Spread Powder in Build Bin

CAUTION: ENSURE YOU HAVE READ ALL THE POWDER HANDLING GUIDELINES BEFORE HANDLING POWDER.

CAUTION: TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY, ALWAYS WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE HANDLING POWDER.

CAUTION: ENSURE THAT YOU ADD AS MUCH POWDER AS DESIRED BEFORE PRINTING, AS ADDITIONAL POWDER CANNOT BE ADDED DURING A PRINT JOB.

Since the Build Platform does not reach the top of the Build Bin, you will need to either use a Build Plate or fill the bin to the top with powder before part building can begin. This section will cover both processes.

Using a Build Plate

It is recommended to use a Build Plate in most cases. The build plate will make the build easier to remove from the machine and to transport.

On the printer touch screen, go to the Controls screen. The Controls screen will take a moment to initialize, during which buttons will be grayed out. Use the Build  button to move the Build Platform up until it reaches the top of travel (0.5 in or 12.7 mm) and the  button is grayed out.
Place the Build Plate in the Build Bin in the orientation shown. Be sure that the tapered ends of the grips on the left and right are facing downward, as seen below; failing to do this will risk an uneven powder spread and will make it more difficult to remove the plate. CAUTION: The build plate should only be placed directly on the metal build platform. Do NOT use a build plate on top of powder.
Choose one of the following methods: If you wish to do manual powder spreads into the build bin, fill in the gaps on the sides and corners of the build plate with powder. This will help ensure even spreading in future steps. Proceed to Step 4. If you wish for the machine to fill the build bin, use the Controls screen to perform a 12-layer spread. A 12-layer spread will raise the feed bin after each spread, for a total of 12 times. This method is quicker than method a, but may use more powder. Ensure that both the build and feed bins are flat on top. Skip to Step 7. 12-layer spread, with build plate, 10x speed
On the touch screen, go to the Controls screen and use the Feed  button to move the Feed Platform up until the powder is about 0.125 in (3.2 mm) above the edge of the bin.
On the touch screen, use the 1 layer button to begin spreading powder over the build plate. A 1-layer spread will not raise the feed bin any more than you manually raised it. This spread is best for doing an initial spread of a large amount of powder. 1-layer spread, with build plate, 1.5x speed CAUTION: WAIT UNTIL MACHINE IS DONE SPREADING BEFORE TAPPING BUTTONS AGAIN.
Continue using the spread button until the areas around the build plate are filled with powder and both the Feed and Build bins are flat on top, as seen at the right. Monitor the Controls screen and ensure that there is still enough powder in the Feed Bin, and enough empty space in the Build Bin, to complete the next build. Go to the section Print Process to see how the printer touch screen can assist you in achieving the correct amount of powder for one build at a time. If there is not enough powder in the Feed Bin for the next build, lower the Feed Platform and add more powder. Do several spreads to flatten both bins once more. If there is not enough height in the Build Bin for the next build, raise the Build Platform and perform several spreads to flatten both bins once more.
Tap Done on the Controls screen to return to the Home screen. TIP: Completing multiple "1 layer" spreads without changing the height of the feed bin may help smooth out rough surfaces prior to starting a print.

Preparing the Build Bin without a Build Plate

You may opt to not use a build plate; although this is not the best solution for most builds. In this case, a layer of packed powder will suffice as a printing platform.

On the printer touch screen, go to the Controls screen and use the Build  button to move the Build Platform up until it reaches 0.5 in (12.7 mm) and the  button is grayed out.
Choose one of the following methods: If you wish to manually fill the build bin, Pour 1-2 scoops of new or reclaimed powder into the Build Bin. It is acceptable to use unsifted powder as this powder will not be part of the build. Continue to Step 3. If you wish for the machine to fill the build bin, use the Controls screen to perform a 12-layer spread. This method is quicker than method a, but may use more powder. Ensure that both the build and feed bins are flat on top. Skip to Step 8. 12-layer spread, 10x speed
Use your tamper to pack the powder down as much as possible. Ensure you tamp evenly, including in the corners. Tamp with medium force, using elbow strength instead of shoulder strength. Putting your body weight into tamping is too much force.
Once the Build Bin is filled, use the Controls screen to bring the Feed Bin up until the powder is about 0.125 in (3.2 mm) above the edge of the bin. Continue to Step 5.
On the Controls screen, use the 1 layer spread to flatten the powder in both bins. Raise the Feed Bin by 0.1 in (2.5 mm) and tap 1 layer again.
Repeat Steps 5-6 until both the Feed Bin and Build Bin are flat on top. Monitor the Controls screen and ensure that there is still enough powder in the Feed Bin, and enough empty space in the Build Bin, to complete the build. Go to the section Print Process to see how the printer touch screen can assist you in achieving the correct amount of powder for one build at a time. If there is not enough powder in the Feed Bin, lower the Feed Platform and add more powder. Do several spreads to flatten both bins once more. If there is not enough height in the Build Bin for next build, raise the Build Platform and perform several spreads to flatten both bins once more. If trying to build on top of a completed job, ensure you follow the guidelines in the section Print a Job on Top of Another.
Tap Done on the Controls screen to return to the Home screen. TIP: Completing multiple "1 layer" spreads without changing the height of the feed bin may help smooth out rough surfaces prior to starting a print.