1. User Guide
  2. Operation
  3. Load Material Cartridges
  4. Replace Empty Cartridge

Replace Empty Cartridge

CAUTION: Ensure you are installing the same material you used previously on the Printer. Residual material from previous cartridges is still in the MDM tubing and will form a bad material mixture if mixed with a different material type. Please see the section Material Changeover for information on how to use a different material in the Printer.

WEAR 100% nitrile gloves throughout this procedure.

CAUTION: Do not pour material from a new cartridge into an old cartridge.

 

  1. Open the lower-print-chamber door and pull the MDM Drawer toward you. There are hard stops built into the slides to keep it from coming completely out.
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  1. If an empty cartridge is present, tighten the top cap and press the eject button next to the cartridge chute to eject it. Remove and dispose of the cartridge according to all government regulations. Immediately place the red Cartridge Valve Cap over the bottom valve, or hold a paper towel under the bottom of the cartridge, to catch any material drips.

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  1. Your new cartridge must be premixed before being installed in a Printer. Ensure you have done so, as per the section Premix Material Before Cartridge Installation. Remove the red Valve Cap and retain it for future use. You will need to re-cap the valve anytime it is stored outside the machine with material inside.
  1. If there is no label currently on your MCO tubing, remove the MCO tubing label from your new material cartridge's box. Place the label on your MCO tube about 20 cm (8 in) from the Material Delivery Tube (see below) so that it will not interfere with the tube fitting into any machine fixture. If you are using a different material than the label on your current tubing indicates, stop this procedure and perform a Material Changeover.

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  1. Carrying the new cartridge by its handle, slide the cartridge down the chute in the orientation shown at the right. The Cartridge Key should be on the left and fit in the key slot (see below). Ensure the cartridge is fully seated by pushing down on it until you hear it click into place.

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  1. Remove the cap from the top of the cartridge and take the following steps to vent the cartridge:
    1. Grab the foil seal by the pull-tab on top.
    2. Pull on the tab from the edge of the seal, as seen at the right. Peel the seal off slowly, going down the same axis as the pull tab. Pulling straight up on the tab (below, left), or pulling along the axis perpendicular to the pull tab, can make this task more difficult and can even break the tab.

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  1. Recap the cartridge and tighten the cap finger-tight. Then loosen the cap by a quarter turn to allow for ventilation.

CAUTION: DO NOT FORGET TO DO THIS STEP. THE SUCTION OF THE MATERIAL PUMP WILL CAUSE THE CARTRIDGE TO COLLAPSE IF IT IS NOT VENTILATED, WHICH CAN SPILL MATERIAL INSIDE THE MACHINE AND CAUSE MACHINE ERRORS. THIS SITUATION MAY REQUIRE YOU TO CEASE PRINTING AND TO HAVE A 3D SYSTEMS SERVICE CALL TO COMPLETELY CLEAN THE MACHINE.
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  1. Push the MDM Drawer back until it hits its rear limit.
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  1. Ensure that the lower-print-chamber door fully closes.
  2. Your Printer is now ready to pump material from the new cartridge.
  3. Repeat this procedure anytime a material cartridge becomes empty. This will help ensure that your Printer experiences the least amount of downtime.
  4. If you are filling the resin tray from a completely empty state, please see the section Fill Resin Tray from Empty for more information.
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