witbox bq User manual
Quick start guide
Firmware 1.1
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WELCOME
Thank you for choosing bq.
This manual will help you use your new 3D printer correctly.
Welcome to the world of Witbox!
How do I use this manual?
To make sure you use your Witbox correctly, read this manual carefully before
using the printer for the rst time.
These instructions are based on the factory settings for the device.
The illustrations and images shown in this manual may not exactly match those
of the nal product.
bq shall not be held responsible for any performance-related problems or
incompatibility issues arising from modication of the device parameters on the
part of the user.
Icon key
Note: Recommendations and notications regarding use of your 3D
printer
>Next: Indicates the sequence of the steps to follow in order to perform
an action.
Tool needed: This task requires the use of a tool.
Trademarks
Witbox and bq are registered trademarks and logos owned by Mundo Reader,
S.L.
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CONTENTS
6 What is a 3D printer?
6 Online resources for the Witbox
7 Getting started
7 Box contents
10 Basic glossary
12 Unpacking your Witbox
13 Attaching the side panels
14 Attaching the top panel
14 Attaching the print base
15 Attaching the spool and support
15 Connecting the power cable
16 Setting up
16 Control panel
16 Levelling the print base
19 Loading the lament
20 Printing a test object
21 Printing an object using Cura
21 What is Cura?
21 Online resources for Cura
21 Downloading and installation
21 Cura setup wizard for the Witbox
23 Appearance and main controls
23 Loading a 3D object
24 Generating and saving a le on the SD card
24 Printing a 3D object using the Witbox
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25 Using and maintaining your Witbox
25 Why is it important to use and maintain the printer
correctly?
25 Online resources: use and maintenance
25 Cleaning the nozzle
25 Updating the rmware
26 Safety precautions
27 Troubleshooting
27 FAQs
28 Technical support
29 Technicalspecications
31 Correct disposal of the product
32 Declaration of conformity
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What is a 3D printer?
A 3D printer is a device that is capable of creating solid, three-dimensional
objects using a design produced on a computer. Currently, there are various
technologies that make this possible. The Witbox uses the method known as
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), which builds objects by adding one layer of
melted polymer lament on top of another until the item has been completed.
Online resources for the Witbox
You can nd the most up-to-date version of this manual in electronic format on
our website:
www.bq.com/gb/downloads-witbox.html
We have also provided a series of instructional videos that will help you get the
most out of your Witbox desktop printer:
www.bq.com/gb/products/witbox.html
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GETTING STARTED
Box contents
Before using your Witbox printer for the rst time, please check the contents of
the box. If any of the items listed below are missing, contact the retailer where
you purchased the device.
Witbox 3D printer
Print base
Set of two keys
Two side panels and one top panel
USB cable
Power cable
Spool of PLA lament (1.75 mm)
Metal spool-holder
SD card (pre-loaded with sample 3D models)
Sample printed object
Four feet/underside supports
Maintenance kit, comprising:
One replacement Hot-End
Two cleaning needles
Three Allen keys (1.5, 2.5 and 4 mm)
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Print base Set of two keys 2 side panels and 1 top panel
USB cable Power cable Metal spool holder
Spool of PLA lament (1.75 mm) SD card Sample printed object
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1 replacement Hot-End
2 cleaning needles 3 Allen keys (1.5, 2.5 and 4 mm)
4 feet/underside supports
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Basic glossary
1LCD screen: Backlit blue screen that displays information regarding the
status of the device.
2 Control wheel: Metal wheel used for scrolling through the menus.
3 SD card slot: Slot located inside the printer, at the rear of the control
panel, where the SD card is inserted.
4 Print base: Rectangle of thick glass onto which the object is printed.
5 Hot-End: Metal part through which the melted plastic comes out; so-
called because it reaches high temperatures during operation.
6 Extruder: Device comprising the hot end, the lament-feeder motor and
a fan.
7 Filament spool: Spool of thermoplastic material with a thickness of 1.75
mm.
8 PLA: Material that the lament is made of.
9 Spool holder: Metal part located at the rear of the printer, which
supports the lament spool.
10 Fibonacci guide tube: Plastic tube that guides the lament towards the
extruder. Its shape allows it to adapt to the movement of the printer and
protects the lament.
11 Power socket: Located at the back of the printer, towards the bottom.
12 On/Off switch: Dual-position switch to turn the Witbox on and off.
13 USB port: Connector for the USB cable; located on the right side of the
printer.
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Unpacking your Witbox
Your Witbox printer has been carefully packaged using durable materials that
incorporate safety features to protect it during transportation.
1. The box is made from two pieces of cardboard: a tray-shaped piece on the
bottom and a printed piece on top. To remove the top piece, rst remove the
two circular plastic tabs connecting it to the bottom piece. Then lift it using
the handles on the upper section; it should lift off easily.
2. Inside, the box has two further packages: a box of accessories, at the top, and
the printer (in its own packaging) underneath.
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3. After taking the printer out of the
protective bag, grasp it rmly by the sides
and lift it onto a table.
4. The Witbox is supported on four metal “feet” that are designed to allow one
printer to be stacked on top of another. These are packaged along with the
Witbox and can be attached immediately in order to protect it. To avoid
scratching the table, take care when moving the printer and try not to drag it.
Attaching the side panels
Remove the plastic lm protectors from both sides of the side panels.
Gently loosen the eight screws (four on each side) located on either side
of the printer, using the Allen key included in the maintenance kit. Then
slide the panels in fully, and tighten the screws.
Caution! heavy object.
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Open the front door using the keys you will nd in the box of accessories.
Cut the two ties that are attached to the extruder carriage.
Attaching the top panel
Remove the plastic lm protectors from both sides of the top panel.
Position the panel on top of the printer. In the box of accessories you’ll
nd four screws: place them in the holes in the corners of the panel and
turn them on them with your ngers.
Attaching the print base
In the box of accessories you’ll also nd the
print base, which is made of glass and has
four magnets attached to one side. Place it
gently on the support inside the printer, with
the magnets facing downwards as shown in
the illustration.
Caution! Use scissors or wire cutters.
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Attaching the spool and support
The spools of lament need to be placed on
a spool-holder. First, attach the metal
support to the rear of the printer by inserting
the short end into the corresponding slot.
Then remove the plastic protector from the
spool and place it onto the spool-holder. The
lament will be loaded at a later stage.
Connecting the power cable
Before connecting the power cable, make sure the switch is in the “0” position.
Then connect the power cable to the printer and plug the other end into the
power socket.
Caution! Handle with care
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SETTING UP
Once you have plugged the Witbox in, it’s ready to be switched on. The LCD
screen will light up and display the name of the current rmware version.
Control panel
When you switch the Witbox on, the LCD screen will display information
regarding the status of the device, such as its temperature, name, etc. Next to
the LCD screen is a control wheel that you can press in order to display the print
menu. Press and turn the wheel to the left or right to scroll through the various
options.
Levelling the print base
One of the most important factors in achieving objects of high quality is having
a correctly levelled print base. The levelling process adjusts the print base so
that the distance from the base to the extruder is the same at every point.
Why is it so important?
•If the extruder nozzle is too far away from the base, or if one part of the base
is closer than the other, the objects you print will probably not adhere
correctly.
• If the nozzle is too close to the base, this may prevent the lament from being
extruded and could also scratch the base.
•Levelling the print base regularly helps improve the quality of the objects you
print.
Before you start the levelling process, make sure there
is no plastic residue on any of the parts. Clean them if
necessary (we explain how in the section on Cleaning
and maintaining your Witbox).
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To help you with this process, step-by-step
instructions will be given via the LCD screen.
To level the print base you need to adjust the
three screws located underneath the base
support.
1. Place the sheet of calibration paper
(supplied) onto the print base. Press the
control wheel and go to Control > Level
Plate.
Press the wheel to begin levelling.
2. The extruder will position itself at the
reference point (the rear right-hand
corner), then move over to the first
levelling point. Check the space between
the base and the extruder using the
calibration sheet, and (if necessary) adjust
it by turning the screws located underneath the print base. Turn them to the
right to move the base away from the extruder, and to the left to move it
closer. The calibration sheet should just about be able to pass between the
base and the extruder nozzle.
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3. Press the control wheel again, and the extruder will move onto the second
calibration point. Repeat the previous process, then do the same again for the
third calibration point.
4. Finally, the extruder will move across to the centre of the base, and you will
be asked to verify the distance between the nozzle and the print base once
again. Once you have done so, press the wheel to exit the levelling program.
It is recommended that you repeat the levelling process as many times as
necessary, in order to make sure the base is correctly levelled.
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Loadingthelament
Now you’re ready to load the lament into the Witbox and print a test object.
1. Go to Control > Filament > Load. The
extruder will heat itself to a temperature
of 220°C. You can monitor the
temperature increases on the LCD
screen. Once the correct temperature has
been reached, the message Insert &
Press.
2. The lament is loaded at the rear of the
Witbox via the bulkhead connector,
which is attached to the Fibonacci guide
tube. It is very important that you position
the spool with the loose end of the
lament on the right-hand side. Trim the
end of the lament diagonally across with
a pair of scissors, to make it easier to
guide into the tube.
3. Feed the lament through the tube until you feel it bump against the extruder.
Push it in rmly to make sure it has reached the end of the tube.
4. Press the control wheel. After a few
seconds, a small stream of melted plastic
will appear in the extruder nozzle. Each
time you press the wheel, plastic will be
extruded for a few seconds.
Caution! High temperature.
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5. Allow the extruded plastic to cool for a few moments before opening the
printer door.
Printing a test object
The SD card that came with your Witbox has been pre-loaded at the factory with
a number of les for printing test objects.
All our printers are tested before they leave our factories, and in the box of
accessories you will nd a plastic object (of medium quality) that was printed
using your printer before it left the factory, in order to make sure the printer was
working correctly.
Go to the main menu and select the option Print from SD. The names of the
various objects you can print will be displayed on the screen: select the one
called Twisted BOX. After you have selected an object, the printer will initiate
the printing process automatically. On the LCD screen you can monitor the
progress of the printing and check the extrusion temperature.
When the printing process has been completed, open the door and take out the
print base. Rest the base on a table and pull firmly on the printed object to
remove it. You can check that it matches and connects to the test object that
came with the printer.
Caution! Do not touch the end of the extruder, as it will
still be hot.
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