Hello everyone, I have a Form 1+ that I have been troubleshooting for a few weeks now. The problem initially was that no prints would stick to the build platform. I realized then that the stepper motor was damaged. Once it was replaced and I ran the test print again, it produced 2 out of the 5 Formlab “butterflies”. I have been trying to adjust the build platform height and the base thickness but still have only produced 2 butterflies instead of the 5 seen on the test print file. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
make a picture so we can see.
Did you check the mirrors for dust or resin tank for smudges?>??
they can cause the damage on your prints!
I would say that you need to clean all three mirrors and if you have had a few fails on this tank you should replace that as well as you most likely have some clouding on it at this point. If you send some pics of your test print on the build plate to Formlabs support they would guide you in the right direction too.
Hi Kyle, looks like we have the same problem though we use Form 2. We couldn’t find solution from 2 months. Our printer spent one week in service, they replaced laser unit but it hasn’t solve the problem. We’ve tried every possible setting of fine tuning and result was the same.
At now formlabs support team are investigating resin quality but I thing the problem may be related with build platform. How do you clean it when you change resin tank? We use IPA but I don’t think that can be a problem.
Thanks, Pawel
I completely agree with DragonflyLab, 90% of times it is dust or dirt of some type on the galvo mirrors or on the larger mirror.
Look at the attached pdf on how to clean them,
Hope it helps! Good luck!
Galvo Mirror Cleaning.pdf (455 KB)
Attached is a top view of the resulting print. I have checked the mirror for dust and the resin tank for cured pieces before and after prints.
I am not sure if the Form 1+ has three mirrors. I have only seen one large mirror underneath the resin tank.
It definitely does, I cleaned mine about 6 months ago. They are tiny little Galvo mirrors that you access through the back of the printer. You have to unhook a few connections… I’ll look for the file and send it if you wanna give me your email.
Hi Kyle,
Be careful because you don’t always notice the dust with a naked eye… Specially on the galvo mirrors
Ive had a Form1, a Form1+ and now a Form2… And 90% of times a failed print is causes by a dusty/dirty mirrors or by a cloudy silicone layer.
of course the silicone layer is very easy to inspect…
Have you tried with a new resin container?
by the way, this morning I attached a pdf that shows how to clean the galvo mirrors.
take a look at it. It’s not to complicated.
Good luck,
cheers,
Luke
for me this is dirty galvos or something!
don’t be afraid to make some scratches on the platform. yours looks very shiny.
many people disagree with this, but the scratches gives you a better contact between the model and platform
I use this one for year and a half
I see TheSignStudio already shared the pdf I was referring to! Follow that and after you get the mirrors cleaned thoroughly, replace your resin tank and you should have good results! I also agree with scuffing the print bed and cleaning it thoroughly! I do that almost every print if they are not back to back prints and I’ve had close to 200 successful prints now! Good luck and keep us posted!!
n23d
13
You Know that almost looks like the galvo or mirror is out of alignment. The butterflies look too close to the edge of the build platform indicating the other 3 are completely off the platform. Have you watched the laser scanning as the parts build? you should be able to see all five scan on the tank once its built about half of the part. Try rotating each of the butterflies a little so you know which is which. Or create some numbered objects that are easy to identify. Or a square rib that fills the whole platform.
If you get a solid wall through the middle of the tank and the side walls running off the edge you have a galvo/mirror alignment issue. If you get a wall on the edge with side walls going part way across then you have a tank clouding/dirty mirror issue.
Now I see the locaton of the models and I’m completely agree with n23d
Hi Luke,
Yes I downloaded the pdf you sent. While opening the printer, I noticed that the platform which raises the resin tank is slightly misaligned. Specifically the platform is lower on the right (the side where the motor is) as compared to the left side. Looking at the bigger galvo mirror, it does have some dust and a fingerprint on it. I am not sure about the smaller galvo mirror because it’s harder to see it. In any case, I will clean both mirrors. I have PEC-pads, IPA and Q-tips instead of swabs so I think it should work. Will let you know if it doesn’t though. Thanks!
-Kyle
I have seen the laser scan on the resin tank at what seemed like all 5 positions. I am not sure how to laterally rotate the model on PreForm because it looks like it is stationary. If cleaning the galvo mirrors and aligning the platform underneath the resin tank doesn’t work, I will try to rotate the butterflies. Either way, I will let you know how the print goes and take a picture of the result. Thanks!
trevi
17
I have a formlabs 2 printer. I am trying to print the blue castable resin with no success. Has anyone tried a different brand of castable resin with these printers.
I have printed over 100 maybe close to 200 prints in Castable resin with my form 1+ with I think only one failure which was my fault. What issues are you having? Maybe with some pics and explanation I might be able to help. Have you had success with other resins?
