LIVRE BLANC
Product glossary (Form 2)
Product glossary (Form 2)
Use this glossary and 3D model as a guide to explore the inside components of the Form 2. The interactive printer and definitions may also be helpful to diagnose issues when printing.
Before viewing the notations in the 3D model, play the Disassembly animation (click on Static Pose if the animation is not already playing). Press the Pause button at any time. Drag the slider on the bottom of the window to skip to any point. Notations on the model will work best at the end of the animation.
Composants externes
| Item | Description | Image |
| Shell | This metal covering protects the printer's internal components. It is made from two pieces. |  |
| Leveling feet | Each corner of the printer is supported by a rubber foot that is threaded into the bottom of the machine. When prompted by the touchscreen, use the leveling tool to raise or lower each foot to ensure that the printer is acceptably level. |  |
Ensemble d’affichage
| Item | Description | Image |
| Touchscreen | The LCD displays print information, settings, and error messages. It serves as the user interface for the Form 2. |  |
| Display PCB | This circuit board, separated from the main motherboard, controls the touchscreen. |  |
| Ribbon cable | This cable connects the touchscreen to the motherboard. |  |
| Push button | The button starts and pauses prints when prompted by the touchscreen. Hold the button to wake and sleep the printer. |  |
Orange cover
| Item | Description | Image |
| Orange cover | The cover is injection molded from high impact strength polycarbonate. It is tinted orange to block exposure to the laser and to protect the resin from curing due to ambient UV light. |  |
| Latch magnets | The latch magnets secure the orange cover in place. |  |
| Interlock magnets | The interlock sensor detects these magnets to determine when the cover is closed. This safety mechanism triggers the Cover Open message on the touchscreen and disables the laser when the cover is open. |  |
Cartouche
| Item | Description | Image |
| Cartridge | This container holds the resin before dispensing into the resin tank. Shake the cartridge periodically to keep resin well mixed. |  |
| Vent cap | The lid at the top of the cartridge allows for air interchange, so that resin dispenses properly. The vent cap must be pushed open prior to printing. |  |
| Cartridge ID chip | An Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) chip is attached to the cartridge skirt and is programmed with the resin type. This chip communicates to the printer via spring fingers on the cartridge floor. |  |
| Bite valve | This flexible seal regulates resin dispensing. Resin flows out when the cartridge dispense arm squeezes the valve open. |  |
Support de la cartouche
| Item | Description | Image |
| Cartridge spring fingers | Two electrical contacts comprise the spring fingers located on the cartridge floor. The physical contact establishes an electrical connection with the cartridge ID chip to detect the cartridge. |  |
| Cartridge dispense arm | This plastic hook presses against the bite valve to dispense resin out of the cartridge into the resin tank. |  |
Axe Z
| Item | Description | Image |
| Z-tower | This vertical tower at the back of the printer provides support for many parts of the Form 2. The build platform is raised and lowered along the Z-axis, inside the tower. The Z-tower also encloses the resin cartridge and the mechanisms for dispensing the resin into the tank. |  |
| Lead screw | The lead screw controls the vertical motion of the build platform carriage. |  |
| Z-axis limit switch | This optical sensor tells the motor driver when the build platform has reached the top of the tower. |  |
Plateforme de fabrication
| Item | Description | Image |
| Build platform | The aluminum base provides a surface for prints to attach to. |  |
| Cam handle | This lever is part of the locking mechanism that secures the build platform. Raise the cam handle before inserting the build platform, and lower the cam handle to lock the platform into place. |  |
| Build platform carriage | The carriage is the metal arm that the build platform slides onto. |  |
| Cam lock spring | The spring mechanism inside the build platform carriage allows the cam handle to move up and down. It also mechanically locks and unlocks the build platform. |  |
| Cam lock set screws (x3) | These three screws are used for adjusting the tension in the cam lock. We advise contacting Support before adjusting these screws, as improper adjustment can lead to damage to the machine. |  |
Bac à résine
| Item | Description | Image |
| Resin tank | The polycarbonate resin tank is the primary container for holding resin after it is dispensed from the cartridge. Resin is cured onto the build platform when the laser passes through the tank's acrylic plastic window. Only use approved chemicals and processes to clean the resin tank. |  |
| Tank grips | Plastic handles on each side of the resin tank help to more easily insert, remove, and carry the tank. Avoid touching the bottom of the resin tank, as fingerprints can leave smudges that obstruct the optical path. |  |
| Tank spout | This spout at the back of the resin tank sits underneath the cartridge dispense hole and receives resin from the cartridge. |  |
| Elastic layer | A coating of elastic material on the bottom of the tank enables a smooth peeling process. Over time this material will cloud from printing, and eventually, the tank must be replaced. |  |
| Resin tank ID chip | The resin tank's ID chip uses Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). The tank spring fingers read the chip to detect the unique tank ID and current resin type. |  |
| Wiper | Each resin tank includes a wiper. The wiper improves print consistency by clearing the build area after each layer and circulating the resin. |  |
| Insertion foot | The insertion foot is located on the bottom of the wiper and holds the wiper to the wiper mount. |  |
| Wiper mount | The wiper mount connects the wiper to the belt drive system. Insert the wiper's insertion foot into the metal bracket before printing. |  |
Optical window
| Item | Description | Image |
| Optical window | Located underneath the resin tank, the optical window is a glass plate with an anti-reflective coating. It protects the sensitive mirrors inside the printer from dust and other contamination. Maintain a clean optical window to prevent print failures. |  |
Le support mobile du bac
| Item | Description | Image |
| Tank carrier | The tank carrier holds the resin tank and slides left and right during the peel process. Each printer's alignment is uniquely calibrated at the factory. Any change to this alignment via unscrewing or tampering may cause print issues that can only be resolved by a return for re-calibration. |  |
| Shuttle cover | The shuttle cover protects the interior of the printer from spilled resin. It can catch up to 50 mL of resin in the trough located at the front, just under the printer's shell. |  |
| Tank spring fingers | These electrical contacts are embedded in the tank carrier. They read the resin tank's EEPROM ID chip to sense the tank's presence and to communicate the resin type to PreForm. |  |
Carte mère
| Item | Description | Image |
| Motherboard | The motherboard is the main circuitry through which all systems in the printer communicate. |  |
| Power supply | The Form 2 utilizes a 100–240 V power supply. The internal power supply converts line power to +24V DC. |  |
| Motor drivers | Located on the motherboard, these three small chips control the three stepper motors in the machine (build platform, wiper, and tank carrier). Each driver connects to its motor via the cable socket directly in front of the chip. |  |
| To front display (connector) | This connector links the display to the motherboard via a ribbon cable. |  |
| Wi-Fi antenna | The Wi-Fi antenna enables the Form 2's wireless connectivity. The antenna pokes through a hole on the printer's motherboard. |  |
| Ethernet port | The Form 2 can connect to a network via Ethernet. The port is connected to the motherboard and can be accessed from the back of the machine. |  |
| USB port | The Form 2 can connect to a computer via USB. The port is connected to the motherboard and can be accessed from the back of the machine. |  |
Wiper actuator
| Item | Description | Image |
| Wiper belt | This geared rubber belt connects the wiper mount to the wiper motor. As the motor turns, the belt moves the wiper back and forth across the resin tank. |  |
Capteur de niveau de résine
| Item | Description | Image |
| LevelSense board | The black panel behind the resin tank measures and regulates the refill rate of the resin in the tank. Any contamination can affect its accuracy and may lead to problems printing. Clean the LevelSense board with a small amount of clean IPA if contaminated. |  |
| Thermopile | The thermopile is an infrared (IR) sensor located on the LevelSense board that senses resin tank temperature. If it is contaminated with resin, please contact Support. |  |
Optique
| Item | Description | Image |
| Shrouds (baffles) | These flexible plastic shields enclose and protect the printer's internal components, especially the optical path. The shrouds are attached by reusable plastic rivets. |  |
| Laser | The laser is the source of curing energy in the Form 2. It has a 405 nm violet diode and a maximum output of 250 mW. The Form 2 is a Class 1 laser product. |  |
| Galvanometers (a.k.a. galvos) | The galvanometers are small, fast, and precise motors that guide the laser. One controls the movement of the laser in the Y-axis, and the other controls the X-axis. |  |
| Galvo mirrors | These small mirrors are affixed to the galvanometer rotors to guide the laser toward the main mirror. |  |
| Main mirror | After reflecting off the galvo mirrors, the laser is redirected up through the optical window and resin tank to cure the resin. |  |