Summary of Contents for Zcorporation ZPrinter 450
- Page 1 ® ZPrinter Hardware Manual Part Number 09570 Version 1.1 10/2/07 All Rights Reserved...
- Page 2 3D printing; a process diagram; a list of important terms; labelled diagrams of the ZPrinter 450 components and the Control Panel; a description of the printer Accessories Kit; and where to go for more information.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
1.4 How 3D Printing Works................3 1.5 3D Printing Process Diagram ..............4 1.6 Important Terms ..................4 1.7 ZPrinter 450 Components................. 6 1.8 ZPrinter 450 Rear View Diagram.............. 7 1.9 Electronics Box Ethernet Connector............8 1.10 Service Station..................8 1.11 Parking Caps ..................8 1.12 Carriage, Print Heads, and Pogo Pins............ - Page 4 3 Routine Cleaning .................... 29 3.1 Vacuum Excess Powder................29 3.2 Empty The Debris Filter ................30 3.3 Clean The Parking Caps................30 3.4 Clean The Service Station ................ 31 4 Post-Processing ..................... 33 4.1 Using Z-Bond™ CyanoAcrylate..............33 4.2 Using Z-Max™ Epoxy................34 4.3 Using Paraplast X-TRA Wax ..............
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Page 5: Zprinter 450 Overview
® 1 ZPrinter 450 Overview Welcome to the exciting world of 3D Printing with our newest 3D Printer, the ZPrinter 450. The ZPrinter 450 incorporates many new features that automate and streamline the 3D printing process. The full-color capability, an easy-to-use, quiet, office-friendly design, combined with high-performance composite materi- als, makes ZPrinter 450 the fastest, most cost-effective 3D printer available today for rapid prototyping. -
Page 6: Recommended Computer/System Requirements
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® Operating Environment ° ° Maximum Temp. Range: 50-85 F (10 - 29.4 ° ° Recommended Temp.Range: 55-80 F (12.7 - 26.6 • Ambient Temperatures Maximum RH Range: 15 - 70%, non-condensing. •... -
Page 7: How 3D Printing Works
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® • 3.2GHz processor or better (recommended) • 2GB RAM or better (strongly recommended) • True Color Graphics • 64 MB Video Card, or better • 1024 X 768 pixels, or better •... -
Page 8: Printing Process Diagram
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® der removal cycle empties the Build Bed of most of the excess powder around the part, and returns that powder to the Feeder for reuse. After the bulk of the powder removed, the part is moved from the Build Bed to the integrated Fine-Powder Removal Chamber where any remaining powder is cleaned off the part. - Page 9 Feeder. Print Head - There are two for the ZPrinter 450. One (HP57) for color inks (CMY), and one (HP11) for clear binder. When a new HP11 print head is installed, the printer runs an automatic purge cycle to clean the print head of its ink and to prepare it for dispensing binder.
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Page 10: Zprinter 450 Components
Located at the rear, bottom of the printer. You must remove the printer back, bottom Cover Panel to change the Waste Tray. 1.7 ZPrinter 450 Components ZPrinter 450 Front View ZPrinter 450 Front View With Top Cover Open www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved 10/2/07... -
Page 11: Zprinter 450 Rear View Diagram
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® 1.8 ZPrinter 450 Rear View Diagram ZPrinter 450 Rear View www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved 10/2/07... -
Page 12: Electronics Box Ethernet Connector
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® 1.9 Electronics Box Ethernet Connector 1.10 Service Station 1.11 Parking Caps www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved 10/2/07... -
Page 13: Carriage, Print Heads, And Pogo Pins
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® 1.12 Carriage, Print Heads, and Pogo Pins Carriage Open With Print Heads With Print Heads Removed 1.13 LCD Menu And Control Knob (LCD Panel) LCD Menu and Control Knob Control Knob Operations: Push the Control Knob once to: •... -
Page 14: Accessories Kit
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® 1.15 Accessories Kit Top Level: 1 - Cleaning Fluid 2 - ZPrint/ZEdit CD 3 - Screwdriver 4 - Debris Filter 5 - Ethernet Cable 6 - Cable Not Pictured: 3/16” Hex Key... - Page 15 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ZPrinter 450 Overview ® To order consumables/materials, visit ZShop at www.3dpuser.com. If you are an international customer, you can order consumables directly from your local service provider or reseller. www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved 10/2/07...
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Page 16: Setup And Print The Build
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2 Setup And Print The Build 2.1 Overview To Printing Speed, Part Strength, And Part Accuracy There are three important characteristics to 3D printing that will help you print the best parts for your intended purposes. -
Page 17: Parts Containing An Opening Or Hollow Area
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® Do not tightly pack multiple parts into the Build Bed. If multiple parts are tightly packed, it may be difficult to lift them out of the Build Bed with proper support. If a delicate part is being built with other more solid parts, add a Fixture to the delicate part to protect it during powder removal. -
Page 18: Parts Containing Cylindrical Features
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2.2.3 Parts Containing Cylindrical Features Cylindrical features will be more accurate when the cylindrical axis is parallel to the Z-Axis. The remainder of this chapter takes you through setting up your build in ZPrint and printing a part. ZPrint/ZEdit Installation If ZPrint has not been installed, you will first need to install it. -
Page 19: Zprint Main Window
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 3. If the Choose Units dialog opens, choose the display units that correspond to the part dimen- sions and then click Next. The file is opened in a new ZPrint window using the units specified in this dialog. -
Page 20: Check Or Change The Default Printer Settings
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2.6 Check Or Change The Default Printer Settings 1. Select Settings > Printer Settings to display the Default Printer Settings dialog. 2. In the Default Printer Settings dialog, check that the default printer is the printer that is connected to your computer. -
Page 21: Check The Default Powder Settings
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2.7 Check The Default Powder Settings 1. Select Settings > Powder Settings to display the Powder Settings dialog. 2. Select the printer and the powder type from the left-side panel to view the settings for that combi- nation. -
Page 22: Create A New Powder Type
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® • Select File > 3D Print Setup to disable the Bleed Compensation, or to change the Layer Thickness. • Select Transform > Anisotropic Scaling to change the values for Anisotropic Scaling. •... - Page 23 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® Rotate/Rotate Group - Rotates the selected part in the specified plane (view). Rotate Toolbar Shortcut Select your part (left-click on the part in ZPrint) and select Transform > Rotate. Select the plane (view) to rotate the part in and then enter the degree of rotation in the degrees field.
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Page 24: Fixtures
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® Undo - Select to undo your last transformation action. • Undo works for the last action taken. You cannot undo multiple actions. • Undo only applies to the commands on the Transform menu. -
Page 25: Create A Fixture For A Portion Of A Part
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2. Select Edit > Make Fixture. ZPrint orients the part in the 3D View for building the Fixture. NOTE: The settings in the Make Fixture dialog are the General Preference settings that are pre- set in the software and the recommended settings for the printer. -
Page 26: Check The Build Layers For Errors Or A Collision
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® • To Resize: Point on the box, press the left mouse button and drag the mouse to resize the box. • To Rotate: Point on the box, press Ctrl and the left mouse button. Drag the mouse to rotate the box. -
Page 27: Check The Build Settings
Click the Select Printer button to locate an Online printer via a Network connection. 3. Bleed Compensation is checked (On) by default. For most ZPrinter 450 users, the Bleed Com- pensation setting should not be unchecked (Off) except in a couple of special situations: •... -
Page 28: Print The Build
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® • Check that Parking Caps are clean. See Section 3.3 for instructions on how to clean the Park- ing Caps. • Check that Service Station is clean. See Section 3.4 for instructions on how to clean the Ser- vice Station. - Page 29 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2. Choose your options for the build in the Print Job Options section of the Printer Status dialog. • Print in Monochrome - Prints a color part in monochrome (no color). Printing in monochrome speeds up the print time and is useful for prototypes that do not require color for evaluation.
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Page 30: Dry The Part
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 2.14 Dry The Part When your part is finished printing, the printer runs a drying cycle. A timer on the LCD menu will count- down the time remaining to dry the part. Drying the part gives it added strength, so you should not handle parts before they have adequately dried. -
Page 31: Fine Powder Removal
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® NOTE: Unused powder that is emptied or vacuumed from the Build Bed is recycled back into the printer Feeder so it can be used for future builds. 2.16 Fine Powder Removal After the bulk of the powder is removed from the Build Bed, gently pick up the part and place it in the Fine- Powder Removal Chamber where you clean the part of any remaining powder with the Air Wand. -
Page 32: The Next Step
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Setup And Print The Build ® 8. Open the printer top cover and move the part to your post-processing station, or leave it in the chamber to continue drying and strengthening. 2.17 The Next Step Best Practices in 3D Printing requires cleaning the printer after each build. Doing this will keep your printer in optimal running condition and greatly minimize errors that can result from powder build up, particularly on the print heads and the moving parts of the printer. -
Page 33: Routine Cleaning
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Routine Cleaning ® 3 Routine Cleaning This chapter describes the routine cleaning the printer operator performs after every build to prepare the printer for the next build and to keep the printer running smoothly and problem free. These four tasks take only a few minutes to perform but go a long ways in preventive maintenance by minimizing residue buildup on the print heads and the printer components. -
Page 34: Empty The Debris Filter
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Routine Cleaning ® 3.2 Empty The Debris Filter After vacuuming, empty the Debris Filter. The Debris Filter catches any large particles and keeps those pieces from entering the vacuum overflow system. To empty the Debris Filter: 1. -
Page 35: Clean The Service Station
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Routine Cleaning ® 3.4 Clean The Service Station The function of the Service Station is to clean the print heads during printing. Clean the Service Station after every build to remove residue buildup and to ensure the printer runs optimally for your next print job. Before you begin: •... - Page 36 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Routine Cleaning ® 6. Wipe up any excess water and thoroughly wipe the Service Station clean. 7. Push the wiper lever back to its original position. 8. Wipe up any water that may have spilled onto the Deck. 9.
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Page 37: Post-Processing
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Post-Processing ® 4 Post-Processing All printed parts can be post-processed with a variety of infiltration products to produce a wide range of material properties. If you are building an early stage design prototype, it may not be necessary to post- process the piece at all. -
Page 38: Using Z-Max™ Epoxy
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Post-Processing ® General Application Notes • Part should be fully dried before applying Z-Bond. Z-Bond reacts with water and produces heat. If the part is not dried, it will heat up and produce gas that may be an irritant to the mucous mem- branes. - Page 39 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Post-Processing ® • Label disposal materials and dispose of according to the label instructions. • Wear a dust mask, gloves, and protective clothing when sanding finished parts. Fully cure the part before sanding to avoid generating dust that may contain uncured epoxy. Mixing Instructions •...
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Page 40: Using Paraplast X-Tra Wax
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Post-Processing ® Tips • If the part has delicate features, infiltrate them last as the feature will be less strong after being infiltrated until the epoxy begins to cure. This will decrease the chance the feature will break from the part if nudged or bumped. -
Page 41: Additional Operations
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Additional Operations ® 5 Additional Operations When you start a print job, ZPrint checks the printer to ensure there are enough materials to complete the job and that the printer is properly prepared before starting the job. If the printer does not have enough powder, binder, or print head life to complete the job, a message appears in the Printer Status dialog telling you what you need to do to prepare the printer before printing. -
Page 42: Change Print Head(S)
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Additional Operations ® 5.1 Change Print Head(s) ZPrint checks the status of the print heads before every build. If a print head needs to be changed, ZPrint displays CHANGE PRINT HEAD in the Printer Status dialog. You will not be able to start the build unless you have changed the appropriate printhead. - Page 43 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Additional Operations ® Important: Clean the underneath of the carriage every time you change a printhead, and no less than every 3-6 weeks depending on your machine usage. Residue buildup on the underside of the carriage could result in printhead errors (such as 40006, or 2303:1).
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Page 44: Add Or Change Binder
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Additional Operations ® 10. Close the printer top cover and then press Continue > Exit on the LCD. • The gantry reparks and the printer goes Online. The printer will run an auto-alignment pattern before starting the next print job to properly align the print heads. 5.2 Add Or Change Binder ZPrint evaluates the geometry of a part and determines if there is enough binder to complete the job. -
Page 45: Add Powder To The Feeder
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Additional Operations ® 5.3 Add Powder To The Feeder ZPrint evaluates the geometry of the part to determine if there is enough powder in the Feeder to com- plete the build. If not, ZPrint displays ADD POWDER in the Printer Status dialog. -
Page 46: Printer Maintenance
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6 Printer Maintenance This chapter details how to perform occasional maintenance on your printer and how to prepare your printer for storage if you will not be running it for 4 months or longer. Most of these procedures are only performed when you are prompted to in the ZPrint Maintenance dialog. - Page 47 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 2. Take a couple of paper towels and wipe down the two rails behind the gantry metal cover. 3. Assemble the grease gun that ships with your Accessories Kit according to the instructions. Before attaching the grease nozzle, prime the grease gun into a paper towel until grease comes out.
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Page 48: Slow Axis Bearing Lubrication
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6.2 Slow Axis Bearing Lubrication Frequency: When prompted in ZPrint. 1. Locate the round plastic cover on the Deck to the left of the Build Bed and close to the Service Sta- tion. 2. -
Page 49: Piston Screw Lubrication
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6. Squeeze the trigger until you feel the tension change and then STOP. Do not over-grease. 7. Replace the plastic cover. 8. Reset the Maintenance Counter in ZPrint. 6.3 Piston Screw Lubrication Frequency: When prompted to in ZPrint. 1. -
Page 50: Change The Waste Tray
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6. Raise the Build Bed up and down a couple of times (Build Chamber > Raise Platform and Build Chamber > Lower Platform) to finish lubricating the screw. (Don’t forget to hold down the Control Knob to raise or lower the platform.) 7. -
Page 51: Check The Wash Fluid Level
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6.5 Check the Wash Fluid Level Frequency: When prompted to in ZPrint. Keep in mind that the cleaning fluid is very long-lasting and a lit- tle fluid lasts a long time. 1. Open the top cover and then open the Service Station cover. 2. -
Page 52: Clean The Fast Axis Bumpers
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 6.7 Clean the Fast Axis Bumpers The Fast Axis measures the distance between these two bumpers when re-zeroing. If the distance is too long, or short, a 2400 (1) error will occur. The bumpers may be perceived by the printer as missing (due to grease buildup) or damaged. - Page 53 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Printer Maintenance ® 2. Remove the Binder Printhead (HP11) and locate the septum, which is the small, round device with a white rubber seal. 3. Find the syringe and piece of tubing that is part of the Accessories Kit. One end of the tubing screws in to the tip of the syringe, and the other has a fitting that is designed to push into the septum.
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Page 54: Printer Storage Preparation
6.9 Printer Storage Preparation It is recommended that you leave your ZPrinter 450 turned on during idle times so it can routinely service the print heads and exercise the moving components. However, if you choose to leave the printer turned off for more than 4 months, before using the machine again, you will need to pull a syringe of binder through the lines (to remove any air), and replace the printheads because they will be dried out. -
Page 55: Troubleshooting
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Troubleshooting ® 7 Troubleshooting ® Please refer to the Online Help for a complete Troubleshooting Guide by error code for the ZPrinter 450. If you still cannot find a resolution to an issue or error, contact our Service Department, or your local Service Provider/Reseller. -
Page 56: Service Contact
ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual Troubleshooting ® You can also use the Help Search tab to search on a specific error. 7.1 Service Contact Service Online Information www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved 10/2/07... - Page 57 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ® INDEX Debris Filter, Empty, 30 Deck, Definition, 5 Default Powder Settings, 17 Numerics Default Printer Settings, 16 3D Print Setup Dialog, 23 Default Settings, Check or Change, 16 3D Printing Description, 1 Delay Start Time, 25 3D Printing Process Diagram, 4 Depowder, Definition, 5 Diagram of Interior And Exterior Saturation, 3...
- Page 58 ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual ® Information, 10 Platform, Definition, 5 Installation, ZPrint/ZEdit, 14 Pogo Pins, Definition, 5 Post-Processing, 33 Powder Removal, Automatic, 26 Powder Removal, Fine, 27 Justify, Toolbar Shortcut, 19 Powder Screen, Definition, 5 Powder Settings, Defaults, 17 Powder Type, Create New, 18 Layer Thickness, 2 Powder, Add To Feeder, 41 LCD Menu, 9...
- Page 59 Z450 Front View, 6 Z-Bond, Safety and Application, 33 Z-Max, Safety and Application, 34 ZPrint, Main Window, 15 ZPrint, Maintenance Dialog, 42 ZPrint, Transform Part, 18 ZPrint/ZEdit Installation, 14 ZPrinter 450 Overview, 1 ZPrinter 450, Components, 6 www.3dpuser.com All Rights Reserved...