Formlabs Form 2 - Cleaning; Cleaning the optical window

24 Maintaining the Form 2 | 25
To clean the standard Resin Tank:
• Print failures:
°
Remove and discard any print failures by hand or with the scraper.
°
Filter the resin, if needed. See 7.3 Cleaning after a Failed Print.
• Cured resin on the elastic layer:
°
Gently slide the scraper under the cured resin.
°
Use the scraper at a shallow angle to peel and remove the cured resin
from the elastic layer.
• Debris or contamination in the resin:
°
Use a filter to remove any debris or small bits of cured resin floating in the tank.
°
Clean, debris-free resin helps avoid print failures, which may damage the tank.
• Settled pigment in the resin: Resin pigment can settle onto the elastic layer.
To supplement the mixing function of the wiper, slide the scraper against the
elastic layer to remove settled pigment.
To clean the clear acrylic tank window:
1. Empty resin from the tank.
2. Use the glare from a secondary light source (for example, a flashlight, LED or
cell phone light) to check the clear acrylic tank window for dust, fingerprints,
or contamination.
3. Apply 1-2 full sprays of NOVUS Plastic Clean & Shine No. 1 to the clear acrylic
tank window, located on the underside of the resin tank.
4.
Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe, using long, sweeping strokes top to
bottom and across the tank window.
5. Fold the microfiber cloth after each swipe to prevent dust and debris from
scratching the acrylic.
6.
Check the tank window again using a secondary light source. Repeat cleaning
as necessary to achieve a crystal clear tank window.
To clean the Resin Tank frame exterior:
1.
Use a paper towel to clean resin from the exterior of the polycarbonate
tank frame.
2.
Keep the sides of the tank clean and free of resin to prevent the lid from
sticking to the side, which may lead to cracks in the tank frame.
3. Avoid resin on the clear acrylic tank window because the contamination may
result in print failures.
Never use IPA or other chemical solutions to clean the polycarbonate tank frame.
IPA and other chemical cleaners may cause cracks in the polycarbonate, which
can lead to resin spills and other damage to the tank and potentially to the printer.
NOTICE
6.2.4 Resin Tank LT: Maintenance and Care
For detailed guidance and visual assistance, search on support.formlabs.com.
To inspect the Resin Tank LT interior:
1. Use a spatula with rounded corners to inspect the resin and the film-coated
elastic layer. Starting from the top corner, gently scrape the spatula from top
to bottom across the tank interior.
2. Check for the following issues that may lead to print failures or damage that
require replacing the tank:
m. cured resin on the protective film
n. debris or failed prints in the resin
o. punctures or gouges in the protective film
3. Follow cleaning instructions to remove cured resin, failed prints, and debris.
In the case of damage to the film, replace the tank.
To inspect the Resin Tank LT exterior:
1. Check the clear acrylic window on the underside of the tank for fingerprints,
dust, contamination, and scratches, which cause the laser light to diuse and
lead to print failures or inaccuracies.
2.
Carefully lift the tank above eye level using an overhand grip on the tank grips.
Tilt the tank—only slightly to avoid spillage—until a reflective glare reveals any
dust, fingerprints, or scratches on the surface.
3. Use cleaning instructions to remove any fingerprints, dust, or contamination
on the tank window before printing. In the case of scratches on the resin
tank window, either use the Layout toolbar in PreForm to print around the
scratched area, or replace the tank.
To clean Resin Tank LT:
1. Print failures: Remove and discard any print failures using a gloved hand or
a spatula with rounded corners.
2. Cured resin on film: Gently slide a spatula with rounded corners under the
cured resin. Use the spatula to peel and remove the cured resin from the film.
3. Debris or contamination in resin: Use a filter to remove any debris or small
bits of cured resin floating in the tank. Clean, debris-free resin helps avoid
print failures, which may damage the tank.
To clean the clear acrylic tank window:
1. Empty resin from the tank.
2.
Use the glare from a secondary light source (for example, a flashlight, LED or
cell phone light) to check the clear acrylic tank window for dust, fingerprints,
or contamination.