User's Manual

DOC-07000 Rev. A 6–5
Objet500 - Connex 3 User Guide
Producing Models
TheObjet500‐Connex3printerproducesmodelsbyprintingtrayfiles
preparedintheObjetStudioapplicationandsenttotheprinterfromthere.
Forinformationaboutpreparingmodelfilesforprinting,see“UsingObjet
Studio”orObjetStudioHelp.
To prepare the printer for producing models:
1. Makesurethatthebuildtrayintheprinterisemptyandclean.Ifnot,
removeoldmaterialwiththescraper,andcleanthetraythoroughly
withcleaningfluid.
2. Makesurethatthereissufficientmodelandsupportmaterialloaded,
asindicatedintheprinterinterface(seefigure 6‐2).Youmay
wantto
replacethecartridgesofmodelandsupportmaterialcurrentlyloaded
intheprintertoavoidtheneedforreplacingthemduringprinting.
3. Atthebottomoftheprinterinterface,clickthe redbuttontoswitchthe
printertoonlinemode.
Thecolorofthebuttonchangesfromredto
green(seefigure 6‐3).If
thereisajobintheJobManagerqueue,itissenttotheprinter.
Intheprinterinterface,theprintermodechangesfromIdletoPre‐print,as
theprinter’scomponentspreparethemselvesforproduction:
• Theprintblockisheated.
• TheUVlampsarepoweredandtheywarmup.
Whenprintingbegins,ObjetStudiosendssevenslicestotheprinter.Thisis
thestandardbufferbetweenObjetStudioandtheprinter.Aseachsliceis
printed,anothersliceissenttotheprinter.
Dependingonthesizeofthemodel(s)tobeproduced,printingcantake
betweenseveralhourstoseveraldays.Aslongasthereisenoughmodel
andsupportmaterialinthesupplycartridges,printingproceeds
automaticallyuntilthejobisfinished.
Before beginning to produce models, it is recommended that you check the
current printing quality of the print heads by performing a pattern test (see
“Pattern Test” on page 20).
CAUTION: Use protective gloves when cleaning the build tray, and be
careful of the sharp edges of the scraper blade.
Forinstallingmaterialcartridgesandreplacingemptyones,see
“LoadingModelandSupportCartridges”onpage 6‐4.
Forchangingthetypeofmodelmaterialcurrentlyloaded,see
“ChangingtheModelMaterial”onpage 11.
During printing, the server computer must remain on and it must
communicate with the Objet printer. Do not log-off Windows until printing is
finished.