Required Supplies:
Formlabs:
- Replacement front heater assembly
Third-party:
- T10 Torx driver
- T8 Torx driver
- 2.5 mm hex driver
- Needle nose pliers
- Nitrile gloves
WHITE PAPER
Replacing the Form 3L front heater assembly
Replacing the Form 3L front heater assembly
The front heater assembly is one of two heaters in the Form 3L that bring the resin in the resin tank up to its optimal temperature before printing. If the front heater is malfunctioning or broken, the preprint process may take longer than usual to complete. Prints started before the resin comes up to temperature may fail.
Use this guide to remove and replace the Form 3L front heater assembly.
Estimated time: 30 minutes (additional time may be required to allow the heater to cool if the printer was recently in use)
DANGER:
Read and follow all safety instructions and warnings in the operator manual. Replacement with incorrect parts can lead to burns, shock, fire, or explosion. Dispose of all parts in accordance with local regulations.
Preparing the workspace
Overview: Prepare the Form 3L and a dust-free workspace for replacing the front heater assembly.
Step 1: Remove the build platform
Remove the build platform first to avoid dripping resin onto the LPU or 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 of 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.
NOTICE:
Wear gloves and hold the resin tank by the tank grips on either side to avoid contamination or damage to the underside of the tank.
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: Clean the printer cavity
WARNING:
Resin may cause skin irritation or an allergic skin reaction. Wear gloves when handling liquid resin or resin-coated surfaces. Wash skin with plenty of soap and water.
Open the printer cover. Clean any resin pooled on the printer floor, inside the printer cavity, with paper towels. Dampen the paper towels with isopropyl alcohol if necessary to fully remove the resin.
DANGER:
Fire hazard. IPA is flammable. Keep containers closed, and keep out of the reach of children.
Step 6: 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. If the printer was recently in use, the front heater assembly will be warm. wait at least two hours for the heater to cool.
DANGER:
Performing maintenance on the printer while it is plugged in increases the risk of electric shock. Never remove the back panel of the printer while the printer is plugged in. Never reconnect the printer to power while the back panel is uninstalled.
Removing the display assembly
Overview: Remove the display assembly of the printer.
NOTICE:
The Form 3L contains sensitive electronic components. Ground yourself before touching any electronics in the printer by using a grounding strap or touching a grounded piece of metal.
Step 1: Remove the display assembly
The front heater assembly is located behind the printer’s display. The display assembly must be removed to access the front heater assembly.
To remove the display assembly, follow the instructions in the guide for Replacing the Form 3L display assembly.
Removing the front heater assembly
Overview: Unscrew, unplug, and uninstall the front heater assembly.
Step 1: Locate the front heater assembly
Locate the front heater assembly, positioned on the right side of the printer behind the display assembly. The heater can be identified by its fan and shroud.
WARNING:
If the printer was recently in use, the front heater assembly will be warm and may present a burn hazard. Wait at least two hours for the heater to cool.
Step 2: Disconnect the fan cable
Unplug the 3-pin cable for the rear heater assembly fan (red, white, and black). When disconnecting the cable, grip the connectors and separate them from one another. Do not pull on the wires themselves.
Step 3: Disconnect the front heater assembly wires
Disconnect the three crimped connectors from the front heater assembly. Grip the connectors themselves when disconnecting them from the heater assembly. Use a pair of needle nose pliers if necessary. Do not pull on the wires themselves. Note the order of the wires, particularly that the red wire is connected to the middle post.
Step 4: Unscrew the front heater assembly
Using the T10 Torx driver, loosen and remove the four screws holding the front heater assembly to the printer frame. While loosening the screws, support the front heater assembly to prevent it from falling. Do not remove any gasket material from the frame of the machine.
Set the heater assembly aside.
Installing the new front heater assembly
Overview: Mount and secure the new front heater assembly.
Step 1: Mount and secure the replacement heater assembly
Position the replacement front heater assembly on its mounting surface, aligning the four screw holes in the shroud with the four screw holes in the printer frame. Thread each of the four screws into the screw holes. Tighten the screws using the included T10 Torx driver until finger tight. When installed correctly, the front heater assembly shroud sits flush against and slopes up and away from the printer frame.
Step 2: Reconnect the front heater assembly wires
Attach the crimped connectors to the posts of the replacement front heater assembly. Ensure that the red wire is attached to the middle post of the replacement front heater assembly.
Step 3: Reconnect the fan cable
Reconnect the fan cable. The connectors will only plug into each other properly in the correct orientation. Be careful not to bend the pins in the connectors.
Reinstalling the display assembly
Overview: After performing any other maintenance procedures, reinstall and secure the display assembly.
Step 1: Reinstall the display assembly
Reinstall the display assembly following the instructions in the guide for Replacing the Form 3L display assembly.
Finalizing the repair
Overview: After reinstalling the display assembly, power on the printer and perform final checks.
Step 1: Power on the printer
Close the printer cover and connect the power cable to the printer and the power supply. The printer will initialize.
Step 2: Test the repair
Start a print to test the replacement front heater assembly. Monitor the printer to ensure it preheats the resin properly. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller to share the results of the procedure.