Z Rapid SL series User manual

SL series 3D Printer
User’s Manual
Z Rapid Technologies Co., Ltd.
Ver. 1.0

Content
1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................- 1 -
1.1 What is Stereolithography (SL)?......................................................................................- 1 -
1.2 SL Characteristic ..............................................................................................................- 3 -
1.3 The SL Process .................................................................................................................- 3 -
1.3.1 CAD Preparation...................................................................................................- 3 -
1.3.2 Print Process.........................................................................................................- 4 -
1.3.3 Post Processing.....................................................................................................- 4 -
2 Hardware of SL ...........................................................................................................................- 5 -
2.1 Hardware Introduction....................................................................................................- 5 -
2.1.1 Build Chamber......................................................................................................- 5 -
2.1.2 Emergency Button................................................................................................- 7 -
2.1.3 Temperature Controller........................................................................................- 7 -
2.1.4 Monitor ................................................................................................................- 8 -
2.1.5 Buttons & Alarm/Speaker ....................................................................................- 8 -
2.1.6 Laser Controller Cabinet.......................................................................................- 8 -
2.1.7 Main Power Switch.............................................................................................- 10 -
2.2 Start/Stop SL..................................................................................................................- 10 -
2.2.1 Start SL ...............................................................................................................- 10 -
2.2.2 Stop SL................................................................................................................- 11 -
3 Software of SL ..........................................................................................................................- 12 -
3.1 Software Introduction ...................................................................................................- 12 -
3.2 Printing Step..................................................................................................................- 22 -
4 Post Processing.........................................................................................................................- 24 -
4.1 Cleaning the parts .........................................................................................................- 24 -
4.2 Post Curing ....................................................................................................................- 24 -
4.3 Sandblasting & polishing...............................................................................................- 25 -
5 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................- 26 -
6 Contact Us ................................................................................................................................- 27 -
Appendix 1 RFH Laser System .....................................................................................................- 28 -
Appendix 2 Inngu Laser System ..................................................................................................- 35 -

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1 Introduction
1.1 What is Stereolithography (SL)?
Stereolithography is a three-dimensional printing process that produces
a solid plastic model. Using proprietary software, CAD output data is
sliced into very thin cross sections. The resulting slice sections are then
transformed into files to be used at the SL series Production Systems. A
laser generating a small, intense beam of Ultraviolet (UV) light is moved
by a computer-controlled optical scanning system across the top of a vat
containing liquid resin. The laser draws each layer of the part from the
data provided by the build data file.
As the laser contacts the resin, the beam photo polymerizes the resin
into a solid. When a layer is completed, an elevator lowers the part
deeper into the vat, covering it with resin. Leveling and recoating
systems establish the thickness and flatness of the liquid layer. When the
resin surface is stable, the laser draws the next layer of the part. As each
layer is drawn, it adheres to the previous layer, creating a solid part. This
process continues until the final layer has been drawn. The part is then
removed from the SL Production System, cleaned and post-cured with
high intensity UV energy to complete the polymerization process. The
part may then be finished by various methods including sanding,

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sandblasting, painting or dyeing.
Z Rapid standard range of SL Production Systems includeSL300, SL450
and SL600 (see Figures 1,2 and 3).
Figure 1.SL300
Figure 2.SL450

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Figure 3.SL600
Note: Outlook of actual machines may vary from the above pictures.
1.2 SL Characteristic
High speed printing
High quality printed parts
User-friendly
Highly automated
1.3 The SL Process
There are three major steps in stereolithography - CAD Preparation, Print
Process and Post Processing.
1.3.1 CAD Preparation
CAD preparation includes the CAD Design and the CAD Interface. These

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two steps take the design image from a three-dimensional CAD image,
directly to slice &support generation software, which then prepares the
specially-formatted computer image files(.slc) for use in
stereolithography. There are normally two files: Part.slc for the part and
s_part.slc for the support structures of the part.
1.3.2 Print Process
Turn on the machine and copy all the SLC files into the PC. Add Part.slc
file into the Zero build software. The s_part.slc will be added
automatically. Position the parts on the build plate grid in the software.
Click the Build button in Zero to begin print.
1.3.3 Post Processing
After the part has been built it requires post processing. This includes
cleaning, removing the supports and ultraviolet (UV) post curing. It may
also include final finishing, such as sanding, sandblasting, polishing,
buffing, painting or dyeing.

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2 Hardware of SL
2.1 Hardware Introduction
Figure 4.Hardware Introduction
Note: Illustration above (see Figure 4) is based on SL300 and SL450,
however, positions of indicated parts are similar on the SL600.
2.1.1 Build Chamber
The build chamber (see Figure 5) is the working space of the SL
Production Systems and it encompasses the build plate, recoater, resin
vat, etc.
The build plate is the platform upon which the parts are printed.
Build chamber
Monitor
Buttons &Alarm/Speaker
Keyboard & Mouse
Laser Controller Cabinet
Temperature Controller
Emergency Button
Vat Access Door

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The recoater sweeps the resin during printing.
Figure 5.The Build Chamber
The resin vat (see Figure 6) is located below the build plate and contains
resin.
Figure 6.The Resin Vat
Note: Open the vat access door, to locate the tap for draining out resin.
Build plate
Part
Recoater
Tap
Resin Vat

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2.1.2 Emergency Button
In the case of emergencies, push the emergency button (see Figure 7) to
stop the motion system immediately. To restart the system, rotate the
button clockwise as indicated.
Figure 7.The Emergency Button
2.1.3 Temperature Controller
To control the temperature of the build chamber.
Figure 8. The Temperature Controller
Note: The standard recommended temperature setting is 32 ℃ .However,
Set temperature
Current temperature
Increase the
temperature
Decrease the
temperature

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for resin which does not require heating, shut off the heater system.
2.1.4 Monitor
The monitor on the SL series 3D printer has a touch screen feature.
2.1.5 Buttons & Alarm/Speaker
Figure 9.Buttons &Alarm/Speaker
a) USB Slot –Insert USB to copy SLC files to computer.
b) Power indicator light –Indicates machine is on standby/220V.
c) Control On –On/Off button for 24v DC on PC, Control system, etc.
d) Laser On –On/Off button for the laser controller.
e) Heater On –On/Off button for the heater system.
f) Light On –On/Off button for the LED lights in the build chamber.
g) Alarm/Speaker –“Beeps” driven by motion controller.
Note: Push On/Off buttons to activate functions. Lit buttons indicates
functions are On/in operation. Push the lit button to turn the function off.
2.1.6 Laser Controller Cabinet
The laser controller (see Figure 10) is located in the laser controller
USB Slot
Power indicator light
Laser On
Light On
Heater On
Control On
Alarm/Speaker

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cabinet.
Two models of laser systems are used in the SL series 3D printer; RFH
Laser (Figure 10) and Inngu Laser (Figure 11). Identify the model of the
laser system on your SL 3D printer and refer to the corresponding
operation instructions.
Operating instructions for the RFH Laser and Inngu Laser are detailed in
Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 respectively.
Figure 10. RFH Laser Controller Panel
Figure 11.Inngu Laser Controller Panel
Caution: Avoid looking directly into the beam of the laser or the
reflection of the laser beam as that may cause injury to your eyes. Please
put on protective goggles when operating the laser.
Important: The laser system is the integral part of the SL System and

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must only be operated (besides turning on/off) by trained technical
personnel under guidance of our technical support engineers.
2.1.7 Main Power Switch
The main power switch (see Figure 12) is located at the back of machine.
Turn clockwise to switch on and anti-clockwise to switch off.
Figure 12.Main Power Switch
Important: Please ensure that the machine is properly grounded before
switching on or it may damage the laser system or the electrical
components.
2.2 Start/Stop SL
2.2.1 Start SL
a) Turn main power switch clockwise to switch on.
b) Power indicator light will turn on. Push the Control On button to
power on the control system and the monitor will turn on.
c) The standard recommended temperature setting is 32℃. However,
for resin which does not require heating, shut off the heater system.

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d) Turn on the laser controller as described in Appendix 1–RFH Laser or
Appendix 2–Inggu Laser according to the model of your laser system.
2.2.2 Stop SL
a) Push the Heater On button to turn function off if temperature control
system is in use. Push the Light On button to turn off the LED lights in
the build chamber.
b) Shut down the OS.
c) Turn off the laser controller as described in Appendix 1–RFH Laser or
Appendix 2–Inggu Laser according to the model of your laser system.
d) Push the Laser On button to turn off the laser system.
e) Push the Control On button to turn off the control system.
f) Turn the main power switch anti-clockwise to shut down the
machine.
Note: Please shut down the machine as the above method if it is not to
be in use for a prolonged period of time. When not in use for a short
period, do not turn the laser power off, just push the LDD/Diode and
QSW/QS-On buttons on the laser controller. The resin should also be
drained from the vat into storage containers. To preserve the resin, these
containers should be stored away from sunlight and in a temperature
and humidity controlled place.

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3 Software of SL
3.1 Software Introduction
Zero build software comes pre-installed in the computer system supplied
with the SL series 3D printer. You will see the Zero icon on the
desktop of OS. Double click on the icon and the Zero interface window
(see Figure 13) pops up.
Figure 13.Zero Interface (Ctrl + click on numbering for feature details)
1 -Build Project File Frame: Add/Delete SLC files, Placement of part on
build platform, and viewing file information.
2
1
3
4
6
5
O
L
E
_
L
I
N
K
5
7
8

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Add: Add SLC file. Zero supports adding multiple files simultaneously.
Note: Press and hold Shift or Ctrl keys and left-click the mouse to select
multiple files at a time.
Delete: Delete the selected SLC files.
Save: Save the added files as a project. The project will contain the
part placement information for convenience when repeating the
print project.
Open: Open a project file.
Part Dimensions: Display the dimensions of the selected SLC file/part.
Est. Weight: Estimated weight of the parts to be printed from the
selected SLC file.
Edit: Click Edit button and the CopiesEdit window (see Figure 14) pops
up.

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Figure 14.CopiesEdit Window
Note: The block in the grid represents the added SLC file/part. The grid in
the CopiesEdit window represents the build plate. Left click the mouse
and hold to drag the block/part to place it on the build plate for printing.
It is recommended that you centralize the parts on the build plate for
printing.
a) Auto Distribute: The software will automatically centralize the added
files/parts to be printed on the build plate. Offset refers to the
distance between the parts. Click on the Do button to execute the
Auto Distribute command.
b) Auto-Position: To array and make multiple copies of a selected part.
The values in the Row and Column window indicate the number of
parts per row and per column respectively. Offset is used for setting
the distances between the parts. Click on the Add button to execute
the Auto-Position command.
c) Move: To move the selected file/part. The value in the dx window is

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the distance in the X direction and the value in the dy window is the
distance in the Y direction. Click on the Accept button to confirm.
d) Rotate: To rotate the selected file/part. Set the required angle for
rotation and click on the Accept button to confirm.
e) Delete: To delete copies of the original part. This function will not
delete original part.
f) Close: Close the window, and automatically save any changes made.
2- Tools Bar
Figure 15.Tools Bar
New: New project.
Open: Open project.
Save: Save project.
Add: Add SLC files/parts.
Delete: Delete the selected file/part.
Home: Click on the Home button to return the motion system (build
plate, recoater, and resin plunger) to their respective home
positions.
Build：Click on the Build button and the BuildWarn window (see Figure
16) pops up.

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Figure 16.Build Warn Window
a) Gap axis compensate: There is a gap, about 0.15mm, between
recoater and resin level. This may cause the height of the finished
part to be in excess of 0.15mm. The actual required height of the
part is maintained by ticking the “Gap axis compensate” feature.
Note: Do not select this function if printing with raft or if finished part
needs to be polished.
b) Precise mode: High resolution printing function.
c) Rapid mode: Quick printing function.
Pause: Pause printing.
Restart: Restart printing.
Stop: Stop printing.
Setup: Setup the parameters of the machine.
Platform: Manual control of the motion system. Click on the platform
button and the Platform window (see Figure 17) pops up.
The waiting time before printing

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Figure 17.Platform Window
Z Axis: Control the movement of build plate, upwards or downwards.
Position in Z/Coating Axis indicates the relative position of the
build plate/recoater to home position.
Go to zero position.
R Axis: Control the movement of resin plunger (used to adjust the
resin level), upwards or downwards.
Level in R Axis indicates the resin level value measured by sensor.
Coating Axis: Control the movement of recoater (used to sweep the
resin), forwards or backwards.
Stir: Move the build plate upwards and downwards in the vat to stir
the resin (see details in Figure 18).
Laser: To measure & display the laser power, turn on/off the QSwitch
& Diode, set the current/ratio of the laser, move the laser to
Home/To Park positions, etc. (see details in Figure 19).
Resin Level: Resin level indicator. When the resin level is low, the

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indicator bar will turn red. Top up the resin till the
indicator bar turns blue (see details in Figure 20).
Note:
a) For Z/R Axis, this button controls the build plate/resin plunger
upwards. In the Coating Axis, the button moves the recoater
backwards (away from the user).
b) For Z/R Axis, this button controls the build plate/resin plunger
downwards. In the Coating Axis, the button moves the recoater
forwards (towards the user).
c) To move the build plate/resin plunger/recoater to specified
distances (0.5mm, 2mm or user-specified distance).
d) This button in the Z Axis/R Axis/Coating Axis control is for
stopping the movement of the respective axes.
e) To disable the respective motors.
f)
Figure 18.Stir in Platform
Distance from build plate’s
Home position to
begin moving build
plate downward.
Distance of build plates’
downwards movement.
Speed of build plate’s
movement
Stirring time
Begin stirring