SINTER-1 USER GUIDE

SINTER-1 USER
GUIDE
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Markforged

480 Pleasant St
Watertown MA 02472
USA

https://support.markforged.com
[email protected]

For the latest PDF version of this document, visit our

support website.

Copyright © 2019 Markforged, Inc. All rights reserved.

Changes are periodically made to the information herein

which will be incorporated in revised editions of this
publication.

Markforged may make changes or improvements to

the product(s) described in this publication at any time
and without notice.

Version 1.3 / January 2020

SINTER-1 USER GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONNECTING YOUR FURNACE 4

NETWORK REQUIREMENTS 8
SAFETY NOTES 10
SETTING UP AND LOADING PARTS 11
SETTING GAS SUPPLY REGULATORS 12
REGULATOR SETTING PROCEDURE
STARTING A SINTER RUN 14
REPLACING THE GAS SUPPLY 18
INERT GAS REPLACEMENT
MIX GAS REPLACEMENT
REPLACING GAS SUPPLY FILTERS 21
FREQUENCY OF FILTER REPLACEMENT
FILTER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
REPLACING THE EXHAUST FILTER 24
TROUBLESHOOTING A LEAK 28
STATIC PRESSURE CHECK
ADDITIONAL TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
CLEARING AN EXHAUST CLOG 33

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USER GUIDE
CONNECTING YOUR FURNACE
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
If you turned on your Sinter-1 before adding your furnace to your Eiger account, you must power cycle the
Sinter-1 before it will be connected to your account. After shutting down the furnace, always wait at
least 30 seconds before restoring power.

CONNECT VIA WI-FI

1. Select the Wi-Fi icon from the dashboard.

2. Select the Wi-Fi tile.

3. Select the Config tile at right to enter your network information.

4. Choose a network from the Network Name drop-down menu and enter your network password, if
necessary.
5. Press Save and wait for your Sinter-1 to finish connecting.

CONNECT VIA ETHERNET (LAN)

1. Plug your Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port at the rear of the Sinter-1.
Note: Make sure that your LAN (Local Area Network) uses DHCP.

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2. Once your Sinter-1 starts up, you should see an Ethernet symbol icon on the dashboard. Select it.
Confirm Ethernet on the Network Manager.

OBTAIN YOUR FURNACE’S MAC ADDRESS

Your Sinter-1 cannot display its IP address, but it can display its MAC address for either Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
1. Select the Wi-Fi icon from the dashboard.

2. Press either the Ethernet or Wi-Fi tile, depending on which MAC address you’d like to access.
Note: Your Sinter-1 will display the unique MAC address of whichever connection type is
currently enabled, even if the furnace is unable to connect to the Internet. Only one MAC
address can be displayed at a time.

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3. When the network status reads Online, press the Done button.
4. Select the menu icon from the dashboard.

5. Select Settings.

6. Select System Info.

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7. Select the Wi-Fi icon at the bottom of the screen.

8. View your MAC address for the enabled connection option.

DISABLE WI-FI OR ETHERNET

1. Select the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon from the dashboard.

2. Select Offline.

3. Select Done.

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NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
Markforged devices communicate on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. For assistance with setting up your network,
contact your internal IT team.

FIREWALL SETTINGS
Markforged products support DHCP only; there is no support for static IP addresses. If a static IP is needed, the
network’s DHCP server should be configured with a “reservation” or static host entry assigning the desired IP
address to the furnace’s MAC address; for more information, see Connecting Your Furnace, above.

For proper operation, devices must be able to make outbound connections to services at the following
hostnames on the given ports (no inbound connections are needed):

HOSTNAME PORT PROTOCOL REQUIRED REASON

s3.amazonaws.com 443 TCP yes Device operation

mfeiger-production.
s3.amazonaws.com
cdn.eiger.io 443 TCP yes Device operation
www.eiger.io 443 TCP yes Connecting to Eiger (required for
viewing furnace status, keeping
furnace software up to date, etc.)
*.pool.ntp.org 123 UDP yes Time synchronization via NTP is
required for devices to connect
securely to Eiger; see Furnace
Time Synchronization, below
ipv4.connman.net 80 TCP no Network connection status check
(primarily used for troubleshooting)
data.logentries.com 443 TCP no Remote logging of device events
and errors
data.logentries.com 10000 TCP no Legacy setting for remote logging,
only required if software version is
older than 09/14/2018

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Most of these services are cloud-based and geographically distributed, meaning that the underlying IP address
ranges are fairly broad and can change over time, while the hostnames remain the same. This flexibility allows
Eiger to maintain a higher level of availability and performance, and this mechanism is common for many cloud-
based applications you already use and trust.

FURNACE TIME SYNCHRONIZATION

Markforged products require accurate system time for securing HTTPS connections to Eiger and other
services; the SSL certificates used to ensure the authenticity of these services have time-limited validity, and
the furnace’s time must fall within this window.

Currently, NTP — Network Time Protocol, on UDP port 123 — is the only supported mechanism for time
synchronization, and Markforged devices will attempt to connect to four different servers within the global
public NTP server pool, determined by querying hostnames ending in “.pool.ntp.org”.

Markforged devices also support customer-specified NTP servers. When a furnace receives NTP server IP
addresses via DHCP (using DHCP option 042), these addresses will also be used for time synchronization
(connecting to UDP port 123).

BROWSER
Markforged products require the use of Google Chrome. WebSockets must be enabled.

If you are unable to connect to your furnace due to network issues, you will still be able to sinter offline.

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SAFETY NOTES
Note: Consult the Safety Sheet included with your device for an explanation of the safety icons used in
this manual.

REDUCING BURN RISKS

● During a sinter run, leave all doors closed
● Do not touch the surface of the Sinter-1 during a run
● Note that newly sintered parts are quite hot. Handle with care
● Never reach into the Sinter-1 to remove a newly sintered part without appropriate PPE

POWER DISCONNECT ACCESS

Take care to set up your Sinter-1 so that the disconnect and rear-panel circuit breaker are accessible at all times.

POWDER STATE
Never handle a partially sintered part, as it may be in a metal powder state. If a sinter run fails before
completing, always rerun the sinter process to completion before removing the part. If a second run is not
possible, contact Markforged Support. Metal powder should only be handled by trained personnel. See Safety
Sheet for further information.

ALWAYS FOLLOW SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Failing to use the Sinter-1 in the manner specified by the manufacturer may lead to unsafe operating conditions.
Follow all safety instructions posted on the unit and in the written documentation.

MIX GAS COMPOSITION

Always use mix gas of composition and purity as specified in the Facilities Guide. Using a higher concentration
of hydrogen can result in increased flammability risk.

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SETTING UP AND LOADING PARTS

Note: Only chemically debound (i.e. washed) “brown” parts can be run in the Sinter-1.

Part placement on the setter is important and should take into account part shrinkage and geometry. The
following guidelines will help ensure that your parts are loaded properly.

Parts should be placed on the setter in the same orientation in which they were printed.

The part must rest on the same bottom surface in the Sinter-1 as in the Metal X printer, with the same vertical
orientation. The bottom of the printed part has a raft that will ensure that your parts are stable and in the correct
shape as they shrink in the furnace. The raft also keeps all of the support structures together.

A part shrinks toward its center of mass, not its geometric center.

With this in mind, make sure to lay out parts so that they will not come in contact during the sintering process.
Never place one part inside another in the sintering furnace — e.g. never place a small solid part inside a ring-
shaped part.
Note: Parts that touch during the sintering process may bond together, resulting in unrecoverable
failed parts.

Parts must be placed entirely within the confines of the setter tray.

A part that extends beyond the limits of the setter tray will droop downward, potentially warping the part. This
can irreparably damage the part. Always place parts entirely within the limits of the setter plate. Note that Eiger
will allow you to print parts with rafts wider than the setter plate. These parts can be sintered, but the raft must
first be trimmed.

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SETTING GAS SUPPLY REGULATORS

The Sinter-1 gas supply regulators must be carefully set to ensure proper functioning of the device. The built-
in Regulator Setting Utility makes this task easier, providing precise and immediate feedback about gas
pressure settings. When a notification banner appears at the bottom of the screen, you must set the gas
regulators before proceeding with Sinter-1 operation.

The utility will guide you through the process of setting the gas supply regulators. Each regulator has a target
operating range as indicated below. Note that the Sinter-1 cannot initiate a run unless the gas supply pressure
is within this target range. At each step of the process, carefully read and follow the onscreen instructions to
guarantee correct functioning.

REGULATOR SETTING PROCEDURE

Important note: When setting the regulators, always increase the setting slowly to avoid overshooting the
target range. Once gas is flowing, the pressure setting can’t be decreased, so if you go past the maximum
pressure, the utility will prompt you to try again.
1. Select the banner at the bottom of the screen.

2. The current regulator pressure readings will display onscreen. If either reading is out of spec, the
appropriate button will be enabled onscreen. Select either Set Inert Gas Pressure or Set Mix Gas
Pressure.

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3. Follow the onscreen instructions and turn the regulator knob to lower the pressure setting below the
specified value, then select Next.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions and slowly increase the regulator pressure until it falls into the specified
range. Press Next.
5. The Sinter-1 will now verify the pressure setting. If it completes successfully, select Next; otherwise,
restart the process.

6. If necessary, repeat steps 2-5 for the other gas input.

7. When both regulators have been set correctly, select Done to exit the utility.

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STARTING A SINTER RUN

SAFETY FIRST
● Always wear gloves when removing parts from the furnace after a sinter run
● Stay away from live electricity. Make sure that all sheet metal panels are securely attached during a sinter
run
● The Sinter-1 grows hot during operation; keep the area surrounding the unit clear
● During a sinter run, mark off the area around the furnace to indicate to other operators that the device is
running hot

ONLINE VS OFFLINE SINTERING

The key difference between online and offline operation is with respect to monitoring. You can monitor the
progress of an online sinter run in Eiger and will be notified via email when a run completes successfully or is
interrupted. When executing an offline sinter run, no such notification can be sent regardless of the outcome
of the run.

An offline furnace cannot share run data with Markforged. Please note that Markforged Support may not be able
to diagnose issues as readily on systems not connected to the Internet.

PREFLIGHT CHECKS
See the Replacing the Gas Supply and Setting Gas Supply Regulators sections for details.
● Check the gas supply
■ Are mix, reserve, and CLC cylinder valves open and regulators correctly set?
■ Is CLC pressure-builder circuit valve open?
■ Is sufficient mix gas present to complete run?
■ Are all whips securely connected?
■ Are supply shutoffs open?

● Confirm sufficient brown part mass loss

● Have you taken steps to prevent leaks?
■ Is the exhaust filter assembly secure?

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START A SINTER RUN

1. Select Start Sinter from the dashboard.

2. Confirm that your intended parts are fully washed and dried (i.e. brown, not green, parts). This step is
important because attempting to sinter green parts that are not fully debound will ruin the parts and
damage your furnace. Once you confirm that the parts are fully washed and dried, select Next.
Note: You can track the wash/dry status of a green or brown part using the Wash Jobs page in
Eiger. To access this page, navigate to the main Eiger screen, then select Wash Jobs from the
sidebar.

3. Arrange your brown parts on the setter, making sure that none of the parts are touching or overhanging
the edges of the tray. Carefully place the loaded setter into the furnace tube, following placement
guidelines in the Setting Up and Loading Parts section. Ensure that the setter is fully level.

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4. Slide the radiation shield into the tube until it hits the hard stop.
Note: Running the Sinter-1 without the radiation shield in place will destroy the end cap O-rings
and interrupt the run, potentially leaving a partially sintered part.

5. Close the inlet door, then follow this procedure to secure the door: (1) Moving clockwise from the top
right bolt (#1 in the image below), use the T-handle driver to tighten each bolt until it becomes flush
with the door surface. (2) Moving counterclockwise from the bolt closest to the hinge (#3 in the image
below), use the torque driver to fully tighten all three bolts.

6. Clear the surface area around the furnace and its table, including the 24” access area on each side.

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7. At the gas panel, ensure that the Mix Gas Changeover arrow points to the lower-pressure gas cylinder.

8. Press Start Furnace to begin a series of pre-sinter safety routines.

9. The Sinter-1 will carry out a precheck routine to ensure that the gas supply system is fully ready. You
can safely cancel the run at this point by pressing the Abort button. When the precheck is complete,
the sinter run will begin automatically — no operator input is necessary. If you are operating the Sinter-1
with an Internet connection (strongly recommended), you will be notified when the run completes or is
interrupted. If the Static Pressure check fails, follow the steps in the Troubleshooting a Leak section to
determine the cause of the leak.
Note: The two most common locations of Sinter-1 leaks are the inlet door and the exhaust filter
canister/cap.

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REPLACING THE GAS SUPPLY

The Sinter-1 draws on three gas supply sources:
● one (1) medium or high pressure cryogenic liquid container (CLC) of inert gas
● two (2) high pressure mix gas cylinders
● one (1) reserve high pressure inert gas cylinder

This section gives expected consumables lifetimes, replacement procedures, and operator best practices for
the Sinter-1 gas supply.

CLC OVERVIEW
The Sinter-1 furnace, gas panel, and gas supply, including the cryogenic liquid container (known in the USA,
though not worldwide, as a dewar), should only be operated by trained personnel.

The following brief overview of CLC functionality does not substitute for proper gas-safety training.

CLCs are designed to store, in liquid form, substances that boil below room temperature. Its inner and outer
tanks are separated by insulation in a vacuum, which slows heat transmission from the environment to the inner
tank full of cryogenic liquid (in the case of the Sinter-1, pure liquid argon).

As the cryogenic liquid boils, pressure builds in the tank; a relief valve periodically lets off an insignificant amount
of excess gas to relieve the pressure. Do not be alarmed by this loud hissing; this behavior is normal. Liquid
and gas access ports allow users to draw off the cryogenic substance in either form, and a service port allows
refilling.

To maintain a minimum pressure inside the tank, the CLC will incorporate a pressure-building circuit. Opening
the pressure-building valve draws liquid from the bottom of the CLC into a pressure-building coil. The coil
passes through the insulating vacuum, which is warmed by the outside air; this causes the liquid in the circuit to
vaporize more quickly. This additional gas then feeds back into the supply.

A CLC will also incorporate a burst/rupture disk as a failsafe.

As mentioned elsewhere in this document, we do not consider the pressure gauge on your inert CLC a reliable
guide to remaining inert gas supply.

GAS SUPPLY PANEL ILLUSTRATIONS

The following images show the Sinter-1 gas supply panel, both covered and uncovered, along with a labeled
schematic of the panel.

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4 3 2 1

Mix Relief Valve

Post-filter
D Inert Shutoff Mix Shutoff Moisture Sensor Mix Regulator D

CLC Relief Valve

C C

B Regulated Inert B
Relief Valve

CLC Regulator Inert Reserve Regulator Mix Cylinder Change

Inert Reserve Over Valve
CLC Pressure Sensor Pressure Sensor Mix Cylinder Pressure Sensor Pre-filter Moisture Sensor

INERT
A GAS REPLACEMENT A
Markforged
GAS
Assuming it does not continue to purge inert gas during downtime, a filled 230-liter cryogenic liquid SUPPLY
container REV

MODULE LAYOUT D
contains enough inert gas for approximately 15-20 runs. In our testing, fill gauges on CLCs cannot be relied
upon to give consistent
4
or reliable readings, only3 a rough estimate of remaining
2
liquid; you should instead1
monitor two main indicators of CLC fill level:
● The number of runs since CLC replacement

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● Whether or not the Sinter-1 has switched over to draw on the reserve inert gas cylinder

The reserve inert cylinder contains enough gas for a single complete sinter run, but no more. When the Sinter-1
switches over to draw on the reserve cylinder in the middle of a run, allow the run to complete, then immediately
replace both the CLC and the reserve cylinder.

Note: Connecting a high-pressure reserve or mix gas cylinder to the CLC whip on the supply panel can
cause a catastrophic release of inert gas, posing an asphyxiation risk. Always use proper facility
ventilation and evacuate the area in case of error.

MIX GAS REPLACEMENT

A pair of high pressure mix gas supply cylinders should last 4-6 runs. The cylinders should be swapped out
individually, as soon as they are spent. You need not wait to change both cylinders at once.

When one mix gas cylinder draws down to approximately 250psi, the Sinter-1 will automatically begin drawing on
the second cylinder. When this occurs, wait until the sinter run ends, then swap out the spent cylinder following
the procedure below.

If you do not swap out the used cylinder right away, the Sinter-1 will continue to draw on the second cylinder
until it also reaches the ~250psi threshold. At that point, the Sinter-1 will begin to draw on both mix gas
cylinders together, as long as they generate sufficient pressure to continue the run. However, the very bottom of
the mix gas in a cylinder may contain impurities, leading to failed parts.

Moreover, if the Sinter-1 runs out of mix gas in the middle of a run, it will generate a Firmware Error message and
terminate the run. Therefore, it is important to swap out mix gas cylinders as they become spent. Note that it is
possible to safely swap out a spent mix gas cylinder during a sinter run.

Always take appropriate safety measures when handling gas cylinders and cryogenic liquid containers (CLCs).

MIX GAS REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

1. Close gas cylinder valve(s).
2. Disconnect spent gas cylinder(s) from gas panel.
3. Safely remove the empty cylinders from the gas supply rack and transport them to their designated
storage area.
4. Safely transport the replacement cylinder(s) to the gas supply rack and secure in place.
5. Connect the replacement gas cylinder(s) to the gas supply panel.
6. Open the valve(s) on the gas cylinder(s). We recommend opening each valve fully, then tightening a half-
turn to reduce pressure on the outermost thread.
7. If the Sinter-1 has cooled sufficiently, run the Static Pressure Check utility to verify system integrity.

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REPLACING GAS SUPPLY FILTERS

FREQUENCY OF FILTER REPLACEMENT
Over time, gas supply filters become increasingly saturated. Clogged supply filters won’t cause sinter runs
to fail, but the resulting increased moisture in the gas mixture can lead to reduced part strength. An onboard
counter will notify you when the exhaust filters need to be replaced. Note that impurities in your gas supply may
lead to contaminated parts, necessitating more frequent filter replacement.

FILTER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

Note: Due to the constrained nature of the fittings, the filters can be somewhat difficult to thread.
Always change both supply filters at once.
1. Select the menu icon from the dashboard.
2. Select Gas and Materials > Supply Filters to begin the filter-replacement utility. Running the utility will
reset the furnace’s internal sinter-run counter; after a fixed number of runs you will receive an onscreen
notification to replace the filters again.
3. Remove the cover from the gas supply panel.
4. Set the mix gas pressure to 5psi and verify that the mix gas shutoff is open.
Note: Failure to reduce mix gas pressure before completing the following steps may lead to
O-ring damage.
5. Unscrew the thumbscrews at the top of each filter, hanging the loose flex tube on the hook mounted
above the filters. Then unscrew the bottom thumbscrews and carefully lift the filters off the bottom
mounts.
Note: Gas will begin to flow when you unscrew the top thumbscrews. This behavior is to be
expected.
6. On the touchscreen, press Verify Removed to confirm that the used filters have been removed from
the system.
7. Unscrew both caps on the first filter to reveal the foil seals.

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8. With the gas flow arrow on the side of the filter pointing UP, align the foil seal on the bottom of the first
filter with the penetrator on one of the lower fittings.

9. While holding the first filter against the penetrator, bring the thumbscrew that floats on the lower fitting up
to the filter, then finger-tighten the filter onto the lower fitting.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 with the second filter and screw it in finger-tight.

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11. Press the upper filter fitting down against the top foil seals of both filters, then finger-tighten the top
connections at the same time. Ensure that the upper fitting fits securely into its hook.
Note: If you fully tighten one top connection before tightening the other, you may have difficulty
creating a seal in the second fitting.

12. On the touchscreen, press Verify Installed to confirm the filter replacement.
13. Set the mix gas regulator within the range of 30-35psi.
14. Replace the gas panel cover.

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REPLACING THE EXHAUST FILTER

The exhaust filter of the Sinter-1 furnace captures wax buildup during the sintering process. This filter must be
replaced periodically; the Sinter-1 system will remind you to do so. We recommend that you replace the filter as
soon as possible when notified by the Sinter-1.

Every time you replace the exhaust filter, you should also remove the filter canister and clean the canister and
filter housing cap with a lint-free cloth.

Do not use third-party filters with your Sinter-1 furnace. Visually identical but materially distinct exhaust
filters are available from third-party sellers. However, non-Markforged-approved filters do not fully capture the
waste binding material, leading to failed sinter runs.

A used filter will take on a yellowish color as it is coated with wax, as seen in the picture below. Consult your local
waste management facility for safe disposal guidelines.

Supplies
● Replacement filter
● Nitrile gloves
● Lint-free cloth
● Pipe cleaners

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
We recommend cleaning the filter housing cap, inlet fitting, and inlet tube every time you swap out the exhaust
filter, using a lint-free cloth and pipe cleaners. You should do so approximately every five (5) sinter runs.

Furthermore, we presently recommend breaking down and cleaning the exhaust assembly approximately every
30 sinter runs. The exhaust tube and fittings can be placed in the Wash-1 for a short time to remove wax
buildup. Ensure that all components are completely dry before reinstalling.

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EXHAUST FILTER REPLACEMENT

1. Select the menu icon from the dashboard.
2. Select Gas and Materials > Exhaust Filter to begin the filter-replacement utility. Running this utility will
reset the furnace’s internal sinter-run counter; after a fixed number of runs, you will receive an onscreen
notification to replace the filters again.
3. Open the access panel on the exhaust side of the Sinter-1 unit.

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4. Rotate the T-handle counterclockwise to remove the exhaust filter canister from the furnace. The canister
will be easily removable once it is fully loosened from the cap.

5. Remove the used exhaust filter from the canister and safely dispose of it, then select Verify Removed
on the touchscreen.

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6. Wipe down the inner surface of the canister with a lint-free cloth. Do the same with the inlet on the filter
housing cap, then use a pipe cleaner to remove any buildup from the fitting and tube. (See image showing
wax buildup in cap.)

7. Place the new filter in the canister.

8. Hold the exhaust filter canister against the seal of the cap and tighten the T-handle, rotating it clockwise
until the canister is securely fitted in place.
Note: The exhaust filter canister is a common site for system leaks — take care to mount the
canister securely and tightly against the cap.
9. Select Verify Installed on the touchscreen and close the exhaust panel door.

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TROUBLESHOOTING A LEAK
The Sinter-1 system includes the gas supply, piping, tube chamber, and exhaust filtration and ventilation.
Onboard utilities and testing can be used to determine whether the Sinter-1 has a leak and, if so, isolate each
compartment in turn to determine its root cause.

Operator error is the most common cause of leaks in the Sinter-1. When a leak is detected, you should first
investigate and secure any components you might recently have interacted with: inlet door, exhaust filter
canister, etc. The Sinter-1 control panel is tested as a module by the manufacturer and is unlikely to be a source
of leaks.

This leak troubleshooting procedure therefore works from the “outside in,” beginning with consumables and
operator interaction and only then proceeding to internal components. For the final steps, you should contact
your Reseller, who will carry out additional diagnostics.

Note: SPC == “Run Utilities > Pressure Systems > Static Pressure Check routine.”

Note: The combustible leak detector will return false positives when Snoop is present.

INITIAL LEAK TROUBLESHOOTING WORKFLOW

1. SPC. If the check fails, proceed to next step.
2. Remove, replace, and tighten the exhaust filter canister. (Check filter and replace if necessary.) SPC.
3. Tighten the inlet door screws with the included torque wrench until the wrench clicks. SPC.
4. Open the inlet door and grease the O-rings, particularly the inner O-ring. Look at the inside of the
inlet door for a ring of grease; dry spots on the door may indicate matching dry spots on the O-rings
themselves. SPC.

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5. Remove the exhaust sheet metal panel. Disconnect the exhaust fitting from the end cap (5/8” wrench to
hold fitting in place, 11/16” to back off the nut) and cap the exhaust with the SS-600-P Swagelok® plug
provided in your accessory kit — follow standard Swagelok fitting instructions. SPC.

6. If SPC does not report a leak with exhaust plugged, the leak is presumably in the exhaust pathway. If SPC
fails (leak detected), look upstream of the exhaust pathway.
7. If SPC reports a leak, tighten the end cap face seals/piston seals. SPC.
8. Replace and tighten the gas supply fitting. SPC.

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9. Replace and tighten the exhaust/inlet flex tubes, along with the fittings connected to the end caps. SPC.

10. If your Reseller is present, run the Utilities > Gas Flow Controls > Mix Gas Flow check and use a
combustible leak detector to determine whether H2 is present. This should help the Reseller determine
the approximate physical location of the leak.

STATIC PRESSURE CHECK

Note: The Static Pressure Check will fail if the furnace has not fully cooled.

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1. Select Utilities from the dashboard.

2. Select Pressure Systems.

3. Select Static Pressure Check.

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4. If the utility completes successfully without detecting a leak, press Done; otherwise, proceed to the
subsection below.

ADDITIONAL TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS

If your Sinter-1 is connected to the Internet, Markforged Support can log in to the furnace remotely and gather
additional data to help you determine the source and nature of the leak. However, to do so, the support engineer
will need access to your Eiger organization. Please contact Markforged Support for assistance.

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CLEARING AN EXHAUST CLOG

SAFETY FIRST
If your sinter run is aborted due to a clog, do not open the main doors of the furnace while troubleshooting the
clog. Partially sintered metal material is potentially very hazardous; for health and safety reasons, you must
always complete a full recovery run before removing the parts from the furnace.
Note: The parts will not be usable; the purpose of the recovery run is to ensure operator safety.

Once the parts have been completely sintered and cooled, the furnace will be safe to open.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
At present, we recommend routinely breaking down and cleaning the exhaust assembly approximately every 30
sinter runs. The exhaust tube and fittings can be placed in the Wash-1 for a short time and fully dried to remove
wax buildup — be sure to remove all Teflon tape and gaskets first.

CLEARING AN EXHAUST CLOG

1. Turn off the flow of mix and inert gas, then deenergize the furnace by flipping the breaker on the rear
panel.
2. Open the lower panel on the exhaust (right-hand) side of the Sinter-1 to access the exhaust assembly.
3. Unscrew the T-handle to remove the exhaust filter canister, then safely dispose of the clogged filter.

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4. Remove the fitting connecting the main tube to the exhaust filter by loosening the fitting as shown in
the image below. Please refer to the Swagelok Installer’s Pocket Guide for proper handling of Swagelok
fittings.

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SINTER-1 USER GUIDE

5. Once you have removed these components, examine the exposed tubing and labeled channel in the
photos below. Any buildup on these components can be removed from the inner cavity surfaces with a
pipe cleaner or screwdriver.

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 SINTER-1 USER GUIDE

6. Check the elbow channel shown in the image below. You can determine whether this channel is
unclogged by shining a light through the top of the filter fitting.

7. Use a lint-free cloth to clear out any wax buildup in the exhaust filter canister inlet.
8. Optional: You can clean stainless steel exhaust assembly components by briefly placing them in the
Wash-1; ensure that you remove any Teflon tape or gaskets before doing so.
9. Reattach the flexible exhaust tubing to the exhaust end cap — referring to the reinstallation instructions in
the Swagelok Installer’s Pocket Guide — then install the replacement exhaust filter and canister. For more
information, see the Replacing the Exhaust Filter section of this document.
10. Power up the Sinter-1 and restore mix and inert gas flow.
11. Run the Gas Flow Check and Static Pressure Check utilities to ensure that your Sinter-1 is working
properly. The exhaust assembly is the most common site for gas leaks, so double-check that all
components are securely reinstalled.

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