Rapid Prototyping Lab
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Our site is under construction and the information will be updated as we continue to test the prototyping machines



Operating the 3D StrataSys printer

AutoGen Software

AutoGen software controls the Genisys 3-D printer. AutoGen slices the model into layers and determines whether external supports are needed.

AutoGen needs an.stl file to generate the object.

Note that the estimated time in AutoGen may differ from the actual printer time. Printing times ranges from 40 minutes to several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the part.

Place your .stl file in the directory "C:\ fdm"

Load the job into AutoGen This will show you the model as it lays on the floor platform of the FDM machine. The floor is the red surface of the cube.

On AutoGen, you can control the scale, the dimensional unit and orientation of your part and then send it to Genisys 3-D printer. Try to pick an orientation with the minimum amount of overhangs, so that the least support material is required.

Send the print job to the 3D printer after the AutoGen indicates the ready state.




The 3D Genisys Printer

Power up the printer

Select platen and autohome from the LCD menu to warm the printer up

Warming up may take about 10 minutes to metl the thermoplastic and align the platform

Select the printer online

This will connect it to the Autogen Software which needs to indicate that it is ready

Before starting a printing job, make sure that there is enough Thermoplastic in the printer.

After the file is sent to the printer, the LCD screen will show the exact time that the printer has been running and the percentage completed.

After the printing is complete

  • Remove your part by using the spatula
  • The support material needs to be scraped out of the 3D object
  • Make sure the platform is clean and has no left over material
  • Please make sure not to leave your part too long on the plate or else it will melt and get deformed

To shut down the Genisys printer

  • Select turn printer off from the menu,
  • Then after a few minutes turn the power switch off.
 
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