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Replacing the Form Cure L V2 heaters

Replacing the Form Cure L V2 heaters

The Form Cure L V2 has two heaters. These two heaters preheat the chamber to the correct temperature for post-curing parts. If one or both of the heaters are faulty or malfunctioning, the machine may not be able to reach its target temperature.

Use this guide to replace the heaters on a Form Cure L V2.

Required Supplies:

Required Supplies:

Formlabs:

  • Replacement heater
    • RP-CU2L-HTR-120-01
    • RP-CU2L-HTR-230-01
  • 2.5 mm hex driver (included in the Form 4 or Form 4L tool caddy)

Third-party:

  • Nitrile gloves
  • Anti-static grounding strap

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Preparing the workspace

Overview: Prepare the Form Cure L V2 and workspace for replacing the heaters.

Step 1: Prepare the workspace

Clear a workspace around your machine. Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated and free of dust.

Step 2: Unplug the machine

Turn off the machine using the power switch on the back of the unit. Disconnect the power cable before continuing with maintenance. Do not perform maintenance on the machine while it is connected to power. Wait five minutes after disconnecting the machine from power before proceeding. If the machine was recently in use, the post-cure chamber will be warm. Wait at least 10 minutes for the chamber to cool.

Danger:

Performing maintenance on the machine while it is plugged in increases the risk of electric shock. Never remove the machine's shells while it is plugged in. Never reconnect the machine to power while the shells are uninstalled.

Step 3: Remove the glass turntable

Open the curing chamber door. Gently lift the glass turntable off of the turntable coupler and set it aside.

Step 2: Remove the glass turntable

Removing the heaters

Overview: Unplug and remove the original heaters.

Step 1: Remove the rear shell

Rotate the machine so you can access its rear shell. Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, loosen and remove the 14 screws securing the rear shell to the frame of the machine. Set the screws and shell aside.

Step 1: Remove the rear shell

Step 2: Disconnect the heaters

Remove the heater wires from the groove in the insulation panel. Disconnect the two sets of red and black heater wires by pulling the connectors apart. Do not pull on the wires themselves.

Step 2: Disconnect the heaters

Step 3: Remove the inner fan cover

Using a 2.5 hex driver, unscrew and remove the four convection fan panel retention screws at the back of the post-cure chamber. Set the screws aside. Remove the panel from the machine and set it aside.

Step 3: Remove the inner fan cover

Step 4: Unmount the heater wires

The heater wires are secured to the back of the post-cure chamber with two metal clips. U sing a 2.5 mm hex driver, remove the screws holding the clips in place. Set the clips and screws aside.

Pull the wires and rubber grommets forward, into the post-cure chamber. Separate the grommets from the wires and set them aside.

Step 4: Unmount the heater wires

Step 5: Remove the heaters

Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, loosen and remove the four screws securing the heaters to the Form Cure L V2 (two per heater). Set the screws and heaters aside for disposal with electronic waste.

Step 5: Remove the heaters

Installing the replacement heaters

Overview: Mount, secure, and connect the new heaters.

Step 1: Mount and secure the heaters

Orient the heaters with the wires pointing down and the brackets facing inwards. Hold the heaters against the back wall of the post-cure chamber and align the screw holes in the heater brackets with the corresponding holes in the Form Cure L V2. Thread one heater mounting screw into each of the four screw holes. Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, tighten until snug.

Step 1: Mount and secure the heaters

Step 2: Route the heater wires

Place a rubber grommet around the white portion of the heater wires, near where they are spliced to the red and black wires. Feed the heater wires through the nearby hole in the back of the post-cure chamber, then push the rubber grommet into place. Repeat for the second heater.

Step 3: Secure the heater wires

Place a metal clip over the heater wires and align the screw hole in the clip with the corresponding hole in the back of the post-cure chamber. Make sure that the wires are held in place by the raised portions of the clip and are not bent or pinched. Thread a mounting screw into the screw hole and use a 2.5 mm hex driver to tighten until snug. Repeat for the second heater.

Step 3: Secure the heater wires

Step 4: Connect the heater wires

Connect the heater wires, following the connections shown in the image here. Tuck the wires into the groove in the insulation panel.

Step 4: Connect the heater wires

Step 5: Reinstall the convection fan panel

Rotate the machine so the front is accessible and open the door. Mount the fan panel at the back of the post-cure chamber, aligning the screw holes in the cover with the corresponding screw holes in the back wall of the chamber. Thread one button head screw into each of the four screw holes in the panel. Using a 2.5 hex driver, tighten the screws until snug.

Step 5: Reinstall the convection fan panel

Step 6: Mount and secure the rear shell

Mount the rear shell back onto the machine. Thread one rear shell retention screw into each of the 14 screw holes in the rear shell. Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, tighten the screws until snug.

Step 6: Mount and secure the rear shell

Finalizing the repair

Overview: After installing the new heaters, perform final checks.

Step 1: Insert the turntable

Place the turntable onto the turntable mount.

Step 2: Power on the machine

Close the door. Connect the power cable to the and the power supply. Flip the breaker switch on the back of the unit to the ON position to turn on the machine. The Form Cure L initializes.

Step 3: Test the repair

Start a post-cure cycle and check that the machine reaches its target temperature and operates normally.