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Replacement Components

This version was saved 10 years, 1 month ago View current version     Page history
Saved by kevin holmes
on February 16, 2014 at 12:19:20 pm
 

 

Galvanometers

The galvanometers that control the XY movement of the laser beam are manufactured by Phenix Technology Co. out of Guangdong, China under the model name PT-20Kpps: http://www.phenixtechnology.com/en/product-ari--6.html

 

This seems to be one outlet that sells the galvo kit as paired x and y with daughterboards and power regulator  http://www.stagelightmall.com/galvo-system-c-15_19/20k-pps-pt20k-laser-scanner-galvo-system-kits-p-102.html The user manual can be found under the product details tab there.

 

<kevin> I have ordered a galvo X and Y set from the link above, when it arrives I'll confirm whether it is an exact match - the Form1 daughterboards have "Formlabs" printed on them, but hopefully that's because they asked Phenix Tech to do so.</kevin>

 

Mirrors

  If you spill resin on your main mirror under the resin vat and it cures - then you'll may end up needing a new mirror.

You need a "Front Surface" or "Surface First" mirror - one which has the reflective surface on the front of the glass instead of on the back. In the UK, UQG optics supply front surface mirrors at a reasonable price - a 150mm by 150mm is available for less than £40 here for example : http://www.uqgoptics.com/stock-product/MFG-1552.aspx - and Kevin has successfully used that mirror for prints in his first Form1 after he damaged his original mirror.

 

If you somehow manage to damage the small mirror immediately underneath the galvos, then you have a real problem since that mirror is securely glued in position. It might be possible to remove the aluminium block (having demounted the laser and galvos first) and then mount a new mirror - but it may be easier to just return the printer to Formlabs if they have a servicing program by the time your read this.

 

Resin Tank / VAT

So that the Model you will print does only stick to the build platform, and not to the resin tank bottom, it is covered with a layer of PDMS (optically clear silicone). This silicon will get damaged/cloudy over time. It's not a question whether IF it will get cloudy, only WHEN will it get cloudy. Formlabs offers replacement resin tanks for purchase, but it's not a must to purchase expensive replacement tanks: You can remove the PDMS layer yourself, and also add a new and fresh layer yourself. You'll need to purchase liquid PDMS, it's called Sylgard 184 (look on ebay or amazon to be able to buy some - I only found very expensive sources in Germany, finally bought some on ebay in the US).

 

<kevin>Seconding Etiennes comment on only being able to find Sylgard affordably on ebay in US - I found it sold by the pound from a seller called mlsolar  for $48.49, although the same company also sells PDMS on the US amazon site for a very similar price http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IJENBG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1Z4QPXV0KM1LQ</kevin>

 

Here's a detailed instruction of how to replace a cloudy PDMS: http://blog.madesolid.com/2013/09/changing-pdms-coating-form1-printer-vat/

 

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