The key to consistent high-quality 3D printing results is performing regular maintenance to keep an industrial 3D printer in good condition. Some 3D printer parts and accessories require maintenance before each print job, and others require maintenance every few hundred working hours. However, 3D printing maintenance is generally simple and not time-consuming.
Before starting any repair or maintenance work, it is extremely important to turn the printer off and let it cool down. Remember to always wear safety gloves and glasses.
The following tables demonstrate maintenance and repair guidelines for each part of the Pro2 Series high-quality 3D printer. The tables also include specific check-points, required activities, and the required frequency for each activity.
1. Main
|
ACTIVITY |
FREQUENCY |
|
Clean the machine internally and surroundings. Pay close attention to the bottom plate located under the platform
|
Before each print job |
2. Print Head
| ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY |
| Check that the hotend are not loosening, if necessary, tighten the screws which secure the hotend | Before each print job |
| Remove material remains and lumps from the hotend | Before each print job |
| Check if the fans are working | Before each print job |
3. Hotend
| ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY |
| Check the hotend and nozzle for any clogs. If there are any clogs present, remove them. | After finishing one spool of material |
| Clean the nozzles | Every 300 working hours |
| Make sure the screws that tighten the heater rod and thermocouple are tightened | Every 300 working hours |
| Check that the first layer of the printing model can stick to the build surface or not | During each print job
|
| Check that the material feed is smooth | Before each print job |
4. Platform
| ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY |
| Clean the build surface with isopropyl alcohol and a rag | Before each print job |
| Checking the build plate for any deformation | Before each print job |
5. XY Axes
| ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY |
| Check that the gantry rods are clean | Before each print job |
| Check the drive belt tension on the X/Y axis | Every 300 working hours |
| Check that the screws on the X/Y axis and motor pulleys are tight | Every 300 working hours |
| Check that the print head moves freely when the motors are disabled | Every 200 working hours
Whenever the extruder does not run smoothly If the shaft makes a noise as it moves |
| Lubricate the X/Y axis and gantry rods | Every 300 working hours
Whenever the extruder does not run smoothly If the shaft makes a noise as it moves |
6. Z Axis
| ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY |
| Check that the Z-Axis screw and rails are clear of material remains | Before each print job |
| Checking if the screws and nuts are properly secured
NOTE: Due to design characteristics, the screws that secure the Z-axis screw nut cannot be fully tightened, nuts are loose by design to prevent the bed from bending. |
Every 300 working hours |
| Lubricating the Z axis | Every 400 working hours |
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