How to Clear Sediment and Cured Resin from an AccuFab Resin Tank
- Stuart Anderton
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Small pieces of cured resin and settled sediment can remain in the resin tank after printing. If these particles are not removed, they may interfere with the next print or become trapped between the build platform and the tank film, potentially damaging the film and/or printer screen.
The tank-cleaning function exposes the entire bottom of the tank, curing a thin, continuous layer of resin. When this layer is removed, it binds and lifts loose particles and sediment from the tank at the same time.
This procedure applies to:
AccuFab-F1
AccuFab-CEL
AccuFab Aris
AccuFab-D1s (legacy device)
AccuFab-L4D (legacy device)
AccuFab-L4K (legacy device)
Before you begin
You will need:
The Osseo Group 3D-printable tank-cleaning handle
Suitable gloves and eye protection
A clean, protected work surface
Paper towel and IPA to clean up drips
Download the 3D-printable tank-cleaning handle
Print a platform worth of tools before beginning. They're designed to give you a convenient way to lift the cured resin layer without digging beneath it or applying unnecessary pressure to the tank film.
The cleaning handle does not need to be printed using the same resin as what's in the resin tank you're cleaning. Use your usual model resin and add several handles to the build platform the next time you print a batch of models. Keep a few near each printer so they are readily available when required.
⚠ EYE SAFETY — EYE PROTECTION MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES ⚠
Uncured resin can cause serious eye damage and is not miscible with water, meaning it will not readily mix with or rinse away using water alone. Always wear suitable chemical splash goggles when handling resin, removing the tank or completing this cleaning procedure. Avoid splashing, and follow the resin manufacturer’s safety data sheet and first-aid instructions immediately if eye exposure occurs.
Leave the resin in the tank
There is normally no need to drain or filter the resin before using the tank-cleaning function. The resin must remain deep enough to form a complete cured layer across the bottom of the tank.
Position the cleaning handle
Place the flat base of the 3D-printed cleaning handle inside the resin tank, at the top-right corner of the printer’s projection area.
The tool should sit within the illuminated projection area. Not simply in the top-right corner of the resin tank. The projection area is smaller than the tank itself.
Make sure:
The entire base is within the projection area.
The base sits flat against the tank film.
The handle remains upright.
There is enough resin to cover the base of the tool.
During the cleaning exposure, the projected light will cure the resin around the base, connecting the handle to the solid resin layer.
Open the tank-cleaning function
Depending on the printer model and software version, use one of the following menu paths:
Settings > Hardware Settings > Optics Settings > Clean Tank
or:
Home > Resin Tank Information > Cure Resin
Set the curing time appropriate for the printer and resin, then begin the exposure.
The printer will expose the entire tank area, creating a thin, solid layer of resin across the bottom. This layer captures loose cured particles and sediment.
Lift the cured resin layer
Once curing is complete, hold the cleaning handle and lift it slowly.
The cured resin sheet should begin peeling away from the tank film with the tool. Use a slow, steady motion and avoid twisting, jerking or forcing the handle.
If the layer does not release easily, stop and check that the cleaning exposure produced a complete layer. Do not dig underneath it with a sharp object.
Position the cleaning tool as close as practical to the top-right corner of the projection area. It does not need to be positioned precisely; placing it as close to the corner as you reasonably can is sufficient.
Remove the resin tank if required
If the cured layer cannot be safely removed while the tank is installed:
Release the resin tank buckle.
Gently remove the tank from the printer.
Place it on a clean, level and protected surface.
Carefully peel away the cured resin layer using the handle.
The bottom of the resin tank consists of a thin release film that can be punctured or damaged easily. Never use a sharp or pointed object to lift the cured layer, and do not scrape aggressively against the bottom of the tank.
Inspect the tank
Check that:
The complete cured layer has been removed.
No solid resin fragments remain in the tank.
The tank film is clean and undamaged.
No resin has leaked beneath the tank.
If loose particles remain, filter the resin before printing again.
Important precautions
Always wear gloves when handling uncured resin.
Follow the resin manufacturer’s safety instructions.
Do not press tools firmly against the tank film.
Never use metal, sharp or pointed tools inside the tank.
Do not start another print if cured particles remain in the resin.
Replace the tank film if it is punctured, deeply marked, cloudy or otherwise damaged.
Clean any resin contamination from the printer before continuing.
When should you clean the tank?
Run the tank-cleaning procedure whenever there may be cured resin, loose fragments or settled material inside the tank, particularly in any of the following situations:
A print has failed or detached from the build platform.
Supports, fragments or cured particles are visible in the tank.
Sediment has collected at the bottom.
You suspect part of a previous print remains attached to the tank film.
The printer has been idle and the resin has settled.
You are preparing the printer after an interrupted print.
Regularly checking the resin tank takes only a few minutes and can help prevent failed prints, film damage and resin leaks. The downloadable cleaning handle makes it easier to remove the cured cleaning layer without placing a scraper against the delicate tank film.
This cleaning method is quick and effective for removing cured fragments and sediment from the bottom of the tank. However, for the most thorough result, filter the resin back into its original bottle, shake it thoroughly to remix any settled material, then pour it back into the tank.
