I’m in the process of assembling the Sintratec SLS printer. I’ve only started this week by un-boxing the thousands of components (when you count all the screws, washers, nuts, fittings, etc.) and today managed to assemble the first segment, the door.
Relatively clear manual, well done engineering drawings with zero instructional text. The parts listing for each section is clear and the parts are in well-labeled bags. I’ve not run into anything ambiguous, although there is an omission in the manual that every builder should know in advance.
The main structure is aluminum extrusions, held together with internal nuts and threaded inserts. The first section of the manual shows a simple frame construction. What it does not show and should show is the necessity to insert the internal nuts prior to tightening the corners.
It was necessary to dismantle the frame in order to add the nuts for the second segment of construction. At that time, I should have looked even farther ahead. After inserting the second set of nuts and assembling those related components, I found I had to partially dismantle the frame again for the last set of nuts.
To make things worse, but only slightly, when I added the final pair of nuts, for the door hinges, I was disoriented and put them on the wrong frame member. I slid them into the right channel when the nuts and hinge belonged on the left. One more time and all was well.
A couple hours to assemble the door.
EDIT EDIT EDIT
Oh by golly, did I goof.
I’ve now discovered that I was using a year-old set of documents. The newer version contains the information necessary to insert the nuts without dismantling the existing structure. Needless to say…
Since it’s needless to say, I won’t say it.
I’m going to keep my eyes open for the next segment, all 31 pages and make pencil notations for advance nut insertion. That will certainly save me some headaches on the remaining build process.
