Flow Focus User manual

Quick Start Guide
Focus
V201016

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• Printer
• Printhead
Filament
Paste
• Powercable
• Glassplate
• tape
What’s in the suitcase
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510 12 86 7
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13
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Image 1 - Focus 3D Printer
1. 3D printer
2. Lid
3. Frame
4. Z-axis
5. Display/Touchscreen
6. Glassplate
7. Magnetic connection for printhead
8. Closures
9. Home button
10. Suitcase hinges
11. Power inlet + power button
12. Frame hinges
13. Z-axis knob
14. Connector for printhead

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• Open the lid [2] and remove it from the
case hinges [10][picture 1].
• Lift the grey frame [3] to the angle of 90° until
you hear the clicking of the frame hinges[12]
[picture 2].
WARNING! Don’t put your fingers
between the frame and the hinge.
• Connect the printhead to the vertical Z axis [7]
of the frame. The magnet in the backplate of
the printhead will align and stabilize the print-
head to the frame.
• Connect the power cable to the power input
port at the backside of the printer, as well as
to an electrical outlet. Turn on the printer by
switching on the power-button [11].
• The LED on the printhead will turn on and
the display will show which pastehead is
connected.
Prepare1
TIP. If the vertical Z axis is too low to
place the printhead, twist the white
knob [13] on top of the axis to adjust its
position.
Picture 2 - Printer in open state.
Picture 3 - Frame to 90°
Picture 4 - Connect printhead to printer
Picture 5 - Backside of printer
90°.
WARNING! Don’t connect or remove the
printhead when the power is on. Always
turn off the printer first.

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Set up2.1
• To print an object on the Focus 3D printer, first
generate a g-code using a slicing software. For
more instructions how to use slicing software,
go to page page 8 in FAQ section
• Upload your file on the Focus 3D printer via
WiFi in the following steps:
1. Connect your PC or Laptop to the WiFi
network of the Focus (byFlow_[serialnumber];
password: withflow);
2. Open a browser on your computer and go
to: http://192.168.0.1/ in the address bar;
3. Click on upload file and select the g-code
that you want to print. When the file is
uploaded to the printer, you will get a popup
that the uploading was successful.
WARNING! Don’t upload files while the
3D printer is printing!
• Once you uploaded your file(s), you can
disconnect the byFlow WiFi-network.
Printing2

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2.2.1 Load the filament
• The printhead should be a few centimetres
away from the glassplate. If it’s not, adjust the
height by twisting the white knob [13] on top
of the Z axis.
• Preheat the printhead and printbed: Prepare
>> Preheat and wait until both temperatures
are reached. This is dependent on the used
material (PLA or ABS) and can be seen on the
display.
TIP! Check your filament for the right
temperature settings. When in need of
adjusting the temperature, go to ... >> ...
• Insert a filament (1.75mm) into the opening in
the prinhead lid [17] until you feel resistance.
• On the touchscreen press Prepare >> Extrude.
The printer will pull the filament and extrude it
through the nozzle.
• Wait until the material is extruded and remove
the excessive filament from the nozzle (the
bottom part of the printhead) with a pincet
WARNING! The nozzle and
glassplate are hot.
• If you want to change the filament, go to
Prepare >> Withdraw. The material will be
unloaded from the printhead and you can pull
it out of the printhead. After this, you will be
able to load another plastic.
TIP! If you don’t use your printer for a
while, it is best to remove the filament so
it won’t get stuck.
Plastic filament printing2.2 16 17
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Image 6 - Filament printhead
15. Electronics connector
16. Power connector
17. Opening printhead lid

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2.2.2 Print
• Before you start printing, spray the glassplate
with 3DLAC, so that the print doesn’t get
loose from the printing surface. For more
instructions on how to remove the glassplate
for spraying, see FAQ, page 10.
WARNING! Don’t spray 3DLAC elsewere
except the glassplate.
• Press Print and select the file to be printed.
If desired, modify settings and check the
estimated printing time. Make sure the
temperature is right for the filament which is
used.
TIP. Suggested printing temperature
should be written on the filament roll.
To adjust temperature while printing, go
to Tune and change temperature
• To confirm, press Print again. Depending on
the current nozzle and glassplate temperature,
the machine will take a moment to heat up to
the set the temperature.
TIP. If you notice that the nozzle is too
high (lines not connecting each other,
Img.7) or too low (very rough surface,
Img.8) from the glassplate you can
always adjust its height by twisting the
knob on top of the printer (clockwise for
lowering).
Image 7 - Lines not connecting
Image 8 - Rough surface

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2.3.1 Fill the syringe.
• Fill the syringe with the paste material (for
more instructions, see FAQ, page 11). Close
the syringe with the red cap and fix the nozzle
on the bottom of the syringe. Make sure the
nozzle diameter is set in the slicing software
(default: 1.6mm olive-green nozzle).
2.3.2. Load the syringe into the printhead.
• Push the button on the right side [18] of the
printhead and pull the rack [19] up.
TIP! You can disattatch the printhead
from the printer for loading the syringe.
Paste printing2.3
18 19 20
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Image 9 - Paste printhead
18. Side button
19. Rack
20. Electronics connector
21. Magnectic connector
WARNING! Don’t connect or remove the
printhead when the power is on. Always
turn off the printer first.

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Image 12 - Nozzle too close to surface
• Place the syringe in the paste extruder (Img.
10, Img. 11)
• Push the white button [18] again and push the
rack [19] down into the syringe.
• Release the button on the right side. Make sure
the button goes back to its initial position. If
not, slightly push and pull the rack or twist
the right button until you hear the click of the
button.
• Connect the printhead back to the printer and
wait until you see “PasteHead connected” on
the touchscreen.
• If you want to remove the syringe after a print,
press the right button again and pull the rack
up. Then it’s possible to take out the syringe.
TIP. If you are unable to press the button,
go to Prepare and press Withdraw once
or twice.
• Be careful that the nozzle is not too close to
the surface, otherwise it could be damaged
[Img. 12].
Image 10 - Loading the syringe
Image 11 - Syringe loaded

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TIP. If you notice that the nozzle is too
high (Img. 15) or too low (Img. 16) from
the glassplate, you can always adjust its
height by twisting the knob on top of the
printer (clockwise for lowering).
Image 15 - Nozzle too high above surface
Image 16 - Nozzle too low on surface
2.3.3 Print
• Before starting to print, adjust the height of
nozzle to the surface you want to print on, by
twisting the white knob [13] on the top of the
printer to about 1mm from the printing surface
(Img 13 - Img 15).
• Build up the pressure inside the syringe by
extruding some of the material. Press Prepare
>> Extrude several times, until you see the
paste material emerging from the nozzle.
• Press Print and select the file to be printed.
Press Print again to confirm.
Image 14 - Nozzle 1 mm above surface
Image 13 - Turning the white knob
• WARNING! YOU NEED TO RECALIBRATE
THE HEIGHT OF THE NOZZLE
EVERYTIME YOU TURNED THE
WHITE KNOB DURING PRINTING OR
AFTER RESTARTING THE PRINTER.
OTHERWISE THE NOZZLE GETS RUINED.

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FAQ - Software
1. Where can I get 3D designs from?
There are two possibilities to get a 3D model for printing:
• Create your own 3D model by using 3D modelling software eg. Solidworks, Meshmixer etc. and
save it as .stl file
• Download a 3D model online by searching .stl files (eg. www.thingiverse.com)
2. What is a g-code?
G-code is a control language for 3D printers. This tells the machine how to move to various points
at a desired speed, control the spindle speed, turn on and off various coolants and all sorts of other
process parameters to obtain a three dimensional object.
How do I generate a g-code?
There are a few slicing software programmes that you can use to turn a 3D model into a g-code.
We recommend Slic3r, but it is also possible to use Cura or Simplify3D. If you decide to use Slic3r,
follow the steps:
• Download the Slic3r for free (www.slic3r.org)
3. • Set Slic3r to expert mode by clicking File >> Preferences >> Expert mode
• Load the configuration file with proper printing parameters for
the Focus 3D printer (File >> Load config… >> select the configuration file which can be
downloaded from www.3dbyflow.com/support)
• Go the every Print/Filament/Printer settings tabs [img. S3.3] to select the config file in the
dropdown menu on the left and and save it by clicking the disk icon. The config is now saved.
• Open your .STL 3D model by clicking Add… button
• You can modify any parameters in Print/Filament/Printer settings tabs [img. S3.3-S3.5], as well
as see the preview of the printing process by clicking the Preview tab on the bottom of the
screen. If you’re ready, generate the g-code by clicking on Export G-code… on the right side of
the screen and save the file.
Image S3.1 - Slic3r Load Config...
Image S3.2 - Add a .STL model
Image S3.3 - Settings tabs Image S3.4 - Settings tabs Image S3.5 - Export G.code

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1. How do I remove the glassplate for cleaning or spraying?
The glassplate is fixed to the printer by 3 flexible bedholders – two in corners and one at the rear
side of the plate. In order to remove the glassplate, you have to push the rear bedholder horizontally
until the plate is lifted (Img. H1.1 - Img. H1.3). Then you can easily take it and clean or spray a little
bit prior to filament printing (Img. H1.4). Afterwards, press it under corner bedholders (Img. H1.5),
press the rear bedholder horizontally (Img. H1.6) and press the glassplate down to the printer. If the
plate is fixed, you can start printing again.
Image H1.1 - Hold your finger against the holder
Image H1.3 - Lift the glassplate
Image H1.5 - Plate in corner holders
Image H1.2 - Push the holder backwards
Image H1.4 - Spray the glassplate with 3DLAC
Image H1.6 - Push the backholder back onto the plate
FAQ - Hardware

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2. How should I fill the syringe with paste materials?
There are three ways you can fill the syringe with paste material. Overall, great attention should be
paid to prevent any air bubbles to be introduced while filling the syringe.
2.1 Add small portions of paste by using a teaspoon (Img. H2.1). After each portion tap the syringe on
a table or any firm surface to let the paste fall down to the bottom of the syringe and release any
air from it (Img. H2.2 - H2.3). Repeat it until you reach 1-2cm from the top of the syringe
(Img. H2.4). Then put the red cap on it and press it until it goes completely into the syringe
(Img. H2.5 - H2.6). It is important not to have any air between the paste and red cap, so it is
necessary to fill the full syringe if using this method. At the end, connect a nozzle of a correct size
by screwing it in the tip of the syringe (Img. H2.7).
Image H2.1 - Filling the syringe
Image H2.4 - Paste goes to bottom of syringe
Image H2.2 - Paste in syringe
Image H2.4 - Full syringe

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5.2 Transfer the paste into a pastry bag, making sure there is no air (Img. H2.8). Then compress the
bag into the shape that let it fit into the syringe. Place the bag into the bottom of the syringe and
start pressing out the paste and simultaneously pull the bag out of the syringe (H2.9 - H2.10).
Image H2.5 - Press red cap on syringe Image H2.6 - Red cap on syringe
Image H2.7 - Nozzle on syringe
Image H2.8 - Pastry bag Image H2.9 - Filling syringe Image H2.10 - Pull back pastry bag

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5.3 For silicone rubber, which can be bought in tubes it’s possible to transfer the material directly
to the syringe. Cut the tip of the dispenser to the diameter that fits the groove around the nozzle of
the syringe (Img. H2.11 - Img. H2.12). Then press the red cap to the bottom of the syringe. Press
out the silicone from the tube (use a silicone gun) directly to the nozzle by keeping the tube and
syringe together (Img. H2.13). This method will prevent from any air presence inside the syringe.
Image H2.11 - Cut away tip of dispenser Image H2.12 - Fit dispenser into syringe
Image H2.13 - Dispenser and syringe

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3. It happened to me that the paste printhead went down to the printer and thereby destroyed the
nozzle. How can I avoid it?
After you switch on the printer you have to adjust the height to the printing surface manually, as
mentioned in the Quick Start Guide, page 7. However, you only need to do it once. After you print you
don’t have to set the height manually again, because the printer remembers its initial position if it’s
been switched on since the last adjustment. It means that if you print another object, the printhead will
go down to the previous starting height, so if you lower the printhead in the meantime, it can try to go
down anyway and thereby destroy the nozzle.
If you want to set a new starting level, switch off and switch on the printer again.