Aleph Objects AO-100 User manual

ProductManual
AO -100

READ TH S MANUAL COMPLETELY
BEFORE UNPACK NG AND POWER NG UP
YOUR PR NTER
This information guide is also available at
AlephObjects.com. There you can find more information
including images and videos.
Hazards and Warnings
WARN NG before you unpackage or use your printer:
This 3D printer is a machine with motorized and heated
parts. When the printer is in operation always be aware of
possible hazards.
ELECTR C SHOCK HAZARD: Never touch the
electronics board when the printer is powered. Always
power down the printer and completely turn offand
unplug the power supply before touching or removing any
wires from the electronics board. NEVER touch the screw
terminals on the power supply when the AC plug is
plugged into a power socket.
STAT C CHARGE: Make sure to ground your selfbefore
touching the printer, especially the electronics.
Electrostatic charge can burn up electronic components.
To ground yourselftouch a grounded source. An easy way
to ground your selfis to rinse your hands in the sink.

BURN HAZARD: Never touch the extruder nozzle or
heater block with out first turning offthe extruder heat
and allowing it to completely cool down. Also, never touch
recently extruded plastic. The plastic can stick to your skin
and cause burns. Also beware ofthe heated bed which can
reach up to temperatures 120C.
F RE HAZARD: Never place flammable materials or
liquids on or near the printer when powered or in
operation.
P NCH HAZARD: When the printer is in operation take
care to never put your fingers in the moving parts
including the belts, pulleys, or gears. Also, tie back long
hair or clothing that can get caught in the moving parts of
the printer.
AGE WARN NG: For users under the age of18, adult
supervision is recommended. Beware ofchoking hazards
around small children.

Unpacking nstructions
1. Remove the plastic bag containing instructions, cords, and small
parts
2. Remove the top foam padding
3. Slowly remove the two smaller foam pads. One ofthese pads will
contain the plastic filament spool.
4. Remove the bubble wrapped power supply.
5. Grab the top ofthe wrapped printer on the top center where you
will feel two lengths ofsquare aluminum tubing. Holding the top two
tubes, SLOWLY pull the printer upwards out ofthe box. The two large
side foam pads should fall offwhen the printer is out ofthe box.
6. Set you printer on a stable level surface.
7. Gently unwrap the pink ESD plastic covering the printer. Lightly
lift the printer to slide the plastic wrapping from under the printer.
8. Using scissors or wire cutters, cut and remove the two ORANGE
plastic straps. One strap is located on the bottom front ofthe printer
on the print bed. The other strap is around the extruder carriage and
X axis. Make sure to not cut any ofthe surrounding wires or belts.
9. Find the item list attached to the plastic bag ofparts. Before you
move on to setting up your printer make sure all ofthe items on the
list are in your package.
10. Remove the four clamps above and below the x-end motor mount
and idler. See image to locate the clamps that need to be removed.
Loosen and remove the wing nut and screw on each ofthe four
clamps. Remove each of
the four clamps by
popping them offofthe
smooth rod. Keep the
clamps and hardware
for future use ifyou
need to ship or
transport your printer.

Setup
1. Your printer has been pre-calibrated and tested; however, after
unpacking you will need to double check that everything is in order
before you print.
2. You should set your printer on a stable, flat, and level surface large
enough for extra space around the printer. Make sure your printer
work space is clear ofanything that could obstruct the movement of
the printer. Make sure there are no flammable fabrics or liquids near
the printer space. t is also best to not put your printer near a drafty
window or air conditioner vent.
3. Check that the three mechanical end-stops are aligned to contact
with the respective ends. The mechanical end-stops are small switches
located at the home point ofeach axis
5. Make sure none ofthe wires have come unplugged from the RAMPS
electronics board. fany wires have come unplugged in shipping or
unpacking please see the reference image on page ??? to find where
the unplugged wire(s) need(s) to
be plugged back in.
6. Remove the SDRAMPS module
from its bag. Plug in the
SDRAMPS module into the 2x4
female plug on the top right ofthe
RAMPS board. The image to the
right shows the location and
orientation ofthe SDRAMPS
module after being installed on
the RAMPS electronics (Fig 2.1).
7. Unwrap the power supply, USB cable, and sample plastic filament.
MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY S COMPLETELY
UNPLUGGED BEFORE MOV NG ON TO THE NEXT STEP
8. Plug the loose black plug coming from the printer into the black
plug from the power supply.
9. Set the AC power setting on the side ofthe power supply. You will
Fig. 2.1

need to set it to 110V or 220V depending on your location.
10. Plug in the USB cable, B plug (square plug) side, into the USB
receptacle on the printer electronics. Plug the other end ofthe USB
cable, A plug side, into your computer.
11. Make sure the printer power switch is turned off(the circle side
should be depressed). Plug in the green RAMPS power plug from the
power supply into the matching green receptacle in the RAMPS
electronics. Make sure the screw terminals on the plug are facing out
from the printer. Now you can plug in the AC power plug from the
power supply into an AC power outlet.
12. Locate the plastic filament spool (Fig. 2.2). Locate and loosen the
three wingnuts on the upper arms.
Completely loosen and remove the
three wingnuts and washers. Slide
each ofthe three arms offofthe
screws (Fig. 2.3). Turn each arm 90
degrees outwards from the spool
until the arm is parallel with the
lower arms. Replace the washers
and wingnuts and tighten (Fig. 2.4).
Fig 2.2
Fig 2.3 Fig 2.4

13. Locate the filament guide
with attached PTFE tube (fig.
2.7). Locate the top most
aluminum extrusion that
faces the side ofthe
filament spool (fig. 2.8).
n the extrusion you
will find two loose t-slot
nuts. The filament
guide attaches to the
printer by screwing in
the two bolts through
the filament guide into
the t-slot nuts. First
thread the two bolts
into the t-slot nuts. Fig. 2.7
13. Remove the large wing nut
from the back ofthe spool.
Take offone washer leaving
the other three on the spool
mounting bolt. Now locate the
spool mount arm on the top
left facing the rear ofthe
printer (fig. 2.5). Slide the
spool mounting bolt through
the hole in the spool mount
arm. From the back ofthe
spool mount arm slide the one
washer on to the spool
mounting bolt and tighten on
the wing nut (fig. 2.6). Now
turn the filament spool to
make sure it turns freely.
Fig. 2.5
Fig. 2.6

Leave the bolts loose enough so the filament guide can slide back and
forth across the extrusion. Set the filament guide 1.5-2cm away from
the end ofthe lower arms ofthe filament spool (fig. 2.9). Once the
filament guide is set in place, tighten down the two bolts.
Loading Filament
Loosen the three wing nuts on the upper arms ofthe filament spool.
Turn the upper arms 90 degrees upwards away from the printer.
Remove a 5lb coil offilament from the plastic packaging, leaving the
twist ties on. Slide the coil over the spool upper arms. Lower the three
upper arms and re-tighten the wing nuts. Now the twist ties can be
removed. Keep the twist ties for future use ifyou ever need to remove
the filament to change to a different filament. Put the twist ties back
on the filament coil before pulling offofthe spool. Feed the end ofthe
filament through the filament feed tube.
13. Locate the filament guide
with attached PTFE tube (fig.
2.7). Locate the top most
aluminum extrusion that
faces the side ofthe
filament spool (fig. 2.8).
n the extrusion you
will find two loose t-slot
nuts. The filament
guide attaches to the
printer by screwing in
the two bolts through
the filament guide into
the t-slot nuts. First
thread the two bolts
into the t-slot nuts.
Fig. 2.8 Fig. 2.9

Software
Aleph Objects, nc. completely supports free/libre hardware and
software. Along with the AO-100 being a free/libre hardware design, it
has been tested to work with free/libre software.
To operate your desktop 3D printer you will need to install a few
software packages onto your PC. You will need a 3D printer host, an
.stl to .gcode generator, and optional CAD or 3D modeling software.
All ofthe following free/libre software is available for GNU/Linux,
Windows, and Mac. However, we highly recommend using these
softwares on GNU/Linux. Many ofthe major updates and development
is completed first for use on GNU/Linux and then later built for
Windows and Mac.
The required software can be found in the Downloads section at
www.AlephObjects.com. You will also find there instructions for
installing each software on your PC. Make sure to select the software
version that corresponds with the AO-100 3D printer and the
operating system you are using.
.Gcode Generator: Slic3r
The Slic3r software is the first tool in the chain of3D printing
software. Slic3r uses commonly used .STL (Stereolithography) files to
create .gcode files. Gcode files contain instructions for the 3D printer
on where, when, and how fast to make movements. However, .gcode
programming is not very suitable for CAD and 3D design. This is
where Slic3r and the .STL file comes into use. The .STL file is a 3D
model file that can be exported by all common CAD and 3D modeling
software. The Slic3r software then slices the .STL 3D model in to layers
and print paths to create a 3D printable .gcode file.

To launch Slic3r navigate to the Slic3r directory and launch the
slic3r.pl file. On GNU/Linux operating systems you may need to set
the slic3r.pl file as executable.
Slic3r includes very simple settings that allow you to easily refine
prints. You can create multiple configurations for changing printer
setups including nozzle sizes and desired print resolution. For ease of
use we have pre-defined Slic3r configurations available in the
Downloads section at www.AlephObjects.com. Download the
configurations to your Slic3r directory.
To load configurations press the LoadConfig... button. n the file
browser that opens, locate the downloaded configuration files. Select
the configuration file that matches the nozzle size currently installed
on the printer (0.5mm nozzle is installed with printer shipment). Press
Open and the pre-defined configuration will load into Slic3r. You can
also save custom configurations for your selfby pressing the Save
Config... button. A file browser will open that allows you to define a
name and save your custom configuration.
Slic3r software GU