1. Quick Start Guide
  2. At a Glance

At a Glance

Printed parts on the machine are generated in the rapid prototyping (RP) environment under the control of the system operators. The system must be run by technicians who are trained in proper usage of the system and its resins. All design and process considerations are compatible with an RP environment. The three-dimensional solid parts that are printed consist of different resins that cure when exposed to 405 nm radiation. The operator loads a bottle of print material, also called "resin," into a material-delivery module (MDM). The MDM then pumps resin into a Printer's resin tray. Once the operator sends a print job to a Printer, he or she places a print platform onto the unit's elevator arms. The platform lowers into the resin tray until it is one layer length from the bottom of the resin. Using a proprietary printing system that 3D Systems has developed, a radiation pattern is cast onto the underside of the resin tray and through to the bottom of the resin. This radiation causes a phase change in the resin that converts it into a solid polymer, adhering it to the print platform. After a layer has cured, the elevator moves the print platform up by one layer length and the radiation pattern for the next layer is projected. This process repeats, layer by layer, until the build file is complete. The print platform, along with the part, is removed from the Printer. Then, the part is cleaned and post-cured to provide a finished part.

Figure 4® Modular System

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A Controller - Houses the touch screen user interface, control computer, and inputs for network cable and power
B Light Stack - Show the status of the Printer using different, colored lights
C

Upper Build Chamber - Contains the upper parts of the print engine, the print platform, and resin tray
D

Lower Build Chamber - Contains the lower parts of the print engine, as well as the Material Delivery Module (MDM) and pneumatics system

Printable Area

124.8 x 70.2 x 346 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 13.6 in)

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Modular Controller Components

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A

Graphical User Interface (GUI) - This is the touch screen that controls all the functions of the Figure 4 Modular system.
B USB Ports - There are two USB ports here, which allow you to hook up the included Bluetooth keyboard, and another USB device.

 

Modular Printer Components

Front of upper engine

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A Upper-Limit Stop - The upper limit of the elevator's motion
B

Elevator Arms - Hold the print platform during part building
C

Elevator Spine - The elevator block/motor, and the resin-tray chassis, are attached to this.
D Print-Platform Sensor - Senses whether or not there is a print platform on the elevator arms
E Resin Tube Cap Holder - Use the round bracket as a holder for your resin tube's cap, to prevent misplacement.
F Material-Delivery Hose - Delivers resin to the resin tray as needed from the MDM.
G Resin-Level Sensor - This detects the level of resin in the resin tray. A detection of a lower level of resin will trigger the MDM to pump more resin into the tray. This sensor also functions as a resin-tray-presence sensor; it will be triggered by the absence of a resin tray.
H Lower-Limit Stop - The lower limit of the elevator's motion
I

Pneumatic Tension Arms - These arms close over the resin tray to tension the resin-tray film during printing.
J Resin-Tray Chassis - Holds the resin tray in place above, and also holds the catch tray and projector in place underneath.

Resin Tray 

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A Resin Fill Levels - These graduated markings help you to see how full the resin tray is.
B Fill Channels - Used to facilitate the flow of resin in the tray during resin pumping
C Tension Slots - The pneumatic tension arms fasten over these slots.
D Transparent Membrane - This proprietary membrane creates a layer of oxygen in between the membrane and the bottom of the resin. This feature ensures that resin does not cure on the membrane under normal building conditions.
E QR Code/Serial Number - The QR Code has the serial number embedded in its pattern. These give the resin tray a unique identification that can be read by a QR-code scanner.

Print Platform

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A Print Surface - Faces downward when printing. The printed part adheres to the holes in the print surface on the underside of the platform.
B Elevator Guides - The flat surface of the guides stick to the magnetic surface of the print engine's elevator arms. The triangular grooves fit over the conical pins on the elevator arms.
C QR Code/Serial Number - The QR Code has the serial number embedded in its pattern. These give the print platform a unique identification that can be read by a QR-code scanner.
right-arrow.png Resin Drainage Holes - Prevent resin from settling on the top of the print platform

Lower Build Chamber

Overview 

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A Chamber Lights Button - Press this button to toggle the upper-build chamber's lights on/off. These lights illuminate the upper build chamber, while not curing the resin in the tray.
B Catch Tray - Protects the bottom of the print engine from resin spills. Please note that you will receive a new catch tray with each resin tray ordered. Please see the section Catch Tray for more information.
C Tension Toggle Button - Use this button to toggle the pneumatic-tension arms on/off.
D MDM Slide Handle - Use this handle to slide the MDM in and out of the machine.
E Material Delivery Module (MDM) - Pumps resin from a bottle to fill the resin tray in the upper build chamber. Please see the section Material Delivery Module (MDM) for more information.
F Printer Drip Tray - This removable tray catches any resin drips or spills that may occur in the machine.