The DASHBOARD provides quick details on your current 3D Printer & Group. From this tab, you can view:

– Printer Name & Status header: IDeATe has (2) NVPro Printers, named ‘NVBOTS 01 – CMU‘ & ‘NVBOTS 02 – CMU‘. This is relevant when retrieving your print from the printer. Print status’ can range from Error, Maintenance, or Printing.

– Current Print Job is the file that is currently printing.

– Queue Preview lists the next file in-line for printing.

– Live Feed provides a camera feed for the current print job.

– Filament details include the color & type of material being printed.

– Printer Temperature & Ambient Conditions indicate temperature and humidity values, local to the equipment.

Selecting the CHANGE GROUP option, allows you to switch between any groups you’ve been invited to. Selecting and printing to the right group, may determine whether the print is billed to the course, or the student. There are (2) types of groups:

a) Course groups are created for each IDeATe Course that uses the NVPro Printer. Any course related printing should be submitted from the affiliated course group. Initially, you will receive an invite to join at least (2) course groups. The group title will reflect your course name, followed by a numeric label ’01’  or ’02’. Group titles ending in ’01’ provide access to NVBOTS – 01. Group titles ending in ’02’ provide access to NVBOTS – 02.

b) Two universal groups, QUEUE 01 & QUEUE 02, provide continued access to the NVPro printing equipment after your IDeATe course ends. These groups can also be used for personal or other non-IDeATe course related projects.

After you’ve uploaded a file, modified the print settings, and submitted the file for printing- the file is placed in the approval queue. When selecting the APPROVE tab, you can browse/view a list of 3D Print submissions that are awaiting approval. From this area, you can also select your print file, and review relevant information pertaining to the print job. (e.g. Estimated Filament usage for calculating price) If you find an error or mistake in the print job info, you can also cancel your print job from the APPROVE tab.

Approving print jobs is coordinated by IDeATe Technical Staff. You will receive an email notification when your print job is approved; unless this notification option is disabled from your personal notification options. *Find NOTIFICATION information under the PROFILE tab.

Put on the RUBBER GLOVES included in the Zortrax M200 Kit. The kit also includes a sharp-edge spatula. Place the platform onto a secure/steady table-top. With one hand holding the platform in an upright position, (gently) guide the spatula across the platform and AWAY from your body and hand. Remove as much material as possible.

*NOTE: Please notify IDeATe Technical Staff if there is any permanent residue you are unable to remove. DO NOT replace the platform unless it is clean and prepared for the next user.

The perforated plate is mounted (with screws) to a heated build plate that attaches magnetically atop the build platform. Before printing, inspect the perforated plate; make sure the plate is free from large debris and leftover material. It is normal to have leftover material embedded within the perforations. If the perforated print platform is sufficient, continue on to the next step below.

If the perforated print platform requires cleaning, follow the instructions on removing, cleaning and replacing the Zortrax M200: Printing Platform.

i. Using the rotating control knob, browse to item labeled MODELS on the M200 display. Select this option by pressing the control knob.

ii. In the next menu, a list of [.zcode] files will appear. Scroll to your file and select.

iii. In the final menu, the display lists the selected print file’s details (Material Profile & Est. Print Time) near the bottom. Two options are available from this Menu:

> Select BACK to move to the previous screen.

>Scroll to PRINT: YOUR_FILE_NAME.zcode and select, to begin your print job.

If you select PRINT, the equipment will begin heating the build platform, print head, and the internal environment. Make sure the front panel is shut, and close any sliding doors on the 3D Printer fume hood.

Within your Print Settings window, selecting the PREPARE TO PRINT Button will begin preparing your 3D Model for 3D Printing. This process is commonly called ‘slicing’. During which your model is ‘sliced’ every ‘x‘ amount of (inches or millimeters). *Where ‘x‘ = Layer Thickness. This process, determines how support and model material are printed on each layer.

The final on-screen result will provide a print-preview, where model material print zones are indicated in blue, and support structures detailed in white. Additionally, the bottom-most panel in Z-Suite, will provide you with details such as: *Material Profile, *Layer Thickness, *Infill, *Support, Estimated Print Time and Filament Usage.

*These settings are detailed in Z-Suite: Print Settings

After selecting the CALCULATOR button, a CALCULATOR menu will expand from the left. One value should be adjusted, before receiving a proper cost estimation:

**PRINTING MATERIAL: This value represents the total cost of a single spool. For IDeATe (Zortrax) M200 Printers, this value should be set to ’80’.

**Find and select the CALCULATE button to update the TOTAL COST OF PRINT value. This represents the total cost of the print job. In IDeATe, this averages around $0.10/gram of material used.

Find and re-select the CALCULATOR button to exit this menu.

Important Notes:

* As of JAN-17-2017, 3D Printing in IDeATe Print Lab (A5b), on Zortrax M200‘s is provided FREE OF CHARGE.

** Material pricing is based on Purchase Price, Shipping Costs, and average successful vs. failed 3D Print jobs. *You are not charged for failed print jobs.

SHELL: Prints the model with 0% infill. The top & bottom (horizontal surfaces) surface layers are also removed. When the SHELL setting is selected, an additional option menu appears directly below:

SPRIAL: Adjusts the seam/starting point of each printed layer. This is described in detail, on the previous tab SEAM. (Recommended)

WALL THICKNESS: Adjusts the wall thickness (in layers). (Recommended 2-3 Layers)

BOTTOM LAYER: Retains and prints the bottom surface layer of your 3D Model. (Recommended)

OFFSETS: These options allow you to increase the wall thickness of any vertical or hole surface geometry.

OUTER CONTOURS: Increases the wall thickness for any vertical surface geometry. The input value will increase the thickness of walls in BOTH directions. This will increase the strength of your print, but also changes the internal & external dimensions of your model.

HOLES: Increases the wall thickness for any circular openings/holes. The input value will increase the thickness of walls in BOTH directions. This will increase the strength of your print, but also changes the internal & external dimensions of the hole(s).

LAYER THICKNESS: this drop-down allows you to choose the height of one printed layer. (0.09mm/0.14mm/0.19mm/0.29mm/0.39mm) Your material selection may affect the available selection choices.

a. Finer layers (0.09mm/0.14mm) = Better surface quality + increased printing time + increased material usage. This is recommended for parts that are intricate/highly-detailed/organic/curvilinear.

b. Average Layers (0.14mm/0.19mm) = Average surface quality + average printing time + average material usage. These settings work well for most shapes and forms.

c. Thicker layers (0.29mm/0.39mm) = Less surface quality + decreased printing time + decreased material usage. These settings are recommended if your part is simple/rectilinear/square. You can also use these settings if your part is a first-stage prototype, or if you’re in a rush!

QUALITY: This drop-down option allows you to adjust the speed and quality of the 3D Print.

High Quality = decreased speed + increased code output + increased print time. This is recommended for organic or curvilinear shapes.

Normal Quality = average speed + average code output + average print time. This will work well for any form.

INFILL: Allows you to adjust how the interior of your model is printed. *See the image below and continue reading for extended description.

Maximum = High strength + increased print time + increased material usage. Use these settings if your part requires strength and durability; or if you plan on drilling/screwing screws or bolts into the part.

High = Average strength + average print time + average material usage. Use these settings if your part requires average strength; or if you plan on sanding the part afterward.

Medium = Sufficient strength + lower print time + lower material usage. Use these settings if your part is for show, study, or research.

Low = Minimal strength + minimal print time + minimal material usage. Use these settings if the interior of your object or strength doesn’t matter; or if you’re in a rush!

For instance, a support setting of 40 Degrees would print support structures for overhanging geometry that is greater-than or equal-to 40 Degrees. An example is provided in the image above.

Lower Support Setting Values = increased print time + increased material usage + increased success + increased post-processing time (removal/clipping of support material from final model)

As a second example, a support setting of 80 Degrees would print support structures for overhanging geometry that is greater-than or equal-to 80 Degrees. An example is provided in the image above. This setting would provide limited support for over-hanging structures, and the likelihood your model will print successfully is minimal.

Higher Support Setting Values = decreased print time + decreased material usage + decreased success + decreased post-processing time (removal/clipping of support material from final model)