The first print

  1. Prepare the printer and familiarise yourself with the software as explained in the first two parts of this quickstart guide.

  2. Fill the vat with the resin corresponding to the desired component.
    Tip: The software displays how much resin is required for the respective print. To achieve a faultless print result, we recommend filling a bit more resin into the vat.

  3. Before you start the first print job with your new printer, we recommend that you perform the "Platform cleaning.zip" print job once. This will ensure that the build platform is ideally prepared for the following prints. The "cleaning print" takes only 3 minutes and cures a single layer of resin onto the entire platform surface. Please remove this layer from the platform afterwards.
    Tip: If you notice residue on the platform at a later stage, this cleaning print can be used again at any time to clean the platform.
     

  4. The print job can now be started at the display of the printer or via the web interface.
     

  5. During printing, the current status is displayed in real time at the printer and in the web interface.
     

  6. As soon as the printer has finished printing, the build platform moves to its uppermost position and can be removed afterwards.
    Tip: We recommend waiting a few minutes after the end of the print job before removing the build platform to allow as much resin as possible to drip into the vat.
     

  7. Then the components can be detached from the build platform with the provided spatula or a knife.
    Tip: Make sure that there is no cured resin on the build platform anymore and reinsert it into the printer. If the same resin shall be used for the next print job, further cleaning of the build platform is not necessary.

  8. The components should now be cleaned and post-cured according to the instructions for the material used.

Congratulations!
You have completed your first print job.

Terminology

Build job/print job

The build job is the designation of a single print process carried out by the printer.

Build platform

The build platform is the component on which the components to be printed are build. It can be taken out of the printer.

Calibration

Calibration is the adjustment of the build platform. For faultless print results, the platform must be precisely aligned in parallel to the tray bottom.

Cleaning and post-curing

Printed components must be further processed after printing. In the first step, they need to be cleaned to remove any excess resin. The following step is post-curing for ensuring the final material properties like hardness or biocompatibility.

IP address

The IP address is the unique designation of a device within a network. The address consists of four blocks of digits separated by dots. The IP address of the Sonic XL 4K is displayed in the upper left corner of the display.

Misprints/tears

Contamination of the resin by foreign particles or faulty processes can lead to misprints. Single areas or components may not be printed correctly or even tear off during the print process.

Phrozen 3D

Phrozen 3D is the slicing software for the Sonic XL 4K Qualified by Dreve.

Print profile

A print profile includes all necessary parameters for the processing of resin on a specific type of printer. These parameters include values like exposure times or dimensional stability factors. Dreve carefully developed and precisely set the print profiles for Sonic XL 4K Qualified by Dreve.

Slicer/slicing software

The slicer or slicing software is the tool required to create a file readable for the printer out of an STL file.

Support structures/supports

Support structures or supports are additional structures added in the slicer to connect components with the build platform.

Vat

The function of the vat is to collect dripping resin and it also serves as material reservoir during the print process.

Our experts

DIY: Having decided for 3D printing is an innovative step for your workflow. However, sometimes especially the implementation and getting started can be challenging, not only for beginners. Our experts for dental additive manufacturing and 3D print are glad to support you on your way. They guide you through the process so that you will succeed and get your parts printed.