Overview

Before you bring the FieldPrinter to a jobsite, make sure the environment, control, and equipment conditions are ready for accurate, uninterrupted layout. This checklist explains what is required and why each requirement matters, so you can arrive onsite prepared and start printing immediately.

1. A Stable, Accessible Slab Surface

What You Need

• A poured, walkable slab or other stable floor surface where the robot can drive.
• Minimal debris, dust piles, standing water, or loose materials in the layout area.

Why It Matters

The FieldPrinter relies on smooth navigation to maintain its 1/16” print accuracy. Debris and irregular surfaces can:

• Interrupt the robot’s drive path
• Block or confuse obstacle sensors
• Cause printed lines to shift or distort
• A clean, stable floor ensures consistent robot motion and high-quality prints.

2. Sufficient Jobsite Control Points

What You Need

• At least three control points visible and accessible in the work area (more is better).
• Surveyed control that aligns to the building grid using any accepted method (RTS, offset lines, wall/column marks, etc.).

Why It Matters

Control points anchor the digital model to the physical jobsite. Dusty uses these points to compute alignment.
More control points dramatically improve accuracy and mitigate the impact of any individual point being off, as demonstrated in Dusty’s control training materials (e.g., “more control points = more accuracy”). Dusty measures control points to 1/32” accuracy to support high-accuracy printing.

Without reliable control, even perfectly prepared jobsites can produce a misaligned layout.

3. Adequate Space for Robot Navigation

What You Need

• Clearance for the robot (13.1” × 10” footprint) to turn and move freely.
• Clear access along expected print paths, including near walls and edges.
• Defined boundaries if you need the robot to avoid edges, drops, or active work areas.

Why It Matters

FieldPrinter 2 can print as close as 1.3 inches from edges and obstacles, but it still needs room to maneuver.

Operators may also use boundaries to protect sensitive areas. Clear pathways ensure:

• Safe robot travel
• Uninterrupted printing
• No accidental collisions with materials or people
   

4. Operator Connectivity & Device Readiness

What You Need

• A charged tablet with the Dusty App installed.
• A functioning FieldPrinter 2 robot, laser tracker, and radio connection.
• A reliable hotspot or jobsite Wi-Fi when updates or Portal sync are required. Internet connection is not required for FieldPrinter operation.

Why It Matters

The Dusty App controls every operation of the FieldPrinter. Ensuring your devices are powered, updated, and connected keeps workflow smooth from stationing to printing.

5. Clear Access to Control Points for Stationing

What You Need

• Control points must be visible and physically reachable for placing or adjusting the reflector.
• The area around each point must be free from stored materials, tools, or crew activity.

Why It Matters

During stationing, the tracker must sight each control point. Obstructions or clutter around these points cause:

• Failed stationing attempts
• Misalignment warnings
• Increased error values

This delays printing and can compromise layout accuracy.
 

6. Enough Power for the Full Layout Session

What You Need

• A fully charged Milwaukee battery for the robot (3-4 hours typical runtime per 5Ah battery).
• Extra batteries or a charging station onsite for long layout sessions.

Why It Matters

Running out of power mid-print interrupts layout and requires re-stationing to resume. Hot-swap batteries prevent downtime and keep the operator moving.

7. Access to the Print-Ready File in Dusty Portal

What You Need

• A coordinated, approved layout file already published in Dusty Portal.
• All layers and line styles configured before arriving onsite.

Why It Matters

Portal is the “bridge” between model and field. Printing is only as accurate as the file you bring to the jobsite. Preparing the file in advance avoids:

• Rework in the field
• Miscommunication between trades
• Time-consuming adjustments on the tablet

Portal ensures the jobsite receives the correct, coordinated model information.

8. Safe Environment for Laser Tracker Operation

What You Need

• A stable, leveled tripod setup for the laser tracker.
• Protection from vibration, wind, or moving equipment around the tracker.

Why It Matters

Vibration or instability of the tracker can prevent stationing or cause layout errors. Real support cases show that unstable tracker setups frequently lead to connection problems or inaccurate behavior.

9. Completed Safety Checks

What You Need

• No overhead work or high-traffic movement in the immediate printing area.
• Awareness of other trades working nearby.
• Secure management of cords.

Why It Matters

Safe movement is required both for the robot and the operator monitoring it. Removing risks ensures printing happens without interference or hazards.