Print builds

The print build is the operator’s record of the job on a printer. It holds the model attachment, layer height in millimeters and estimated hours, together with the printer and material. Link it to the work order when the run is part of a customer production job so finishing staff can follow the same work forward.

Start the build at Queued. The operator records Printing while the machine is running, Cooling after the print, and post-processing when finishing work begins. An inspected build can be marked Inspected; a failed run can be marked Failed. Use those states to explain where the physical parts are and what action the next person needs to take.

• Build preparation. Attach the model file and check the material and layer height before starting. Compare the selected printer with the work-order resource. Resolve a disagreement before the operator commits material to the run.
• Queue ownership. Keep estimated hours visible alongside the printer. The Production Planner uses the queue to discuss the next job with the Production Operator. The operator updates the build state when the physical work changes.
• Finishing handoff. Assign support removal, washing, curing or sanding against the build that produced the parts. Keep the build identifiable even when several jobs use the same material and printer during a shift.

Agree a model-file naming convention that lets an operator recognize the intended part and revision. Decide who checks layer height and material before starting a queued build. Slicing and sending machine instructions are connections or operating procedures to arrange with the shop’s existing tools.

Define what the team means by Cooling and when it is safe to hand parts to finishing. Agree the inspection evidence the operator needs before changing a build to Inspected. For the pilot, give each run its own work order and link the build and produced lot to that job. Record its production intervals there so the reviewer can compare output without mixing repeat attempts. Keep a failed build available when planning its replacement.

A clip build is queued on Printer B with its model attachment, material and estimated run time. The operator checks the linked work order, starts the job and records Printing. After the machine finishes, the operator records Cooling while the parts remain at the printer.

The finishing operator takes responsibility when the build moves to post-processing. They open the assigned support-removal step against the same build and record the result when complete. If a separate run fails before cooling, keep that build marked Failed and record its output against its own work order. During the rehearsal, ask the next operator to find the correct model and finishing work using the build record alone. Any ambiguity should be resolved in the naming and handoff rules before go-live.

• Print queue — Queued builds with the chosen printer, material, model attachment and estimated hours.
• Build progress board — Builds grouped from Queued through Inspected, with Failed work visible for follow-up.

Follow printing, finishing and review and use material posting and reversal when preparing the run.