This is a Makerbot Replicator 2. It has a single print head (meaning only one color at a time, however you can change colors mid print) and is an extrusion-based printer. It has been discontinued, but has remained one of our most reliable printers and provides an example of the longevity you can expect from a properly maintained 3D printer.

Easy upgrades we have done:

–Painters tape on build plate to help with adhesion and removal of prints

-Improved airflow director on fan (printed)

–Filament filter (has sponge in it with a few drops of light oil) to clean dust off of the filament as it is used (printed)

-Glass build plate to replace warped factory acrylic plate

-Plexiglass front and sides to reduce drafts. We built ours out of plexiglass but you can buy them or make them using very low cost materials.

-Plastic lid to reduce draft, silence printer, keep print area warm (Ours is a clear box)

-X cable replaced with RJ45 Connector and cable to replace poor design (5 minute upgrade, needs a soldiering iron, cat5 cable and two RJ45 jacks)

-Extruder upgraded with better filament feeding design

– Webcam to remotely monitor prints and cancel them if they fail. Ours fits on the Makerbot already, but there are many webcam mounts you can print.