MakerBot's first products were sold as do it yourself kits, requiring only minor soldering, with an assembly process compared to assembling IKEA furniture. Current models are designed as closed-box products, with no assembly required.
MakerBot printers print with polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
The Cupcake CNC was introduced in April 2009 as a rapid prototyping machine. The source files needed to build the devices were put on Thingiverse, allowing anyone to make one from scratch. The Cupcake CNC featured a usable build volume of 100 mm × 100 mm × 130 mm (L/W/H) and has outside dimensions of 350 mm × 240 mm × 450 mm.
Because of the open source nature of the product, any suggestions for improvements came from users. During its primary production run (April 2009 to September 2010), the Cupcake CNC kit was updated several times to incorporate new upgrades into each successive version.
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Thing-O-Matic
Introduced in September 2010 at Maker Faire NYC, the Thing-O-Matic was MakerBot's second kit. It shipped with many of the aftermarket upgrades that had been built for Cupcake. The stock Thing-O-Matic included a heated, automated build platform, an MK5 plastruder, a redesigned z-stage and upgraded electronics. It featured a build volume of 100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm (4" × 4" × 4") and outside dimensions of 300 mm × 300 mm × 410 mm (12" × 12" × 16" L/W/H). The device interfaces via USB or a Secure Digital (SD) card.
The Thing-O-Matic was discontinued in the spring of 2012. MakerBot agreed to support the Thing-o-Matic until their supply of parts was exhausted. Assembly instructions are available online through the MakerBot Wiki. The Thing-O-Matic is open-source hardware and is licensed under the GNU GPLv3. As such, the Thing-O-Matic can be heavily altered and improved by users. Some MakerBot operators developed upgrades to the platform that were later incorporated into factory kits. MakerBot has credited those early innovators in their documentation, some of the companies were inspired by MakerBot and created innovations in 3D printing like 3D printed dress.
Replicator
In January 2012 MakerBot introduced the Replicator. It offered more than double the build volume of the Thing-o-Matic at 22.5 cm × 14.5 cm × 15.0cm (8.9 in × 5.7 in × 5.9 in, L×W×H). Other features included a dual extruder allowing two-color builds, an LCD screen and a control pad. The Replicator was sold pre-assembled with no kit version available. It was the last open-source MakerBot printer.
Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer
In September 2012, MakerBot introduced the Replicator 2. This newest model again increased the build volume, this time to 28.5 cm × 15.3 cm × 15.5 cm (11.2 in × 6.0 in × 6.1 in, L×W×H) and can print at 100 μm per layer. The dual extruder was changed back to a single extruder head, while the upgraded electronics, LCD, and gamepad remained similar to the original Replicator. Unlike previous models, the Replicator 2 can print only using PLA plastic, which comes sold in sealed bags with desiccant to protect it from moisture. The Replicator 2 is sold only pre-assembled.
Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer
Alongside the Replicator 2, MakerBot also released the Replicator 2X. The 2X model was intended as an experimental version of the 2 that includes a completely enclosed build area, redesigned dual-extruders, and a heated aluminum build platform – all of which enable printing with ABS plastic and dual-material printing.
Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner
In August 2013, MakerBot released the Digitizer, a 3D scanner. The product was designed to allow MakerBot users to scan physical objects and turn them into digital, 3D printable models. The accompanying software allowed models to be edited, printed immediately, or uploaded to Thingiverse.
5th Generation Replicator Desktop 3D Printer
In January 2014, MakerBot released its Replicator Desktop 3D Printer with a build volume of 25.2 cm × 19.9 cm × 15.0 cm (9.9" × 7.8" × 5.9" L/W/H). This Fifth Generation Replicator features WiFi enabled software that connects the printer to MakerBot desktop and mobile apps.
Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer
Also in January 2014, MakerBot released the Replicator Mini with a build volume of 10.0 cm × 10.0 cm × 12.5 cm (3.9" × 3.9" × 4.9" L/W/H), layer resolution of 200 μm, and a positioning precision of 11 μm on the x and y-axis and 2.5 μm in the z-axis.
Replicator Z18 3D Printer
Released alongside the Replicator Mini and 5th Generation Replicator, the Z18 offers a build volume of 30.0 cm × 30.5 cm × 47.5 cm (11" × 12" × 18" L/H/W), totaling over 2,000 cubic inches.
Replicator+ 3D Printer
The MakerBot Replicator+ was introduced in September 2016 as the successor to the Replicator 5th Generation from 2014. It retained the same general design concept but was significantly refined to address reliability and performance issues of its predecessor. The Replicator+ offered faster and quieter operation, improved hardware and motion system components, and a noticeably larger build volume of about 29.5 cm × 19.5 cm × 16.5 cm (around 25% bigger than the 5th Generation’s roughly 252 × 199 × 150 mm). Overall, it was positioned as a more robust and reliable upgrade with better print consistency and usability.
Biggs, John (2014-01-10). "Battle of the MakerBots: The New Replicator Versus the 5th Generation". ZDNet. ZDNet. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
METHOD and METHOD X 3D Printer
In December 2018, MakerBot introduced the METHOD 3D Printer as a bridge between desktop accessibility features and industrial 3D printing technologies. This new 3D Printer incorporated 15 Stratasys patents (MakerBot's parent company) and 15 new patents from MakerBot. The new 3D Printer has a Circulated Heated Chamber (60 °C) Dual extruders, uses soluble PVA supports and has a network of 21 sensors monitoring all aspects of 3D Printing process. The Method has as spring steel build plate allowing for easy removal of 3D prints. The Method has dry-sealed humidity and temperature monitored material bays and was launched with the capability of printing in PLA, Tough™ and PET-G. An ultra rigid metal frame construction reduces flexing during printing, allowing precision layer resolution of 20 to 400 micrometre and dimensional accuracy of ± 0.2mm. Connectivity is WiFi, Ethernet USB cable and USB drive.
The build volume of the new Method with dual extrusion is 19 cm × 19 cm × 19.6 cm (L×W×H)
This new platform allowed Makerbot to follow with the release of the METHOD X in August 2019, which includes a heated build chamber (100 °C) capable of printing with real ABS material, using SR-30 support material and with more 3D Printing materials in development.
MakerBot Innovation Center
Envisioned as a solution for major clients, the MakerBot Innovation Center incorporates hardware (optimized suite of 3D Printers), SAAS workflow software, training services, and enterprise support. The first Innovation Center was established in February 2014 at SUNY New Paltz. Customers are largely universities such as University of Maryland, Florida Polytechnic, UMass Amherst, and Xavier University. Many Innovation Centers increase their surrounding community's access to 3D printing.
Manufacturing
Until mid 2016, manufacturing was performed in its own facilities in New York, then it was contracted to Jabil Circuit. The New York manufacturing personnel were laid off, while development, logistics, and repair operations remain in New York.
Services
Prior to the merge with Ultimaker, MakerBot hosted the online community Thingiverse, where users can upload 3D printable files, document designs, and collaborate 3D printing projects and on open source hardware. The site is a collaborative repository for design files used in 3D printing, laser cutting and other DIY manufacturing processes.
