The purpose of this section is to execute the following:

• Power the 3D printer system on.
• Load support and part material cartridges into the material delivery modules.
• Install a print platform.
• Perform a successful Demo build.
• Remove the finished parts from the 3D printer system.
• Empty the waste drawers.
• Switch the 3D printer system off.

Completion of this process will familiarize you with all of the “basic” 3D printer system operations needed to build parts on the ProJet MJP 5500X and provides a functional “shakedown” for a new installation.  It is strongly recommenced that you complete this section before moving on to larger more sophisticated builds.

Power the 3D printer system On

1. Place the power switch on the rear of the 3D printer system to the ON position.
2. Wait approximately 2 hours for 3D printer system to warm up before attempting to start a print job.
3. Because the materials also require a warm up period, proceed immediately to the next step of adding material to the material delivery modules.

Material Delivery Modules (MDM) and Material Bottles

The 3D printer system has a total of four material delivery modules (MDM).  Each MDM holds two bottles of material.  This provides for a total of four bottles of support material and four bottles of part material.

Support material is loaded into both MDMs located on the left side of the machine, for a total of four bottles.  All bottles of support material must be the same type.

Part material is loaded into the MDMs located on the right side of the 3D printer system.  The upper MDM is designated MDM “A” and the lower MDM is designated MDM “B”.  The distinguishing feature of this 3D printer system is that you may use two different types of part material.

Two bottles of part material A are placed into MDM A and two bottles of part material B are placed into MDM “B”.  Do not place different materials into the same MDM.  Placing different build materials in the same MDM will generate a mixed material part. 

Install Material Bottles

For the purpose of the Demo print, we will use only two bottles of support material and two bottles of part material.  Make certain that the two bottles of part material are the same type.

1. Unpack the material bottles from the cartons. Save sleeves and material carton to store partially used material bottles. 
2. Press and release the upper left material delivery module to open it.  Install two bottles of support material into the MDM.  Press on the top of the material bottle until you hear a click to make certain the bottles are fully seated.  Vent the bottles by loosening each cap 1/2 turn.
3. Press and release the upper right material delivery module to open it.  Install two bottles of part material into the MDM.  Press on the top of the material bottle until you hear a click to make certain the bottles are fully seated.  Vent the bottles by loosening each cap 1/2 turn. 

As previously stated, only two MDM are loaded with material for the Demo print.  Subsequent print jobs will require all MDMs to be fully loaded with both support and part material.

Install Waste Bags in the Waste Drawers

1. Open the upper left and upper right MDM.
2. Slide both waste drawers completely out of the 3D printer system.
3. Install a plastic waste bag into each drawer.
4. Close waste drawers and MDMs.
5.  Press the Start key to resume.

Install Print Platform

1. Clean the platform (both front and back), using 91% isopropyl alcohol before installing the platform into the 3D printer system.
2. Open the chamber door.
3. The  view below shows the bottom of the print platform.  The recessed area on the bottom of the platform is placed toward the front of the 3D printer system.

4. Place the platform on the Z-carriage so the rear edge of the platform is positioned in front of the rear brackets.

5. Slide the platform toward the rear of the 3D printer system until it is firmly pressed against the rear brackets.  Press down on the platform at the points indicated  to make certain the platform is “seated” onto the Z-carriage. 

6. Close the front door and press the Start key on the touchscreen to bring the 3D printer system online.

DEMO PRINT

1. On the touchscreen, press the Tools icon.
2. Press Print Diagnostics.

3. Press Demo Print.
4. Select Upper or Lower for a single material demo print.
5. Select Multi for a multi-material demo print

6. Select the mode for the Demo Print.

• For a single material demo print, the available modes are UHD and XHD only.
• For a multi-material demo print, the available modes are HD, UHD and XHD.

7. The system displays PLATFORM EMPTY & DOOR CLOSED? Y/N. 
8. Make certain the platform is empty, the door is closed and press YES. 

10. The 3D printer system starts the demo print job.  
11. The demo print will take approximately three hours.

Remove Print Platform

When the touchscreen shows DONE: <job_name>, you can remove the print platform.

1. Open the chamber door.
2. To remove the platform, Pull the platform forward until you feel it contact the stops.  
3. Place your hands on either side of the platform to lift and remove it from the 3D printer system.

Remove Part from Print platform

To remove your part from the print platform:

• Place the platform in a freezer for ten to fifteen minutes. As the parts and platform cool, they contract at different rates and separate.

• Alternatively, the parts can be mechanically separated from the print platform by force using a tool with a stiff thin blade such as a putty knife. Make certain you do not mark the platform. For more information on how to clean parts, refer to the VisiJet Post Processing Guide.

Empty Waste Drawers
 

	Personal protection equipment is required before opening waste drawer. Follow all material handling and disposal guidelines. Always follow Global Health and Safety guidelines and local regulations regarding handling and disposal of regulated materials. Keep disposal records if local law requires.
	CAUTION: Wear protective gloves and sleeves before removing any waste material. Be careful not to spill, drop, or expose others to these materials. Dispose the material according to your local regulatory guidelines.

Note: When removing the draped portion of the bag, be careful not to spill the material that may be on the top portion of the bag.

1. Open the upper left and upper right MDM.
2. Slide both waste drawers completely out of the 3D printer system.
3. Remove waste bags from waste drawers and place into a hazardous waste container.
4. Replace the plastic waste bag for each drawer.
5. Close waste drawers and press Start to resume.

Standby and Conserve Mode

NOTE: If the 3D printer system is to be used within 7 to 10 days of the last build, it is recommended to leave your 3D printer system in either standby or conserve mode, instead of powering off the 3D printer system.

If the 3D printer system is idle more than 5 hours, it enters Standby mode.  If the 3D printer system is idle more than 36 hours, it enters Conserve mode. In these energy-saving states, the heaters are partially cooled and many other components are disabled.  It takes much less time for the 3D printer system to warm up from Standby or Conserve mode than it does from full shutdown/power off, (see table below). To increase or decrease wait time before the 3D printer system enters Standby mode or Conserve mode, contact 3D Systems Technical Support
 

3D printer system Shutdown and Power Off
 

NOTE: Before shutdown and power off, verify that there is no need to build parts again soon.

CAUTION: Switching off or disconnecting the 3D printer system power without performing the following shutdown procedure can damage the 3D printer system. Always perform the shutdown procedure before switching off the 3D printer system power unless an immediate power off is necessary for safety reasons.

1. Verify the 3D printer system is not building.
2. Press Tools.
3. Press  Printer Shutdown.
4. The touchscreen displays  SHUTDOWN MODELER?: Y/N.  Press Yes.
5. The touchscreen displays  Windows Shutdown:
6. The touchscreen displays  Shutdown in Progress     Please Wait.  After 15 seconds the touchscreen goes black.
7. After the touchscreen goes black, switch the power switch on the back of the 3D printer system to OFF.