CubeX TM 3D printer User guide See inside for use and safety information.
INTRODUCTION Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FCC notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing supports with the Ultrasonic Support Removal Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hot water method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the CubeX™ 3D Printer. This printer enables everybody in the family to express their creativity like never before. With eighteen different material colors to choose from, enjoy the freedom to print in color or mix it up. CubeX 3D Printer’s ready-to-print technology, provides a new dimension to your imagination and helps you share your creations with others in the Cubify community at Cubify.com. At Cubify.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION SAFETY SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS Hot Surface Hazard: A hot surface is accessible in the vicinity of this sign or at the Print Jet; avoid contact. Hot surfaces can cause severe burns. ! Caution: Indicates something may happen that could cause loss of data, damage to equipment, or could cause personal injury. Caution: Indicates a pinch point hazard that could cause person injury.
CUBEX 3D PRINTER FEATURES AND BENEFITS The CubeX 3D Printer creates the model by pulling filament from the cartridge through the print jets via the delivery tubes. The filament is then jetted through the print jet tip in a thin string of molten plastic. The print jet movement is coordinated by the print plate, which lowers incrementally after each layer is deposited so a new layer can be drawn on top of the last, building the part up.
AT A GLANCE Get acquainted with your CubeX 3D Printer before you begin printing. This section identifies the important areas that will be discussed throughout this guide. CubeX Duo is depicted for illustration purposes only. Locations of important areas are the same for the Cube X and Cube X Trio.
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR CUBEX Weight and dimensions: PC requirements: • 515mm (w) x 515mm (l) x 598mm (h) (20 ¼” x 20 ¼” x 23 ½” inches) • 36kg (79 lbs) • 37kg (81.5 lbs) Duo • 38kg (84 lbs) Trio • Microsoft® Windows® 7 • Microsoft® Windows® XP (SP3 or higher) • Microsoft® Windows® 8 Software: • CubeX Client Software, available at Cubify.
UNPACKING YOUR CUBEX 1. Open the box and remove the top acrylic lid located between two layers of foam. Set aside the two foam inserts for future packing. (Fig. 1) Fig. 1 2. With two people, remove CubeX from the box, lift from the metal frame on both sides of the printer. Place CubeX on a table. (Fig. 2) Fig. 2 3. Remove the material cartridges and tool kit from the bottom of box. (Fig. 3) Fig. 3 4. Using the snips located in the tool kit, cut blue straps away from cardboard.
7. Lift the cardboard piece from the foam package and remove the foam package. This package includes your power cord, Cube Stick glue and the jet wiper. (Fig. 7) Fig. 7 8. Remove print pad from CubeX. (Fig. 8) Fig. 8 9. Using the 4 x 100 hex screwdriver (located in tool kit), remove plexiglass Z-Axis guard by unbolting the 4 screws holding it in place and remove plexiglass and bolts. (Fig. 9) Fig. 9 10. To power on, plug the power cord into the power supply located underneath the printer base.
ACTIVATE YOUR CUBEX AND LINK TO YOUR CUBIFY ACCOUNT Creating an account on Cubify.com is easy and gives you access to all of the great designs and collections that will drive and inspire your creativity. • To create an account, type in Cubify.com in your web browser and click on Sign Up to open the registration form. If you already have an account, click on Log In and provide your User ID and Password. (Fig. 13) Fig. 13 • In My Cubify drop down menu, Click on Activate my CubeX. (Fig. 14) Fig.
REMOVING THE REMAINING PACKAGING MATERIALS 1. Using left / right arrows on the touch screen, navigate to the MOVE menu. (Fig. 18) Fig. 18 2. Using the up arrow on the right side of screen, move the print plate up far enough to remove the foam. (Fig. 19) Fig. 19 3. Remove the last foam piece underneath the build plate. (Fig. 20) Fig. 20 4. Move the Print Pad all the way down to install the Jet Wiper. (Fig. 21) Fig. 21 5.
CUBEX MAIN MENU OVERVIEW TOUCHSCREEN Tap on the touchscreen to navigate to the main menus using the arrows on the bottom corners of the touchscreen. To return to the touch screen, pressing the control button. PRINT INFO PRINT View the .cubex files that are saved on your memory stick and select a .cubex file to print. INFO Provides Material Cartridge status and printing status during the printing process. PJ-MAP PJ-MAP Allows you to re-map your print jets.
INSTALLING THE PRINT PAD 1. Scroll to the “MOVE” function screen located on the CubeX control panel. (Fig. 23) MOVE Fig. 23 2. Using the Up and Down arrows on the right side of the screen, move the Aluminum Print Plate to its lowest position.(Fig. 24) Fig. 24 3. To install the Print Pad, align the aluminum foot with front slot on the Print Plate base. (Fig. 25) 4. Place the Print Pad into position, when properly installed the magnet will lock it in place. Ensure that print pad is fully seated.
CHECKING THE Z-GAP BETWEEN THE PRINT JET TIP AND THE PRINT PAD ! 1. CAUTION: Do not overdrive the print jet tip into the print pad. Doing so can cause damage to the print jet. NOTE: If more than one print jet is equipped on your CubeX, use the first print jet to set the gap. Scroll to “Z GAP” using the arrows on the touchscreen. Select Z GAP and using the “Up / Down” arrows, move the print pad up so that it is just touching the tip of the print jet. (Fig. 28 & 29) Z GAP Z SET Z HEIGHT Offset:-19.
6. Thread the filament under the cartridge clamp bar and into the feed tube. (Fig. 35) Fig. 35 7. Install the new cartridge from the side of CubeX and into the cartridge bay. (Fig. 36) Fig. 36 8. Push filament between the front of cartridge and the eyelet, through the feed tube and up to the printjet. (Fig. 37) Fig. 37 9. When the material jets from the print jet tip, the next screen will ask if you want to replace another cartridge.
3. A message “Install Thumbscrew into Cartridge” will appear. If a cartridge is being replaced, ensure that the thumbscrew is installed into cartridge if it is to be stored. (Fig. 41) Fig. 41 4. Press “Next” on the touchscreen. A message “Would you like to load a new Print Jet” will appear on the touchscreen. Select the check box and refer to “INSTALLING MATERIAL CARTRIDGE” to install the new cartridge.
INSTALL YOUR CUBIFY INVENT SOFTWARE Your Cubify Invent license code is on the “Your Cubify Invent” card located in the Cubify toolkit. Your USB stick can also be found in the toolkit. 1. Plug the USB provided with your CubeX into your computer and click on “Cubify_ Invent.exe” to download the software to your computer. (Fig. 47) Fig. 47 2. Follow the instructions. (Fig. 48) Fig. 48 3.
2. Run the CubeX Setup file. (Fig. 52) Fig. 52 3. Follow the installer wizard. (Fig. 53) Fig. 53 4. Select a destination for the installation. (Fig. 54) Fig. 54 5. Click next to begin the installation. A message “if you want to let the CubeX software make changes to your computer” will appear, select yes. (Fig. 55 & 56) Fig. 55 6. Fig. 56 The installation is now complete, you can open the CubeX software from the icon located on your desktop. (Fig. 57) Fig.
• Once the printer configuration window opens, select the number of “Print Jets” that is installed and the material types that are loaded into the Print Jets. Click “OK” to save these settings. (Fig. 60) Fig. 60 CUBEX SOFTWARE USER INTERFACE HOME TAB STL FILE PRINT FILE SCALE GEOMETRY ROTATE GEOMETRY Open Opens a .stl file Open Model Assembly Open a multi-part assembly of .stl files Close Close the open .stl file Save As Save the current open .stl file Auto Place Automatically places .
VIEW TAB ZOOM VIEW PRINT PATHS Zoom In Press to zoom in Zoom Out Press to zoom out Top View Press to view the part from above Front View Press to view the part from the front Left View Press to view the part from the left Right View Press to view the part from the right Show Print Jet 1 Toggle to show the print paths for print jet 1 in a .cubex file Show Print Jet 2 Toggle to show the print paths for print jet 2 in a .
• A multiple single part file consist of multiple .stl files opened onto one Print Pad, these can be selected as one, two or three shells. • A multi-part assembly file consist of multiple .stl files designed to create one assembly part. These can be treated as one, two or three shells. OPENING A SINGLE PART FILE 1. Click on Open Model. (Fig. 61) Fig. 61 2. Select your .stl file or .creation file and click open. (Fig. 62) Fig. 62 3. The file will appear in the middle of the bed in the software.
3. The second part will open in the center of the bed and appear to be merged with the first part. (Fig. 67) Fig. 67 POSITIONING MULTIPLE PARTS • Manual positioning: Right click and hold on one of the parts, you can now drag it around the bed (when using this method the bed will automatically switch to top view). (Fig. 68 & 69) Fig. 68 Fig. 69 • Autoplace: Clicking the auto place button will automatically position your parts on the bed for you. (Fig. 70 & 71) Fig. 70 Fig.
4. When all the .stl files are open, click the done button to finish the assembly file. This file can now be treated as one .stl file with multiple shells. (Fig. 75) Fig. 75 USING THE SHELL SELECTOR TOOL The Shell Selector tool is used to select which Print Jets print which parts of a multi-material part/multiple parts on a Print Pad. The color options available will correspond to the material colors you have set in printer configuration. (Fig. 76) Fig. 76 1. Select the shell color you wish to use.
ROTATING A PART Use the rotate buttons to rotate the part in the desired axis. The amount the part will be turned is defaulted to 90°. This can be changed to suit your needs. (Fig. 82) Fig. 82 SCALING A PART You can scale a part by pressing the scale button. The amount your part will be scaled by is defaulted to 50%. This can be changed to suit your needs. You can also use the – to mm and + to inch to scale by unit conversion. (Fig. 83) Fig. 83 USING THE CUBEX SOFTWARE TO BUILD A .CUBEX FILE (Fig.
PART MATERIAL Similar to Printer Configuration, this tells the software which materials are loaded into which print jets. Part materials works in a similar way to Printer Configuration, telling the software which materials are loaded into which print jets. Please be sure that the materials selected in part materials correspond to the print jets the materials are allocated too. BUILD Once you have selected all of your preferences, press the build button to create the .cubex file. SAVING A .
FINISHING YOUR CREATION REMOVING YOUR CREATION FROM THE PRINT PAD ! Before you attempt to remove your creation from the Print Pad, please ensure that the CubeX has finished printing and that the Print Pad has moved to the bottom of the CubeX. 1. Lift the Print Pad from the side and pull up to remove the Print Pad from the CubeX. 2. Submerge Print Pad and the base of the part in warm water for five minutes. (Fig.
REMOVING SUPPORTS WITH THE ULTRASONIC SUPPORT REMOVAL TANK (sold separately) ! Caustic soda can burn if handled improperly. Never handle caustic soda without using all of the supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves, goggles and tongs. If caustic soda touches the skin, wash it away immediately. If caustic soda touches the eyes, immediately use an eyewash treatment. Never operate the unit without water in the cleaning tank. Damage may occur. Never use boiling water. Damage may occur.
CAUSTIC SODA METHOD Caustic soda can burn if handled improperly. Never handle caustic soda without using all of the supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves, goggles and tongs. If caustic soda touches the skin, wash it away immediately. If caustic soda touches the eyes, immediately use an eyewash treatment. ! Never operate the unit without water in the cleaning tank. Damage may occur. Never use boiling water. Damage may occur. 1. Position the unit on a flat and stable work surface.
CUBEX MAINTENANCE RESTORING ROUGHNESS TO THE PRINT PAD To restore roughness to the Print Pad, run the sandpaper included in your toolkit diagonally across the bed corner to corner in both directions. (Fig. 94) Fig. 94 LEVELING THE JET WIPER HEIGHT If your Jet Wiper is set too low or too high, you can adjust it using the orange capped bolt located under the print jet, screwing it into the floor to set the Jet wipe lower and unscrewing it to set the Jet Wipe higher. (Fig.
3. Touch the ‘Clockwise’ and ‘Counter-clockwise’ buttons to automatically move the carriage around the corners of the print area. (Fig. 98) LEVEL BED Fig. 98 4. 5. From the side of the printer, observe any changes in distance between the Print Plate and the Print Jet during each movement along the side of the Print Plate. (Fig. 99-102) Fig. 99 Fig. 100 Fig. 101 Fig. 102 Using the 3mm hex driver from the tool kit, adjust the height of the Print Pad bolts (Fig. 103) to make each side level.
FINE-TUNING YOUR PRINT PAD 1. Re-install the Print Pad before fine tuning. 2. Use the Up and Down arrows to reduce the gap between the print jet and Print Pad to approximately 2 mm. This will enable finer leveling. (Fig. 105) 3. Use the two remaining visible bolts to repeat the leveling process. 4. Click the ‘Function’ button to leave the ‘Level’ menu, and return to the main menu. ! CAUTION: Observe each axis movement and ensure the print jet is not touching the Print Pad.
• Observe the gap between the print jet and Print Pad from the front of the machine. (Fig. 107) Press and hold the Z +/- buttons to move the Print Pad. (Fig. 108) SET Z HEIGHT Offset:-19.82 Fig. 107 Fig. 108 • Make sure the print jet is clean. For cleaning instructions, see ‘MAINTAINING YOUR CUBEX > Cleaning the Print Jet’). • Starting with a gap between the Print Pad and the print jet, move the Print Pad towards the print jet using the up (+) “SET Z HEIGHT” touchscreen.
7. Press the tick on the screen to put the CubeX 3D Printer into boot loader mode. (Fig. 112 & 113). Release the function button after “Setting saved” message disappears. Your printer is now in firmware mode. Fig. 112 8. Remove the USB stick from the CubeX 3D Printer. (Fig. 114) 9. Open the CubeX software on your computer. (Fig. 115) Fig. 113 Fig. 114 Fig. 115 10. Plug your CubeX into the computer using the PC connection USB port. (Fig. 116 & 117) Fig. 116 Fig. 117 11.
15. Plug the USB stick into the CubeX 3D Printer and press the control button; you will receive a notification of your settings being restored. (Fig. 121) Fig. 121 16. Your firmware has now been upgraded. (Fig. 122) Fig. 122 RESTORING THE SETTINGS YOUR CUBEX PRINTER FIRMWARE FROM V1.01 Before following these instructions, please follow instruction 1-9 in the section UPGRADING YOUR CUBEX PRINTER FIRMWARE. 1. Turn on the CubeX 3D Printer. You will see the activation screen. 2.
PRINTING THE CALIBRATION FILE Download the CubeX calibration file from Cubify.com. Print the CubeX calibration file as you would any other print file. READING THE CALIBRATION FILE The lines on the calibration print are offset by 0.1 mm. The amount of misalignment can be calculated by counting the amount Scale 2 or 3 is offset from Scale 1. • Scale 1 is printed by Print Jet 1. This is the reference print jet. All offsets are relative to Print Jet 1. • Scale 2 is printed by Print Jet 2.
3D Systems, Inc. 333 Three D Systems Circle | Rock Hill, SC | 29730 Cubify.com ©2013 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The 3D Systems logo, CubeX and Cubify are registered trademarks of 3D Systems, Inc. pn: 401647-00 Rev.
