Unboxing the Mosaic 3D Printer
June 2nd, 2012
Projects
![Completely assembled Mosaic sitting in my closet](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_cover.jpg)
The MakerGear Mosaic is one of many DIY 3d printers available. A lot of 3d printers are at the sub-$1000 mark now, making them very affordable for hobbyists like myself. The big name in 3d printing is the MakerBot, but the print size was too small for me so I went with the Mosaic.
Full gallery with high-resolution photos here.
![USPS box](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_box.jpg)
Shipping box. Very expensive postage because I am not in the US.
![First thing opened: inventory note and goodies](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_1.jpg)
Packing list and invoice. She even handwrote a message and included chocolate :). Very nice.
![PCB heater plate](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_2.jpg)
Heated build platform. The heater board is secured between two aluminum plates with binder clips.
![Partially assembled laser cut parts](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_3.jpg)
Laser cut parts. The z-assembly is preassembled with linear bearings and a nut for the leadscrew.
![Laser cut parts](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_4.jpg)
Laser cut frame. The frame uses M3 t-slots with square nuts. Assembling this took about half an hour.
![Driver control and cabling](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_5.jpg)
Hot end and the filament drive stepper. The hot end heats up to 180C for PLA and 230C for ABS plastic.
![Included tools](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_6.jpg)
A set of tools and kapton tape. The allen key is for the M3 bolts, and the kapton tape is for printing with ABS.
![Stepper motors](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_7.jpg)
Z stepper and screw. The x and y axes are belt driven, and the Z is screw driven. The white thing in the bag is a 3d printed knob for manual z control.
![More drive system components](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_8.jpg)
X and y assemblies and endstops. The endstops let the software know where to start printing.
![12V power supply for electronics](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_9.jpg)
Power supplies. There is one 12V power supply for the fan, the extruder, and the motors, and another switch mode 24V supply for the heated build platform.
![1.75mm reel of green PLA filament](/projects/unboxing-the-mosaic/mosaic_unboxing_11.jpg)
Included 1kg spool of PLA plastic from Ultimachine. PLA warps a lot less than ABS, so it is better to start printing with.