3D Systems sPro, User Manual

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SLS p r o c e s s 1 6 8 I R S & I P C
u s e r ’ s g u i d e l o a d i n g v i r g i n p o w d e r
IPC ground connection Connect the ground wire
on the IRS powder umbilical to the IPC band
clamp before unloading virgin powder.
After the pressure sensor line, umbilical, and
ground wire are connected to the IPC, use the IRS
operator panel to indicate that an IPC has been
attached.
How the IPC RFID works
When the IPC is first connected, the IRS
communicates with the RFID reader to determine
the type and amount of powder contained in the
IPC. The type must be the same as what the IRS
already contains. If the tag indicates that the
powder type is valid, the IRS will begin to unload.
After each “batch” of powder is unloaded from
the IPC, the IRS will write out the amount of
powder loaded from the IPC to keep the tag
current. In addition, the IRS tracks the amount of
powder unloaded from each IPC. Once the IPC
RFID tag indicates that all powder has been
unloaded, the IRS will not unload any further
powder and will shut down until the empty IPC is
disconnected from the system.
IPC batch unload sequence
Powder is unloaded from the IPC 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.