---
title: As Needed
slug: hardware/m3-maintenance-as-needed
description: As needed maintenance. Ensure your M3/M3 Max printer operates at peak performance with our essential maintenance guide. Learn the importance of regular upkeep, proper tools, and safe handling practices to prevent hardware damage and reduce downtime.
docTags:
createdAt: 2025-02-05T18:10:04.637Z
---
Perform these maintenance actions whenever they are needed:
- [Power Cycle](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Printer Deck Spill and Resin Pan](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Build Arm Bellow or Roller Shades](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Printer Rear Window](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Printer Door and Rear Window Scratches](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Exterior, Rear and Side Panels](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Top of Printer](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Restore System Power](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
- [Check Pneumatic Pressure](docId:95v1V7wPbn-4G9ueU-LyH)
***
# Power Cycle
Before power cycling the printer, be sure printing is complete.
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On the back of the printer, turn the power switch to the** off position.**
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Wait approximately **60 seconds.**
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Turn the power switch to the** on position.**
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Press **Restore Power **on the touchscreen.
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The printer is now ready.
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Put on CLEAN GLOVES before proceeding.
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# Printer Deck Spill and Resin Pan
If resin spills inside the printer, on the printer deck, the resin pan can assist in clean-up efforts.
The resin pan resides at the front of the printer, below the deck, to collect accidental resin spills. The pan is not designed to contain a large quantity of resin and must be cleaned as soon as possible if any resin has been retained here. Maximum retention: 0.85 liters.
If more than 2 ml resin spills into the projection volume (below the cassette), contact [Carbon Support. ](mailto\:service@carbon3d.com)
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**1. Power down printer**
- Press power switch to the **off position**
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**2. Clean the spill**
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**Video Text**
1\. Use a dry blue shop towel to soak up spill **- Do not spread the spill around, just soak up what you can.**
2\. Using a silicone spatula, scrape resin into gap at front of printer
\- A resin pan below the gap collects the resin
3\. Dampen a blue shop towel with IPA **- Do not spray solvent inside the printer
- Never use acetone**
4\. Clean deck with dampened towel until shine is gone
5\. Open service door
\- Turn 8 mm allen wrench 1/4 turn clockwise
6\. Clean top of **printer door **with IPA dampened towel to remove resin
\- Lift up door at sides as needed to reach all resin
\- Push back down at sides when finished
7\. Clean front of **printer deck **with IPA dampened towel to remove resin
8\. Remove resin pan
\- Pull resin pan up to release from screws
9\. Clean resin pan
\- Wipe out bulk of resin with blue shop towels
\- Squirt IPA into pan
\- Wipe out resin with new blue towel
\- Finish wiping with IPA dampened towel inside and out until all shine gone
10\. Clean under deck before replacing resin pan
\- Wipe with IPA dampened blue shop towel
11\. Replace resin pan
\- Hang resin pan back on screws
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## Return Printer to Operation
1. Close service door
2. Power printer back on
3. Restore system power
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**Close service door**
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- **Press door shut firmly**, as you would a car door, until the latch clicks; insufficient force can result in a partial latch.
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**Power printer back on**
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- Press power switch to the **on position.**
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**Restore system power**
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- Press **Restore system power **on the touchscreen to power on all hardware sub-systems for operation
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# Build Arm Bellows or Roller Shades
The build area sides are lined with either bellows or roller shades. Clean these when dusty or if resin spots are present
1. Dampen a blue shop towel with IPA,** outside of the printer**
2. Bellows: Wipe until free of dust and all shiny spots.
3. Roller shades: Wipe gently until dust and shiny spots have been removed.
- Be aware of the **screw** behind the roller shade.
## No Side Cover
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The bellows and roller shades are for cosmetic purposes only. To reduce user maintenance, **newer printers will not have either cover in place. **
Carbon personnel will clean the exposed mechanisms when they visit your site for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance.
If resin does get on the vertical screw, spot clean the resin with a **lint free or microfiber cloth.** Grease and resin will come off the screw.
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If a shop towel or other small item is dropped in the open sides, simply open the service door to retrieve the item.
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# Printer Rear Window
The rear window may develop a haze over time due to the printer's exhaust system. Clean the window as desired to keep the printer in pristine condition.
**To clean the rear window:**
1. Dampen a [lint-free polishing cloth](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) with [Brillianize](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) (anti-static acrylic cleaner) outside of the printer.
2. Wipe the yellow window with the moistened cloth.
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The yellow door is made of acrylic and should never be exposed to chemical cleaners, Acetone, or scouring compounds. **Acetone will permanently damage the door.**
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# Printer Door and Rear Window Scratches
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If scratches develop on the printer door or rear window:
- Ensure that cleaning protocols follow Carbon's instructions to use only Brillianize (acrylic cleaner) and a lint-free polishing cloth to prevent scratches.
- To repair a scratched door or window, Carbon recommends using a Novus polishing kit (acrylic polishing kit).
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# Exterior, Side and Rear Panels
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**To clean the white panels: **
1. Dampen a [lint-free polishing cloth](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) with [Brillianize](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) (anti-static acrylic cleaner).
2. Wipe the white outside panels.
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Never use acetone to clean white panels.
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# Top of Printer
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****
**To clean the top of the printer: **
1. Dampen a [lint-free polishing cloth](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) with [Brillianize](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) (anti-static acrylic cleaner).
2. Wipe the top to remove dust.
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Never use acetone to clean the top.
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# Restore System Power
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After a full power shut-down, after using the e-stop, or after a power surge or outage, press **Restore Power **on the touchscreen.
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# Check Pneumatic Pressure
You may need to check the compressed air pressure.
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Open the service door.
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- Locate the access lock hole on the left side of the printer
- Insert an **8 mm allen wrench** into the hole and turn an **1/4 of a turn clockwise**
- DO NOT turn counter-clockwise
- The door will release open
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Touch **View Pneumatics** button.
- When the service door is opened, the touchscreen will change.
- Press the **View Pneumatics** button.
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Read the pneumatics information on the touchscreen.
- Press the **Exit **button to return to the previous menu.
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Close the service door.
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- **Press door shut firmly**, as you would a car door, until the latch clicks; insufficient force can result in a partial latch.
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