Open Hardware
Assembly Instructions

Gather a roll of PEI [HD-MS0311] and a roll of adhesive backing [HD-MS0310].

Begin by getting a lint free cloth and spray the cloth with one squirt of isopropyl alcohol. Use this cloth to wipe down the PEI roll to remove any debris/dust that is attached to the surface of the PEI. We will want to inspect the direction the PEI was rolled. It should have a matte finish on the inside of the roll and a shiny finish on the outside (see image). Next inspect the end of the PEI roll and check for potential alignment issues when laminating. Ideally the PEI is rolled such that the end of the roll is flush, however sometimes the roll can be offset a bit (see image). When the roll is offset the adhesive can drift to the edge of the PEI when laminating, so it is wise to inspect the roll and plan for the drift. In the case that the offset is extreme, you will likely have to cut and restart the lamination process once you get to the offset part of the roll.

Next we need to install the PEI roll onto the lower auto grip supply shaft. Slide the roll onto the shaft and be sure that the PEI unrolls as pictured (see images). Next secure the supply shaft in its slot by tightening the locking screw with a screwdriver (see images). Get the PEI roll centered on the shaft and lock the roll in place using the rubber locking strap. To lock the roll in place turn the roll so the rubber strap gets pinched between the roll and the shaft (see images). This will prevent the roll from slipping in the lamination process.

Raise the top roller to set up the PEI feed path. Feed the PEI up through the two metal cross bars and onto the front face of the bottom roller as pictured. Run the PEI over the top of the bottom roller and out the back side of the laminator. Tape the PEI to the laminator table on the backside of the rollers using painters tape (see images). Once the PEI is attached check the feed path to ensure smooth operation.

Next we need to install the adhesive roll on the upper auto grip supply shaft. Be sure to install so the adhesive feeds through the two upper metal cross bars as pictured (see image). Secure the supply shaft in place by tightening the lock screw with a screwdriver. Now get a 2 foot piece of butchers paper. Attach the butchers paper to the end of the adhesive roll as pictured (see image). Feed the butchers paper over the top of the top roller and out the back of the laminator (see image). Be careful not to let the adhesive touch the PEI.

Shift the adhesive roll on the upper supply shaft to align the adhesive roll to the PEI roll. Align allowing a little room on either side to ensure proper coverage when the rolls shift a little from left to right (see image). Lock the adhesive roll in place using the rubber auto grip strap. When the rolls are aligned and properly locked in place on their shafts it is time to lower the top roller and mate the PEI and adhesive. Lower the roller to 100% pressure

Get the taped roll of PEI and adhesive and press the filament reel all the way to the bottom. Grab a second filament reel and push this reel in at the top of the roll as pictured (see image). These filament reels will act as a mounting point for cutting the PEI into sheets. Place this roll of PEI/adhesive onto the reel holder at the cutting station. Note the orientation of the reel(see image).

There are tiny 3d printed spacer jigs at the back corner of the cutter (see image). Use one of these on the front left corner of the cutter (see image).

Now that we have cut the PEI in preparation for TAZ/Mini heat bed production. It is time to package the pre-cut PEI for storage. It is important to have a nice buffer built up of pre-cut PEI for days of high heat bed demand. We store PEI in packaged quantities of 10.

To start collect your 10 TAZ or 10 Mini PEI sheets and inspect them for debris, adhesive issues, bubbles, etc. If all 10 sheets are good, find their natural curvature. Stack them together so that they have a common natural curvature (see image).

Now we need to prep a sealed bag to hold the PEI. On the bag sealing machine pull some plastic bag material through the sealing bars.

FOR TAZ: Align the end of the bag material with the end of the support tray (see image)

FOR MINI: There is a blue line drawn on the support tray, align the end of the bag material with this line (see image)

Now press down on the foot pedal, and the red light will turn on, when this light goes out take your foot off the foot pedal and slide the cutting blade across the sealing bar. You will have a cut bag with one end sealed.

For TAZ, insert your PEI into the bag and add 3 desiccant packs to absorb residual moisture. Insert the other end of the bag into the sealer and using the foot pedal seal the bag. Now you should have a sealed bag of 10 TAZ PEI sheets. Write the number of PEI sheets on the bag.

For MINI, insert PEI into the corner of the bag and add 3 desiccant packs to absorb residual moisture (see images). Insert the short side of the bag into the sealer and using the foot pedal seal this end first (see images). Run the cutting blade across the sealing bar and trim off the excess portion of bag. Now seal the final edge of the bag. You should have a sealed bag of 10 Mini PEI sheets. Write the number of PEI sheets on the bag.

Store this packaged PEI in the appropriate bins on the production floor. If there is already some PEI in the bins, put the freshly bagged PEI at the bottom of the stack to ensure the older PEI gets used first.