Operating manual

If the 3D printer is switched off via the main switch at the rear cover (position <0>) toggle the switch to <I> (ON).
The 3D printer will boot automatically.
It may take a few minutes until the touchscreen has fully loaded the operating screen - wait patiently without interfering.
The first screen will be the Print screen with the (empty) print-job queue and the top-left status message displaying Idle.

If the 3D printer has only been shut down via the touchscreen and set into standby mode (see section Print screen), press the wake button at the front cover. The light ring of the button lights up and the 3D printer boots automatically.

With the release of RepRapOnRails version v1.1.0, all basic functions are now represented on the start-up Print screen.
The newly designed Configuration menu enables the operator to preselect temperature profiles for the extruders and the print bed and build chamber more directly which simplifies preheating and priming according to current needs.
Setup offers the operating wizards for guided day-to-day functions.
More advanced features like program-independent operation of the axes have been moved to the Expert control screen which now also provides direct setting of the extruder temperatures and test extrusion.
The Log menu provides the history of machine code input and output as well as the keyboard for direct input of operating instructions.
The following paragraphs provide detailed information of the software's operating screens and explain the specific functions.
Additional information for the preparation of print jobs can be found in Tips and tricks and the manual of the slicing software.

After starting the 3D printer the Print screen will appear as the start-up screen. Here you activate the 3D printer and start the print jobs previously uploaded to the queue via the web interface.

Tap the [print] button next to a print job in the queue to start the print job. You will be asked to confirm that all preparations for the print job have been performed. Tap [OK, Start Print] to definitely begin printing or [Cancel] to return to the queue.

After confirmation the RepRap Industrial starts processing the print job and the status message changes to Printing. All other menus are deactivated during a print. The print job name, the current progress, and the estimated remaining time are displayed and the [Abort Print] button is active.

The pause function was built in for the case that a print job needs to be interrupted and later resumed for other reasons than “out-of-filament” (see below).
After tapping the [Pause Print] button, the printer keeps printing until the cache is empty. This may take a few minutes, according to the complexity of the current g-code. Afterwards, the print bed is lowered into its home position, the extruders are turned off and the print head moves to the maintenance position.
Now you have access to the Expert Controls and some of the Setup functions to adjust whatever might be necessary.

To continue printing tap [Resume Print] (replaced [Pause Print]). Print bed and extruder head move to their last position and after re-heating the extruders the print seamlessly continues.

There are two ways to finish a print job: automatic finish after completion or abortion by the operator.
After regularly completing a print job all axes are moved to their home position and the extruder heating resistors are switched off.
If you need to abort a print job because the outcome does not meet expectations for example or mechanical problems appear during the print, tap the [Abort Print] button. The system will then print the last G-code information from cash and move the print table and the extruder head to their home positions afterwards.
Either way, the 3D printer returns to idle mode and displays a status message and a request how you wish to continue. Simply tap the respective button on the screen to proceed.
After standstill of all drives you can remove the print bed and take off the model.

For switching the RepRap Industrial into standby tap the shut-down button. The system will then perform the cool-down sequence for safety reasons before deactivating the preheating and the build chamber.

The 3D Printer is in standby mode when:

• the screen turns black,
• the illuminated ring of the wake button dims,
• the build chamber lighting switches off.

To wake the machine from standby see Starting the 3D printer.

For completely shutting down the 3D printer, perform the procedure described above and set the main switch at the rear cover to <0> (OFF) afterwards. The 3D printer is now powered off and the green status indicators of the limit switches darken.
To reactivate the 3D printer see Starting the 3D printer.

When the emergency stop is triggered:

• The microcontroller board is reset, all movement of the axes stops, lights, heaters and fans are turned off. The status indicator displays Emergency Stop! .
• After a few seconds the microcontroller returns to Idle state.

The Configuration menu is a new feature that enables you to preselect material-specific temperature profiles for each extruder and, in combination, the print bed/build chamber. The latter was developed to make preheating and leveling more precise with regard to different material settings. The according profiles can be set up at the web interface setup menu.

After opening the list, tap [Set] to choose a profile for the selected component. The profile is set and the screen returns to the prior menu.
To activate the selected profile open the Print screen and first deactivate, then re-activate the chamber/bed preheating.

The selected profiles are displayed in the footer of every screen in the order Current and Target (= set) temperature. While aiming for a target temperature, both values are highlighted red. When displayed gray, the temperature value is either not set or currently not triggered.

If you want to continue printing with another type of plastic (e.g. PETG instead of ABS), the change of the filament spool becomes a little bit more complex since you have to change the extruder nozzle barrel also.

1. Unload the current filament as described in Refilling.
2. Subsequent to unloading you have to change the extruder nozzle barrel as described in the Service guide.
3. Afterwards, install (and adjust) the new filament spool, run the [Load Filament] wizard and the [Priming] wizard.

If you want to use a different filament spool diameter (less or more material), you have to adjust the spool carrier position.

• Use the Allen key to loosen the fixing screws of the carrier.

• Slide the carrier to or away from the filament inlet to a position that leaves approximately 1 cm between the spool's outer rim and the limit switch. Make sure that the filament enters the inlet at an angle of 85-90°.
• Refasten the fixing screws.

For maintenance and test reasons, after a crash or to reduce lead times, e.g. if you still need to work on a print file but want the 3D printer to be ready for operation, manually moving the motors or preheating the build chamber and the print table may be necessary or advantageous.

All communication between touchscreen, BeagleBone Black and microcontroller is stored and displayed on the log screen. Print job statuses are stored also.
Direct G-code programming can be effected via the G-code input field.

¹ The time is stated in universal time coordinated (UTC) notation so do not wonder if does not match your local time.

After the installation the RepRap Industrial is ready for initial commissioning. The first few steps will prepare your RepRap Industrial for its day-to-day duty:

• Make sure that no foreign objects are left in the build chamber (transport locks, tools or the like).
• Close the build chamber.
• Toggle the main switch to <I> (ON).
  When the power supply is switched on the 3D printer will boot automatically. Please wait patiently until the full operating screen is loaded on the touchscreen at the machine front. The screen displays the Print screen and the top-left status message reads Idle.

Loading material

First, material for the following print jobs must be provided:

• Tap [Load Filament] to start the wizard that will guide you through the material feed process. The print head will move to a middle front position for convenient handling.
• Read and follow the wizard's on-screen instructions step by step.
• Load the left extruder with Kühling&Kühling white ABS material included in the delivery for the first print.

• At the end of the Load Filament wizard, follow the suggestion to run the Prime Extruders wizard by tapping the respective button.
• Choose the left extruder and check that the filament profile Kühling&Kühling white ABS is selected before continuing.
• After finishing the wizard, repeat these steps for loading the right extruder if required.