Models
How do I get my supports off?
All support removal is to be done BEFORE curing.
1. Use the X-Acto knife to snip off the tips of the support structures and be cautious when decreasing the tip thickness in the RP when adjusting OR
2. Use some small wire cutters to snip the supports. You can also send a little of the nubs off the model after you snip the supports off to easily get the model flat if needed.
Is there an easier way to get my models off the platform?
1. Hold the build plate against a wall and use your metal spatula to get the models pried off when using the baseplate enabled in the support structures. If you have a rubber mallet it helps a lot with working the models off.
2. Tap the model on the perimeter with the glass cleaner, a small boxcutter knife tool helps a lot with the separation of the edges of the model slightly tapping with a rubber mallet.
3. Separate the model with a box cutter knife. Going through with the metal putty at a shallow angle to the plate I’ll start the peeling from the build plate. One way to make sure you don’t have anything on your build plate is to clean your build plate off and run the knife putty at a shallow angle to the build plate.
4. Presoak the models in a tray for a couple of seconds.
5. Use compressed air to get the resin off the models.
6. If you have the cleaning apparatus, clean the models for the indicated times.
Hardware
How long does my material tray last?
The lifetime of your material tray is specific to the number of prints you run or the time it is used. The material tray is a consumable with an approximate lifespan of up to 90 prints. To increase the life of your material tray empty the material tray as often as possible after a couple of days of use. Regularly a weekend of breathing time is ideal for a material tray to exceed the life span expected.
Material
How do I get new material or order material?
Order materials from ETEC here. When you receive your material, you receive a new material tag that measures the amount of material your bottle has. The material tags are the size of a credit card. If you order new material you have not worked with before you NEED a new buildstyle specific to your printer. You can find the buildstyles here or submit a support ticket via www.etec.desktopmetal.com/contact
Important: Please provide the serial number of your printer and your company name to ensure proper material ordering.
How long can I leave the material inside the material tray? How do I clean my material tray?
The cone filters can be found at any home improvement store and the old material should be isolated from the new material to avoid possible cross-contamination. Always use dark bottles for the material.
Post-processing
What type of alcohol do I use? How do I clean my models? Can I soak my models?
The Alcohol/Isopropyl needed to print must be 99%. After cleaning the models with alcohol, use compressed air to dry them.
See Clean Printed Parts Pro XL for details.
I cannot get the Manual Debris Removal off the material tray, what can I do?
To avoid contamination, make sure to only touch the inside of the material tray using clean and dry paper towels, a gloved hand, or a rubber spatula. If you encounter difficulty in peeling off any debris manually, pour the material into a clean container and try removing the sheet of resin from there.
Perfecting the task may take some practice, but it is not impossible.
Important: Damage to the material tray caused by the printer operator is not covered under warranty.