Replacing the Form 4L camera

Form 4L generation printers contain an integrated camera. If the camera is enabled, it automatically saves a photo of each print when it completes. The camera sits on the left side of the tower in the printer and is accessed from the rear of the printer. Any issues with the camera may prevent it from working property.

Use this guide to replace the Form 4L camera.

Estimated time: 20 minutes

Overview: Prepare the Form 4L and a dust-free workspace for replacing the Form 4L camera.

Step 1: Remove the build platform

Remove the build platform first to avoid dripping resin onto the optical surfaces.

Step 2: Remove the resin cartridges

Remove the resin cartridges and close the vent caps 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.

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 cavity

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.

Step 6: Unplug the printer

Disconnect the power cable from the printer 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.

Overview: Remove the left side panels to access the camera.

Step 1: Remove the lower left panel

Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, remove the four screws that secure the lower left panel to the printer. Set the lower left panel and the screws aside.

Step 2: Remove the upper left panel retention screws

The upper left panel is secured to the printer by eight screws: three on the top of the panel, two on the bottom of the panel, and three inside of the printer. Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, remove the eight upper left panel retention screws. Set the screws aside.

Step 3: Remove the upper left panel

Remove the upper left panel by pushing it straight up to release the key slot studs, then pulling the panel away from the printer. Set the panel aside.

Overview: Disconnect cables to remove the camera from the printer.

Step 1: Locate the camera board ribbon cable

Locate the motherboard on the left side of the printer. The camera ribbon cable is located in the center of the board.

Step 2: Disconnect the camera ribbon cable

Pull out on each side of the black tab on the connector to unlatch the camera ribbon cable. Gently pull the ribbon cable away from the motherboard. Take care when unplugging the cable to avoid damage. Once the plastic tab is released, the cable slides easily from the connector. Do not pull on the cable.

Step 3: Locate the camera module

The camera module is mounted on the front left of the printer frame. The camera module consists of the camera assembly, shroud, and mount that attaches the assembly to the printer.

Step 4: Remove the camera module nuts

Using a 5.5 mm hex nut driver or needlenose pliers, remove the two nuts that secure the camera module to the printer. Set the nuts aside.

Step 5: Remove the camera module

Gently pull the camera housing off of the threaded posts. Remove the shroud and mount from the camera assembly. Set the shroud and housing aside.

Step: 6 Thread the camera through the printer frame

Gently thread the camera assembly through the slot in the printer frame.

Step 7: Remove the camera assembly retention screw

Using a 2 mm hex driver, remove the screw that secures the camera board to the printer. Remove the camera, camera board, and cables from the printer and set aside for disposal.

Overview: Build the replacement camera assembly.

Step 1: Insert the ribbon cable

Open the ribbon cable connector by pulling the two black tabs away from the connector. The connector is open when you feel a gentle click or the black tabs are able to freely wiggle in the slot.

Insert the ribbon cable into the connector with the blue side facing down. To lock the ribbon cable in place, push the black tabs closed until you feel a gentle click.

Step 2: Plug in the camera connector

Align the camera cable with the connector slot on the circuit board and press down. The connector will settle into place.

Apply pressure down on the connector until it snaps into place. The camera should be firmly attached and not move when bending the camera cable.

Overview: Install the replacement camera on the printer.

Step 1: Install the camera board

Align the screw hole in the camera board with the slot in its mount on the printer. Using a 2 mm hex driver, install the screw that secures the camera board to the printer. Tighten the screw until snug.

Step 2: Thread the camera cable

Thread the camera through the slot in the printer frame, taking care not to strain the cable. Position the camera on the mount.

Step 3: Build the camera assembly

Position the camera on the mount. Place the shroud on the mount so that the screw holes on the mount align with the screw holes on the shroud.

Step 4: Position the camera assembly

Align the camera module screw holes with their respective threaded posts on the printer.

Step 5: Secure the camera module

Using a 5.5 mm hex nut driver or needlenose pliers, tighten the hex nuts onto the threaded posts to secure the camera module to the printer. Tighten the nuts until snug.

Step 6: Thread the camera board ribbon cable

Slide the camera board ribbon cable through the slot above the motherboard. Do not bend or tangle the ribbon cable.

Step 7: Connect the camera board ribbon cable to the motherboard

Slide the cable into the connector with the blue side down. Press each side of the black tab to secure the cable.

Overview: After installing the replacement camera module, reinstall the left side panels.

Step 1: Mount the upper left panel

Place the upper left panel against the side of the printer. Check that the studs on the panel are aligned with the key slots in the printer frame, then slide the panel straight down. Ensure that the eight screw holes in the panel align with the corresponding holes in the printer.

Step 2: Secure the upper left panel

Using a 2.5 mm hex driver, install the eight left panel retention screws that secure the upper left panel to the printer. Tighten the screws until snug.

Step 3: Mount and secure the lower left panel

Align the screw holes in the lower left panel with those in the printer frame. Thread one mounting screw into each of the four screw holes. Use a 2.5 mm hex driver to tighten until snug.

Overview: After replacing the camera module, power on the printer and perform final checks.

Step 1: Power on the repair

Connect the power cable to the printer and the power supply. The printer initializes. Check that the printer initializes normally and does not display any error messages.

Step 2: Test the repair

Start a print and test the camera functions, such as the timelapse, to check that the replacement was successful. Contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller to share the results of the procedure.