Begin by placing the 3D printer on a steady surface to minimize vibrations. Place the LSI instrument next to the printer so that the camera has a clear view of the printing area. Position the LSI slightly higher than the camera build plate and tilt it downward slightly to prevent view obstruction.
Next, turn on the laser and bright-field illumination and ensure that they are aligned with the imaging area. Start with a test print, making sure that the LSI camera is focused on the printing area. During the test print, optimally align the lighting and the digital camera and adjust the laser direction to illuminate the whole imaging area homogenously.
Adjust the diaphragm so that the speckle size is slightly larger than the pixel size. Select the parameters for the live LSI data analysis, being sure to choose the frequency that produces the best imaging contrast between molten and solidified plastic. Choose the frequency and length of image saving to prepare the LSI instrument to capture images.
