Notice:
Read and follow the instructions to fully prepare the printer for printing. Skipping any of the following operations may result in print failure, and potentially damage the printer.
WHITE PAPER
Before you start
Before starting a print, you need PreForm to prepare a print job and upload it to the printer:
- Prepare your models.
- Upload your print job to the printer.
- Register additional powder to the printer (if necessary). The printer notifies you before the print starts if there is not enough powder registered to the printer to complete the print.
Preparing the printer
Starting a print on a Fuse 1 generation printer requires several critical maintenance procedures that should be completed before every print. After selecting a print job, the touchscreen guides you through the necessary maintenance procedures.
Insert an empty build chamber into the printer. Connect the build chamber plug to the printer. Ensure that the left side of the plug is flush with the printer frame.
Insert a clean optical cassette into the printer.
Fill the hopper with the appropriate powder from a powder cartridge.
Lift the IR sensor access door on the top of the printer and inspect the IR sensor. Clean the IR sensor if necessary.
Ensure that all access doors on the printer are closed.
Preparing the nitrogen system (Fuse 1+ 30W only)
The Fuse 1+ 30W has the option to use nitrogen as an inert gas atmosphere in the print chamber. The inert nitrogen atmosphere prevents the oxidation of plastic powder.
The Fuse 1+ 30W has two atmospheric control modes:
- Air Mode: the print enclosure atmosphere is composed of atmospheric air
- Nitrogen Mode: the print enclosure is purged with a supply of nitrogen gas
To prepare the Fuse 1+ 30W for printing with an inert gas atmosphere:
- Connect the nitrogen supply to the nitrogen interface at the rear of the printer.
- Confirm that nitrogen supply pressure into the Fuse 1+ 30W is between 248–862 kPa (36–125 psi) and the flow rate is at least 14 L/min (0.5 SCFM).
- When using a nitrogen supply such as bottled nitrogen gas or liquid nitrogen, ensure that there is enough available nitrogen to complete the print. When printing with an inert gas atmosphere, the printer requires approximately 14 L (0.5 cu ft) of nitrogen gas per minute.
- Tap the printer icon in the left sidebar to access the printer status screen. Toggle Nitrogen System to ON.
- Confirm that the touchscreen shows N2 Mode and that both the Inlet Pressure and the Valve Pressure are in range.
To adjust the valve pressure:
- Tap the printer icon in the left sidebar to access the printer status screen.
- Under Nitrogen System, tap Valve Pressure. The Nitrogen Setup window opens.
- Lift the IR sensor access door on the top of the printer. The nitrogen pressure knob is located to the left of the IR sensor.
- Slowly and carefully adjust the nitrogen pressure knob until the onscreen needle is in the highlighted zone.
- Wait for the reading to settle between each adjustment.
Note:
The nitrogen pressure knob is extremely sensitive. If the onscreen needle is jumping between pressure readings, make smaller adjustments.
- When the nitrogen pressure is sufficiently adjusted, tap Done.
- Close the IR sensor access door.
Starting the print
To start the print, tap Start Print on the touchscreen. The printer begins heating the print enclosure as it prepares to print. This pre-print process takes approximately one hour. The print begins automatically once the printer has reached the correct temperature.
Retrieving and cleaning prints with the Fuse Sift
After a print completes, allow the build chamber to fully cool. Once cool, remove the build chamber from the printer and move it to the Fuse Sift to retrieve and clean your prints.
Warning:
The print enclosure in Fuse 1 generation printers is designed to operate at up to 200 °C (392 °F) and incorporates high-intensity heaters. Do not open the print enclosure or any other access doors on the printer during or immediately after a print. Do not handle parts from a build chamber without allowing the entire print enclosure to cool for several hours, or until the print bed temperature has reached ≤ 45 ºC (113 °F). Use the provided thermal-insulating silicone gloves when removing a build chamber that has not been allowed to cool down. Failure to follow these procedures will result in serious injuries, including burning and/or scalding of skin.