Thank you for choosing bq. This manual will help you use your new 3D printer correctly. Welcome to the world of Witbox!

Transcription

1 Quick start guide

2 Firmware 1.1

3 WELCOME Thank you for choosing bq. This manual will help you use your new 3D printer correctly. Welcome to the world of Witbox! How do I use this manual? To make sure you use your Witbox correctly, read this manual carefully before using the printer for the first time. These instructions are based on the factory settings for the device. The illustrations and images shown in this manual may not exactly match those of the final product. bq shall not be held responsible for any performance-related problems or incompatibility issues arising from modification of the device parameters on the part of the user. Icon key > Next: Note: Recommendations and notifications regarding use of your 3D printer Indicates the sequence of the steps to follow in order to perform an action. Tool needed: This task requires the use of a tool. Trademarks Witbox and bq are registered trademarks and logos owned by Mundo Reader, S.L. 3

4 CONTENTS 6 What is a 3D printer? 6 Online resources for the Witbox 7 Getting started 7 Box contents 10 Basic glossary 12 Unpacking your Witbox 13 Attaching the side panels 14 Attaching the top panel 14 Attaching the print base 15 Attaching the spool and support 15 Connecting the power cable 16 Setting up 16 Control panel 16 Levelling the print base 19 Loading the filament 20 Printing a test object 21 Printing an object using Cura 21 What is Cura? 21 Online resources for Cura 21 Downloading and installation 21 Cura setup wizard for the Witbox 23 Appearance and main controls 23 Loading a 3D object 24 Generating and saving a file on the SD card 24 Printing a 3D object using the Witbox 4

5 25 Using and maintaining your Witbox 25 Why is it important to use and maintain the printer correctly? 25 Online resources: use and maintenance 25 Cleaning the nozzle 25 Updating the firmware 26 Safety precautions 27 Troubleshooting 27 FAQs 28 Technical support 29 Technical specifications 31 Correct disposal of the product 32 Declaration of conformity 5

6 What is a 3D printer? A 3D printer is a device that is capable of creating solid, three-dimensional objects using a design produced on a computer. Currently, there are various technologies that make this possible. The Witbox uses the method known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), which builds objects by adding one layer of melted polymer filament on top of another until the item has been completed. Online resources for the Witbox You can find the most up-to-date version of this manual in electronic format on our website: We have also provided a series of instructional videos that will help you get the most out of your Witbox desktop printer: 6

7 GETTING STARTED Box contents Before using your Witbox printer for the first time, please check the contents of the box. If any of the items listed below are missing, contact the retailer where you purchased the device. Witbox 3D printer Print base Set of two keys Two side panels and one top panel USB cable Power cable Spool of PLA filament (1.75 mm) Metal spool-holder SD card (pre-loaded with sample 3D models) Sample printed object Four feet/underside supports Maintenance kit, comprising: One replacement Hot-End Two cleaning needles Three Allen keys (1.5, 2.5 and 4 mm) 7

8 Print base Set of two keys 2 side panels and 1 top panel USB cable Power cable Metal spool holder Spool of PLA filament (1.75 mm) SD card Sample printed object 8

9 4 feet/underside supports 1 replacement Hot-End 2 cleaning needles 3 Allen keys (1.5, 2.5 and 4 mm) 9

10 Basic glossary 1 LCD screen: Backlit blue screen that displays information regarding the status of the device. 2 Control wheel: Metal wheel used for scrolling through the menus. 3 SD card slot: Slot located inside the printer, at the rear of the control panel, where the SD card is inserted. 4 Print base: Rectangle of thick glass onto which the object is printed Hot-End: Metal part through which the melted plastic comes out; socalled because it reaches high temperatures during operation. Extruder: Device comprising the hot end, the filament-feeder motor and a fan. Filament spool: Spool of thermoplastic material with a thickness of 1.75 mm. 8 PLA: Material that the filament is made of Spool holder: Metal part located at the rear of the printer, which supports the filament spool. Fibonacci guide tube: Plastic tube that guides the filament towards the extruder. Its shape allows it to adapt to the movement of the printer and protects the filament. 11 Power socket: Located at the back of the printer, towards the bottom. 12 On/Off switch: Dual-position switch to turn the Witbox on and off. 13 USB port: Connector for the USB cable; located on the right side of the printer. 10

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12 Unpacking your Witbox Your Witbox printer has been carefully packaged using durable materials that incorporate safety features to protect it during transportation. 1. The box is made from two pieces of cardboard: a tray-shaped piece on the bottom and a printed piece on top. To remove the top piece, first remove the two circular plastic tabs connecting it to the bottom piece. Then lift it using the handles on the upper section; it should lift off easily Inside, the box has two further packages: a box of accessories, at the top, and the printer (in its own packaging) underneath. 12

13 3. After taking the printer out of the protective bag, grasp it firmly by the sides and lift it onto a table. Caution! heavy object. 4. The Witbox is supported on four metal feet that are designed to allow one printer to be stacked on top of another. These are packaged along with the Witbox and can be attached immediately in order to protect it. To avoid scratching the table, take care when moving the printer and try not to drag it. Attaching the side panels Remove the plastic film protectors from both sides of the side panels. Gently loosen the eight screws (four on each side) located on either side of the printer, using the Allen key included in the maintenance kit. Then slide the panels in fully, and tighten the screws. 13

14 Open the front door using the keys you will find in the box of accessories. Cut the two ties that are attached to the extruder carriage. Caution! Use scissors or wire cutters. Attaching the top panel Remove the plastic film protectors from both sides of the top panel. Position the panel on top of the printer. In the box of accessories you ll find four screws: place them in the holes in the corners of the panel and turn them on them with your fingers. Attaching the print base In the box of accessories you ll also find the print base, which is made of glass and has four magnets attached to one side. Place it gently on the support inside the printer, with the magnets facing downwards as shown in the illustration. 14

15 Caution! Handle with care Attaching the spool and support The spools of filament need to be placed on a spool-holder. First, attach the metal support to the rear of the printer by inserting the short end into the corresponding slot. Then remove the plastic protector from the spool and place it onto the spool-holder. The filament will be loaded at a later stage. Connecting the power cable Before connecting the power cable, make sure the switch is in the 0 position. Then connect the power cable to the printer and plug the other end into the power socket. 15

16 SETTING UP Once you have plugged the Witbox in, it s ready to be switched on. The LCD screen will light up and display the name of the current firmware version. Control panel When you switch the Witbox on, the LCD screen will display information regarding the status of the device, such as its temperature, name, etc. Next to the LCD screen is a control wheel that you can press in order to display the print menu. Press and turn the wheel to the left or right to scroll through the various options. Levelling the print base One of the most important factors in achieving objects of high quality is having a correctly levelled print base. The levelling process adjusts the print base so that the distance from the base to the extruder is the same at every point. Why is it so important? If the extruder nozzle is too far away from the base, or if one part of the base is closer than the other, the objects you print will probably not adhere correctly. If the nozzle is too close to the base, this may prevent the filament from being extruded and could also scratch the base. Levelling the print base regularly helps improve the quality of the objects you print. Before you start the levelling process, make sure there is no plastic residue on any of the parts. Clean them if necessary (we explain how in the section on Cleaning and maintaining your Witbox). 16

17 To help you with this process, step-by-step instructions will be given via the LCD screen. To level the print base you need to adjust the three screws located underneath the base support. 1. Place the sheet of calibration paper (supplied) onto the print base. Press the control wheel and go to Control > Level Plate. Press the wheel to begin levelling. 2. The extruder will position itself at the reference point (the rear right-hand corner), then move over to the first levelling point. Check the space between the base and the extruder using the calibration sheet, and (if necessary) adjust it by turning the screws located underneath the print base. Turn them to the right to move the base away from the extruder, and to the left to move it closer. The calibration sheet should just about be able to pass between the base and the extruder nozzle. 17

18 3. Press the control wheel again, and the extruder will move onto the second calibration point. Repeat the previous process, then do the same again for the third calibration point. 4. Finally, the extruder will move across to the centre of the base, and you will be asked to verify the distance between the nozzle and the print base once again. Once you have done so, press the wheel to exit the levelling program. It is recommended that you repeat the levelling process as many times as necessary, in order to make sure the base is correctly levelled. 18

19 Loading the filament Now you re ready to load the filament into the Witbox and print a test object. 1. Go to Control > Filament > Load. The extruder will heat itself to a temperature of 220 C. You can monitor the temperature increases on the LCD screen. Once the correct temperature has been reached, the message Insert & Press. 2. The filament is loaded at the rear of the Witbox via the bulkhead connector, which is attached to the Fibonacci guide tube. It is very important that you position the spool with the loose end of the filament on the right-hand side. Trim the end of the filament diagonally across with a pair of scissors, to make it easier to guide into the tube. 3. Feed the filament through the tube until you feel it bump against the extruder. Push it in firmly to make sure it has reached the end of the tube. 4. Press the control wheel. After a few seconds, a small stream of melted plastic will appear in the extruder nozzle. Each time you press the wheel, plastic will be extruded for a few seconds. Caution! High temperature. 19

20 5. Allow the extruded plastic to cool for a few moments before opening the printer door. Caution! Do not touch the end of the extruder, as it will still be hot. Printing a test object The SD card that came with your Witbox has been pre-loaded at the factory with a number of files for printing test objects. All our printers are tested before they leave our factories, and in the box of accessories you will find a plastic object (of medium quality) that was printed using your printer before it left the factory, in order to make sure the printer was working correctly. Go to the main menu and select the option Print from SD. The names of the various objects you can print will be displayed on the screen: select the one called Twisted BOX. After you have selected an object, the printer will initiate the printing process automatically. On the LCD screen you can monitor the progress of the printing and check the extrusion temperature. When the printing process has been completed, open the door and take out the print base. Rest the base on a table and pull firmly on the printed object to remove it. You can check that it matches and connects to the test object that came with the printer. 20

21 PRINTING AN OBJECT USING CURA What is Cura? Cura is a computer program that prepares and converts 3D computer-generated models into commands that can be understood by your Witbox printer. Online resources for Cura Cura is a free, multi-platform program that can be used with Windows, Mac OS and Linux. On our website you can find a version that has been preconfigured for your Witbox: Downloading and installation Once you have downloaded the correct Cura installer for your operating system, execute the file and follow the instructions shown on your computer screen. Cura setup wizard for the Witbox When you open the program for the first time, a wizard will help you find the right settings for your printer model. When you reach step 2 of the setup process, select the third option; i.e. Other(Ex: RepRap, MakerBot, Witbox). You do not have to select anything else on this screen. You will then be asked to choose a predefined machine profile. Select Witbox again and move onto the final screen, where you will be informed that the setup process has been successfully completed. The software is now ready to use. 21

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23 Appearance and main controls The graphical interface is simple and intuitive. The control screen comprises a series of options on the left-hand side and a three-dimensional work area on the right-hand side, with the same size print area as the Witbox. This screen allows you to examine the 3D models we have loaded, as well as move, rotate and resize them and add new objects to the work area. You can find more detailed information about the Cura program in the manuals available from the downloads section of our website: Loading a 3D object Go to File > Load model file or open the file icon in the work area, and select the 3D object you wish to print. 23

24 Generating and saving a file on the SD card Remove the SD card from the printer and insert it into your computer. An SD card icon will appear in the top left-hand corner of the work. Underneath it you ll find information on the length of filament and the amount of plastic (in grams) required to print the object. Printing a 3D object using the Witbox Now you can remove the SD card from your computer and insert it back into your Witbox. To print the object, switch on the printer, go to the main menu, select the > Print from SD > option and select your recently created file. 24

25 USING AND MAINTAINING YOUR WITBOX Why is it important to use and maintain the printer correctly? Using it correctly will prevent problems in the future. The printer comes with a basic maintenance kit comprising three Allen keys, two cleaning needles and a replacement hot end. Online resources: use and maintenance Before carrying out any maintenance we recommend that you visit the following website, where you will find additional material and information on how to perform maintenance operations successfully: Cleaning the nozzle If you use the device frequently, plastic residue can build up around the nozzle. It is important that you remove this residue in order to prevent the extruded plastic from sticking to the nozzle instead of the print base. You can remove it using a brush with metal bristles, or a pair of slim-nosed pliers. Updating the firmware Our team of professionals is constantly striving to improve the capabilities of your Witbox printer. To guarantee optimum print quality and technical assistance, make sure your printer always uses the most up-to-date version of the firmware. 25

26 Safety precautions When using your Witbox, please observe the following safety precautions: Do not use power cables, connectors or plugs that are damaged or contain loose wiring. Do not bend or damage the power cable, touch it with wet hands, or pull on it in order to unplug the cable from the power socket. The Witbox operates at high temperatures and contains moving parts that could cause injury if touched during operation. Do not access the interior of the printer or touch the extruder while in operation. If you need to access the interior of the printer: Make sure it is fully switched off; i.e. the switch is in the position and the power cable is unplugged from the power socket. Allow the device to cool if it has been used recently. Make sure the front door of the printer remains closed while the device is in operation and when it is not being used. Do not knock the printer or cause it to fall. Do not use cables that have not been approved by the manufacturer. Handle and dispose of consumables with caution. Switch the printer off in potentially explosive environments or in the vicinity of flammable chemicals. Always observe the site regulations, instructions and safety signs. Make sure that small printed objects, or any other objects that could be hazardous for young children, are kept out of their reach. Do not store or transport flammable liquids or gases or explosive materials in the vicinity of the device or any of its parts or accessories. Supervise the printing process while the Witbox is in operation. 26

27 TROUBLESHOOTING FAQs I can t load the filament into the extruder Trim the end of the filament again. Throw away any damaged, bent or excessively curved sections. Make sure there is no filament residue in the guide tube. The LCD screen is showing strange letters/symbols. What should I do? Remove the SD card from the printer and then put it back in again. If the problem persists, switch the device off and then switch it on again. I can t remove the completed objects after printing This is because the extruder is positioned too close to the print base, meaning the first layer of plastic has adhered too firmly to it. To remove the object, immerse the print base in hot water. If you still can t remove the object, carefully use a spatula or similar utensil to loosen it at the edges. After you have removed the object you need to level the print base in order to create more space between the base and the extruder. Objects won t adhere to the print base This is because the extruder is positioned too far away from the print base or the print base has become dirty (fingerprints, etc.). Level the base in order to reduce the distance between the base and the extruder. 27

28 Objects are printed OK, but the edges start to come unstuck This is because the base has not been levelled correctly. If the distance between the extruder nozzle and the print base is too great, the plastic at the edges of the object will not adhere correctly and will become unstuck. Additionally, you can improve adherence by applying a small amount of lacquer onto the base before printing. Can I pause the Witbox while it is printing? Yes, you can pause an ongoing printing operation by pressing the control wheel and selecting the option Pause Print. When you want to resume printing, go back to the same menu and select the option Resume Print. Can I stop the Witbox while it is printing? Yes, you can stop an ongoing printing operation by pressing the control wheel and selecting the option STOP Print. The filament has broken inside the Fibonacci guide tube If this happens, you must remove the broken filament manually. Disconnect the guide tube from the extruder by pressing downwards on the oval bulkhead connector while pulling the guide tube upwards. This will give you access to the tube and allow you to remove the broken filament. Technical support Visit the website below for details of the address for our technical support team. Contact us if you need help or if you have any queries regarding your Witbox. 28

29 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions Printer: (x)505 x (y)388 x (z)450 mm Print area: (x)297 x (y)210 x (z)200 mm Box: (x)622 x (y)524 x (z)624 mm Mechanics (general) Powder-coated steel chassis Toughened chrome bars for the X, Y and Z carriages Igus bushing for X, Y and Z Igus E-chains Igus screw drive for the Z axis with flexible motor coupling Powder-coated steel supports and moving parts 3-point cushioned levelling system for the print base Quick-change print base system with neodymium magnets Layer resolution Very high: 50 microns High: 100 microns Medium: 200 microns Low: 300 microns Mechanics (extruder) Own-design extruder 0.4 mm nozzle Refrigeration nozzle for cooling parts Print speed Recommended speed: 50 mm/s Maximum recommended speed: 80 mm/s 29

30 Electronics Ramps 1.4 Mega 2560 LCD screen with rotary encoder and push-button navigation Glass cold base, A4-size (29.7 x 21.0 cm) 348 W input power 100k thermistors in the extruder 40 W, 12 V heater cartridge Software Marlin-derived firmware Recommended software environment: Cura Software Permitted files:.stl,.gcode Compatible OS: Windows XP and later Mac OS X and later Linux Connections Standard SD card reader 4 GB SD card included Type B USB port Materials PLA filament, 1.75 mm Other features Stackable Door with safety lock Rear-loading system inspired by the Fibonacci spiral 30

31 CORRECT DISPOSAL OF THE PRODUCT (Waste electrical and electronic equipment. Applies within the European Union and in European countries with selective sorting processes for waste materials). The inclusion of this symbol on the product and/or its accessories (extruder, cables, etc.) and documentation indicates that they cannot be processed as household waste at the end of their useful life. To prevent possible damage to the environment or human health, separate these products from other types of waste and recycle them correctly. This will help promote the sustainable use of material resources. Household users should contact the retailer where they purchased the product or the relevant local authorities in order to find out how and where they can recycle this product safely and without harming the environment. Business users should contact their supplier and consult the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. This product and its electronic accessories should not be disposed of along with other commercial waste. 31

32 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Mundo Reader, S.L. Pol. Ind. Európolis. Calle Sofía, Las Rozas (Madrid). CIF: B Made in Spain Declares that the: Witbox complies with the provisions of Directive 2006/42/EC and the following harmonised standards: UNE EN ISO and 2 EN ISO :2007 EN :2007 UNE EN :2007. Madrid, December Alberto Méndez Peydró CEO 32

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