The MakerGear M2 was obtained by the robotics team as part of FIRST Choice (?), sometime around 2013. Originally a 12V printer, it was upgraded to 24V a couple years later, and has received extensive modifications since then.
The MakerGear has some interesting traits which set it apart from many other printers:
Welded steam frame makes the printer surprisingly robust and stable
Linear rails for X and Y provide accurate and smooth movement
3-screw adjustment for bed leveling avoids flexing of the build plate
Almost completely rewired to fix issues with breaks in original MakerGear wiring harness
Addition of RepRapDiscount Full Graphics Display
Allows for use from an SD card without a computer.
Allows for interactive usage, such as preheat, Z-offset measuring, etc.
Switched to 3.0mm filament
Done to make printing with flexible filament, such as NinjaFlex, easier
Pushing flexible filament is like pushing a wet noodle. It has a tendency to find cracks in the filament path and escaple or ball up. Thicker filament makes this less likely to happen.
A nearly identical hotend assembly could be built up for 1.75mm filament, although this will require re-tuning the extruder's "e-steps".
Replaced entire extruder assembly
TriangleLabs SV QR extruder
Ordered from AliExpress
3-D printed clone of a BondTech QR Extruder
Dual drive provides much more reliable feed than the original MakerGear extruder
Genuine e3d 24V Volcano hotend
Nozzle replacements are readily available from multiple vendors
Volcano heatblock has a large melt zone, providing for more consistent melting of filament.
All-metal hotend is suitable for high temperatures (although the current nozzles are inadequate for abrasive filaments)
Replaced glass bed with BuiltTak magnetic bed system
Added BLTouch bed probe to facilitate bed leveling
Replaces the Z endstop
Allows for software-based leveling by probing multiple positions on the bed and adjusting the bottom layers of the print
Replaced the original Z-axis nut with an anti-backlash nut
The stock firmware is replaced with a custom Marlin configuration. This allows for many features to be included which did not exist in the original firmware.
The current source for this firmware can be found at Jason Smith's Marlin fork. (Note that this branch may be rebased as it is adapted to newer versions of Marlin)
Thermal Protection
LCD-assisted Z offset and Bed Tramming
Mesh Bed Leveling