MakerBot Experimental Extruder: Gen 2 Method Add-On Explained

The MakerBot Experimental Extruder is a swappable nozzle module for advanced users. It fits the MakerBot Method and Method XL 3D printers. Australia's current SKU is the MakerBot LABS Experimental Method Extruder Gen 2. It is on sale now through australian3dprinters.com.au. The module swaps in place of the production-default Smart Extruder+. It opens up four interchangeable nozzles, unlocked print modes in MakerBot Print, third-party filament support, and draft nozzles. Draft printing cuts total print time by up to 75 per cent.

What the MakerBot Experimental Extruder does

Method owners get a swappable hardware path for materials and print modes. The four interchangeable nozzles ship in the box with two wrenches. A modified thermal core and a more secure thermal barrier tube make nozzle swaps faster than the older design. The unit unlocks new print modes in MakerBot Print software. New modes include draft printing and custom material profiles for third-party filament.

MakerBot positions the unit as a sandbox for ideas. Swap from Smart Extruder+ for everyday production runs. Swap to the Gen 2 when an experiment is in front of you. Freedom comes with a trade-off. The sandbox is purposely a less controlled environment. Output predictability sits one step below the production extruder.

How the three Method extruders compare

The MakerBot Experimental Extruder is one of three swappable extruders MakerBot sells for the Method line. The Smart Extruder+ ships with every printer. It covers production prints. MakerCare support is an option. The Tough PLA Extruder targets durable prototypes and end-use parts. It uses MakerBot Tough PLA filament. The Gen 2 covers experimentation, draft printing, and third-party filament workflows.

For an Australian buyer, decision-making is straightforward. Use Smart Extruder+ for everyday teaching or production. Add the Tough PLA Extruder for functional parts and end-use prototypes. Add the Gen 2 for new materials, varied nozzle diameters, or faster draft prints.

Who the MakerBot Experimental Extruder is built for

Three audiences are explicitly targeted. Professionals want a sandbox for testing draft profiles or third-party filaments. Educators in high schools and higher education want to invest classroom time in experimentation. Creators, hardware hackers, and designers want to push their printer beyond the production envelope.

An entry-level operator on a brand-new MakerBot Sketch is not the target. A first-year teaching lab is not the target either. The Gen 2 is for users who already know the production workflow.

Australian availability and how to get started

Australian buyers should order the Gen 2 Experimental Method Extruder through australian3dprinters.com.au. The Gen 2 is the refined hardware iteration of the original. It is redesigned for the current Method generation. Compatible printers include the MakerBot Method and MakerBot Method XL. Request a tailored quote for school, university, or business purchase orders.

Behind the Gen 2 sits MakerBot Labs. The community publishes custom print profiles and hardware mods on Thingiverse. The platform shares software APIs for experimentation. New owners get the same community access for filament profiles, nozzle settings, and draft-mode tuning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MakerBot Experimental Extruder Gen 2?

The MakerBot Experimental Extruder Gen 2 is a swappable nozzle module for the MakerBot Method and Method XL 3D printers. It replaces the production-default Smart Extruder+. The Gen 2 opens up new materials, nozzle diameters, third-party filaments, and draft printing up to 75 per cent faster.

Which MakerBot printers does the Experimental Extruder work with?

Compatible printers include the current MakerBot Method and Method XL 3D printers in Australia. The original extruder covered all MakerBot 5th-generation and newer printers. The Gen 2 is the refined hardware iteration for the current Method line.

Does the Experimental Extruder support third-party filaments?

Yes, the MakerBot Experimental Extruder unlocks third-party filament profiles inside MakerBot Print software. Users define a custom material profile in MakerBot Print. They swap to the matching nozzle diameter. They load the filament. The MakerBot Labs Thingiverse community shares verified custom profiles.

How much faster does the Experimental Extruder print with draft nozzles?

Draft nozzles supplied with the Gen 2 reduce total print time by up to 75 per cent. Layer resolution is the trade-off. Draft printing suits geometry-validation prototypes and fast iteration cycles, not final-finish parts.

Where do Australian schools and businesses buy the MakerBot Experimental Extruder Gen 2?

Australian schools, universities, and businesses order the MakerBot LABS Experimental Method Extruder Gen 2 from australian3dprinters.com.au. Request a tailored quote for purchase orders, classroom rollouts, or bundled pricing with a Method or Method XL printer.

---

Want to view the MakerBot Experimental Extruder Gen 2 alongside the full MakerBot range? See the MakerBot collection for current Australian pricing and availability.

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email

---

Tags

3D Printer 3D Printer Accesories 3D Printers Education MakerBot