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NEO 3D-Printer Quick guide

German RepRap GmbH


https://www.germanreprap.com
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Inhaltsverzeichnis
NEO 3D-Printer Quick guide ........................................................................................................... 2
Technical details ............................................................................................................................. 3
Package contents ............................................................................................................................ 3
System requirements ...................................................................................................................... 4
WINDOWS ................................................................................................................................... 4
LINUX .......................................................................................................................................... 4
MAC OS ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Set up ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Connectivity .................................................................................................................................... 5
Software installation ....................................................................................................................... 5
Components of the Repetier-Host software .................................................................................... 7
Tab: Manual Control ................................................................................................................... 7
Tab: Object Placement ............................................................................................................... 8
Tab: Slicer .................................................................................................................................. 9
Menu icon: Connect .................................................................................................................. 10
Menu icon: Load ....................................................................................................................... 10
Menu icon: Run Job ................................................................................................................... 10
Calibrate ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Attach the spool holder ................................................................................................................. 11
Load filament ................................................................................................................................ 12
First prints ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Using a CAD file ........................................................................................................................ 13
Using a GCODE file ................................................................................................................... 15
Create 3D objects ......................................................................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting NEO 3D-Drucker ............................................................................................... 16
Cannot connect to the NEO using the software or NEO doesn't execute commands .................... 17
Support ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Documentation ............................................................................................................................. 18
Telephone ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Support tickets / E-mail ................................................................................................................. 18
Forum (Community) ...................................................................................................................... 18
EU Declaration of conformity ...................................................................................................... 19
Important notes ............................................................................................................................. 20
Return / Original wrapping ............................................................................................................ 21
Operation ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Other matters ............................................................................................................................... 21
Toxic fumes ................................................................................................................................... 21
Safety cut-off ................................................................................................................................ 21
Maintenance ................................................................................................................................. 21
Safety notes ................................................................................................................................... 22
Power supply ................................................................................................................................. 23
Cleaning ........................................................................................................................................ 23
Playing children ............................................................................................................................ 23
Mains voltage ................................................................................................................................ 23
Humidity, solar radiation, heat, open fire ..................................................................................... 23
Ventilation ..................................................................................................................................... 24
Long absence, thunderstorms, accessibility of the power plug ..................................................... 24
Installation site ............................................................................................................................. 24
Disposal ........................................................................................................................................ 24

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Legal Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................ 25


Software-Changes / Use of applications ........................................................................................ 26
Contact ......................................................................................................................................... 26

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NEO 3D-Printer Quick guide

Congratulations to your

NEO desktop 3D-Printer

Its simple and easy to create 3D models with the NEO 3D-printer.

Small and compact, the NEO is perfect for the home user - just unpack, set it up and start printing.
Use your creativity and generate real items based on your ideas.

What makes the NEO so special:

Simple: Just unpack it, quickly set it up and start printing

Economical: Start the future today. 3D printing doesnt have to be expensive

Compact: Measuring just 330x330x330 mm (about 13x13x13 inches) it easily fits on a desk

Easy to print from your PC: Insert the USB cable and upload the file

Precise and fast: The NEO prints at 300 mm/second

Reliable: High-quality parts and a rigid frame. The NEO is the culmination of three

Creative: Solidify your ideas. Print plastic objects (PLA) of up to 150x150x150 mm (about 6x6x6
inches

Technical details

Print material:: PLA (Polylactic acid) 1,75mm


Printer dimensions: (W / H / D) 330 x 330 x 330 mm
Printing volume: (X / Y / Z) 150 x 150 x 150 mm
Supply voltage: 110/230V AC, 50/60hz
Power consumption: up to 50W
Assembly: Pre-assembled / Ready-to-print
Technology: FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)
Weight: ca. 6kg
Nozzle: 0.5mm

Package contents

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NEO desktop 3D printer (fully assembled)


Spool holder
Power supply with Schuko wall plug (Typ F)
USB cable
Manual and software on CD
PLA (Polylactic acid) sample

System requirements

WINDOWS

.NET 4.0
min. Windows XP
OpenGL 1.5

LINUX

OpenGL 1.5
preferably Ubuntu or Debian

MAC OS

min. OS X 10.5

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Set up

Connectivity

To fire up the NEO plug the power supply lead into a compatible wall power outlet and the low voltage
cable into the printer. Next connect the NEO to your computer using the USB cable. Its not necessary
to flip a switch in order to turn it on.

Software installation

All the required drivers and computer software are available on the CD-ROM. There are also some
sample 3D models in order to get started straight away.

First you need to install the Printerboard driver to facilitate communication between the computer
and the printer.

Despite of correct installation it could be possible that a Windows error occurs. The error
notifies the drivers could not be istalled correctly and have to be integrated manually. This
message can be ignored.

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Next, install the software called Repetier-Host from the CD-ROM which allows you to control the
NEO. It is advisable but not strictly necessary to check the German RepRap website at
http://www.germanreprap.com/de/support/downloads to make sure you have the latest version for the
software packages you are about to install.

Once the Repetier-Host software is running select the pre-configured profile and the correct port and
baud rate for the NEO.

Only Mac OS X and Linux:

For these operating systems the printer settings have to be entered by hand:

Tab Printer:

Traval Feed Rate: 6000 [mm/min]


Z-Axis Feed Rate: 300 [mm/min]
Default Extruder Temperature: 215 C
Default Heated Bed Temperature: 0 C
Number of Extruder: 1
Check Extruder & Bed Temperature: [X]
Remove temperature requests from Log: [X]
Check every 1 seconds.
Park Position: X:0, Y=0, Z-Min=0 [mm]
Send ETA to printer display: [X]
Go to Park Position after Job/Kill: [ ]

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Disable Extruder after Job/Kill: [X]


Disable Heated Bed after Job/Kill: [X]
Disable Motors after Job/Kill: [X]
Add to comp. Printing Time: 0 [%]

Tab Printer Shape:

Pinter Type: Classic Printer


Home X: Min
Home Y: Min
Home Z: Min
X Min: 0
X Max: 150
Bed Left: 0
Y Min: 0
Y Max: 150
Bed Front: 0
Print Area Width: 150 [mm]
Print Area Depth: 150 [mm]
Print Area Height: 150 [mm]

Tab Advanced:

FilterPath and Parameter: yourFilter #in #out


Run Filter after every Slice: [ ]

Components of the Repetier-Host software

Below is a short description of the different components of Repetier-Host software. A more detailed
manual can be found on their website at http://www.repetier.com/.

Tab: Manual Control

To calibrate the print platform select the tab manual control on the right hand side of the user
interface. Clicking on the different arrows below moves the axis (+/- X or Y) and the platform (Z)
accordingly. The house icon can be used to move to the home position of the associated axis (X, Y or
Z) or all three axes at once by clicking on the house symbol without any letter written next to it. This
homing is required for the calibration step as explained further down.

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Tab: Object Placement

The tab Object Placement is used to prepare the model to be printed. CAD files in either of the
formats .STL, .OBJ or .AMF can be loaded from the computers file system and placed on the virtual
print platform on the left. You can add more than one model as long as they all fit on the print
platform. Make sure no model sticks out over the platform boundaries.

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Tab: Slicer

Make sure to select the NEO profile in the print settings of the Slicer tab and NEO DD Extruder 0.5
for the printer settings. The filament settings should be set to PLA 1.75mm DD Extruder. You only
have to do this step once. The next time you start Repetier-Host theyll already be selected.

Next click on large button at the top labelled Slice with Slic3r to create the G-code based on all the
settings we just made. The resulting file is now tailored to your specific printer and you are ready to
start the print process.

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Menu icon: Connect

This button initiates the communication between your computer and the printer using the parameters
(port and baud rate) selected earlier.

Menu icon: Load

If you already have a G-code file (the file name ends in .gcode) tailored to your NEO you can load it
into Repetier-Host and therefore skip the slicing step above.

Menu icon: Run Job

Run Job starts the actual printing process. Read the next chapter before actually doing it.

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Calibrate

Before you can start the first print the printer has to be calibrated once: To avoid damaging the print
bed with the print head turn the knurled nuts beneath the print bed to lower it as far as possible. Then
connect the computer to the printer using the Connect button (if not already done) and click on the
lower left Home button in the Manual Control tab of the Repetier-Host (the house symbol without
any letter next to it).

It is very important to adjust the distance between the print nozzle and the print bed in order to get
the first layer of the model to stick to the print bed. This distance should be 0.05mm (2/1000 or 2
thous). In other words, you can just pull a thin strip of paper beneath the nozzle.

Repeat this process for all four corners of the print bed by moving the print head in the X- and
Y-direction using the Repetier-Host software.

Attach the spool holder

Insert the spool holder into the slot in the centre of the back plate and lock it in place by pushing it
downwards.

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Load filament

Pre-heat the NEO to its working temperature (the nozzle will then be at about 220C) before loading
the filament. Next push the lever on the extruder motor on the back of the printer and feed the
filament into the tubing until it hits the nozzle. If you keep pushing the filament in manually youll see
it exiting the nozzle as a very fine jet of melted plastic. This means there is no blockage in the system.

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On the picture on the right you can see the inserted filament. You have to push the extruder on the
lower end while inserting the filament.

(Hint: The filament can be inserted more easy, if you bend it straight)

Always leave the filament in the extruder after finishing the printing. This prevents the tubing and
nozzle from getting clogged, e.g. from dust.

First prints

For the first prints you can use the files on the CD-ROM that was shipped with the printer. The CAD
files need to conversion into G-code first. The G-code then contains information specifically tailored
for the NEO. Other files with a file name ending in .gcode have already been converted for the NEO.
They will not work on other 3D printers.

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Using a CAD file

If the CAD file you want to print is in a format that the Repetier-Host software understands, e.g. files
that end in .STL or .stl, you can load and place it on the print bed using the Plus sign under the
tab Object Placement as shown below.

Click on the Slicer tab, double check the settings there and click on Slice with Slic3r. Optionally
you can check the box Start job after slicing to kick off the printing process immediately.

Only Mac OS X and Linux:

For these operating systems the Slic3r settings have to be integrated before the appear in the
drop-down menu. The Slic3r settings are available at
https://www.germanreprap.com/en/support/downloads and the must be saved as stated below.

Mac OS X: ~/Library/Application Support/Slic3r/

Linux: ~/.Slic3r

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Using a GCODE file

If the file has already been sliced for the NEO you can load the gcode by clicking the Load button in
the top left corner. Now you can start the print by clicking on the Run Job button.

The NEO will start printing as soon as the extruder has reached the correct temperature.

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Create 3D objects

There are a lot of CAD programs, which can create the files for 3D printing. Almost all of them use
their own proprietary format to store the models, however, they can also export the model in other
formats. (Think of it like Microsoft Office, which uses its own document format but can also read and
write other formats like txt, pdf and html). The most common file format used by 3D printers is .STL.
There are many websites where these files can be downloaded.

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Troubleshooting NEO 3D-Drucker

If you have further questions or problems with your product


after carefully reading these support pages and diligently
following all steps that apply to your product please contact
your reseller first and subsequently, if necessary, the support
team at German RepRap GmbH (
https://support.germanreprap.com).

Cannot connect to the NEO using the software or NEO


doesn't execute commands

Please check the printer settings in Repetier-Host. Compare them with the screenshot below. The
COM port does vary on different USB controllers.

Please note the option Reset on connect which has to be turned off.

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Support

We provide support and all the documentation.

Documentation

You'll find all the documentation online at http://wiki.germanreprap.com . Please register with the site
at wiki.germanreprap.com in order to be able to automatically send notifications and changes of
documents you are interested in via email.

Telephone

Our hotline is staffed from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10:30 - 16:00 and
can be reached at +49 9001 RepRap ( +49 9001 737727) 1). We answer your technical
questions and provide consulting for more complex setups.

0.99 per minute from a landline in Germany, prices may vary depending on your landline telephone,
VOIP or mobile phone provider

Support tickets / E-mail

Please use our support pages at https://support.germanreprap.com to lodge a new ticket and check
the status of an old one, all free of charge.

Alternatively you can send an email to support@germanreprap.com which generates a ticket, also
free of charge.

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Forum (Community)

At https://forum.germanreprap.com you can interact with our 3D printing community in different


languages and exchange tips and tricks.

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EU Declaration of conformity

The company

German RepRap GmbH


Kapellenstrae 9
85622 Feldkirchen

herewith declares conformity of the product 3D Drucker

Designation

NEO

Type, Serial Nuber, etc.

Baujahr 2014

with applicable regulations below EU directive:

Produktsicherheit 2001/95/EG * Maschinenrichtlinien 2006/42/EG * Elektromagnetische


Vertrglichkeit von Elektro- und Elektronikprodukten 2004/108/EG * RoHS 2011/65/EU

Harmonized standards applied DIN EN 60950-1 Einrichtungen der Informationstechnik - Sicherheit

National technical specifications applied

EMV Gesetz
9. Verordnung zum GPSG Maschinenverordnung

Feldkirchen, at 05.05.14

Signature management

(Florian Bautz)

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Important notes

Return / Original wrapping

Please retain this documentation and the original package of this printer in case you need to ship it
for repairs or to a new address. 3D printers are inherently sensitive to bumping or knocking and are
best protected in their original box. Returns that are not properly packaged cannot be repaired under
warranty.

Operation

Do not cut the power while the printer is active. This can lead to the loss of data as well as damage
some electronic components.

Other matters

All information in this guide is current at the time of printing. We reserve the right to amend the
hardware, software or the documentation without prior notice. The latest information will always be
available at http://www.germanreprap.com.

Toxic fumes

Depending on the plastic being used there is a danger of toxic fumes developing if the printer is
running too hot for that filament. Always make sure to set the correct temperature for the plastic used.
The maximum temperature is generally printed on the filament spool and can also be looked up on
our website. (http://www.germanreprap.com).

Safety cut-off

The device has a thermal protection mechanism built-in. If the temperature exceeds the safe working
limit the printer turn itself off after issuing a warning message.

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Maintenance

Every 12 months the printer has to be serviced by trained personnel. This includes checking the
safety devices as well as all mechanical components. German RepRap offers this as a service. Please
contact us via info@germanreprap.com for more details.

Work on a mains power supply should only be carried out by trained specialists. It is essential to note
the safety regulations. Property or personal damage may be caused by improper installation, which
the installer bears liability for.

Proper handling of the chemicals necessary for maintenance and care is obligatory, as well as
complying with the regulations and operation notes regarding the chemicals. Directions of the
manufacturer must be followed at all times and appropriate protective clothing has to be worn.
Property or personal damage may be caused by improper use of the chemicals, which the operator
alone bears liability for.

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Safety notes

Power supply

Always ensure that the power lead has not been damaged. Disconnect the device immediately if the
power lead shows any sign of damage. Have the power supply inspected by an authorised electrician.
Only use the power supply that came with the printer. An electric shock from a faulty power lead can
be fatal!

Only use the power supply if your mains voltage is 100-110V or 220-240V AC. Only use the correct
power lead for your mains socket.

Cleaning

Pull the power plug before cleaning the device. Use a dry cloth and only clean the surface.

Handling the chemicals necessary for maintenance and servicing has to take place properly and
under adherence to of for this valid regulations and application notes to the chemicals. To the
specifications of the manufacturers absolutely for this is to be responded, it is appropriate protective
clothing to be carried, and the dosage regulations are to be kept exactly.Special and personal injury
can be caused by inappropriate handling chemicals, for which alone the operator is responsible.

Playing children

Touching the internal parts of the power supply can cause an


electric shock!

Mains voltage

Only operate the device with the indicated supply voltage (visible on the backside of the device or on
the external power supply) The device must not be connected to the mains until all connections were
double checked.

There is a fire hazard if the mains voltage is too high!

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Humidity, solar radiation, heat, open fire

Protect the device from extreme humidity, dripping and splash water (do not place any liquid-filled
containers such as beverages on it). Do not place the device near a heater, do not expose it to
extended direct sunlight and do not operate it in damp rooms. Only use the device in a moderate, not
a tropical climate. Do not put any open flames such as candles on the device!

Ventilation

The heat arising in the device is sufficiently discharged. Nevertheless do not install the device in a
closet or in a shelf with insufficient ventilation. Never cover the ventilation slots of the device, if there
are any.

Do not place any object on the device. To allow heat to dissipate, please allow at least 30cm above,
20cm to each side and 30cm behind the device unobstructed.

The device only complies the declaration of conformity if the transparent case is assembled and the
door closed while operating.

Long absence, thunderstorms, accessibility of the power


plug

To completely disconnect the device from mains power just pull the power plug out of the mains
socket. Make sure this socket is accessible. In case of longer absence and possible thunderstorms,
switch off the device with the power switch and then disconnect it from the mains. This also applies
for USB appliances connected to the device.

Installation site

Every electronic device develops heat. The heating of the device is within the permitted range though.
Sensitive surfaces may discolor over time due to heat exposure. Moreover, the rubber feet of the
device may cause color changes on furniture surfaces. If applicable, please place the device on a solid,
appropriate and plane base!

Please mind the practicability when choosing the installation site (sufficient working height).

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Disposal

Electronic equipment may not be disposed in the domestic waste - in accordance with Directive
2002/96/EG of the European Parliament and the Council of 27th of January 2003 about electric and
electronic equipment it has to be professionally disposed. At the end of its use please dispose this
device at one of the public collection point intended for this.

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Legal Disclaimer

Software-Changes / Use of applications

Modifications to the software or using software not supplied by German RepRap GmbH void the
warranty of the device. Shipping costs as well as costs for repairs caused by using unsupported
software are billed to the customer.

Only use the software packages provided by German RepRap GmbH through their website as well as
the original CD-ROM that came with the device.

German RepRap GmbH cannot be held liable for the loss of data on any internal or external storage
medium.

The device has been pre-installed with software and works as can be reasonably expected. It cannot
be guaranteed that the software is error-free. As long as it is possible to use the printer as designed
an error in the software does not constitute a faulty device and hence provides no grounds to a
warranty claim. The warranty only covers faults in the software that would prevent the normal use of
the printer.

Limitations of the software caused by hardware faults, the environment the printer is being used in,
operating error or similar reasons are not considered software faults.

Contact

German RepRap GmbH

Kapellenstr. 9

85622 Feldkirchen bei Mnchen

Germany

Tel: +49 89 2488986 0

Fax: +49 89 2488986 99

Mail: info@germanreprap.com

Hilfe: support@germanreprap.com

Web: http://www.germanreprap.com

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0.99/minute from a landline in Germany, prices may vary depending on your landline telephone,
1)

VOIP or mobile phone provider

From:
http://wiki.germanreprap.com/ - German RepRap Wiki

Permanent link:
http://wiki.germanreprap.com/en/handbuch/neo_kurzanleitung

Last update: 2014/05/23 09:46

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