Resin spills can prevent your printer from operating normally, impede troubleshooting and diagnostics, and cause additional damage when shipping or transporting a printer. If you notice that spilled resin has drained into the printer frame or your printer epxeriences issues even after cleaning, you may need to partially disassemble your printer to drain liquid resin.

Use this guide to clean an extensive resin spill in a Form 3 generation printer.

Estimated time: 30–60 minutes, depending on the extent of the spill

Overview: Prepare the Form 3 and a dust-free workspace for cleaning the resin spill.

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 cartridge

Remove the resin cartridge and close the vent cap to prevent resin from dripping off the bite valve and into the printer.

Step 3: Remove and store the resin tank

Remove the resin tank, place it in the resin tank carrier, and cover it with its lid. Set the carrier and tank aside on a clean, flat surface.

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 display assembly of the printer during maintenance.

Overview: Begin to clean the printer cavity and optical window.

Step 2: Unplug the printer

When prompted by the touchscreen, disconnect the power cable before continuing with maintenance. Do not perform maintenance on the printer while it is connected to power.

Step 4: Power on the printer

The LPU must be returned to its home position before continuing with maintenance. Close the printer cover and connect the power cable to the printer and the power supply. The printer will initialize. The LPU will move back to its home position and perform a calibration.

Step 5: Unplug the printer

Once the LPU calibration is complete, disconnect the power cable again 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.

Step 6: Clean the printer cavity

Open the printer cover. Check inside the printer cavity to ensure that no resin has pooled on the printer floor. Clean any resin inside the printer cavity with paper towels. Dampen the paper towels with isopropyl alcohol if necessary to fully remove the resin. Use a disposable syringe or dropper to remove liquid resin from corners and tight spaces.

Overview: Unscrew and uninstall the display assembly.

Step 1: Remove the display screws

Place the printer at the front of your work surface so that the front edge of the printer overhangs the front edge of the work surface. Locate the two 2.5 mm hex screws at the front of the bottom shell. These screws secure the display to the printer frame. Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to loosen the two screws. Remove the screws and set them aside.

Step 2: Separate the display assembly from the printer frame

The top of the display assembly is held to the printer frame via a set of plastic tabs. Tilt the bottom of the display assembly slightly away from the printer, then lower the display assembly to separate it from the printer frame.

Step 3: Rotate the display assembly

The display ribbon cable connects the display assembly to the printer motherboard. Rotate the display assembly to the right to access the display ribbon cable connector.

Overview: Drain any liquid resin out of the bottom shell of the printer.

Step 1: Prepare the workspace

Place a layer of paper towels or other absorbent material in front of the printer.

Step 2: Drain the printer

Gently tip the printer forward until it rests face-down on the paper towels. Be sure not to fold or pinch the display ribbon cable and that it is kept away from the paper towels and liquid resin. Leave the printer face-down until it is fully drained.

Step 3: Clean the workspace

Tilt the printer back onto its feet. Collect the paper towels for disposal. Using fresh paper towels, clean any remaining liquid resin on your work surface or the face of the printer.

Always dispose of resin and any supplies contaminated with it according to the SDS. Put the container of soapy water and any soiled paper towels or swabs in a window or other sunny space so that the resin cures in ambient light. Once the resin cures, it can be disposed of with regular household waste.

Overview: Mount and secure the display assembly.

Step 1: Reconnect the display ribbon cable

Insert the display ribbon cable into the connector on the display assembly, ensuring that the ribbon cable is not twisted or folded.

Step 2: Secure the latch

Rotate the latch towards the display assembly to lock the display ribbon cable in place.

Step 3: Install the display assembly

Insert the tabs on the top edge of the display assembly underneath the top shell of the printer. Tilt the bottom edge of the display assembly towards the printer until it lies flush with the bottom shell and side shells. Ensure that the display ribbon cable is not caught between the display assembly and the printer frame.

Step 4: Secure the display assembly

Thread the two 2.5 mm hex screws into the holes at the front of the bottom shell. Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to tighten the screws until snug.

Overview: If you cleaned your printer in order to ship it safely, pack it according to Formlabs instructions to avoid further damage during shipping.

Step 1: Locate packaging materials

Locate all necessary packaging materials listed in the support article Shipping your Form 3/Form 3B. If the original packaging for the printer is not available, contact Formlabs Support or an authorized reseller to request replacement packaging.

Step 2: Pack the printer for shipping

Pack the printer in the original packaging using instructions in the support article Shipping your Form 3/Form 3B.

Step 3: Affix the shipping label (optional)

Refer to instructions from Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller for shipping policies or labels and know what to expect from the repair or replacement process.

Overview: If you plan to continue using the printer, power it on and run a test print.

Step 1: Power on the printer

Connect the power cable to the printer and the power supply. The printer will initialize, and the touchscreen will turn on.

Step 2: Download the test print

Download the test print FORM file and open the file in PreForm. Models are available for Clear, Grey, White, and Black Resin. Formlabs recommends printing the optics test with a Standard Resin.

Step 3: Modify the print settings

In the Print Setup window, set the Layer Thickness to be 100 microns with the selected material.

Step 4: Regenerate supports

Open the Supports tool. Click Auto-Generate All to regenerate the supports using default values.

Step 5: Print the test print

Click the orange Print button to send the test print to the printer. Start the job on the printer.

Step 6: Upload diagnostic logs

Once the print is complete, upload diagnostics logs using Formlabs instructions. Formlabs uses diagnostic logs to assess the results of the procedure.

If you are using an authorized reseller, the reseller will contact Formlabs for further diagnostic information.

Step 7: Wash the test print

Wash the test print and allow it to dry while still attached to the build platform.

Step 8: Photograph the test print

Leave the test print parts on the build platform. Variations in print quality across the build area can help Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller locate contamination on the optics.

Take well-lit, in-focus photos and attach them when submitting your support request.

Step 9: Submit a support request

Submit the photos of your test print within a new (or current) support request to Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller, along with the serial name and original order number of your machine.