3D Systems 3000 Owner's manual

Document No: D100253

BFB-3000

Set Up and Operations Manual

[Version 3.0]

BFB-3000 Set Up and Operations Manual

Document No: D100253 2

1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing your BFB-3000.

Before first use, the BFB-3000 needs careful setting up. The list below illustrates some of

the essential operations which must be carried out before operation:

 Remove existing prints

 Check the bed is clear of any build material

 Check the bed is fitted correctly

 Power up

 Manual move

 Check the hot-end nozzles are clean from plastic debris

 Check the bed is level

 Check the bed is referenced to the extruder nozzles

 Load the extruders

 Start a print

 Print a successful raft

 Print the first model

Failure to carry out all of the set-up procedures contained in this

document will damage the machine.

This document has been designed to illustrate the essential procedures and get you up and

running as quickly as possible. Please take time to understand how the process works and

complete each procedure in the order set out in this manual. Setting up can take from

20-60 minutes depending on the skill level of the operator.

Support is available by raising a ticket at www.bitsfrombytes.com

We welcome any feedback you may have, and wish you well in your 3D printing!

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2 Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2

2 Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 3

3 Manual symbols ............................................................................................................. 5

4 How this manual works .................................................................................................. 6

5 Process overview – how the BFB-3000 works ................................................................ 7

5.1 BFB-3000 ................................................................................................................... 7

5.2 Tool kit ....................................................................................................................... 8

5.3 Creating a 3D model .................................................................................................. 9

6 Initial set-up ................................................................................................................. 12

6.1 Remove existing prints ............................................................................................ 12

6.2 Check the bed is clear of any build material ............................................................ 13

6.3 Check the bed is fitted correctly .............................................................................. 14

6.3.1 Remove the bed ............................................................................................. 15

6.3.2 Fit the bed ...................................................................................................... 16

6.4 Power up ................................................................................................................. 17

6.5 Manual move ........................................................................................................... 18

6.6 Check the hot-end nozzles are clean from plastic debris ......................................... 20

6.7 Check the bed is level .............................................................................................. 21

6.8 Check the bed is referenced to the extruder nozzles ............................................... 28

6.9 Load the extruders................................................................................................... 31

6.9.1 Load the filament ........................................................................................... 31

6.9.2 Extruder control ............................................................................................. 37

6.9.3 Purge the extruder ......................................................................................... 38

6.10 Start a print .......................................................................................................... 40

6.11 Print a successful raft............................................................................................ 41

6.11.1 Print the raft check file ................................................................................... 43

6.11.2 Examine the raft check file ............................................................................. 44

6.11.3 Potential problems ......................................................................................... 45

6.11.4 Perfect the raft ............................................................................................... 46

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7 Print the first model ..................................................................................................... 47

7.1 Test print ................................................................................................................. 47

7.2 Essential post-print operations ................................................................................ 48

7.2.1 Bed flatness .................................................................................................... 48

7.2.2 Empty material waste bin ............................................................................... 49

8 Further printing ............................................................................................................ 50

9 Further operations ....................................................................................................... 51

9.1 SD card notes ........................................................................................................... 51

9.2 Reloading the extruders .......................................................................................... 51

9.3 Notes on materials .................................................................................................. 52

9.3.1 Properties ....................................................................................................... 52

9.3.2 Soluble support structure ............................................................................... 52

9.3.3 Storage ........................................................................................................... 52

9.4 Control panel functions ........................................................................................... 53

9.4.1 Run file ........................................................................................................... 53

9.4.2 Extruder mapping ........................................................................................... 53

9.4.3 Manual move ................................................................................................. 55

9.4.4 Extruder control ............................................................................................. 55

9.4.5 Home tool head .............................................................................................. 55

9.4.6 Settings........................................................................................................... 55

9.4.7 Set Z height .................................................................................................... 56

9.5 Maintenance operations.......................................................................................... 60

9.5.1 Updating your printer ..................................................................................... 60

9.5.2 Adjusting the nozzle wipe ............................................................................... 60

9.5.3 Fine adjustment to level the nozzles .............................................................. 62

9.5.4 Handling a ground-out filament ..................................................................... 64

9.5.5 Handling snapped filament in the delivery tube ............................................. 66

9.6 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................... 73

9.7 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................... 73

9.8 Specifications ........................................................................................................... 73

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3 Manual symbols

CAUTION: notes to prevent damage to the machine.

DANGER: notes to prevent injury to the operator.

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4 How this manual works

How the BFB-3000 3D

printing process

works

Initial setup of the

BFB-3000 machine

and testing

First print

Links for further

printing

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5 Process overview – how the BFB-3000 works

Before reading this section, please ensure that the unpacking instructions have been

completed.

5.1 BFB-3000

Bed

Filament

reel

holders

Control

box

Nozzle

wipe box

Extruders

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5.2 Tool kit

8mm spanner

Hex drivers

Side cutters

Model removal tool

Pliers

SD card

Ø3mm

drill bit

Ø0.5mm drill bit

1.5mm

Allen

Wrench

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5.3 Creating a 3D model

CAD software

BFB “Axon”

Draw your object in your 3D

modelling package

1

Load your model into Axon to

automatically process the file.

1

Most CAD packages export to STL format. However, STL quality depends on the CAD package. Poor quality STLs

may need repairing before loading into “Axon”. STL fixing programs are readily available (e.g. NetFabb).

Save as…

*.STL

Save as…

*.BFB

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Extruders

Filament

reels

Delivery

tubes

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The extruders pull filament from the reel via the delivery tubes and drive through a hot-end

to produce a thin molten filament of plastic. The extruder draws each layer with this

filament. After each layer is produced the bed increments down so that a new layer can be

drawn on top of the last, building up the 3D model. A second (optional) extruder

automatically prints support filament for printing overhanging-features.

Hot-end

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6 Initial set-up

Follow all the steps in this section to ensure that the printer is correctly setup before

printing.

6.1 Remove existing prints

We do test prints on each BFB-3000 as part of our quality control. We leave these on the

print bed to show that the printer has been checked, and to demonstrate some basic prints.

Remove any previous prints with the model removal tool. Slide the edge between the bed

and the first layer to remove the entire print.

If the model is difficult to remove from the bed in situ, you can take the

whole bed out of the machine to make the removal process easier

(refer to “Remove the bed”, page 15).

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6.2 Check the bed is clear of any build material

Ensure that all build material is completely removed from the bed. Use the model removal

tool to remove any stuck-fast tracks.

It is normal for prints to leave marks on the bed, and for the model

removal tool to lightly scratch the surface of the bed. This will not

affect the printer’s operation. However, take care to avoid gouging the

surface with the material removal tool – the bed must be flat.

Clean: no build

material debris

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6.3 Check the bed is fitted correctly

Ensure that bed is correctly fitted to the printer. The three bed bolt heads should sit flush in

the countersinks. If not, remove the bed, then refit it - as shown in the next two sections.

Bed bolt 3

Bed bolt 1

Bed bolt 2

Bed

Bed bolt head

in countersink

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6.3.1 Remove the bed

 Tip: removal is easier if the bed is near the bottom of the machine. If it is too high,

you can manually lower the z-axis (see “Manual move”, page 18).

1

2

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6.3.2 Fit the bed

 Tip: fitting is easier if the bed is near the bottom of the machine. If it is too high, you

can manually lower the z-axis (see “Manual move”, page 18).

 Check all bolt heads are fitted correctly (see “Check the bed is fitted correctly”,

page 14).

2

3

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6.4 Power up

 Connect the power supply from the control panel into the power socket shown in

Figure 1. Turn the supply on. Turn the control box on using the power switch shown

in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Control panel

Table 1: Buttons used for navigation

Button

Screen Navigation

+Y

Up

-Y

Down

+X

Enter

Esc

Escape

+Z

Extruder selection up (see ‘Extruder control’, page 36)

-Z

Extruder selection down (in ‘Extruder control’, page 36)

Power

socket

+Z, -Z, Escape buttons

Screen

+Y, -Y, -X,

+X/Enter buttons

buttons

Power switch

Power

indicator

SD card

indicator

SD card

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6.5 Manual move

Get familiar with moving the axes around:

 Ensure that the bed is fitted properly to the machine (see “Check the bed is fitted

correctly”, page 14).

 Using the buttons on the control panel (see “Power up”, page 17) select the ‘Manual

move’ function and press enter:

RUN FILE

EXTRUDER MAPPING

>

MANUAL MOVE

EXTRUDER CONTROL

HOME TOOL HEAD

SETTINGS

 Use X, Y and Z buttons to move each axis respectively (axes designated in Figure 2,

page 19).

Caution: Always move the Z axis first to ensure that bed is away from

the extruder nozzles, and does not collide during an X/Y move.

Collisions between the extruder nozzles and the bed may damage both.

Caution: Observe each X/Y axis movement. In these axes, it is possible

to drive the extruders too far away from the “Home” position (Figure 2)

into the printer frame. Avoid this. Excessive collisions will damage the

printer.

Caution: Observe each Z axis movement. In this axis, it is possible to

drive the bed too high (into the extruder nozzles) or too low (into the

motor coupling). Avoid this. Excessive collisions will damage the

printer.

 Press Escape to leave the function, and return to the main menu.

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Figure 2: Axis designation for the BFB-3000

Y

Z

X

-

+

“Home”

Position

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6.6 Check the hot-end nozzles are clean from plastic debris

Ensure that the metal nozzle tips are clean from any plastic debris. All tips should be clearly

visible.

If not:

 Lower the bed to make access to the nozzles easy.

 Position the extruders in approximately the middle of the machine (see “Manual

move”, page 18), to make access to the nozzles easy.

 Pull away any light plastic debris away from the nozzle tip using the pliers.

 If plastic debris is stubborn, you may need to heat the extruder to make the plastic

soft enough to remove. To heat the extruder up, please refer to “Extruder control”

(page 36).

Caution: When heating up nozzles to remove plastic debris, do not touch

the nozzle tips with your fingers. Extruders will burn if touched when hot.

Nozzle tip

clearly

visible, and

free of any

plastic debris

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