Hey tech enthusiasts! I’m Carolina, your tech-savvy trainee. If you’re diving deep into the world of resin 3D printing, you might be pondering how to adeptly top up that resin mid-print. Fear not! I’m here to take you on a whirlwind tour of doing just that. Dive in!
How to Masterfully Top-Up Resin Mid-Print
Swirl That Resin!
First things first. Before even thinking of adding, ensure you swirl that bottle of resin! Why? Because pigments in the resin tend to settle if left idle. I’m on the side of giving it a good swirl for about 20 seconds. However, some in our tech community vouch for a longer 1-3 minutes. Especially for those beautiful opaque white or pastel shades, which tend to have dense pigment deposits at the bottom. A thorough mix is paramount to reintegrate that pigment. But remember, vigorous swirling may introduce bubbles. So, after your mini workout, let the bottle stand a bit to allow those pesky bubbles to rise.
Warm Up to Your Resin
The subsequent step in our resin journey? Preheating it. Yep, temperature matters! Most resins love a cozy 77°F (25°C). If you’re in a chilly zone, not warming up might invite unwanted print glitches. Trust me, you don’t want those. So, how do we do it?
1. The classic: Submerge your resin bottle in a bowl of lukewarm water.
2. The techy way: Use a heat gun. Though a quick heads-up – heat guns can be super effective, so handle with care. I’ve heard the Mini Heat Gun is a solid choice for this.
Add That Resin!
Now for the main event. With your resin well-swirled and warmed, it’s time to pour it in. Slowly and steadily let it cascade over the build plate edge, letting it naturally flow into the vat. If you’re dealing with a flat-topped resin vat, the gap between the build plate and vat is your best bet. But be cautious around 3D printers with build plate mounting screws, like our friend the Anycubic Photon. We don’t want any resin sneaking down to mischief with the machinery.
Here’s a protip: Considering a plastic syringe for this task? The Frienda Large Plastic Syringe is a crowd favorite. Holds a solid 200ml and comes in a pack of four!
Lastly, if you’re wondering about pausing your print while pouring – it’s not mandatory. I’ve added resin tons of times on-the-go without pausing. Many fellow techies have too. Pausing might sometimes introduce layer lines, and we want our print smooth and perfect, don’t we?
That’s it! You’re now equipped to handle the resin like a pro. Dive in and enjoy the print magic!