---
title: Weekly
slug: hardware/m3-maintenance-weekly
description: Weekly 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: 2025-02-05T18:09:05.009Z
---
Perform these maintenance actions every week:
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- [Print Head Clamp Pot](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Platform NFC Antenna](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Deck Clamp Pots](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Heater Glass](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Spill Window Glass](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
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- [Printer Door](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Front Exterior Panel](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [E-Stop Check](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [Touchscreen Display](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
- [General Lab](docId\:iMUK_y8KlPC7qPxkU6YyK)
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***
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Put on CLEAN GLOVES before proceeding.
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# Print Head Clamp Pot
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**Inspection Only**
A clean clamp pot is important to ensure the proper seating of the platform.
1. Remove the platform.
2. Inspect the **clamp pot **on the underside of the build arm for any resin or debris that will affect functionality. Pay extra attention to critical areas that interface directly with the underside of the platform:
- Circular metal area of the clamp pot
- Recess for platform pin
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If you find a dirty clamp pot with resin or other debris, do not clean the hardware yourself. Contact [Carbon Support.](mailto\:service@carbon3d.com)
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# Platform NFC Antenna
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**Inspection Only**
The NFC Antenna is what the printer reads to identify the platform. Keeping this clean is critical for printer operation.
1. Remove the platform.
2. Inspect the **NFC antenna **on the underside of the build arm for any resin or debris that will affect functionality. Pay extra attention to critical areas that interface directly with the underside of the platform:
- Round area, shown here with the orange circuitry
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If you find a dirty NFC antenna with resin or other debris, do not clean the hardware yourself. Contact [Carbon Support. ](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com)
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# Deck Clamp Pots
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**Inspect Deck Clamp Pots**
Clean deck clamp pots are important to ensure the proper seating of the cassette.
1. Remove the cassette.
2. Inspect the **4 clamp pots **on the deck for any resin or debris that will affect functionality. Pay extra attention to critical areas that interface directly with the underside of the cassette:
- Black ring around hardware (sits slightly proud of the hardware)
- Recess for cassette pin
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## Clean Deck Clamp Pots if Dirty
1. First place the foam insert (included during shipping) or clean aluminum foil on the pedestal to keep any debris from falling into the printer cavity.
2. Dampen a large swab with IPA, **outside of the printer**, and blot on a blue shop towel.
- **Do not apply IPA directly to the clamp pot.**
3. Clean the clamp pot to remove and resin and dust
- Clean the metal surface and the raised black ring around the hardware
- Clean the recess by inserting the dampened swab
If there is **cured resin** on a clamp pot, or you **cannot get one fully clean**, contact [Carbon Support.](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com)
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# Heater Glass
The M3 / M3 Max printer comes equipped with two heaters to provide temperature control for highly viscous resins to improve their flow during printing. The heaters are covered with glass to prevent resin from accidentally dripping on heating elements and igniting.
The heater glass must be clean and free of any resin or particulates for normal printer performance.
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⚠️ *The heaters are connected to the power supply and power must be turned off for safety before servicing.*
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## Prepare Printer for Servicing
1. Remove the platform from the homed position.
2. Remove the cassette.
3. Power down the printer.
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Remove the platform from the homed position.
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Remove the cassette.
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Power down the printer.
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Press power switch to the **off position.**
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⚠️ Burn hazard: The heater may be hot. Allow to cool 15 minutes after last print before servicing.
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**Locate Heaters**
- Heaters reside at the front and back of the projection volume, below where the cassette sits.
- Heaters sit partially underneath a short overhang of the deck.
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**Inspect Heaters**
- For resin, dust and debris | Action: clean glass
- For cracked or chipped glass | Action: replace glass
- For proper installation | Action: secure glass
- **Glass properly seated on ledge**
- **Clips positioned over glass**
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- **Glass not properly seated on ledge**
- **Clips not positioned over glass**
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## Cleaning Heater Glass in Printer
Dust or small drips of resin may be cleaned without removing glass from the printer if you can reach the area.
- Lightly dampen a blue shop towel with IPA, outside of the printer
- **Do not saturate the towel to the point of dripping solvent.**
- Reach into the opening, and wipe the heater glass with the towel, until it is clean, dry, and without streaks.
- Use a light touch to protect the glass
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## Removing Heater Glass to Clean, Replace, or Secure
Larger resin spills, especially dirty glass, or damaged glass will need to be removed for cleaning or replacing. This video also shows how to properly secure the glass.
If a resin spill has dripped beyond the glass itself, contact [Carbon Support.](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com)
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**Video Text**
1\. Locate two glass-securing spring clips
2\. Push and rotate clips outward to free glass
3\. Carefully remove the glass cover
\- Tilt glass to remove it from printer cavity - **Be careful to avoid the IR sensor when removing******
4\. Clean both sides of glass with IPA
\- Dampen a blue shop towel
\- Until clean, dry and streak free
5\. Carefully replace glass inside printer's heater
\- Tilt glass to replace it in printer cavity
\- Ensure glass rests on metal clips on each side of reflector
\- Press down metal bar at center of assembly to sit below glass
\- Hold glass in place with thumb
\- Push and rotate clip back over glass
\- Push and rotate 2nd clip back over glass
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The heater glass is tempered for safety and to increase durability, but it is still susceptible to breaking if not handled with care.
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The printer will not operate if the heater glass has not been properly secured in place.
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## Restore Printer Power
- Power printer back on
- Restore system power
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**Power Printer Back On**
- Press power switch to the **on position**
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**Restore System Power**
- Press **Restore system power **on the touchscreen to power on all hardware sub-systems for operation
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# Spill Window Glass
The light engine projects light through the spill window onto the cassette window to cure resin. If the spill window is not clean, it may affect part quality.
## Prepare Printer for Servicing
1. Remove the platform from the homed position.
2. Remove the cassette.
3. Power down the printer.
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Remove the platform from the homed position.
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Remove the cassette.
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Power down the printer.
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Press power switch to the **off position.**
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## Inspect Spill Window
Inspect the **light engine spill window **inside the projection volume for any smudges, resin, dust or debris that will affect print performance.
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## Clean Glass if Dirty
- Lightly dampen a blue shop towel with IPA, outside of the printer.
- **Do not saturate the towel to the point of dripping solvent.**
- Reach into the opening, and wipe the spill window glass with the towel, until it is clean, dry, and without streaks.
- **If cured resin cannot be removed in this manner, contact [Carbon Support. ](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com)**
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### Return Printer to Operation
- Power printer back on
- Restore system power
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**Power Printer Back On**
- Press power switch to the **on position**
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**Restore System Power**
- Press **Restore system power **on the touchscreen to power on all hardware sub-systems for operation
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# Printer Door
Cleaning the door weekly is important to **ensure the door retains anti-static properties** by using an anti-static acrylic cleaner. In addition, cleaning removes dust, fingerprints, and small amounts of resin.
Ensure the **printer door is in the closed(up) position**.
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Never use a dry cloth or alternative cleaners to wipe the door.
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Using a dry cloth or unapproved cleaners can create a static electric charge on the door. This door had a static charge and pulled liquid resin dripping from completed parts onto the inside of the door.
This can cause resin to reach prohibited areas.
**Be sure to click on the image to the right to see the resin droplets on the door.**
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**Open 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 and open
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**Clean the Printer Door**
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1. Dampen a lint-free polishing cloth with [Brillianize](docId:95TwE3ttL-5ihI6dNl4XI) (anti-static acrylic cleaner) outside of the printer.
2. Wipe the **outside** of the yellow door with the moistened cloth, including the door's apron at the top and bottom.
3. Wipe the **inside** of the yellow door with the moistened cloth, including the door's apron at the top and bottom.
4. **Close the service door **by pressing shut until you hear the latch.
Dampen polishing cloth with Brillianize
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**Wipe Outside of Printer Door**
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**Wipe Inside of Printer Door**
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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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**Note: **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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# Front Exterior Panel
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**To clean the white front panel:**
1. Dampen a lint-free polishing cloth with Brillianize (anti-static acrylic cleaner) outside of the printer.
2. Wipe the white outside panel on the service door.
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Never use acetone to clean white panels.
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# E-Stop Check
To ensure the emergency stop is functioning correctly, engage the e-stop to confirm the printer enters a halted state. Then disengage the e-stop and restore system power.
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# Touchscreen Display
It is **strongly recommended **to apply a screen protector to the printer's touchscreen display. With or without the screen protector, you must clean the screen weekly to prevent a resin build-up.
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**Clean Touchscreen Display**
1. Avoid starting a print accidentally during cleaning.
- Remove the platform or
- Make sure the print queue is empty. Touchscreen will say Printer is available when queue is empty.
2. Lightly dampen a blue shop towel with IPA and wipe screen with protector until clean.
- Do not use IPA wipes, which have a high water content.
- Do not use acetone.
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# General Lab
Weekly lab maintenance should include the following tasks.
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**Clean working surfaces**
1. Use IPA and/or acetone to clean benchtops.
2. If used, change bench coverings.
3. Clean floor to remove debris and resin spills/smears/drips.
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**Check inventory of lab supplies**
1. Make sure there are enough consumable supplies available. If not, order more. These are examples of important supplies:
- IPA
- Acetone
- Gloves
- Shop towels
- Wipes
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