Zcorporation zprinter 450 User manual

9/25/09
ZPRINTER®350
ZPRINTER®450
QUICK START GUIDE
Part Number 09569
Rev. D

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Overview - ZPrinter 350/ZPrinter 450
Build
Chamber
Binder Cartridge
Debris Separator
Vacuum Hose
Fast Axis
Deck
Service Station
Top Cover
Control Panel
Air Wand
Heater (450 only)
Build Bed
Arm Holes
Glove Box
(450 only)
Control KnobLCD Display
Fine Powder
Removal Chamber
Parking Caps
(450 only)

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Push the Control Knob once to:
• Bring up the printer menu.
• Select a menu command.
• Start/Stop/Cancel a menu function.
Turn the Control Knob left/right to highlight menu items.
When selecting the Raise/Lower Platform commands,
hold the Control Knob down to raise/lower the platform.
Rear View
External
Connections
Power Switch
Nameplate (Serial Number)
Power Cord
Connection
External Connections
Network Connection
(Ethernet RJ-45)

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Welcome To The ZPrinter®350/
ZPrinter®450 Quick Start Guide
This Guide is intended as a handy reference for users who are
familiar with their 3D printer and just need to print a part. The
Guide assumes that:
• The ZPrinter is properly installed and running, and that no
errors are displayed on the ZPrinter control panel.
• The ZPrint™ Software is installed and running, and is config-
ured properly for your printer and choice of powder. For
ZPrint installation instructions, see the ZPrint™ Software
Manual.
• The printer is loaded with enough materials to complete the
build.
• The printer is up to date on its routine maintenance.
• The printer is connected to the same network as the com-
puter that is running ZPrint.
For more details, please refer to the ZPrinter 350 Hardware
Manual or the ZPrinter 450 Hardware Manual. The Manual is
included on the installation CD with your ZPrint software.
We encourage all customers to logon to our 3DP User Web site at
zcentral.zcorp.com to learn more about 3D printing, materials,
Best Practices, and post-processing techniques.
1. Steps To Print
Follow the steps outlined in the sections below to print your part.
Section Title Page
2CheckThePrinter 5
3 Setup Your Build And
Print
6
4 Gross Powder Removal 7
5FinePowderRemoval7
6 Routine Cleaning After
Every Build
8
7 Post-Processing With
Z-Bond
11
8 Replace a Print Head 12
Where To Go For More
Information
13

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2. Check The Printer
Before you start your print job, it’s important that you check the
printer. A clean, well-maintained printer produces better
parts, has less downtime, and needs fewer service calls.
1. Check for loose powder in or around the Build Bed, Fast
Axis, and Deck. If you need to clean these areas, follow the
steps in Section 6.1, “Vacuum Up Excess Powder”.
2. Check that the Debris Separator, the Rails and Carriage, the
Service Station and Parking Caps are clean. If any of these
need cleaning, follow the procedures in these sections:
•Section 6.2, “Empty The Debris Separator”
•Section 6.3, “Clean The Rails and Carriage”
•Section 6.4, “Clean The Service Station”
•Section 6.5, “Clean the Parking Caps (ZPrinter
450 only)”
Service
Station
Build
Bed
Deck
Fast
Axis
Deck
Debris Separator
Rails and Carriage
(hidden)
Parking
Caps
(450 only)

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3. Setup Your Build And Print
Now that your printer is clean, you need to open up the 3D file
using ZPrint, and select your printing parameters.
1. Open your file in ZPrint.
2. Select File > 3D Print Setup, or click on the Toolbar.,
to open the 3D Print Setup dialog.
3. Check your printer settings to be sure the correct printer
and powder are displayed.
• If you need to change any settings, refer to the Setup
and Print the Build section of the Hardware Manual
for your printer.
4. Select File >3D Print, or click on the Toolbar, to open
the Printer Status dialog.
5. Check the Printer Status window. If all the Print Head,
Powder, and General items display OK, the Print button is
enabled.
If any items need attention, the Print button is disabled.
• If the printer only needs a new print head, and you are
comfortable performing the steps required, see the
Replace a Print Head section of this Guide.
• Otherwise, refer to the Additional Operations section
of the Hardware Manual for your printer. There you’ll
find details on how to get the printer ready and clear
any messages.
6. Select any Print Options for this build. If the part has deli-
cate features, deselect the option for Empty Build Piston
After Printing (ZPrinter 450 only).
7. Click Print to start your build.
8. The Printing dialog opens and reports the status of the
print job for as the build progresses.
•ClickthePause button to pause the current print job,
Click again to resume printing.
•ClicktheCancel button to cancel printing this job.

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4. Gross Powder Removal
When the build is finished, you will need to remove the powder
around the part.
4.1 Automatic Powder Removal
(ZPrinter 450 only)
When the build is finished, the printer starts an automatic,
heated drying cycle. A counter on the printer LCD counts down
the time remaining before the part is dry.
After the drying cycle completes, the
printer automatically removes excess
powder by vibrating the Build Bed and
vacuuming through the bottom of the
Build Bed.
Remove the part and carefully transfer
it to the Fine Powder Removal Cham-
ber.
4.2 Manual Powder Removal
When the build is finished, the printer starts an automatic drying
cycle (heated on the ZPrinter 450; unheated on the ZPrinter
350). A counter on the printer LCD counts down the time
remaining before the part is dry.
1. Close the top cover, then select VACUUM & DEPOWDER
on the LCD menu. Open the cover. The vacuum starts.
2. Vacuum powder from around the
part. Be careful around delicate
sections. Use the Control Knob to
move the Build Platform up as
needed.
3. Carefully move the part to the
Fine Powder Removal Chamber.
5. Fine Powder Removal
Any loose powder on the part must be removed before proceed-
ing with the post-processing steps.
1. Close the top cover, then select VACUUM & DEPOWDER
on the LCD menu. The vacuum and compressor start.
2. Test the air flow against your hand and adjust as needed.
Turn the Control Knob left to decrease pressure, or right to
increase pressure.
3. Using the Air Wand, remove all
remaining powder on the part.
4. Push the Control Knob once to
turn the air compressor off.
Return the Air Wand to its clip.
5. Allow the part to dry longer in
the Fine Powder Removal Cham-
ber while you perform the Routine Cleaning described in
Section 6.

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6. Routine Cleaning After Every Build
After every build, it is important to clean your printer following
the steps below.
A clean, well-maintained printer produces better parts,
has less downtime, and needs fewer service calls.
Routine cleaning includes the following steps:
• Vacuum Up Excess Powder
• Empty The Debris Separator
• Clean The Rails and Carriage
• Clean The Service Station
• Clean the Parking Caps (ZPrinter 450 only)
6.1 Vacuum Up Excess Powder
Vacuum the Build Bed, the Fast Axis, and the Deck.
1. Close the top cover, then select VACUUM & DEPOWDER
on the LCD menu. Open the cover. The vacuum starts.
2. Vacuum the following areas:
• The top of the Fast Axis; also reach inside to vacuum
the Rails and the Printhead Carriage.
• The Build Bed (but not the Feeder side).
• The deck around the Build Bed.
Note: Be careful not to vacuum inside the service sta-
tion itself.
3. Press the Control Knob once to turn off the vacuum.
6.2 Empty The Debris Separator
1. Pull the Debris Separator
out of its holder on the printer.
2. Empty the contents into a
trash receptacle.
3. Use the soft brush found in
the Accessory Kit to brush
caked on powder from the
screen.
4. Return the empty Debris
Separator to its holder. Be sure to push the Separator flat
against the panel for a secure fit.
6.3 Clean The Rails and Carriage
1. Pull the Fast Axis out toward you.
2. Using a paper towel dampened
with distilled water, wipe the top
and bottom Rails. Move the Car-
riage back and forth as needed to
clean the entire length of both
rails.
3. Using a clean, dry paper towel,
thoroughly dry both Rails.
4. Using a fresh paper towel, wipe the Carriage to remove any
powder. Also clean the Build Bed and Deck.

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6.4 Clean The Service Station
Before you begin:
• Get several dry paper towels and a cotton swab.
• Get the squirt bottle filled with distilled water.
• Wear disposable gloves.
• Get the Pick and Syringe from the Accessories Kit.
1. Open the printer top cover and the Service Station cover.
2. Place paper towels around the Service Station. Also cover
the front overflow and the Build Bed.
3. Pull the Service Station wiper lever all the way forward until
the rubber squeegees are fully exposed. Hold the lever in
this position while you clean the squeegees.
4. Squirt water on and around the squeegees.
Important: Don’t get water in the front overflow or on the
build bed.
5. Wipe the front and back of the squeegees clean. Use the
Pick to scrape away any excess powder.
6. Thoroughly clean and dry the
•ServiceStation
•Deck
•BuildBed
• Front Overflow.
7. Push the wiper lever back to its original position.
Wiper
Lever
Squeegees
Squeegees
Wiper
Lever

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6.5 Clean the Parking Caps
(ZPrinter 450 only)
Before you begin:
• Get several dry paper towels and a cotton swab.
• Get the squirt bottle filled with distilled water.
• Wear disposable gloves.
• Get the Pick and Syringe from the Accessories Kit.
1. Lift the Parking Cap cover to a horizontal position and place
dry paper towels underneath.
2. Squirt the distilled water onto the caps. Do not squirt water
onto the Build Bed.
3. Use a cotton swab and dry paper towel to wipe the caps
clean. Use the pick if needed to remove any powder.
4. Remove the paper towels from under the caps and wipe up
any excess water on the deck.
5. Be sure the Parking Caps are completely dry before starting
your next build.