14 DAY TRIAL // For anyone unfamiliar with MakerBot, that is the name of the company that launched the first 3D Printing store in the world back in September 2012, along with the Makerware software.
Makerware is a program that anyone can download for free and use to print objects through a variety of 3D printers.
At first, Makerware used a rather crude method to maintain stability while printing. The printers would dump a lot of plastic over the face of an object to maintain support while printing.
Now, with a new update to Makerware, support is only added to the areas where such a thing is required. This greatly saves on the need for plastic.
Improved “rafts” that help keep the objects steady on the platform during printing are another asset of the update.
Moreover, Makerware has added support for some more 3D printers, like FlashForge.
Changing filament colors during printing should be possible now as well, and owners of makerbot printers will also get a readout that shows the percentage or time left until 3D printing process completion.
“We have improved support material for objects with overhangs. We have all new rafts that are easy to detach. We have better handling of narrow features, new infill patterns (cats included), and so much more,” wrote Ben Millstein on the MakerBot company blog the other day.
“We’ve also equipped MakerWare 2.2.0 with improved rafts. A raft is a thin foundation of extruded material that helps your object stick to the build plate during a print, keeping it level and secure. Our new rafts detach more easily, creating a smoother bottom surface. We printed a gear bearing to show how well our new rafts print on objects with detailed first layers.”
Go here to learn more of the MakerWare software and here to download the update.