1)      Details the proper steps to submit a print for the ZPrinter 450, printing in Monochrome. The ZPrinter Controller Interface utilizes a Digital Readout and a Scroll Knob that acts as a Scroll Wheel and Selection Button. Scroll to your selections with the wheel, and depress the wheel to select an option. The Printer has two primary areas, the ‘PRINT AREA’ on the left of the Equipment, and the ‘DUST AREA’ on the right.

 

i)        Prepare the Equipment

(1)    Use the Vacuum

(a)    With the Control Wheel on the ZPrinter Equipment Interface, scroll to ‘VACUUM’ and select this option.

(b)   Lift the ZPrinter 450 door upward, and find the black vacuum hose inside the Print Area.

(c)    Begin using this vacuum to clean up any regions of the Print Area that have Powder, Dust, or outside contaminates. If you need Vacuum attachments or tools, they are located in the Dust Area Glove box.

(d)   Ensure the Printing Bed is clear of all loose powder, dust, pieces, or contaminates.

(e)   The Vacuum will turn off from time to time; simply restart if this is the case. Once finished, you can turn off the vacuum by re-scrolling and re-selecting the ‘VACUUM’ option within the user interface.

 

(2)    Raise the Bed

(a)    With the Control Wheel on the ZPrinter Equipment Interface, scroll to ‘BUILD CHAMBER’ and select this option.

(b)   Next, Scroll to ‘RAISE PLATFORM’, then Push and hold the scroll wheel in until the Build Platform raises to the top of the Build Chamber.

(c)    NOTE* You will know when the Platform reaches its maximum height in one of two ways:

(i)      You can hear the Build Piston ‘topping-out’.

(ii)    You can read on the User Interface, the height at which the Build Platform has raised. 8.00” is the Maximum Height.

(3)    GO ‘ONLINE’

(i)      When the Printer is ready for a print to be sent; close the door, scroll-to and select the option ‘GO ONLINE’.

 

ii)      Prepare the File

(1)    Open the ZPrinter Printing Application titled: ‘Z-Print’

(2)    It will immediately prompt you to open/locate a file. The file must be the correct file type for printing. (.stl; .vrml; .wrl; .zpr etc.) Find the file and select the ‘OPEN’ Button.

(3)    Next, it will prompt you for the part’s units. Select the correct units, it’s usually in millimeters or inches.

(4)    You may add multiple parts by going into the ‘File’ Menu of the Z-Print Application, and selecting ‘IMPORT’.

(5)    You may position your parts as you please by dragging with the mouse, or using the ‘Transform’ Menu of the Z-Print Application.

(6)    You can retrieve a Print Time and Material Usage Estimation by selecting the ‘3D Print Time Estimator’ option from the ‘File’ Menu of the Z-Print Application.

 

iii)    Submit the Print

(1)    When the File is ready in Z-Print, and the Equipment has been successfully cleaned/prepped; select the ‘3D Print’ option from the ‘File’ Menu of the Z-Print Application.

(2)    You will be prompted on the next screen to select a ‘Layer Print Range’. It is typically the case that you are printing the ‘ENTIRE BUILD’. Select this option. Hit ‘OK’.

(3)    In the next window, it will detail the ‘Printer Status’. By default, all pertinent options have already been selected. You will need to ensure the Status of the Printer is ‘OK’ on all levels. Continue for additional information.

(a)    Print Heads:

(i)      MONO (HP11)

1. IF (i) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
2. IF (i) = ‘REPLACE’, then you need to replace the HP11 Cartridge. See Change Cartridge : ZPrinter 450 for Print Head replacement Procedure.

(ii)    COLOR (HP57)

1. IF (ii) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
2. IF (ii) = ‘REPLACE’, then you need to replace the HP57 Cartridge. See Change Cartridge : ZPrinter 450 for Print Head replacement Procedure.

(iii)    HEAD ALIGNMENT

1. IF (iii) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
2. IF (iii) = ‘Will be performed’, then your print will undergo an Alignment Procedure before printing. This will delay the start of the print, but is usually required after changing [a] Print Head(s)

(iv)  BINDER SUPPLY

1. IF (iv) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
2. IF (iv) = ‘ADD BINDER’, then you need to replace the Binder Cartridge. See Replace Binder : ZPrinter 450 for Binder Cartridge replacement Procedure.

(b)   Powder:

(i)      FEEDER

1. This indicates whether or not the Equipment has enough powder to print the object.
   1. IF (i) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
   2. IF (i) = ‘ADD POWDER’, then you need to add Powder. See Add Powder : ZPrinter 450 for the Powder Loading Procedure.

(ii)    BUILD PISTON

1. This indicates whether the Build Platform has enough room to build your part.
   1. IF (ii) = ‘OK’, then you are ready to print.
   2. IF (ii) = ‘NOT READY’, then you need to:
      1. Raise the Build Platform. (See the ‘Prepare Equipment’ Section)
      2. Shrink your 3D Print so it fits within the 8” Build Height.

(4)    When the ‘Printer Status’ and all of its Properties are ‘OK’; you may select the ‘PRINT’ Button within the ‘Print Status’ Window.

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