Type A Machines SERIES 1 User manual

Congratulations on joining the 3D printing community! You are now the proud owner of the fast,
accurate, totally awesome, best in class Series 1 3D printer!
Your Series 1 has been 100% manufactured, assembled, and quality tested by the Type A team at our
San Francisco, California workshop. Those of us at Type A Machines have a range of reasons for being
in the 3D printing industry, but what keeps us coming in every day is the awesome stuff you make.
In this guide you’ll find all the resources you need to be up and printing in no time. Our users are doing
some pretty amazing things with their Series 1, from robots to architecture, to cookie cutters to
cannons! As the newest member of the Type A Machines community, we welcome your input and can’t
wait to see what you build. Join us at Forum.TypeAMachines.com and show us your stuff.
We think you’re awesome, and we love what you do!

1. What’s in the Box? ......................................1
2. 3D Printing with Fused Filament Fabrication..2
3. WELCOME TO YOUR SERIES 1.....................3
3.1. Winchester Tool Head/Extruder .............4
3.2. Motion System......................................5
3.3. Electronics............................................6
4. GETTING STARTED .....................................7
4.1. Unpacking and Initial Setup ...................7
4.2. Switching AC Current ............................8
4.3. Power On .............................................9
4.4. USB Connection ....................................9
4.5. Install the Build Plate ............................9
4.6. Loading Filament ................................10
5. SOFTWARE SETUP ....................................11
5.1. Mac Users ..........................................11
5.1.1. Pronterface Printer Control
Software................................................11
5.1.2. KISSlicer ......................................11
5.2. Windows Users ...................................12
5.2.1. Drivers ......................................... 12
5.2.2. Pronterface Printer Control
Software................................................12
5.2.3. KISSlicer ......................................12
6. BASIC OPERATION....................................13
6.1. .STL ................................................... 13
6.2. What file types can the Series 1 Read?.13
6.3. Slice in KISSlicer .................................13
6.3.1. Printing Resolution/Speed .............15
6.3.2. Infill.............................................15
6.3.3. Load your .STL file........................16
6.3.4. Slice!............................................ 17
7. Run A Print ............................................... 18
7.1. Connect Series 1 Via Pronterface ......... 18
7.1.1. Set Baud Rate .............................. 18
7.1.2. Set Com Port ................................ 19
7.1.3. Connect to your Series 1 ...............19
7.2. Load a GCode File ...............................20
7.3. Print an Object! ..................................21
7.4. Removing A Printed Object from the Print
Surface .....................................................22
7.5. Prepare for Your Next Print.................. 22
7.5.1. Clean the Build Surface ................. 22
8. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE..........................23
8.1. Replace the Build Surface ....................23
8.1.1. Prepare the Build Plate with pre-cut
blue squares: .........................................23
8.1.2. Prepare the Build Plate with blue
(painter’s) tape: .....................................23
8.2. Clean Out a Filament Jam.................... 23
8.3. Tension Belts ......................................25
8.4. Tighten Screws ...................................25
8.5. Clean/Lube Shafts...............................25
9. TROUBLESHOOTING ................................. 26
9.1. Z-Height Calibration ............................27
9.2. Calibrate the Build Plate ......................29
9.3. Replace the Hot End ...........................30
10. SERIES 1 SUPPORT ................................. 30
10.1. Forum.TypeAMachines.com ...............30
10.2. Support Request ............................... 30
11. 2013 SERIES 1 SPECS ............................. 31


User Manual
Quickstart Guide
3D Printed Object
Sample PLA
Power Cable
Acrylic Build Plate, taped and ready to go!
Filament Management System
Upkeep Kit containing:
7 MM wrench
2.5 MM Hex Key
2 MM Hex Key
1.5 MM Hex Key
Insulated (Ceramic) Screwdriver
Heading 1.0. 1

The Type A Machines Series 1 prints a 3D object by placing thin layers of plastic on top of each other until
a finished object is built out of the layered plastic.
To begin a 3D print, plastic is delivered to the Series 1 Tool Head in the form of “filament” (a long thin
strand of plastic, wound onto a spool). The Series 1 then heats the filament to its melting point and pushes,
or “extrudes,” the melted filament through the Extruder Nozzle. The Series 1 then moves the Nozzle in a
pattern while extruding plastic to draw a very thin cross section of the object that it is printing. The Tool
Head fan cools the newly extruded plastic, solidifying it almost instantly. After each layer is completed, the
printer moves the Build Surface down a tiny distance, and then extrudes the next cross section of melted
plastic on top of the cooled layer below.
This method of 3D printing is called Fused Filament Fabrication, or “FFF”.
Figure 2.0. 1

The Type A Machines Series 1 was developed in San Francisco, California, to be a bigger, better, and more
reliable desktop 3D printer. It features best in class build volume, an innovative modular Hot End
replacement system, the ‘Winchester’quick release for fast filament loading, fingertip Build Plate calibration,
and high precision stepper motor s to for ease of use and high resolution printing.
Figure 3.0. 1

The Type A Series 1 3D printer features the proprietary Winchester tool Head. It is unique in the 3D printing
industry. Precision designed and fabricated in the Type A Machines offices and TechShop in San Francisco,
the Winchester Tool Head is designed to allow quick release and loading of both filament and the open
source, industry standard “groove mount” Hot End. It has proven incredibly reliable and easy to service.
With this advancement, the Series 1 is capable of reliably extruding filament up to 230° C, and running for
days on end.
Figure 3.1. 1

The Type A Series 1 3D Printer is a Cartesian motion based printer system. This means it can move in 3
linear directions: the X, Y, and Z axes. It does this using precise stepper motors to drive the machine. The
X and Y axes control the motion of the Tool Head. X axis moves the tool head left and right, and Y axis
moves the Gantry forward and back. Both of these movements are made using high precision timing belts,
shafts, and motors. The Z axis moves the Build Surface up and down using a lead screw, shafts, and a
stepper motor.
The design of the Series 1 maximizes the machine area devoted to the buildable space. This results in a
minimal machine footprint with a HUGE build volume. The maximum size of object that can be built is
260mm along the X axis, 230mm along the Y axis, and 230mm along the Z axis (10”x9”x9”).
The Series 1 can produce parts with functional tolerances of 0.1 And is capable of a vertical layer height of
0.05 mm. The speeds at which the printer can move along each of these axes are among the fastest in the
industry.
Figure 3.1. 1

The Type A Series 1 features an all Open Source electronics system. It consists of an Arduino Mega, RAMPS,
and Pololu driver chips. The Arduino is the ‘brain’ of the printer. It interfaces with your computer to load
control instructions onto the printer and drive it. The RAMPS (RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu) shield serves
as the motor control and power distribution system for the Arduino. It helps transfer power and command
code from the Arduino to the motor drivers. The RAMPS also serves as the connection point for most of
the wiring in the machine. This is where the sensors and heaters in the Tool Head and the fans connect.
The last section of electronics is the motor drivers. There are 4 motor drivers per machine, one each to
drive the X,Y,Z and Extruder motors. These little chips take instructions from the Arduino and power from
the RAMPS to directly control the motors. They send hundreds of commands per second! The electronics
compartment is cooled by a fan to keep things from overheating.
Figure 3.3. 1

Time to get started! If you haven’t already, now is the time to see what your printer looks like out of the
box. Carefully remove the printer from the carton. If the printer is difficult to remove, cut open the edges
of the box. Attempting to force the printer out of the box may break it.
Remove the packing material from around the printer. The Gantry and Tool Head have been tied down to
protect it in transit. Remove the strapping and interior packaging insert between the Gantry and back of
panel of the machine. The Gantry and Tool Head should now move freely.
Check your package contents to confirm that your Series 1 shipped with all contents.
Your Type A Machines Series 1 is Factory configured to use US Standard 110 Volts AC. If you are in the
United States, you’re ready to go! If you are using your printer outside of the United State you MAY need
to switch your power supply voltage setting.
If you do not know your local voltage, review the following article to determine whether you need to switch
your voltage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country
Figure 4.1. 1

If you are using your printer with a Voltage other than 110 Volts you will need to switch the current setting
on the power supply. This is an easy and safe procedure as long as it is done properly.
First turn the machine around to look at the back.
Remove the small panel Marked PSU ACCESS by unscrewing the thumbscrews on the
back of the machines –it’s the one with the plug and switch in it (figure 4.2.1).
Do not disconnect any wires, there is enough slack in the cables to allow switching. Mid way down on the
power supply through the metal grating you will see a switch with numbers on it. There will also be a yellow
sticker on the power supply indicating voltage and switch positions. Your switch will be set to 115V.
Using the included hexagonal wrench, move the switch to 230V position (figure 4.2.1). You should hear a
click. Double check the switch is all the way over to 230V and not between settings. Your power supply is
now set. Replace the electronics cover.
Figure 4.2. 2
Figure 4.2. 1