3D Systems sPro, User Manual

Page: 66 / 280

SLS p r o c e s s 6 6 P R E P A R E T O B U I L D
u s e r ’ s g u i d e u n l o a d i n g t h e I P C
Connecting an IPC to an IRS
Connect the IRS umbilical (powder convey line,
pulse air line, and ground wire) and the
overpressure sensor line to the IPC in the order
described below. (Refer to figure on the previous
page):
IPC ground wire Connect the ground wire on the
IRS umbilical to the IPC band clamp before
unloading.
Pulse Air top connection under the spring-
loaded cover; inflates the IPC during powder
unload and delivers short, high-volume air pulses
to fluidize the powder.
Overpressure sensor line tap located on the top
lid, under the IPC cover; press in to connect/pull
to remove.
Bulkhead (powder convey) line bottom two
connections under the spring-loaded cover. The
large molded connector terminates two
umbilical lines; the small air line used to dilute
the powder flow and the larger powder flow line.
The connector also contains a radio frequency
identification tag (RFID) reader used to identify
the powder contained in the IPC.
After the pressure sensor line, umbilical, and
ground wire are connected to the IPC, put the IRS
in Ready mode and use the IRS operator panel to
indicate that an IPC has been attached.
IPC batch unload sequence
Powder is unloaded from the IPC into the Virgin
bin in batches of roughly 5 kg. The unload
sequence below repeats until the Virgin bin is full
or the IPC is empty.
L
If you stop unloading manually before a entire
batch (5 kg) unloads, the IPC continues until it
unloads 5 kg. If the IPC empties before a batch
completes, the IRS will shut it down after 8
minutes.
1
Powder line purge . The IRS supplies both
continuous and pulsed air to the IPC to purge
the powder line and fluidize any powder near
the outlet that may have settled during
shipping.
2
IPC inflation. The IRS inflates the IPC to
minimum pressure using continuous and
pulsed air. If minimum pressure is not
reached within a set time period, the IRS
assumes the IPC is empty and shuts it down.
Do not unload powder from the IPC
unless the IRS umbilical ground wire
is connected to the metal IPC band
clamp.
Do not unload powder from the IPC
unless the IRS umbilical ground wire
is connected to the metal IPC band
clamp.