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Replacing the Fuse Blast motherboard and display assembly

Replacing the Fuse Blast motherboard and display assembly

The Fuse Blast motherboard and display are mounted to the same assembly within the machine. They control and are the primary means of interacting with the Fuse Blast, respectively. If either the motherboard or display are faulty or malfunctioning, the Fuse Blast may behave erratically or not function at all.

Use this guide to replace the motherboard and display assembly on a Fuse Blast.

Required Supplies:

Required Supplies:

Formlabs:

Third-party:

  • 7 mm box wrench (gear-wrench style recommended)
  • Utility knife
  • 6.5 mm slotted screwdriver
  • 90 degree angled T10 Torx key
  • Aluminum tape

Estimated time: 45–60 minutes

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 Fuse Blast and a clean workspace for replacing the motherboard and display assembly.

Step 1: Prepare the workspace

Clear a workspace. Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated, level, and clean.

Step 2: Unplug the machine

Disconnect the power cable from the machine before continuing with maintenance. Do not perform maintenance on the machine while it is connected to power. Wait five minutes after disconnecting the printer from power before proceeding.

Danger:

Performing this procedure on the Fuse Blast while it is plugged in increases the risk of electric shock. Never remove any external paneling while the Fuse Blast is plugged in. Never reconnect the Fuse Blast to power while the external paneling is uninstalled.

Removing the upper sidecar panel

Overview: Uninstall the upper sidecar panel to access the motherboard.

Notice:

The Fuse Blast contains sensitive electronic components. Ground yourself before touching any electronics in the machine by using an antistatic wrist band or touching a grounded piece of metal.

Step 1: Remove the upper sidecar panel retention screws

The air metering valve is located in the sidecar on the right side of the machine. Using a T20 Torx driver, loosen and remove the 12 T20 Torx screws securing the upper sidecar panel to the Fuse Blast. Set the screws aside.

Step 1: Remove the upper sidecar panel retention screws

Step 2: Remove the lower sidecar panel retention screws

The lower sidecar panel must be moved slightly to free the upper sidecar panel. Using a T20 Torx driver, loosen and remove the five T20 Torx screws shown above. Set the screws aside. Do not remove the two screws at the bottom of the lower sidecar panel.

Step 2: Remove the lower sidecar panel retention screws

Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel

Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel
Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel
Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel

Untuck the bottom of the upper sidebar panel from behind the lower sidecar panel. Rotate the panel upwards until it is horizontal. Once it is horizontal, pull forward to disengage it. Set the upper sidecar panel aside.

Step 4: Partially secure the lower sidecar panel

Thread at least one of the lower sidecar panel retention screws back into the lower sidecar panel to avoid inadvertently bending it.

Step 4: Partially secure the lower sidecar panel

Removing the cyclone separator outlet hose

Overview: Disconnect and remove the cyclone separator outlet hose to access the electronics box and motherboard.

Step 1: Disconnect the outlet hose from the cyclone separator

Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, loosen the hose clamp from the top of the cyclone separator. Gently lift the tubing off of the cyclone separator and drape it to the side. Be careful not to break the grounding connection to the tubing.

Step 2: Attempt to open the electronics box

Continue to Removing the motherboard and display assembly. If you find it difficult to to open the electronics box and access the motherboard, return here and remove the entire cyclone separator.

Step 1: Disconnect hoses from the cyclone separator

Removing the cyclone separator (optional)

Overview: Disconnect and remove the cyclone separator to more easily access the electronics box and motherboard.

Step 1: Disconnect hoses from the cyclone separator

Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, loosen the hose clamps from the cyclone separator. Pull the pressure tap hose off of the cyclone separator. The pressure tap is located close to the front of the machine. If the pressure tap tube is difficult to remove or has deformed from use, it can be cut at the barbed fitting with a utility knife.

Step 1: Disconnect hoses from the cyclone separator

Step 2: Remove the cyclone separator retention nuts

Using a 7 mm nut driver or box wrench, loosen and remove the four hex nuts securing the cyclone separator to the Fuse Blast. Set the nuts aside. Move the two grounding wires out of the way of the cyclone separator.

Step 3: Uninstall the cyclone separator

Remove the cyclone separator and the gasket below it from the machine. Set them aside on a clean surface.

Step 2: Remove the cyclone separator retention nuts

Removing the motherboard and display assembly

Overview: Open the electronics box, unplug all cables from the motherboard, and remove the motherboard and display assembly.

Step 1: Disconnect the pressure tap tubes

Disconnect the pressure tap tubes from the electronics box. If the pressure tap tubes are difficult to remove or have deformed from use, you can cut them at the barbed fittings with a utility knife.

Step 2: Remove the electronics box cover

Using a T20 Torx driver, loosen and remove the four T20 Torx screws securing the electronics box cover. Set the screws and cover aside. Do not remove any other screws at this time.

Remove the Electronics Box Cover and Pressure Tap Tubes

Step 3: Disconnect the cables from the motherboard

Disconnect all cables from the motherboard except for the two ribbon cables on the right side connecting the display panel to the motherboard. Using a spudger, unplug the Wi-Fi coaxial cable from the system on module (SOM).

Refer to step 3 in the section Installing the replacement motherboard and display assembly for a reference table of cables and motherboard ports.

Remove the Electronics Box

Step 4: Unscrew the motherboard and display assembly mounting screws

Using a T20 Torx driver, loosen and remove the four T20 Torx screws securing the motherboard and display assembly to the Fuse Blast. Hold the box in place while you remove the screws.

Remove the Electronics Box

Step 5: Remove the motherboard and display assembly

Loosen the four 7 mm hex standoffs securing the motherboard and display assembly to the Fuse Blast. You may need to use a 7 mm box wrench to start but should be able to loosen the standoffs by hand afterward. Move the assembly away from the front panel as you go, and set the standoffs aside as they are able to be removed. Once the motherboard and display assembly is fully free, set it aside for disposal with electronic waste.

Remove the Electronics Box

Installing the replacement motherboard and display assembly

Overview: Mount and secure the replacement motherboard and display assembly. Connect all cables and tubes to the motherboard.

Step 1: Mount the new motherboard and display assembly

Place the motherboard and display assembly in position and thread each standoff into place until firmly seated.

Install the new Electronics Box and Cover.

Step 2: Secure the motherboard and display assembly

Thread one T20 Torx screw into each of the four standoffs. Using a T20 Torx driver, tighten until snug.

Install the new Electronics Box and Cover.

Step 3: Reconnect all cables to the motherboard

Reconnect the cables to the motherboard. Follow the image and table here to ensure that each cable is connected to the correct port on the motherboard.

Install the new Electronics Box and Cover.
Cable #Cable LabelBoard #Board Label
C10124V PowerJ10124V Input
N/AN/A (Large display ribbon cable)J111Display
N/AN/A (Small display ribbon cable)J112Touchscreen
C115BSKT MOTORJ115Basket Motor
C116FLTR DR DTCTJ116Filter Door
C117FLTR DTCTJ117Filter Detect
C118MDIA FLTR DRJ118Media Filter Door
C119FT PDLJ119Foot Pedal 1
C120HW ILKJ120Chamber Door Interlocks HWI
C121SOLJ121Solenoid
C122DC IONJ122Ionizer
C123REGJ123Pressure Regulator
C124BWR POWERJ124Blower Power
C125BWR PMWJ125Blower Fan
N/ALEDJ126Chamber LEDs
C128_AMDA LITJ128_AMedia LED
C128_BWST LITJ128_BWaste LED
C130FT PDL 2J130Foot Pedal 2
C131SW ILKJ131Chamber Door Interlocks SWI
C133WTR INJ DETJ133Water Detect
N/AEthernetJ107Ethernet
N/AUSBJ108USB
N/AWiFi CoaxN/A (on SOM)N/A

Unused ports:

  • J127 (Chamber LEDs)
  • J129 (Extra Detect 1)
  • J132 (Extra Detect 2)

Step 4: Reinstall the electronics box cover

Place the electronics box cover in position. Thread one T20 Torx screw into each of the four screw holes in the cover. Using a T20 Torx driver, tighten until snug.

Step 5: Reconnect the pressure tap tubes

Connect the five external pressure tap tubes to the barbed fittings extending out from the electronics box. The pressure tap tubes are labeled 0–4. Be sure to connect the correct tube to the corresponding fitting.

Install the new Electronics Box and Cover.

Reinstalling the cyclone separator (optional)

Overview: If you previously uninstalled the entire cyclone separator to access the electronics box, reinstall and secure the cyclone separator.

Step 1: Mount the cyclone separator gasket

Place the cycle separator gasket on the cyclone separator mount, aligning the holes in the corners of the gasket with the threaded posts.

Step 2: Mount the cyclone separator

Place the cycle separator on the gasket, aligning the holes in the corners of the cyclone separator base with the threaded posts.

Step 3: Secure the cyclone separator

Mount the two grounding wires on two of the cyclone separator posts. Thread one 7 mm nut onto each of the posts. Use a 7 mm nut driver or box wrench to tighten the nuts until they are secure but the gasket is not fully compressed.

Step 3: Secure the cyclone separator

Step 4: Reconnect hoses to the cyclone separator

Press the cyclone pressure tap tube (labeled 0) onto the tap at the top of the cyclone separator. Reinstall the air/media outlet hose and the cyclone outlet hose to the cyclone separator. Tighten the hose clamps using a 6.5 mm slotted screwdriver.

Step 4: Reconnect hoses to the cyclone separator

Reconnecting the cyclone separator outlet hose

Overview: After closing the electronics box, reinstall and secure the cyclone separator.

Step 1: Reconnect the outlet hose to the cyclone separator

Slip the cyclone outlet hose onto the top of the cyclone separator. Tighten the hose clamp using a 6.5 mm slotted screwdriver.

Step 1: Reconnect the outlet hose to the cyclone separator

Reinstalling the upper sidecar panel

Overview: Reinstall and secure the upper sidecar panel.

Step 1: Remove the lower sidecar panel retention screws

Use a T20 Torx driver to loosen and remove any lower sidecar panel retention screws you previously reinstalled. Set the screws aside. Do not remove the two screws at the bottom of the lower sidecar panel.

Step 1: Remove the lower sidecar panel retention screws

Step 2: Mount the upper sidecar panel

Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel
Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel
Step 3: Remove the upper sidecar panel

Insert the upper sidecar panel horizontally such that the flange tucks under the upper panel. Rotate the sidecar panel downward, then tuck the lower flange under the lower sidecar panel.

Step 3: Secure the upper sidecar panel

Thread one upper sidecar panel retention screw into each of the 12 screw holes in the upper sidecar panel. Use a T20 Torx driver to tighten until snug.

Step 1: Remove the upper sidecar panel retention screws

Step 4: Secure the lower sidecar panel

Thread one upper sidecar panel retention screw into each of the five open screw holes in the lower sidecar panel. Use a T20 Torx driver to tighten until snug.

Step 2: Remove the lower sidecar panel retention screws

Finalizing the procedure

Overview: After replacing the motherboard and display assembly, power on the machine and perform final checks.

Step 1: Power on the machine

Connect the power cable to the machine and the power supply. Flip the power switch on the back of the machine to the ON position. The machine initializes. Test the machine to ensure that it operates normally.

Step 2: Confirm the new serial name

After replacing the motherboard on the Fuse Blast, it will be assigned a new serial name. The new serial name can be seen on the display when the device is powered on. For warranty purposes, please contact Formlabs Support and provide both the original and new serial names of your Fuse Blast. The original serial name can be found on the back of the Fuse Blast under the power switch.