3D Printing - Markforged x7 - Eiger.io

if you need a heavy duty 3d printed part you will need to use the Markforged x7 3d Printer.

Eiger.io is the cloud based slicer for the Markforged Printer

We will be using designs built in onshape for this step in addition to communicating in Slack with the mentors.

Always check with a mentor before printing on the Markforged x7 they will more than likely like you to test the print with a MakerBot Replicator+ first

Markforged x7 Safety

The X7 generates high temperatures. Tip: Always allow the X7 to cool down before opening the visor or lid, or before reaching inside the printer. Always take extra care when working near the print head.
The X7 has many moving parts that could cause injury. Tip: While the X7 is in operation never reach inside it, or open the visor or the lid.
There is risk of electric shock while the printer is in use. Tip: Please consult with Markforged or an Authorized Reseller for service.
The X7 melts thermoplastics and emits thermoplastic odors during printing. Tip: Make sure to operate the X7 in a well-ventilated area. Do NOT use materials that have not been approved by Markforged for use with the X7. The X7 is designed to work only with Markforged's proprietary materials and consumables.
The scraper provided with Markforged printers is sharp and can cause injury if used incorrectly. Tip: Always scrape away from yourself. Rest the bed in a vertical position, against a sturdy level surface when removing a part. Always use short, ramming motions to remove a part from the print bed. Always keep fingers or other body parts out of the path of the scraper when removing a part from the print bed. Keep the angle between the scraper and the print bed small while you are removing your part.

Warning: This equipment is compliant with Class A of EN55032. In a residential environment, this equipment may cause radio interference.

Markforged x7 Overview

Built from the ground up for reliable performance, the X7 delivers breakthrough quality and precision in 3D printing. The top-of-the-line industrial grade platform features a strengthened dual nozzle print system that supports Continuous Carbon Fiber and Kevlar reinforcement. Laser inspection scans parts mid-print to ensure dimensional accuracy for the most critical tolerances.

Build Volume : 330 mm x 270 mm x 200 mm, 13 in x 10.6in x 7.9in

Layer Height: 50 μm, .002in

Technology: FFF & CFF

Sign up for an Eiger.io Account.

Send an email to ricky@pearcerobotics.com with the subject line Add Account to Eiger.io to get added to our eiger.io account

Download a STL Part from your Onshape Design

Import the STL as a part to Eiger.io

Login to eiger.io with your account linked to our organization
In the top near the left hand corner select Parts and Import STL

Find your downloaded .STL Part

Set your part settings

For material set it as Onyx
Decide on Reinforcement Materials
reinforcement sub page
Set the Printer Type to Industrial Series(x3, x5, x7)
use the Internal View to see how your part till be printed ( note the amount of money it costs to print)
you can change the makeup of the part by going back to the part settings and changing the material settings & reinforement Settings

Prep Your Printer

Load the Correct Fiber Insert
1. Setting Up Fiber Filament
  1. These instructions are for setting up a new or partial spool of Fiber (Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, Kevalr, or HSHT) with your printer. Before beginning these steps, please ensure that you have successfully and completely done the following:
    - Completely unload any fiber that is currently loaded into the printer.
  2. To set up Fiber for loading:
    1. Hold the end of the fiber to keep it from unspooling and remove the tape from it.
    2. Carefully unwind two and a half feet of material from the spool and then re-apply the tape to keep the rest of the material from unspooling.

Use wire cutters or a similar tool to cut the end of the Fiber filament at a 45 degree angle.
Feed the cut end of the material through the Fiber Feed Tube until it reaches the Fiber Extruder.

Loading Fiber - Meter Load
Material metering is a process carried out by your printer to track how much material is used during printing, and to therefore determine how much material you have left on a spool. In order for material metering to work, the printer has to be told how much material is on the spool when the filament is loaded into the printer. With your X7, you can use the Meter Load routine to tell the printer how much material you are starting with. From there, the printer will keep track of the rest and can even warn you when your print may require more fiber than is loaded.
To load fiber for material metering:
1. Press the menu button in the upper right corner of the LCD screen on your printer.

Select the "Materials" tile from the menu options.

Select the "Load Fiber" tile to begin the load fiber routine.

Select "Meter Load" on the printer's touch screen.

Select the fiber you are loading into your printer.

Select the type of spool you are loading.

If you selected "50cc Full" or "150cc Full", skip to Step 8. If you selected "50cc Partial" or "150cc Partial", please follow the additional steps below to provide your printer with accurate weight information:
- Weigh the spool of material, in grams.
- Note: The printer will automatically subtract the weight of the black fiber spool to obtain the weight of the material itself.
- Input the weight of the spool into your printer's touch screen and press "Done".

Press "Next" on the printer's touch screen.

Ensure that the material is grabbed by the extruder and wait for the fiber to extrude through the Bowden tube and into the print head.
As the fiber feeds through the Fiber Extruder, put the fiber spool on the spindle and place the magnetic cap on the spindle to keep the spool in place.

When the fiber is under tension on the spool, remove the tape from the spool and set it aside for later use. We recommend taping it to the side of the spool.

When the fiber is extruded through the print head, press "Cut" on the printer's touch screen.
Note: Once the fiber has entered the print head, do not press "Cut" until the fiber has been visibily extruded through the nozzle. Pressing "Cut" too soon will likely result in a fiber jam.

Use tweezers or pliers to grab and remove the extruded material from the nozzle if it does not fall out on its own.
If the routine times out before fiber makes it to the nozzle, simply press “Retry” to restart the fiber loading procedure.
Press “Done” on the printer touch screen to finish the utility.

Clean your Bed
1. Before starting a print, ensure that the print bed is totally clean of plastic from any previous prints. Scrape off any plastic with the bed provided bed scraper.
2. Use the provided glue stick to apply a layer of glue to the print bed where you intend to print. This will keep the part attached to the bed.
3. You can apply glue to the entire bed, or just where the part prints.

After each print, use warm water to clean any residual glue from the print bed.
The bed is waterproof. You can fully submerge the bed, and wash it thoroughly. Do not use a dishwasher. Do not use soaps or other cleaners, as these may damage or leave residue on the bed.

Level Your Bed

Select the "Bed Level" tile from the available options.

Select the "Laser Bed Level" tile from the available options.

Wait for the print head to heat up both nozzles.

Read the warning on the screen regarding not putting pressure on the printer during the Laser Leveling process, then press "Next".

Wait for the print head to complete the initial scan of the print bed, then press "Next".
Note: If the bed is either very high or very low, which is sometimes caused by switching beds, the printer may not be able to automatically compensate for the large offset. In that case, the screen will show an error and you will be asked to start the laser leveling process over with the thumb screws loosened all the way. You may also need to adjust your Z-offset in that case.

Adjust the first thumb screw such that the arrow on the screen is in the green region on the "Laser Reading" bar.

Adjust the second thumb screw such that the arrow on the screen is in the green region on the "Laser Reading" bar.

Adjust the third thumb screw such that the arrow on the screen is in the green region on the "Laser Reading" bar.

Wait for the print head to complete the second scan of the print bed, then press "Next" to continue the bed leveling process.

Ensure that you have the two brass leveling shims from your accessory kit and press "Next".

Press the "Unload Plastic" button to slightly retract the plastic from the print head, which will prevent plastic from dribbling from the nozzle during leveling.

Clear any excess plastic from the print head and then press "Next".

Slide the Plastic Shim under the plastic nozzle and use the "Nudge Up" and "Nudge Down" buttons to adjust the print bed in small increments such that there is slight tension on the plastic nozzle. Press "Next"when the bed is at the correct height.

Slide the Fiber Shim under the fiber nozzle and press "Next".

Use a 2.5mm Allen wrench to adjust the set screw on the top of the print head such that there is slight tension on the fiber nozzle, then press "Reload Plastic".

Observe the plastic nozzle to ensure that plastic is extruded during the Reloading routine then press "Next"to continue.
Note: If plastic is not extruded during the Reload routine, press "Retry" to extrude more plastic. Repeat this process until you see plastic extruded through the nozzle.

Press "Next" to begin the process of checking the fiber nozzle height with the staircase test print or press "Skip" to exit the utility.

Print your part

Get a mentor to once over your part again
1. Prep the Markforged printer tray with a thin layer of gluestick and put in printer
2. Ensure that the printer is loaded with Onyx and the reinforcement material you are using
3. From eiger.io click Print
4. and Select "Club Printer"
5. if you want to add multiple parts click Add Part
6. Click Print again to print