autodesk_ember:autodesk_ember

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autodesk_ember:autodesk_ember [2021/04/15 07:39] – [Printer care] formlabautodesk_ember:autodesk_ember [2025/01/15 00:52] (current) – [Troubleshooting] formlab
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   * Start the printer   * Start the printer
   * Do the calibration   * Do the calibration
 +
 +
 +=== Print prep checklist ===
 +Before running each print on Ember, first be sure to confirm that the following preparations have been made:  
 +
 +  * The resin tray is properly anchored in place - All three of its locking tabs must be engaged on the tray's platform.
 +  * The resin tray is filled with the proper amount of resin - Between the "Max" and "Min" marks on the resin tray.
 +  * The resin tray's window is clear of any cured resin stuck to its surface. Feel the window with a gloved finger. It should feel smooth on its entire surface.
 +  * The resin in the tray is clear of floating cured debris - Use a fine mesh paint strainer to filter out any cured debris.
 +  * The build head is properly secured in place - The kinematic coupling needs to be properly engaged.
 +  * The build plate is clear of cured parts - Feel the plate with your gloved finger. It should feel completely smooth. 
 +  * The build head is properly calibrated - If in doubt, re-calibrate.
 +When all of the above are true, you're ready to roll! Hit the "Start" button on Ember's control panel to start the print. 
 +
 +NOTE: Neglecting any of these preparations before running a print can cause damage to your printer.
 +
 +=== How To Add Resin ===
 +  * **Resin should only be in the tray for the duration of the printing time. When the print is complete, the resin should be poured out of the tray.** This will help to extend the life of your resin tray, and will reduce the change of damage to your printer as a result of resin leaking from a damaged tray into Ember's interior.
 +  * Never store trays full of resin in Ember's build chamber when Ember is not in use.  
 +  * Before removing the resin tray, remember to always remove the build head, to prevent resin from dripping from the build head onto the window of the projector.
 +  * Warning: When handling resin wear, nitrile gloves, protective clothing (e.g., an apron or lab coat), and eye protection.
 +
 +  - Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves
 +  - Gently shake resin before use
 +  - Slowly pour into resin tray
 +  - Fill up to Max line of 100ml
 +  - Make sure that the resin is filled above the Min line of 50ml
 +
 +Filling the resin tray above the maximum line may cause damage to your printer due to resin overflowing from the tray into Ember's interior.
 +
 +**When your print is complete**, remove the build head, remove the resin tray from Ember, **drain the resin into a resin storage bottle and store it away from exposure to light**. If there are particulates in the resin (e.g., resin shards from a failed print), be sure to use a fine mesh paint strainer to remove them before storing your resin for reuse.
 +
 +
 +=== How to calibrate the build head ===
 +Correct calibration of the build head is key to a successful print on Ember. 
 +{{youtube>R2_3xLAQ64Q?medium}}
 +
 +== Objective of Calibration ==
 +The objective of build head calibration is to align the build head parallel and flush with the PDMS surface.
 +
 +This is important for several reasons:
 +  *  To ensure that the first layer sticks onto the build head
 +  *  To prevent jamming when the resin tray rotates
 +  *  To ensure an even thickness of the first layer
 +
 +== Preparing for Calibration ==
 +The process of calibrating the build head will only take a few minutes. 
 +Before starting check that:
 +
 +  - Ember is powered on
 +  - The build head is clear of any previous print
 +  - The build head is securely locked to the build arm
 +  - There is no cured resin stuck to the PDMS
 +  - There is resin in the resin tray
 +  - The resin tray is properly attached to the rotating plate (and that the three tabs at at the base of the resin tray are securely locked in place).
 +
 +== Calibrating the Build Head ==
 +  - Open the amber access door, loosen the calibration bolt with the calibration hex key. The build head should be free to rotate in all directions and move up and down.
 +  - Gently push the build head up to the top of its travel.
 +  - While holding the build head in position with one hand, tighten the calibration bolt to secure the build head.
 +  - Close the amber access door and click "Next" on the UI panel, the build head will move to the calibration position.
 +  - Once the build head is at the calibration position, open the amber access door.
 +  - Loosen the calibration bolt so that the build head is free to rotate in all directions and move down.
 +  - Let the build head fall under its own weight into the resin tray so that it is flush with the PDMS surface.
 +  - Rotate the build head so that it is square with the PDMS and allow it to settle in place.
 +  - Tighten the calibration bolt and return the calibration hex key to its pocket.
 +  - Close the amber access door and hit "Done" on the UI panel.
 +
 +You can tell if you have successfully calibrated by the build head if all the following apply:
 +  * As the resin tray rotates, the build head pushes all but a very thin film of resin off the PDMS. The PDMS should look almost dry.
 +  * The resin tray rotates without any jamming or skipping of steps
 +
 +Calibration is only necessary after 
 +  * a failed print
 +  * a changed resin tray
 +  * a changed build head
 +
 +
 +
 +
  
 ==== Post-print ==== ==== Post-print ====
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 In the ''3D-Print'' add-on, click the button ''Volume'' under Statistics. The volume is reported in cm3. Multiply with 1000 to get mm3. In the ''3D-Print'' add-on, click the button ''Volume'' under Statistics. The volume is reported in cm3. Multiply with 1000 to get mm3.
  
-==== How much does it cost? ==== 
- 
-<code> 
-( resin amount (in liter) * resin cost * material multiplier ) 
-  + 
-( machine time (in hours) * machine time multiplier ) 
-</code> 
- 
-  * resin amount: calculate the volume of your model in a 3D application. Then calculate this amount in liters: 
-  * Volume of 3D model (mm3) * ( 10 to the power of -6 ) 
-  * resin cost: €108,00 per liter 
-  * material multiplier: 30%: material cost *1,3 
-  * machine time multiplier: €0,55 per hour 
  
 ==== Resin design guidelines ==== ==== Resin design guidelines ====
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   * Wear nitrile gloves - (throw away after use, or clean them thoroughly with alcohol)   * Wear nitrile gloves - (throw away after use, or clean them thoroughly with alcohol)
  
-==== Calibration ==== 
  
-Necessary after  + 
-  * a failed print +==== Troubleshooting ==== 
-  * a changed resin tray + 
-  * a changed build head+- [[https://ameralabs.com/blog/resin-3d-printing-troubleshooting-a-comprehensive-guide/|Resin 3D printing troubleshooting guide]] 
 +=== Error loading file === 
 +After a long time without use, the printer gave the message 'Error loading file' on the LCD screen when trying to start a new print. In the logs we found errors saying that it couldn't copy a file from the 'staging' directory to the print data directory because a  file or folder could't be found. We tried out a few different things but the probable fix for it is to clear out the data from the previous print. The brain of the Ember is a Beaglebone Black, the 3D print engine is calles Smith. 
 + 
 +  * Turn on the printer and connect it to mac with a usb cable 
 +  * Connect to it over ssh: <code>ssh root@192.168.7.2</code> 
 +  * Empty the staging folder: \\ <code> 
 +cd /var/smith/staging/print/ # Go to the print staging/print folder 
 +# If there are files present, delete them: 
 +rm * # The -* deletes all files in the current folder 
 +</code> 
 + 
 +  * Empty the print data folder: \\ <code> 
 +cd /var/smith/print_data/print/ # Go to the print data/print folder 
 +# If there is folder present in the Print folder, delete it: 
 +rm -r name_of_the_folder/ # The -r deletes the folder and it's contents. 
 +</code> 
 + 
 +Useful command line codes for this job: 
 +  * <code>du -d1 -h -x . | sort -h</code> du stands for disk usage. -h use human readable sizes. '.' Analize the current directory. Then | pipes the data to sort to put the larger files or folders on the bottom. 
 +  * <code>tail name_off_file</code> Show the last section of a file 
 +  * Log files are here: /var/log/ 
 +  * <code>df -h</code> Command for 'disk free': show how much space is taken by certain folders and how much of the partitions is left. 
 + 
 + 
 +If this doesn't work, have look at [[https://www.topbug.net/blog/2013/04/14/install-and-use-gnu-command-line-tools-in-mac-os-x/|this article]]. We were suggested to install the GNU command line tools. Not sure if they're useful or not.
  
  
 +=== Tray jamming ===
 +Resin tray moves back and forth rapidly on the separation slide motion. We lowered the separation slide velocity and played with some other settings but no luck. We increased the motor current for both motors but no luck with that also.
 +Still trying to sold this issue.
  • autodesk_ember/autodesk_ember.1618497568.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2021/04/15 07:39
  • by formlab