Printers
M1/M2 Printer

Operation

7min

Per Print Process

1

Inspect Cassette

Cassette inspection is critical to ensure the window is in proper condition for printing, to maintain print quality and avoid permanent damage to the cassette. See Cassette Inspection for more information.



M1/M2 Cassette Inspection


  1. Remove the cassette from the printer
  2. Hold cassette up to light to inspect
  3. Vary angle of view to help reveal blemishes
2

Dispense Resin

The cassette must be filled with the appropriate amount of resin for your print. Depending on the type of resin you are using, follow standard dispensing procedures as outlined in Resin Mixing and Dispensing:

One- and two-part resin dispensing
One- and two-part resin dispensing

3

Install Cassette

  • Activate the door switch to open the door.
  • Using both hands, carefully place the cassette over the deck glass.
    • Note: The cassette may not fit snuggly on the deck glass. This is normal. Engaging the cassette latch will lock the cassette firmly in place.
  • Turn the cassette latch to the lock symbol to secure the cassette in place.
  • The display will show ‘Ready’. If it doesn’t, unlock the cassette latch, reseat the cassette and lock the cassette latch again.
Document image




4

Inspect Platform

Check the platform before every print to maximize print success. 

Burrs, dents or other platform damage can affect print quality and may cause damage to the cassette window. Small or seemingly minor damage on the platform can damage the cassette. 

Materials and Equipment

  • Large scraper or similar item to inspect the build surface
  • Acetone wipes or acetone and blue shop towels
Document image


Platform inspection

  1. Check first corner
    • Scraper Position:
      •   At least 50% overlap with the adjoining platform edges
      •   Angled 45 degrees from platform surface
  2. Repeat inspection on remaining corners
    • The scraper is for inspection only.  It is not meant to remove or repair damage.
  3. Wipe platform with acetone to remove any residue or debris loosened during inspection.

Address Platform Damage

  1. If the scraper catches on any burrs or protrusions, the platform may damage the cassette. 
5

Install Platform

Proper platform installation is necessary to ensure that the platform is properly aligned. Failure to properly install the platform will result in failed prints due to platform delamination.

M1

  1. Carefully insert the triangular top of the platform into the platform latch.
  2. Release the platform.
  3. Gently push the top of the platform backward to ensure it is pushed completely into the latch and the kinematic mounts are correctly mated.
  4. Without holding the platform, clamp down to lock the platform.
  5. Grasp platform and lightly twist to make sure it is tightly secured by the clamp.
  6. If it is not securely held, lift clamp, remove platform, and repeat steps.
Document image


M2

  1. Place the triangular top portion of the platform in the platform latch and release.
    • Once the cassette is installed and the door is closed, the platform will automatically lock in place.
Document image

6

Start the Print

Now the cassette and platform are loaded, you may start your print.

  1. Use your foot to trigger the door switch to close the door.
  2. Check that the correct project is queued on the printer.
  3. Start the print with the Start print button.
Document image




Document image


⚠️ Pinch hazard

Keep clear of the moving door and printer arm.

7

Remove Platform

When printing is complete, remove the platform from the printer.

Note: Depending on the size of your part, the platform may be much heavier after your part is complete. Please use caution when removing the platform from the platform latch.

M1

  • Make sure print is complete. The display should read Remove platform.
  • Activate the door switch to open the door.
  • Raise platform latch.
  • Remove platform and take to washing station.
Document image


M2

  • Activate the door switch to open the door.
  • The platform will automatically be released by the platform latch.
  • The platform can only be removed at the home position, which is the top of the elevator.
  • Firmly grasp the platform handle and remove the platform.
Document image


Notes

Increased weight: The weight of the platform may have increased if printing large and/or latticed parts that may have trapped a large amount of liquid resin. Use caution when moving the platform to avoid damaging the parts or the platform.

Liquid resin: Use care when handling the platform as the parts and platform may spread uncured resin.

Clean build area: After removing the platform, use blue towels and IPA to clean up any spills, drips or smears of resin on the deck or printer interior.

8

Washing & Curing Parts

Follow the recommendations as outlined in the standard process courses in Carbon Academy:

9

Clean Platform

After parts have been removed from the platform, it must be cleaned for reuse.

Note: Failure to properly clean the platform may cause adhesion issues during printing.

  1. Remove any cured remnants of the part with a scraper.
  2. Wipe down the entire platform with Isopropanol (IPA).
  3. Apply acetone to a blue towel and give platform a final cleaning.
  4. Inspect and clean resin off the kinematic ball mounts.
  5. Check to make sure the whole platform is matte and free of shiny spots.
  6. Repeat cleaning with acetone until all shiny spots are removed.
M2 platform pictured
M2 platform pictured


Per Shift Process

1

Reclaim or Discard Resin

Filter and reclaim one-part resins or discard unused or two-part resin past its usable pot life.

Learn more at M Series Pour Stand.

2

Clean the Cassette

Proper cleaning of the cassette is critical to ensure print success. An improperly cleaned cassette will adversely affect print quality.



Clean Inside Cassette

1. Spray 99% IPA into the cassette

a. Spray around metal border

b. Then zig zag across window

2. Use a blue towel or kimwipe to clean the inside metal frame

3. Flip to a clean part of the towel and wipe in a single motion across the window

Do not scrub or wipe in tiny circles which applies too much pressure

Presaturated IPA wipes can also be used

4. Repeat steps 1-3 using acetone instead of IPA

Never wipe the window without solvent

Repeat steps until metal frame is matte. Shine indicates resin.

And window has no streaks or solvent spots.

Presaturated acetone wipes can also be used

Clean Outside Cassette

5. Squirt 99% IPA on a blue towel or kimwipe and wipe the outer frame

Pay extra attention to cleaning the handles

6. Squirt acetone on a blue towel or kimwipe and wipe the outer frame

7. Repeat wiping with acetone until all shiny spots are gone

8. Review cassette from varying angles for shiny spots on frame and streaks on window

Clean Cassette Underside

9. Flip to underside of cassette

NEVER spray solvent directly onto the underside

10. For window streaks or smudges, squirt acetone on a kimwipe

11. Wipe window in a single motion

12. For shiny spots on frame, squirt IPA or acetone on a kimwipe

13. Spot clean shiny spots on frame

3

Inspect the Cassette

Cassette inspection is critical to ensure the window is in proper condition for printing, to maintain print quality and avoid permanent damage to the cassette. See Cassette Inspection for more information.



1. Remove the cassette from the printer

2. Hold cassette up to light to inspect

3. Vary angle of view to help reveal blemishes

Take action for window blemishes as needed or proceed with production.

Notes

  • Reference Cassette Care for more detailed instructions on keeping your cassette in working order.
  • For more information about the C5 Cassette (required for RPU 130), please see C5 Cassette.
  • Never wipe the window without solvent on a blue towel.
  • Do not squirt acetone or IPA directly onto the underside of the cassette.
4

Clean Printer Deck and Build Area

Note: Extra care must be taken when cleaning the deck glass. Abrasions or scratches in the glass will distort light coming from the light engine, causing part defects.

  1. Remove the cassette from deck and place it on a safe surface.
  2. Squirt 99.5% IPA onto a blue towel and wipe the deck to remove any resin.
  3. Remove stubborn, partially-cured resin on the deck with acetone and blue towels.
  4. Check for smudges on the deck glass by shining a light across it at an angle.
  5. If the deck glass is dirty, wipe with acetone sprayed blue towel in a single, slow and gentle pass, applying even pressure.
Keep the top of the build arm clean.
Keep the top of the build arm clean.

5

Lab Workstations

Document image


Clean workstations

  1. Clean up any spills.
  2. Change workbench coverings if necessary.
  3. Remove any debris.

Emergency Stop (E-Stop)

The contents of this section apply to the M2 printer only.

If you see smoke, fire, imminent danger to a user, or any obstruction in the build area, you should press the Emergency Stop button. This will immediately terminate printing.

Document image


When pressed, power will be cut to most printer systems and all printer motion will cease.

  • Emergency Stop should only be used in the case of an emergency as it may cause permanent data loss.
  • Your in-progress print will be lost if the Emergency Stop button is pushed. Any partially printed parts will need to be discarded and reprinted.
  • The platform will not be able to be removed until power is properly restored and the platform is at the home position.

In non-emergency situations, use the Abort button.

Recovering from Emergency Stop Activation

Emergency Stop activation immediately halts all printer motion and deactivates many key systems. Because of this, simply pulling out the Emergency Stop button will not reactivate your printer.

Here are the steps to follow to start the printer after Emergency Stop or after a power outage:

  1. Twist the Emergency Stop button until it pops back out.
  2. Go to the back of the M2.
  3. Push the silver button beneath the Ethernet port and to the left of the power port and power switch. This will turn the display back on.
  4. The display will show “Remove platform”, but to do so the platform needs to be in the home position.
  5. Press the X button next to “Need Help?”
  6. Press the ✓ button on the display to return the platform to the home position.
  7. If the platform isn’t at the top, press the labeled button to raise the platform.
  8. Press the X button next to “Raise Platform”. Once pressed, the display will show “Raising platform” and a large “Remove platform” once it is possible to remove platform.
Document image


Power Cycling

Document image


In some cases, it may be necessary to power cycle the printer.

  1. On the back of the M2, turn off the power switch.
  2. After 30 seconds, turn the power switch on.
  3. Next, push the silver reset button. This will turn the display back on.



Updated 26 Feb 2025
Did this page help you?
PREVIOUS
Safety
NEXT
Maintenance
Docs powered by Archbee