Printer Transport
This guide covers how to prepare the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 for shipping or relocation. Follow these steps to secure all moving parts, protect the printer during transit, and pack it safely. The original machine box and packing materials are required for safe transport. If you no longer have them, contact Vision Miner support – we can ship you a replacement pallet, box, foam panels, and ratchet straps. You pay for the packaging and its shipping separately. Save all packaging materials after every shipment.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 – including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
Tools and Materials
- 2mm HEX - Wera Screw Driver (hex wrench) – for touchscreen removal
- Zip ties (cable ties) – at least 3
- Parts box – for storing removed accessories (touchscreen, WiFi antenna, power cord, carbon build sheet). We recommend using the original accessory box that came with the printer.
- Pallet
- Machine box – the original cardboard box that the printer shipped in (bottom, four sides, and lid)
- Insulating foam panels – the original foam panels that shipped with the printer
- Packing straps – the printer ships with packing straps. If you no longer have them, you can purchase ratchet straps or contact Vision Miner support to have them shipped to you. At least 3 straps required.
- Plastic wrap (stretch film)
Unload Filament and Secure the Build Plate
- Remove all loose items from inside the printer. Remove filament spools, tools, cleaning supplies, and anything else stored inside the enclosure or on the printer. Anything that can move freely during transport can damage the printer.
- Unload filament from both toolheads. Heat the nozzles to the appropriate temperature for the loaded material and unload.
- Remove the carbon build sheet from the build plate, or secure it for transport. Either remove the carbon build sheet and place it in the parts box, or tighten all four Build Plate Thumb Nut Set in each corresponding corner to secure it to the build plate.
- Check that the build plate is secured to the carriages. Verify that all three build plate securing screws are present and have the standard 2–3 mm of upward play. Do not remove them and do not change their adjustment. All three build plate securing screws must be present before transporting the printer. See Build Plate Securing Screws for details.
- Lower the bed to its lowest position. Open the Web Interface and move the Z axis all the way down.
Cool Down and Power Off
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Wait for the nozzles, bed, and chamber to cool down. Keep the printer on until the fans stop – they assist with cooldown. The nozzles, heater block, and heated bed may still be hot after a recent print. Let all heated components cool to room temperature before handling.
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Turn off the printer by pressing the power button.
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Unplug the power cord from the printer and the wall outlet.
Secure the Z-Probe
- Locate the Z-probe on the left toolhead (T0). Make sure it is magnetically attached to the probe holder on the toolhead, in its retracted position. The probe must not hang loose or swing freely during transport.
Secure the Toolheads and Crossbar
- Slide the crossbar (X-axis gantry) to the center of the Y-axis travel range. Do not force the toolheads past their mechanical limits. Slide them gently until they reach the end of their travel.
- Push the two toolheads to opposite ends of the crossbar – one to the far left, one to the far right.
- Locate the two technical holes on the enclosure frame – one on each side. Thread a zip tie through each hole and around the crossbar or toolhead carriage to lock everything in place. The toolheads and crossbar must not slide during transport. Do not overtighten the zip ties to the point of deforming plastic parts. They should be snug enough to prevent movement – nothing more.
Remove the Touchscreen
- Unscrew the two touchscreen mounting screws from the top using a 2 mm hex screwdriver.
- Disconnect the touchscreen cable from the mainboard connector.
- Remove the touchscreen and place it in the parts box.
Remove the WiFi Antenna
- Unscrew the WiFi Antenna from the outside of the printer.
- Place the antenna in the parts box with the other removed accessories.
Packaging
- Place the pallet on a flat, stable surface. The printer weighs approximately 80 kg (≈ 175 lbs). Use a forklift, pallet jack, or at least two people for all lifting. Do not attempt to move the printer alone.
- Place the machine box (without the lid) on the pallet.
- Lift the printer and place it inside the box. Use at least two people. Center the printer in the box.
- Wrap the printer with plastic wrap to protect the paint, lid, and side panels.
- Place the insulating foam panels around all sides of the printer. Use the original foam panels that came with the printer. Make sure every side is insulated – top, bottom, front, back, left, and right. There should be no gaps or room for the printer to shift inside the box.
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Verify the printer is secure inside the box. Push gently on the printer from all directions. There should be no play – the printer must not move or rock inside the box. If there is any room on top, add additional padding.
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Place the lid on the box.
- Wrap the assembled box with plastic wrap.
- Attach one strap around the perimeter of the box. Run the strap horizontally around the box (parallel to the ground) to hold the sides together. Use the original packing straps that came with the printer. If you no longer have the packing straps, use a ratchet strap instead.
- Attach at least two straps to secure the box to the pallet. Run the straps vertically over the top of the box and under the pallet. Three straps are better than two for heavy freight. Use packing straps or ratchet straps. Do not place the parts box on top of the machine box before attaching the straps. The straps must only secure the machine box to the pallet. If you strap the parts box together with the machine box, the downward force will collapse the small box and can detach the pallet from the machine box.
- Place the parts box on top of the machine box. The parts box contains the touchscreen, WiFi antenna, power cord, and any other removed accessories. Set it on top of the strapped machine box – do not strap it down with the main straps.
- Optionally, wrap the entire assembly one more time with plastic wrap to hold the parts box in place during shipping.
If you no longer have the original packing straps, you can purchase ratchet straps yourself or contact Vision Miner support to have them shipped to you. If you are missing any packaging materials – pallet, box, foam, or straps – reach out to support and we will help you get what you need.
FAQ
Troubleshooting
Support
If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.