Key specification for Moai FEP vat

• FEP sheet is 50um
• It is a non-standard FEP with improved model separation property
• VAT design works with different FEP film size and material. However, performance cannot be guaranteed as not all FEP films have the same properties

Things to do when using FEP vat for the first time

• Check for bubbles and if there are some, use the included plastic tool to push the air out of the vent holes on the edges.
• Make sure wiping down the fep film with alcohol and let it dry before first print
• Check the Z-reset to make sure it is in the range 1810-20. FEP vat is taller than PDMS vat so the build plate does not have to drop as much

VAT design works with different FEP film size and material. However, performance cannot be guaranteed as not all FEP films have the same properties

How to replace film in FEP VAT

How to level with FEP Vat: To make it easier to level Moai with FEP Vat, we also developed the new easy-to-level plate. You can use this leveling guide for the new build plate

Printing Tips

Recommended FEP Firmware setting

System Setup:

• X Size 900
• Y Size 900
• X Deviation 100
• Y Deviation 100
• Smooth 50
• Z Motor Speed 2
• PM Motor Speed 12 /latest change

Advanced Setting

• Laser Power 58
• XY Speed Set 4
• Z Reset Position 1817 (this depends on how user level but normally 1815-1820
• PM Reset Position 60
• Z Follows 2
• CompensateX 100
• CompensateY 200
• Z Initial Speed 2
• PM Initial Speed 10

Recommended Asura 2.2.3 support parameters (Notice the preset. Thicker base, larger support tip, and individual base):

Keep consideration when printing on FEP type of vat

• Do not ever use the sharp object on the film. Dull plastic tools are preferred and included with the FEP vat. Most FEP films are not damaged from printing but rather by improper cleaning
• Use slower PM motor speed. We recommend 12 and some users go even lower. We have updated the recommended firmware setting. This is because FEP is more sticky (higher surface energy) than PDMS.
• It is even more important to remove and cleaned out debris for FEP vat as any cured piece may deform the FEP film when pressed down by the build plate. Debris does not damage PDMS as much because the silicone layer is thicker and more elastic. Debir also makes leveling much harder.
• Remove failed prints from FEP vat can be harder when you cannot use a sharp metal tool. Some users were gloves and remove by using fingernails. Be careful not to splash resin outside of FEP vat as it is more likely to occur that PDMS vat
• While FEP film is a lot thinner than PDMS layer and thus let more UV light passes through. The difference is quite minor that we are using same settings for FEP vat and PDMS vat.
• Do not try to top off and fill more than half of the FEP vat without the build plate is in there. In fact, you should only add resin when the build plate is in the vat so you can be sure that you are not adding too much resin.
• If you have frequent support fails on the extreme left side of the machine, consider raising the PM Reset Position from 40 to 65. It may be that films did not peel cleanly and require more height for good model separation.
• Leveling is dependent on the build plate and the vat. For standard one-piece plate, please refer to this leveling guide but with z reset at 1815. For easy-to-level build plate, use this guide instead.

While you do not need to re-calibrate laser/galvo when swapping to FEP vat, here is the calibration circle for FEP vat.