Space Requirements

User preferences, building codes, and equipment configuration help you to define the total floor area that your Figure 4 Standalone Printer will need. The Figure 4 system should be located in an environmentally controlled room. Locate the secondary post processing equipment and supplies in the same room or adjoining room, if possible. The figure below shows an ideal site configuration that minimizes the required movement of parts after part building. The Figure 4 Standalone Printer Measurements Diagram shows the minimum dimensions of the Figure 4 Standalone Printer. Your site layout will vary.

NOTE: Due to UV safety requirements, the system should be located where access to the room can be avoided during an emergency.

NOTE: The Figure 4 Standalone Printer should be placed such that the front of the unit is easily accessible for opening the door and loading/unloading print platforms. There should also be at least six inches of clearance on the sides and back of the printer for proper air flow. If you use the pedestal, the outriggers hitting the wall will add the required clearance. You may wish to use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to keep your devices running in the event of a power surge/outage.

Optimal Site Layout (top view) - dimensions for part cleaner are based on a popular consumer ultrasonic cleaner

Printer dimensions with pedestal

Printer dimensions without pedestal

Internet Connection

There must be a wired internet connection for the printer to connect to. The Figure 4 Standalone Printer communicates with a 3D Systems server and will not operate on a closed network. There is also no WiFi support.

Floor/Area Surface

Floors and counter spaces in the Figure 4 work area should be non-porous and suitable for cleaning with solvents. The feet of the printer must be on a sturdy, level surface; be sure to make any leveling adjustments needed to the desk/counter your printer will be on. Carpeted floors must not be used. Remove any carpeting or other non-porous flooring where the feet of the Figure 4 system will be placed. The system should not straddle any floor/desk/counter seams. The maximum permissible platform incline is 2.5 cm/12 m (1 in/40 ft).

Floor Vibration and Shock

The system is a precision mechanical and optical machine that is sensitive to vibration. In order to ensure part quality and accuracy, a ground floor location with a concrete floor, (miminum of 4 inches thick) is recommended.

The Figure 4 Standalone is slightly self-damping, and should not be affected by normal or incidental environmental vibration; however the area should be isolated, either via location or some other physical or mechanical means, from any significant internal or external vibration sources such as heavy machinery, HVAC and fans. Locations near airports or train tracks which could cause unacceptable shock or vibration levels are not recommended.

Load-Bearing Capacity

The Figure 4 Standalone Printer is 34.5 kg (76 lbs) and does not require a table rated for a heavy load. Additional equipment, such as a UV oven or ultra-sonic cleaner, will each have their own loads for your setup to bear. Refer to the Weights and Measures Charts to determine the total weight of the equipment to be housed in your room to ensure that you do not exceed the maximum load-bearing capacity that your printer-staging area can support.

Electrical Requirements

Electrical voltage requirements for the Figure 4 Standalone Printer:

• 120V-240V, 50/60 Hz, 4A (2A Europe), 1 phase

Power for the Figure 4 Standalone Printer should be on a surge-protected circuit. 3D Systems does not require the use of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for the Figure 4 Standalone Printer. However, if you live in an area with frequent power surges/outages, a UPS would be useful. A UPS would prevent a build from crashing in the event of a brief power outage/surge, as it would give you time to properly pause the print job.

Ensure that the space you select for the printer has a power outlet reachable by that length of cord. Use of an extension cord or power strip is not recommended.

If your power cord becomes damaged or lost, please ensure you order a replacement from 3D Systems for a power cord that is adequately rated for the machine. Do not replace the power cord with a cord that is not rated for the printer. 3D Systems will identify any parts that are required to be examined or supplied only by 3D Systems or its partners.

Heat Dissipation

The Figure 4 Standalone Printer is not expected give off significant heat under normal operating conditions.

Connection to AC Power

• In the United States, connection to a standard 10-amp wall outlet is required. The system connects to a 120VAC power outlet through a standard 120VAC power cord.
• In Europe, a standard 10-amp wall outlet is also required. The system connects to a 230VAC power outlet through a standard 230VAC power cord. Country destination kits are available with the proper wall-power connections.

Temperature

The temperature in the room or location where the Figure 4 system resides should remain stable to allow optimal system operation and optimal part quality.

Figure 4 resins should be stored between 5°C-30°C (41°F-86°F). However, successful printing has only been tested at a minimum of 18°C (64.4°F) and a maximum of 28°C (82.4°F)*. If your room is kept beyond either extreme, you may see a degradation in print quality.

*For Figure 4 FLEX BLK 10 print material, printing temperatures outside the range of 10-30°C (50-86°F) can cause printed-part properties to change.

Humidity

The optimal humidity in the Figure 4 Standalone Printer build chamber and lab will depend to a certain degree on the Figure 4 material selection. Regardless, the humidity should always be non-condensing and should not vary outside the range of 30 to 70% RH*. Review your Figure 4 material information (SDS, User Guide, and product labeling) for specific information on recommended humidity levels.

*For Figure 4 FLEX BLK 10 print material, humidity outside the range of 10-65% RH can cause printed-part properties to change.

Altitude

The Figure 4 system is capable of operating correctly up to an altitude of 2,400 m above mean sea level.

Ventilation

While outside venting is not always required, there are some materials for which outside venting is necessary. Your HVAC system should perform at least six air exchanges per hour in the room where the printer is located. You may wish to have a fume hood installed for your part-cleaning area. Ensure that your facility complies with all local and regional regulations regarding ventilation of vapors, dust, and other by-products of printing, cleaning and secondary processing.  Always refer to and follow the information on the SDS for your specific material.

Overall Sound Pressure Level (OASPL)

The sound of the Figure 4 system will not exceed 80 db.

Air Cleanness

The room housing the Figure 4 system should be prepared for odors related to a small material spill. The means that windows should be able to be opened and/or other measures can be put in place to vent the room in the case of a spill. Reasonable care should be taken to minimize dust and smoke which could contaminate the Figure 4 material and cause deterioration of optical surfaces. Avoid temperature fluctuation. Since dust, smoke and temperature fluctuations can affect the performance of the machine and the quality of the parts, an area with filtered air flow is recommended. Avoid proximity to machine shop areas, or where milling, grinding, or sanding is performed.

Lighting

Standard fluorescent lamps with clear plastic diffusers are recommended to minimize ultraviolet exposure, which could negatively affect the Figure 4 material. Sunlight, quartz-halogen lamps, and high-intensity incandescent lamps are not suitable; and UV-intensive lighting or ultraviolet exposure through windows should be avoided. UV filters are available for windows and exposed fluorescent lamps. Any exposure of the resin to any of the light sources described in this section is likely to cure the resin, thereby wasting it and forcing a difficult cleanup.

Door or Other Method of Preventing Access to Room

The site should be able to be isolated from other employees or personnel in the event of a material spill or major machine malfunction. A separate room or area that can be closed to others is necessary. The system is safe and does not present hazards to properly trained personnel operating the system in accordance with our specifications. However, the system should be installed in an area that can be cleared of untrained personnel during emergency situations.

Network Access

The Figure 4 system controller computer includes a Class A Ethernet interface, which can be connected to a 10/100/1000 MBit/s Ethernet network to offer network access to the Figure 4 system. To remotely operate the Figure 4 Standalone Printer or to remotely run service engineer diagnostics, a VPN network access is required.

Telephone Service

Dedicated telephone lines are not required for normal operation of a Figure 4 system. You may wish to install a dedicated telephone line in the Figure 4 system installation area to facilitate discussions with 3D Systems Customer Service personnel while the machine is in operation, should the need arise.