3D Printer Maintenance

To ensure that your CNC design 3D printers operate stably and efficiently, and do not break down over time, it is important to keep an eye on their technical condition. Periodic printer maintenance includes cleaning and flushing, diagnostics and tuning, troubleshooting, lubrication, and other tasks.

Construction Printers: Maintenance Features

Technical control of construction printers requires attention to detail. It is important to constantly monitor the condition of both the equipment as a whole and its individual components. At the same time, the frequency of maintenance depends, among other things, on the intensity of use of the construction printer.

Cleaning

The nuances of 3D printer maintenance are related to the use of concrete, foam concrete, and polystyrene concrete-based printing materials of various densities. Due to the viscous and dense structure of the printing material, nozzles and extruders need to be cleaned regularly. According to the regulations, the print head of the printer is washed after each printing cycle before disassembling the structure. It is also important to keep the build platform and other parts of the equipment clean.

Inspection of structural elements

Maintenance includes checking the integrity of supporting structures and other system components: frames, guides, rails, fasteners. Periodically, bearings and structural parts should be inspected for deformation and damage. This is important because the specifics of construction printers imply operation under increased loads.

Calibration and Positioning

To ensure that the printing result is as designed, it is important to check from time to time that the printing elements are correctly positioned and that the base is level. It is also important to ensure that the extruders are set up correctly to deliver the correct mix composition and viscosity.

Software Updates

To maintain a high level of performance, it is important to update the control software in a timely manner. This will ensure successful conversion of the 3D model to G-code and high printing accuracy; proper customization will ensure that the concrete mix is delivered in accordance with design decisions and will also help regulate printing intensity.

Electrical Check

Maintaining construction 3D printers includes checking the condition of the wires that provide power, as well as sensors and controllers. Regular inspections can help you identify and quickly repair potential damage.

Replacing Components

Maintenance sometimes involves replacing worn parts and installing new components. Nozzles, servo drives, chain or belt drives, extruders, concrete mix hoses are often replaced. In some cases, a full diagnostic is performed to identify weaknesses and correct existing problems in time.

Routine maintenance also includes checking the tension of chains and cables, as well as greasing the parts that rub together. Service technicians assess the condition of the printer based on the level of use, including the degree of wear on individual elements.

Tones of maintenance

A special log helps to control the condition of printing systems and to monitor the frequency of maintenance. In it, you can enter information about the manipulations performed by the service center representatives, record existing problems. With the help of records, it is easier to control both the quality of maintenance performed and the condition of the 3D construction printer over a period of time.