MakerGear has been around since 2012 when they introduced their first model. Since that time, they made continual improvements on their products to develop the MakerGear M2 3D Printer into the best 3D printer possible. The result is a printer that is now one of the top brands in the business. This MakerGear M2 printer review explores what this fifth-generation printer can do.
Technical Specifications for the MakerGear M2 3D Printer
- Max Print Size: 200 mm x 250 mm x 200 mm (8″ x 10″ x 8”)
- File Format: STL produced from 3D CAD
- Supported Filament Types: ABS, HDPE, HIPS, PLA, PET, TPU, Polycarbonate, composite such as carbon fiber, metal or wood-filled
- Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Printer Speed: 80 – 200 mm/sec for best print quality
- Extruders: One, double extruder upgrade available
- Extruder Diameter: 0.35 mm nozzle
- Printing: Heated
Design and Features
MakerGear M2 printer is the result of years of experience in the business and making changes to create a printer that is reliable and produces an excellent quality print. This printer is in the moderate price range and might be a bit more than the hobbyist needs, but it is perfect for small businesses or those who are more experienced in the maker world.The new M2 has several improvements, including a more rigid, four-point leveling system. MakerGear also replaced many plastic parts with metal ones. The company added QuickStart software, a video tutorial and an updated User Guide to improve the user experience. This printer is a popular model that is perfect for prototyping, small plastic parts manufacture, small object printing for retail sales and laboratories.
This printer uses durable materials with a steel frame, and CNC machined cast aluminum construction. The four-point bed is easy to level and keeps its level throughout the printing process. With this printer, you do not need z-compensation and auto-leveling. The initial leveling is accomplished using the QuickStart app to get you up and running quickly. This is a lower-end professional-grade machine for small production. It has a small footprint and does not take up a lot of space with dimensions of 22” x 19” x 20.”
MakerGear makes filament that is specifically designed to work in the MakerGear M2 3D printer. However, it will work with any filament brand and does not restrict you to using only their filament. It uses both Simplify3D and open-source software. For beginners, MakerGear recommends Simplify3D because it is intuitive and easy to understand. More advanced users may wish to use open-source software because it is more customizable.
One of the improvements in the latest model allows you to control your printer from the LCD Interface. This interface means that you do not have to use your computer as a controller. It is intuitive and has controls that are easy to understand. The printer comes factory-calibrated, which is excellent for beginners and quickly helps get you printing after finishing assembly.
The printer has a spare part set available that is a good thing to have on hand. Regardless of the type of 3D printer, certain parts tend to wear out over time. Having the most common parts available means that you can replace them and keep printing, reducing downtime. The spare parts set includes a V4 filament drive, 40 mm 24 V fan, 50 mm 24 V fan, thermistor, V4 cartridge heater, and V4 hot end.
The borosilicate glass printer bed has a laminated print surface that is replaceable. The glass bed is 8 X 10 inches. Its surface can handle temperatures of 110 °C and higher. It uses fused filament fabrication technology and has a 40-watt heater and thermistor that is rated for up to 300 °C. Its ambient operating temperature is 15 ˚C – 32 ˚C (59 ˚F to 90 ˚F). You should not exceed recommended operating temperatures, even if the unit can go a bit higher. This is for your safety, and doing so, could damage the unit.
The M2 is compatible with a wide range of open-source and commercially available software. The printer works with most Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. You can upload files using an SD card reader, LCD machine control or USB to computer connection.
Printing
When it comes to print quality, the MakerGear M2 3D printer is an excellent choice. The company made improvements to make the printer stable and consistent in the x, y and z axes. It is a quiet machine that is lower than 65 DBA during printing. The printer has two cooling fans, one to cool the filament drive and one for the extruded plastic.
It has a layer thickness of less than 50 microns to 0.25mm when using the 0.35mm nozzle. It produces an excellent resolution. However, layer thickness is not the only factor involved in print quality. The extruder nozzle must have a smooth and consistent motion. The M2 has high-precision linear rails that guide the motion in the x and y axes. These are driven by Kevlar reinforced belts to prevent slippage.
As far as print speed is concerned, when printing in the best quality setting, the speed is 80 to 200 mm/sec. The travel speed has a maximum of 450 mm/sec. This printer is relatively fast for its resolution. Of course, the print speed is much higher when a lower quality product is desired. The printer provides an excellent product at a good resolution when using the best quality setting.
Packing and Assembly
The printer comes well-packaged in a way that protects the components during shipping. One of the best features of this printer is its improved QuickStart Guide and Video Tutorial. It takes you from the unboxing through the final assembly and making your first prints. It is organized and shows every detail of the process clearly. One suggestion is not to be tempted to take everything out of the box first before reading the Quickstart Guide and watching the video first. It goes through the unboxing process in a way that makes everything clear.
The printer weighs 36.6 pounds. This is a bit heavier than some models, but this is a lower-end professional model with metal components, so it could be expected to be a bit heavier.
What comes with your MakerGear M2 3D Printer?
- The MakerGear M2 printer unit
- Power Cord
- Adjustable voltage power supply
- Borosilicate Glass print surface
- One spool black PLA (1 kg)
- Basic toolset
- SD card with sample prints to try
- QuickStart Guide
- User Manual
Support
MakerGear offers excellent customer support. It has a staff dedicated to providing support. The team is knowledgeable and provides professional service and technical support. There is also a growing community of M2 owners and developers. This community is a place to share information about troubleshooting, designs, advice, and inspiration. Knowledge is freely shared, and there is a wealth of information available. M2 owners are a group of enthusiasts who love to share their knowledge and expertise.
MakerGear M2 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent print quality
- Can support a wide range of different filament types
- The extruder is steady with a smooth motion
- Can work with Simplify3D and open source software
- Easy to understand Quickstart and User’s Manual
- Easy assembly and set-up
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- A little pricey for hobbyists
- Can be complex to use for beginners
- Comes with a single extruder, (a dual extruder may be purchased separately)
- Heavier than some other 3D printers
Verdict
With all things considered, this is an excellent printer choice for professional use on a small scale. It is a serious printer that creates high-quality, consistent results. MakerGear has been in the business for some time and has years of experience leading up to the current model. Engineers built this system on solid engineering principles for durability and consistency. They have excellent in-house support, and the unit is easy to set up and use. MakerGear has a good reputation, and they make an excellent product. The MakerGear M2 desktop 3D printer is a good choice for serious hobbyists or those who want a professional printer, but who do not need a full-scale industrial unit.
Last update on 2024-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
