Changes

# Setting up PreForm

# Setting up PreForm

## PreForm is the software we will use to import or model to the printer.  

## PreForm is the software we will use to import or model to the printer.  

## To begin with, make sure the print is under the approve cost/size cutoff ($7), or the person printing has special approval.

## To begin with, make sure the print is under the approved cost/size cutoff ($7), or the person printing has special approval to exceed this limit.

## If a window pops up saying the print is broken, hit the repair button then proceed as normal.

## If a window pops up saying the print is broken, hit the repair button then proceed as normal.

## Parts must be shrunk to fit within the build area, further size edits can be made in the Size tab.

## Parts must be shrunk to fit within the build area, further size edits can be made in the Size tab.

### The goal is to reduce the horizontal area covered with each pass of the wiper. Start with auto-orienting the part using the 'Orient Selected' button in the Orientation tab, this is a good place to start and will make it easier to see if the part needs further orientation.[[File:Size set.jpg|none|thumb| Image 1-Model too big for build plate--Image 2-Model shrunk to fit build plate]]

### The goal is to reduce the horizontal area covered with each pass of the wiper. Start with auto-orienting the part using the 'Orient Selected' button in the Orientation tab, this is a good place to start and will make it easier to see if the part needs further orientation.[[File:Size set.jpg|none|thumb| Image 1-Model too big for build plate--Image 2-Model shrunk to fit build plate]]

## Don't place supports on hard edges (right angles) or in inaccessible places. This will cause the print to be unprintable, because it just can't complete the task you're giving it.

## Don't place supports on hard edges (right angles) or in inaccessible places. This will cause the print to be unprintable.

## Every part that needs support should have support - PreForm will highlight unsupported areas in red, place supports until the red areas go away, '''check the part thoroughly.''' Preform does not let you print with unsupported areas, so if an error occurs that does not let you print, check to make sure the entire part is supported.  

## Every part that needs support should have support - PreForm will highlight unsupported areas in red, place supports until the red areas go away. '''Check the part thoroughly because PreForm will not let you print with unsupported areas.'''

## Supports can be added, edited, and removed in the PreForm Supports tab.

## Supports can be added, edited, and removed in the PreForm Supports tab.

### Support density should be between .5 and .7.

### Support density should be between .5 and .7.   '''''[Note - Is this a setting or a dimension?]'''''

### Support point size should be between .6mm and .8mm.

### Support point size should be between .6mm and .8mm.

### These values can be edited if necessary to ensure printability, just use common sense when adjusting values.

### These values can be edited if necessary to ensure printability, just use common sense when adjusting values.

## You will be able to start your print using the touchscreen on the Form 2. If it is sleeping, just press the button and it should wake up.

## You will be able to start your print using the touchscreen on the Form 2. If it is sleeping, just press the button and it should wake up.

## When it wakes up, you will likely see this screen. It displays the most recently prepared job and gives you the option to print now by pressing the blue button on the bottom right of the screen.[[File:TouchScreen.jpg|none|thumb]]

## When it wakes up, you will likely see this screen. It displays the most recently prepared job and gives you the option to print now by pressing the blue button on the bottom right of the screen.[[File:TouchScreen.jpg|none|thumb]]

## There are two other buttons you can press on the left screen. The USB button will take you to the settings of the printer, so you will not need to go here. The checklist button brings a list of every job that has been uploaded to the printer, so you will want to be selecting this one to find your print. Find your print, and hit print now. The printer will make sure that you perform the appropriate setup before it starts printing, such as inserting the tank in the back of the printer and assuring that the build plate is removed of other printed parts.

## There are two other buttons you can press on the left screen. The USB button will take you to the settings of the printer, so you will not need to go here. The checklist button brings a list of every job that has been uploaded to the printer, so you will want to be selecting this one to find your print. When you find your print, select "print now". The printer will make sure that you perform the appropriate setup before it starts printing, such as inserting the tank in the back of the printer and assuring that the build plate is cleared of other printed parts.

## The print will begin its process once you hit Print Now! A time estimate will be provided.

## The print will begin its process once you hit Print Now! A time estimate will be provided.

# Removing Prints

# Removing Prints

## See the [[Form Wash and Cure]] page.

## See the [[Form Wash and Cure]] page.

# Changing Resin

# Changing Resin

## In the Formlabs Printer, there is a tray of resin, and sometimes that will not be the resin you want to print your material out of, so it will occasionally need to be changed. Lab volunteers will be the ones to do this for you, so if you need resin changed, let them know.

## If the Formlabs Printer resin tray does not contain the resin you want, allow Lab volunteers to provide the desired resin.

## Remove, clean, and replace the build plate.

## Remove, clean, and replace the build plate.

### Pull lever holding build plate in place up, allowing the build plate to be removed.

### Pull lever holding build plate in place up, allowing the build plate to be removed.

==Maintenance==

==Maintenance==

====General maintenance====

====General maintenance====

# Dredging: Every few prints the resin tank should be dredged with a scraping tool to search for any hardened resin or loose bits of material, when resin tanks are switched out, and when a print fails. Remove any found bits. Dredging is done by sweeping a scraping tool back and forth across the bottom of the resin tank, essentially mixing up the resin to stir up any loose bits. Take care while dredging to not scrape the tank. See a resin's particular page on the Formlabs website for additional cleaning instruction. If the tank is not cleanable, switch out the resin tank. If the problem persists, it's possible the resin cartridge needs to be switched out as well.

# Dredging: Every few prints the resin tank should be dredged with a scraping tool to search for any hardened resin or loose bits of material, as well as when resin tanks are switched out, and when a print fails. Remove any found bits. Dredging is done by sweeping a scraping tool back and forth across the bottom of the resin tank, essentially mixing up the resin to stir up any loose bits. Take care while dredging to not scrape the tank. See a resin's particular page on the Formlabs website for additional cleaning instruction. If the tank is not cleanable, switch out the resin tank. If the problem persists, it's possible the resin cartridge needs to be switched out as well.

# Alcohol in the Form Wash must be changed once a certain threshold of washed-off resin enters the tank. See the [[Form Wash and Cure]] page for details.

# Alcohol in the Form Wash must be changed once a certain threshold of washed-off resin enters the tank. See the [[Form Wash and Cure]] page for details.

# Old resin and resin tanks will occasionally need to be changed out

# Old resin and resin tanks will occasionally need to be changed out