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Inspecting and cleaning resin tanks (Form 3/Form 3B)

Inspecting and cleaning resin tanks (Form 3/Form 3B)

Maintain and clean each resin tank using Formlabs instructions to maximize tank performance and to ensure consistent, high-quality prints over a tank’s lifetime. Only use approved materials and processes to clean the resin tank and film.

Tip:

Check that the resin tank is in good condition between prints and before storing the resin tank in the tank case.

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.

Form 3/Form 3B Resin Tank

Inspecting resin tanks

Place the resin tank on a clean and even surface before inspecting the film with the tank tool. Keep the resin tank—especially the top and underside surfaces of the film—clean and free of cured resin and other debris to ensure print quality and extend the lifetime of the printer.

Notice:

  • Resin may spill over the tank walls if the resin tank tilts more than 5–10°. Hold the resin tank level with two hands. To inspect and clean the underside of the tank, empty the resin tank and take care to avoid spilling resin outside the tank.
  • Sharp and metal tools can damage the dual-layer film in the resin tank and affect print quality. Do not use sharp or metal tools in the resin tank. Use only the tank tool to clean the inside of the resin tank.

Tank interior

To inspect the resin tank interior:

  1. Put on a clean pair of nitrile gloves.
  2. Use the tank tool to inspect the resin and the film for any print failures. Check for the following issues that may lead to print failures or any excessive wear that requires replacing the tank:
    • Cured resin on the film
    • Debris or failed prints in the resin
    • Punctures, cuts, or gouges in the film
    • Resin caught between film layers
  3. If necessary, follow cleaning instructions to remove cured resin, failed prints, debris, and settled pigment.
    • Print a cleaning mesh to remove cured resin from the tank
    • For moderate wear or scratches on the film, click Layout in PreForm to move models away from the worn or scratched area for future prints.
    • If excessive wear or scratches on the film are affecting print quality, replace the tank.
    • During a print, the two tank film layers rub against one another. Over time, this friction can polish the film and make it appear clearer than the film in an unused tank. This is a normal result of printing and does not damage the tank or affect print quality.
  4. Check that the mixer and float are properly installed in the tank.

Tank exterior

To inspect the resin tank exterior:

  1. Visually inspect the film on the underside of the tank for fingerprints, dust, contamination, and scratches. Any of these can diffuse the laser light and lead to print failures or inaccuracies.
  2. Follow cleaning instructions to remove any fingerprints, dust, or contamination on the film before printing.

Protecting the ID chips on the resin tank and resin cartridge

The printer uses an identification (ID) chip on the resin tank to detect, track, and match the resin type in the tank with the proper resin cartridge. The ID chip is on the underside of each tank frame.

Protect the ID chips, the tank carrier, and the tank spring fingers from resin contamination or damage. Cured resin or contamination prevents the printer from properly identifying a resin tank during insertion or use. Avoid exposing the resin tank ID chip, the tank carrier, and the tank spring fingers to liquid resin.

Form 3/Form 3B Resin Tank ID Chip

Notice:

Do not bend the spring fingers when cleaning.

To remove resin from the ID chip or spring fingers:

  1. Apply a small amount of clean IPA to the tip of a cotton swab.
  2. Rub the tip of the cotton swab onto the silver pads on the ID chip or onto and around the spring fingers. The cured resin or contamination dissolves.
  3. Ensure that any IPA on the ID chip dries completely before continuing printing.

Cleaning after a failed print

Printing with clean resin that is free of debris helps avoid print failures, which may damage the tank. A failed print may leave small, partially-cured pieces of resin floating in the tank or hard cured resin stuck to the film in the base of the tank.

Tip:

Inspect the tank after every print. Remove debris and clean the tank after a failed print.

Cleaning the resin tank

Keep the resin tank—especially the top and underside surfaces of the film—clean and free of cured resin and other debris to ensure print quality and extend the lifetime of 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.

Cleaning the resin tank exterior

The resin tank exterior includes the film’s underside and the tank frame exterior.

Notice:

Do not clean the inner surface of the flexible film (inside the resin tank) with IPA or any other solvent.

Do not allow liquid resin to become caught or to cure between the two layers of the tank film. Resin trapped between the film layers renders the resin tank unusable.

Clean the film underside

To clean the underside of the protective film:

  1. Empty the liquid resin from the resin tank into an opaque container.
  2. Place the empty resin tank upside-down on a clean, flat surface.
  3. Apply a small amount of clean IPA to a PEC*PAD.
  4. Wipe the surface of the film to remove contamination or resin.
Form 3/Form 3B tank, underside

Clean the frame exterior

To clean the resin tank frame exterior:

  1. Use a paper towel to clean resin from the exterior of the tank frame.
  2. Keep the sides of the tank clean and free of resin.
  3. Avoid resin on the underside of the film, because the contamination may result in print failures and/or damage to the roller holder.