MP Education Inventor 3D Printer P/N 30526 User's Manual
CONTENTS SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES ....................................................................................................................................... 5 CUSTOMER SERVICE.................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 PACKAGE CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................
UNPACKING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 HARDWARE ASSEMBLY ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 LOADING FILAMENT ............................................................................................
PRINTING ............................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Generating Gcode ................................................................................................................................................................................54 USING THE CAMERA....................................................................................
SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES Please read this entire manual before using this device, paying extra attention to these safety warnings and guidelines. Please keep this manual in a safe place for future reference. Take care to avoid touching hot parts, including heat blocks, extruder nozzles, build plate, and the extruded filament. Do not wear gloves when operating or repairing to avoid entanglement. Keep the printer and all accessories out of reach of children.
Before plugging the unit into a power outlet, ensure that the outlet provides the same type and level of power required by the device. Unplug this device from the power source when not in use. Take care to prevent damage to the power cord. Do not allow it to become crimped, pinched, walked on, or become tangled with other cords. Ensure that the power cord does not present a tripping hazard. Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the connector head or adapter body.
PACKAGE CONTENTS Please take an inventory of the package contents to ensure you have all the items listed below. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Monoprice Customer Service for a replacement.
Tool Box Contents: SD Card Leveling Knob Tweezers Wrench Graver Grease Scraper Allen Wrench PTFE Tube Phillips Screwdriver Screws Unclogging Pin Tool 1x Turbofan Baffle Accessory Kit Contents: 2x M3x8 Bolts 1x M3x6 Bolt PRODUCT OVERVIEW Main Unit 1. Camera 2. Extruder 3. Timing belt 4. Panel 5. Build plate 6. Filament 7. Power input 8. Power switch 9. Touch screen 10. Reset button 11.
12. SD™ card slot Extruder 13. Filament intake 14. Turbofan 15. Spring presser 16. Cooling fan 17. Turbofan baffle 18. Nozzle OSD MENU SYSTEM Top Menu The Top Menu is displayed after the printer is powered on and initialized. Touch the Print button to enter the Print Menu. Touch the Preheat button to enter the Preheat Menu. Touch the Tools button to enter the Tools Menu.
Print Menu The Print Menu is displayed by touching the Print button from the Top Menu. Touch the Internal Memory button to read the print file from internal memory. Touch the SD™ Card button to read the print file from the SD card. Touch the Back button to return to the previous menu. Print File Screen The Print File Screen is displayed after selecting a print file from internal memory or the SD™ card. The print filename is displayed.
Print Progress Screen The Print Progress Screen is displayed while printing is in progress. It shows the print filename, the actual and target temperatures, and the print progress with the remaining time displayed. Touch the Stop button to cancel the print in progress. Touch the Pause button to pause the print. Touch the Resume button to resume printing. Touch the Tools button to display the Print Tools Menu.
Preheat Menu The Preheat Menu is displayed by touching the Preheat button on the Top Menu. Touch the slider buttons to turn extruder and platform heating on or off. Touch the target temperature buttons to set the preheat temperature. The default target print temperature for the extruders is 230°C and 100°C for the platform. Touch the Start button to start preheating the extruder(s) and/or platform. Touch the Back button to return to the previous menu.
Preheating Screen The Preheating Screen is displayed during the preheating process. It displays the preheating progress, as well as the actual and target temperatures of each element. Touch the Stop button to abort the preheating process. Touch the Back button to return to the previous menu. Tool Menu The Tool Menu is displayed by touching the Tool button on the Top Menu. Touch the Filament button to load or unload filament. Touch the Level button to level the build plate.
Manual Adjustment Screen The Manual Adjustment Screen displays the X and Y positions of the extruder and the Z position of the build plate. Touch the X+ button to move the extruder to the right. Touch the X- button to move the extruder to the left. Touch the Y+ button to move the extruder towards the back of the printer. Touch the Y- button to move the extruder towards the front of the printer. Touch the Z+ button to raise the build plate. Touch the Z- button to lower the build plate.
Touch the Camera button to turn the camera on or off. Touch the Resume Print button to turn resume printing on or off. Touch the Back button to return to the previous menu. Language Menu The Language Menu is displayed by touching the Language button in the Setting Menu. Touch the specific language name to set the OSD menu system to use that language. Touch the Down button to display the next page of languages.
Pulley Type Selection Screen The Pulley Type Selection Screen is displayed by touching the Pulley button on the Setting Menu. Touch the Down Arrow next to the currently selected pulley type to display a list of available pulley types. Touch the name of a pulley type to select it. Touch the Yes button to save changes to the selected pulley type. Touch the Cancel button to abort any changes to the selected pulley type.
UNPACKING 1. Place the box on a flat, clean work surface. After opening the box, you can the Build Tape, a Leveling Card, and this User's Manual. 2. Remove the top protective styrofoam piece, which contain the Inventor's lid. Set this aside for now. The Inventor printer and Power Cord are revealed. 3. Lift the Inventor by its side openings and place it on a flat surface. You can now see the Toolbox and USB Cable.
4. The Inventor printer has an accessory box on top, which contains the Extruder Accessory Kit and two removable side panels. Remove the box and the foam pad from the Inventor and gently lay the extruder set on the Inventor's build plate. 5. Carefully lift the build plate up. 6. Carefully remove the two spools of PLA filament from under the build plate.
HARDWARE ASSEMBLY The Inventor comes pre-assembled and is almost ready to print. All you need to do is to set the appropriate voltage, mount the extruder set, and install the filament. It will only take about 5-10 minutes to setup the Inventor and prepare for your first 3D print! 1. Lay the extruder set on top of the extruder seat with the two extruder fans facing the front. 2. Secure the extruder set onto the extruder seat with two M3x12 screws, from the bottom up. 3. Use the M2.
4. Take the turbofan baffle from the extruder's accessory kit and install it onto the turbofan. 5. Align the bump on the turbofan seat to the hole in the turbofan sub-assembly. Place the turbofan sub-assembly beside the turbofan seat. Insert the bump on the turbofan seat to the turbofan sub-assembly. Screw in the two bolts. Take an M3x6 bolt from the extruder's accessory kit and complete the installation. 6.
7. Feed the filament through the filament guide tube. Attach the guide tube onto the two filament guide tube brackets. 8. Stick the build sheet to the build plate after installing the filament, as shown in the image below. 9. Ensure that the power switch is in the OFF position. Locate the included power cord and plug it into the Inventor, then plug the other end into a nearby AC power outlet.
LOADING FILAMENT Perform the following steps to load filament into your 3D printer. 1. Remove the lid from the Inventor. 2. If it is not already powered on, flip the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the system to stabilize, then touch the Tool button on the Top Menu. 3. Touch the Filament button, then touch the Load Left button.
4. Wait for the extruder to heat up to the target temperature. The extruder will alert you when it is at the target temperature. 5. Load the filament by inserting it into the extruder at an upright angle. Filament will start to extrude out of the nozzle. Continue loading to ensure that the filament is extruding in a straight line. Refer to the troubleshooting section if the filament is extruding abnormally. Touch the Done button to finish loading.
UNLOADING FILAMENT 1. Remove the lid from the Inventor. 2. If it is not already powered on, flip the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the system to stabilize, then touch the Tool button on the Top Menu. 3. Touch the Filament button, then touch the Unload Left button.
4. Wait for the extruder to heat up to the target temperature. The extruder will alert you when it is at the target temperature. 5. Unload the filament by gently guiding it out of the extruder, then touch the Done button to finish unloading. BUILD PLATE LEVELING A properly leveled build plate is required for high-quality 3D prints. If you have any problems printing an object, you should first check whether the build plate is properly leveled or not.
Perform the following steps to level the build plate. 1. If it is not already powered on, flip the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the system to stabilize. Touch the Tool button on the Top Menu, then touch the Level button on the Tool Menu. The extruder and build plate will move to the starting position. 2. Take out the Leveling Card. You can view a video of the leveling process by scanning the QR code on the card. 3.
4. Touch the Next button and wait for the extruder to move to the second position. Slide the card back and forth again and adjust the knob to create the same amount of friction as the previous step. 5. Touch the Next button again and repeat the same leveling steps. 6. Touch the Next button. The nozzle will move to the center of the build plate. Slide the card through to make sure there is a slight friction. Slowly adjust all screws by the same amount if there is no friction or too much friction.
7. Touch the Finish button to complete the leveling process. FLASHPRINT SOFTWARE Installation The Inventor 3D printer uses MP FlashPrint slicing software to create print files or to print directly from the computer via a wired USB or wireless connection. MP FlashPrint is available for Microsoft® Windows® and Linux®, in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as well as Apple® Mac® OS X®. The MP FlashPrint installation packages can be found on the included SD™ card.
Initial Setup Once MP FlashPrint has been installed, double-click the application shortcut to start the program. If this is the first time the program has been run, you will be presented with a dialog asking you to select the Machine Type. Choose the MP Inventor entry. You can also select the Machine Type from within the program by clicking Print > Machine Type > MP Inventor, as shown in the screenshot below.
Main Interface Overview The screenshot below shows the three main elements of the software - the Menus, the Icons, and the Build Plate. The icons have the functions listed in the table below. Icon Function Loads a model or Gcode file. FlashPrint supports .STL, .OBJ, and .FPP model files. You can also load a .PNG, .JPG, .JPEG, or .BMP file and FlashPrint will generate a model from the image. See the Generating a Model section for Load details. Enters the Support Edit mode.
Prints directly from FlashPrint via a USB or wireless connection or exports a Gcode file to the SD™ card. Print Views the FlashPrint home screen from one of six viewing angles. View Moves the model around on the X/Y plane. Hold the SHIFT key then click Move to move the mode along the Z axis. Turns and rotates the model. Rotate Scales the size of the model. Scale Cuts the model into several parts.
Selects the right or left extruder for printing. Extruder Loading a File FlashPrint supports six different ways to load a model or Gcode file, as outlined below. Click the Load icon on the main interface, then select the file. Drag and drop the file onto the main interface. Click File > Load File, then select the file. Click File > Load Examples to load one of the sample files. Click File > Recent Files, then select the file from the list of recently used files.
Base Thickness: Sets the minimum raft thickness. The default value is 0.5mm. Width: Sets the X value of the model. Depth: Sets the Y value of the model. Bottom Thickness: Sets the thickness of the bottom of tube, canister, and lamp type models. Top Diameter: Sets the diameter for the top of tube, canister, and lamp type models. Bottom Diameter: Sets the diameter for the bottom of tube, canister, and lamp type models. The following screenshots illustrate the five basic shapes.
Canister Lamp Seal 34
Changing Views You can change the camera angle in relation to the model and build area using a variety of methods. Drag: Click the View icon, then drag the camera using one of the following methods. Left click and hold, then move the mouse. Click and hold the mouse wheel, then scroll up or down. Hold down the SHIFT key, right click and hold, then move the mouse. Rotate: Click the View icon, then rotate the camera using one of the following methods. Right click and hold, then move the mouse.
disable Show Steep Overhang, click the View menu, then select the Show Steep Overhang entry. The default threshold value is 45 degrees. Model Manipulation You can manipulate the model using a variety of methods. Move: Click on the model to select it. You can then move it around the build area in a variety of ways. To move the model horizontally in the X/Y plane, left click and hold on the model, then move the mouse.
Click the Scale icon, then click the Reset button to reset the size of the model. Note that if the Uniform Scaling radio button is enabled, it will scale the model in proportion when changing any size value. Cut: Click the model to select it, then double-click the Cut icon to set the cut plane in a variety of ways. Left click and drag the cursor across the model to set the cut angle. Select the X Plane option to cut the model vertically. Select the Y Plane option to cut the model vertically.
Select the Z Plane option to cut the model horizontally. Extruder Double-click the Extruder icon to select the left and/or right extruder for printing.
Supports Because 3D printing is an additive process, each layer of filament needs a base to be built on. The printer can gradually increase the layer size, so long as the overhang angle is less than about 45 degrees. Otherwise, you need to create support elements to serve as the base for adding additional layers. To edit the supports, click the Edit menu, then select the Supports entry. Alternatively, click the Supports icon. Click the Back button when finished editing the supports.
Auto Supports: Click the Auto Supports button to allow the software to judge where supports are needed and will generate corresponding treelike or linear supports. If the model already has supports, the software will delete them and new supports will be generated. Add Supports: Click the Add button to manually generate supports.
Printing a Model Click the Print icon on the main interface to slice the model and print the resulting Gcode file, either directly from FlashPrint or by first exporting it to the SD™ card. Preview: Check the Preview box to preview the model before slicing and printing. Print When Slice Done: Check the Print When Slice Done box to start the print as soon as the slice is completed. Material Type: Select the filament type in use. Supports: Enable or disable the creation of supports.
More Options: Click the More Options button to reveal tabs with additional options. Layer: Click the Layer tab to reveal the layer options. Layer Height: Sets the thickness of each layer. The thinner the layer, the smoother the model surface, but at a corresponding cost in print speed. First Layer Height: Sets the thickness of the first layer of the model, which affects how well the model adheres to the build plate. The maximum thickness is 0.4mm and the default value is usually sufficient.
Speed: Click the Speed tab to reveal the speed settings. Print Speed: Determines the speed that the extruder moves while printing filament. It can be set from 10 to 200 mm/sec in 10mm/sec increments. The slower the speed, the higher quality the resulting printed models. For PLA printing, 80mm/sec is recommended. Travel Speed: Determines the speed that the extruder moves while moving from place to place and not actively printing filament. It can be set from 10 to 200 mm/sec in 10mm/sec increments.
File Menu The File Menu contains the following options. New Project: Click File > New Project or press CTRL+N to create a new, blank project. A project saves in one place all the models in the scene, including positions, supports, and settings. If there are any unsaved changes to a previously loaded project, you will be prompted to save the changes. Save Project: Click File > Save Project or press CTRL+S to save the current project. Projects files have a .FPP suffix.
Printing Window Type: Allows you to choose the Basic (default) print dialog or the Expert dialog, with many more individual settings. Quit: Click File > Quit or press ALT+F4 to exit FlashPrint. If there are any unsaved changes to your project or model, you will be prompted to save the changes. Edit Menu The Edit Menu contains the following options. Undo: Click Edit > Undo or press CTRL+Z to undo the last change. In most cases, you can undo multiple changes, one at a time.
Print Menu The Print Menu contains the following options. Connect Machine: Click Print > Connect Machine to establish a USB or Wi-Fi® connection to the printer. This option is not available if the printer is already connected. Disconnect: Click Print > Disconnect to break a connection with the printer. This option is not available if there is no connection with the printer. Print: Click Print > Print or press CTRL+P to open the print dialog. Machine Type: Click Print > Machine Type.
Tools Menu The Tools Menu contains the following options. Control Panel: Click Tools > Control Panel to modify the printer's settings from within FlashPrint. Note that if you are not connected to the printer, you will be prompted to do so before the Control Panel can be displayed. Jog Mode: The Jog Mode section allows you to select the distance that the extruder and build plate move with each mouse click. Six Blue Arrow Buttons: The buttons allow you to manually move the extruder and build plate.
Set X/Y Speed: Sets the speed at which the extruder moves. Set Z Speed: Sets the speed at which the build plate moves. Limit Switch: Displays the status of the limit switches on each axis. If the extruder or build plate are not moved to its maximum positions, the status will show Not Triggered in green. If the extruder or build plate has been moved to its maximum position, the status will show Triggered in red.
Help Menu The Help Menu contains the following options. First Run Wizard: Re-runs the wizard that automatically runs the first time FlashPrint is run. Help Contents: Allows you to read the help files. Feedback: Allows you to submit feedback. Check For Updates: Checks for FlashPrint updates. About FlashPrint: Displays FlashPrint version information.
Wi-Fi Connection Perform the following steps to connect your PC to the Inventor printer using a Wi-Fi® connection. Note that printing from an SD™ card is disabled when Wi-Fi is enabled. 1. Power on the printer and your computer. 2. On the printer, select Tool > Setting > WIFI > WIFI ON. 3. Open your computer's wireless network settings and scan for available Wi-Fi® signals. Select the Inventor1 entry, then click Connect. 4. Open your internet browser. Type 10.10.100.
STA mode configures the printer's Wi-Fi® radio to connect to your regular Wi-Fi AP. In STA mode you do not need to change your computer's network settings and can continue to use your Wi-Fi AP, as normal. If you choose to use AP mode, you can set the network name (Inventor1) and password of the hotspot. If you don't want to use a password, enter NONE. Click the Save button and restart it. Connect your PC to the network named Inventor1 (or the name you set).
If you choose you use STA mode, input the SSID and password of your existing Wi-Fi® connection. If your Wi-Fi connection does not use a password, enter NONE into the password field. Then click the Save button and restart it. Restart the Inventor printer, then open the WIFI Screen.
Turn on the Inventor again and connect your computer to the network. Open FlashPrint, then click Print > Connect Machine. Select Wi-Fi as the Connect Mode and enter the IP Address, as shown on the Inventor's screen. Click Connect. If you want to switch between AP and STA modes, touch the Reset button on the WIFI Screen. UPDATING THE FIRMWARE Each time you start FlashPrint, it will automatically detects and downloads the up-to-date firmware.
3. Reboot the Inventor printer and wait 4-5 seconds until the update progress bar is displayed. When the update is finished, it will return to the Top Menu. 4. Touch the Tool button, then touch About to check that the version is correct. PRINTING There are two basic modes of printing: single extrusion and dual extrusion. With single extrusion printing, you can choose which print head to use for making the print.
3. Click Print > Machine Type and select the MP Inventor entry. 4. Click the Load icon to load a .STL model file. The model will display within the build area. 5. Double-click the Move icon, then click the On the Platform and Center buttons to ensure the model is in contact with the center of the build platform. 6. Click the Print icon, then change the settings as appropriate for your filament type and model. Preview: Check the Preview box if you want to preview the model after slicing is done.
Material Right: Select the type of filament you are using. Material Left: Select the type of filament you are using. Supports: If your model has overhanging elements, enable the Supports option. Raft: It is recommended to enable the Raft option. Resolution: It is recommended to select the Standard option. More Options: It is recommended to leave them at the default values. 7. Click OK to save the Gcode file to the SD™ card. You can rename the file as desired and save it as either a .
13. Touch the Print button to begin printing. The printer will begin heating the extruder and/or platform, then will begin printing once the target temperatures are reached. Touch the Stop button at any time to cancel the print. Touch the Pause button to pause the print. USING THE CAMERA The Inventor printer includes a camera, which allows you to monitor the print on your phone. Download and install the XMEye app from the App store.
2. Touch the Camera button, then touch the On button to turn the camera on. You will see the words Turned on in the upper left corner of the screen. 3. Open your phone's Wi-Fi® settings and scan for the camera's Wi-Fi radio. The camera name always starts with xmjp, but will have different combinations of letters and numbers for the rest of the name. If the hotspot does not appear in the list, touch the Reset button on the Camera Screen. Select the xmjp entry, then enter the password 1234567890. 4.
Local Login 1. If the printer is not already powered on, flip the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the printer to stabilize, then touch the Tool button on the Top Menu, then touch the Setting button. 2. Touch the Camera button, then touch the On button to turn the camera on. You will see the words Turned on in the upper left corner of the screen. 3. Connect your mobile phone to an available Wi-Fi® hotspot, then open the XMEye app.
4. Tap WiFi Config, then enter the password for your Wi-Fi® access point. Check the Ensure the indicator and Device operation options, then tap Complete all the above operation. 5. Touch the Reset button on the printer's screen, then tap Yes in the dialog that appears on your phone. Note that the Android™ version of the app does not display this dialog.
6. The app starts to scan for the camera. If a green point appears, the camera is properly configured. If not, you will need to start over from the beginning. Tap the green point on your phone. 7. You can now see the camera in the device list. Tap it to watch the video. 8. After adding the device, the camera Wi-Fi® hotspot signal xmjp-beye-xxxx will disappear. You are now connected to the internet and can review the video from anywhere you have internet access.
RESUME PRINTING The MP Inventor has the ability to automatically resume printing in the event of a power outage. Perform the following steps to enable print resuming. 1. If the printer is not already powered on, flip the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the printer to stabilize, touch the Tool button on the Top Menu, then touch the Setting button. 2. Touch the Resume Print button to enable print resuming. 3.
SPECIFICATIONS Model 30526 Printer Name Inventor Number of Extruders 2 Print Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Screen Type 3.5" color IPS touch screen Build Area 230 x 150 x 160 mm Layer Resolution 0.05 - 0.4 mm Build Accuracy ±0.1mm Positioning Accuracy XY Axis: 0.011mm, Z Axis: 0.0025mm Filament Diameter 1.75mm ±0.07mm Filament Types ABS, PLA, Conductive PLA, Flexible Filament Nozzle Diameter 0.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT Monoprice is pleased to provide free, live, online technical support to assist you with any questions you may have about installation, setup, troubleshooting, or product recommendations. If you ever need assistance with your new product, please come online to talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable Tech Support Associates. Technical support is available through the online chat button on our website www.monoprice.com during regular business hours, 7 days a week.
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WEEE Information User information for consumer products covered by EU Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) This document contains important information for users with regards to the proper disposal and recycling of Monoprice products.
Safety Notice WARNING: Do not use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near swimming pool or in an area where accidental contact with water or liquid might occurs WARNING: Avoid using this product during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from the surge caused by lightning WARNING: The external power adapter or AC power cord is the equipment's disconnection device.
