Considerations For Specific Geometries - formlabs Fast Cure Manual

To set the post-cure time and LED intensity based on resin type:
1. Close the door.
2. On the home screen, scroll down the list of preset post-cure profiles and tap the one you
want to use. Tap Start.
3. If indicated, flip parts halfway through the post-cure cycle to ensure all parts are thoroughly
post-cured. Tap Resume to continue the post-cure cycle.
4. After a post-curing cycle ends, the status Cooling appears in the top right corner for
10 minutes.
Depending on the size of your printed parts and their geometry, you may need to manually
create a post-cure setting.
To manually set the post-cure time and LED intensity or save a custom post-curing
profile for later use:
1. On the home screen, scroll down the list of preset post-cure profiles and tap Create Custom
Preset. The Custom Preset screen appears.
2. Set each parameter of the custom post-curing profile.
a. Tap Time to set the duration of the post-cure cycle.
b. Tap Light Intensity to set the LED intensity to which the Fast Cure will cure the
printed parts.
c. Tap Flip Halfway to indicate if the parts should be flipped halfway through the
post-cure cycle.
3. Tap Save to confirm your selection. The preset is saved as Customer Preset X, where X is
the next available number from 1 to 10. You can save up to 9 custom presets.
4. Tap Start.
The Fast Cure LEDs activate and the timer starts once the door is closed and the Start button
is tapped. Once a post-cure cycle has started, use the touchscreen or open the door to pause
the post-curing cycle.
To adjust the post-cure settings:
1. Adjust the time or LED intensity on the touchscreen.
2. Tap Start.
Formlabs recommends allowing the Fast Cure to cool down for 10 minutes between
post-curing cycles.
NOTICE
5.2.3 Collecting printed parts
When the post-curing cycle completes, the LEDs and heaters turn off. Open the door and
remove parts.
The Fast Cure's cure chamber can reach up to 160 °C (320 °F) after prolonged
usage at high LED intensity. Use thermal-insulating gloves when removing a hot
CAUTION
turntable tray or post-cured printed part. Failure to follow these procedures may
result in injuries, including burning and/or scalding of skin.
5.2.4 Additional finishing steps
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After post-curing, use the flush cutters that come in your Finish Kit to carefully cut the supports
attached to the part(s). Supports can also be removed before post-curing, but parts may warp
under exposure to light and heat without structural support.
Some methods of support removal may cause small pieces of supports to
break away. Beware of flying debris. Wear eye protection and gloves to
CAUTION
protect the skin and eyes.
In addition to removing supports, use sanding, polishing, priming, or painting to improve
presentation, or use other equipment to create molds from printed parts.
5.3

Considerations for specific geometries

For detailed guidance and visual assistance, visit support.formlabs.com.
Consider the specific geometry of each part when starting the cycle. Modify the post-cure
process for parts that are large or long, have dense support structures, or have thick or
thin features.
5.3.1 Dense supports
Some parts require denser or thicker support structures. These can inadvertently block light
from reaching some part surfaces during post-curing. The Fast Cure helps ensure even post-
curing by rotating the part during the cycle and exposing the part to light from all directions,
including underneath the turntable. Remove some supports, only as needed, to ensure that
light can easily reach all part surfaces. Leave some supports in place whenever possible to
prevent features from warping during post-curing.
5.3.2 Large or long parts
Most parts should be post-cured before removing support structures to preserve their shape
and prevent warping. While some parts may fit on the turntable more easily without supports,
long prints may require special arrangements to stand on the turntable without support. Consider
the part dimensions when designing the support structures or planning the post-cure steps.
The Fast Cure turntable has a diameter of 18 cm (7.1 in). The curing envelope is a
cylinder the diameter of the turntable and 6.5 cm (2.56 in) tall. This is the maximum
NOTE
single part size that can be post-cured in the Fast Cure.
5.3.3 Large or thick parts
Large or thick parts may require a longer post-cure time or higher LED intensities because the
part takes longer to heat. When post-curing thick geometries, warm the part before post-curing.
5.3.4 Thin features
Warping during post-curing may occur if a part is especially thin, inadequately supported, or
unevenly exposed to light. The Fast Cure helps prevent warping by rotating the part during
the cure cycle and by exposing the part to light from all directions, including underneath the
turntable. Use support settings or manual editing to design sufficient supports so that thin
features do not warp during post-curing. In the case of a thin, flat, sheet-like object, placing
the part directly on the turntable may offer the best support during post-curing.
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