XIONEER Vortex EZ User manual

Vortex EZ
Dyeing Station for 3D Printing

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Contents
Introduction...................................................................................... 4
Product description ..................................................................... 4
Device specifications....................................................................5
Safety instructions and warnings.........................................6
Preparation.........................................................................................9
Scope of delivery...................................................................... 10
Set up.............................................................................................. 10
Commissioning and filling................................................ 10
Operation............................................................................................11
Controls..........................................................................................12
Material and temperature recommendations....12
Placing 3D parts.......................................................................13
Removing 3D parts.................................................................13
Flushing the solvent...............................................................15
Cleaning and maintenance ...................................................16
Propeller maintenance........................................................17
Device disposal ..............................................................................18
Troubleshooting............................................................................18
More information..........................................................................19

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Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Xioneer product.
Please read these operating instructions carefully. They
provide you with the necessary information for operating
your Vortex EZ dyeing station and avoiding possible
dangers.
Note - This icon shows you important tips.
Attention - This symbol draws your attention to
special dangers and protective measures.
Caution –Hot surface or hot steam! Risk of burns
or risk of scalding.
Product description
The Xioneer Vortex EZ is designed to automatically dye
3D printed materials used in FFF/FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and
SAF 3D printing. It is intended for personal and
professional use if safety precautions are met.
The device dyes materials using water, which is heated
and stirred. To enable the dyeing, additives such as dye,
acid or detergent can be added to the water.

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Device specifications
Connection
230 V AC (±10%), 50 Hz,
EU plug,
110 V AC (±10%), 60 Hz
(US Version Only)
Max. Power Consumption
Approx. 1360 W (EU),
Approx. 1220 W (US)
Average Power Consumption
(at 85 °C)
Approx. 250 W
Max. Temperature
85 °C
Fill Volume
38 L
Approx. heat-up time
(from 25 to 85 °C at 38 L)
150 min
Max. Weight
60 kg
Net Weight
22 kg
Outer Dimensions (WxHxD)
640 x 450 x 370 mm
Basket Dimensions (WxHxD)
450 x 205 x 260 mm
Max. Noise Volume
50 dB
Stirring speed
0 - 150 rpm
Device Materials
Lid: PC, Steel V2A,
Tank: Steel V2A,
Basket: Steel V4A,
other,
Propeller: Steel V2A,
PTFE, other
Recommended FDM/FFF,
SLA, SLS, MJF and SAF Model
Materials
PA, PU, TPE, Acrylic,
Polyester, ABS, PP, PC
Approved Dyeing Liquids
Water
Recommended Dyes
TCN GTC universal
liquid dye, Nakoma
Products Rit ProLine
Approved Dyeing Additives
Acid, Detergent
Operating Condition
Up to 2000 m ASL,
< 75 % r.H, < 30 °C

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Safety instructions and warnings
The following instructions must be observed when
operating the Vortex EZ:
•For safe electric disconnection, pull the cold
appliance plug on the back of the device.
•The Vortex EZ may only be operated with water
and recommended dyeing additives. Do not use
aggressive caustic solvents.
•Never fill the Vortex EZ with flammable liquids,
liquids that produce flammable gases, or organic
solvents. This increases the risk of an explosion,
leading to injury and even death.
•If you place the device next to a wall, please ensure
to keep a distance of at least 10 cm to the wall.
Make sure that the fan plates on the back of the
device are not blocked.
•Vortex EZ may only be carried when empty.
Carrying with water or dyeing solution inside is not
permitted. Please empty the tank before each
transport.
•Only place the Vortex EZ on a stable, straight, dry,
heat- and moisture-resistant surface that can
carry the weight of the device including its
contents (60 kg). Do not place the Vortex EZ on a
soft or unstable surface.
•The Vortex EZ should only be used indoors in a dry
and well-ventilated environment. Make sure that
there is good ventilation in the room where you
operate the device.

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•Only connect the Vortex EZ to a 230 V AC, 50 Hz
power supply (unless specified otherwise on the
device). Be careful not to bend the cable or pull on
it when unplugging it. Do not use an extension
cord. The housing of the Vortex EZ is made of
metal, so please use a grounded AC-connection.
Only use provided power supply cables.
•Do not reach into the Vortex EZ tank while it is in
operation.
•Always use the supplied basket for your parts. Only
lift and lower the basket using the handles.
•Place the Vortex EZ out of reach of children. It may
only be operated by adults.
•Do not use the Vortex EZ if you notice any damage
to its parts or if parts are missing.
•Avoid spilling any liquids on the controls of the
device, fan plates, or plugs. Remove excessive
moisture with a soft cloth.
•During operation the surfaces of the Vortex EZ
and the dyeing solution inside may become very
hot. Never reach into the hot bath with bare hands.
•It is not allowed to prepare or store food inside the
Vortex EZ or with any parts of it. Dye and dyeing
additives are not suitable for consumption.
•Only use water as solvent and only use TCN GTC
universal liquid dye, Nakoma Products Rit ProLine
or similar products as dyes. Do not fill more than
38 liters into the container ("MAX"). Observe the
recommended dosages when using the dyes or
dyeing additives.

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•Wear a protective gown when dyeing your parts to
avoid dyeing of your clothing by spilling or
splashing of the dyeing solution.
•TCN GTC universal liquid dye and Nakoma
Products Rit ProLine may be irritant. Therefore,
always wear protective clothing consisting at least
of safety goggles and protective gloves when
using the Vortex EZ. Use the basket when loading
and unloading models.
•If your skin comes into contact with the dyeing
solution or dye, wash it off thoroughly with plenty
of water and soap. If you get dyeing solution or dye
in your eyes, wash it thoroughly with water for
several minutes and remove any contact lenses
beforehand. If eye or skin irritation persists, please
call emergency.
•If you have inhaled the dye, move to a well-
ventilated place and ensure unobstructed
breathing. In case of persistent indisposition,
please call emergency.
•If dyeing solution or dye is swallowed, drink plenty
of water in small sips and seek medical attention.
Do not induce vomiting.
•Remove and wash clothing that has been in
contact with dyeing solution or dye.
•There is a risk of scalding in case of contact with
the hot dyeing solution or hot surfaces. In case of
scalding, ensure sufficient cooling of the affected
areas. There is also a risk of scalding when opening
the container due to escaping hot water vapor.
•Do not open the drain valve without the hose
connected.

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•There is a danger of crushing and cutting on the
propeller. Do not touch the rotating propeller.
•Only service or remove the propeller when the unit
is switched off, unplugged, cooled down, and
completely empty.
•Please mind the minimum fill level (MIN). Do not
use Vortex EZ when fill level is lower than “MIN”
marking. Do not power on the Vortex EZ when
tank is empty.
•Keep the dyes away from excessive heat or open
fire. Remove all sources of ignition when handling
the dyes.
•Improper usage may impair the protection
supported by Xioneer.
•Always check Vortex EZ is safe to use after
conducting maintenance.
Preparation
Carefully unpack the Vortex EZ. Please check that all
parts are in the package according to the scope of
delivery. If there is damage to individual components or
parts are missing, do not commission the Vortex EZ and
contact your vendor. Before initial start-up, the Vortex EZ
must be acclimated to the ambient conditions. To do this,
leave it in the intended environment for at least 1 hour.

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Scope of delivery
The following components are included in the package:
•1x Vortex EZ dyeing station
•1x Basket
•1x filling and drain hose incl. hose clamp
Set up
Set up the Vortex EZ on a stable, straight, dry, heat-
resistant, and moisture-resistant surface. When setting
up, consider the weight of the tank including the dyeing
solution of approx. 60 kg. Furthermore, the Vortex EZ
may only be used in a dry and well-ventilated indoor
environment. Ideally, place the container near a sink or
near a water connection. This facilitates filling and
subsequent emptying of the solvent.
Commissioning and filling
Fill the container with tap water up to the "MAX" indicator.
To do this, you can use the hose from the accessories and
mount it on a faucet with a suitable attachment.
Remove any water splashes on the outside of the unit
with a soft cloth.
Add the dye and the dyeing additives (such as acid or
detergent). Keep the recommended dosages in mind.
Plugin the power cord of the Vortex EZ and switch it on.
The power cord must not be under tension.

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Turn on the stirrer with the stirrer knob. The stirrer should
now begin to rotate audibly. You can regulate the stirring
speed. Turn the knob all the way to the right for maximum
rotation speed.
Close the lid of the container device. Use the large control
dial to set the desired temperature (maximum 85 °C).
Turn the dial clockwise to increase the temperature.
When the desired temperature is reached, the red lamp
next to the temperature control will switch itself off.
Caution: During operation, hot steam escapes
when the container is opened.
Operation
This section describes the operation of the Vortex EZ and
gives you an indicator for a usable temperature range
depending on the model and material of your 3D printed
object.

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Controls
The following picture shows the controls of the Vortex EZ.
Description:
1. Propeller speed control. You can use it to reduce
the rotation speed of the propeller to prevent the
liquid from foaming. Turn the knob all the way to
the left to turn the propeller off completely.
2. Heater indicator lamp. (ON when heating, OFF
when not heating.)
3. Large rotary control for setting the temperature
(up to 85 °C).
4. Main switch for switching the device on and off.
Material and temperature
recommendations
Regularly check the temperature and the fill level of the
dyeing solution to prevent damage to your 3D parts. Ask
the manufacturer of the model material about the
maximum dyeing temperatures. As a general guideline,
you can set 20 - 30 °C less than the glass transition
temperature (Tg) of your model material. If you know the
1
2
3
4

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heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the material, you
can use it as a reference too. If you set the temperature
too high, your model may be irreparably damaged, as
your model may be deformed by the residual stresses
created during 3D printing. If you do not receive any
recommendation from the material manufacturer, test
the materials before dyeing them for the first time. To do
this, you can print a reference bar, and test it for
deformation in the dyeing bath.
Placing 3D parts
Use protective equipment (gown, goggles and gloves)
when loading the parts to avoid scalding and irritation.
Before loading the parts, switch off the Vortex EZ, open
the lid and lift the basket out of the basin. Place the basket
on the stand on top of the device frame.
Open the lid of the basket and carefully place the parts in
the basket. Close the lid of the basket. Carefully lower the
basket back into the tank. Close the lid, and turn on the
power of the Vortex EZ.
Removing 3D parts
Attention: When removing objects during the
dyeing process, it is essential to wear protective
equipment (gown, goggles and gloves). Before
opening the lid, the Vortex EZ should be
switched off.
Caution: Hot steam may escape when opening
the lid.
The duration of the dyeing process is strongly dependent
on the geometry of the part, the model material, the
amount of dye and the bath temperature. The model

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material determines the maximum dyeing bath
temperature.
To reduce the dyeing time, set the temperature of the
dyeing solution as high as tolerable by your model
material (maximum 85 °C). The more intense the color
shall become, the longer the process will take. The dyeing
time can range from a few minutes to a few hours.
Note: As soon as the dyeing time increases
significantly, the dye is used up. Use a fresh
dyeing solution from this point on.
Note: The dyeing time will also increase the
darker the original color of your model was.
After removing the parts, they must be cleaned from the
dyeing solution on all sides for a few minutes under warm,
fresh water. You can do this by submerging your parts in
clean water or by placing them under running water. Use
a soap if necessary.
After the cleaning process, the damp parts should be
dried (e.g. by placing them on a paper towel), as dyeing
solution may still escape from parts. Make sure to turn the
part to opposite sides every few minutes to let the liquid
drain from all sides. The time required for the part to dry
depends strongly on its geometry and the material used,
and can take from a few minutes to a few days.
You can dye up to several kilograms of your materials with
one filling of the Vortex EZ. So you do not have to renew
the dyeing bath after each model.

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Flushing the solvent
The dyeing solution will become depleted once you dyed
several kilograms of your materials and will become
ineffective at dyeing further materials.
Note: Make notes on the amount of materials
dyed in order to renew the dyeing solution in
time.
Caution: Wear protective equipment (gown,
goggles and gloves) when emptying the tank.
Caution: Never empty dyeing solution while it is
still hot. Always wait until the dyeing solution has
cooled down.
When emptying the tank, make sure to follow these
steps:
1. Switch off the Vortex EZ and disconnect the
power plug. Allow the dyeing solution to cool
down.
2. Have another container ready if you do not have a
drain nearby. We recommend using a household
drain or a graywater container.
3. Never carry the Vortex EZ with the dyeing solution
inside!
4. Connect a hose to the valve on the left side of the
Vortex EZ. Make sure the hose is secured. Do not
use tools to tighten the connection.
5. Place the other end of the hose into a drain or gray
water container with a minimum capacity of 38
liters and secure the hose from falling out.

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6. Now slowly open the valve. Check whether the
dyeing solution flows into the prepared container
and no spillage or dripping occurs outside.
7. When the Vortex EZ is almost empty, tilt it slightly
to allow the dyeing solution to drain off
completely.
8. Rinse the Vortex EZ with fresh water.
Note: The dyeing solution can be disposed of
down the drain. When doing so, please make
sure that you comply with wastewater disposal
regulations in your country/state/area.
Cleaning and maintenance
To increase the lifespan of the Vortex EZ or to change the
color, we recommend cleaning it after each emptying.
Caution: Be sure to disconnect the Vortex EZ
from the power supply before cleaning. Avoid
splashing water on the operating elements or
the power plug. Do not use abrasive or
aggressive cleaning agents for cleaning. Wear
protective gown, goggles and gloves.
To clean your device, follow these steps:
1. Follow the steps for disposing the solvent as
described before.
2. Open the lid and remove the basket. Rinse the
basket with water.
3. The device can be cleaned using a soft brush, soft
cloth or sponge. Use water and a household
cleaning agent. Rinse the device with clear water
afterwards. You can also set up a “dyeing bath”

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with all additives BUT the dye and heat it up to 85
°C with the stirrer switched on for a few hours.
Follow the steps described before afterwards.
4. To remove scale, fill the Vortex EZ with 38 liters of
water. Add about 50 g of household citric acid.
Turn on the device, let it heat up to 60 °C. Allow the
citric acid to remove the scale for a few hours.
Empty the basin and rinse it well with water as
described before.
Caution: Make sure that there are no residues in
the tank the next time you use it. The residues
could interfere with the dye and change the
outcome of the dyeing process.
Propeller maintenance
The propeller and tank are equipped with strong
magnets. Pay attention to your surroundings
(credit cards, and especially pacemakers)!
When mounting or replacing the propeller, be
aware of the strong magnets pulling the propeller
down. Hold the propeller tightly while sliding it
slowly onto the pin. Do not let it drop because a
strong impact may damage the propeller’s
bearing.
To remove deposits underneath the propeller, you can
remove the propeller. To do this, open the mounting
screw in the center of the propeller and lift the propeller
with the screw. After cleaning, mount the propeller back
onto the shaft. Tighten the screw ("hand-tight").

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Device disposal
To protect the environment, resources and your health,
we ask that you recycle the Vortex EZ responsibly.
Troubleshooting
The Vortex EZ does not have automatic fault detection.
There is a self-resetting heater fuse to prevent the unit
from overheating. Always make sure that there is always
enough liquid in the tank of the Vortex EZ.
If you can not detect any heating, switch off the device
and make sure that the water level is above “MIN”
indicator. Let the water cool down to room temperature
and switch on the device again. If no heating can be
detected, please contact customer service.
If you cannot detect any flow in the dyeing bath, make
sure that the propeller is turning. Switch off the device,
empty the basin and set the speed controller to 0. Fill
about 10 liters of fresh water into the basin and switch on
the unit. Slowly turn up the speed control knob. If there is
no rotation, turn off the unit, disconnect the power plug
and drain the water. Remove the propeller as described in
the "Maintenance" section and clean the area under and
around the propeller. Reinstall the propeller. Test again as
described above. If no rotation can be detected, please
contact customer service.
If you notice a leak in the container, switch off the device
and empty the container according to the steps
described in the sections before. Please contact the
customer service.
If needed, you can obtain replacement baskets and
propellers from customer service.

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More information
For further information, please contact us at
BellandTechnology AG
Kühlenfelser Str. 47
91278 Pottenstein
Germany
Website: www.xioneer.com
Email: [email protected]m
Phone: [phone]
Disclaimer
The material in this manual is for informational purposes only. The
products it describes are subject to change without prior notice, due to
the manufacturer’s continuous development program.
BellandTechnology AG or its subsidiaries make no representations or
warranties with respect to this manual or with respect to the products
described herein.
BellandTechnolgy AG or its subsidiaries shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, or incidental damages, costs or expenses arising out of or in
connection with the use of this material or the products described
herein.