Operation
The printer will now begin printing the projects in the queue. For each project, Automatic Mode cycles through the same steps, as shown below.
Ensure that the printer has been set to Auto Mode ON.
- The platform lowers into the cassette and checks for debris and determines the resin level.
- If debris is detected, the system will perform automatic debris removal which could take up to one hour. Debris detection is repeated to ensure debris removal was successful.
- The required amount of resin is pumped from the resin tank through the resin spout and into the cassette.
- The project is printed and the platform is raised to the home position.
- The bin extends forward into the build area and the platform lowers slightly.
- The AO platform and bin retract into the AO Backpack where the scraper blade removes the parts from the platform.
- The parts drop into the parts basket as they are removed.
- The platform and bin extend back into the build area, the platform returns to its home position and the bin is retracted back into the AO Backpack.
The printing/scraping/refilling process is repeated for each project in the queue until:
Normal End Conditions:
- Bin is full
- User exits Automatic Mode by pressing the Auto Mode toggle button
- At the printer
- On the printer status screen
Error End Conditions:
- Printing is manually aborted
- Not enough resin in the resin tank to fill the cassette for the next print
- Too much resin in the cassette and an overflow risk is detected
- Three consecutive failed attempts to remove debris
- Detected debris is too large to remove automatically
- Other errors or alerts occur
There are two ways to manually exit Automatic Mode:
- Pressing the Auto Mode toggle button will finish the current print and then exit Automatic Mode.
- Auto Mode toggle buttons are available both at the printer and on the printer status screen.
- Pressing the Abort button will immediately stop printing and also exit Automatic Mode.
- The project in progress may need to be requeued manually.
Note that when the printer exits Automation Mode due to an error, the project that was in progress at the time of the error, may no longer be in the print queue.
Users should check and requeue aborted projects as necessary.
Auto Mode ON status is controlled at the printer only.
Auto Mode OFF status is controlled at the printer or the printer status screen.
At the Printer
- Click the Auto Mode toggle button to turn OFF
- Opt to remove parts from the platform after the last print (default)
- Or uncheck the default to keep parts on the platform
Printer Status Screen
Auto Mode may also be turned OFF away from the printer via the printer's status screen.
The option to remove parts from the platform on the last print is also available from the printer status screen. Checked by default.
Scheduling End of Auto Mode
Additional options are available from the status screen to schedule the end of Auto Mode, allowing for more flexibility in your production environment. You can set Auto Mode to end by two methods.
Specified Time
If the next print in the queue is expected to surpass the specified time, the printer will exit Automatic Mode and not begin a new print.
This feature may be useful to ensure that the printer is idle and parts are accessible at a time of day desired for post-processing turnover.
Number of Prints
The printer will complete only the requested number of subsequent prints, then exit Automatic Mode.
This feature may be useful to control the maximum number of parts in the bin to optimize sorting and post-processing labor.
Note that if this setting is applied during an Auto Mode cycle, after some prints have already been completed, the setting will only apply to subsequent prints (completed prints will not count toward the total).
Pre-scheduling options cannot be saved, and do not carry over from session to session.
Pre-scheduling options are not available at the printer's screen or the printer dashboard; only the web-based status interface of a specific printer offers this functionality.
When Automatic Mode has ended, the touchscreen will show this screen: Notice that the amount of resin in the tank has declined and the parts basket has partially filled.
If the print queue is empty and does not have another project to begin printing, this will not exit Automatic Mode. The printer will instead remain idle in Automatic Mode waiting for more prints to be added to the queue.
Once the automatic session has ended, unloading and cleaning can begin. Follow the steps below.
Cassette and platform specific tasks (inspection, installation and cleaning) below are unchanged from standard procedure. These are summarized here for brevity.
For more information about printer preparation, go to Per Print Process under M3/M3 Max Printer > Operation.
1. Push Extend Bin to move the bin forward for easy access.
2. Use the foot switch to open the printer door.
3. Lift the bin up and out of the shuttle.
4. Place bin in the part washing area of your facility.
The bin can also be removed during printing. XXX
Remove the platform from the printer and use blue towels and IPA and/or acetone to remove resin residue.
For more information, go to Clean Platform under M3/M3 Max Printer > Operation.
Carbon recommends cleaning the cassette at the end of every Automatic session.
1. Remove the cassette from the printer deck and clean it, following the guidelines in Cassette Care > Cassette Cleaning.
Carbon recommends cleaning the blade after every Automatic session where supports were used on any of the models. This decreases the risk of debris building up over time and potentially gathering on the blade, platform, cassette or printer deck.
DANGER!
- The blade is sharp and can cause severe injury.
- Use extreme caution when cleaning the blade.
Only clean the blade when it is extended forward. Do not reach into the AO Backpack to clean the blade while it is retracted.
Equipment
Carbon recommends using a long-handled sponge to clean the blade. This minimizes the chance of injury due to contact with the sharp edge of the blade. Choose a tool that meets these criteria:
- Long handle - The handle should be long enough to grip easily and still have several inches of clearance between your hand and the blade.
- Soft, disposable cleaning head - The cleaning head should be soft like a sponge to absorb liquid resin and not damage or dull the edge of the blade.
Avoid tools that may damage or dull the blade, such as metal scrapers or harsh scrubbing pads.
These are good examples of cleaning tools:
Recommended Cleaning Method: Extension Tool
1. Close the printer door.
2. Press Backpack on the touchscreen.
3. Under Clean Blade, press Extend Blade and Open Door. to extend the blade.
- If the door is open, the button will show Close Door.
4. Use the extension tool to clean the underside of the blade:
- Using light pressure, move the sponge head along the blade until it is clean.
- Do not apply pressure against the cutting edge of the blade as this can lead to injury.
5. Close the door with the foot switch or press Close Door.
6. Once the door is closed, press Retract Blade to retract the blade.
Manual Cleaning Method
If you do not have an extension tool, use an IPA-soaked blue towel to clean the blade. Follow the instructions below to maximize safety.
- Close the printer door.
- Press Backpack on the touchscreen.
- Under Clean Blade, press Extend Blade and Open Door. to extend the blade.
- If the door is open, the button will show Close Door.
- Apply IPA to a folded blue towel.
- Clean the underside of the blade:
- Holding the blue towel, start well below the blade and move your hand up until it contacts the back of the blade.
- With light upward pressure, wipe towards you to clean the blade.
- Repeat these steps along the length of the blade until it is clean.
- Do not apply pressure against the cutting edge of the blade or move along the length of the blade as this can lead to injury.
- Close the door with the foot switch or press Close Door.
- Once the door is closed, press Retract Blade to retract the blade.
Cut Resistant Gloves
Wear cut resistant gloves to comply with local regulations.
Examples can be found here. Verify compliance with your jurisdiction.
Remove Basket and Parts
- Remove the parts basket from the bin and place it on a lined tray.
- Remove the printed parts from the basket onto a lined tray for processing.
Parts Stuck Together
Occasionally parts that have been sitting together in the basket may be stuck together.
- Separate parts by hand if it is easy to do so.
- Do not pry parts apart forcefully by hand.
- Parts not separating easily by hand, use a dead blow hammer and scraper to lightly tap them apart.
Wash and cure parts per protocol. Follow standard process recommendations:
The process of reclaiming resin from the bin is very similar to reclaiming resin from the cassette.
1. Place a resin tank in front of the M Series pour stand.
2. Remove the cap, put a paint filter in a funnel and place both in the mouth of the tank.
3. Place the bin on the cassette mount on the pour stand so that pour spout is properly oriented to the front.
4. Adjust the resin tank position so that the funnel is directly under the pour spout.
5. Tilt up the pour stand lid so that resin flows out the pour spout, through the funnel and into the resin tank.
6. Use a silicone spatula to wipe the bottom of the bin and push resin out of the pour spout.
7. Lower the pour stand lid.
8. Dispose of paper funnel and paint filter and secure the cap on the resin tank.
9. Remove the bin from the pour stand.
1. Remove excess resin and debris from the inner and outer surfaces of the basket using blue towels and IPA.
2. When done, place the parts basket in the bin.
Dampen a blue towel with IPA to clean the build deck and build area. Ensure that all dust, debris and resin (shiny spots) are removed.
- DO NOT spray IPA directly onto the printer.
- DO NOT use acetone.
For more information about printer preparation, go to Clean Printer Deck under M3/M3 Max Printer > Operation.
Operators can remove parts from the AO Backpack during printing. When models are printing, there is space above the bridge (the feature that holds the platform) that a shallower part bin (purchase required) can fit through. The door is opened and the bin is then lifted over the printer bridge and out of the printer.
The part retrieval bin and part retrieval basket are required to enable this process.
Part retrieval is possible for the majority of the printing cycle. The exceptions are
- Before printing begins - The bridge is lowering into position and blocks the part retrieval bin.
- 5 minutes before printing ends - This provides a time buffer to ensure that operators have enough time to remove parts and insert an empty bin prior the the end of the current print and avoid any disruption to Automatic Mode workflows.
Leaving the door open during printing can introduce particulates into the cassette which may affect printing or damage the cassette window. Limit the amount of time that the printer door is open to minimize the amount of dust/particulates that enter the printer build area.
The part retrieval workflow allows access to the interior of the printer during printing. This means that customers will also have access to the top of the bridge.
No objects should ever be left on top of the bridge. Any object, such as the bin/basket, left on top of the bridge will be crushed against the top of the printer when the bridge returns to the home position when printing is completed. This may damage the printer and compromise print quality.
Do not leave anything on top of the bridge.
Customers are liable for any damage to the printer or accessories caused by leaving items on the bridge.
The parts retrieval bin and basket ship with a warning sticker that reminds operators not to leave objects on the bridge. To install the sticker:
- Wipe the top of the bridge with a blue shop towel and IPA.
- Make sure bridge is dry.
- Remove the sticker backing.
- Apply the sticker to the top of the bridge towards the front (see image below).
Do not apply the sticker towards the rear or on the front of the bridge.
Activate part retrieval mode
- On the touchscreen, push the Backpack button.
- Push Retrieve Parts Bin.
The Retrieve Parts Bin button is only available when part retrieval is allowed:
- Auto Mode must be on.
- Printing must be in progress.
- More than 5 minutes before printing ends.
Once the button is pushed, the following message appears:
Use the footswitch to open the door. Retrieve the parts bin and install an empty bin/basket. After replacing the bin/basket, you must use the footswitch to close the door before you can exit this modal. Allowing a print to complete prior to closing the door will result in an error.
Open the printer door
Use the printer footswitch to open the door.
Remove the part retrieval bin from the AO Backpack
1. Reach over the bridge, grab hold of the bin with one hand and lift it out of the backpack and printer.
Do not bump or hit the bridge as this may cause shift lines in printing parts.
2. Alternately, grab hold of the bin with one hand, lift it out and set it on the bridge. Then grasp the bin grips on the underside of the bin with both hands and remove the bin from the printer.
Do not leave the parts retrieval bin (or anything else) on top of the bridge. When the print finishes the bridge lifts and will crush anything left on it, damaging the item and the printer.
Install empty parts retrieval bin and basket
Place an empty part retrieval bin and basket into the backpack.
- Carbon recommends purchasing one more bin/basket than the number of installed AO Backpacks. This ensures that a clean part retrieval bin and basket are available to place in a printing AO Backpack after the current part retrieval bin and basket have been removed.
Failure to place an empty part retrieval bin and basket into the backpack will result in the following:
- Automatic Mode will exit when the current project finishes printing.
- Parts will not be automatically removed from the platform because there is no bin to capture parts.
Close the printer door
Use the footswitch to close the printer door.
If the door is left open when printing finishes:
- The bridge will not return to the home position at the top of the build area. This is a safety feature to prevent possible injury.
- Parts will not be removed from the platform.
- Automatic Mode will be cancelled.