Once you have your E2 Raise3D printer, the maintenance should be performed regularly to keep the 3D printer in good condition and achieve high-quality prints every time. Some parts of your E2 3D printer will require maintenance before each print, and some others will require maintenance less often at every few hundred working hours. The good news is that the 3D printer maintenance for this device does not take much time because they are quick and easy things to do. We recommend that before commencing any repairs, it is extremely important to turn off the device and let it cool down before proceeding. This manual will show you how to maintain with easy instructions your E2 Raise3D device. Follow the easy steps below to have the most of your 3D printer and provide a long-life and durable device.
Also, remember to always wear safety gloves and glasses to have a safe experience. The following tables present maintenance and repair guidelines connected with each section of the E2. You will also see important and specific checkpoints, all the necessary activities to do the maintenance on your 3D printer, and the frequency on which we recommend doing this. So, let’s start learning how to maintain your E2 Raise3D printer.
List of Tools Needed
- 1 Pair of Gloves
- 1 Pair of protective glasses
- 1 soft cloth for cleaning
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Rag for cleaning
Main Maintenance
1. For general maintenance, we recommend cleaning the 3D printer, it’s interior and surroundings before each print. Make sure to pay closer attention to the bottom plate under the Manual for build plate to have this area free of any materials or residues. We recommend performing this maintenance before each printing to have the best out of your machine.
Extruder Maintenance
2. Next, you want to make sure that the extruder is also clean and in good condition. When it comes to this part, make sure to follow the next recommendations:
- Always check the screws that secure the hot end and verify that they are not loose. If they are, then make sure that you tighten them until they are placed in a position that can secure this piece. This step is recommended to perform every 300 working hours.
- Then check the extruder to make sure that there are no leftovers from any of the materials used and lumps as a result of the extruder usage. This step is recommended to perform every 300 working hours.
- Following, it is important to check if the fans from the 3D printer are working properly. This is an important piece as the fan provides a stream of cool air under the nozzle for the extruder plastic. If the fans are not working, it may cause for the 3D printer to jam. This step is recommended to perform every 300 working hours.
Hot End Maintenance
3. The next step is to maintain the hot end of the 3D printer with these easy instructions:
- It is recommended that after finishing each one spool material, check if the hot end and the nozzle are not clogged with any material residue.
- Clean the nozzle of the 3D printer carefully. It is important to keep this part maintained because it ensures the quality of your 3D prints. Always make sure that the tip of the nozzle is clean. You can try using a simple brush to clean up the area around this. This step is recommended to perform every 300 working hours.
- Next, always check that the screws that secure the heater and thermocouple are properly tightened. Check if the first layer of the test sample is in a good position to avoid this to be stuck to the build plate.
- Finally, for this part, you need to ensure that all materials feed smoothly into the extruder.
Build Plate
4. To maintain the build plate of the 3D printer, clean the build surface with isopropyl alcohol and a rag. This step is recommended to be performed before each printing.
- Check the build plate for any deformation and make sure this is all fine. This step is recommended to be performed before each printing.
X Guide Rail
5. To maintain the x guide rail, review that the guide rail and belts are clean before each printing.
- Check if the print head moves freely and without being stuck. We recommend this to be performed every 200 working hours or whenever you realize that the extruder is not moving smoothly, or the printer head makes a strange noise as it moves.
- Lubricate the x-guide rail. We recommend this to be performed every 300 working hours or if you realize that the extruder is not moving smoothly, or the shaft makes a strange noise as it moves.
Y Axis
6. To maintain the Y axis, make sure to always check the tension on the drive belts on the Y axes. We recommend this step to be performed every 300 working hours.
- Check if the screws on the Y axes and the motors pulleys are tightened. We recommend this step to be performed every 300 working hours.
- Check if the build plate moves freely when motors are disabled. We recommend this step to be performed every 200 working hours or when you realize that the extruder does not move smoothly or the shaft makes a strange noise as it moves.
- Lubricate the Y axes. We recommend this step to be performed every 200 working hours or when you realize that the extruder does not move smoothly, or the shaft makes a strange noise as it moves.
Z Axis
7. To maintain the Z-axis, check if the Z-axis screws and rails are clean from any material remains. We recommend doing this step before each printing.
- Always check if the screws and nuts are well-positioned, especially the bottom plate under the build plate. We recommend performing this step every 300 working hours.
- Finally, lubricate the Z-axis and rails every 400 working hours.
