3D Systems CubePro User manual

Nylon Printing Best Practices
CubePro®
Nylon Printing Best
Practices
Introduction
Printing with CubePro Nylon (NYL) is an exciting endeavor for the 3D printing enthusiast.
Nylon is a strong, flexible and durable material. It is an excellent choice for prototyping,
small-run manufacturing and parts requiring secondary operations.
Copyright
©2016 by 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is subject to change without
notice. This document is copyrighted and contains proprietary information that is the
property of 3D Systems, Inc. Cubify, and the 3D Systems logo are registered trademarks of
3D Systems, Inc. CubePro is a trademark of 3D Systems, Inc. Use of the Cubify.com website
constitutes acceptance of its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Compliance
FCC Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
NOTE: Changes or modifications to this equipment not specifically approved
by 3D Systems may void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
KCC
이 기기는 가정용(B급) 전자파적합기기로서 주 로 가정에서 사용하는 것을 목적으로 하며, 모 든 지역에서 사용할 수 있습니다.
This equipment is home use (Class B) electromagnetic wave suitability equipment and to
be used mainly at home and it can be used in all areas.
This equipment conforms with International Electric Committee (IEC) 60950-1 and meets
the requirements of the applicable EC directives.
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils
radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes: (1)
l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter
tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en
compromettre le fonctionnement.

Important Safety Information
Safety Symbols and Definitions
HOT SURFACE HAZARD: A HOT SURFACE IS ACCESSIBLE IN THE
VICINITY OF THIS SIGN OR AT THE PRINT
JET. AVOID CONTACT WITH THESE AREAS. HOT SURFACES CAN CAUSE
SEVERE BURNS.
Caution: Indicates something may happen that could cause loss of data,
damage to equipment, or could cause
personal injury.
Caution: Indicates a pinch point hazard that could cause personal injury.
SHOCK WARNING: INDICATES A POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Follow all safety rules in this section and observe all cautions and warnings in this
guide.
Do not modify any safety features or make modifications to the CubePro. Doing so is
prohibited and voids the warranty.
Use of print materials other than genuine 3D Systems components may void the
warranty.
WARNING: HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS. KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER
BODY PARTS AWAY.
HOT SURFACE HAZARD: DO NOT TOUCH THE PRINT JETS DURING SETUP
AND OPERATION. THE PRINT JETS
BECOME VERY HOT.
Caution: Read and follow all instruction prior to setting up the printer.
SHOCK WARNING: DUE TO RISK OF SHOCK, AVOID CONTACT WITH ALL
INTERNAL ELECTRONIC
COMPONENTS.

WARNING: THE CUBEPRO SHOULD ONLY BE SERVICED BY AUTHORIZED
SERVICE TECHNICIANS. PRIOR TO
ANY PART REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, THE PRINTER MUST BE
POWERED OFF AND DISCONNECTED FROM
UTILITY POWER.
HOT SURFACE HAZARD: WHEN PRINTING WITH ABS MATERIAL, THE
INTERIOR (PRINT CHAMBER) OF THE
PRINTER WILL HEAT TO A PREDETERMINED TEMPERATURE. THE
SURFACE OF THE PRINT CHAMBER HEATER
WILL BE HOT. AVOID CONTACT WITH THE PRINT CHAMBER HEATER AND
NOTE THAT OTHER COMPONENTS
INSIDE THE PRINT CHAMBER MAY BE HOT.
To ensure safety, please exercise caution when operating your CubePro. Read and follow all
safety precautions as outlined in this
user guide. Be careful when operating your CubePro to ensure proper printing and be
mindful of and avoid hot surfaces.

Level The Print Jet Nozzle
Verify the Print Jet Nozzle Level
Leveling the print jet nozzles is very important to ensure quality prints especially after
replacing a print jet, an extruder assembly or the print pad.
The Print Jet Level Gap calibration file requires all cartridge bays to be loaded with the
same material type cartridges.
NOTE: Ensure the file used matches the printer model and the installed print
material type. All installed cartridges must be of the same material type.
(Ex. If the cartridge bays have ABS material cartridges installed, print the
ABS Level Gap calibration file.)
These files are available at www.3dsystems.com/shop/cubepro/downloads. The Level Gap
Calibration files are available from the Calibration Files download link in the Firmware and
Files section of the web page.
The file names are listed below:
PLA:
noz12_PLA_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing PLA on a CubePro Duo)
noz123_PLA_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing PLA on a CubePro Trio)
ABS:
noz12_ABS_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing ABS on a CubePro Duo)
noz123_PLA_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing ABS on a CubePro Trio)
Nylon:
noz12_NYL_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing nylon on a CubePro Duo)
noz123_NYL_LEVELGap.cubepro (This file is for printing nylon on a CubePro Trio)
Other files may be made available in the future.
Level Nozzle Calibration Print Overview
The following illustration demonstrates what you would see when the print jet nozzles are
properly leveled.

Z-Gap - The Z-Gap is the distance between the print pad and the print jet
nozzles. The Z-Gap should always be checked and adjusted first before the
Level Gap.
Important
If either ABS or PLA materials are used to check nozzle level, the gap must be checked with
the nylon single nozzle Level_Gap file.
When using NYL_LEVEL_GAP it is best to have the corner-plate level patterns contain a
gap above and below the baseline.
The gap for nylon is different than the gap for ABS and PLA materials. For best print
results, the Z-gap for nylon should be slightly more than the Z-gap for other materials
when reading the open Z-gap print. This gap is found between the measurements
lines (A) and the baseline (B).
The closed pattern should remain be closed.

Printing the Level Gap Calibration File
NOTE: Ensure the print pad is completely clean from glue and printed parts
before beginning this procedure.
Download the CALIBRATION FILES and extract them to your computer’s hard drive.1.
Navigate to the file location and copy the appropriate file to your USB mass storage2.
device.
Insert the USB mass storage device into the USB host port on the printer.3.
Select PRINT.4.
Using the arrows, navigate to the Level Gap Calibration file and select PRINT.5.
NOTE: There are several Level Gap Calibration files as well as Nozzle Offset
Calibration files. Select the Level Gap Calibration file for print material type
installed in the printer.

Apply two thin layers of Cube Glue to the print pad in an area of 50 mm x 50 mm.6.
Select the checkmark to continue.
NOTE: For more information, refer to the section titled Applying Cube Glue.
NOTE: It may take several minutes to print the file.
When finished, remove the print pad and verify the Level Gap.7.
NOTE: If any adjustments are needed, perform this procedure again after
making the adjustments. Make sure all glue and plastic residues have been
removed prior to performing this procedure again.
Compare Print Jet Z-Gaps
Inspect the Z-Gap readings for each print jet. If any of the print jets have an incorrect Z-
gap, they will need to be leveled again.
NOTE: The Closed Z-Gap (A) and the Open Z-Gap (B) are two different
measurements but should be read together.

Correct Closed Z-Gap
The Closed Z-Gap bars (B) should touch the baseline (A).
This should be consistent with the calibration print for each
print jet.

Incorrect Closed Z-Gap
If there is a gap between the Closed Z-Gap bars (B) and the baseline (A), that print jet is
too high and should be adjusted. Once it has been adjusted, print the calibration file again
to verify that the print jets are level.
Correct Open Z-Gap
If there is a gap (B) between the Open Z-Gap bars (C) and the baseline (A) and there is no
gap between the Closed Z-Gap bars and the baseline, that print jet is level.