User Manual
Stream MK3/SC2/SH65 series
VOLUMIC • 12bis Rue Louis GARNERAY 06300 NICE • Tel: +33 (0)9 500 27 400 • Email: [email protected] • Web:www.volumic3d.com
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MAINTENANCE
Here you will find the checks and maintenance points to perform regularly in order to maintain optimum
performance and print quality:
The head
The nozzle and thermal barrier are consumables and are under constant strain and can wear out quite quickly. For
example, with an unfilled material such as simple PLA, a nozzle (brass or copper) and its thermal barrier have a
lifespan of approximately 600 to 900 hours. With a carbon charge on the same nozzle, less than 50 hours... Hardened
steel nozzles are therefore imperative for the charges. It is therefore essential to maintain and change these
elements regularly in order to maintain optimum performance. Pay attention to the positioning and tightening of
these elements, which must be very precise. Also remember to change the PTFE guide tubes from time to time. Also
note that changing the nozzle and the thermal barrier can be done separately, but we highly recommend changing
them together to avoid redundant issues. In any case, we advise to acquire a new spare head in order to be able to
change it quickly in the event of a problem without immobilizing the machine, and to take the time to repair the
other one.
The extruder
For maximum performance and to avoid skidding and jamming, the main points to check regularly are the condition
of the drive pulley, that it is still well sharpened, the teeth clean and free of jams. The tightening of the extruder
motor screws (and the extruder in general) so that nothing comes loose. The condition of the compressor (no cracks
or deformation). Also check the head fans. These must turn perfectly without the slightest cut or micro-cut. A poorly
cooled head will certainly cause filament blockages.
belts
Check the tension of the belts from time to time. It is not easy to find the ideal tension for the belts, but here are
some elements which will allow you to better refine your adjustments. Excessive belt tension will tend to force the
motor, and therefore cause more and more lags during prints. Conversely, a belt that is not tight enough will
generate more and more “Ghosting” on your
printout, or even distort the circles into ovals. The perfect setting
therefore remains a belt that is as tight as possible without creating any shifts.
The mecanic
To keep a maximum quality as well as a very good precision, the screws and bolts are an important point of
surveillance. Indeed, in view of the many constant vibrations caused by the prints as well as a fairly hot environment,
the materials tend to work and the screws to loosen. Retightening all the machine's bearing screws every 1000 to
2000 hours of printing will help you maintain the best print quality. Retighten all the screws of the Z bearings in
particular (on the top and bottom of the machine), the tightening of the motors and the belt pulleys, and if necessary
the roller bearings under the heated bed. The ideal tightening torque for all retaining and structural screws being
approximately 1 to 1.2Nm.