SAFETY MANUAL

Disclaimer: YOU WILL NOT LEAVE UNCURED RESIN IN THE WORK AREA

1. Purpose of This Safety Manual

This document outlines the safety requirements for operating the Mercury 3.0 Plus wash and cure station in The Fab Lab. It focuses on:

Hazards that can cause injury or damage
Required PPE
Emergency response procedures

2. Who May Use This Machine

This machine may be used by:

Fab Lab users who have read through the entirety of this document

Usage conditions:

Staff must be present during the operation
Users must follow all resin handling procedures

3. Primary Hazards

Be aware of the following hazards:

IPA is flammable and produces harmful vapors
Uncured resin is toxic and can irritate skin/eyes
UV LEDs used for curing can damage eyes/skin
Risk of shock if liquid contacts electrical components
Spinning wash impeller and rotating cure platform

4. Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The following PPE is required:

Nitrile gloves (required)
Safety glasses (recommended)
Mask (optional)

5. General Safety Rules

Always follow these rules:

Never touch uncured resin with bare hands
Never operate with the lid open during curing
Keep liquids away from electrical components
Do NOT reach into the machine while it is running
Do not operate if unsure how to proceed

If resin or IPA contacts skin or eyes, follow manufacturer guidance:

Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes
Seek medical attention if irritation persists

6. Emergency Stop & Safety Features

Emergency Stop: No dedicated emergency stop button
Power Disconnect: Use rear power switch or unplug
Safety Cover: Must remain closed during curing

If an emergency occurs:

Stop the process using controls
Turn off power
Notify Fab Lab staff immediately

7. Unsafe Conditions – Stop Immediately If:

Strong chemical odors or excessive fumes
IPA spills near electronics
Abnormal noise or vibration
UV lights malfunction
Cracks or leaks in wash container

8. Incident & Injury Response

Stop the machine
Move to a safe distance
Notify staff immediately
Follow Fab Lab emergency procedures

9. Chemical & Material Safety

This machine uses:

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
Uncured resin residue

Handling requirements:

Never pour IPA or resin down the drain
Dispose of solid resin waste in the trash
Store IPA in sealed containers

Ventilation:

Use in the designated resin area
Keep the lid closed during operation

10. Acknowledgement

By using this machine, you acknowledge that:

You understand the hazards and risks
You will follow all safety procedures
You will ask for help when needed

End of Safety Manual

OPERATIONS MANUAL

11. What This Machine Is For

Use this machine to:

Wash uncured resin from printed parts
Cure prints using controlled UV exposure

12. What This Machine Is Not For

Do NOT use this machine for:

Cleaning non-resin parts
Heating, drying, or curing incompatible materials

13. What You Need Before You Start

Before operating:

Staff present
PPE (gloves required)
Printed part ready for post-processing
Wash bucket filled with IPA
Curing platform
Part removed safely from build plate
Alcohol dispenser

14. Machine Overview

General Machine locations:


Figure 1	Figure 2

Key User Interaction Points

Control Panel (Figure 1:4): Set wash and cure time
Cleaning Bucket (Figure 2): Holds IPA and basket
Cleaning Basket (Figure 2): Holds parts during wash
Curing Turntable (Figure 2): Rotates for UV exposure
Anti UV Cover (Figure 1:1): Must be closed during operation

Emergency Operation

Stop using the controls or the power switch
No dedicated emergency stop (consistent with printer)

15. Basic Operating Workflow

15.1 Pre-Processing (From Printer)

Remove print from build plate
Allow excess resin to drip into vat
Transfer part to wash station

** This is a 2-in-1 washing and curing machine. The following subheadings will be broken into two sections, one for washing and one for curing. **

Figure 3

15.2 Washing Process

Fill container with IPA (within marked limits)

Place part in the basket

Close lid
Set wash time (typically 2–5 minutes. View washing times in Figure 3 above)
Start wash cycle
Allow parts to fully clean

15.3 Drying

Place baking sheet on the table
Take out the basket and place it on the sheet so that excess alcohol will drip on it

Let IPA evaporate fully (air dry or fan)
Remove parts when dry
Wipe the sheet clean with a shop towel

15.4 Curing Process

Put the lid on the wash container and remove the container from the platform
Place the curing platform on the machine

Close lid completely

Set curing time (typically 2–10 minutes, depending on part size. View Figure 3 above for cure times)
Start curing cycle

Wait for curing cycle to finish

15.5 End-of-Job / Shutdown

Remove finished part
Inspect for completeness
Replace the curing platform with the wash container
Ensure lid is closed
Turn off machine

16. User Responsibilities After Use

After using the machine, you are responsible for:

Cleaning spills and work area with IPA
Ensuring IPA container is sealed
Disposing of IPA or Resin solid waste in the trash
Reporting issues or damage

17. Stop Conditions

Stop immediately and notify staff if:

Machine makes unusual noise
IPA leaks or spills internally
UV lights fail or flicker
Parts are not rotating or washing properly

18. Common Issues & What To Do

Issue: Parts still sticky after wash

Action: Increase wash time or replace IPA

Issue: White residue on parts

Action: Let part dry fully before curing

Issue: Uneven curing

Action: Reposition part or increase cure time

Issue: IPA becomes cloudy

Action: Replace IPA

19. External Resources

Manufacturer Manual (Mercury 3.0 Plus): https://f00.psgsm.net/product/921685/mercury-3.0-plus.pdf
Elegoo Printer Manuals: (Safety Manual, Operations Manual)

20. Questions or Help

If you have questions or need assistance at any point, ask a Fab Lab staff member. Staff are always present during operating hours.