IDEX USER MANUAL
IDEX USER MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 1.1. 1.2. 2. 2.1. 3. 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 4. 4.1. 4.2. 5. 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. 5.6. 5.7. 5.8. 5.9. 5.9.1. 5.9.2. 5.9.3. 5.9.4. 5.10. 5.11. 6. 6.1. 6.2. 7. 7.1. 7.2. 7.3. 7.4. 7.5. 8. 8.1. 8.2. 8.3. 8.4. 8.5. 8.6. 8.7. 9. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Craftbot Flow / Flow XL printer components . . . .
IDEX USER MANUAL 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the Craftbot Flow Generation printer and welcome to the world of 3D crafting! We at CraftUnique believe that 3D printing opens a new window to enhancing creativity. It offers an outstanding crafting experience even without a prior background in programming or 3D printing. How does the printer work? The Craftbot 3D printer makes solid, three-dimensional objects from melted plastic filament.
IDEX USER MANUAL 1.1. Craftbot Flow /XL printer components 1 1 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Filament guide tube Touchscreen LCD display Hotend Build plate Z axis rod 3 3 4 5 7 6 9 8 7 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. USB connector for flash drive Extruder Filament guide tube holder Filament spool holder Filament spool ON / OFF switch AC power cable LAN connection Reset button 8 10 13 14 11 12 The model displayed is the Craftbot Flow IDEX. The difference between the two models is the frame height.
IDEX USER MANUAL 1.2. Specifications PRINTING PROPERTIES FLOW IDEX Printing heads Build volume Independent Dual Extruders (IDEX) with Filament Monitoring system (FMS) X: 425mm x Y: 250mm x Z: 250mm X: 425mm x Y: 250mm x Z: 500mm X,Y: 4 microns, Z: 2 microns Theoretical precision Layer resolution FLOW IDEX XL Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Printing technology For 0.4mm nozzle recommended 50-300 microns Travel speed Up to 160mm/s Print speed Up to 160mm/s Build speed 0.4mm nozzle: up to 19.
IDEX USER MANUAL 2. SAFETY Read this user manual carefully before you use the appliance, then save it for future reference. All information in this user manual is subject to change at any time without notice and is provided for convenience purposes only. CraftUnique reserves the right to modify or revise this user manual in its sole discretion and at any time. By using the manual, you agree to be bound by any modification and/or revisions.
IDEX USER MANUAL 3. UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY 3.1. Unpacking the printer 1. Please check the packaging for any damage. If you detect any damage please contact the reseller. 2. Place the Craftbot box on the ground on a level surface. Make sure that there is plenty of open space around you. 3. Open the box with care, not to damage the contents if you are using a blade. Be careful and watch out for the printer as well. 4. Remove the strips and pull off the top box.
IDEX USER MANUAL 3.3. Assembling the Craftbot Printer • • Remove the X-rail clamps - To ensure your product was delivered safely, there are two clamps on the end of the X-rail. Safely remove these by using the hex key provided by unscrewing the 2 screws on each clamp. - Slide the clamps out by wiggling them from side to side. Install the filament guide tube holders - • • • Install the filament guide tubes - Locate the filament guide tubes.
IDEX USER MANUAL 4. FIRST STEPS 4.2. The printer wizard The first time you use the printer, the printer wizard will appear. The wizard will walk you through the steps needed to get the most out of your printer: • Language • Time zone • Firmware update • Network (LAN/Wi-Fi) • Calibration If you are unsure, you can always run the printer wizard from the setting menu. Language 1. Select your language from the list 2. Then press Next Time zone 1. Select your time zone from the list 2.
IDEX USER MANUAL 4.3. Welcome wizard- Calibration 1. Please make sure that the bed is clean and there are no residues / dirt on the nozzles. You can use the metal brush to clean the nozzle. 2. Remove every object that may be blocking the bed moving all the way down. This process will take roughly 30 min. in total. Don’t worry: most of it is automatic due to our mesh leveling system. 3. Push Next on your screen. 4.
IDEX USER MANUAL Bed leveling Adjusts the parallelity of the build plate and XY mechanics, and the distance between the nozzle and the build plate. The assisted bed calibration requires you to manually adjust the build plate. It will be adjusted using the 3 knob screws at the bottom of the build plate. There is one knob at the front in the middle and two in the back left and right corners of the build plate.
IDEX USER MANUAL FMS calibration This calibration will measure the Filament Monitoring System (FMS) sensor values and adjust if necessary. Make sure you select the correct type of filament on the screen. The head heats up to the correct temperature. After it has heated, load the filament to the extruder. To extrude filament from the print head, use the down arrow on the touch screen. • Press and hold the button to keep extracting filament through the head.
IDEX USER MANUAL 4.4. The first print job Please print the CW_ToolDisk_dual.gcode or CW_ToolDisk_single.gcode files from pendrive. If you have not have this gcode please download it from this link and copy it to the pendrive: https://support.craftbot.com/hc/en-us/ articles/360012631777-Craftbot-tooldisk-sample-testobject • Select the Print menu • Locate the file you plan to print. The files on the flash are found in the “pendrive” folder.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5. THE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE 5.1.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.2. Home menu Switch on the Craftbot printer with the ON / OFF button located at the back of the appliance. The LCD panel on the front will light up. You can navigate the touch screen by touching icons. On the main screen, you can preheat the head to a preset temperature by pressing the print head or build-plate icon. The display shows the following information: 1. HMI version number 2. The IP address (if the printer is connected to a network) 1. 2. 3. 4. 7. 8. 5. 3.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.3. Print menu You can print the previously saved .gcode files in more ways: either form the printer’s 4GB internal storage or from a USB flash drive. Save the gcode file created by the CraftWare slicer program onto USB flash drive or directly to the printer’s internal storage. • Select the Print menu • Locate the file you plan to print. The files on the flash are found in the “pendrive” folder.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.5. The print menu 3 1 2 8 Printing starts when the machine has reached the required operating temperature. The following values are displayed during printing: 1. Name of the file/object to be printed 2. Percentage of total printing completed 3. Current z height/total z height 4. Remaining time (with heating time) 5. Head temperature 6. Filament remaining/ total 7. Bed temperature 8. The number of layers to be created/ total number of layers 4 5 6 7 9 9.
IDEX USER MANUAL Temperature Head and build plate temperatures can be adjusted separately. Adjust the head and the build plate temperature by touching the slider and the + and - buttons. You can lock the previously set values if needed. Extrude For filament change use the Extrude / Reverse functions or the preprogrammed Load / Unload options. Fan speed Fan speed volume can be modified in percentage of the original. You can change the Object fans and the dome fan speeds.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.7. The heating menu Warming up the head and loading or removing filaments are essential for printing. From the main menu screen, touch the element to be heated (head and build plate icons), which will warm up to the predefined temperature. If you want to change the heating values, follow the instructions below. In the main menu, press the Heating icon. In the upper part of the new window you can select the desired material (ABS, PLA, PETG…) from the drop-down list.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.7. The extrude menu Heat up the extruder where you want to insert the filament into. • Take the end of the filament out of the securing hole on the Filament spool. • Cut the end of the filament so the filament is straight and has no damage, bends kinks or melted parts. • Remove the filament guide tube from the insert hole on the top of the extruder. • Insert the end of the filament from the spool UP into the filament guide tube holder, then into the filament guide tube.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.10. Changing filaments • When changing filaments, note that different filaments, such as PLA, ABS, and PET, have different temperature characteristics. • If you want to replace a material with a higher temperature (eg. ABS, PETG) with a material with a lower temperature (PLA), you will need to heat the head to a higher temperature so that the previous material can leave the head completely before the other filament can its place.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.11. The info menu Select the Info menu on the Home screen. You can seee some important infos: • Model type • Pr3dator (Mainboard) version • HMI (LCD board) version • Language file version • Gui lib If you want to restart your printer press the Restart button and the printer will restart.
IDEX USER MANUAL 5.13. The settings menu Select the Settings menu on the Home screen. Items of the Settings menu: • Printer wizard • Calibrate wizard • Calibrate • Update • Language • Personalise • Network • E-mail • Time zone • Camera • Mode • FMS • Sound • Light • Fan • Door • Nozzle The printer wizard This was the first wizard process when you turned on the printer for the first time.
IDEX USER MANUAL Calibration You need to calibrate your printer regularly to ensure that you can always print in good quality and achive good adhesion to the build plate. There are a total of 4 calibration processes that ensure perfect print quality. There are a few important rules to follow before calibrating: ! Heat up the nozzle and remove the filament from the extruder. ! Clean the plate and the nozzle tip. ! Make sure the metal plate is pushed back as far as it will go.
IDEX USER MANUAL Assisted bed calibration Adjusts the parallelity of the build plate and XY mechanics, and also the distance between the nozzle and the build plate. Assisted bed calibration requires you to manually adjust the build plate. It will be adjusted using the 3 knob screws at the bottom of the build plate. There is one knob at the front in the middle and two in at the back, in the left and right corners of the build plate.
IDEX USER MANUAL Firmware update Craftbot FLOW printers are able to update their firmwar through the Internet or from a flash drive. We are continuously improving the features of our printers for the best user experience. If the printer is connected to the Internet and the update reminder function is enabled, the printer warns you when a new firmware is available. If the printer is connected to the Internet but the update reminder function is disabled, the printer needs to be updated via the Update menu.
IDEX USER MANUAL Troubleshooting: If the FW update runs into an error, please do the following: 1. Turn off the printer 2. With a piece of filament push and hold the reset button (a little hole under the Ethernet port) 3. Turn on the printer 4. Release the button 5. Install the FW as above Please do not interrupt the process or unplug the printer during the firmware update. The update process takes about 3 minutes.
IDEX USER MANUAL Network Select the Settings menu on the LCD screen and touch the Network icon. On the main page you can see some information about the network: • IP adress • Subnet mask • Gateway • DNS • Hostname • MAC Select the Ethernet or the WiFi network. The printer can be either on Ethernet or WiFi. If you select the WiFi option the printer will turn off Ethernet and vice versa. You can chose Static IP or DHCP. If DHCP is selected, the printers must be configured.
IDEX USER MANUAL SMTP username: the GMAIL address you just registered SMTP password: the password you used when you registered the new GMAIL address. After you have entered the settings in, please click on “Send test Email” and you will get a sample E-mail to E-mail inbox you have just set up. Time zone Select the Settings menu on the LCD screen and touch the Time zone icon. Select your time zone from the list and turn on automatic time setting.
IDEX USER MANUAL FMS You can change the FMS sensitivity of Head 1 and Head 2. Select the Other settings menu and turn on or off the FMS E-mail system. If a filament jam is detected while printing, the system will send a notification to your configured E-mail address. Sound You can change the sounds of printer. You can separately enable Event sounds and Button sounds. Use the reset button to change back to the factory values.
IDEX USER MANUAL Door If you have a door for your printer turn on the Door and select the treshold temperature (40 °C or 60 °C ). For safety reasons, the system does not allow the opening of the door if the temperature is higher than this threshold. Nozzle Select the diameter of the Nozzle from the list.
IDEX USER MANUAL 6. USING THE WEB INTERFACE 6.1. Login If you have already configured your printer for network use, its IP address can be found on the main screen. When you first log in, enter the IP address of your printer in the web browser, eg.: http://10.0.1.21/ Log in to the site with the default username and password: • Username: admin • Password: adminadmin After you have logged in you may be asked to change the generic username and password.
IDEX USER MANUAL 6.4. Printing objects through the WEB interface In the File manager you can see the available gcode files. You can print gcode files either from the internal storage or from the flash drive. Press the Print icon next to the file you want to print. Confirm your choices with the pop-up messages and the print job will start. You can follow the print process on the dashboard. The print bar shows the progress in percentage.
IDEX USER MANUAL Network Configure static IP or DHCP. If static IP is selected, the data must be entered manually here. Accessories The properties of the printer accessories can be set here, such as door and shroud fan. You can also specify the size of the nozzle here. • Notifications • E-mail address, • Password • Server address to ensure that if you run out of filament or encounter other issues while printing, you will be notified at the E-mail address you provided.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT! Cleaning and lubrication should only be performed while the extruder and build plate are cold. Please allow the Craftbot 3D printer to cool at least 30 minutes before cleaning or maintenance. The printer needs to be cleaned after every 1000 hours of operation. After every 1000 hours you will need to change the used and worn parts of the unit. The printer will warn the user. 7.1.
IDEX USER MANUAL 13. Repeat the process for the top side of the Z-axis rods the same as you performed on the bottom side: protective rag behind threaded rod, spray, wipe off excess lubricant on other two outside rods. 14. Power up the Craftbot once again and raise the build plate back up to the highest position (set the X, Y and Z to the home position). 15. Turn the Craftbot printer off and unplug it from the power supply. 16. Wipe off any excess lubricant from the bottom side of the Z-axis rods. 17.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7.4. Replacing the fan set If you have encounter problems because the BL touches intermittently or is not working at all or the fans are not working, then follow the process below to investigate. This could be due to pins breaking or being misaligned due to twisting of the Fan casing. • Remove the screws on the left and right side with the 2 mm Allen key. • With one hand, hold the fan assembly steady as you remove the last of the bolts.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7.6. Removing the nozzle Remove the filament from the head or cut the filament at the point closest to the extruder. • Remove the head only after it has completely cooled to avoid burns. • In the Navigation menu, lower the bed level for convenient head access during the process. • Turn off the printer. • The fan assembly on the head can be removed using the 2 screws on each side. The fan unit can then be easily removed.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7.8. Replace the hotend Assembly instructions: 1. Items 14 and 15 are placed in block 3 until they stop, 2. Fasten plate part number 5 to part number 3 with screw number 6. 3. Slide item number 4 onto item number 3 until it stops. 4. Wring Nozzle part 1 into block number 3 until it stops. 5. Screw Heatbreak number 2 onto Nozzle number 1 protruding from block 3 until it stops. (Figure 2) 6. Tighten Heatsink No. 8 on part number 2 and secure with screws 7.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7.9. Adjusting X belt tension • Loosen the nut that secures the X-belts through the hole with a 7-gauge wrench provided until the block no longer locks the belts. • Then tighten the nut. 7.10. Battery replacement • The battery type you need to replace is CR2032. • Before installing the battery, also remove the screws on the back cover. Be sure to disconnect the fan and hood connection cables from the system board after removing the back cover. • Remove the depleted battery.
IDEX USER MANUAL 7.12. The cleaning kit 2. 4. 6. 1. Sharp tweezer 2. Spatula 3. Lubricant syringe 1. 4. Nozzle drill bits 3. 5. ALCOHOL PREP PADS 5. 9. 8. 7. Alcohol prep pads 6. Wire brush 7. Wire cutter 8. Curved tweezer 9. Nozzle needles Sharp tweezer and Curved tweezer The 2 different shape precision tweezers are perfect for • nozzle maintenance and • cleaning material from the feeder gear teeth and other hard to reach areas.
IDEX USER MANUAL Nozzle hand drill bits To help drill the clogged nozzle during the cleaning process. There are 3 sizes: • Ø 0,6 mm • Ø 0,8 mm • Ø 1 mm Caution! Don’t use the drill to clean until the extruder is heated to above 200 degrees. Alcohol prep pads Keep the Kapton foil cleaned whith alcohol prep pads. Caution! Avoid contact with the eyes and please keep out of reach of children.
IDEX USER MANUAL 8. CRAFTWARE To print a 3D object, The Craftbot needs toolpath information generated from 3D object CAD files like .obj or .stl. Toolpath information is simply called “gcode”. CraftWare software converts 3D design files into printing commands for the Craftbot 3D printer. CraftWare was been developed by CraftUnique with the aim of easing and perfecting the printing process. For detailed user instructions of CraftWare, download the user manual from: https://craftbot.
IDEX USER MANUAL 9. GUARANTEE AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY For special conditions relating to product guarantee, see the „Guarantee Statement” on a separate sheet, which is also delivered with the product. With the exceptions included in the regulations concerning the guarantee and to the greatest extent permitted by the relating act, Craftunique Ltd.
Cooperation between 3D printer and people has never been easier. Get in touch! CONTACT: CraftUnique Ltd. Salgótarjáni str. 12-14. Budapest 1087, Hungary Phone: +36 1 700 8060 Web: www.craftbot.com • www.craftbotusa.com Craftbot is made in the EU. Copyright 2013-2020 by CraftUnique Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
