Step 1: Check Wiring

Before you start with the commissioning of the Sintratec Kit, it is important to double check the wiring of your kit.

Make sure all wires and cables are connected correctly and the wiring is tidy. Make sure the limit switch cables are well separated from other cables (especially from the heating element cables and stepper motor cables). Check, if the electrical contacts of the C14 power entry socket are insulated with electrical tape.

Please check the following wire connections in detail to prevent any damage to your Sintratec Kit:

Power Connection - Detail F

Are the blue (N) and brown (L) VAC cables correctly connected to the screw terminal on the mainboard?

Power Connection - Detail G

Are the black (GND) and the red (12V) DC cables correctly connected to the screw terminal on the mainboard?

Power Connection - Detail A

Are the yellow (E), blue (N), brown (L) and the short blue and brown cables of the C14 power entry socket correctly connected to the pins?

Power Connection - Detail D

Are the yellow (E), blue (N), brown (L) VAC cables and the black (GND), red (12V) DC cables correctly connected to the screw terminals of the large PSU?

Power Connection - Detail C

Are the yellow (E), blue (N), brown (L) VAC cables correctly connected to the screw terminals of the small PSU?

Step 2: Insert Fuse

Insert the blue DC 15A fuse into its socket on the mainboard if you haven’t done so yet.

Step 3: Mount Lense

Insert the focus lense with the convex side pointing to the galvo system into the lense holder. Mount the lens holder as close as possible to the galvo system to get the best focus.

Step 4: Connect

Connect the USB Cable to your Sintratec Kit and to your computer. Insert the SD card into its socket at the backside of the Sintratec Kit.

Connect the power entry cable to your Sintratec Kit and to your wall power plug.

Always make sure you and other people in the same room are wearing the provided laser safety goggles while working on the Sintratec Kit when the Hat is open.

Make sure the power switch of the power entry socket at the backside of the Sintratec Kit is switched ON and the emergency stop switch is released.

Step 5: Install Sintratec Central

  1. Download the latest Sintratec Central for your OS
  1. Install the Software by running the downloaded file.
    1. Choose the following installation path:
      C:Program FilesSintratecSintratec Central
    2. Agree to the License terms and conditions
    3. Allow the Sintratec Central Installer to make changes to your system
    4. Start your Sintratec Central by running the Central Launcher, found in your Start Menu or here:
      C:Program FilesSintratecSintratec CentralCentral_Launcher.exe
  1. Install the USB Driver for your Kit:
    1. Startup Sintratec Central
    2. Find the USB Drivers in your Sintratec Central Main Menu:
      Support > USB Driver for Windows
    3. Extract and run the downloaded .exe file
    4. Allow the installer to make changes to your system

Updates:
You don’t need to worry about updates. As long as you have a working internet connection, Sintratec Central and your Kit will always be up to date.

If you are using a computer without constant internet connection, make sure to check Sintratecs download page for new versions on a different computer.

Step 6: Test the Components

In this step the stepper motors, the heating elements and its temperature sensors of the Sintratec Kit are tested. To control the different components, you have to use Sintratec Central. All functions of the software are described in detail in the Software manual.

Platforms

First you need to check if the three stepper motors are working properly. Switch to the tab “3. Powder”. Move the two platforms using the arrow icons and move the coater using the “Apply” button.

Coil, IR lamps and IR sensor

Secondly you need to check if the heating elements and the temperature sensors are working properly. Switch to the tab “4. Print”. Click on heat up.

Also check if both, the powder surface temperature and the heating coil temperature are read out by the sensors (check if temperature readings change).

Step 7: Calibrate the Laser

In this step the laser is calibrated and tested. Always make sure you and other people in the same room are wearing the provided laser safety goggles when working with the laser while the Sintratec Kit Hat is open. Abide your countries regulation concerning laser safety.

First, print out the “Laser Calibration Pattern” with a 2D printer. Please print out the pattern unscaled in the original size to get the correct 120x120mm pattern.

Cut out the calibration pattern and place it in the center of the left platform.

You are going to turn the laser on, so again make sure you are wearing the laser safety goggles.

Check if the door safety switch is triggered and the laser safety key switch is turned right. Both are needed to be able to turn on the laser.

Go to the calibration menu in the Sintratec Central Software by clicking on calibrate button in the working tab “4. Print”. Click on “Show on Kit” under “Center Point”. The center point of the calibration pattern should exactly be where the center point of the laser is. If they are matching, click “Show on kit” under calibration pattern. The laser should turn on and you can see the spots of the laser beam through your laser safety goggles.

Check if the galvo mirrors are moving (you can hear and see them moving).

Align the laser module so that the laser beam hits the first galvo mirror.

Align the lense holder so that the laser beam hits the focus lense as close to the center as possible.

Align both galvos so that the laser beam hits both galvo mirrors ahead center and such that the laser beam is deflected through the intended hole down to the print area. Never directly touch the mirrors, but only touch the galvo motors!

You should now see the laser drawing the calibration pattern on the printed out calibration pattern sheet on the left platform inside the printing chamber.

Turn both galvos so that the drawn laser calibration pattern matches the printed out calibration pattern.

You can fine adjust each galvo using the potentiometer on the corresponding galvo driver. Use the following drawings to do so.

Always disconnect your printer from power before you open the hat of your Sintratec Kit to calibrate the galvos. Risk of electric shock!

X-Axis

To shift the calibration pattern to right turn the upper galvo counterclockwise. Turn clockwise to shift to left.

Y-Axis

To shift the calibration pattern down turn the lower galvo counterclockwise. Turn clockwise to shift up.

Galvo Driver Y-Axis

To stretch the calibration pattern in the Y-axis turn the screw of the Y-axis galvo driver clockwise. Turn counterclockwise to compress.

Galvo Driver X-Axis

To stretch the calibration pattern in the X-axis turn the screw of the X-axis galvo driver clockwise. Turn counterclockwise to compress.

The Pattern is just for rough calibration. You can do the fine-tuning without calibrating the Kit again with the function “Digital Scaling” in the Software where you can tweak up 5%. Read more in the Sintratec Kit User Manual under Software – Tab 4. Print – Calibrate.

Tab 4. Print - Digital Scaling

Step 8: Hat Assembly

Proceed to Hat Assembly Guide (H028).

Hat Assembly Guide