---
title: Monthly
slug: hardware/m3-maintenance-monthly
description: Monthly 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: 2025-02-05T18:09:21.929Z
---

Perform these maintenance actions every month:

- [Backup Important Projects](docId\:ZfgT6dGBrGDUsj0_ZsWUk) 
- [General Lab](docId\:ZfgT6dGBrGDUsj0_ZsWUk) 

***

# Backup Important Projects

**Carbon does not store or archive projects. **This information is stored on the printer’s onboard server, and cannot be recovered if the server is replaced, reset, or otherwise compromised.

To prevent data loss, we recommend backing up critical projects at least **once a month **and when** swapping printers. **Depending on your usage and requirements, more frequent backups may be necessary.

For each printer:

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In the [printer projects UI](docId:1bT3mas8msvxq9CDza67C), open the project you wish to backup.

::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/t_auto_quality_format/v1749066611/Education/Hardware/M3-M3-Max-printer/maintenance/Printer-project-ui01.png" size="50" width="1426" height="586" position="flex-start" showCaption="false"}
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:::WorkflowBlockItem
In the [project UI,](docId:1bT3mas8msvxq9CDza67C) click on the project name at the top of the screen to open the Project Settings.

::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/t_auto_quality_format/v1749067382/Education/Hardware/M3-M3-Max-printer/maintenance/Click-project-name01.png" size="50" width="4136" height="2720" position="flex-start" showCaption="false"}
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Click **Export Carbon File **and save the file in the location of your choice.

::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/t_auto_quality_format/v1749066699/Education/Hardware/M3-M3-Max-printer/maintenance/Export-carbon-file01.png" size="50" width="886" height="928" position="flex-start" showCaption="false"}
:::

:::WorkflowBlockItem
Repeat Steps 1 - 3 for each project you wish to save.
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# General Lab

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**Clean and/or replace any soiled PPE items.**

1. Check lab coats, glasses, and any other reusable personal protective items for contamination.
2. Wash or replace soiled items.
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![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/xcOI3p6O5jO0MVhoHv9rO-1M-59mbizWG8T7pY_7VHl-20240826-084614.jpg)
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