How to print with Wargamer
1. Parameters
Find the right settings for your 3D printer using a resin exposure test.
We recommend the XP2 Validation Matrix or the Cones of Calibration.
You can find a baseline of parameters for Wargamer with various printers here.
2. PPE
Always wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) when handling resin.
This includes nitrile gloves, safety goggles and a respirator. Minimise your skin exposure by wearing long sleeves and trousers.
3. Temperature
Wargamer is intended to be used at temperatures between 20-35°C.
If your ambient temperature is significantly lower than this, consider using a heating method.
You can read more about termperature here.
4. Mixing
Always mix your resin before use. Stir or shake well.
Some ingredients inside the resin naturally settle to the bottom, like bits in orange juice. Shaking the resin bottle makes the material uniform again, which is optimal for printing.
Mixing will usually create some bubbles inside the resin. Wait until these have dissipated before starting your print.
5. Printing
Pour in carefully, and start your print.
Do not leave the resin bottle open for too long. Extended exposure to air and light deteriorates the material.
If you need to add more resin to the vat, make sure this is the same temperature as what is already inside.
Once printing is finished, retrieve the part using correct PPE.
6. Washing
Wash in "clean, running water" for no more than 3 minutes.
"Clean" means not reused from another wash. (If you would like to reuse your water, it can be filtered or distilled).
"Running" means from a syringe, squirt bottle, spray bottle, hose etc. This is to make sure that the water that comes in contact with the print is always clean. (example)
After this you can use a wash station if you’d like for any hard to reach places. By this point the print should be clean enough that the water will not get too muddy.
The total wash time should not be more than 3 minutes.
Avoid dunking in a tub of water. Still water quickly becomes saturated with resin, and might leave your prints sticky. Using multiple baths can help, but we believe running water is still better, and will result in less wastewater.
Wargamer can also be washed with IPA if preferred. If you already have your workspace set up for IPA, you can safely use it to clean Wargamer.
Water mixed with resin is toxic. Do not touch it with bare hands, and do not wash it down a sink. The used water should be left out in the sun in a plastic container. This lets resin settle to the bottom, and cure there. The cured resin can be safely thrown away.
7. Drying
Dry your print very thoroughly of any leftover water.
Drying can be done using a hairdryer, food dehydrator, filament dryer or the EIBOS Oceanus Wash, Dry & Cure station.
The temperature of the drying air should not be over 60 degrees, as this may lead to the softening of the print.
Do not skip this step. Residual water can infiltrate your finished print, and ruin it.
8. UV curing
Post-cure the dry print using a UV curing chamber or UV curing light.
The optimal curing time will vary by the exact device you use and your ambient temperature.
We recommend to start from five minutes, and adjust as necessary. If the parts come out still sticky after curing, try increasing the curing time. If the parts come out slightly brittle, try decreasing it.
It should now be safe to touch the part with your bare hands.
9. Coating
Spray the print with a primer or sealer.
The coating will protect the print from absorbing moisture from the air, which could lead to softening or cracking in water washable resins.
Non-water-based primer is preferable.
Primer is also necessary if the finished part will be painted.
10. Waiting
Wait 24 hours before applying considerable force to your print.
Resin undergoes serious chemical changes during the printing process, and needs some time to rest. The hardened material looks static, but it still has a lot of internal stresses that it needs to dissipate.
While your print will be safe to handle now, it still needs a few hours to achieve all the strength and durability Wargamer is capable of.
11. Storage
Water washable resins should not be exposed to air, humidity and light for long periods of time.
If leftover resin in the vat will not be used again for over 24 hours, it should be poured into an air- and light-proof container.
This can be the original resin bottle, however if the used resin is somehow contaminated, this will contaminate any fresh resin as well. Use a filter when pouring.
Resin bottles should always be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.