Directions for Setting up and Running the Fab@Home Modified by P0551
Set-up
1.) Ensure that platform is clean of any debris and any solidified resins are removed.
2.) Assemble the three piece manifold and secure three Lee micro valves into the manifold
3.) Insert three UV blocking syringe like reservoir barrels into the carriage holes.
4.) Connect the luer fittings to the end of the barrels.
5.) Use flexible tubing to connect reservoir and then to the Lee micro valves.
6.) On the end of the manifold press fit the desired syringe tip size onto the manifold.
7.) Fill the three reservoirs with the desired material(s).
8.) Connect the three air hoses to the top of the barrel reservoirs and remove clips to allow air flow.
Material Deposition
1.) Open Fab@Home Software.
2.) Connect power cable and then USB cable to the machine.
3.) Set the machine to locate the HOME Position. Then instruct it to locate the SAFE Position.
4.) Instruct the machine to GO TO ORIGIN. It will approximate the center of the table, and then
manually jog the carriage to find the appropriate z location. A good way to set the height of the
syringe off of the table is to use (2) pieces of printer paper stacked up on top of each other.
Slide the papers under the syringe and when it contacts the paper jog the table down and set
that as the z zero position. Return to SAFE Position
5.) Open desired print geometry, and Plan Process. To plan the process use the “FAB_AMERICA”
Note that in the description of the tool, it states that this is for the water shed.
The print parameters can be changed for this tool. Other tools can be modified or changed to
produce desired printing results. For modification of parameters see:
http://fabathomebeta.mae.cornell.edu/wiki/index.php/Fab@Home:Using_Model_1
6.) Start Printing
7.) After each print layer, pause printing, plug in lights, and reposition over the printed material.
Tear down and Clean up
1.) Make sure all material is out of the barrel, if residual material is remaining quickly disconnect
the tubing and remove barrel.
2.) Disconnect the luer adapters. Or if necessary swap out adapters for plugs to preserve the
material in the reservoir, swap it quickly to prevent leaking.
3.) Ensure to flush each valve and flexible tubing with Isopropyl alcohol to clean out the valve. This
can be done with a separate reservoir of alcohol. It is essential to ensure that all the material is
out of the valves to prevent damage.
4.) Disassemble and clean the reservoir out with water.