Fortus F170 3D Printer Procedure
This SOP provides a clear process for safely and efficiently operating the Fortus F170 3D printer. Make sure to consult the full user manual for detailed maintenance and troubleshooting instructions.
Conestoga College - SMART Centre
09/24/2024
Fortus F170 3D Printer Procedure
This SOP provides a clear process for safely and efficiently operating the Fortus F170 3D printer. Make sure to consult the full user manual for detailed maintenance and troubleshooting instructions.
Hot Surfaces: Wear heat-resistant gloves when accessing the oven after printing. High Voltage: Risk of electric shock Moving Parts: Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around the printer. Electrical Hazard: Ensure the printer is powered off and unplugged before performing maintenance.
Calibration
Calibration ensures accurate printing and must be performed after head replacements, material changes, or if print quality issues arise.
Automatic Tip Calibration: Performed automatically when the print heads are replaced or when prompted by the printer. Navigate to: Tools > Calibration > Tip Calibration > Automatic Tip Calibration. Press Start and follow the on-screen wizard. The system will automatically align the tips based on X, Y, and Z axis offsets, which is crucial for accurate part quality. Manual Tip Calibration: Recommended if higher accuracy is needed. Navigate to: Tools > Calibration > Tip Calibration > Manual Tip Calibration. Print a calibration part, then follow the steps to adjust the X, Y, and Z offsets manually. Note: Calibration values should be within ±0.002 inches for optimal results
The printer performs a Z Zero Calibration before each print job to ensure proper layer adhesion. No user input is required; the printer automatically calibrates the Z-axis by touching the print tip to the platen
Material Loading
Pull out the material bay located at the front of the printer. The left bay is for model material, and the right bay is for support material.
Insert the model and support spools, ensuring the filament is loaded properly into the drive mechanism.
Follow on-screen instructions to load the filament. Wait for the material to load into the print head successfully.
Printing
Prepare the model file using GrabCAD Print software. Ensure the file is in the required format (CMB file).
Load the file via USB or network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Access the file from the printer’s Queue page.
Select the job and press Print on the Build page
Monitor progress via the touchscreen or remotely through the GrabCAD Print app. The build status, material usage, and estimated time of completion will be displayed on the touchscreen
Use the Pause button if you need to halt the print temporarily Use the Abort button to stop the print entirely, if needed.
Post-Printing
Once the build is complete, unlock and open the oven door. Carefully remove the part from the platen.
Clean accumulated purged material from the purge chute
Maintenance
Clean the Oven Chamber: Remove build material debris from the bottom of the oven chamber using a vacuum. Failure to clean regularly can cause damage to the printer Clean the Platen: Clean the steel platen to ensure a smooth surface for substrate adhesion
Inspect Tip Wipe Assemblies: Ensure that the tip wipes are clean and functioning. Replace if worn Check and Clean Exterior Surfaces: Wipe down the exterior surfaces and touchscreen display with a lint-free cloth
Source: Conestoga College - SMART Centre (Community Member)