Cleaning and Maintaining my SLA Printers
Just like any tool or equipment that you use on a regular basis, you have to spend some time taking care and servicing them. SLA printers, like the Elegoo Mars, Anycubic Photon or Epax X1 need to be properly maintained and checked on a regular bases. I usually perform a monthly cleaning of the Z-Axis screw, check for loose screws and make sure that everything is working and cleaned.
In the video below, I show you how I do it. This may not be the way you do your service and maintenance, but maybe we can share some ideas.
Below the video, you’ll find a list of the supplies I keep on hand do do the maintenance and service of my SLA printers.
The supplies I use
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Glass cleaner works really well to clean out my VATS as well as the rest of the printer. I use the glass cleaner, especially foaming formulas to remove any left over residue from the vat after a rinse with IPA
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You can never keep enough IPA on hand if you use a 3d printer. Especially cleaning up your prints. IPA works good for removing left over resin from the VAT and can also clean off resin that has not been cured on your models. Remember, read the instructions on your resin, to see if IPA will damage your printed modes first.
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The Z Axis drive screw should be cleaned every month. After cleaning it with a good quality cleaning solution, you will need to oil the screw where the build plate runs through. I’ve found that a high quality clock oil works well. It stays viscus, and is easy to clean and re-lubricate as needed.
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Mean Green Cleaner works well for cleaning off your printer VAT and Build Plate. It also works well to wash off any IPA remaining on your print models after you rinse them in IPA. I find that using it in an ultrasonic cleaner works great also, and if the resin you use is durable enough, you can keep it in the ultrasonic cleaner for a few minutes, trusting that it will be clean after you remove it.
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Microfiber towels are great for just about anything. They do, however, work fantastic for cleaning out the VAT on my SLA printers. I use them for just about everything, and you should have a good supply of these in your workspace.
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Nitrile gloves are important for those of us using resin SLA printers. These will not just keep you clean, but safe if you have bad reactions to the chemicals in the resins. Keep these around. Also, if you are following along with the watch courses, then you know I use these all the time when I’m working on customer watches. Very important to have.
I hope that you found this helpful. If you haven’t gotten into a routine for maintenance, please consider it. The better you maintain your equipment, the longer it will last!
Take care, and happy 3d printing!
