Zortrax M200 3D Printer: Difference between revisions

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(Added operator's log. Re-jiggered page organization. Added additional information about only Fans. Added information about thermal issues. Placed printer into maintenance.)
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'''Location:''' Electronics Room <br/>
'''Location:''' Electronics Room <br/>
'''Ownership:''' Mag Laboratory <br/>
'''Ownership:''' Mag Laboratory <br/>
'''Status:''' Mostly Working ([[Zortrax_M200_3D_Printer#Hotend_Information|Hotend]]) <br/>
'''Status:''' <span style="color: red">'''Under Maintenance'''</span> <br/>
'''Usage Restrictions:''' None
'''Usage Restrictions:''' None
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<table class="warning-message" style="background-color: #fee7e6; border: 1px #d33 solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0; padding: 0.5em;"><tr><td>'''Maintenance Information: '''</td><td>This printer is currently under maintenance.  Check the operator log.</td></tr></table>


The '''Zortax M200''' is a 3D printer generously donated by [https://www.northropgrumman.com/Pages/default.aspx Northrop Grumman Corporation]. <br/>
The '''Zortax M200''' is a 3D printer generously donated by [https://www.northropgrumman.com/Pages/default.aspx Northrop Grumman Corporation]. <br/>
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== Critical Information ==
== Critical Information ==
=== Automatic Leveling ===
=== Automatic Leveling ===
Since the Zortrax automatically levels by forming a conductive path with the hotend, it is critical to ensure that the following apply when starting a print or leveling the printer:
Since the Zortrax automatically levels by forming a conductive path with the hotend, it is critical to perform the following steps while the hotend is heating:
# The extruder nozzle is clean
# Clean the extruder nozzle and ensure that any charred plastic is removed from the nozzle surface
# The silver leveling pads on the FR4 build plate are clean
# Scrape the conductive pads on the printbed and ensure that there is no leftover plastic obstructing the conductive path between the pad and the nozzle
# There is no solid plastic junk obstructing contact between the extruder nozzle and the build plate pad
# Babysit the printer through automatic leveling and power off the printer if a nozzle collision occurs


'''Failure to adhere to the previous points can result in a nozzle collision or bad rafts being printed.'''
'''Failure to perform the previous points can result in a printer damage, bad rafts, or failed prints.'''


== Circumstantial Information ==
== Circumstantial Information ==
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Qualification testing is not successful with PLA.  This may be attributed to potential cooling issues with the hotend.
Qualification testing is not successful with PLA.  This may be attributed to potential cooling issues with the hotend.


It was found that the hotend heatsink had a partially-threaded hole for the setscrew in 2021This issue was fixed in mid 2022.
The hotend has a working fan ('''Fan2''') that replaced the fan with a broken blade ('''Fan1''').  '''Fan2''' is salvaged from the replaced [[Monoprice_Maker_Select_3D_Printer_V2|IIIP]] sheet-metal filament cooler.  '''Fan2''' is actually a 24v fan and therefore generates less airflow but also less noise; this is non-ideal since the Zortrax extruder design probably under-cools the heatbreak.  '''Fan2''' has been showing signs of bearing degradation and has therefore been slated for replacement in the near futureIt has been noted that sleeve bearings such as the one found in '''Fan2''' are subject to increased wear and significantly reduced service life at elevated temperatures, so a replacement with ball bearings is recommended.


The hotend currently has a partial-working fan replacement since the original fan had a blade fall off.
The hotend is currently insulated since the bare hotend would take too long to heat up and is susceptible to significant thermal losses.


=== (Previous) Filtering Notes ===
== Historic Information ==
=== Hotend Information ===
It was found that the hotend heatsink had a partially-threaded hole for the setscrew in 2021.  This issue was fixed in mid 2022.  This possibly augmented thermal performance, but the printer still does not pass PLA qualification tests.
 
The hotend had a partial-working fan replacement '''Fan2''' since the original fan had a blade fall off.
 
=== Fume Filtering ===
The Zortrax was attached to the Pruex filter with a foamboard upper enclosure.
The Zortrax was attached to the Pruex filter with a foamboard upper enclosure.
The purex's suction would continuously draw more heat from the extruder than the extruder could supply, so the enclosure had to be set up so that the lid was ajar.
The purex's suction would continuously draw more heat from the extruder than the extruder could supply, so the enclosure had to be set up so that the lid was ajar.


Some members had difficulty leaving the lid ajar even when instructed to.
Some members had difficulty leaving the lid ajar even when instructed to.
=== Operators' Log ===
==== [[User:BLu|Brandon]] 2022-12-12 ====
Y.S. Tech YW04010012BSS Ball bearing fans were purchased and a new fan was selected '''Fan3'''.  The Zortrax M200 was placed under maintenance to finally replace '''Fan2'''.  Fan replacement may be complicated by the state of the fan cable since previous fan replacement noted that the splice on the fan cable made it harder to thread through the cable harness in the printer's extruder assembly.  It may be necessary to have two splices and three lengths of wire: a length to the red JST-XH 2-Pin connector, a length that would sit inside the extruder wiring path, and a length left wired into the fan.


== Other 3D Printers ==
== Other 3D Printers ==

Revision as of 02:51, 13 December 2022

Zortrax M200 3D Printer
Zortrax2.jpeg

Location: Electronics Room
Ownership: Mag Laboratory
Status: Under Maintenance
Usage Restrictions: None

3D Printer
Brand: Zortrax

Model: M200
Type: Cartesian
Quality: Prosumer/Professional
Build Volume: Length: 200mm,
Width: 200mm,
Height: 185mm
Materials: ABS
Nozzle Size 0.4mm

Maintenance Information: This printer is currently under maintenance. Check the operator log.

The Zortax M200 is a 3D printer generously donated by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
User Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d5R4mEZI3laMhDZAmBS_YOvCCKxeParys71TMqCmo_Q/edit?usp=sharing

Critical Information

Automatic Leveling

Since the Zortrax automatically levels by forming a conductive path with the hotend, it is critical to perform the following steps while the hotend is heating:

  1. Clean the extruder nozzle and ensure that any charred plastic is removed from the nozzle surface
  2. Scrape the conductive pads on the printbed and ensure that there is no leftover plastic obstructing the conductive path between the pad and the nozzle
  3. Babysit the printer through automatic leveling and power off the printer if a nozzle collision occurs

Failure to perform the previous points can result in a printer damage, bad rafts, or failed prints.

Circumstantial Information

Hotend Information

Qualification testing is not successful with PLA. This may be attributed to potential cooling issues with the hotend.

The hotend has a working fan (Fan2) that replaced the fan with a broken blade (Fan1). Fan2 is salvaged from the replaced IIIP sheet-metal filament cooler. Fan2 is actually a 24v fan and therefore generates less airflow but also less noise; this is non-ideal since the Zortrax extruder design probably under-cools the heatbreak. Fan2 has been showing signs of bearing degradation and has therefore been slated for replacement in the near future. It has been noted that sleeve bearings such as the one found in Fan2 are subject to increased wear and significantly reduced service life at elevated temperatures, so a replacement with ball bearings is recommended.

The hotend is currently insulated since the bare hotend would take too long to heat up and is susceptible to significant thermal losses.

Historic Information

Hotend Information

It was found that the hotend heatsink had a partially-threaded hole for the setscrew in 2021. This issue was fixed in mid 2022. This possibly augmented thermal performance, but the printer still does not pass PLA qualification tests.

The hotend had a partial-working fan replacement Fan2 since the original fan had a blade fall off.

Fume Filtering

The Zortrax was attached to the Pruex filter with a foamboard upper enclosure. The purex's suction would continuously draw more heat from the extruder than the extruder could supply, so the enclosure had to be set up so that the lid was ajar.

Some members had difficulty leaving the lid ajar even when instructed to.

Operators' Log

Brandon 2022-12-12

Y.S. Tech YW04010012BSS Ball bearing fans were purchased and a new fan was selected Fan3. The Zortrax M200 was placed under maintenance to finally replace Fan2. Fan replacement may be complicated by the state of the fan cable since previous fan replacement noted that the splice on the fan cable made it harder to thread through the cable harness in the printer's extruder assembly. It may be necessary to have two splices and three lengths of wire: a length to the red JST-XH 2-Pin connector, a length that would sit inside the extruder wiring path, and a length left wired into the fan.

Other 3D Printers

This page is a part of our ongoing effort to document our 3D printers.