InkSmith Orbit User manual

User Manual

Orbit User Manual
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Table of Contents
1.0 Orbit 3D Printer Setup Guide............................................................................................
2.0 Overview................................................................................................................................
2.1 Safety......................................................................................................................................
2.2 Protection Measures........................................................................................................
2.3 Getting Started with 3D Printing.................................................................................
3.0 Launchpad Slicing Software Installation......................................................................
3.1 Accessing Launchpad Slicing Software....................................................................
3.2 Launchpad Quick Start Guide......................................................................................
3.3 Launchpad Tools..............................................................................................................
3.4 Launchpad Slicing Checklist........................................................................................
4.0 Basic Printer Functions.....................................................................................................
4.1 Motor Control Function.................................................................................................
4.2 Nozzle Preheat Function..............................................................................................
4.3 Platform Offset Value Function..................................................................................
4.4 WiFi Function.....................................................................................................................
4.5 Material Management Function.................................................................................
4.6 Firmware Update Function...........................................................................................
4.7 Extruder Disassembly......................................................................................................
4.8 Pre-saved Prints................................................................................................................
4.9 USB Drive Print..................................................................................................................
4.10 Last Print Function.........................................................................................................
5.0 Printer Maintenance..........................................................................................................
6.0 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................
7.0 Index.......................................................................................................................................
7.1 List of products and accessories................................................................................
 7.2ProductSpecications...................................................................................................
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1.0 Orbit 3D Printer Setup Guide
Step 1: Unpack the printer, dismantle internal and external packaging, open the front door
of the device, then remove its shockproof foam materials (three shockproof foam materials
servetoxnozzlemodule,XYZaxisandplatformprintingplaterespectively);
Step 2:Puttheprinteronaat,levelsurfaceandconnectthepoweradapterasshown;
Step 3: Open the front door of the printer and take out the printing plate from the accessory
box.AligntheABCmagneticpointsfollowingtheinstallationpicture;

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Step 4:Next,installthelamentandfeedingtube:
(A)Findthelamentfeedingtubeinsidethedevice(oneendofwhichhasbeeninstalledand
xedintheprinter),threadtheunxedendthroughholefrominsidetheprinter(asseenin
thepicturebelow).
(B)Takeouttheprinterlamentfromtheaccessorybox,dismantleinternalandexternal
package.
(C)Theprinterlamentwillbeplacedinsidetheprinter,ontheshelfontherightside.
(D)Feedtheendofthelamentintotheholeofthefeedingtube,fromtheinsideofthe
printer.Pushthelamentthroughthefeedintubeasseeninthepicturebelow,continue
pushingthelamentuntilitcomesouttheendofthefeedingtube.Then,taketheendofthe
lamentandinsertitintotheopeningatthetopoftheprintextruder.

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2.0 Overview
2.1 Safety
The Orbit 3D printer must only use the power adapter provided, or it may damage the device
orcauseriskofre.
To avoid burns or model distortion, please keep the printer door closed during operation.
Please do not touch the model, nozzle, print platform or other parts of the device during
operation.
We advise that you wear goggles when removing the support material. There may be a slight
odor during printing, this is normal and occurs as a result of extruder melting the plastic
lament.Weadviseyouusethedeviceinawell-ventilatedenvironment.Inaddition,keepthe
printerdoorclosedduringprintinginordertoisolatetheoutsideairow,asitmayhavean
impact on printing quality.
2.2 Protection Measures
• Keep the printer away from water, it can cause damage to the machine.
• Do not turn off the power or unplug the USB data connector during printing operation, or
the model may fail to print.
• The normal room temperature for operation of Orbit 3D Printer is ranged from 5°C to
30°C.Ifbeyondthisrange,themodel’smoldingqualitymaybeaffected.
2.3 Getting Started with 3D Printing
The Orbit 3D printer uses FDM technology, or Fused Deposition Modeling. This type of
technologyusesathermoplasticlament,whichisheatedtoitsmeltingpointandthen
extruded, layer by layer, to create a three dimensional object
Ifyou’venever3Dprintedbefore,therearethreebasicstepsfromstarttonish.Therst
stepistoobtaina3DCADmodel.YoucandesignthismodelyourselfusingaCADsoftware
likeTinkercad,orbydownloadinganopen-sourcelefromawebsitelikeThingiverse.After
you’veobtainedyour3Dmodelleyouneedto‘slice’it.Slicingisatermusedtodescribe
theprocessoftranslatingyourmodelleintoalanguageyour3Dprintercanunderstand.
YoucanaccessInkSmith’sLaunchpadSlicingsoftwarefreewithyourOrbit3Dprinter.After
your3Dmodellehasbeenslicedyoucantransferittoyourmachinetoprint.
Formoreinformationaboutthebasicsof3DprintingyoucandownloadInkSmith’s3D
PrintingGuideat:https://www.inksmith.co/3d-printing-guide

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3.0 Launchpad Slicing Software
3.1 Accessing Launchpad Slicing Software
Theterm‘slicing’describestheprocessoftakingyourcompleted3Dmodelandtranslating
it into a language your 3D printer can understand. During this slicinig process you can also
change the scale, position, and orientation of your model as well as add any necessary
supports.
YourOrbit3DprinterincludesfreeaccesstoInkSmith’sLaunchpadSlicingSoftware.This
software is cloud-based and requires no downloading or installation.
ToaccessLaunchpadsimplyvisit:www.launchpad3d.com
3.2 Launchpad Quick Start Guide
1. Goto:www.launchpad3d.catoaccesstheLaunchpadSlicingsoftware.
2. Oncetheprogramloads,therewillbeadefaultlepre-loadedonthebed.Selectthe
objectonthebed(itwillturngreenwhenselected)andthenpressdeleteonyour
keyboard.
3. Next,youwillneedtouploadyour.STLletoLaunchpad.Todothis,clickthe“AddFile”
button in the top right hand corner of the screen.
4. Locatethe.STLlefromyourcomputerandclick“Choose”touploadtheleto
Launchpad.Thelewillappearonthebedintheorientationinwhichitwasdesigned.
5. OnceyouhaveuploadedyourletotheLaunchpadsoftwareyoucannowbegin
preparingtheletoprint.
6. Whenyouareyounishedpreparingyourleyoucansliceitprintbyclickthe“Print”
buttonintheupperright-handcorner.Clickthe“DownloadPrintFile”buttonto
downloadtheletoyourcomputer.Thislecanthenbetransferredtoyour3Dprinter.

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3.3 Launchpad Tools
Arrange: Click on the object to move it around the bed. Click and drag to change
your viewpoint manually.
Preview: Previewyourslicedle.Usingthe‘printprogressslider’youcanseethe
progressionoftheprinter’stoolpath.Thisfunctiongivesyouanexactpreview
howyourlewillprint.Thisfunctionisusefultopreventprintingfailuresthat
occur as a result of poor supports or incorrect orientation.
View: This function allows you to quickly choose which angle or orientation you
are viewing the print bed from.
Duplicate:Theduplicatefunctionsallowsyoutocreatemultipleprintleswithout
needingtouploadanewle.Toduplicateanobject,selectit(itwillturngreen),
thenclickthe“Duplicate”button.Launchpadwillallowyoutoduplicateyourles
asmanytimesasyouwant,solongastheyalltonthebedspace.
Scale:Thistoolallowsyoutoincreaseordecreasethesizeofyourobject.Itis
importanttoensurethat“UniformScaling”isselectedtoensuretheobjectscales
evenly and does not become distorted.
Rotate: Rotation, in degrees, allows you to change the orientation of your object.
This step is important in order to ensure the maximum surface area of the object is
on the bed.
Delete: Todeleteanobject,selectit(itwillturngreen),andhitdeletetoremoveit
from the bed.
Help:Usethe“Help”buttontondmoreinformationontheLaunchpadsoftware.

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Inadditiontothetoolmenu,LaunchpadalsohasaSettingsMenuandaPrintingMenu.Both
of these menus can be accessed on the right-hand side of the Launchpad interface.
Settings Menu
• Supports: Enabling supports will automatically generate support structures on your
object where they are needed.
• Raft: Enabling rafts will automatically generate a raft structure underneath your print in
order to ensure maximum surface area is achieved. A raft is a thin layer of print material
which is used to increase the surface area of the object and ensure stability.
• Advanced Settings:Accessingthe“AdvancedMenu”willallowyoutocontrolspecic
variables such as, bed temperature, extruder temperature, layer thickness, etc. These
variablesshouldonlybemodiedbyadvancedusers.
Printing Menu
• Devices: The“Devices”menuallowsyoutoselectwhich3Dprinteryouareusing.Itis
important to select the correct 3D printer as the print settings and bed size vary between
different machines.
• Add File:The“AddFile”functionallowyoutoselectanduploadyourprintlestothe
Launchpad software.
• Print: Clickingthe“Print”buttonwillpromptapop-upwhereyoucanviewtheleoutput
information.Hereyoucanchangethelenameaswellasseethelesize,estimated
lamentusage,andapproximateprinttime.Theleoutputpop-upisalsowhereyoucan
downloadthe.gcodeletotransfertoyourprinter.

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3.4 Launchpad Slicing Checklist
Whenslicingan.STLlefor3Dprintingthereareafewnecessarystepsyoushouldfollowto
ensure a successful print.
□Correct Device Selected:Itisimportanttoensuretheproper3Dprinterisselectedunder
the“Devices”menu.Each3Dprinterisdifferent,thereforeifthewrongdeviceisselected
anerrormessagewillappearwhenattemptingtoprintyourle.
□Print File Loaded:An.STLleformatistheonlyacceptableletypethatcanbeuploaded
to the Launchpad software.
□Correct Orientation: With all 3D printed objects, it is extremely important to ensure there
is the maximum amount of surface area face down on the bed. The more surface area on
the bed, the more stable and adhered your object will be. The correct orientation for your
objectiswhicheversidehasthemostsurfaceareaatonthebed.
□Appropriate Supports Added: Supports are useful for objects where there is overhang or
poorbedadhesion.Foranobjectwherethereisoverhang,selectthe“Support”feature
in Launchpad. For objects that have few contact points on the bed (i.e. poor surface
areadistribution),selectthe“Raft”feature,thiswillcreateamorestablebaseaswellas
increase adhesion to the bed.
□File Previewed: Usethe“Preview”functiontocheckthetoolpathoftheprinter.Hereyou
canseeexactlyhowthelewillbeprinted.Thisfeatureisusefulforidentifyingwhereany
additionalsupportsmaybeneededandwhattheprintwilllooklikestarttonish.
□Print File Downloaded: After all of the previous steps have been completed, you can
downloadtheprintle.Oncedownloaded,thelewillbelocatedinyourDownloads
folder.ForCubiconprinterstheleextensionwillbe“.hvs”,fortheInkSmithOrbitprinter
theleextensionwillbe“.gsd”.NowyourprintleisreadytobetransferredviaUSBdrive
to your 3D printer.

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4.0 Basic Printer Functions
The following are basic functions of the Orbit 3D printer along with the scenarios where
these functions may be required.
4.1 Motor Control Function
The motor control function can be used to manually adjust the print bed or extruder.
4.2 Nozzle Preheat Function
The nozzle preheat function is used to manually adjust the printing temperature of the
nozzle. This function can be used when changing print material or during maintenance and
replacement of the nozzle.

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4.3 Platform Offset Value Function
The“platformoffsetvalue”functioncanbeusedtomanuallysettheheightofthenozzle
from the platform. This function may also be used to readjust the height of the nozzle from
the platform when it deviates from the set value.
4.4 WiFi Funtion
TheOrbit3DprinterusesaWiFiconnectiontoupdateandloadrmwareaswellasprint
wirelessly with cloud printing applications. To connect your printer to a WiFi network, please
follow the instructions below.

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4.5 Material Management Function
The Material Management function is used during the loading and unloading process of
lament.Loadingandunloadingispreformedwhenthelamentmaterialischangedor
duringaprinttochangethecolourofthelament.
4.6 Firmware Update Function
As soon as your printer is connected to WiFi, the device will automatically retrieve the latest
rmwareupdates.Itisrecommendedthatyoukeepyourdeviceuptodatewiththelatest
rmwaretoensuretheperformanceofyourprinter.

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4.7 Extruder Disassembly
The extruder of the Orbit 3D printer is removable for easy maintenance and cleaning.
(1)Openthetopcoverplateofthedevice,removethe3Mgluethatholdsthetopcoverplate
and FCC wire harness. Notice that it needs to be removed from right to left with care and
keeptheFCCwireharnessfrombeingpulledoutfromtheinstallationcardslot;
(2)Pressandpullouttheplugoftheextruder’sFFCwirefromthesocketattheleftsideof
thedevice’stopcover;
(3)AftertakingouttheFFCwire,grabthetwosidesoftheextruderandliftthewholemodule
gently to remove it from the machine.

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Pleasenote:toreassembletheprinterextruder,followthesestepsinreverse.
4.8 Pre-saved Prints
Pre-savedprintsarelesthathavesavedlocallyontheprinter’sinternalmemory.Toaccess
andprinttheseles,followthestepsbelow.

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4.9 USB Drive Print
ItisrecommendedthatyouuseaUSBdrivefortransferringlestotheOrbitforprinting.
4.10 Last Print
Whenprintingmorethanoneofthesamemodel,userscanusethe“LastPrint”functionto
quickly repeat the previous print.

5.0 Printer Maintenance
5.1 Printer Operating Environment
Pleaseensurethattheprinterispositionedonaat,stableplatform.Itisalsoimportantto
ensuretherearenoobstructionsthatcouldcausethelamentbowdentubetobecome
tangled.
5.2 Importance of a Clean Operating Environment
Itisimportanttohaveaprintingenvironmentthatisclearofdustorotherdebristhatmay
cause unnecessary damage to the printer. Excess dirt and dust can result in poor lubrication
of the printing platform which could cause the platform to become jammed.
5.3 Replacing Filament
Whentheprintinglamentisnearingtheendoftheroll,itisrecommendedthatitbe
replacedbeforeitiscompletelyusedup.Iftheremainingendoftheprintinglamentistaken
intotheprinteritmaybecomediculttoreplaceorremove.Forthisreason,itissuggested
thatyoureplacethelamentrollbeforeitcompletelyrunsout.
5.4 Loading Filament
Whenloadinglamentintotheprinteritisimportanttoensuretheendiscutwithasharp,
straightedgeandinsertedintotheopenholeontheextruder.Afterthelamentisinserted,
the printer will need to heat the nozzle to the correct temperature before extruding any
lament.Oncethecorrecttemperaturehasbeenreached,theprinterwillextrudetheplastic
lament.
5.5 STL Data File Considerations
Theprinterslicingsoftware3Dstar,onlysupports.STLletypes.Allprintmodelsimported
intothesoftwaremustbesavedas.STLletypes.
5.6 Print Platform Consideration
Beforeeachprint,itisimportanttoensurethattheprintbedisatandconnectedwiththe
threemagneticpoints.Iftheprintbedisstillnotcompletelylevel,itcanbemanuallyadjusted
usingthe“MotorControlFunction”foundinSection4.1.
5.7 Maintenance of guide rail
The Orbit printer extruder operates on four primary guide rails to move the print bed. These
rails come lubricated from the manufacturer but will need to be re-lubricated over time.
Ideallytheguiderailsshouldbelubricatedonceperyear.
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6.0 Troubleshooting
6.1 Filament gets stuck during printing
Ifyourprintextruderismakingaclickingnoiseandfailingtoextrudeanyplastic,thelament
maybestuck.Toxthis,releasethelamentfromtheextruder,thentrimtheendofthe
lamenttoensureaat,sharpedgethenre-insertit.Ifthereisstillaclickingsoundandthere
isnoextrusionyoumayneedtoremovetheprinter’snozzlemoduleandcleanit.
6.2 Setting the height of the platform
Ifyourextruderisnotprintingatonthebed,ortherearenozzlescratchesontheprinting
platformyoumayneedtomanuallyadjusttheheightoftheplatform,theZ-axis.Ifthe
distancebetweentheplatformandnozzleisgreaterthan2mm,youneedtosettheZ-axis
height, to do this, please refer to section 4.3 of this manual.
6.3 The lament layer does not stick to the print bed
Ifyoundthatyourprintmodelisnotstickingtothebedorthemodelhascurledupedges
youcantryadjustingthe“peelofffactor”inthe3dStarsoftwaretoimprovethis.Thepeel
offfactorisasettingthataffectshowrmlytherstlayeradherestotheprintbed-alower
valuewillallowtheprinttoadheremorermly.Itisrecommendedtotryadjustingthe
settingsbysmallincrementsandtestingeachtodeterminethebestpossibleresult.Youcan
also try increasing the nozzle temperature by 5-10°which can help to ensure good adhesion.
6.4 Filament clog
Filamentmaybecomecloggedintheextrudernozzleforavarietyofreasons.Ifthisoccurs,
removeanyexcessplasticlamentfromtheoutsideoftheextruder.Youmayalsowishto
heat the extruder up to printing temperature and use a brass brush to remove any excess
lament.
6.5 The USB drive cannot be read
IftheprinterfailstorecognizethelesonyourUSBdrive,pleaseensureitisinthecorrect
.gsdleformat.Onceyouhavethecorrectleformatyoucanselectthedesiredleonthe
printerandthelewillbecopiedontothedevice.Afterthelehasbeencopiedyoucan
removetheUSBle.
6.6 Poor or uneven surface quality
Ifyoundthatthesurfacequalityofyourprintisunevenorthickerinsomespotsand
thinnerinothersyourextrudermaybehavingtroublepullinginlament.Ifthelamentreel
becomes tangled the extruder will not be able to extrude any plastic, thus resulting in thin or
unevenlayers.Topreventthis,ensurethelamentreelisnottangled.Additionally,youcan
checkthelubricationoftheprintbedbymovingitmanuallyontheXandY-axes.Iftheguide
railsontheprintbeddonotmovesmoothlytheremaybeabuildupoflamentextrudedon
theplatform.Toxthis,lubricatetheplatformguiderails.
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6.0 Troubleshooting
6.7 Limit switch is broken
AttheendofeachX-axisandY-axisguiderailsthereisalimitswitchthatdetectswhenthe
print platform is at the end of the track. This switch may become broken during cleaning or
transportationoftheprinter.Ifthisswitchisbrokenyoumayhearanoisewhentheprinteris
turnedoff.Ifthisoccurs,thelimitswitchwillneedtobereplaced.
6.8 USB drive cannot be recognized
IftheprinterisunabletorecognizedyourUSBdrive,rstpullthedriveoutandtryreinserting.
Ifthisstilldoesnotwork,tryrestartingtheprinterandtryingagain.
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7.0 Index
7.1 List of products and accessories
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7.2 Product Specications