3D Systems ProX 950 User manual

User Guide
Original Instructions
Rev. E P/N 40-D045
ProX™950
3D Printer

3D Systems, Inc.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROX™950 .......................................................................5
WHAT’S INSIDE .........................................................................................5
PRINTER FEATURES ......................................................................................5
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION ..........................................................................5
SAFETY.................................................................................................5
SYSTEM OPERATIONS ....................................................................................5
SOFTWARE .............................................................................................5
PRINT APPLICATOR SYSTEM ..............................................................................5
SERVICE AND TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................5
GLOSSARY..............................................................................................5
ProX 950 PRODUCTION PRINTER FEATURES ................................................................6
MATERIAL DELIVERY MODULE ............................................................................6
Print Mode ...................................................................................................6
Stand-by Mode ................................................................................................6
MDM Capacity ................................................................................................6
Rell Container................................................................................................6
PRINT APPLICATOR......................................................................................6
POLYRAY PRINTHEAD....................................................................................6
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION ..........................................................................7
ProX 950 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS GUIDE .................................................................7
ProX 950 INSTALLATION GUIDE ...........................................................................7
ProX 950 MATERIAL GUIDES ..............................................................................7
ProX 950 QUICK START GUIDE ............................................................................7
ProX 950 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) ...........................................................7
GENERAL SAFETY........................................................................................8
HAZARD MESSAGES......................................................................................8
LASER SAFETY...........................................................................................9
CONTROL SWITCHES.....................................................................................9
Master Power Shut-off .........................................................................................9
Emergency Stop ...............................................................................................9
CONTROL PANEL LASER LED ..............................................................................9
SAFETY LABELS AND INTERLOCKS ........................................................................10
SAFETY WARNING LABELS...............................................................................10
CHEMICAL SAFETY......................................................................................11
MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................11
MATERIAL STORAGE ....................................................................................11
MATERIAL DISPOSAL ...................................................................................11
MATERIAL SPILL CONTAINMENT .........................................................................11
FIRST AID AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT..................................................................12
Skin Contact .................................................................................................12
Eye Contact ..................................................................................................12
Contact Lenses ...............................................................................................12
Fume Inhalation..............................................................................................12
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS..........................................................................12
TEMPERATURE .........................................................................................12
HUMIDITY AND ALTITUDE...............................................................................12
SOUND PRESSURE ......................................................................................12
ProX 950 AT A GLANCE ..................................................................................13
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ProX 950 CENTER.......................................................................................13
SYSTEM COMPONENTS..................................................................................14
User Interface................................................................................................14
Material Delivery Module (MDM)................................................................................15
Electrical Cabinet .............................................................................................16
Manual Ooad Cart ..........................................................................................16
To Remove a Part .............................................................................................16
Setting the Ooad Position ....................................................................................17
SOFTWARE OVERVIEW ..................................................................................18
HOME SCREEN .........................................................................................18
MANUAL PRINTER CONNECTION SCREEN .................................................................19
STATUS SCREEN ........................................................................................20
PRINT QUEUE SCREEN ..................................................................................21
PRINT HISTORY SCREEN.................................................................................22
DETAIL POPUP SCREEN..................................................................................23
MATERIAL STATUS SCREEN ..............................................................................24
TOOLS MENU SCREEN...................................................................................25
ELEVATOR/LEVELER SETTINGS SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
PRINT APPLICATOR SCREEN .............................................................................27
PRINT HEAD SETTINGS SCREEN ..........................................................................28
NETWORK SETTINGS SCREEN ............................................................................29
HEATER SETTINGS SCREEN...............................................................................30
DRAWING SETTINGS SCREEN ............................................................................31
GLOBAL SCALE FACTOR SETTINGS SCREEN.................................................................32
NEW FUNCTIONALITY FOR GUI V1.1.5443 .................................................................32
3DSPRINT SOFTWARE OVERVIEW.........................................................................37
SYSTEM OPERATIONS ...................................................................................38
PRINTING A PART ......................................................................................38
ASSEMBLY OF OFFLOAD CART............................................................................41
MANUAL OPERATIONS..................................................................................42
PRINT APPLICATOR INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL.........................................................42
PRINT APPLICATOR CLEANING...........................................................................42
PRINT PLATFORM INSTALLATION WITHOUT OFFLOAD CART.................................................43
PRINT PLATFORM INSTALLATION WITH OFFLOAD CART.....................................................43
PRINT PLATFORM REMOVAL WITH THE MANUAL OFFLOAD CART ............................................44
MATERIAL DELIVERY MODULE (MDM) INSTALLATION.......................................................45
MDM REMOVAL ........................................................................................46
MATERIAL DELIVERY MODULE TEMPERATURE CONTROL ....................................................47
AUTO MATERIAL REFILL SYSTEM .........................................................................47
MATERIAL CONTAINER REMOVAL ........................................................................48
Release Lever ................................................................................................48
Container Release Button......................................................................................48
REPLACING MATERIAL CONTAINERS......................................................................49
POST-PROCESSING BUILD PARTS .........................................................................50
TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................53
POWER OUTAGES.......................................................................................53
ProX 950 CENTER SHUTDOWN ...........................................................................53
ERROR SYMPTOMS AND OTHER PROBLEMS................................................................53
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CUSTOMER SUPPORT ...................................................................................54
CUSTOMER SUPPORT HOTLINE ..........................................................................54
SERVICE...............................................................................................54
GENERAL..............................................................................................54
LASER.................................................................................................54
UV Radiation .................................................................................................54
MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................55
DUST REMOVAL ........................................................................................55
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE .............................................................................55
LEGAL NOTICES ........................................................................................56
COPYRIGHT AND CORPORATE IDENTITY ..................................................................56
IMPROVEMENTS .......................................................................................56
FCC NOTICE ...........................................................................................56
RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION ......................................................................56
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY.......................................................................57
GLOSSARY.............................................................................................58
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WHAT’S INSIDE
INTRODUCTION TO THE ProX™950
The ProX™ 950 Stereolithography (SLA®) Production Printer
is equipped with 3D Systems’ newest PolyRay™ print head
technology that can manufacture real parts at up to 10 times
the speed of other 3D printers, drawing on the widest choice
of proven high-performance engineered materials that are
qualied for the most demanding aerospace, medical device
and industrial use-cases.
The ProX 950 is exible and versatile, and can produce precision
parts with accuracy that rivals CNC machining, ranging in sizes
smaller than the eye of a needle all the way to parts larger than
a life-size tiger without compromising feature details or true-to-
CAD accuracy.
With the industry’s widest array of SLA materials, the ProX
950 delivers a range of properties, from ABS-like toughness
to polycarbonate-like clarity. You can even cast directly from
printed patterns using QuickCast™ technology.
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This manual includes the following topics:
PRINTER FEATURES
The ProX 950 Production Printer Features section gives an overview of the components of the ProX 950, such as the Material
Delivery Module, IPM (Image Print Module), Rell Container, Print Applicator, and Drawing System.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
In the Additional Documentation section, you’ll nd a listing of many other documents related to the ProX 950, including the
Facility Requirements Guide and Material Safety Data Sheets.
SAFETY
General Safety, Laser Safety, Chemical Safety, and Environmental Conditions describe precautions that you should take when
using your new ProX 950 .
SYSTEM OPERATIONS
The System Operations section describes how to operate the ProX 950. The process of creating a print is covered in its entirety.
SOFTWARE
The Software Overview section gives you a detailed overview of the software that operates your ProX 950 .
PRINT APPLICATOR SYSTEM
Print Applicator System describes how to perform different operations with the manual delivery module (MDM).
SERVICE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
In Service and Troubleshooting, you will nd the troubleshooting guide and other basic information concerning service and
maintenance for your ProX 950 .
GLOSSARY
The Glossary denes terms that describe the ProX 950 and its operations. After the glossary, you will nd the Technical
Specications for your ProX 950.
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ProX 950 PRODUCTION PRINTER FEATURES
MATERIAL DELIVERY MODULE
The Material Delivery Module (MDM) is the device that manages all subsystems related to the print material including printing a
part. It can hold up to 935 liters (247 U.S. gal.) of print material. The maximum print volume is 1500 x 750 x 550 mm (59 x 29.5 x
21.7 in.) For more information on the MDM see Material Delivery Module (MDM) on Page 15.
The MDM allows for quick material changes without any material waste/scrap. Not only can you now change material in less
than ten minutes, you can also swap the material delivery module (MDM) easily, with no tools required. All components that
come into contact with the material are moved with the module itself. One person can remove the MDM and replace it with
another active MDM, without having to clean any wet material surface. This new feature signicantly reduces material swap
time. In addition, you can warm up an MDM oine, enabling you to swap one material delivery module for another that is
ready to use.
This new handling method ensures that all parts that come into contact with the material during normal operation are a part of
the active MDM.
Nitrile gloves are required to detach the Zephyr™ print applicator, especially if there is any material left on the
applicator.
There are two operating modes for the MDM:
Print Mode
In this mode, the MDM is online and connected to the ProX 950 which provides the MDM’s power and Input/Output
functionality. The ProX 950 monitors and controls the material temperature while connected with the active MDM. When the
MDM is online, it can pump and recirculate material.
Stand-by Mode
In this mode, the MDM is oine and operates independently from the ProX 950. When the MDM is plugged into a standard
wall socket the module self-regulates the temperature keeping it stable and at operating temperature. The material can warm
effectively in this mode, enabling the user to print a part while warming material for future use, allowing for no down time.
MDM Capacity
The ProX 950 is the largest commercially available 3D printer, the extra large material delivery module accommodates a print
zone of 1500mm x 750mm x 550mm.
Rell Container
The ProX 950 rell containers incorporates smart cartridge technology that contains information about the material that is in
the bottle and the MDM. This information enables the ProX 950 to verify that the user does not use the wrong material, use
material incorrectly, or use an empty or expired containers, ensuring the material is safe to use.
PRINT APPLICATOR
The print applicator system either applies material to, or removes excess material from the part during the printing process as
the applicator moves across the material surface.
The print applicator system has a Zephyr™ applicator with four axes of motion: The y-axis moves the applicator from the front
to the rear. Other motion systems are utilized to ensure the exact amount of material is deposited, resulting in the high part
accuracy produced on this system. The applicator system’s liquid level sensor maps the material surface by moving around
the material surface. The sensor calibrates the position of the applicator so that it moves perfectly parallel to the material
surface, enabling the print to be accurate and precise. The applicator system uses the motion axes that are connected to the
applicator, enabling the system to self-calibrate and permitting a customized setting of the applicator gap, or distance from the
applicator’s bottom to the material surface, for different materials.
POLYRAY PRINTHEAD
The ProX 950 Polyray Printhead allows for the output of the largest parts quickly and accurately. It does this by operating and
seamlessly aligning two separate IPM’s (Image Print Modules) during the printing process. The IPM’s contain the UV light
source, drawing mirrors, power regulator and light source size congurator.
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ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
The following documents will help you to achieve maximum prociency with your ProX 950 .
ProX 950 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS GUIDE
The Facility Requirements Guide details the requirements necessary to install the ProX 950 3D Printer. Details include the
necessary facility dimensions, electrical and pneumatic resources, and any equipment that may be needed for installation.
ProX 950 INSTALLATION GUIDE
The Installation Guide details the procedures required to properly install and set up the ProX 950 3D Printer at the customer’s
site. Only a 3D Systems Certied Field Service Engineer is allowed to install the printer.
ProX 950 MATERIAL GUIDES
The Material Guides detail the use of materials that have been certied for use in the ProX 950. Each material has its own
Material Guide. Information specic to each material is included in the guides.
ProX 950 QUICK START GUIDE
The Quick Start Guide gives the user a quick overview of the system and the procedure for printing and processing a part
with the ProX 950.
ProX 950 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)
Each material has its own MSDS. The user must be familiar with all information contained in these documents before handling
the materials. Every material shipment includes a paper copy of its MSDS.
Electronic versions of the MSDSs are available on our website at http://www.3dsystems.com/support/materials/msds
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GENERAL SAFETY
HAZARD MESSAGES
The following symbols are used throughout this manual. Some also appear on the printer itself.
DAMAGE: Machine damage, part damage, and/or data loss can result if you ignore this type of hazard message.
ELECTRIC SHOCK: Injury or death from electric shock can result if you ignore this type of hazard message.
UV RADIATION: Eye injury or blindness can result if you ignore this type of hazard message.
IRRITANT: Bodily irritation or allergic reaction can result if you ignore this type of hazard message.
Wear gloves when handling uncured material.
Ultraviolet radiation inside. Exposure may cause eye damage. Do not operate without covers. Wear UV eye
protection.
HOT SURFACE: Do not touch, may cause burn.
NOTE: Indicates an important point.
Always follow the safety procedures. Do not, in any way, risk injury by working dangerously. Safety is a part of work, and not an
obstacle to it.
The ProX 950 was designed with safety in mind; however, improper use and malfunctions can cause injury. To prevent unsafe
operation, the ProX 950 automatically shuts down immediately if it detects an unsafe condition.
Follow these general safety guidelines when operating your ProX 950 :
• Read and follow system instructions.
• Follow all safety rules in this section and heed all cautions and warnings in this guide.
• Do not attempt to open the chamber door or windows while a print is in process.
• Do not use any material without rst reviewing its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
• Secure the power and communication cables to prevent tripping.
• Do not attempt to access, service, or adjust the internal components.
• Do not attempt to perform any maintenance procedures unless you have been specically trained to do so.
• Operators are trained to operate the system and to perform all the necessary tasks to print a part.
• Certied service personnel have completed the 3D Systems service training package and are certied to perform service
tasks. Certication may occur at various levels and servicers should only perform tasks that they are authorized and certi-
ed to complete.
• Do not ignore warning signs that are posted during service operations.
• If you see an error message on the system’s display, refer to Troubleshooting on page 53 before resuming operation.
• To prevent potential skin irritation and sensitization due to contact with waste material, follow all guidelines in Chemical
Safety on page 11.
• To prevent pinch and crush injuries to the hand, use caution when replacing the platform inside the print chamber. The
platform carriage will not move when the chamber door is open.
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LASER SAFETY
The ProX 950 uses a UV (Ultra-violet) solid-state frequency tripled Nd:YVO4 laser which utilizes a 354.7 nm wavelength laser in
each IPM.
The ProX 950 is a Class I Laser product. Class I products are not considered harmful and require no special safety precautions,
under normal operating conditions. The Laser beam is completely conned. The viewing windows in the Process Module, block
the UV Laser radiation from exposure outside of the print area(s).
RADIATION: Operating the equipment or performing procedures other than those specied within this guide
may result in exposure to hazardous, invisible Laser radiation.
RADIATION: Never stare directly into a Laser beam, nor into any beam reection, whether diffused or from a
mirrorlike surface.
RADIATION: During normal operation, and with all panels installed, the ProX 950 is classied as a Class I Laser
device. If any of the interlocks are defeated, the ProX 950 becomes a Class IV device. Eye damage can occur by
looking directly into the beam or by viewing any type of beam reection.
RADIATION: Interlocks are to be defeated only by trained personnel when needed during service procedures.
CONTROL SWITCHES
The locations of control switches are illustrated in the section, ProX 950 at a Glance on page 13. Master and Emergency power
shut-off switches are described in the following paragraphs.
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Emergency Stop
All ProX 950 printers have Emergency Stop buttons on the side panels and inside the print
chamber. They are bright red with a yellow background. Pressing one cuts power to all
moving axis, closes shutter, and puts laser in safe mode.
CAUTION: The Emergency Stop Button should be used when there is a fail
situation in the system. Use the emergency stop button when the system
needs to be stopped quickly.
CONTROL PANEL LASER LED
An LED light displays the current status of the Laser power availability at the Laser power supply.
Master Power Shut-off
The ProX 950 has a master circuit breaker switch located on the electrical cabinet module
at the rear of the machine.
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Emergency Stop Button
Main Power Disconnect

3D Systems, Inc.
SAFETY LABELS AND INTERLOCKS
Laser safety labels are located at system entry locations which are indicated below. An interlock is located close to each label.
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SAFETY WARNING LABELS
Laser safety warning labels for the ProX 950 are located at system entry locations which are indicated above.
SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES
Safety interlock switches protect the user from possible UV Laser radiation exposure when certain doors or panels are opened.
Safety Interlocks are on the plate behind the safety warning labels.
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