POSTPROCESS CENTI User manual

CENTI QuickStart Guide
Automated Support Removal System
PostProcess Technologies, Inc. • www.postprocess.com • REV C

Copyright
Conventions
Copyright © 2018 by PostProcess Technologies Inc. “POSTPROCESS”. All rights reserved. The information
disclosed herein is proprietary information owned by POSTPROCESS. This information shall be used solely and
exclusively by employees and customers of POSTPROCESS as documentation for the safe operation of
processing equipment provided by said company. The information herein shall be used by or disclosed to others
only for this purpose.
Published: February 2018
Disclaimer: The content of this guide is subject to change without prior notice. Please contact POSTPROCESS
for the most current information. Items marked with an asterisk * have been identied as likely to be updat-
ed. Picture on front cover is for illustrative purposes only and does not reect actual dimensions.
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that may result in injury or death if not
carefully observed or followed.
Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that may result in damage to equipment if
not carefully observed or followed.
Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that must be emphasized or provides
information to simplify procedures tasks.
Any time a screen or button is referenced the following formatting will be used.
Screens – References to a screen on a machine should be Bold and Italicized. References to gauges on a
screen will be italicized.
Buttons – References to a button that can be pressed or activated by an operator will be BOLD AND
CAPITALIZED.
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Table of Contents
1 OPERATION.........................................................................................................................................................................
1.1 Connecting Power to the CENTI.....................................................................................................................
1.1.1 Emergency Stop Button......................................................................................................................
1.2 Automatic Operation – Setup/Start..............................................................................................................
1.3 Using the Control Screen..................................................................................................................................
1.3.1 The FUNCTION Button.......................................................................................................................
1.3.2 Setting the Target Temperature.......................................................................................................
1.3.3 Setting the Ultrasonics Time............................................................................................................
1.3.4 Setting the Ultrasonics Power..........................................................................................................
1.3.5 Selecting the Temperature Unit of Measure..................................................................................
1.3.6 Setting the Degas Time.....................................................................................................................
1.4 Degas Operations.............................................................................................................................................
1.4.1 Degas Procedures...............................................................................................................................
1.4.2 Degassing Information......................................................................................................................
1.5 Overview of Ultrasonic Modes.......................................................................................................................
1.5.1 Timed Sonics Mode...........................................................................................................................
1.5.2 Constant Sonics Mode......................................................................................................................
1.5.3 Auto Sonics Mode..............................................................................................................................
1.6 Tank Temperature Calibration.......................................................................................................................
2 GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE.........................................................................................................................
2.1 CENTI Drain Valve Installation.......................................................................................................................
2.2 Filling or Draining the CENTI..........................................................................................................................
2.2.1 Filling the Tank....................................................................................................................................
2.2.2 Draining the Tank................................................................................................................................
2.3 Cleaning the Tank.............................................................................................................................................
2.4 Maintaining Detergent Levels........................................................................................................................
2.5 Exceeding Tank Capacity................................................................................................................................
2.6 Covering the Tank............................................................................................................................................
3 TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................................................................................................
3.1 The CENTI will not start..................................................................................................................................
3.2 The CENTI is on but the detergent is not heating properly.....................................................................
3.3 The tank will not drain when the valve is open...........................................................................................
3.4 Error Code (Err) is displayed...........................................................................................................................
3.5 The CENTI is operating but the display is blank.........................................................................................
3.6 Unit shuts itself down and an Alarm indicator is on the display..............................................................
4 POINT OF CONTACT.........................................................................................................................................................
5 REVISION HISTORY..........................................................................................................................................................
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List of Figures
Figure 1. Main Power Switch............................................................................................................................................
Figure 2. ON/STANDBY Button........................................................................................................................................
Figure 3. Control Screen....................................................................................................................................................
Figure 4. Function Button..................................................................................................................................................
Figure 5. Drain Valve...........................................................................................................................................................
Figure 6. Drain Valve Assembly........................................................................................................................................
Figure 7. Power Cord Receptacle...................................................................................................................................
Figure 8. Fluid Level Indicator.........................................................................................................................................
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Overview
This QuickStart Guide is intended to explain the basic setup and operation of the CENTI Support Removal
machine. Read this guide thoroughly before operating the CENTI to ensure safe and efcient operation.If a
question is not answered in this guide, contact POSTPROCESS for additional support.
The CENTI is designed to remove excess material deposited during 3D printing processes. The CENTI uses a
combination of ultrasonics, heat and detergents to remove the excess material.
While the CENTI is robust, care should be used during operation. When accessing the detergent tank,
carefully lift and remove the lid. Be careful when extracting nished parts to limit the amount of detergent that is
lost during the removal process. Ensure no heavy materials are stored above the CENTI that may fall and
damage it. As a general rule or unless otherwise directed, to determine the location of various components
discussed in this guide, stand in front of the CENTI and look front to back.

Warnings
Failure to adhere to any of the warnings below could void the warranty. Read thoroughly before operating the
machine. If the machine appears to be malfunctioning in any way, immediately Turn Off the POWER button and
refer to the Troubleshooting section of this guide on page 15. If the issue is not able to be resolved, call
POSTPROCESS for additional support.
• Do not operate the unit without proper grounding.
• Do not allow alcohol, gasoline or other ammable solutions near the machine. Doing so could cause a
re or explosion.
• Do not touch the detergent with bare skin. Use nitrile gloves, laboratory-style eyeglasses and other
necessary personal protective equipment when performing any operations including removing parts
where skin could come into contact with the detergent.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the machine.
• Do not place the power cord in a location where it may come into contact with water or liquids.
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Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Cautions
• Connect the unit only to 110v power.
• Use only POSTPROCESS detergents. Do not add any other liquid solutions to the machine.
• Do not operate the machine without sufcient detergent in the tank.
Ventilation
PostProcess Technologies detergents are specically formulated chemistry for maximized 3D printed support
removal efciency. It is recommended that the equipment be located in a well ventilated room. Specic
ventilation requirements can vary widely due to size of the install room, existing ventilation (positive or negative)
and differences in individual sensitivities to airborne scents or fragrances. For more information on the safe use
of POSTPROCESS detergents refer to the SDS for the specic detergent used.
Caution should be used whenever working with electrically-powered
equipment. If there is an emergency situation, it is important to note
that hitting the ON/STANDBY button does not turn off power to the
CENTI. It turns off the operating cycle only. To shut off power to the
CENTI, turn off the MAIN POWER SWITCH. (For switch location, see
Figure 1. Location of Main Power Switch)
Detergent Safety
As noted in the safety warnings above, it is important that operators do not come into contact with any form of
detergent with bare or uncovered skin.
• When working with or near detergents, always wear nitrile gloves.
• Wear laboratory-style protective glasses.
• If bare skin comes in contact with detergent, thoroughly wash the
body part with soap and warm, clean water.
• It is recommended that an eyewash station is near the CENTI and
any detergent storage areas.

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1. OPERATION
1.1 Connecting Power to the CENTI
The CENTI is delivered with an industrial power cord. Use only the power cord supplied by POSTPROCESS with
the CENTI. Connect the CENTI only to 110v power.
1.1.1 Power Button
The MAIN POWER SWITCH is located on the rear and lower
right of the CENTI. Once it is connected to 110 v power,
press the MAIN POWER SWITCH to the “I” or On position.
The ON/STANDBY button for the CENTI is
located to the left of the Control screen (See
Figure 2). To power up the CENTI, press the
ON/STANDBY button. When the Control
Screen is lit, the CENTI is on.
Figure 1. Location of Main Power Switch
Figure 2. ON/STANDBY Button
WARNING
CAUTION
Do not place the power cord in a location where it could come into contact with water or other liquid substances.
It is recommended to keep the entire power cord suspended above the oor surface.
If the CENTI appears to be malfunctioning immediately PUSH the ON/STANDBY button and turn off the MAIN
POWER SWITCH (See Figure 1.) Then refer to the Troubleshooting section of this QuickStart Guide or contact
POSTPROCESS support for further information.
NOTE
Before connecting or disconnecting the CENTI to a power outlet or inserting/removing the power cord, ensure
the Main Power Switch is in the “O” or Off position. Insert the power cord into the slot shown in the picture below.

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1. OPERATION
1.2 Auto Operations
If there is not much variance in processing settings, the CENTI can be set up to run in AUTO Mode after turning it
on via the ON/STANDBY button. Pressing the AUTO button starts the CENTI automatic operating mode. When
this mode is activated, the CENTI will perform the following actions: (Keep in mind that the unit will use the last
set of parameters that were entered via the Fn button.)
• The heater will turn on to bring the detergent up to the Set Temperature. See
Section 1.3.2 – Setting the Target Temperature.
• Once the set temperature is reached the Ultrasonics are activated. See
Section 1.3.4 – Setting the Ultrasonic Power.
• Once the ultrasonics timer reaches “0” minutes the Auto Cycle is complete. See
Section 1.3.3 – Setting the Ultrasonic Timer.
1.3 Using the Control Screen
The Control Screen shown below is the operating screen to access all CENTI functions. The screen displays all of
the current operating metrics during a cycle.
Figure 3. Control Screen
NOTE
If the detergent in the tank does not reach the Set Temperature within the rst 120 minutes, the Auto Cycle will
shut down. If this occurs, the screen will show the Auto icon ashing. If during an Auto Cycle, the DEGAS button
is pressed, the cycle will pause and the ultrasonics will restart after the Degas cycle. See Section 1.4 - Degas
Operations.

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1. OPERATION
1.3.1 The FUNCTION Button
The FUNCTION (Fn) Button (shown below) allows the operator of the CENTI to access the functionality settings.
The CENTI Fn Button is disabled if the machine is running in Auto Mode. Each time the Fn Button is pressed, it
advances to the next setting. See the list below for corresponding settings. If no further key is pressed after 15
seconds the CENTI returns to a ready state. If changes are made, but no key is pressed after 15 seconds the
changes are saved prior to returning to a ready state.
• Press Fn (1X) once to Set Temperature
• Press Fn (2X) twice to Set Ultrasonics Time
• Press Fn (3X) three times to Set Ultrasonic Power
• Press Fn (4X) four times to Select Celsius or
Fahrenheit
• Press Fn (5X) ve times to Set Degas Time
Pressing the Fn Button once from any setting
advances the screen to the next function. The LED
icon for each function will ash when activated.
Figure 4. Function Button
1.3.2 Setting the Target Temperature
Pressing the Fn Button once accesses the temperature control settings. Once this is
initiated, the icon highlighted on the left of the display begins blinking. To adjust this
temperature setting, use the “UP” and “DOWN” Arrow” as shown left until the desired
temperature is reached.
The temperature displayed below the Set Temperature is the Actual
Temperature of the detergent in the tank. The icon to the right of the
actual temperature reading is the Heater icon. When this is displayed,
the heater is on and running.
WARNING
When operating the machine with PG1.1 detergent for SLA parts, do not allow the detergent temperature to
exceed 110°F.

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1. OPERATION
1.3.3 Setting the Ultrasonics Time
1.3.4 Setting the Ultrasonics Power
Pressing the Fn Button twice accesses the Time Settings
for ultrasonics. If you want the ultrasonics to run constantly
throughout the cycle, press the UP arrow and a small “innity”
icon will be displayed as shown left.
The CENTI has two levels of ultrasonic power: High or Low. To set the ultrasonics power level, press the Fn
button three times or until the Sonics icon is ashing. Press the UP arrow to set ultrasonics for High power and
press the DOWN arrow for Low power.
Depiction of the Full ultrasonic power setting.
Depiction of the Low ultrasonic power setting.
To set up the ultrasonics to run for a specied period of time,
press the DOWN arrow and select a run time in minutes from
1 to 99.
To increase or decrease the time quickly, press and hold the
up or down arrow. The time values are circular, pressing the
down arrow from 1 will take the value to 99 and pressing the
up arrow from 99 takes the value to 1.
While the time is being set the clock and the numerals will
be ashing. The Ultrasonics icon will be displayed to indicate
that ultrasonics are the function being set.

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1. OPERATION
1.3.5 Selecting the Temperature Unit of Measure
1.3.6 Selecting the Degas Time
The CENTI is capable of displaying the tank temperature in Fahrenheit (˚F) or Celsius (˚C). To set the temperature
unit, press the Fn button four times or until the temperature icon is blinking. Press the UP arrow for temperatures
to be displayed in Fahrenheit or the DOWN arrow for the readings to be in Celsius. The temperature readings are
located at the left side of the Control screen as shown below. In the example shown the temperature units are
displayed in Fahrenheit.
The CENTI has built-in Degas functionality to remove excess gasses from uids. For further information see
Section 1.4.1 - Degas Procedures. To set the timer for a Degas cycle press the Fn button ve times or until the
Degas icon begins ashing. The Degas icon will display and the time clock and minute counter will begin ashing.
Press the UP or DOWN arrow to scroll to your desired time in minutes from 1 to 99.