Features

33min
Specifications
Weight: 
Approximately 330 lbs
Dimensions (W x D x H): 
AO Backpack without M3/M3 Max printer
Resin cabinet closed: 686 x 548 x 1747 mm (27 x 22 x 69 in)
Resin cabinet open: 1088 x 699 x 1747 mm (43 x 28 x 69 in)
AO Backpack installed on M3/M3 Max printer
Resin cabinet closed: 760 x 1088 x 1760 mm (30 x 43 x 69 in)
Resin cabinet open: 1119 x 1088 x 1760 mm (43 x 27.5 x 69 in)
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Features
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1
The foot latch holds the open resin cabinet in place. Press down on the latch with your foot to release the resin cabinet and allow it to swing closed.
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The resin cabinet houses the resin tank, a pump and a scale. It swings out from the body of the AO Backpack enabling easy access to the resin tank. The resin cabinet can be left open or closed.
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An opening in the left side of the AO Backpack the allows access to the rear panel of the printer.
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The resin tank can hold up to 18 L (5 gallons) of resin. Resin tank color may vary.
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Air is passed through the exhaust at the top of the AO Backpack. 
The exhaust outlet must be connected to mechanical ventilation via a 4 inch (101.6 mm) diameter duct.
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The Carbon product (M3 or M3 Max) that performs printing tasks and to which the AO Backpack connects.
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The Carbon product that provides unattended printing functionality for the printer.
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Resin Cabinet
The resin cabinet houses the resin tank and resin hose. When closed, the cabinet sits within the footprint of the AO Backpack and is held in place by magnets. When open, it is held in place by the foot latch. In the open state, the user has easy access to the resin tank.
A resin hose connects the resin tank with the resin spout in the printer.
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Open the resin cabinet by pulling at the corner. Continue until the cabinet is flush with the side of the printer and catches on the foot lock.
Carbon recommends leaving the cabinet open as this makes accessing the resin tank much easier. This is especially true for for confined spaces where walls or printers may be very close to the printer and AO Backpack.
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Please see Clearances﻿ above for information about the amount of space required around the printer and AO Backpack.
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Set screw
The AO Backpack has a set screw that secures the resin cabinet during shipping. If the resin cabinet does not open, check the screw on the underside of the AO Backpack beneath the resin cabinet. Loosen the set screw to release the cabinet.
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A compartment at the top of the cabinet contains a pump that creates pressure to push resin through the resin spout and into the cassette.
A resin hose connects the pump to the resin tank.
The shelf that the resin tank sits on is a functional scale. This scale is used to measure the amount of resin in the tank.
Do not store any items other than the resin tank on the shelf as this will result in an inaccurate measurement of the amount of resin remaining in the tank.
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A clip is mounted on the resin cabinet interior above the resin tank. Use this clip to hold the quick release connector when you are swapping resin tanks.
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Resin Tank
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The straw assembly is screwed on to the resin tank. It extends into the resin and enables pumping it into the cassette for extended printing.
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The male feature at the top of the straw assembly that joins with the quick release connector to form a tight seal.
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This feature filters resin as it is pumped from the resin tank into the cassette.
When removing the straw assembly, do not grip the filter. This will damage the straw assembly. Only grip the cap to unscrew it and remove the straw assembly.
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The cap securely connects the straw assembly to resin tank and helps to keep contaminants out of resin.
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A feed tube for pulling resin from the resin tray into the cassette.
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A plastic container that holds up to 18 L (5 gallons) of resin. It protects resin from UV light and contaminants.
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The raw liquid material from which parts are printed.
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The flexible tube that transports resin from the resin tank to the cassette. Connects to the resin tank via the quick release connector on one end and dispenses resin into the cassette through the resin spout on the other end. An inline filter captures debris.
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The device that securely connects resin hose to resin tank. Press the button to release the quick release connector from the quick release nozzle.
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Interior
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This platform is designed to work with the AO Backpack automation and must be used in place of the standard build platform included with the M3 printer.
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A sliding rack that holds the bin and parts basket. During part removal it moves the platform and bin between the AO Backpack and the printer.
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A wire basket that holds parts and allows liquid resin to drain into the containment bin. It also separates printed parts from the resin that pools in the containment bin.
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This plastic box holds the basket and captures liquid resin that drains from parts. Compatible with the M-Series pour stand for easy resin recapture.
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A highly engineered optical device that holds the liquid resin used to make parts. See Cassette Care﻿ for usage and maintenance information.
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The touch-sensitive display shows the printer and AO Backpack status, including amount of resin remaining in the resin tank and the volume of parts in the parts basket.
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The blade removes parts from the platform after the completion of each project.
The cutting edge of the blade is extremely sharp. Always use caution when cleaning or checking the blade. See cleaning instructions below for specific information.
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Tray that captures drips from the blade, preventing resin from leaking into the interior of the AO Backpack.
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This spout dispenses resin in between print jobs. It is connected to the resin tank by a flexible hose.
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Details
AO Platform
This platform is designed to work with the AO Backpack and must be used in place of the standard build platform included with the M3 printer. The AO platform can be used for standard manual printing.
Dimensions: 258 x 177 x 85 mm (10.2 x 7.0 x 3.3 in)
This accessory is not compatible with the Smart Part Washer.
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Build area
Front handle
Side grips
Pull stud
NFC tag
Locating pins
Guide rails
Parts Basket
This wire basket holds parts that have been removed from the AO platform. Liquid resin drips from the parts and flows easily into the bin.
Dimensions: 376 x 262 x 201 mm (14.8 x 10.3 x 7.9 in)
The basket can hold over 12 printed projects of parts.
Always start a new Automatic Mode session with an empty parts basket.
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The basket holds printed parts and allows resin to drain off the parts and pool in the bottom of the containment bin.
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The parts basket must be used in conjunction with the bin. 
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Using the basket without the bin would result in resin leakage and may damage the AO Backpack.
The printer will warn the user if the basket is missing.
A shorter version of the parts basket is available that unlocks part retrieval during printing. See Part Retrieval Bin and Basket﻿ below for more information.
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Part Sensor
The part sensor monitors the amount of parts in the bin. In Automatic Mode, the touchscreen will display the current fill level.
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Automatic Mode will be ended to prevent the bin from overflowing. The parts basket may register as full even if there appears to be space remaining. This happens because the system is calibrated to prevent overflows and collisions, even in rare situations. The way parts pile up can affect the system’s detection of a 'full' condition.
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Always start an Automatic Mode session with an empty basket.
Bin
Dimensions: 378 x 302 x 223 mm (14.9 x 11.9 x 8.8 in)
The bin holds the part basket and captures resin that drips off of parts.
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The depressions on the underside of the containment bin are designed to make it easy to hold the bin and lift it out of the bin carrier.
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Resin pours through this hole at the corner of the bin when using the M Series Pour Stand﻿ stand to reclaim resin.
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The bin sits in the shuttle which moves between the printer and the AO Backpack. The rails on either side of the shuttle mate with the bin and hold it in place.
Remove the bin from the shuttle by lifting up to disengage the bin from the bin rails.
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The bin is compatible with the M Series Pour Stand﻿. This makes resin reclamation quick and easy.
A shorter version of the bin is available that unlocks part retrieval during printing. See Part Retrieval Bin and Basket﻿ below for more information.
Drip Tray
The drip tray rests at the bottom of the AO Backpack interior beneath the bin. It catches drips and prevents resin from pooling and leaking into the interior of the AO Backpack.
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Failure to install the tray will result in resin collecting on the surface of the AO Backpack and may result in damage to the internal electronics.
Resin Spout
Between print jobs, resin flows through this spigot to refill the cassette. The AO Backpack system is able to measure the resin remaining from the previous print and dispense the appropriate amount for the next project.
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The resin spout hangs over the rear right corner of the cassette and must be manually flipped so it does not restrict removal of the cassette.
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The resin spout must be manually flipped so that it extends over the cassette before automatic printing can take place. Follow the reverse action shown above. 
The Automatic Mode checklist displayed on the touchscreen will not allow Automatic Mode to be started until the spout is in the correct position.
Automatic Debris Removal
To ensure continuous operation, the AO Backpack now features automatic debris removal. If debris is detected at the start of a print job, the system cures a thin layer of resin to encapsulate the debris, which is then lifted out of the cassette on the platform. The cured resin and debris are automatically scraped into the part basket.
The system will repeat the debris detection process to ensure complete removal. If debris is still detected, the curing and removal cycle will repeat.
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This detection/removal cycle will happen up to 3 times consecutively for the same print project. If debris is detected for a fourth time, automatic operation will be cancelled so that an operator can remove the debris manually.
Automatic Debris Removal works for debris up to about 1.2 mm in size. Larger debris will cancel the current job and exit Automatic Mode.
Removal can take up to 1 hour each time debris is detected.
A small amount of resin (about $0.10 worth) is used for each cure/removal cycle.
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Touchscreen
The display shows the printer’s status and has touchscreen functionality for performing actions.
This section will focus on user interface features that are related to AO Backpack functions. For information on general printer functions, see Operation under M3/M3 Max Printer﻿.
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Gives access to AO Backpack specific functions such as presenting the bin, presenting the blade and scheduling the end of Automatic Mode.
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Toggle button used to turn Automatic Mode on or off. Also shows the current Automatic Mode status. The printer remains in Automatic Mode until
the user exits Automatic Mode by pressing the Auto Mode toggle button
the user schedules an end time/date or maximum number of prints
the bin is full
there is not enough resin to build the next project
there are three consecutive failed attempts to remove debris
debris is too large to remove
certain errors or alerts occur
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Shows how much resin remains in the resin tank. If the resin tank level is too low, the system will exit automatic mode.
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Displays the fill level of the parts basket. Automatic Mode will be halted to prevent the parts basket from overflowing.
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Checklist
Accessed through the Automatic Mode toggle button, the checklist guides you through the necessary steps to prepare for activated Automatic Mode. All the checklist items must be completed before Automatic Mode can be activated.
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The bin must be installed in the shuttle. Don't forget to place the parts basket in the bin first.
If the bin is not installed, this message will be displayed:
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The resin spout must be positioned over the cassette. If the spout is not in the correct position, you must manually turn it.
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The printer door must be closed before Automatic Mode can be activated. Close the door with the foot switch or press the Close Door button.
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The AO platform is required for Automatic Mode. Open the printer door and install the AO platform if the following message is displayed:
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If there are alerts active, they must be resolved.
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Stabilizers
Stabilizers are removable, wheeled extensions that connect to the bottom of the AO Backpack. They are used to keep the AO Backpack from falling over when it is moved.
The stabilizers must be installed whenever the AO Backpack is moved.
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Part Retrieval Bin and Basket
Part Retrieval Basket Dimensions: 376 x 262 x 141 mm (14.8 x 10.3 x 5.5 in)
Part Retrieval Bin Dimensions: 378 x 302 x 163 mm (14.9 x 11.9 x 6.4 in)
Shorter versions of the bin and basket are available to enable removing parts from the AO Backpack during printing. The part retrieval bin is 60 mm (2.4 in) shorter than the standard parts basket. 
The reduced height is necessary so that the bin and basket fit over the printer bridge.
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Standard basket compared to shorter part retrieval basket and bin
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In all other ways, the part retrieval bin and part retrieval basket have the same functionality as the standard parts basket and bin.
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These accessories can be purchased from the Carbon Shop (login required).
Carbon recommends purchasing one more part retrieval basket/bin than the number of AO Backpacks at your facility. This enables installing an empty bin/basket when the full bin/basket is removed from the AO Backpack during printing.
See Part Retrieval during Printing﻿ for instructions about removing the part retrieval bin and basket.
Safety
Preparation