Overview
SprintRay Pro printers are equipped with a heated resin tank designed to improve print reliability and material performance. Controlled heat acts as a catalyst in the photopolymerization process, improving resin flow, layer adhesion, and overall print consistency.
Caution: The heater is built into the metal cradle that holds the resin tank. This metal frame can become very hot during operation. For most resins, the cradle heats to approximately 35°C, but some materials may require temperatures up to 60°C. Use caution when touching the cradle while heating is active.
How Tank Heating Works
At the start of each print, the SprintRay Pro measures the ambient temperature inside the print chamber.
If the temperature is below the minimum threshold required for the selected resin, the printer will enter a preheating cycle. This cycle continues until:
- The chamber reaches the required temperature, or
- The system has been heating for up to 20 minutes
During preheating, the build platform periodically moves up and down to gently stir the resin, promoting even temperature distribution.
For most materials, continuous heating is not required throughout the entire print. The heat generated during the photoinitiated curing reaction is typically sufficient to maintain the required temperature once printing begins.
Enabling or Disabling Tank Heating
As of PrintOS 6.31.10, tank heating is enabled by default.
To adjust this setting:
- Navigate to Settings on the printer touchscreen.
- Locate the Tank Heating option.
- Toggle the setting on or off as needed.
When enabled, tank heating activates automatically during compatible print jobs to maintain consistent resin temperature.
In earlier software and firmware versions, tank heating may be disabled by default. The same steps can be used to enable it.