The Form 3L cover is secured in the upright position with a gas spring to prevent the cover from closing suddenly. A damaged gas spring may obstruct the cover from opening and closing properly.

Use this guide to replace the Form 3L cover, the Form 3L gas spring, or both.

Estimated time: 20–30 minutes

Overview: Prepare the Form 3L and a dust-free workspace for replacing the cover and gas spring.

Step 1: Remove the build platform

Remove the build platform first to avoid dripping resin into the printer cavity.

Step 2: Remove the resin cartridges

Remove the resin cartridges and close the vent caps to prevent resin from dripping off the bite valves and into the printer.

Step 3: Remove and store the resin tank

Remove the resin tank, place it in the resin tank case, and cover it with its lid. Set the case and tank aside on a clean, flat surface.

Step 4: Prepare the workspace

Clear a workspace around your printer. Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated and free of dust. Prepare additional space for storing the rear panel of the printer during maintenance.

Step 5: Unplug the printer

Disconnect the power cable before continuing with maintenance. Do not perform maintenance on the printer while it is connected to power. Wait five minutes after disconnecting the printer from power before proceeding.

Step 6: Clean the printer cavity

Open the printer cover. Check inside the printer cavity to ensure that no resin has pooled on the printer floor. Clean any resin inside the printer cavity with paper towels. Dampen the paper towels with isopropyl alcohol if necessary to fully remove the resin.

Overview: Unscrew and remove the rear shell of the printer.

Step 1: Remove the Wi-Fi antenna nut

Unscrew and remove the nut from the base of the Wi-Fi connector. The Wi-Fi connector is attached to the printer’s motherboard and remains in place when the rear shell is removed.

Overview: Remove the gas spring retaining rings and disconnect the gas spring from the printer.

Step 1: Open the cover

Open the printer cover.

Step 2: Locate the retaining rings

A retaining ring is located at each end of the gas spring. Note the orientation of the retaining rings for reinstallation. To unlock a retaining ring, rotate it until the curved section of the retaining ring unhooks from the shaft of the gas spring.

Step 3: Remove the retaining ring

Slide the retaining ring towards the center of the gas spring to remove it. Repeat for the second retaining ring.

Step 4: Remove the gas spring

Two people are required for this step. Have one person lift the cover slightly past its open position. Have the second person grasp the rear end of the gas spring and pull it away from the wall to which it is attached. Once one end of the gas spring is detached, the person holding the cover must support the full weight of the cover.

Gently close the cover. Detach the other end of the gas spring. If you are only replacing the cover, set aside the gas spring for later reinstallation. If you are only replacing the gas spring, skip to Reinstalling the gas spring. Otherwise, continue.

Overview: Unmount and uninstall the printer cover.

Step 2: Remove the cover

Two people are required for this step. Have both people lift the cover at an angle and pull outward, being mindful of the gas spring arm on the right side of the cover. If you are replacing the cover, set aside the cover for disposal.

Overview: Install the new cover by manually moving the gas spring arm into position and slide the hinge under the top panel.

Step 1: Adjust the gas spring arm

Two people are required for this step. While one person lifts the cover into position over the cavity, the second person manually maneuvers the gas spring arm into the hole on the printer chassis.

Step 2: Slide the cover hinge under the top panel

Lower the cover. Gently lift the top panel on the printer and slide the cover hinge underneath. Align the four screw holes on the cover hinge and the top panel.

Overview: Install the gas spring after the cover is in position..

Step 1: Insert retaining ring into extended end of the gas spring

The retaining ring holes can be difficult to locate and access after the gas spring is installed. To ease installation, partially insert one retaining ring through the hole in the socket at the extended end of the gas spring. Only insert it through one hole; the ring should not be visible inside the gas spring socket. Hold the retaining ring in place inside the gas spring with your thumb and index finger. Keep the retaining ring in this position when inserting the extended end of the gas spring into the printer.

Step 2: Install and secure the extended end of the gas spring

Leave the cover in the downward position. With the retaining ring kept in place with your thumb and forefinger, install the extended end of the gas spring onto the ball on the cover. Press the gas spring socket onto the ball until you hear an audible click. Note that installation of the retaining ring is not possible if the socket is not correctly attached to the ball.

Use your thumb and index finger to fully insert the retaining ring into the socket, then rotate the retaining ring about the shaft and press firmly into place to lock the gas spring in place. The retaining ring should sit in the groove between the gas spring and shaft.

Step 4: Install the retaining ring

Install the retaining ring on the rear end of the gas spring. The long end of the retaining ring slides through the small holes in the gas spring socket.

Rotate the retaining ring about the shaft and press firmly into place to lock the gas spring in place.

Overview: After performing any other maintenance procedures, reinstall and secure the rear shell.

Step 1: Connect the rear fan

Lay the rear shell down behind the printer. Reconnect the two ends of the rear fan cable. Secure the fan cable to the rear shell with a strip of polyimide tape.

Step 2: Replace the rear shell

Place the rear shell back onto the printer, taking care to align the five pins on the shell with their respective holes. Press it towards the front of the printer to ensure that it fully seats in place. There should be no gaps between the rear shell and the side or bottom shells.

Step 3: Secure the rear shell

Using a T8 or T10 Torx driver, screw the 21 screws into the rear of the printer.

Overview: After installing the new cover and gas spring, check if the cover stays open on its own and power on the printer.

Step 1: Test the cover

Ensure that the cover opens and closes smoothly and that the gas spring functions as intended. The cover should be able to remain open without assistance.

Step 2: Power on the printer

Plug in the printer to make sure that it can detect that the cover is closed. The printer should only display the Open Cover message when the cover is opened. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller to share the results of the procedure.