MyBinding CubeX Trio User manual

CubeX Trio 3D Printer
Instruction Manual

CubeX 3D Printer
User Guide
TM
See inside for use and safety information.
CubeX User Guide version 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT
Warranty ...........................................................................................3
Limitation of liability ..................................................................................3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety symbols and denitions..........................................................................4
Safety guidelines ....................................................................................4
CUBEX 3D PRINTER FEATURES AND BENEFITS
CubeX 3D printer features and properties .................................................................5
Print materials.......................................................................................5
Material color choices.................................................................................5
How the CubeX works ................................................................................6
At a glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Requirements for your CubeX ..........................................................................7
Material storage .....................................................................................7
What’s included .....................................................................................7
SETTING UP THE CUBEX
Unpacking your CubeX (follow unpacking guide)............................................................8
Checking the XYZ axis ................................................................................9
Navigating the CubeX main menu .......................................................................9
Installing the Print Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Loading material cartridge ............................................................................10
Removing the material cartridge........................................................................10
Fitting the new cartridge ..............................................................................10
INSTALLING YOUR CUBIFY INVENT SOFTWARE ........................................................11
GETTING STARTED
CubeX main menu overview...........................................................................12
CUBEX SOFTWARE
Overview of the CubeX software .......................................................................13
Opening the CubeX software for the rst time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
CubeX software user interface ......................................................................14-15
How to open a single part.............................................................................16
How to open multiple parts............................................................................16
Positioning multiple parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Opening multi-material parts ..........................................................................17
Using the shell selector tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Rotating a part .....................................................................................17
Scaling a part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Using the CubeX software to build a .cubex le............................................................18
Saving a .cubex le for printing ........................................................................18
PRINTING YOUR FIRST CREATION ...................................................................19

FINISHING YOUR CREATION
Removing your creation from the Print Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Removing rafts .....................................................................................20
Removing supports with wire cutters ....................................................................20
Removing supports with the Ultrasonic Support Removal Tank................................................21
Hot water method ...................................................................................21
Caustic soda method ................................................................................22
CUBEX MAINTENANCE
Restoring roughness to the Print Pad....................................................................23
Leveling the Print Pad ...............................................................................23
Leveling the aluminum pad support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Fine-tuning your Print Pad ............................................................................24
Setting the print jet gap...............................................................................24
Unblocking the CubeX print tip.........................................................................24
Unblocking the CubeX print jet.........................................................................25
Updating CubeX rmware ............................................................................25
How to contact Cubify support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Setting up the CubeX print jet offsets.................................................................26-27

© 2012 by 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is subject to change without notice. This document is
copyrighted and contains proprietary information that is the property of 3D Systems, Inc. The user does not have the right
to copy, reproduce, or translate this document in any way or to any media without the prior written consent of 3D Systems,
Inc. No copies of the docu¬ment may be sold or given to any person or other entity. Cubify, Cube, and the 3DS logo are
registered trademarks of 3D Sys¬tems, Inc. Use of the Cubify.com website constitutes acceptance of its Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy.
WARRANTY
3D Systems warrants that the CubeX 3D Printer will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, during the
applicable war¬ranty period, when used under the normal conditions described in the documentation provided to you,
including this User Guide. 3D Systems will promptly repair or replace the CubeX 3D Printer, if required, to make it free of
defects during the warranty pe¬riod. This warranty excludes (i) normal consumable or expendable parts (such as material
cartridges), (ii) repairs required during the warranty period because of abnormal use or conditions (such as riots, oods,
misuse, neglect or improper service by anyone except 3D Systems or its authorized service provider), and (iii) repairs
required during the warranty period because of the use of non-integrated, non-approved or non-licensed materials with the
CubeX 3D Printer. The warranty period for the CubeX 3D Printer is ninety (90) days and shall start the date your CubeX 3D
printer is activated or twenty four (24) months after the CubeX 3D Printer is shipped from 3D Systems to the end customer
or intermediary. For consumers who are covered by consumer protection laws or regulations in their country of purchase
or, if different, their country of residence, the benets conferred by our ninety (90) day warranty are in addition to, or operate
concurrently with, all rights and remedies conveyed by such consumer protection laws and regulations, including but not
limited to these additional rights.
THIS WARRANTY IS THE ONLY WARRANTY PROVIDED FOR THE CUBEX 3D PRINTER. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT
PERMIT¬TED BY LAW, 3D SYSTEMS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES FOR THE CUBEX 3D
PRINTER AND EACH OF ITS COMPONENTS, WHETHER THOSE WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR INTENDED OR PARTICULAR
PURPOSES.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
3D SYSTEMS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (SUCH
AS LOSS OF PROFIT OR EMPLOYEE’S TIME) REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY
AND/OR OBLIGATIONS OF 3D SYSTEMS ARISING OUT OF THE PURCHASE, LEASE, LICENSE AND/OR USE OF THE
EQUIPMENT BY YOU OR OTHERS EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CUBEX 3D PRINTER.
COPYRIGHT
3

SAFETY SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS
SAFETY GUIDELINES
• To ensure personal safety, please follow all general safety guidelines, cautions and warnings when operating your CubeX.
• Do not make modications to the CubeX or safety features of the CubeX. Doing so is strictly prohibited and voids your warranty.
• Use of 3D print materials or parts other than genuine 3D Systems® components may void your warranty.
• Adult supervision is required; watch children closely and intervene as necessary to ensure appropriate use of the CubeX and
prevent potential safety hazards. Ensure that small 3D prints are not accessible to young children, as they may pose choking
hazards.
• The print tip of the print jet becomes very hot when the CubeX is operating; avoid touching this area until it has cooled down.
• Do not change material color during printing; doing so may damage your CubeX.
!
The Hot Surface Hazard symbol indicates that a hot surface may be accessible in the vicinity of this sign or at the
build pad and print jet. Avoid contact; hot surfaces can cause severe burns.
The Caution symbol indicates the possibility that something may happen which could cause loss of data, damage
to equipment, or personal injury.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
4

The print tip heats the material to extrude a thin string of plastic which adheres to the print pad in layers. The print pad
lowers after each layer so that each one builds upon the last. This process continues through the nal layer, until your
creation is complete.
CUBEX 3D PRINTER FEATURES AND PROPERTIES
• Plastic Jet Printing technology
• Houses up to three print jets for multi-color and multi-material prints
• Over material choices.
• Choice between ABS and PLA plastic, both recyclable
• Prints objects up to 275 x 265 x 240 mm (10.75”x10.5”x9.5”)
• EZ load print cartridge
• Fully automated supports: peel off supports for ABS and PLA; PLA supports can also be removed using the Ultrasonic
Support Removal Tank available at Cubify.com/cubex/store_parts
PRINT MATERIALS
The CubeX can use two different types of print materials: PLA and ABS. Each material has unique benets and you can
guide your selection based on the properties your part requires.
PLA
This is a hard plastic that has a low environmental impact. It is derived from renewable, starch-based resources.
We recommend using PLA when printing extra-large parts on CubeX as it is a more stable print material
PLA is the optimal support material for industrial ABS parts. PLA has the ability to dissolve away in caustic soda solutions
supported by an ultra-sonic tank. (see page 36 for more information)
ABS
This is a well-known plastic known for its strength and industrial properties.
As a build material, ABS is good for both small and large parts.
ABS works as an excellent support material for extra-large PLA parts.
MATERIAL COLOR CHOICES
CUBEX 3D PRINTER FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Glow-in-the-
dark Neon
Green
* Natural is only available in PLA plastic, not ABS.
Neon Orange
Glow-in-the-
dark Neon
Blue
Tan
White
Yellow
Black
Neon Green
Silver
Green
Industrial Grey
Blue
Natural*
Teal
Magenta
Purple
Red
Brown
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HOW THE CUBEX WORKS
The CubeX uses your 3D model to create a 3D printed part.
• To begin the process, design a part in a CAD package or download one from Cubify.com.
• Before the part can be printed, it must be opened into the CubeX Software (CubeX Software accepts both .stl and
.creation  les).
• The CubeX Software creates a .cubex  le, which the CubeX uses to build the part.
• Save the .cubex  le onto your USB drive and plug the drive into your CubeX.
• The CubeX creates the model by pulling  lament from the cartridge through the print jets via the delivery tubes. The
 lament is then jetted through the print tip in a thin string of molten plastic. The print jet is accommodated by the print
plate, which lowers incrementally after each layer is deposited so a new layer can be drawn on top of the last, building the
part up.
AT A GLANCE
Touchscreen
Function button
Memory stick USB port and PC connection USB port
Power supply
Cartridge dock 1
Cartridge dock 2
Cartridge dock 3
A
B
CGFE
D
Front
Bottom
Inside
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
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REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR CUBEX
PC requirements:
• Microsoft® Windows® 7
• Microsoft® Windows® XP (SP3 or higher)
• Microsoft® Windows® 8
Software:
• CubeX Client Software, available for download at Cubify.com
Electrical requirements:
• 110-240v AC
MATERIAL STORAGE
Although all polymers degrade with time, the following condi¬tions help ensure that the material remains of high quality:
• Unpack material only as needed
• Store material at 10-30°C
• Use within 12 months of receipt
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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UNPACKING YOUR CUBEX (FOLLOW UNPACKING GUIDE)
1. Open the box and take out the top lid of the CubeX, it’s between two layers of foam.
2. With two people take CubeX out of the box, lift from the metal frame on both sides of the machine. Place CubeX on a
table.
3. Remove toolkit, power cord, Cube- Stick and Jet Wipe from bottom of the box.
4. Using the nippers supplied in toolkit cut the strap and take out the material boxes.
5. Cut away all yellow zip ties holding the Print Jet in place for transport.
6. Cut away all yellow zip ties holding the foam parts in place.
7. Take out all foam ttings.
8. Remove plexiglass Z-Axis guard, by unbolting the 4 screws holding it in place.
9. Take out the plexiglass part.
10. Plugging in the CubeX:
• To power on plug the power lead into the power supply located on the base of the machine.
• The LED on the control panel should light up indicating your machine has power
• Press the function button on the control panel to turn on CubeX
11. Press the cross to power on your CubeX.
12. Activating your CubeX at Cubify.com:
Log into your Cubify.com account. If you do not have a Cubify.com account, you will need to create one.
• Click on Activate my CubeX from the 3D Printers drop down menu in the toolbar.
• Enter your serial number in the designated eld. Serial Numbers can be found in two places:
• Interior back wall of your CubeX printer
• Exterior of the CubeX box.
• Enter your CubeX ID in the designated eld.
• Cubify.com will display you four digit activation code in a pop-up window
• Enter the Activation ID into your CubeX using the numbers on your touchscreen.
• Make a note of your activation code as this may be required in the future.
13. Using the touch screen navigate to the move function.
14. Using the up arrow move the print bed up far enough to take out the foam.
15. Take out the last foam piece underneath the build plate.
16. Move the print pad down all the way down so you can install the Jet Wiper.
17. Install the Jet Wiper. Make sure the white plastic part is facing the front.
SETTING UP THE CUBEX
8

Always move the Z axis down rst to avoid collision with the print tips.
When moving the X and Y axis, make sure you do not stray too far from the home switches (left rear of the
machine) as this can cause collision with the printer frame. Excessive collisions will damage the printer.
CHECKING THE XYZ AXIS
Before you start using your CubeX you need to verify that no damage was inicted on the X, Y or Z axes during shipping. To
do this, select the ‘Move’ option on the main menu.
1. Move each axis in both directions, using the arrows on the screen.
2. After checking that all axes work, use the function button to go back to the main menu.
3. Select to the ‘Home’ option on the main menu.
4. Press the ‘Home’ button. This will move the print jet carriage to each of the home switches, checking the XYZ axis and
the Home function. The print jet carriage should stop in the home position in the back left corner of the machine.
NAVIGATING THE CUBEX MAIN MENU
Navigate the main menu using the arrows on the bottom corners of the touchscreen.
INSTALLING THE PRINT PAD
1. Open the “move” function screen located on the CubeX Control panel
2. Using the Up and Down arrows move the print pad base to its lowest position.
3. To install the print pad, align the aluminum foot with front slot on the print pad base
4. Drop the print pad into position, when properly installed the magnet will lock the print pad in place.
!
!
PRINT INFO REPLACE
9

LOADING MATERIAL CARTRIDGE
The ‘Replace’ function will take you through the process of removing a cartridge and replacing it with a new one. If you are
tting a new cartridge to an empty dock, skip ahead to loading the cartridge.
REMOVING THE CARTRIDGE
1. Select print Jet 1,2 or 3
2. The print jet will heat and the bed will slowly move to the middle of the Z axis
3. Gently pull the lament from the feed tube.
FITTING THE NEW CARTRIDGE
1. Remove the thumbscrew from the new cartridge.
2. Install thumbscrew into used cartridge.
3. Pull 300mm of material from the new cartridge.
4. Cut 50mm from the end of the lament.
5. Thread the lament under the cartridge clamp bar and into the feed tube.
6. Install the new cartridge into the cartridge dock.
7. Push lament through the feed tube until it begins to jet.
EX-MAPINFO REPLACE
10

Your Cubify Invent license code and USB Key can be found in your CubeX toolbox at the base of the CubeX packaging.
1. Plug the USB provided with your CubeX into your computer and launch “Cubify_Invent.exe”.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions.
3. When setup is complete, close the Installation Wizard.
4. Open Cubify Invent and enter the license key when prompted.
5. Congratulations! You now have access to Cubify Invent
INSTALLING YOUR CUBIFY INVENT SOFTWARE
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View the .cubex les that are saved are on
your memory stick and pick a .cubex le
to print.
Shows the status of your cartridge,
including what colors and materials you
have loaded into each cartridge dock.
Takes you through the process of
loading a cartridge into an empty dock or
replacing one cartridge with another.
Allows you to re-map your print jets.
Manually jet your print jets, giving you
control of temperature and RPM.
Manually moves your print jet carriage in
the X, Y and Z directions.
Sends the print jet carriage to its home
position located in the back left corner of
the machine.
Level your print pad in relation to the print
tips.
Set the distance between the print pad
and print tips during the rst layer of
printing.
Set the relative distance between each
print tip.
Used to update CubeX rmware.
GETTING STARTED
PRINT
CUBEX MAIN MENU OVERVIEW
Further details about these menu options can be found throughout this manual.
INFO
REPLACE
EX-MAP
EX-CON
240°C
MOVE
HOME
LEVEL
Z-GAP
Z
OFFSET
UPDATE
12

OVERVIEW OF THE CUBEX SOFTWARE
The CubeX software is used to create the .cubex les that your CubeX will use to create your parts. The software allows you
to orient, scale, re-size and rotate the part before printing. You will need to get to know the CubeX software before starting
your rst print.
OPENING CUBEX SOFTWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME
• When you rst open the CubeX software you will be greeted with the following message asking you to congure your
printer in the CubeX software.
• When you press ok the printer conguration window will open.
• You will be required to tell the software how many Print Jets you have.
• And what materials are loaded into the Print Jets.
• Press OK to save these settings.
CUBEX SOFTWARE
13

CUBEX SOFTWARE USER INTERFACE
HOME TAB
STL FILE OPEN Opens a .stl le
OPEN GROUP Toggle button used to open multi material parts
CLOSE Close the open .stl le
SAVE AS Save the current open .stl le
AUTO PLACE (checkbox) Select for the software to automatically position your .stl les
AUTO PLACE (button) Automatically places .stl les which already open
SINGLE SHELL Automatically select all parts as one shell
PRINT FILE OPEN Opens a .cubex le
CLOSE Close the open .cubex le
SAVE PRINT FILE Save the current open .cubex le
SCALE GEOMETRY % SCALE Scale your part before creating the .cubex le
TO MM Change a part from inches to mm
TO INCHES Change a part from mm to inches
REVERT Undo changes made using the Scale Geometry options
ROTATE GEOMETRY X Rotate the part in the X axis
Y Rotate the part in the Y axis
Z Rotate the part in the Z axis
REVERT Undo changes made using the Rotate Geometry options
PICK SHELLS Select which Print Jets print which parts. The available options will vary depending on how
many Print Jets you have active and what colors are loaded into them.
BUILD Opens the build settings window.
14

VIEW TAB
ZOOM ZOOM IN Press to zoom in
ZOOM OUT Press to zoom out
VIEW TOP VIEW Press to view the part from above
FRONT VIEW Press to view the part from the front
LEFT VIEW Press to view the part from the left side
RIGHT VIEW Press to view the part from the right side
PRINT PATHS SHOW PRINT JET 1 Toggle to show the print paths for print jet 1 in a .cubex le
SHOW PRINT JET 2 Toggle to show the print paths for print jet 2 in a .cubex le
SHOW PRINT JET 3 Toggle to show the print paths for print jet 3 in a .cubex le
SHOW ALL LAYERS Toggle to show all layers or to show one layer at a time. Scroll
through the layers using the scroll bar found down the right hand
side of the window
SETTINGS TAB
PRINTER CONFIGURATION Opens the printer conguration window.
BUILD SETTINGS Opens the build settings window.
FIRMWARE UPDATE Used to update the CubeX printer rmware
15

HOW TO OPEN A SINGLE PART
1. Press the open button.
2. Select your .stl or .creation and press open.
3. The .stl will appear in the middle of the bed in the software.
4. When printing in a single material be sure to keep Single Shell selected.
HOW TO OPEN A MULTIPLE PARTS
1. With your rst .stl open, return to the open option.
2. Open your next .stl.
3. The second part will open in the center of the bed and appear to be merged with the rst part.
POSITIONING MULTIPLE PARTS
MANUAL POSITIONING Right click and hold on one of the parts, you can now drag it around the bed (when
using this method the bed will automatically switch to top view).
AUTOPLACE Pressing the auto place button will automatically position your parts on the bed for
you. Alternatively keeping the AutoPlace box checked means that the parts will always
be automatically placed for you as they are opened.
16

OPENING MULTI-MATERIAL PARTS
1. Select the Open Group toggle button.
2. Use the open function to open each .stl le individually.
3. Once each .stl is open press the close group button. The part will now be rotatable and scalable. You can select which
print jets print which parts using the shell selector tool.
USING THE SHELL SELECTOR TOOL
The Shell Selector tool is used to select which Print Jets print which parts of a multi-material part/multiple parts on a print
bed. The color options available will correspond to the material colors you have set in printer conguration.
1. Select the shell color you wish to use.
2. Hover over the shell you wish to select.
3. Left click to color the shell.
4. Continue this process until all the shells are colored as desired.
5. When you have nished using the Shell Selector tool press the done button. Some features of the software may not be
available with the shell selector tool active.
ROTATING A PART
Use the rotate buttons to rotate the part in the desired axis. The amount the part will be turned is defaulted to 90. This can
be changed to suit your needs.
SCALING A PART
You can scale a part by pressing the scale button. The amount your part will be scaled by is defaulted to 50%. This can be
changed to suit your needs. You can also use the – to mm and + to inch to scale by unit conversion.
17

USING THE CUBEX SOFTWARE TO BUILD A .CUBEX FILE
BUILD STYLE PROFILE Use this to select previously saved print settings. To
save print settings you are using for future quick selection, press the save as button
and give the prole a name.
LAYER THICKNESS This is the resolution your part will be printed at.
0.1mm The CubeX printers nest resolution. This layer height takes the longest to
print but gives the best quality parts.
0.25mm A middle ground between 0.1mm and 0.5mm. This layer height is faster than
0.1mm but is slightly lower quality.
0.5mm The CubeX printers fastest resolution. This layer height has a lower quality
than 0.1mm and 0.25mm but has a much faster print time.
PART DENSITY This is how much solid ll your part will contain.
Hollow The part will have no internal structure.
Thin The part will have a small amount of internal structure to give it support.
Medium The part will have a good internal structure supporting it.
Heavy A heavy part with a strong internal structure.
RAFT MATERIAL Use this to select which material will print your raft or the raftless option. We
recommend printing raftless but some larger parts may require a raft.
SUPPORT MATERIAL Use this to select your support material or the no support option. Support material
may be required when printing parts with overhangs greater than 50°. Before printing
with supports try rotating your model in the software to see if this can eliminate the
overhangs. If this is not possible then supports may be required.
SUPPORT TYPE Choose between points and lines for your support material. Does not affect the print if
no support is selected.
FINE DETAIL PRESERVATION Enabling this will preserve ner details of your part, but may affect accuracy.
PART MATERIAL Similar to Printer Conguration, this tells the software which materials are loaded into
which print jets. Part materials works in a similar way to Printer Conguration, telling
the software which materials are loaded into which print jets. Please be sure that the
materials selected in part materials correspond to the print jets the materials are
allocated too.
BUILD Once you have selected all of your preferences press the build button to create the
.cubex le.
SAVING A .CUBEX FILE FOR PRINTING
1. Press the Save Print File button.
2. Choose the location you wish to save the .cubex le, give it a suitable name and press save. You will then need to
transfer the .cubex le to your USB stick for printing.
18