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Ackuretta FreeShape 120 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Ackuretta FreeShape 120

  • Page 2 FreeShape 120, Alpha 3D, Omega 3D, Ackuretta, and all associated logos are trademarks of Ackuretta Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Other company names or products mentioned herein are registered trademarks of their owners.
  • Page 3 Resin Safety Resins provided by Ackuretta are non-carcinogenic acrylic-based photopolymer liquids that give off a light odor. These resins may cause skin, eyes and respiratory system irritation, and skin sensitivities or allergic reactions by skin contact.
  • Page 4 Resin Protective Gear The hands are the most likely affected area when handling resins. Wear rubber, nitrile, polyvinyl Gloves chloride, or other chemical-resistant gloves. While using air compressors or due to usage or handling, resin may splash into the eyes. Wear protective Eye Protection goggles, safety glasses with side shields, or a face shield.
  • Page 5 Disposal Resins provided by Ackuretta are not readily biodegradable. Releasing these resins into the environment may be illegal according to the regulations in the usage area. * Properly dispose of resins in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Page 6: Getting Started

    Contents Chapter 1 Specifications Features About the FreeShape 120 Package Contents Machine Overview Machine Console Interface Web Console Interface Chapter 2 Unboxing Your Machine What You Need Getting Started Setup Environment Connecting to Your Wi-Fi Network Attach Your Vat Fill Your Vat With Resin...
  • Page 7 Resin-based 3D printing has advanced in several stages, starting from laser-based SLA machines to much faster DLP printers. Ackuretta brings its technical expertise into the next stage of printing with the FreeShape 120, a desktop LCD printer that delivers high-resolution, smooth surface prints at a price point that is ideal for the entry-level market.
  • Page 8 Ethernet cable Hex key Wi-Fi dongle Vat film sheets (×2) LCD panels (×2) FreeShape 120 Machine Overview Front Side Back Side Build platform Guideway Hood Power Console port USB ports Power switch Ethernet/LAN port Serial number sticker FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 9 Machine Console Interface When you turn on your FreeShape 120, the machine will spend a few seconds loading, and then will arrive on the home screen. The home screen has the following functions: The Print screen is your main center for uploading files and getting your printer started.
  • Page 10 Chapter 2: Getting Started After you receive your FreeShape 120 printer, you will need to do a little bit of work to get your printer up-and-running. This section describes all of the setup you need to do for your machine, so you can go from package to printing as soon as possible.
  • Page 11 Tools Empty Cable Panel CABLE: 1 Ethernet cable and 1 power cable TOOLS: 1 Hex key PANEL: 2 LCD panels, packaged in bubble wrap One box is unmarked, and is usually empty. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 12 Consult your resin distributor regarding the proper cleaning alcohol to use. In addition, you may want an alcohol bath, such as an ultrasonic cleaner. 4. Resin – the FreeShape 120 is tested with all Ackuretta Qura- resins, but you may use any 405 nm resin. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 13 5. UV oven – Ackuretta resins are all tested with the Ackuretta UV oven. Other resin suppliers may recommend other UV ovens. 6. Knife or scraper – Sharper tools are better for removing prints from the build platform. Dull scrapers may damage the build platform.
  • Page 14 Instead, place the printer in a clean, open area. Avoid having any thick walls or barriers between the router and the FreeShape 120. Connecting to Your Wi-Fi Network Connect to a Wi-Fi network that you can access the printer web console and start up prints from your internet browser.
  • Page 15 4. Ensure that the Connect to Wi-Fi box is turned On. 5. Press the arrow next to Choose a network. 6. Press the network that you want to use. You can use the arrows on the right side to select different pages. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 16 8. When your printer connects to the network, an IP address appears on this screen. 9. Open an internet browser while on the same network as the FreeShape 120 and type the IP address shown into the address bar. The FreeShape 120 web console opens.
  • Page 17 Attach Your Vat The FreeShape 120 comes with a vat attached during shipping. If you remove your vat and need to reattach it, do the following. Warning: Always place the vat on the FreeShape 120 before placing the build platform. The vat protects the LCD, which may become damaged if resin or the build platform falls on it.
  • Page 18 4. The vat is attached to the printer and is ready to add resin. Fill Your Vat with Resin 1. Before pouring, shake your resin bottle for at least 2 minutes so the resin is thoroughly mixed. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 19 Attach Your Build Platform The FreeShape 120 comes with a build platform attached during shipping. If you remove your build platform and need to reattach it, do the following.
  • Page 20 2. Insert the screw portion of the build platform into the gap on the FreeShape 120 guideway. 3. Align the build platform so that the 4 prongs are adjacent to the guideway arm. 4. Turn the handle clockwise to lock the build platform on the guideway.
  • Page 21 Chapter 3: Printing After you set up your FreeShape 120, the next step is to get your first print up and running. This section describes the basic process for getting your printer ready and starting up a print. The topics covered in this section are as follows: •...
  • Page 22 Printing Using a USB Device There are two ways of starting a print on the FreeShape 120: • Attach a USB device with the print file to the printer, and then use the printer console to start the print •...
  • Page 23 2. Copy your IBF or SBF file to your USB device. Connect your USB device to any of the USB ports on the back side of the FreeShape 120. For more information about making a print file, see Making Your Print File. 3. On the FreeShape 120 console, press Print. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 24 7. Confirm your print details, and press Print to begin your print. Note: If your resin profile is incorrect, press Material to change your resin settings. If you are using an Ackuretta resin profile from Alpha 3D or Omega 3D, your resin profile will be automatically set from the software.
  • Page 25 • Connecting Your Wi-Fi Network • Connecting Your LAN Network 1. Open an internet browser while on the same network as the FreeShape 120 and type the IP address shown into the address bar. The FreeShape 120 web console opens.
  • Page 26 If your resin profile is incorrect, press the Material icon to change your resin settings. If you are using an Ackuretta resin profile from Alpha 3D or Omega 3D, your resin profile will be automatically set from the software. If you are using a third-party resin, you may need to adjust your resin settings. See Material Settings more information.
  • Page 27 After the FreeShape 120 starts curing resin, the screen changes to show a Pause button. This option temporarily pauses the printer so that you can see if a print has failed, or you can use it to add resin.
  • Page 28 The printer will completely stop its print so you can clean the platform and begin printing a new print. cannot undo this action. When you stop, the printer finishes printing its current layer before returning to the home screen. When the layer is finished, the build platform will move back to the top position. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 29 Chapter 4: Finishing Your Print After the FreeShape 120 completes printing, the print still requires some preparation before it is ready for polishing, casting, or applying to a machine or a patient. The order of the process is variable, as most steps can be done before or in between others. Generally, the process is as follows: •...
  • Page 30 5. The print has residual liquid on it from the vat. Turn the platform over quickly to keep your environment clean. Tip: You can use a rubber spatula or air blower to push resin off of the build platform back into the vat to save resin. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 31 Using the Clean Vat Function. Separating Your Print from the Build Platform What You Need A. Safety equipment – gloves, UV-protective glasses, and a respirator or face mask B. Knife or scraper C. Tissues or a container for resin disposal FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 32 2. Slide a utility knife or scraper under one corner of the print. Pull the knife under the print to separate one side from the build platform. 3. Continue sliding the knife through to the other side of the print. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 33 B. Cleaning alcohol – isopropyl alcohol (99% solution) or ethyl alcohol (95% solution) C. Drying tools – air compressor is preferred, but you can also use a handheld blower or tissues for most prints D. Ultrasonic cleaner or bath - Optional FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 34 If you have an ultrasonic cleaner or cleaning bath available, you may soak the print to make cleaning easier. Usually you should do this after separating the print from the build platform. 3. Submerge the print into a bath of cleaning alcohol or an ultrasonic cleaner. For most prints, Ackuretta recommends soaking for about 2 minutes.
  • Page 35 Most supports can be cut with a scissors. Ackuretta recommends cutting the supports farther from the print at first, and then cutting close to the print afterwards. This reduces damage to the print.
  • Page 36 After printing, cleaning, and drying, place your print in a UV oven for final curing. The Ackuretta UV oven is tested and certified for all Qura- resins. Dreve, Keystone, and other resin suppliers may have preferred UV ovens to use with their materials. See your resin supplier for details about which UV ovens they recommend that you use.
  • Page 37 If you press and hold the start button for several seconds, the oven will flash instead of continuous curing. This is preferred for many resins. 3. Timer controls Press the arrow buttons to adjust the timer. Curing a print for three minutes is appropriate for most FreeShape 120 prints. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 38 The Machine Settings screen shows system-wide settings and information. This section shows the Machine Settings screen from the web console. All the same functionality exists in the machine interface. Go to Settings > Machine. The functions in the Machine Settings screen are shown below. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 39 Firmware version The currently installed version of the FreeShape 120 firmware. Machine ID The unique ID for this FreeShape 120. This is not the same as the serial number, which is affixed to the back side of the printer. Storage Used The FreeShape120 has 16 GB of on-board storage.
  • Page 40 1. Attach your USB device to a USB port on the rear side of the FreeShape 120. 2. On the FreeShape 120, go to Settings > Machine, and then click Save log to USB device. 3. Confirm your selection by clicking Download, and when the download completes, click OK.
  • Page 41 1. Go to FreeShape 120 web page, and click Set Timezone Offset. • Toggle either + or - to set if your time zone is before or after UTC 0:00.
  • Page 42 2. After your setting is complete, click the Set Timezone Offset button. Update Settings Check your FreeShape 120 firmware version and update your firmware from this screen. Go to Settings > Update. The functions in the Update Settings screen are shown below.
  • Page 43 ZIP package) to your USB device. 3. Attach your USB device to a USB port on the rear side of the FreeShape 120. 4. On the FreeShape 120, go to Settings > Update, and click Update firmware from USB device.
  • Page 44 The FreeShape 120 printer stores settings for all Ackuretta materials. You can modify or add materials from here. If you upload a print file using an Ackuretta resin in Alpha 3D or Omega 3D, the FreeShape 120 automatically detects the resin profile and prints using the settings stored in the printer. If you use the “Resin Test” profile in Alpha 3D, or any non-Ackuretta resin in Omega 3D, you will additionally need to set a material setting on the FreeShape 120.
  • Page 45 The Z-resolution of the print. This value should be the same as the value chosen in Alpha 3D or Omega 3D. Z resolution The minimum Z-resolution for the FreeShape 120 is 10 µm, and the guideway (Layer Thickness) may only move in multiples of 10 µm.
  • Page 46 The number of layers that will be cured additionally. Ackuretta recommends using a value between 4 and 10. • Illumination Time The amount of time these layers will be cured. Ackuretta recommends using a value about 3 times that of the Normal Layers Illumination time.
  • Page 47 Immediately after printing a layer, the guideway will move at this speed for a distance equal to the Slow Peel Height. After that, it will increase based on the Z-Axis Peel Speed. Ackuretta recommends using a value of half of the Z-Axis Peel Speed.
  • Page 48 If your environment uses a Wi-Fi connection, follow the instructions in Connecting to Your Wi-Fi Network instead. Connect your FreeShape 120 to either your router or directly to your computer using an Ethernet (LAN) cable. Note: After you connect your laptop to the FreeShape120, by default, your computer should be able to obtain an IP address automatically.
  • Page 49 The LAN IP address appears here. Open an internet browser while on the same network as the FreeShape 120 and type the IP address shown into the address bar. The FreeShape 120 web console opens. Configuring a Static IP Address Most connection use dynamic IP address and DNS servers.
  • Page 50 Choose the network type that you want to set a Static IP address for, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Press the IP address. The IP address will be blank if your FreeShape 120 is not yet connected to any network. In that case, press the arrow button.
  • Page 51 B. Small pieces of paper - note cards, sticky notes, or business cards work well C. Vat D. Resin - at least 0.5 mm across the surface of the vat E. Tissues F. A container for resin disposal 1. Click the Clean tab. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 52 3. Click on Clean after entering your preferred amount of time. 4. The FreeShape 120 cures one layer of resin at the bottom of the machine. When it is finished, the Clean Finished screen appears.
  • Page 53 6. Pull the layer off of the vat. If you have a chemical-resistant glove, you can grip the layer by hand. Allow excess resin to drip off the layer before disposal. 7. Dispose of the resin layer by your normal resin disposal method. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 54 Replacing the LCD Panel The FreeShape 120 LCD panel encounters some wear over time. Eventually, pixels on the LCD panel will go dark, and some areas of the panel will not cure as thoroughly as other areas. Ackuretta provides 2 free LCD panels with the FreeShape 120 that can be used for replacement purposes.
  • Page 55 5. Before completely removing the front casing, unplug the UI console cable by moving the connector from side to side. Tip: If the console cable is too tight to pull out, you can push the prongs outward with a pin or screwdriver. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 56 8. Remove the LCD panel frame from the machine and set it aside. 9. Lift the LCD panel from the gap on the cable side. You can use the hex key or a screwdriver to raise it upwards. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 57 12. Return the panel frame to the machine and reattach the 4 hex screws to secure the LCD panel. 13. Return the front cover to the machine. Connect the cable to the UI board. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 58 15. Put your machine back together to prepare for printing. Do all of the following: • Put the vat back on and fill with resin. • Attach the build platform. • Place the hood over the machine. • Plug in the power cable. • Turn on the machine. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 59 What You Need A. Vat to replace film on B. Vat film (new) C. Hex key D. Utility knife E. Screwdriver (flat head, small) - Optional F. Microfiber tissues - Optional FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 60 Use the screwdriver to assist in removing the plate. 4. Remove the old vat film. The screwdriver may also be useful here. Note: Clean any resin that may have remained between the vat film and the frame. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 61 • Attach screws through those 4 holdes to tighten the film to the frame. 7. Poke holes in the vat film at the screw holes on the 4 corners of the frame. 8. Attach screws through those 4 holes. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 62 9. Poke holes and attach screws in the remaining holes. 10. Tighten all screws so that the vat film is very tight. 11. Cut off the excess film with a utility knife. Your vat is now ready for printing. FreeShape 120 Manual...
  • Page 63 6F, No. 322, Neihu Road Section 1, Neihu District, Taipei 11493, Taiwan www.ackuretta.com sales@ackuretta.com...