Operation
Inspect Cassette
Before dispensing resin, you must inspect the cassette. A damaged or unclean window can negatively impact part quality and accuracy.
Begin with a clean cassette: If the cassette is not already clean, clean it following the guidelines in Cassette Care.
What Cassette Inspection Looks For
Cassette Inspection
M3 / M3 Max Rippling Manufacturing Artifact
Next-gen oxygen permeable optics for the M3 / M3 Max printer have a top layer on the cassette's window that expands when heated (during printing) resulting in a temporary rippling. The effect diminishes upon cooling and disappears under the vacuum of an installed cassette and is not considered window damage.
Caution: Normal use of a rippling M3 / M3 Max cassette will not cause window damage, but improper care or excessive force in cleaning could cause a crease (reference window damage for more information).
Reference Cassette Care for details on Rippling and Creases and for instructions on actions to take for all types of window blemishes.
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:
Install Cassette
Printer Prompt
The printer will prompt you to insert the cassette for the next print in the queue.
The cassette is always installed prior to the platform to keep dust and debris from falling onto the spill window above the light engine.
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.
Gather Materials and Equipment
- Or acetone and blue shop towels
Step 1. Platform Inspection
If the scraper catches on any burrs or protrusions, the platform may damage the cassette.
Remove the platform from production and contact Carbon Support.
Install Platform
Printer Prompt
The printer will prompt you to insert the platform for the next print in the queue after you have installed the cassette.
The platform is always installed after the cassette to keep dust and debris from falling onto the spill window above the light engine.
Start the Print
Now the cassette and platform are loaded, you may start your print.
⚠️ Pinch hazard - Keep clear of the moving door and printer arm.
Resin Level Detection
M3 and M3 Max printers will abort a print and alert the user if there is too little resin in the cassette for the print, or if there is too much resin to proceed safely.
- Too little resin can lead to a failed print or a completed print with visible evidence of resin starvation.
- Too much resin in the cassette may overflow into the printer when the platform descends, damaging the printer.
When an inappropriate amount of resin is detected:
- Add or remove resin before continuing.
- Select Resin Corrected to restart printing
- The project that was previously disrupted will still be at the top of the print queue.
- An override option is available if needed Use this option with caution.
Resin level detection is available for M3/M3 Max printers in software v1.42 and higher.
Debris Detection
M3 and M3 Max printers will abort a print and alert the user if solid debris is detected in the resin at the start of a print.
When Debris is Detected - No AO Backpack
- Filter or replace resin before continuing. Reference reclaiming resin instructions below. Remember that most debris will be too small to easily spot visually in the resin.
- Select Debris Removed to restart printing
- The project that was previously disrupted will still be at the top of the print queue.
Override
An override option is available in the unlikely event that no debris can be located/removed, and the print continues to abort.
Use this option with extreme caution.
Automatic debris detection is available for M3/M3 Max printers in software v1.42 and higher.
Automatic Debris Detection and Removal with AO Backpack
M3 printers fitted with an AO Backpack will run automatic debris detection and 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.
Automatic Debris Removal works for small debris; larger debris will cancel the current job and exit automatic mode, requiring the user to filter and replace resin manually.
See AO Backpack for more information.
Remove Platform
Printer Prompt
When printing is complete, remove the platform from the printer.
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 IPA dampened blue towels to clean up any spills, drips or smears of resin on the deck or printer interior.
Washing & Curing Parts
Follow the recommendations as outlined in the standard process courses in Carbon Academy:
Clean Platform
The platform must be cleaned after every print.
Failure to properly clean the platform may cause adhesion issues during printing.
If resin is discovered anywhere on the underside of the platform, immediately check the printer's Print Head Clamp Pot and Platform NFC Antenna. Follow the guidelines outlined in the weekly maintenance.
For prototyping or low production labs that run 1 shift per day, these tasks will need to be performed daily.
For high volume production customers that run multiple shifts per day, these tasks will need to be performed once per shift.
Reclaim or Discard Resin
One-part resins can be filtered and reclaimed.
Two-part resins at the end of their pot life should be discarded into a hazardous waste container according to local regulations.
Use the M Series pour stand to reclaim or discard resin. See M Series Pour Stand for instructions.
Clean the Cassette
Proper cleaning of the cassette is critical to ensure print success. An improperly cleaned cassette will adversely affect print quality.
Clean the cassette at the end of a production shift or when required for the resin, whichever comes first.
Reference the Cassette Care course for full cleaning guidelines and special cleaning circumstances such as removing a part from the window or cleaning the window seam.
Inspect the Cassette
Reference the Cassette Care for detailed instructions on actions to take for window blemishes.
Clean Printer Deck and Build Area
Dampen a blue shop towel with IPA to clean the following areas. Ensure that all dust, debris and resin (shiny spots) are removed.
DO NOT spray IPA directly onto the printer.
DO NOT use acetone.
If resin has spilled on the printer deck, refer to Maintenance for proper cleaning protocol.
Lab Workstations
Clean workstations
- Clean up any spills.
- Change workbench coverings if necessary.
- Remove any debris.
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.
- When pressed, the Emergency Stop button will cut power 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.
- Disengage the E-stop.
- Press Restore Power on the touchscreen.
- Remove the platform, remove parts and restart per the print process.
In non-emergency situations, use the Abort button.