3D Systems ZPRINTER 150 User manual

10/31/12

ZPRINTER® 150

ZPRINTER® 250

QUICK START GUIDE

Part Number 95009

Rev. B

3dscentral.3dsystems.com 2

Overview - ZPrinter 150/ZPrinter 250

Build Chamber

Binder Cartridge

Debris Separator

Vacuum Hose

Fast Axis

Service StationControl Panel

Build Bed

Control KnobLCD Display

Parking Caps

(ZPrinter 250 Type 1

only) Build BedFast Axis

Deck Front Overflow

3dscentral.3dsystems.com 3

Push the Control Knob once to:

• Bring up the printer menu.

• Select a menu command.

• Start/Stop/Cancel a menu function.

Turn the Control Knob left/right to highlight menu items.

When selecting the Raise/Lower Platform commands,

hold the Control Knob down to raise/lower the platform.

Rear View

External

Connections

Power Switch

Nameplate (Serial Number)

Power Cord

Connection

External Connections

Network Connection

(Ethernet RJ-45)

Diagnostic LEDs

(Type 3 only)

Typ e 1 Typ e 3

3dscentral.3dsystems.com 4

Welcome To The ZPrinter®150/

ZPrinter®250 Quick Start Guide

This Guide is intended as a handy reference for users who are

familiar with their 3D printer and just need to print a part. The

Guide assumes that:

• The ZPrinter is properly installed and running, and that no

errors are displayed on the ZPrinter control panel.

• The ZPrint™ Software is installed and running, and is config-

ured properly for your printer and choice of powder. For

ZPrint installation instructions, see the ZPrint™ Software

Manual.

• The printer is loaded with enough materials to complete the

build.

• The printer is up to date on its routine maintenance.

• The printer is connected to the same network as the com-

puter that is running ZPrint.

For more details, please refer to the ZPrinter 150 / ZPrinter

250 User Manual. The Manual is included on the installation CD

with your ZPrint software.

We encourage all customers to logon to our 3DP User Web site at

3dscentral.3dsystems.com to learn more about 3D printing,

materials, Best Practices, and post-processing techniques.

1. Steps To Print

Follow the steps outlined in the sections below to print your part.

Section Title Page

2CheckThePrinter 5

3 Setup Your Build And

4 Gross Powder Removal 7

5FinePowderRemoval7

6 Routine Cleaning After

Every Build

7 Post-Processing With

Z-Bond

8 Replace a Print Head 12

Where To Go For More

Information

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2. Check The Printer

Before you start your print job, it’s important that you check the

printer. A clean, well-maintained printer produces better

parts, has less downtime, and needs fewer service calls.

1. Check for loose powder in or around the Build Bed, Fast

Axis, and Deck. If you need to clean these areas, follow the

steps in Section 6.1, “Vacuum Up Excess Powder”.

2. Check that the Debris Separator, the Rails and Carriage, the

Service Station and Parking Caps are clean. If any of these

need cleaning, follow the procedures in these sections:

•Section 6.2, “Empty The Debris Separator”

•Section 6.3, “Clean The Rails and Carriage”

•Section 6.4, “Clean The Service Station”

•Section 6.5, “Clean the Parking Caps (ZPrinter

250 Type 1 only)”

Service

Station

Build

Bed

Deck

Fast

Axis

Deck

Debris Separator

Rails and Carriage

(hidden)

Parking Caps

(250 Type 1

only)

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3. Setup Your Build And Print

Now that your printer is clean, you need to open up the 3D file

using ZPrint, and select your printing parameters.

1. Open your file in ZPrint.

2. Select File > 3D Print Setup, or click on the Toolbar.,

to open the 3D Print Setup dialog.

3. Check your printer settings to be sure the correct printer

and powder are displayed.

• If you need to change any settings, refer to the Setup

and Print the Build section of the User Manual for

your printer.

4. Select File >3D Print, or click on the Toolbar, to open

the Printer Status dialog.

5. Check the Printer Status window. If all the Print Head,

Powder, and General items display OK, the Print button is

enabled.

If any items need attention, the Print button is disabled.

• If the printer only needs a new print head, and you are

comfortable performing the steps required, see the

Replace a Print Head section of this Guide.

• Otherwise, refer to the Additional Operations section

of the User Manual for your printer. There you’ll find

details on how to get the printer ready and clear any

messages.

6. Select any Print Options for this build.

7. Click Print to start your build.

8. The Printing dialog opens and reports the status of the

print job for as the build progresses.

•ClickthePause button to pause the current print job,

Click again to resume printing.

•ClicktheCancel button to cancel printing this job.

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4. Gross Powder Removal

When the build is finished, the printer starts an automatic drying

cycle. A counter on the printer LCD counts down the time

remaining before the part is dry.

When the drying cycle is finished, you

will need to remove the unused pow-

der around the part.

1.Close the top cover, then select

VACUUM on the LCD menu. Open the

cover. The vacuum starts.

2.Vacuum

powder from around the part. Be

careful around delicate sections.

Use the Control Knob to move the

Build Platform up as needed.

5. Fine Powder

Removal

Any loose powder on the part must be removed before proceed-

ing with the post-processing steps.

1. Raise the Build Platform up. Gently pick up the part and

place it in the Powder Recycling Station.

2. If the part is very delicate, the Build Platform is removable.

Select ACCESS BUILD PLATE on the LCD menu. Lift the

Build Plate and the part and carry both to the Powder Recy-

cling Station.

3. Use the air wand to blow off any remaining powder. Refer to

the Powder Recycling Station User Manual for details.

4. Allow the part to dry longer in the Powder Recycling Station

while you perform the Routine Cleaning described in Section

6. Routine Cleaning After Every Build

After every build, it is important to clean your printer following

the steps below.

A clean, well-maintained printer produces better parts,

has less downtime, and needs fewer service calls.

Routine cleaning includes the following steps:

• Vacuum Up Excess Powder

• Empty The Debris Separator

• Clean The Rails and Carriage

• Clean The Service Station

• Clean the Parking Caps (ZPrinter 250 Type 1 only)

6.1 Vacuum Up Excess Powder

Vacuum the Build Bed, the Fast Axis, and the Deck.

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1. Close the top cover, then select VACUUM on the LCD menu.

Open the cover. The vacuum starts.

2. Vacuum the following areas:

• The top of the Fast Axis; also reach inside to vacuum

the Rails and the Printhead Carriage.

• The Build Bed (but not the Feeder side).

• The deck around the Build Bed.

Note: Be careful not to vacuum inside the service sta-

tion itself.

3. Press the Control Knob once to turn off the vacuum.

6.2 Empty The Debris Separator

1. Pull the Debris Separator out

of its holder on the printer.

2. Empty the contents into a

trash receptacle.

3. Use the soft brush found in

the Accessory Kit to brush

caked on powder from the

screen.

4. Return the empty Debris Sep-

arator to its holder. Be sure to push the Separator flat

against the panel for a secure fit.

6.3 Clean The Rails and Carriage

1. Pull the Fast Axis out toward you.

2.Using a paper towel dampened

with distilled water, wipe the top

and bottom Rails. Move the Car-

riage back and forth as needed to

clean the entire length of both

rails.

3.Using a clean, dry paper towel,

thoroughly dry both Rails.

4. Using a fresh paper towel, wipe the Carriage to remove any

powder. Also clean the Build Bed and Deck.

6.4 Clean The Service Station

Before you begin:

• Get several dry paper towels and a cotton swab.

• Get the squirt bottle filled with distilled water.

• Wear disposable gloves.

• Get the Pick and Syringe from the Accessories Kit.

3dscentral.3dsystems.com 9

1. Open the printer top cover and the Service Station cover.

2. Place paper towels around the Service Station. Also cover

the front overflow and the Build Bed with paper towels.

3. Pull the Service Station wiper lever all the way forward until

the rubber squeegees are fully exposed. Hold the lever in

this position while you clean the squeegees.

4. Squirt water on and around the squeegees.

Important: Don’t get water in the front overflow or on the

build bed.

5. Wipe the front and back of the squeegees clean. Use the

Pick to scrape away any excess powder.

6. Thoroughly clean and dry the

•ServiceStation

•Deck

•BuildBed

• Front Overflow.

7. Push the wiper lever back to its original position.

Wiper

Lever

Squeegees

Wiper

Lever

3dscentral.3dsystems.com 10

6.5 Clean the Parking Caps

(ZPrinter 250 Type 1 only)

Note: Parking caps are only installed on older ZPrinter 250 mod-

els (Type 1). On more recent ZPrinter 250 (Type 3) and on all

ZPrinter 150 models, the Parking Caps are not present.

Before you begin:

• Get several dry paper towels and a cotton swab.

• Get the squirt bottle filled with distilled water.

• Wear disposable gloves.

• Get the Pick and Syringe from the Accessories Kit.

1. Lift the Parking Cap cover to a horizontal position and place

dry paper towels underneath.

2. Squirt the distilled water onto the caps. Do not squirt water

onto the Build Bed.

3. Use a cotton swab and dry paper towel to wipe the caps

clean. Use the pick if needed to remove any powder.

4. Remove the paper towels from under the caps and wipe up

any excess water on the deck.

5. Be sure the Parking Caps are completely dry before starting

your next build.

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