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. Before starting a print on the Liquid Crystal Pro,
the vat should be emptied and cleaned. Wear
protective gloves. Ensure that the ambient
light level is not too high, don’t work in direct
sunlight and use low lighting where practical.
2. Prepare an area for cleaning the vat. You should
have a smooth, flat, clean surface with plenty
of space. Lay down two layers of paper towel
to protect the vat film from scratches and soak
up any spilled resin. Have a supply of paper
towels, a bottle of methylated spirits, and a bin
nearby. Do not work on a surface that could be
stained or damaged by contact with resin.
3. Position a 5 litre resin bottle near the printer on
a flat, stable surface and at a convenient height.
Be sure that there is enough space in the bottle
for all of the resin from the vat. Remove the lid
of the bottle and insert the funnel (supplied in
the accessory box) into the top. Place a clean
filter (supplied in the accessory box) inside the
funnel.
4. Remove the two vat bolts and set them aside.
Grip the vat firmly by the handles and lift it
carefully out of the printer. The vat will be
heavy, especially if there is a large volume of
resin remaining. Pour the resin gently into the
funnel from one corner of the vat. Pour at a
steady rate and be careful not to over-fill the
funnel. Resin will flow over the flange of the
vat; this is not a problem. Use a plastic card
to push resin down the vat film towards the
funnel.
5. When most of the resin has drained from the
vat, place it on the paper towels ready for
cleaning.When the funnel has drained, remove
it from the resin bottle and replace the lid.
5 EMPTYING AND
CLEANING THE VAT
6.
Use paper towels to clean up the resin on the
flange of the vat. Be particularly careful to clean
the resin out of the holes. If resin is allowed to
cure in the holes it can obstruct the nuts and
make it difficult to re-skin the vat. Methylated
spirits can be used to help clean the vat body.
7. Use paper towels to clean up any further resin
inside the vat. At this point it is important to
remove any pieces of cured resin that remain
in the vat. Anything left inside the vat could
cause damage to the vat or screen when the
printer is homed. It could also could prevent
successful printing. It is best not to apply
methylated spirits directly to the vat film.
8. Once the vat is clean, inspect the film for any
signs of damage or excessive wear. If there is
a puncture, or obvious damage, replace the vat
film. You can cover tiny holes in the vat film with
clear tape (eg. sellotape). If the vat is in good
condition, return it to the printer. Replace the 2
vat bolts (do not tighten).
