QuickStart Guide. Automated Support Removal System. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C

Transcription

1 CENTI QuickStart Guide Automated Support Removal System PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C

2 Copyright Copyright 2018 by PostProcess Technologies Inc. POSTPROCESS. All rights reserved. The information disclosed herein is proprietary information owned by POSTPROCESS. This information shall be used solely and exclusively by employees and customers of POSTPROCESS as documentation for the safe operation of processing equipment provided by said company. The information herein shall be used by or disclosed to others only for this purpose. Published: February 2018 Disclaimer: The content of this guide is subject to change without prior notice. Please contact POSTPROCESS for the most current information. Items marked with an asterisk * have been identified as likely to be updated. Picture on front cover is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect actual dimensions. Conventions WARNING Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that may result in injury or death if not carefully observed or followed. CAUTION Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that may result in damage to equipment if not carefully observed or followed. NOTE Draws attention to an operating procedure, practice, or condition, etc., that must be emphasized or provides information to simplify procedures tasks. Any time a screen or button is referenced the following formatting will be used. Screens References to a screen on a machine should be Bold and Italicized. References to gauges on a screen will be italicized. Buttons References to a button that can be pressed or activated by an operator will be BOLD AND CAPITALIZED. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 1

3 Table of Contents 1 OPERATION Connecting Power to the CENTI Emergency Stop Button Automatic Operation Setup/Start Using the Control Screen The FUNCTION Button Setting the Target Temperature Setting the Ultrasonics Time Setting the Ultrasonics Power Selecting the Temperature Unit of Measure Setting the Degas Time Degas Operations Degas Procedures Degassing Information Overview of Ultrasonic Modes Timed Sonics Mode Constant Sonics Mode Auto Sonics Mode Tank Temperature Calibration GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE CENTI Drain Valve Installation Filling or Draining the CENTI Filling the Tank Draining the Tank Cleaning the Tank Maintaining Detergent Levels Exceeding Tank Capacity Covering the Tank TROUBLESHOOTING The CENTI will not start The CENTI is on but the detergent is not heating properly The tank will not drain when the valve is open Error Code (Err) is displayed The CENTI is operating but the display is blank Unit shuts itself down and an Alarm indicator is on the display POINT OF CONTACT REVISION HISTORY PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 2

4 List of Figures Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Main Power Switch... 5 ON/STANDBY Button... 5 Control Screen... 6 Function Button... 7 Drain Valve Drain Valve Assembly Power Cord Receptacle Fluid Level Indicator Overview This QuickStart Guide is intended to explain the basic setup and operation of the CENTI Support Removal machine. Read this guide thoroughly before operating the CENTI to ensure safe and efficient operation. If a question is not answered in this guide, contact POSTPROCESS for additional support. The CENTI is designed to remove excess material deposited during 3D printing processes. The CENTI uses a combination of ultrasonics, heat and detergents to remove the excess material. While the CENTI is robust, care should be used during operation. When accessing the detergent tank, carefully lift and remove the lid. Be careful when extracting finished parts to limit the amount of detergent that is lost during the removal process. Ensure no heavy materials are stored above the CENTI that may fall and damage it. As a general rule or unless otherwise directed, to determine the location of various components discussed in this guide, stand in front of the CENTI and look front to back. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 3

5 Warnings, Cautions and Notes Ventilation PostProcess Technologies detergents are specifically formulated chemistry for maximized 3D printed support removal efficiency. It is recommended that the equipment be located in a well ventilated room. Specific ventilation requirements can vary widely due to size of the install room, existing ventilation (positive or negative) and differences in individual sensitivities to airborne scents or fragrances. For more information on the safe use of POSTPROCESS detergents refer to the SDS for the specific detergent used. Warnings Failure to adhere to any of the warnings below could void the warranty. Read thoroughly before operating the machine. If the machine appears to be malfunctioning in any way, immediately Turn Off the POWER button and refer to the Troubleshooting section of this guide on page 15. If the issue is not able to be resolved, call POSTPROCESS for additional support. Do not operate the unit without proper grounding. Do not allow alcohol, gasoline or other flammable solutions near the machine. Doing so could cause a fire or explosion. Do not touch the detergent with bare skin. Use nitrile gloves, laboratory-style eyeglasses and other necessary personal protective equipment when performing any operations including removing parts where skin could come into contact with the detergent. Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the machine. Do not place the power cord in a location where it may come into contact with water or liquids. Caution should be used whenever working with electrically-powered equipment. If there is an emergency situation, it is important to note that hitting the ON/STANDBY button does not turn off power to the CENTI. It turns off the operating cycle only. To shut off power to the CENTI, turn off the MAIN POWER SWITCH. (For switch location, see Figure 1. Location of Main Power Switch) Cautions Connect the unit only to 110v power. Use only POSTPROCESS detergents. Do not add any other liquid solutions to the machine. Do not operate the machine without sufficient detergent in the tank. Detergent Safety As noted in the safety warnings above, it is important that operators do not come into contact with any form of detergent with bare or uncovered skin. When working with or near detergents, always wear nitrile gloves. Wear laboratory-style protective glasses. If bare skin comes in contact with detergent, thoroughly wash the body part with soap and warm, clean water. It is recommended that an eyewash station is near the CENTI and any detergent storage areas. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 4

6 1. OPERATION 1.1 Connecting Power to the CENTI The CENTI is delivered with an industrial power cord. Use only the power cord supplied by POSTPROCESS with the CENTI. Connect the CENTI only to 110v power. WARNING Do not place the power cord in a location where it could come into contact with water or other liquid substances. It is recommended to keep the entire power cord suspended above the floor surface. NOTE Before connecting or disconnecting the CENTI to a power outlet or inserting/removing the power cord, ensure the Main Power Switch is in the O or Off position. Insert the power cord into the slot shown in the picture below. The MAIN POWER SWITCH is located on the rear and lower right of the CENTI. Once it is connected to 110 v power, press the MAIN POWER SWITCH to the I or On position. Figure 1. Location of Main Power Switch Power Button The ON/STANDBY button for the CENTI is located to the left of the Control screen (See Figure 2). To power up the CENTI, press the ON/STANDBY button. When the Control Screen is lit, the CENTI is on. Figure 2. ON/STANDBY Button CAUTION If the CENTI appears to be malfunctioning immediately PUSH the ON/STANDBY button and turn off the MAIN POWER SWITCH (See Figure 1.) Then refer to the Troubleshooting section of this QuickStart Guide or contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 5

7 1. OPERATION 1.2 Auto Operations If there is not much variance in processing settings, the CENTI can be set up to run in AUTO Mode after turning it on via the ON/STANDBY button. Pressing the AUTO button starts the CENTI automatic operating mode. When this mode is activated, the CENTI will perform the following actions: (Keep in mind that the unit will use the last set of parameters that were entered via the Fn button.) The heater will turn on to bring the detergent up to the Set Temperature. See Section Setting the Target Temperature. Once the set temperature is reached the Ultrasonics are activated. See Section Setting the Ultrasonic Power. Once the ultrasonics timer reaches 0 minutes the Auto Cycle is complete. See Section Setting the Ultrasonic Timer. NOTE If the detergent in the tank does not reach the Set Temperature within the first 120 minutes, the Auto Cycle will shut down. If this occurs, the screen will show the Auto icon flashing. If during an Auto Cycle, the DEGAS button is pressed, the cycle will pause and the ultrasonics will restart after the Degas cycle. See Section Degas Operations. 1.3 Using the Control Screen The Control Screen shown below is the operating screen to access all CENTI functions. The screen displays all of the current operating metrics during a cycle. Figure 3. Control Screen PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 6

8 1. OPERATION The FUNCTION Button The FUNCTION (Fn) Button (shown below) allows the operator of the CENTI to access the functionality settings. The CENTI Fn Button is disabled if the machine is running in Auto Mode. Each time the Fn Button is pressed, it advances to the next setting. See the list below for corresponding settings. If no further key is pressed after 15 seconds the CENTI returns to a ready state. If changes are made, but no key is pressed after 15 seconds the changes are saved prior to returning to a ready state. Press Fn (1X) once to Set Temperature Press Fn (2X) twice to Set Ultrasonics Time Press Fn (3X) three times to Set Ultrasonic Power Press Fn (4X) four times to Select Celsius or Fahrenheit Press Fn (5X) five times to Set Degas Time Pressing the Fn Button once from any setting advances the screen to the next function. The LED icon for each function will flash when activated. Figure 4. Function Button Setting the Target Temperature Pressing the Fn Button once accesses the temperature control settings. Once this is initiated, the icon highlighted on the left of the display begins blinking. To adjust this temperature setting, use the UP and DOWN Arrow as shown left until the desired temperature is reached. The temperature displayed below the Set Temperature is the Actual Temperature of the detergent in the tank. The icon to the right of the actual temperature reading is the Heater icon. When this is displayed, the heater is on and running. WARNING When operating the machine with PG1.1 detergent for SLA parts, do not allow the detergent temperature to exceed 110 F. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 7

9 1. OPERATION Setting the Ultrasonics Time Pressing the Fn Button twice accesses the Time Settings for ultrasonics. If you want the ultrasonics to run constantly throughout the cycle, press the UP arrow and a small infinity icon will be displayed as shown left. To set up the ultrasonics to run for a specified period of time, press the DOWN arrow and select a run time in minutes from 1 to 99. To increase or decrease the time quickly, press and hold the up or down arrow. The time values are circular, pressing the down arrow from 1 will take the value to 99 and pressing the up arrow from 99 takes the value to 1. While the time is being set the clock and the numerals will be flashing. The Ultrasonics icon will be displayed to indicate that ultrasonics are the function being set Setting the Ultrasonics Power The CENTI has two levels of ultrasonic power: High or Low. To set the ultrasonics power level, press the Fn button three times or until the Sonics icon is flashing. Press the UP arrow to set ultrasonics for High power and press the DOWN arrow for Low power. Depiction of the Full ultrasonic power setting. Depiction of the Low ultrasonic power setting. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 8

10 1. OPERATION Selecting the Temperature Unit of Measure The CENTI is capable of displaying the tank temperature in Fahrenheit ( F) or Celsius ( C). To set the temperature unit, press the Fn button four times or until the temperature icon is blinking. Press the UP arrow for temperatures to be displayed in Fahrenheit or the DOWN arrow for the readings to be in Celsius. The temperature readings are located at the left side of the Control screen as shown below. In the example shown the temperature units are displayed in Fahrenheit Selecting the Degas Time The CENTI has built-in Degas functionality to remove excess gasses from fluids. For further information see Section Degas Procedures. To set the timer for a Degas cycle press the Fn button five times or until the Degas icon begins flashing. The Degas icon will display and the time clock and minute counter will begin flashing. Press the UP or DOWN arrow to scroll to your desired time in minutes from 1 to 99. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 9

11 1. OPERATION 1.4 Degas Operations Degas Procedures Anytime detergent is used for the first time (either upon initial fill or when a significant amount is added to the tank), there is likely to be excess gasses trapped in the fluid. A simple Degassing cycle will rectify the issue allowing the CENTI to run at peak efficiency. To run a Degas cycle: 1. Turn on Main Power Switch (See Figure 1. Main Power Switch) 2. Press the ON/STANDBY button (See Figure 2. Control Screen) 3. Set the Degas time (Default time is 5 Minutes). To change the Degas time, press the Fn button 5 times. The Degas icon will appear and the Set Time icon will flash. Press the UP/DOWN buttons to change the Degas cycle time. 4. Press the DEGAS button once to begin the Degas cycle. At any time during the cycle, the UP/DOWN buttons can be used to alter the Degas cycle time. To stop the Degas cycle at any time, press the DEGAS button. 5. Once the Degas cycle is complete the CENTI is ready for normal operations Degassing Information Dissolved gases (most often air) can reduce the effectiveness of the ultrasonic action and the capabilities of the detergent to remove support material of printed parts. During normal use, the detergents will naturally degas over time, but utilizing a Degas cycle will speed up that process and return the CENTI to optimum efficiency. 1.5 Overview of Ultrasonic Modes NOTE Detergents that have not been in use for 24 hours or longer will have reabsorbed some gases. In this situation, ALWAYS run a Degas cycle prior to support removal operations. There are three Ultrasonic Modes of operation. These are identified below: 1. Timed Sonics When operating in Timed Sonics Mode, a timer counts down the remaining time that sonics will run in the cycle. For Information about operating in Timed Sonics Mode see Section Timed Sonics Mode. 2. Constant Sonics In Constant Sonics Mode, the ultrasonics will continue until the SONICS cutton is pressed or power is turned off to the CENTI. For Information about operating in Constant Sonics Mode see Section Constant Sonics Mode. 3. Auto Sonics In Auto Sonics Mode the sonics begin as soon as the set temperature is attained and will continue until the cycle timer reaches 0 minutes. For Information about operating in Auto Sonics Mode see Section Auto Sonics Mode. In any of the above Sonics Modes the ultrasonics can be stopped at any time by pressing the SONICS button. (See figure at left) PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 10

12 1. OPERATION Timed Sonics Mode To run a Support Removal cycle using ultrasonics for a set period of time, use the following steps: 1. Turn on Main Power Switch (See Figure 1. Main Power Switch) 2. Press the ON/STANDBY Button (See Figure 2. Control Screen) 3. If necessary, run a Degas cycle. See Section 1.4 Degas Operations for more information. 4. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to set the time you want the support removal cycle to run. 5. Set the detergent temperature in the tank by pressing the Fn button once. The Set Temperature icon will flash. Next, press the UP/DOWN buttons to set the tank to the desired temperature and activate the heater by pressing the HEAT Button. 6. Set the ultrasonic power level. See Section Setting the Ultrasonics Power. 7. Press the SONICS button. 8. Place the item to be cleaned into the tray and slowly lower it into the tank. When items are processed, slowly remove them from the tank and rinse them with clean, warm water Constant Sonics Mode To run a Support Removal cycle using constant ultrasonics, use the following steps: 1. Turn on Main Power Switch (See Figure 1. Main Power Switch) 2. Press the ON/STANDBY Button (See Figure 2. Control Screen) 3. If necessary, run a Degas cycle. See Section 1.4 Degas Operations for more information. 4. Set the Sonics Mode to Constant. See Section Setting the Ultrasonics Time. 5. Set the detergent temperature in the tank by pressing the Fn Button once. The Set Temperature icon will flash. Next, press the UP/DOWN buttons to set the tank to the desired temperature and activate the heater by pressing the HEAT Button. 6. Set the ultrasonic power level. See Section Setting the Ultrasonics Power. 7. Press the SONICS button. 8. Place the item to be cleaned into the tray and slowly lower it into the tank. When items are processed, slowly remove them from the tank and rinse them with clean, warm water Auto Sonics Mode To run a Support Removal cycle in Auto Mode, use the following steps: 1. Turn on Main Power Switch (See Figure 1. Main Power Switch) 2. Press the ON/STANDBY Button (See Figure 2. Control Screen) 3. If necessary, run a Degas cycle. See Section 1.4 Degas Operations for more information. 4. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to set the time you want the support removal cycle to run. 5. Set the detergent temperature in the tank by pressing the Fn Button once. The Set Temperature icon will flash. Next, press the UP/DOWN buttons to set the tank to the desired temperature and activate the heater by pressing the HEAT Button. 6. Set the ultrasonic power level. See Section Setting the Ultrasonics Power. 7. Press the SONICS button. 8. Press the AUTO button. The cycle will not begin until the temperature set point is reached. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 11

13 1. OPERATION 9. Place the item to be cleaned into the tray and slowly lower it into the tank. When items are processed, slowly remove them from the tank and rinse them with clean, warm water. 10. While running in Auto Mode the Fn button is deactivated. NOTE While running ultrasonics in any mode, to pause or stop sonics press the SONICS button. Press the SONICS button again to resume. If the AUTO button is pressed while running in Auto Mode the cycle pauses but will restart from the beginning of the cycle when the AUTO button is pressed to resume operation. 1.6 Tank Temperature Calibration The CENTI tank temperature control is factory calibrated. Monthly temperature calibration should be performed to keep the CENTI running at peak efficiency. Calibration can occur while detergent is at room temperature or any other operating temperature. To calibrate: 1. Press the Fn button four times until the Current Temperature icon is flashing. Press the UP button to select F. Next press the Fn button two more times to ready the unit. 2. Press the ON/STANDBY button to turn off the CENTI. 3. Press both the ON/STANDBY button and the Fn button simultaneously. The bottom left temperature digits and the Current Temperature icon will illuminate as shown. 4. Stir the detergent in the tank for 15 seconds to ensure that it is at consistent thermal uniformity. 5. After waiting two minutes the temperature can be measured to check calibration temperature. Use the UP/DOWN button to change the actual temperature to the measured temperature. 6. Press the ON/STANDBY button to end the calibration process. 2. GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE 2.1 CENTI Drain Valve Installation The CENTI is equipped with a drain valve located on the side of the unit. See Figure 5. Drain Valve. (If you stand in front of the CENTI the drain valve will be located on the left side of the unit.) Figure 5. Drain Valve The drain should always be installed using Teflon sealing tape. Hand tighten the valve and finish with an adjustable or 21mm wrench. Do NOT overtighten the valve as it may cause damage to the ultrasonic tank. Hand tighten the white plastic hose adaptor into the end of the drain valve. (See arrow leftt) Slide the drain tube over the ridged hose adaptor end. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 12

14 2. GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE Drain Valve Assembly Overview Figure 6. Drain Valve Assembly 2.2 Filling or Draining the CENTI Filling the Tank Prior to filling the CENTI the unit should be powered off and the plug should be removed from the cord receptacle. Located on the back of the unit as shown right. Close the drain valve by turning it clock-wise 90 degrees until it is perpendicular to the valve body. The CENTI is ready to be filled. Figure 7. Power Cord Receptacle CAUTION Only use POSTPROCESS detergents in the CENTI. Using any other detergents may damage the CENTI and void your warranty. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 13

15 2. GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE Draining the Tank Prior to draining the CENTI the unit should be powered off and the plug should be removed from the cord receptacle as shown in Figure 7. Power Cord Receptacle. Make sure the drain tube is placed into a proper storage receptacle for the used detergent. Open the drain valve by turning it counter-clockwise 90 degrees until the valve is parallel to the valve body. The unit will now drain. Properly dispose of all detergents according to local disposal guidelines. 2.3 Cleaning the Tank First, drain the tank following the steps outlined in Section Draining the Tank. Anytime the CENTI tank is emptied, operators should do a close visual inspection of the tank to remove any contaminants or debris. To avoid scratching or damaging the tank use water and a non-abrasive cloth to wipe down the interior of the unit. It is recommended to check any baskets or trays that are being used during the support removal process to ensure they are free from contaminants also. Any baskets or other equipment can be cleaned using water and a soft cloth. CAUTION Never immerse the CENTI in water as the electronics will be damaged. ALWAYS turn the unit off prior to cleaning, filling or draining and be sure to remove the plug from the receptacle and from the power source. 2.4 Maintaining Detergent Levels It is important for the CENTI to always have the proper amount of detergent in the tank to ensure safe and efficient operation. There is a fluid level indicator on the inside of the tank. See Figure 8. Fluid Level Indicator When removing parts from the CENTI use care to limit the amount of detergent lost during the removal. Figure 8. Fluid Level Indicator When heavy or bulky parts are removed from the tank excessive detergent may be lost. Always monitor detergent levels and refill the tank as needed. Keep in mind that when large amounts of detergent are added to the tank, a Degas cycle may be necessary. See Section Degas Procedures PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 14

16 2. GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE 2.5 Exceeding Tank Capacity Care should always be used to avoid exceeding the CENTI tank capacity or overloading the unit. Always use a tray or basket to hold the parts being cleaned. Allow at least one inch (1 ) of space between the bottom of the tank and the tray allowing for adequate cavitation. Remove the tray from the detergent carefully to avoid spilling excess detergent. 2.6 Covering the Tank CAUTION If a part is resting on the bottom of the tank it will not be cleaned properly and the CENTI could be damaged. The picture to the left depicts the CENTI with the cover on the tank. Using the cover allows the tank to reach the desired temperature more quickly. The cover reduces the amount of detergent that is lost due to evaporation. The red callout in the picture is illustrating the cover vents. CAUTION AVOID obstructing the cover vents as it may cause the CENTI to overheat. Never place any weight on the cover as it may become damaged or misshapen. Avoid storing any objects on or above the CENTI as falling objects will damage the cover and may damage the CENTI. 3. TROUBLESHOOTING 3.1 The CENTI will not start Please review Section 1.1 Connecting Power to the CENTI of this QuickStart Guide for an explanation of ensuring that the unit is connected to power and turned on. If the unit is connected to power and still not operating it is possible that the ON/STANDBY button is not functioning or that there is a blown fuse. Contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. 3.2 The CENTI is on but the detergent is not heating properly Please review Section Setting the Target Temperature to ensure the tank temperature is set properly. If the temperature is set properly, perform a tank temperature calibration. See Section 1.6 Tank Temperature Calibration. If still unresolved contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 15

17 3. TROUBLESHOOTING 3.3 The tank will not drain when the valve is open When the valve is open and the tank is not draining is an indication that the drain may be plugged with debris from the support removal process. Carefully remove all of the detergent from the tank by transferring it out with a spare container. Operators MUST wear nitrile hand gloves to avoid allowing detergent to touch bare skin. Once emptied, visually check the drain area for contaminant buildup and remove if necessary. Remove drain valve assembly. Refer to Section 2.1 Drain Valve Installation for information. Clean and rinse all valve assembly parts and remove any debris. Reassemble the drain valve assembly. If still clogged, contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. 3.4 Error Code (Err) is displayed The Error Code showing up on the display indicates that there are CENTI sensor components malfunctioning. Contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. 3.5 The CENTI is operating but the display is blank A blank display while the CENTI is operational indicates that the main control board has malfunctioned. Please contact POSTPROCESS support for further information. 3.6 Unit shuts itself down and an Alarm indicator is on the display If the CENTI shuts down and an Alarm indicator shows up on a blank display, the CENTI has reached an overheating condition. Turn the unit off completely and allow it to cool down. After 15 minutes restart the CENTI. The Alarm Bell is an indicator of an abnormal operating condition. The CENTI should not be used if this icon is displayed on the screen. Contact POSTPROCESS support for further instructions if this icon is displayed. 4. POINT OF CONTACT For Questions and Support for the CENTI, please contact PostProcess Technologies: 2495 Main Street, Suite 615 Buffalo, NY USA support@postprocess.com PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 16

18 5. REVISION HISTORY Revision History REV List of Changes Written By Approved By Approval Date A Original Release Tech Writer (BG) Project Eng (BS) Eng Mgr (MF) 6/27/2017 B Brand Update, Add Ventilation Requirements Marketing (ML) Project Eng (BS) Eng Mgr (MF) 2/21/2018 C Rendering updates, add Warning for exceeding Temperature Marketing (ML) Project Eng (BS) Eng Mgr (MF) 6/26/2018 PostProcess Technologies, Inc. REV C page 17