The new MakerBot Labs Experimental Extruder | Designed to be hacked

Take full control of your MakerBot 3D printer with the MakerBot Labs Experimental Extruder – featuring a customizable hardware design and four interchangeable nozzles to process new materials.

The MakerBot Experimental Extruder is compatible with the 5th generation MakerBot Replicator, Replicator Mini, Replicator Z18, Replicator+ and Mini+.

This extruder is designed for the advanced user who wants to push the boundaries of what is possible with MakerBot 3D printers. Customize your 3D printing experience with a changeable hardware design and interchangeable nozzles. *

With a modified thermal core and a more secure thermal barrier, the Experimental Extruder has been redesigned to make nozzle replacement easier. Download and print the Experimental Extruder Jig to get a more stable platform for nozzle replacement.

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Creative flexibility with a range of materials
Expand the applications of the MakerBot 3D Printer with easily interchangeable nozzles and unlock advanced print settings** with the Experimental Extruder and other MakerBot Labs hardware.

Save and share your print settings
Once you’ve found the settings that work best for your chosen material, save a custom material print mode and share it with the MakerBot Labs Thingiverse community.
Browse, collaborate, discuss, and download MakerBot Labs on Thingiverse is the community for discussing material print profiles, software APIs, and hardware mods.

Switch from reliability to sandbox
Quickly switch from the reliability of the Smart Extruder + to the Experimental Extruder to test the limits of your ideas.

Drafting for speed
Print existing PLA materials with the included large diameter nozzles and drastically minimize your overall printing time by up to 75%.

* MakerBot Labs is an experimental community and contains experimental products. Please note that products on this page are for advanced users only and are not covered by warranty or supported by MakerBot. Content is generated by the community. Use custom profiles, APIs and mods at your own risk.

** To cut a printout for the Experimental Extruder, you must be connected to the printer via a USB cable, WIFI or Ethernet with the Experimental Extruder connected to the printer.