FORMLABS FORM 2

Quick-Reference Operator Card

LOCATION: SLA RESIN FABRICATION BENCH • MAJIK FAKTORY FABLAB

1. MANDATORY SAFETY & PPE

  • EYE PROTECTION: ANSI Z87.1 approved safety glasses with side shields at all times.
  • GLOVES: 6-mil Nitrile gloves required. Latex gloves are STRICTLY PROHIBITED (resin degrades latex rapidly).
  • VENTILATION: Keep printer cover closed during printing. Operate Form Wash (IPA) under active fume extraction.
  • SPILL & WASTE: Liquid resin is a dermal sensitizer and aquatic toxin. NEVER pour liquid resin or dirty IPA down municipal drains. Cure all resin-contaminated wipes under UV light before disposal.

2. PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST (BEFORE YOU PRINT)

[ LEVEL ] ──► [ OPTICS ] ──► [ VAT ] ──► [ CARTRIDGE ] ──► [ PLATFORM ]
Check screen Clean glass Check PDMS Open rubber Lock handle
bubble level with alcohol silicone vent cap! tightly

  1. Verify Printer Level: Ensure the digital bubble on the front touchscreen is centered.
  2. Inspect Optical Glass: Open the cover and inspect the optical window under the vat seat using a low-angle flashlight. Clean dust/smudges only with optical wipes and 99% IPA.
  3. Inspect Vat & PDMS Layer: Use the plastic scraper at a 45^\circ angle to feel for cured resin debris on the vat floor. Never use metal scrapers.
  4. Open Cartridge Vent: Insert the resin cartridge into the rear slot and PULL OPEN the top rubber vent cap to prevent vacuum lock during auto-dispense.
  5. Lock Build Platform: Slide the build platform onto the Z-tower arm and flip the aluminum latch handle fully down.

3. PREFORM SOFTWARE RULES

  • Orientation: Tilt models at a 20^\circ - 45^\circ angle to reduce cross-sectional peel forces against the silicone tank.
  • Critical Surfaces: Face key functional features UP (away from build plate support touchpoints).
  • Hollowing & Drainage: Hollow thick parts must include at least two \ge 3.0\text{ mm} drainage holes near the base to prevent suction-cup tearing during peeling.

4. POST-PROCESSING WORKFLOW

  1. REMOVE: Put on 6-mil Nitrile gloves. Remove the build platform, place it in the mounting jig, and use the removal tool to pry parts off the aluminum plate.
  2. WASH: Submerge parts in the Form Wash (IPA > 99%) for 15 minutes.
  3. DRY: Allow parts to air-dry completely for 20 minutes (IPA must fully evaporate before curing).
  4. CURE: Place dry parts inside the Form Cure (Standard Resin: 60^\circ\text{C} for 15 minutes; check material chart for specialty resins).
  5. FINISH: Snip support touchpoints with flush cutters; wet-sand remaining touchpoint nubs (400 - 2000 grit).

5. TROUBLESHOOTING & EMERGENCY

  • Print Separated / Stuck to Vat: Perform Z-offset calibration via Touchscreen Settings (Fine Tuning \rightarrow Z-offset down in 0.10\text{ mm} steps). Clean tank with resin comb.
  • Resin Overflow / Tank Leak: Press the Power/Pause button, notify lab staff immediately, apply absorbent pads, and clean all optical mirrors with optical wipes.

The video below demonstrates proper SLA post-processing handling, IPA washing, and post-curing techniques.