User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- Operating & Maintaining the Connex500/350 3-D Printer
- Starting the Connex Printer
- Loading Model and Support Cartridges
- Producing Models
- Resuming Production After Printing has Stopped
- Changing the Model Material
- Keeping the Connex Printer in Idle Mode
- Shutting Down the Connex Printer
- Maintaining the Connex Printer
- Routine Maintenance Schedule
- Cleaning the Print Heads
- Pattern Test
- Improving Print Quality
- Cleaning and Replacing the Wiper
- Cleaning the Roller Waste Collector and Inspecting the Roller Scraper (Knife)
- Replacing the Roller Scraper (Knife)
- Aligning the Print Heads
- Calibrating Print Heads
- Replacing Print Heads
- Testing and Calibrating the UV Lamps
- Calibrating the Load Cells
- Replacing the Odor Filter
- Replacing the UV Lamps
- Built-in Tests
- Replacing the Waste Container
- Cleaning the Exterior Panels
- Handling Printed Models
DOC-13000 Rev. E 7–5
Connex500/350 User Guide
Producing Models
TheConnex500/350printerproducesmodelsbyprintingtrayfiles
preparedintheObjetStudioapplicationandsenttotheprinterfromthere.
Forinformationaboutpreparingmodelfilesforprinting,see”UsingObjet
Studio”orObjetStudioHelp.
To prepare the Connex printer for producing models:
1. MakesurethatthebuildtrayintheConnexprinterisemptyandclean.
Ifnot,removeoldmaterialwiththescraper,andcleanthetray
thoroughlywithcleaningfluid.
2. Makesurethatthereissufficientmodelandsupportmaterialloaded
intheprinter,asindicatedintheConnexprinterinterface(see
figure
7‐3).Youmaywanttoreplacethecartridgesofmodeland
supportmaterialcurrentlyloadedintheprintertoavoidtheneedfor
replacingthemduringprinting.
3. AtthebottomoftheConnexprinterinterface,clicktheredbuttonto
switchtheprintertoonlinemode.
Thecolorofthebuttoncha
ngesfromredtogreen(seefigure 7‐4).If
thereisajobintheJobManagerqueue,itissenttotheprinter.
OntheConnexprinterinterface,theprintermodechangesfromIdletoPre‐
print,astheprinter’scomponentspreparethemselvesforproduction:
• Theprintblockisheated.
• TheUVlampsarepoweredandtheywarmup.
Whenprintingbegins,JobManagersendssevenslicestotheConnex
printer.ThisisthestandardbufferbetweentheJobManagerandthe
printer.Aseachsliceisprinted,theJobManagersendsanotherslicetothe
printer.
Dependingonthesizeofthemo
del(s)tobeproduced,printingcantake
betweenseveralhourstoseveraldays.Aslongasthereisenoughmodel
andsupportmaterialinthesupplycartridges,printingproceeds
automaticallyuntilthejobisfinished.
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 21).
CAUTION: Use protective gloves when cleaning the build tray, and be
careful of the sharp edges of the scraper blade.
Forinstallingmaterialcartridgesandreplacingemptyones,see
“LoadingModelandSupportCartridges”onpage 7‐4.
Forchangingthetypeofmodelmaterialcurrentlyloaded,see
“ChangingtheModelMaterial”onpage 10.
During printing, the server computer must remain on and it must
communicate with the Connex printer. Do not log-off Windows until printing
is finished.