Personal Portable 3D Printer User Manual www.PP3DP.com PP3DP-201109-V2.
Legal Notice The information in this document is subject to change without notice. DELTA MICRO FACTORY CO. MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Delta Micro Factory Co. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this Material.
1. Introduction 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL.................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 PRECAUTIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Safety....................................
1. Introduction 1. Introduction 1.1 How to use this manual This User Manual is divided into four sections which cover the Introduction, Overview, Operation, and Troubleshooting. Please study this manual carefully before installation, and use the printer according to these instructions. Keep this manual handy and refer to it when necessary. 1.2 Precautions Please read this section carefully before using the printer. 1.2.
1. Introduction Gloves: When performing certain maintenance procedures, the machine may be hot and gloves are required to avoid burns. Safety Glasses: Wear safety glasses to avoid injury to your eyes. 1.2.2 Protection The printer must not be exposed to water or rain, or damage may occur. Do not shut down the UP! System or pull out the USB cable when loading a digital model, or the model data may be lost. When using the ― Extrude‖ function, keep at least 50mm between the nozzle and the platform.
2. Overview 2. Overview The UP! Printer is designed with ultimate portability and simplicity in mind. The system and software allow you to print great models with only a few keystrokes, even if you have never used a 3D printer before. The system uses a nozzle to deposit molten plastic, so printed parts are strong and durable. Congratulations on purchasing an UP! Printer. 2.1 Appearance Figure 1. Front view of printer ⑤ ⑥ ④ ⑦ ③ ⑧ ③ ③ ② ⑨ ① ⑩ ① Pedestal ② Platform ③ Nozzle .
2. Overview Figure 2. Kit contents ① ④ ② ⑤ ③ ⑥ ① Platform adhesives ② Power adapter (20 V) ③ Tool set ④ Power adapter (5 V) ⑤ USB cable & Filament tube ⑥ Gloves Figure 3.
2. Overview Figure 4. Axis Extruder axis Z axis Platform axis Figure 5.
2. Overview 2.2 Specifications 2.2.1 Printer Physical Characteristics Printing Material ABS or PLA Plastic Material Color White Layer Thickness 0.20 – 0.40 or 0.25－0.35 mm, depending on model Print Speed 10－100 cm3/h Print Size 140×140×135mm Printer Weight 5 KG (11 lb) Printer Size 245 × 260 × 350 mm 2.2.2 Specifications Power Requirements 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 200W Model Support Auto-generated Support Input Format STL Workstation compatibility Windows XP/Vista/Win7 2.2.
3.Operation 3. Operation 3.1 Preparation 3.1.1 Installing the printer Open the box and take out the printer and accessories. Assemble the parts contained in the box as follows: 1. Remove the extruder guard first, then unscrew the M4 screw from the extruder, and then fix the extruder onto the holder. Please make sure the extruder is parallel with the Extruder axis.
3.Operation 2. Install the ABS plastic spool holder. Unscrew the short M3 screw (M3X5) from the printer, and then fix the spool holder with a long M3 screw (M3X8). Please note that the spool holder should lock onto the printer‘s corner.
3.Operation The below picture is an alternative filament holder. The stl file can be downloaded at the ― download‖ section of www.pp3dp.com. 3. Install the filament supplier. Unscrew the short M3 screw (M3X5) from the printer, and then fix the filament supplier with a long M3 screw (M3X8). Please note that the filament supplier should lock onto the printer‘s corner. 4. Install the extruder cable (14-pin). You can see a 14-pin socket on the top of extruder.
3.Operation 5. Connect the power adapter to the power interface, and connect one end of the connection cable to the socket beside to power interface, and the other end to filament feeder.
3.Operation 6. Put the ABS plastic spool onto the holder (choose one type of holder you like), and thread the ABS filament into the feeder and press the micro switch. The filament will automatically feed material for as long as you hold down the switch. Please remember to insert the end of the ABS filament into the filament tube. 7. Insert the end of ABS filament into the Filament tube.
3.Operation of the extruder head and hold it there with some gentle pressure until the extruder motor grabs it and starts pulling it through the extrusion head. The extruder will then automatically extrude a thin filament of material.
3.Operation 8. Install the print platform. Raise the platform axis to a height at which you can reach under it to insert the screws. Line up the screw holes on the platform with the screw holes on the heater base and insert the screws in from the bottom and tighten them.
3.Operation 3.1.2 Installing the software Start the UPx.xx setup.exe file and install it to the specified directory (Default is Program files/UP). Note: This installs the UP software, the UP drivers, and the UP sample files into your Program files/UP folder. 3.1.3 Installing drivers Connect the printer to a computer with the USB cable. The computer should pop up the ― Found New Hardware Wizard‖ window. Choose ― No, not this time‖, and then ― next‖.
3.Operation Click ― Browse‖, and choose C:\Program Files\UP\Driver, then ― Next‖. The following dialogue box pops up. Choose ― Continue Anyway‖, and the drivers will install automatically. If you have any problems installing the drivers, or get an " Winusb.dll not found" error, please refer to the driver section in the troubleshooting section of this manual.
3.Operation 3.2 Using the basic functions 3.2.1 Start the program Click on the icon on the desktop. The program should open as follows: 3.2.2 Loading a 3D model Click ― File / Open‖ or on the toolbar and select the model you want to open. UP only supports STL files (which is the standard input format for 3D printing files), and the UP3 format (which is UP‘s proprietary compressed STL format) Move the mouse pointer onto the model, and click the left mouse key.
3.Operation (Mac version) TIP: You can open several models and print them all at the same time. Just repeat the open model procedure for each model you want to add. See the ― Placing models on the build platform‖ section for more information. Unloading the model: click the left mouse button on the model to select it, and then click ― Unload‖ on the toolbar, or click the right mouse button while over the model and a context menu will appear.
3.Operation Fixing STL Files: The Up software has an option that attempts to fix models with bad surfaces. Under the ― Edit‖ menu you will see a ― Fix‖ option. Select the model with inverted surfaces, and click the ― Fix‖ option to try and fix it. Merging models: Several separate models can be merged into a single file by using the ― Merge‖ option from the ― Edit‖ menu. Simply open all the models you want to merge and arrange them the way you want on the platform and click on the ― Merge‖ option.
3.Operation View: The system has 8 preset standard views stored under the ― View‖ button on the toolbar. Click the View button on the toolbar (the startup value for the View button is ― Fit") to find these options: (Windows version) (Mac version) 3.2.4 Model transformations Model Transformation can be achieved through the Edit menu or the toolbar: (Windows version) Moving the model: Click the ― Move‖ button and choose, or input, the distance you want to move in the text box.
3.Operation Tip: If you hold down the ‗Ctrl‘ key, you can simply drag the model to whatever position you want. Rotating the model: Click the ― Rotate‖ button on the toolbar, choose or input how many degrees you want to rotate in the text box, then choose the axis to rotate around. For example: Rotate the model around Y axis by 30o. Procedure: 1. Click ― Rotate‖; 2. Input 30 in the text box；3. Click ― Y axis‖. Note: positive numbers rotate counterclockwise and negative numbers rotate clockwise.
3.Operation Unit Conversion: This option is provided as a convenient way to convert metric models to imperial, and vice versa. To convert an imperial model to metric, select the 25.4 option from the scale menu and click ― Scale‖ again. To convert from metric to imperial, select the 0.03937 option and click ― Scale‖. 3.2.5 Placing models onto the build platform Appropriately placing your models on the platform can have an effect on print quality.
3.Operation 3.3 Getting Ready to Print 3.3.1 Initializing the Printer Before anything can be printed, the printer must be initialized. Click the ― Initialize‖ option under the ― 3D print‖ menu. The printer will beep and the initialization procedure will begin. The printer will then return the platform and print head to the printer‘s origin and beep again when it is ready.
3.Operation 3.3.2 Calibrating the Nozzle Height This section is probably the most important of the entire manual. Please read it carefully to ensure that you understand the nozzle height setup procedure, as it is vital to successful 3D printing. To print successfully, the platform should be set to start at a distance of 0.2mm from the nozzle. As each printer is slightly different, this distance needs to be calibrated before starting to print.
3.Operation In the above example, this tells the printer that, after being initialized, and when a print job begins, the platform is 139.5mm away from the nozzle. To figure out the correct nozzle distance, please follow these steps: 1 - Open the ― Maintain‖ dialogue box from the ― 3D Print‖ menu. The current nozzle height is indicated as shown in the picture below.
3.Operation 4 - Once you are about 1mm away from the nozzle, start increasing the number in the text box by 0.1mm increments and click the ― To‖ button. Repeat this until you get to within 0.2mm of the nozzle. TIP: An easy way to check the distance between the nozzle and platform is to fold a piece of paper in two (Which will make it about 0.2mm thick) and use that as a spacer to gauge the distance between the nozzle and platform. 5 - Once you are within 0.
3.Operation 3.3.3 Leveling the print platform After you have correctly calibrated your nozzle height, check that the nozzle is at the same distance at all four corners of the print platform. If it is not, you may need to adjust the platform until it is level with the nozzle at all 4 corners. There are 3 screw and 3 spring washers under the platform heater. Loosen a screw and the related corner of platform will rise.
3.Operation (Windows version) (Mac version) Extrude: Squeezes material out of the nozzle. Click on this button, and the nozzle is heated. When the temperature is high enough (260°C), the material is squeezed out of the nozzle. The system beeps before material starts extruding, and it beeps again when finished. When changing the material (See section 6), this function is used to deliver the new material to the nozzle. This function can also be used to test whether the nozzle is working correctly.
3.Operation TIP: An empty spool weighs about 280 grams so, if you are installing a partially used spool, weigh it, and subtract 280 grams from the weight. This gives you the value to enter into the material text box. Status: Displays the temperature of the nozzle and platform. Stop All: Stops heating and all the movement of the printer. Once you click this button, the current model being printed is cancelled. You CANNOT resume a print job once the printer has been stopped.
3.Operation 3.3.5 Preparing the Platform Before printing, the platform must be prepared so that the model adheres to the platform enough to be printed without the model moving while, at the same time, being easy to remove from the platform after printing. There are several options for preparing the platform: Method 1 – The Green Paint from PP3DP. Com: This is a special adhesive paint that you need to paint onto the platform.
3.Operation Method 3 – Veroboard: Many users have reported excellent results by using a piece of Veroboard to cover the build platform. Veroboard is a perforated fiberglass board covered with copper tracks that is commonly used for prototyping electronic circuits. It can be purchased from almost any electronic supply store. Best results are obtained by attaching the veroboard to the platform with the copper side down.
3.Operation Thanks to Drew Petitclerc from the Up Forum for the picture of his machine with Kapton tape. Method 5 – Glass: If printing only with PLA, many users report good results printing straight onto a sheet of glass. The sheet of glass (14omm x 165mm) is attached to a longer version of the aluminium platform (also 140mm x 165mm) with bulldog clips. Forum user Drew Petitclerc uses a piece of glass with Kapton tape on one side.
3.Operation 3.3.6 Print Setup Options Click menu ― 3D Print->Setup‖. The following dialog box pops up: (Mac version) (Windows version) Print Options Z Resolution: Sets the print resolution (layer thickness) of the printer. This can be between 0.2mm per layer to 0.4mm per layer (depending on the printer model). Optimize: Disabled. Height Options Base: This is the thickness of the raft of material before the support layer is printed under the part.
3.Operation The default value for this parameter is set to 2mm. Nozzle: represents the distance between nozzle and the print platform when it is at the bottom position. It is essential that this value be correctly set for good printing. See section 3.3.2. for instructions on calibrating your printer. Part Options Surface: This parameter determines how many layers form the bottom face of a part when it is not solid.
3.Operation The part has an outer wall thickness of solid plastic (about 1.5mm), but its interior is filled with a large spaced scaffold structure. On previous software version this was referred to as ― Big hole‖ Support Options Dense: This represents how many layers of ‗solid‘ (dense) material form part of the support structure directly beneath the model. Angle: Angle at which support material gets used.
3.Operation Set to > 10° Set to > 50° There is always a delicate balance between minimizing the amount of support material, versus the quality of the part, versus the difficulty of removing support material. The orientation of the part on the print platform is also critical in determining both how much support material gets used, and also how difficult the support material will be to remove. As a general rule, it is easier to remove support material from the outside of a part than from the inside.
3.Operation Other Options Stable Support: Stable support creates support that is more solid, and the model is less likely to distort, but the support material is then more difficult to remove. Tip: All setup and configuration settings are stored in the Up Software, not on the Up Printer. This means that, if you change to a different computer, you will need to repeat all the calibration and setup procedures.
3.Operation 4. Printing TIP: One of the keys to successful printing on the Up is platform preparation and preheating. Particularly with large parts, there is a tendency for the edges of the part to lift from the platform (which is a little colder than the center) and cause the parts to warp. The best way to prevent this is to ensure that a) the platform is perfectly level, b) that the nozzle height is correctly set and that c) the platform is very well preheated.
3.Operation (Mac version) Print Options: Speed: Fine, Normal or Fast. This simply determines the speed at which the printer moves. As a general rule, the slower you print, the better the quality of the parts. For tall parts, running at Fast speed can be problematic as the printer can vibrate to the extent that print quality is affected.
3.Operation Model info: 30×30×30mm layer thickness: 0.2mm The prices above are calculated with ABS from PP3DP.com at $35 USD for a 700g roll. The easiest way to calculate how much material will be used for your model is to use the ― Print Preview‖ option under the ― 3D Print‖ menu. This will tell you the total weight of material used, including the raft and any support material.
3.Operation 5. Model Removal 1. When the model has finished printing, the printer will beep, and the nozzle and platform stop heating. 2. Remove the printer platform from the printer by removing the 2 screws at the bottom of the platform. 3. Gently slide the spatula under the model and slowly wiggle it back and forth to pry loose the model. Remember to use gloves as the platform and model may still be hot.
3.Operation heat the platform before removing your model, use the ― preheat‖ option from the ― 3D Print‖ menu CAUTION: It is strongly recommended that you do not remove the model from the platform while it is still attached to the printer. If the model is removed with a lot of force while the platform is still on the printer, the mechanical structure of the printer may be damaged or its precision affected. Removing Support Material Printed models are composed of two parts.
3.Operation It takes some practice to get comfortable with removing support material, but it can become quite an enjoyable and therapeutic task! CAUTION: ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN REMOVING SUPPORT MATERIAL, ESPECIALLY WITH PLA MATERIAL. CAUTION: The support material and the tools are sharp. Wear gloves and safety glasses when removing the part from the printer.
3.Operation 6. Maintenance Changing the Material First withdraw the leftover material from the printer. Initialize the printer and choose ― 3D print->Maintain‖. Click ― Withdraw‖ and the system automatically begins to heat the nozzle. When the nozzle reaches the correct temperature, the printer will beep, and you can gently withdraw the material.
3.Operation After the calibration model is printed, measure the X1 and X2 length, as shown in the pictures below. Open the ― Calibrate‖ box form the ― 3D Print‖ menu and enter the measured X1 and X2 values into the appropriate boxes. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before you enter any new calibration values, always click the ― Reset‖ button, otherwise the new values get added to the old ones. Before you enter any new values, the bar at the very top of the screen should read: XY: 0.00 deg / XZ: 0.00 deg.
3.Operation value into the Z box. If it deviates to the right side, the value to be put into the Z box will be a positive value. If the deviates to the left, the value to put into the Z box will be a negative value. Finally, measure the height of Front Center component, which should be 40mm if it is not scaled. Enter the exact measured value into the ― H‖ box of the ― Calibrate dialogue box. Click ― OK‖ to record all these values and exit the calibration window.
3.Operation TIP: Many users also soak their nozzle in acetone to clean them, or even use an ultrasonic cleaning bath to help clean their nozzles Removing / Changing the nozzle Should the nozzle become blocked, you may need to remove it in order to unblock, or change it. To remove the nozzle, use the nozzle wrench provided in the toolkit that comes with your Up Printer.
3.Operation Lubrication of bearings The bearings on the Up Printer may occasionally require a bit of lubrication to keep it operating smoothly. The recommended grease to use is lithium grease. When lubricating the bearings, first clean off as much old grease as possible from the bearings, and then apply new grease to the bearing and slide the platform in the appropriate direction to spread the grease. Spare parts Almost all the plastic parts on the printer are printed by the Up printer itself.
3.Operation 7.0. Tips & Tricks Large parts can sometimes have their corners lift from the platform, which causes the part to distort. This is caused by uneven heat across the surface of the platform. Preheating the platform before beginning large parts is essential to minimize this lifting. Also, the faster you can print such parts, the less lifting you are likely to get. Some ways to increase print quality include: If possible, try to avoid printing such large parts in solid mode.
3.Operation Regularly check your nozzle height! It can change for a number of reasons, some of which you may not even be aware of. To check your nozzle height, refer to section 3.3.2 To get the best results out of your Up printer, the print platform must be perfectly lined up with the Nozzle. This means that when you set the nozzle height, it should be exactly the same distance from the nozzle at all four corners, and the center, of the print platform.
4. Troubleshooting 8. Troubleshooting Problem or error message Solution No power Verify power cord is securely plugged in. Extruder or platform 1. 1. Verify printer has initialized. if not, initialize the fails to reach operating printer temperature 2. 2. Heater is damaged, replace the heater Material is stuck in the extruder. See 3.3.3 Maintain (Extrude) Material not extruding The gap is too wide between the bearing and wire feed rollers. 1.
4. Troubleshooting 2. Click ― Device Manager‖ button, and the following dialog box will popup. Find the ― 3DPrinter@FreeMC‖ in the USB section. 3. Click the right mouse button and select the ― Uninstall‖ option. The confirm dialog box will appear. Click ― OK‖.
4. Troubleshooting 4. Install the latest UP! software. 5. Unplug the USB cable, then plug again. Windows will find a new device. Manually select driver folder (Default is C:\Program files\UP\Driver or C:\Program files(X86)\UP\Driver); 6. There should now be a new driver section in the device manager as shown below: Option 2: Update the driver manually. 1. Install the latest UP software. 2. Find the ― 3DPrint@FreeMC‖ driver in the ― Device Manager‖ dialog box (it should be located in the USB section).
4. Troubleshooting 3. Select ― Update Driver.‖ in the right click menu. 4. Select the up driver folder (the default is C:\program files\UP\Driver). 5. A ― Free Motion Card‖ section should now have been inserted into the Device Manager.
4. Troubleshooting Acknowledgements PP3DP team is grateful for the wording and editing support from Prof. Olaf Diegel, and also grateful to Mr. Drew Petitclerc from the Up! Forum for providing the picture of his machine with Kapton tape.
FCC ID: O26-H479 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
