Asiga MAX User manual

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
USER GUIDE
www.asiga.com

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Index
CHAPTER 1 – Asiga MAX at a Glance
CHAPTER 2 – Getting Started
CHAPTER 3 – Preparing a Build
CHAPTER 4 – Starting a Build
CHAPTER 5 – Web Interface
CHAPTER 6 – Post-processing Parts
CHAPTER 7 – Maintenance & Calibration
CHAPTER 8 – Spill Management
Specification

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
CHAPTER 1
Asiga MAX at a glance
These diagrams illustrate the main User controls on the MAX.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Principle of Operation
The MAX is a 3D printer which builds objects from CAD data. The objects are built from
photopolymer resins which are liquid chemicals that can be solidified by exposure to light. A
physical model is built by solidifying successive layers of photopolymer against each other.
This process is called “stereolithography”.
The MAX build process employs a unique feature which is referred to as the Smart
Positioning System (SPS). The SPS utilizes an array of position encoders which detect
when a layer of correct thickness is formed. The process works as follows:
1. The model under construction is positioned above the vat of photopolymer. The vat
bottom is made from a flexible transparent Teflon film which is supported by a glass
plate.
2. The model is moved downwards to one layer-thickness above the bottom of the vat.
The movement squeezes photopolymer resin out from the gap between the model
and the Teflon film. Viscous forces oppose the motion, resulting in mechanical
deflection of the apparatus.
3. Four position encoders at each corner of the glass plate precisely monitor the
mechanical deflection between the glass plate and the model under construction.
The process monitors the deflection until it is relieved.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
4. A cross-sectional image of the object being constructed is projected onto the
underside of the vat film, causing photopolymer to harden in the shape of the image
5. The model is lifted out of the vat to separate it from the vat film.
6. The process is repeated until the model has finished building.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
The SPS process actively forms layers of precise thickness regardless of the cross-
sectional area of the model or the viscous behaviour of the photopolymer resin. As a result,
models of high fidelity are produced. The MAX is ideal for direct manufacturing
applications including medical prostheses and jewellery pattern production.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
CHAPTER 2
Getting Started
Unpacking
Refer to the MAX unpacking guide. This is supplied with the machine.
Note the markings on the side of the box indicating which side is the top. Open the box top
and remove the top film frame. Note that accessories may be packed inside the cardboard
frame. Then lift out the MAX machine and place it on a flat table. Unwrap any protective
film surrounding the MAX machine.
Do not discard your box. Put it in a safe place should you need to transport your MAX
machine for any reason.
Setup and Calibration
Location
Ensure your MAX is placed on a flat table top with access to mains electricity. Avoid direct
sunlight as this will degrade material left in the machine. Avoid vibrating surfaces.
Power On
Plug the power supply into the DC power input at the rear of the machine. The power
supply is designed for input between 100 – 240V AC single phase.
Turn on the MAX machine by:
1. Flipping the power switch on the back of the machine to the ON position. You will
see Standby Power LEDs on the back of the machine become illuminated.
IMPORTANT NOTE: TO SHUTDOWN THE MACHINE ALWAYS DO SO VIA THE USER TOUCH
SCREEN DISPLAY. NEVER SHUTDOWN USING THE POWER SWITCH. TO POWER OFF YOU
CAN USE THIS FLIP SWITCH BUT ONLY AFTER THE MACHINE HAS BEEN SHUTDOWN VIA
THE USER TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY.
2. Press the ON/OFF button at the top left of the machine. The LCD screen at the front
of the MAX will turn on. Within 15 seconds the user interface will become active. The
user interface is an interactive touch-screen LCD.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Choose your Language
Upon initial startup you will be given the option to select your language by scrolling through
a list presented on the LCD screen.
If the machine has already bene started, you can change the language in the menu:
Settings > Language.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Enable the machine with warranty code
On first startup you will be presented with a screen to enter the warranty code.
You can obtain your warranty code by visiting:
www.asiga.com/register
You will be requested to register an account. Once your account has been activated you
will be directed to a screen where you can enter the serial number of your machine. The
warranty code registers your machine with Asiga and commences the one year warranty on
your system. Alternatively, your reseller may provide you with the warranty code.
You can operate the MAX without entering the warranty code. However, you can only
complete a maximum of five builds. After this the warranty code needs to be entered to
continue printing with the MAX.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Install Build Platform
The MAX vertical axis has a bracket for holding the build platform. Secure it in place by
tightening the release knob.
Zero Position Calibration
Note: a video demonstration of the zero position calibration procedure is included on the
USB stick which ships with your machine.
Correct operation of the MAX requires:
1. The build platform to be parallel to the glass window; and
2. The build platform to be in contact with the glass window when the vertical axis
position is set to zero.
This is accomplished by performing the “zero position” calibration procedure.
The zero position calibration is done in the factory before the machine is shipped. However,
it is recommended to recalibrate this position after the machine is transported or every few
months. Poor zero calibration can result in models not attaching to the build platform.
To calibrate the zero position:
1. Install the build platform onto the vertical axis bracket.
2. Tighten the Build Platform Release Knob to secure the build platform in place.
3. Go to menu item Maintenance > Zero Position.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
4. Loosen the build platform calibration screw. This can be done with a 4mm hex key
hand tool which is included in the MAX Calibration Tool Kit. When the screw is
properly loosened, the build platform should be able to move freely up and down and
rotate around the horizontal axes of the machine.
5. Press “OK”.
6. Set the calibration plate thickness. A calibration plate is a spacer placed underneath
the build platform, if required, whose thickness is subtracted by the printer software if
used. Normally no calibration plate is required, so a value of 0.00mm can be
selected.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
7. Press “Next”.
8. Use the “Move Up” and “Move Down” buttons to lower the build platform to the
lowest position.
9. Press “Next”.
10.Confirm the new zero position by pressing “Yes”.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
11.Gently push the build platform flat against the glass exposure plate. Ensure that the
edges of the build platform are not resting on the metal rim around the glass
exposure plate.
12.While still applying pressure, tighten the calibration screw with the 4mm hex key.
NOTE: to prevent slippage of the joint you should apply significant manual
force when tightening the calibration screw.
13.Click “Done”
14.Detect the zero position. The feedback from the position encoders may be used to
automatically detect the zero position of the build platform. To run the automatic
detection process, click “yes”.
15.The following screen will be displayed:

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
16.Pressing Cancel will stop the “detect zero position” process and skip to the “Home
vertical axis?” screen.
17. After the process is bypassed or completed, click “Yes” to home the vertical axis or
“No” to leave it at the current position.
Zero Position Encoders
The MAX is equipped with four position encoders built into the corners of the glass base-
plate. The position encoders should be zeroed after transporting the machine. The position
encoders may drift so they should also be zeroed from time-to-time by the user. The
procedure takes less than 30 seconds. The procedure for zeroing the position encoders is
as follows:
1. Open the menu item Maintenance > Position Encoders:

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
2. Press “Zero Position Encoders”
3. The empty square region shows a two-dimensional deflection map of the build
envelope with a blue dot at the zero centre.
4. Pressing the “Zero” button will show the following prompt:
5. Remove the build tray from the machine. There should be no objects in the build
tray area or anything pressing on the machine. The machine should be on a level
surface in a low vibration area. Press “Cancel” to abort the process, otherwise, when
ready, click “Continue” to record the zero position.
6. The process is complete. The blue dot should be in the centre of the square.
Network Connection

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
Build jobs for the MAX are prepared on a personal computer and sent to the MAX via a
network connection. The MAX has two networking options:
1. Ethernet 10/100 port on the rear of the machine
2. Wireless
3. Wireless Direct
Ethernet Setup
Plug one end of the included network cable (RJ45 connector at both ends) into the Ethernet
port at the rear of your MAX machine. Plug the other end into a hub/switch/router on the
same network as your computer. Alternatively, if there is no network, you can plug it directly
into your computer.
The default network setting is Automatic Configuration, which allows your network to
automatically assign an IP address to the MAX machine if there is a DHCP server present.
If there is no DHCP server present, the MAX will fall back to Automatic Private IP
Addressing to assign an unused address in range 169.254.1.0-169.254.254.255 with a
subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.
If you wish to assign a fixed IP address to the MAX machine for Ethernet:
1. Go to Settings > Wired Network
2. Toggle off Automatic Configuration
3. Select IP Address, enter the IP address and select Save
4. Select Subnet Mask, enter the subnet mask and select Save
5. Setting the Gateway, Primary DNS and Secondary DNS is optional and may be left
blank
Wireless Setup
1. Go to Settings > Wireless Network
2. Select Network Name
3. Select the desired wireless network from the list. Wireless networks that require a
password will have a lock icon shown.
4. If required, enter the password and select Connect. The password will be
remembered so that the printer can reconnect again if the wireless connection is
interrupted, the printer is restarted or the printer is turned off and on.
5. A spinning circle animation will be shown while the printer is connecting to the
network. If the printer has connected successfully, a tick icon will be shown.
If your wireless network does not have a DHCP server present, you may need to assign a
fixed IP address as detailed in the Ethernet Setup section.
Wireless Direct Setup
Wireless Direct allows the printer to act as a wireless access point for connecting to the
printer wirelessly. This may be useful if you do not have a wireless access pointer or router
that the printer can connect to. Note that enabling Wireless Direct will prevent connecting to
an existing wireless network using Wireless Setup.
1. Go to Settings > Wireless Direct
2. Toggle on Enabled

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
By default, the printer will create a wireless network with the name set to the printer's name
and the password will be randomly generated. You can select Network Name or Password
to change them.
The printer will have an IP address of 172.27.10.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. It will
also act as a DHCP server and assign IP addresses in the range 172.27.10.2-
172.27.10.254 to wireless devices that connect to it. The IP address and subnet mask of
the printer cannot be changed when using Wireless Direct.
Install Composer Software
Build jobs for the MAX are prepared on a personal computer using Asiga Composer™
software. Asiga Composer™ software is provided on the USB stick included with your MAX
or can be downloaded from the Asiga website. Asiga Composer™ runs on Windows, Mac
and Linux.
To install Composer:
1. Insert the USB stick into a USB port of your computer.
2. Browse to the folder “Composer Software”.
3. Double click on the installation file:
a. For Windows click “composer-XXXX-win32.exe” or “composer-XXXX-
win64.exe” depending on whether your operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit
respectively.
b. For Mac click “composer-XXXX-x86_64.dmg”
c. For Linux click

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
CHAPTER 3
Preparing a Build
Build jobs for the MAX are prepared on a personal computer using Asiga Composer™
software. Refer to the Composer User Guide for more information.

Asiga MAX User Guide
Copyright ASIGA © 2017 VERSION 1.04
CHAPTER 4
Starting a Build
Installing the Vat
1. Open the hood of the machine
2. Insert the vat with the vat sensor sticker located towards the back of the machine.
3. Grip the handles and pull up and tilt inwards until the teeth grip over the edge of the
vat.