Monoprice maker architect 13861 User manual

CONTENTS
SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES.......................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................................................4
FEATURES..............................................................................................................................................................................................................4
CUSTOMER SERVICE....................................................................................................................................................................................4
PACKAGE CONTENTS.................................................................................................................................................................................5
NAVIGATING THE MENU SYSTEM...................................................................................................................................................5
UNPACKING AND SETUP.........................................................................................................................................................................6
FINE TUNING PLATFORM HEIGHT..................................................................................................................................................15
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP.................................................................................................................................. 17
TECHNICAL SUPPORT..............................................................................................................................................................................30
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.............................................................................................................................................................30
Notice for FCC .........................................................................................................................................................................................30
Notice for Industry Canada...........................................................................................................................................................31

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SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES
The printer is very sensitive to static electricity. Always contact a grounded object
before working with this device. It is recommended to wear an anti-static wrist
strap when working with this device.
Power off and unplug the printer from the power source prior to making repairs or
alterations.
The printer operates at high temperatures. Always allow the nozzle, the extruded
material, and build plate to cool before touching.
Some types of filament can emit a strong odor when heated. Always use this printer
in well-ventilated area.
Do not leave the printer unattended when in operation.
Do not expose this printer to excessive vibration.
Do not expose this printer to water or moisture of any kind. Do not place drinks or
other containers with moisture on or near the printer. If moisture does get in or on
the printer, immediately unplug it from the power outlet and allow it to fully dry
before reapplying power.
Do not place the printer near a heat source, such as a fireplace, heating vent,
radiator, etc.
The power supply for this monitor uses a NEMA 5-15 three prong, grounded plug. Do
not use a "cheater" plug or otherwise bypass the grounding pin.
Do not allow the power cord to be crimped, pinched, stepped on, etc. Ensure that
the power cord does not present a tripping hazard.
Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the connector
head.
This device should only be operated by qualified adults.
In the event of serious operating problem, stop using the unit immediately.

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing this 3D printer from Monoprice!
This printer features a single extruder and unheated glass build platform. Because the
platform is unheated, it is particularly suited for printing using PLA filament, though it can
print other materials, as well. You can print from a Windows® or Mac® PC using a USB
connection or can print from 3D model files stored on an SD card, without the need for a
PC connection of any kind. This printer is easy to setup and easy to use following the
instructions in this manual and on the menu screen.
FEATURES
Single extrusion print head
Can be upgraded with addition of dual extrusion print head
Unheated glass built platform won't warp
Well suited for printing with PLA filament
Wooden frame for reduced weight
Includes PLA filament for printing right out of the box
Includes 4GB SD card with preinstalled sample 3D models
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Monoprice Customer Service department is dedicated to ensuring that your ordering,
purchasing, and delivery experience is second to none. If you have any problem with your
order, please give us an opportunity to make it right. You can contact a Monoprice
Customer Service representative through the Live Chat link on our website
www.monoprice.com during normal business hours (Mon-Fri: 5am-7pm PT, Sat-Sun: 9am-
6pm PT) or via email at [email protected]

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PACKAGE CONTENTS
Please take an inventory of the package contents to ensure you have all the items listed
below. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Monoprice Customer Service for a
replacement.
1x 3D Printer 1x Bolt & Hex Wrench Kit
1x Single Extruder 1x Power Supply Cable
1x Spool Holder 1x USB Cable
1x Filament Guide Tube 1x 4GB SD Card
1x Spool White PLA Filament (1 kg) 1x Quick Installation Guide
NAVIGATING THE MENU SYSTEM
The printer has five buttons on the front panel, which are used to navigate and modify
entries in the menu system. As can be seen in the image, the buttons consist of four
"arrow" buttons and a middle button, sometimes referred to as the "M" button.
Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to move the highlight in
the menus.
Use the Middle (M) button to select the currently highlighted
menu entry.
Use the Left arrow button to back out to the previous menu.
Throughout this manual you will be asked to navigate the menu system and select specific
menu entries. For example, you may be told to select:
Utilities > Level Build Plate
To do this, use the Up and Down arrow buttons to move the highlight to the Utilities entry,
then press the Middle (M) button to open the Utilities menu. Next move the highlight to
the Level Build Plate entry, then press the Middle button to activate it.

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UNPACKING AND SETUP
Carefully read and perform the following instructions for unpacking the printer and
performing the initial setup. Failure to follow these unpacking instructions could result in
damage to your new printer.
1. Place the box on the floor in the middle of a clean, flat area. Carefully open the top
and remove the accessories box and set it aside.
2. Slide your hands down the sides of the printer to grab the edge of the frame. Lift it
out of the box and place it on your work area.

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3. Carefully remove the bubble wrap from the printer.
4. Remove the foam packing from inside the top of the printer, then open the top of
the exposed box and carefully remove the print head/extruder and set it on your
work area next to the printer.
5. Remove the box from inside the printer and set it aside.

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6. The build platform is now visible. Grip each side of the platform at the back, next to
the vertical guides and gently pull the platform up to give access to the boxes
under the platform.
7. Remove the boxes from beneath the build platform and set them aside.

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8. Carefully remove the bubble wrap from around the print head/extruder. Open the
parts bag and remove two (2) 3/8" long hex screws and the hex wrench.
9. Place the extruder on the extruder seat with the fan facing forward. Secure it to the
seat using two 3/8" long hex screws.

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10. Secure the filament guide tube to the back of the printer with the two clips. Ensure
that the guide tube can reach the extruder, but do not connect it to the extruder
yet.
11. Remove the outer plastic nut from the filament support bracket, then insert the
threaded end through the hole in the back of the printer.

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12. Screw the nut onto bracket and tighten it from both sides. Take care not to over-
tighten.
13. Insert the SD card into the vertical slot on the right side of the printer.

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14. Squeeze each corner of the build platform and tighten the wingnuts to minimize
the platform height.
15. Ensure that the power switch is in the OFF position (with the Oside depressed).
Insert the plug on the included AC power cord into the panel connector, then plug
the other end into a nearby AC power outlet. Depress the Iside of the power switch
to turn the printer ON.
16. Press the Middle (M) button on the printer's front panel to activate the menu
system, then select:
Utilities >> Run Startup Script
This script will take you through the process of leveling the build platform, loading
filament, and starting your first print. Follow the on-screen instructions, which for
your convenience are listed below. Please review all the following steps before
launching the startup script so that you know what to expect at each stage in the
process:

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Run Startup Script
1. Welcome! I'm the 3D printer. Press the 'M' to get started!
2. A blinking 'M' means I'm waiting and will continue when you press the
button...
3. A solid 'M' means I'm working and will update my status when I'm finished...
4. Our next steps will get me setup! First, we'll restore my build platform...
5. So it's nice and level. It's probably a bit off from shipping...
6. Find the four knobs on the bottom of the platform and tighten four or five
turns.
7. I'm going to move the extruder to various points for adjustment.
8. In each position we will need to adjust two knobs at the same time.
9. Nozzles are at the right height when you can just slide a sheet of paper
10. between the nozzle and the plate. Grab a sheet of paper to assist us.
11. Adjust the front two knobs until paper just slides between nozzle and plate
12. Adjust the back two knobs until paper just slides between nozzle and plate
13. Adjust the right two knobs until paper just slides between nozzle and plate
14. Adjust the left two knobs until paper just slides between nozzle and plate
15. Check that paper just slides between nozzle and plate
16. Does my nozzle height check out?
My height is good!
Let's try again. (We'll try again! then back to #6)
17. Aaah, that feels much better. Let's go on and load some filament!
18. Press down on the grey rings at top of the extruders and pull the black...
19. guide tubes out. Now feed filament from the back through the tubes until it...
20. pops out in front. I'm heating up my extruder so we can load the filament...
21. This may take a few minutes. And watch out, the nozzle will get HOT!

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22. First we'll load the right extruder. Push filament in...
23. until you feel the motor tug it in. Push for a few more seconds, then wait.
24. When filament is being extruded from the nozzle, Press M to stop extruding.
25. Did the plastic extrude from the nozzle?
Yes
No (OK, I'll keep my motor running. You may need to push harder...)
26. Great! I'll stop running my extruder. Press M to continue.
27. How'd it go? Ready to make something?
Yes (Awesome! We'll go to the SD card menu and you can select a
model!)
No (We'll go to the main menu.)
Congratulations, you have successfully setup your printer and have started your first 3D
print!

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FINE TUNING PLATFORM HEIGHT
Getting the platform height correct is critical to a successful print. Examine the extruded
material and compare it to the following charts to determine if your build platform is a tad
too high, a tad too low, or just right. You may need to make several passes at height
adjustment before you are ready for a large, complicated print job.

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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP
This 3D printer, like most 3D printers, uses open source 3D printing software. We
recommend that you begin your 3D printing experience by using Python 2 and ReplicatorG
to create the Gcode 3D model files. Perform the following steps to install Python and
ReplicatorG for Windows and to setup ReplicatorG for use with this printer:
1. Point your browser to http://www.python.org/downloads/a
2. Download the latest version of Python 2 software. At the time of this writing, the
latest version of Python 2 is 2.7.10. Do not use Python 3, as the ReplicatorG software
is incompatible with Python 3.
3. Locate the file you just downloaded and double-click it to launch the installer.
4. Depending on your Windows security settings, you might see a security warning.
Click the Run button to continue.

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5. Click the Next button to continue.
6. Click the Next button to accept the default install directory.
7. Click the Next button to accept the default program options.

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8. Once the files have been copied and configuration complete, click the Finish button
to complete the installation.
9. Point your browser to http://replicat.org/download
10. Download the Windows version of the software.
11. Locate the file you just downloaded and double-click it to launch the installer.
12. Depending on your Windows security settings, you might see a security warning.
Click the Run button to continue.

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13. Click the Next button to continue.
14. Regardless of whether you changed the Python install location or not, the next
screen warns that "It looks like you don't have Python." We will tell ReplicatorG
where to find the Python software later in these instructions. For now, click the
Install button to continue.
15. The installer will unpack the installation files, then will launch the Driver Installation
Wizard. Click the Next button to continue.