Resin Handling After Printing
After printing, there will still be some resin left in the cassette. This resin can either be reused or disposed. Read through the options below.
Reusing Resin
The resin that is left in the cassette after a print can still be used for printing. However, it must be free of debris (see Debris Detection below) and still be within its useful life.
One-part resins
Use within 24 hours. After 24 hours, filter resin back into bottle and dispense with a clean cassette.
Two-part resins
Use within the resin’s pot life. See the protocol sheet for each resin for specific pot life durations.
Debris Detection
Debris in the resin can jeopardize printing by damaging cassettes and causing print failures or defects. Even small fragments (less than 1 mm) of cured resin or external debris can pose issues when they are squeezed between the window and the platform during printing.
Detecting and removing these fragments improves print outcomes and reduces the overall cost of Carbon printers by safeguarding cassette health and longevity.
Checking for debris varies depending on the printer type you have.
- M3 and M3 Max printers automatically detect debris
- M1, M2, and L1 printers require manual detection of debris
M3/M3 Max - Automatic Debris Detection
M3, M3 Max, L1* Automatic 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
- Filter or replace resin before continuing. Reference reclaiming resin instructions. 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.
- 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.
*L1 printers using the Gen 2 Aligner Model Solution workflow automatically detect debris (software v1.44 and higher).
M1, M2, L1 - Manual Debris Detection
M1, M2, L1* Check Window Between Prints for Debris
Use the spatula to check for cured resin loose in the liquid, or stuck to the window, in between prints.
Check Spatula for damage
- It is important to periodically check your silicone spatula to make sure it hasn't stiffened or cracked with age.
- Do not use acetone to clean the spatula, which will lead to stiffening.
*L1 printers using the Gen 2 Aligner Model Solution workflow automatically detect debris (software v1.44 and higher).
M2 Debris Detection Video
L1 Debris Detection Video
Resin Level Detection
For M3 and M3 Max users, if you are continuing to print after the previous print ends, the printer will perform resin level detection to ensure there is the appropriate amount of resin to safely print the currently queued project.
M3, M3 Max, L1*
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.
- The project that was previously disrupted will still be at the top of the print queue.
- 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.
*L1 printers using the Gen 2 Aligner Model Solution workflow automatically detect resin level (software v1.45 and higher).
Reclaiming or Discarding Resin
If you have finished printing with the resin currently in the cassette, you can either reclaim or discard it.
- 1-part resins may be reclaimed in their original bottle after filtering.
- 2-part resins must be discarded when the pot life is reached. See the protocol sheet for pot life.
M Series Pour Stand
M2 Pour Stand
L1 Printer
Notes