly, it's fun, with a big community of "fabbers' rising up to share "recipes" of different objects and objet d'arte.

So when you pop open the box, what's actually inside?

The unassuming and modest exterior hides a particularly cool piece of gear. We were finding it hard not to just tear in without a care.

By this stage, we've collected a medium-sized audience of colleagues wondering what we're tying up the kitchen with, so all decorum goes out the window as we get started on the business at hand.

One of the more entertaining warning labels we've seen — and also an important one. We can safely say that our first instinct would probably have been to use it exactly like a handle.

It's out — removing the additional packing materials, we found a small surprise from BilbyCNC, the distributors for MakerBot in Australia. But more on that later.

The Replicator 2, unpacked and ready to be set-up properly.

We've even got a MakerBot branded SD card, which has six object files to get us started with on the Replicator.

A spool of black PLA filament. The Replicator 2 uses PLA, rather than ABS, as the 100 micron resolution means that the layers are almost painted on. It's also biodegradable.

And the instruction booklet — a plain, English walk-through of the set-up and use of the Replicator 2.

But what about that mysterious present we mentioned before?

Turns out it's a geared purple heart...

It's an incredible piece, actually — an amazing example of what home fabbing can produce. It's got us very excited to get the unit set-up and producing our own stuff.