Sinterit LISA X SLS 3D Printer

Short User Manual

Version 01/2022

1. Printer overview
2. Preparing to print

2.1 Starting the printer
2.2 Choosing the file to print
2.3 Filling up the printer with powder
2.4 Preparing the print chamber
2.5 Final steps before printing

3. Removing and cleaning the printout
4. Cleaning the printer
5. Technical support

Introduction

This short manual provides a basic overview of the Sinterit LISA X SLS 3D printer and its general use. It will guide you through the entire printing process. For detailed information and to learn more about specific features, please view the full manual at www.sinterit.com/support-page/. Sinterit disclaims any liability resulting from the lack of knowledge provided in this manual.

Listed below are the conventional symbols used throughout the guide and basic safety rules for working with the machine. They indicate warnings or carry important notices, so as to protect the user, any bystanders, and objects in the vicinity. They also provide the basic guidelines for proper and safe operation of the device.

Safety Symbols and Warnings

⚠️ [Warning] An inevitably dangerous situation, potentially resulting in bodily harm or even death.
⚠️ [Attention] May cause property damage and/or injury to person(s) operating the device and/or those located in its vicinity.
⚡ [Danger] Risk of electric shock. An inevitably dangerous situation, potentially resulting in severe burns or even death.
? [Warning] Pressurized gas! Danger of asphyxiation! The gas canister could potentially become unsealed; the inert gas is a simple asphyxiant (displaces oxygen from the air).
?️‍?️ [Attention] IR laser radiation. The laser emits infrared (IR) light, which is not visible to the naked eye. It is important to avoid skin and eye contact.
? [Attention] High temperature – do not touch! Contact with the heating elements can result in severe burns.
⚙️ [Attention] Mind the moving parts, which could potentially crush limbs.
? [Attention] Mind the sharp edges, which could result in cuts, especially to the hands.
? [Attention] Beware of high intensity light.
? [Danger] Fire and/or explosion hazard! Mitigate the risk of combustion; the powder dust is extremely flammable!
⚡ [Attention] Risk of electric shock. The device is equipped with a ground.
? [Stop] The described action is strictly forbidden.
? [Attention] It is necessary to wear personal protection: clothing, eyewear, facemask and gloves.
? [Attention] Antistatic clothing and footwear required.
ℹ️ [Important] Information necessary to correctly perform the described task.
ℹ️ [Important] Before attempting the described action, please consult the instruction manual.

1. Printer Overview

Figure 1.1: Front View

View of the front of the printer, heating module, print chamber, and overflow bin, with the following labeled components:

1. LID HANDLE
2. SPLIT PIN
3. HEATING MODULE
4. PRINTER LID
5. SCREEN
6. EMERGENCY STOP PUSHBUTTON (E-STOP)
7. FEED BED
8. DOOR
9. OVERFLOW CONTAINER
10. USB PORT
11. RESET BUTTON
12. PRINT BED
13. RECOATER GUIDE BAR
14. RECOATER
15. INFRARED BULB

Figure 1.2: Pyrometer Window

View of the pyrometer window, labeled as:

16. PYROMETER WINDOW

Figure 1.3: Back View

View of the back of the printer, with the following labeled components:

17. POWER SOCKET
18. POWER SWITCH (ON/OFF)

2. Preparing to Print

2.1 Starting the Printer

1. Connect the printer to power. The power socket is located on the back of the printer.

2. Flip the power button on the back of the printer to the I position.

3. Make sure that the E-STOP button is released. If not, twist it clockwise up to the stop and release.

Figure 2.1: Connecting the Power Cord

Illustration showing the power cord being connected to the power socket on the back of the printer.

Figure 2.2: Releasing the E-STOP Button

Illustration showing how to twist the E-STOP button clockwise to release it.

4. In a moment, the main menu should appear on the printer screen.

⚠️ [Attention] While preparing the printer for use, it is necessary to read and acknowledge any messages on the screen. Disregarding or skipping any crucial steps of the process can negatively impact the quality of printouts or damage the printer.

2.2 Choosing the File to Print

1. To start printing, from the main menu choose NEW PRINT and press ADD NEW PRINT JOB.

2. Choose the file from the list – NEW PRINT JOB or repeat a RECENT PRINT JOB.

3. The following screen displays basic information about the processed file (PRINT JOB) and the current status of the printer (PRINTER STATUS). If you want to choose another file to print, select CHANGE PRINT JOB.

ℹ️ [Important] In case any components of the printer should require maintenance or replacement, a corresponding message will appear on the screen.

Press START NEW PRINT to advance to the following step.

2.3 Filling the Printer with Powder

1. Slide the UNLOCK LID button to release the electrolock and allow the print chamber to be opened.

ℹ️ [Important] After 10 seconds, the electrolock will activate, and it will no longer be possible to lift the lid. If you still want to open the printer, slide the UNLOCK LID button again on the printer screen.

2. Push on the lid and pull it up using the lid handle.

Figure 2.3: Lifting the Printer Lid

Illustration showing the printer lid being lifted.

3. Make sure the print chamber is free of any miscellaneous items that the recoater could catch on.

4. Press AUTO HOME to begin homing the Feed Bed and Print Bed positions.

5. Once the homing process is finished, fill the Feed Bed with the desired powder. Use the powder funnel provided in the Dedicated Powder Tools. Afterwards, press DONE.

Figure 2.4: Filling the Print Chamber

Illustration showing the print chamber being filled with powder using a funnel.

ℹ️ [Important] Add a little more powder than fits in the Feed Bed.

ℹ️ [Important] The information about which powder to use has been displayed on the printer screen as well as in the Sinterit Studio software end report.

6. Compress the powder using the metal spatula provided in Dedicated Powder Tools. This will release any residual air trapped in the Feed Bed during pouring. Afterwards, press DONE.

7. Remove any powder spilled directly under the guide bars using the brushes and spatulas provided in Dedicated Powder Tools. Afterwards, press DONE.

8. Choose START LEVELING to begin leveling the powder surface.

ℹ️ [Important] During the powder leveling process, you can scrape excess powder from under the guides with a plastic spatula from the Dedicated Powder Tools set.

9. You should see a smooth powder surface in the print chamber. Once the surface is sufficiently level, choose STOP LEVELING.

10. Press DONE to advance to the following step.

2.4 Preparing the Print Chamber

1. Delicately wipe the pyrometer window with a wipe soaked in 2% salicylic spirits (ethanol solution) or another ethanol-based cleaning solution. Cleaning wipes provided in Dedicated Powder Tools may also be used.

2. Wipe the pyrometer window again with a dry cotton cloth to remove any alcohol residue. Afterwards, press DONE.

3. Wipe the recoater guide bar with a wipe soaked in 2% salicylic spirits (ethanol solution) or another ethanol-based cleaning solution. Cleaning wipes provided in Dedicated Powder Tools may also be used.

4. Wipe the recoater guide bar again with a dry cotton cloth to remove any alcohol residue. Afterwards, press DONE.

5. Apply silicone oil (available in Dedicated Powder Tools) to the recoater guide bar. A few drops along the whole length are sufficient. Afterwards, press DONE.

6. Make sure no miscellaneous items (e.g., spatulas) remain in the print chamber, then close the lid. Afterwards, press DONE.

2.5 Final Steps Before Printing

1. Press the RESET button on the printer itself to engage the safety mechanism.

2. Choose START PRINT to begin printing.

3. Removing and Cleaning the Printout

1. Once the screen displays a message saying FINISHED, the printing process is over. Choose REMOVE PRINTOUT to retrieve it from the print chamber.

2. After the print is finished, the screen may show a message saying MAINTENANCE TIME. This contains information on required maintenance for certain components of the printer. For more information, consult the full instruction manual, section 13. Maintenance. Press GOT IT. If the message hasn't appeared, no components require maintenance at present.

3. Press the UNLOCK LID button to release the electrolock and allow the print chamber to be opened.

ℹ️ [Important] After 10 seconds, the lock will re-engage, and it will no longer be possible to lift the lid. If you still want to open the printer lid, press the UNLOCK LID button again on the screen.

4. Push on the lid and pull it up using the handle.

Figure 3.1: Lifting the Printer Lid

Illustration showing the printer lid being lifted.

5. Place the folded IO BOX inside the print chamber. Ensure its elements are arranged as shown in the picture.

Figure 3.2: IO BOX Arrangement

Illustration showing the proper arrangement of the IO BOX, allowing the user to remove the finished printout. It shows the FEED BED and PRINT BED.

⚠️ [Attention] While placing the IO BOX in the chamber, make sure you do not accidentally damage its components.

6. Unfold the IO BOX elements as much as possible. Inside the IO BOX, you should see a covered Feed Bed and an uncovered Print Bed.

7. Choose REMOVE PRINTOUT and wait until the contents of the Print Bed (the cake) are ejected.

8. Join the IO BOX elements together.

9. Carry the IO BOX and its contents onto the foldable tray from Dedicated Powder Tools (1) or onto the PHS worktop (2), then press DONE on the screen.

Figure 3.3: Moving the IO BOX

Illustration showing the IO BOX being moved to the foldable tray (1) or to the PHS worktop (2) to clean the printout.

10. Clean the printout from unsintered powder using the brushes and probe provided in Dedicated Powder Tools.

4. Cleaning the Printer

ℹ️ [Important] The SLS powders are hygroscopic (draw moisture from the air). The print chamber and the overflow container are not 100% airtight. Leaving powder inside the printer may cause it to become wet and lose its intended properties.

1. Press YES, I DO, to start cleaning the printer.

2. Make sure no miscellaneous items remain in the print chamber. Afterwards, press AUTO HOME to begin homing the Feed Bed and Print Bed positions.

3. Collect the remaining powder in the print chamber with the PHS or ATEX Vacuum Cleaner hose. Afterwards, press DONE.

⚡ [Danger] The vacuum cleaner used to collect the powder must be suitable for handling combustible dust. Sinterit recommends the ATEX Vacuum Cleaner.

4. Press the arrow buttons to the left and right to move the recoater and collect remaining powder underneath.

5. Once the print chamber is clean, choose DONE.

6. Press OPEN AND UNLOCK, to unlock the overflow container.

ℹ️ [Important] After 10 seconds, the lock will re-engage, and it will no longer be possible to open the overflow door. If you still want to slide the overflow bin out, press the UNLOCK OVERFLOW button again on the LCD screen.

7. Open the overflow door and slide out the drawers.

Figure 4.1: Sliding Out Overflow Container

Illustration showing the overflow container being slid out.

8. Take the overflow container from its drawers and transfer its contents into a metal bucket or onto the PHS.

9. Put the overflow container back in its drawers.

ℹ️ [Important] Make sure the overflow container is oriented correctly once you put it back. Pay attention to the markings on the bin.

10. Slide the UNLOCK OVERFLOW button to the UNLOCKED position to release the lock and slide the drawer back into the printer.

⚠️ [Attention] Attempting to slide the overflow container back into the printer without unlocking the safety mechanism can damage it.

11. Close the overflow door and press DONE.

12. If you want to learn how to refresh the powder and what exact mix to use, choose SHOW REFRESH INFO. If you wish to do that another time, choose LATER.

5. Technical Support

In case of any questions or issues, please don't hesitate to contact the after-sales support:

Email: support@sinterit.com
Phone: +48 570 702 886

The full list of resellers and technical support in select countries can be found at www.sinterit.com/contact.