20 service@zcorp.com
USEFUL TIPS
PART SETUP AND POST-PROCESSING
PART SETUP, ORIENTATION, AND PRINT SETTINGS
• Do not tightly pack parts into the build. Keep in mind that you will need to depowder and remove them
from the build box. Allow a little room around the part so you can vacuum the powder away and get your
fingers around or under it.
• Orient parts so delicate features are supported in the z-axis, i.e. keep the attaching feature directly
below the fragile features. If a delicate feature is only supported by unprinted powder the chances of
breaking that small feature during depowdering is greatly increased.
• When building delicate parts use the “Fixture” function to cradle the part. Raising the part 0.25" (6.4
mm) from the bottom of the build and creating a fixture under the part will produce a cradle that can be
handled. The part inside the cradle can easily be transported to an oven or the depowderer.
• Do not enable the bleed compensation feature if you are building a part with features under 0.050" (1.27
mm). Enabling bleed compensation may reduce the feature size.
• To increase the strength of thin parts, you can decrease the layer thickness to 0.0035" (0.089 mm) if you
are using one of the zp
®
100 series (plaster-based) powder systems. Then choose to override the
saturation values. Input the saturation values used for printing at 0.004" (0.102 mm). This increases the
binder to powder ratio and wets more of the resins in the powder system. As you increase the strength
of the part in this manner you are also inceasing the amount of time to dry the part. Use of the removable
build plate and oven drying the part are recommended.
GROSS AND FINE DEPOWDERING
• Become familiar with where the parts are placed and how they are oriented in the build box so you do
not accidentally bump or brush against a fragile part during the depowdering process.
• When performing the gross depowdering (removal of excess powder in the build box) do not plunge the
vacuum nozzle into the powder bed. Begin at the outer perimeter of the build box, slowly work your way
into the build. Hold the tip of vacuum nozzle approximately 0.25" (6.4 mm) to .375" (9.5 mm) away from
the powder and allow the vacuum to pull the powder up. Slanting the vacuum nozzle will enable you to
control the suction. This will decrease the chance of breaking a part that is hidden beneath the surface
of the powder.
• While fine depowdering in the depowderer, always start with a low air pressure and gradually increase
the pressure as the fine details and features of the part become visible. When the top and sides of the
part are completely depowdered tilt the part onto one of its sides. Handle the part carefully. The part
may be fragile and brittle before infiltration. If none of the sides of the part will be able to support the
weight of the part you can apply a small amount of resin or epoxy to strengthen it. You want to be careful
not to let any of the infiltrant come into contact with any unprinted powder that may still be on the part.
Let the infiltrant dry before continuing to depowder.
USE OF THE REMOVABLE BUILD PLATE
• The removable build plate is an excellent tool for the new user. It allows you to quickly remove the part
from the build bed and begin printing again. The build plate also allows the user to easily transport the
part to the oven (at temperatures below 150
o
F or 66
o
C) or the depowdering station without ever having
to handle the part.
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