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Replacing the Form 4 touchscreen ribbon cable

The touchscreen ribbon cable transfers data from the touchscreen assembly to the motherboard. If the touchscreen ribbon cable is malfunctioning or broken, the printer’s touchscreen may stop functioning.

Use this guide to replace the Form 4 touchscreen ribbon cable.

Required Supplies:

Formlabs:

Touchscreen ribbon cable
2.5 mm hex driver (included in the Form 4 tool caddy)

Third-party:

Nitrile gloves

Estimated time: 20 minutes

Preparing the workspace

Overview: Prepare the Form 4 and workspace for replacing the touchscreen ribbon cable.

Step 1: Remove the build platform

Remove the build platform first to avoid dripping resin onto the Light Processing Unit (LPU).

Step 2: Remove the resin cartridge

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

Step 3: Remove and store the resin tank and mixer

Unlatch the mixer and resin tank. Remove the resin tank and cover it with its lid. Set the 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.

Step 5: Clean the printer

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 and clean any resin pooled on and around the LPU 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.

Danger:

Performing maintenance on the printer while it is plugged in increases the risk of electric shock. Never remove the printer panels while the printer is plugged in. Never reconnect the printer to power while the panels are uninstalled.

Removing the touchscreen assembly

Overview: Remove the touchscreen assembly from the printer.

Step 1: Center the mixer base

Open the printer cover and slide the mixer base to the center of the LPU.

Step 2: Remove the left panel retention screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to remove the four screws securing the left panel to the printer. Set the left panel and the screws aside.

Step 3: Remove the left touchscreen assembly retention screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to remove the three screws securing the left side of the touchscreen assembly to the printer. Set the screws aside.

Step 4: Remove the right panel retention screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to remove the four screws securing the right panel to the printer. Set the right panel and the screws aside.

Step 5: Disconnect the touchscreen ribbon cable

The touchscreen ribbon cable is retained with a latch. Rotate the black plastic tab on the connector away from the printer to unlatch the touchscreen ribbon cable from the motherboard. Do not pull on the touchscreen ribbon cable. Once the black tab is properly released, the cable slides out of the connector with minimal force.

Step 6: Remove the right touchscreen assembly retention screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to remove the three screws securing the right side of the touchscreen assembly to the printer. Set the screws aside.

Step 7: Loosen the bottom panel retention screws

Close the printer cover and carefully lay the printer on its back with the cover facing upwards. Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to loosen the two screws securing the bottom panel. Do not fully remove the screws.

Step 8: Locate the bottom tabs

Gently pull the bottom panel away from the printer to expose the two bottom tabs of the touchscreen assembly. If the tabs are not visible, loosen the two bottom panel screws further.

Step 9: Remove the touchscreen assembly

Grip the touchscreen assembly by its bottom corners. Carefully pull the touchscreen assembly towards you. The bottom of the touchscreen assembly fits snugly to the printer and may require extra force to remove. Set the touchscreen assembly aside.

Replacing the touchscreen ribbon cable

Overview: After removing the touchscreen assembly, remove and replace the touchscreen ribbon cable.

Step 1: Disconnect the touchscreen ribbon cable

Rotate the black plastic tab on the connector away from the touchscreen assembly to unlatch the touchscreen ribbon cable. Do not pull on the cable. Once the black tab is properly released, the cable slides out of the connector with minimal force. Set the cable aside for disposal.

Step 2: Connect the replacement cable

Slide the ribbon cable into the connector on the touchscreen assembly. Make sure the cable is inserted evenly. The blue mark should face upwards.

Step 3: Secure the replacement cable

Flip down the black tab on the connector to secure the cable to the touchscreen assembly. Take care not to pull on the cable during installation.

Reinstalling the touchscreen assembly

Overview: After replacing the touchscreen ribbon cable, reinstall the touchscreen assembly.

Step 1: Position the touchscreen assembly for installation

Position the touchscreen assembly on the printer. Make sure that the sheet metal tabs are positioned outside of the printer frame and that they align with the screw holes on the printer. Take care not to crush or fold the new touchscreen ribbon cable.

Step 2: Tighten the bottom panel screws

Make sure that the two bottom tabs of the touchscreen assembly can slide into the printer before tightening the screws. Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to tighten the two screws that secure the bottom panel to the printer.

Step 3: Set the printer upright

Rotate the printer to sit upright. Open the cover.

Step 4: Install the right touchscreen assembly screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to install the three screws securing the right side of the touchscreen assembly to the printer. Tighten the screws until snug.

Step 5: Reconnect the touchscreen ribbon cable

Reconnect to the touchscreen ribbon cable to the motherboard. Make sure it is inserted evenly. The blue mark should face outwards. Flip down the black tab on the connector to secure the cable to its connector. Take care not to pull on the cable during installation.

Step 5: Install the right panel screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to install the four screws that secure the right panel to the printer. Tighten the screws until snug.

Step 6: Install the left touchscreen assembly screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to install the three screws that secure the left side of the touchscreen assembly to the printer. Tighten the screws until snug.

Step 7: Install the left panel screws

Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to install the four screws that secure the left panel to the printer. Tighten the screws until snug.

Finalizing the repair

Overview: After replacing the touchscreen ribbon cable, power on the printer and perform final checks.

Step 1: Power on the printer

Connect the power cable to the printer and the power supply. The printer initializes.

Step 2: Test the touchscreen

The touchscreen should respond to touch inputs if the repair was successful. Test a variety of inputs, such as viewing the printer’s settings or exploring past prints via the print queue. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller to share the results of the procedure.