Calibrating a powder flipper (Fuse 1 generation)

If a flipper is improperly calibrated, such as after replacement, it may collide with other moving parts, causing damage or unexpected behavior.

Formlabs recommends recalibrating the flippers in the following situations:

• After replacing a flipper motor assembly
• When directed by Formlabs Support or your certified service provider

Estimated time: 15 minutes

Allow the print enclosure to fully cool to room temperature before touching or inspecting any components. When instructed, keep fingers, clothing, and tools outside of the print enclosure until a message on the touchscreen confirms that calibration has been completed. Failure to do so may result in injury or damage to the printer.

1. To gain access to the flipper trough, remove the screw with a 2.5 mm hex driver and pull out the quartz tube heater filter. Set the screw and the quartz tube heater filter aside.

2. If the recoater is blocking access to the relevant flipper, exit flipper calibration and use the Motor Moves menu to move the recoater to the opposite side of the print enclosure.
3. With the Motor Moves menu open, move the relevant flipper towards the vertical. The left flipper should move counter-clockwise, and the right flipper should move clockwise.
4. Using a flexible vacuum attachment, vacuum all of the loose powder from below the flipper.

5. Rotate the flipper further until it comes back around and is approximately horizontal.
6. Vacuum the remaining powder from the top surface.

Fuse 1 and older Fuse 1+ 30 W units were not shipped with a flipper calibration tool. Any similar flat object may be used.

1. On the touchscreen, tap Settings > Calibration > Flipper Calibration.
2. Select the flipper you wish to calibrate. The touchscreen instructs you to move the flipper until it points toward the optical window, which is upwards at a roughly 45° angle.

3. With the flipper pointing upwards, place the flipper calibration tool onto the flipper as shown and push down until the tool is horizontal.

To verify that the home position is set correctly, run your finger gently across the top surface of the flipper. The flipper surface should be flush with the silver metal edge of the trough. It does not need to align with the surrounding black metal.

At the end of the calibration process, the flipper may move in a full rotation to confirm its new home position. The movement does not indicate that the calibration was done correctly or incorrectly.

If the flipper appears to be horizontal at the end of the calibration process, then the calibration was successful. If it ends up at a noticeable angle to the print plane, then it is not properly calibrated, and you should perform the procedure again.

If you encounter issues with the flipper calibration routine, contact Formlabs Support or your certified service provider.