Introduction: Autodesk Ember Printer - Design/Print (DWS550) for Casting – Ring

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Using the Ember printer and DWS550 resin we created two basic rings for setting stones.

Step 1: Digital Design

1. Ring Size-

When designing your ring you can use the following chart for sizing your finger (http://www.riogrande.com/Content/Round-Stamping-Sizing-Chart-CG-html?Pos=2). For our design we modeled a size 7 US ring. We gave it a total inside diameter of 17.242mm.

2. Stone Size-

We decided to incorporate a 6.5mm stone into our bezel setting. Be sure to give yourself a little room for shrinkage during the casting process.

3. Importing- once you have created your object and its ready to print IMPORT object into Meshmixer.

4. Align- position object with the printer bed (EDIT/TRANSFORM). Be sure to check your printer bed, and place all objects within your perimeters. This is a good time to insure you are printing your object in the correct size. Once your object is aligned click ACCEPT.

5. Analysis- now you can check your overhangs to insure your model will successfully print (ANALYSIS/INSPECTOR).

6.Feeder Gate- In our model we incorporated a feeder gate for the casting process. For more information on feeder gates and why we positioned our this way please click on the detailed casting Instrcutables (https://www.instructables.com/preview/E3D1VN0IAY0QTGB/)

7. Supports- lastly,add your supports (ANALYSIS/OVERHANGS/AUTODESK EMBER/GENERATE SUPPORTS). Make sure that the minimal amount of supports is used to still print successfully, but not to hinder your object when needed to remove for casting.

Step 2: Digital Print

1. When ready to print your object LOG ON to (emberprinter.com )

2. LOAD your print using MY COMPUTER and IMPORT file.

3. Change your Material settings for DWS550 to ( BJA-DC550) (MATERIAL/BROWSE MATERIAL LIBRARY/ NEXT/BJASDC550), then press NEXT, we have found really great results using the presetting including the 30 microns).

4. Orientation- The direction in which you print your object is important during support removal. We positioned our ring so that the bezel of the ring, which is the most important aesthetically, will not be hindered or obstructed when removing supports for casting.

5. Slicer Preview- when viewing your object in slicer preview check to make sure that you see dots on the first few layers. If you do not see dots you did not align your object properly in MESHMIXER and you must go back and re-align your object to sit flat on the print bed otherwise you wont have a successful print.

6. Select the printer you wish to use and then press NEXT to print.

7. Now, you are ready to go to your printer to get it ready!

Step 3: Physical Print

1. Make sure your Ember has successfully received your print request.

2. Make sure to wear proper safety protection before handling resins ( EG- latex gloves and eye protection such as safety glasses) Add 3mm depth of DWS550 solution among the entire tray.

3. Using the hex key on the left of your build plate loosen the nut for your adjuster, and while holding on to the build plate with one hand and loosening with the other raise the plate as high as it can go. Make sure it is positioned straight, and then tighten.

4. Now that your Ember has received your object press PRINT on your printer.

5. If you need to re- calibrate then press you will wait for the printer to start with the process, and if you wish to skip calibration press YES when the printer request you to do so. First, make sure your swiper is clear from your build plate, which will be lowering down to your tray.

5. Once your build plate has completely lowered down use your hex key to loosen the nut for the adjuster knob and slowly let it lower in the DWS resin.

6. Using two hands gently, on each side, press down on both corners of the build plate and align with PDMS window.

7. Carefully hold the top of the adjustment knob of build plate in one hand so it wont move while you gently tighten the nut with the hex key using the other hand.

8. Adjust your swiper so that it wipes clean your entire screen. Adjust by turning the swiper knob left to loosen, and right to tighten. The swiper has two sets of ball joints that must be pivoted to achieve the proper angle. You want to make sure that the swiper is barely above the print tray height wise.

9. Press PRINT when you think you have calibrated properly. CLOSE THE DOOR of your Ember to insure your resin is not affected from other lights in your environment.

10. Stand by your printer for the first 7 swipes to insure you have calibrated properly. The first slices of printing your model are crucial so you want to make sure they print successfully.

11. Upon completion you will receive a confirmation email from emberpritner.

12. When your print has completed you can open the door to your EMBER. Hanging on your build plate should be a perfect 3D printed object, which can be removed using a putty knife after removing your build plate from the printer.

TIP: If you very carefully remove the object with build plate still attached to the printer you wont need to re-calibrate for the next print.

13. Place your 3D print in a isopropyl alcohol bath to cure for 2 minutes, and then remove.

14.To remove supports and options for casting please see our detailed Instructables for casting these rings (https://www.instructables.com/preview/E3D1VN0IAY0QTGB/)

15. If you wish to give model to a caster be sure to tell them which material you printed in. They will add attachments (sprues/ feeder gate) for your object.

16. For finishing help please see my instructables attached (https://www.instructables.com/preview/E3D1VN0IAY0QTGB/)