3D SYSTEMS, INC.
75-D059 REV_A
2
Warm-Up Stage
Front cut-view of print chamber during the warm-up stage
• The warm-up stage stabilizes the temperature in the process chamber, print bed, and the two feeds .
• This stage lasts approximately 45 minutes . The print bed piston indexes down in small increments (typically 0 .125 mm
[0 .005 inches]) while the roller delivers material .
• During this stage, the system gradually increases the print bed temperature to the necessary point (i .e . below the
material’s melting point) .
Print Stage
• The print stage maintains the print bed and feed bed temperatures .
• Laser energy is used to melt the material in each successive cross-section of the print .
NOTE: Laser power settings vary depending on the desired print output.
Front cut-view of print chamber during the print stage
Potential Print Problems
• Excessive laser energy
will affect material outside the cross-section of the part and cause growth .
• Insufficient laser energy
does not fuse the parts completely, which results in porous, weak parts .
• If the
print bed temperature is too low
, the parts will curl as the laser scans them .
• If the
print bed temperature is too high
, the parts will be difficult to remove from the surrounding material.
• If
feed temperatures are too low
, the parts will be cooled too quickly when the material is rolled across the bed and the
parts will curl .
• If
feed temperatures are too high
, the part bed can end up with a rough texture after adding a layer of powder .
