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Cleaning a failed print with the cleaning mesh (Form 3L/Form 3BL)

Cleaning a failed print with the cleaning mesh (Form 3L/Form 3BL)

Print failures can be messy. The tank tool included in the Finish Kit may have trouble gripping and removing cured resin if it is small or oddly shaped. Instead, The Form 3L/Form 3BL has the option to print a cleaning mesh that binds the cured resin together into a single piece that can be easily extracted from the tank. Print a cleaning mesh through the Settings menu on the printer's touchscreen.

Note:

Your printer must be running firmware version 1.7.4 or later to use the cleaning mesh.

The following resins can currently be used to print the cleaning mesh in the Form 3L/Form 3BL:

  • BioMed Amber Resin
  • BioMed Black Resin
  • BioMed Clear Resin
  • Black Resin
  • Castable Wax Resin
  • Clear Resin
  • Color Resin
  • Custom Tray Resin
  • Dental LT Clear Resin
  • Draft Resin V2
  • Grey Resin
  • Grey Pro Resin
  • IBT Resin
  • Model Resin V2
  • Model Resin V3
  • Rigid 4000 Resin
  • Rigid 10K Resin
  • Surgical Guide Resin
  • Tough 1500 Resin
  • Tough 2000 Resin
  • White Resin

Printing a cleaning mesh

The cleaning mesh is a thin part that prints directly on the flexible film and is perfect for removing several print failures from a resin tank at the same time. It should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.

To begin printing the cleaning mesh:

  1. Check that no print job is currently active and your printer is in the Idle status.
  2. Insert the resin tank that experienced the print failure into the printer.
  3. Tap Settings > Maintenance > Cleaning Mesh. The Print Cleaning Mesh screen appears.
  4. Tap Clean. The cleaning mesh begins printing.

Note:

The build platform does not lower into the tank while the cleaning mesh is printing.

Preparing the workspace to remove a cleaning mesh

The cleaning mesh causes other bits of cured resin to adhere and become caught in a net. After the cleaning mesh has finished printing, it is time to remove all cured resin from the resin tank.

To remove the cleaning mesh from the resin tank:

  1. Put on a new, clean pair of nitrile gloves.
  2. Ensure that the print has completed and the How did your print come out? screen has appeared.
  3. Remove the resin cartridges.
  4. Remove the build platform.
  5. Remove the resin tank.
  6. Place the resin tank in the tank case on a clean, flat surface.
  7. Place the tank tool nearby to begin removing the cleaning mesh.

Removing a completed cleaning mesh

After your printer and workspace have been prepared, use the tank tool to slide under the partially adhered cleaning mesh to remove it.

 

Step 1: Place the tank tool on the left side of the resin tank

Place the tank tool on the left side of the resin tank, opposite the mixer.

Tip:

The cleaning mesh does not cover the entirety of the resin tank area—it is only the size of the build platform. Start with the tank tool near the center of the resin tank.

 

Step 2: Slide the lower edge under the cleaning mesh

Slide the entire lower edge of the tank tool along the resin tank interior.

Tip:

Apply pressure to the flexible film inside the resin tank to reach underneath the cleaning mesh.

 

Step 3: Continue sliding the tank tool

Continue to slide the entire edge of the tank tool under the cleaning mesh until it is past the halfway point

 

Step 4: Peel the cleaning mesh upward

Once the tank tool has reached the halfway point of the cleaning mesh, lift the handle of the tank tool to peel the full cleaning mesh off the resin tank interior.

 

Step 5: Dispose of the cleaning mesh

The cleaning mesh is cured resin and can be disposed of as household waste. If there is uncured resin on your cleaning mesh, place the cleaning mesh on a sunny windowsill for 24–48 hours until all resin has completely cured. To dispose of resin, refer to the support article Resin care.

Tip:

To conserve resin, you can drain the uncured resin coating the cleaning mesh back into the resin tank.