SAIL - Safety Documentation Portal

SWP-A28-SAIL-116C-formlabs-form3
Operation & Maintenance Of Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D Printer
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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE

Use this form to document Safe Work Procedures for hazardous activities and processes. The information in your Safe Work Procedure (SWP) should be supported by a risk assessment.

List the Hazards and Risk Controls as per Risk Assessment

Associated risk assessment reference Hazards Risk controls
RA-A28-SAIL-116C-formlabs-form3 Hot surfaces within the system cabinet - NEVER reach inside the unit while it is in operation or in its cooling down phase
- Protective gloves and safety glasses MUST be worn when working with the printer
RA-A28-SAIL-116C-formlabs-form3 Moving parts - NEVER reach inside the unit when the system is in operation
- Interlock system fitted - do not open the cover until the touchscreen indicates the print is complete
- Disconnect the power cable before maintenance - moving parts and lead screws present crushing and tangling hazards
RA-A28-SAIL-116C-formlabs-form3 Chemical contact with uncured Formlabs photopolymer resin - Resin MUST NOT come into contact with the skin
- Gloves MUST be worn at all times whilst using any Formlabs process (signage in place)
- Safety glasses MUST be worn
- Read the SDS for the specific resin before use
RA-A28-SAIL-116C-formlabs-form3 Chemical contact with isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and IPA flammability - Part washing MUST only be performed inside the fume hood
- IPA is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE - keep away from heat, fire or sparks
- Keep IPA containers closed or covered when not in use
- Safety glasses and gloves MUST be worn
- Refer to SAIL-RA-SWP-02 (Use, storage and disposal of flammable liquids)

List Resources Required

Including personal protective clothing, chemicals and equipment needed.

Step by Step Instructions for Undertaking the Task

  1. PREPARATION AND PRE-START CHECKS:
    - Ensure you have met all SAIL booking rules
    - Read the SDS for the chemicals listed above
    - Check that no maintenance sign is erected on the fume hood
    - Check the exhaust is operational and that the light is switched on
    - Check the ergonomics of the level of the worktop relative to your height; use the stainless-steel
    steps if necessary
    - Check that the wet bench is clean and free from contamination and there is enough space for the
    activities to be safely carried out
    - Locate the nearest suitable fire extinguisher
    - If you note any issues with any of the above points, inform a SAIL staff member immediately - DO
    NOT proceed to processing
  2. CHECK THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT:
    - The operating temperature for Formlabs printers is 18-28 degrees C (64-82 degrees F)
    - For optimal printing, DO NOT exceed this range
  3. PREPARE THE PRINT FILE:
    - Open the PreForm program (download the latest version from formlabs.com/tools/preform)
    - Use PreForm to process STL or OBJ files
    - Prepare, save, and upload FORM files to the printer
    - Tutorials are available in the software menu; for detailed guidance search support.formlabs.com
  4. POWER THE PRINTER ON:
    - Connect the power cable - the printer initiates automatically
  5. PRE-PRINT CHECKS (performed automatically by the printer before each print job):
    - Accessories - sensors check for the proper installation of the resin tank, build platform, and
    resin cartridge
    - Temperature - the print chamber and resin heat to around 35 degrees C. A heating fan blows air
    across the heater into the resin tank to heat the resin
    - Resin - resin flows from the cartridge into the tank when the cartridge dispense arm squeezes the
    valve open. The volume of resin in the tank is regulated through the LevelSense sensor located
    behind the resin tank. The printer begins to fill the resin tank once a print starts and maintains
    the level during the print. Printing begins automatically when LevelSense detects the proper
    amount of resin
  6. START OR STOP A PRINT:
    - To start a print, select the job on the touchscreen and follow the prompts
    - To stop a print in progress, select pause, then abort the print
    - MOVING PARTS: DO NOT open the printer cover until the touchscreen indicates the print is complete
  7. FINISHING - WASH (wear gloves and safety glasses):
    - Use Form Wash or the Finish Kit to rinse the remaining liquid resin from the printed parts’ surfaces
    - Washing MUST only be performed inside the fume hood
    - Keep the IPA container closed or covered when not in use
  8. FINISHING - DRY:
    - Allow at least 30 minutes for IPA to fully evaporate after washing
  9. FINISHING - CURE:
    - Cure the washed and dried parts according to the manufacturer’s recommendation to achieve the
    maximum strength
  10. MAINTENANCE - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
    - The printer shall only be maintained by a qualified and trained person
    - DO NOT open the printer and/or investigate internal components unless under the guidance of
    Formlabs or a certified service provider
    - Unauthorised disassembly or repair procedures may damage the printer and void the warranty
    - Wear personal protective equipment when performing maintenance tasks
    - Use tools only as described
    - Disconnect the power cable before maintenance - moving parts and lead screws present crushing and
    tangling hazards
    - Contact Formlabs or a certified service provider for any additional guidance
  11. MAINTENANCE - BEFORE EACH PRINT:
    - Resin cartridge bite valve - inspect the bite valve
    - Resin tank interior - maintain the resin tank
  12. MAINTENANCE - MONTHLY:
    - Protect the ID chips on the resin tank and resin cartridge
    - Resin tank spring fingers - protect the ID chips on the resin tank and resin cartridge
    - Resin tank exterior - maintain the resin tank
  13. MAINTENANCE - EVERY 3 MONTHS:
    - Inspect the display
    - Drip catcher - inspect the drip catcher
    - Inspect the shells
    - X- and Z-axis lead screws - inspect and lubricate the X- and Z-axes
  14. POWER OFF:
    - Power the printer off as described in the Form 3 manual when work is complete
    TODO: The source document refers to a “Power Off” section that was not reproduced in the body text.
    Insert the manufacturer’s power-off steps here.

Emergency Shutdown Procedures

Emergency Procedures for Fires, Spills or Exposure to Hazardous Substances

Clean Up and Waste Disposal Requirements

References Used in the Development of This SWP

E.g. codes of practice.

Competency Required

Qualifications, certificates, licensing, training — e.g. course or instruction.

Staff Approved to Assess Competence for This SWP

SAIL staff process owner, equipment engineer and/or technical staff

SWP Sign Off Sheet

SWP name and version: Operation & Maintenance Of Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D Printer (Version 2.0)

In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this SWP.

Competency sign-off is recorded on the printed copy of this SWP (use the Word/PDF download) or in the laboratory training register.

Name Signature Date Competent Name of Assessor/Authoriser Assessor/Authoriser Signature
         
         
         
         
         

End of Safe Work Procedure


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Document Control

Version Date Author Changes
2.0 2020-06-17 Chris Betters, Justin Digweed Initial release