Need to move the FieldPrinter to another floor, reposition it on the same floor, or pack it up to ship to your next project? This guide covers how to move the system safely so your equipment arrives undamaged and ready to station and print.

The most important rule: always pack the equipment into its cases before moving it. Whether you're going up to the next floor, moving across the same floor to re-station, or shipping to a new jobsite, pack the system up first. There is no "carry it assembled" shortcut — moving the system loose risks damaging the precision optics and knocks the setup out of alignment.

Before Any Move

1. Finish or stop any active print. In the Dusty App, complete or stop the current print.
2. Power off the FieldPrinter. Follow How to Power Off the FieldPrinter so you shut down safely and don't lose data.
3. Plan to re-station after the move. Any time the FieldPrinter and laser tracker are moved and set back up you must re-level the tracker and re-station before printing. Moving the system invalidates the previous setup.

What to Remove Before Packing

How much you break down depends on why you're moving — not how far.

If you're relocating to re-station (not end of day)

When you're just moving the system to set up and print somewhere else — another floor, or a new position on the same floor:

• Leave the ink cartridges and the battery in the robot. They can stay installed for the move.
• Remove the reflector and pack it in the FieldPrinter case.
• Pack the rest of the system into its cases and move it.

If you're shutting down for the day (or the job is done)

When you're done for the day or leaving the site:

• Remove the ink cartridges from the robot.
• Remove the battery from the robot and keep it charging whenever possible so it's ready for the next use.
• Remove the reflector and pack it in the FieldPrinter case.
• Pack everything fully into its cases.

How to Pack the Cases

Packing in the right order protects the equipment and makes sure everything fits.

Pack the Laser Tracker

How you pack the laser tracker depends on your tracker model.

AT500

1. Tracker head — pull the foam insert out first to create hand space, then grip the two handles on the tracker head to lower it into the case.
2. AC power adapter — the fixed cable is offset to one side to match the offset slot in the foam; place it cable-side down and fold the cord into the adjacent slot.
3. AC power extension — store in the back slot.
4. Leica AT500 batteries — store in their respective case slots.
5. Tracker battery chargers — store in their respective case slots.
6. Ethernet cable — store in the back slot.
7. Milwaukee battery — store in the front slot.
8. Radio 2 — store in the front slot.
9. Radio power adapter — store in the back slot.

AT930

1. Tracker head — pull the foam insert out first to create hand space, then grip the two handles on the tracker head to lower it into the case.
2. AC power adapter — the fixed cable is offset to one side to match the offset slot in the foam; place it cable-side down and fold the cord into the adjacent slot.
3. Primary cables — coil all four (tracker-to-controller cable, ethernet cable, radio power cable, and AC power extension) together and pack them in the front slot as one bundle.
4. Tracker controller — top facing down, lower back pointing outward from the case.
5. Radio 1 — store in the back slot.

AT930-NRT

1. Tracker head — pull the foam insert out first to create hand space, then grip the two handles on the tracker head to lower it into the case.
2. AC power adapter — the fixed cable is offset to one side to match the offset slot in the foam; place it cable-side down and fold the cord into the adjacent slot.
3. Primary cables — coil all four (tracker-to-controller cable, ethernet cable, radio power cable, and AC power extension) together and pack them in the back slot as one bundle.
4. Tracker controller — top facing down, lower back pointing outward from the case.
5. Milwaukee battery — store in the front slot.
6. Radio 2 — store in the front slot.
7. Radio power adapter — store in the back slot.

Pack the FieldPrinter

1. Reflector — place the dust cover on the reflector and store it in its slot.
2. Ink cartridges — for an end-of-day shutdown, place your cartridges in the tray below the FieldPrinter.
3. Battery charger — place in the lower right corner slot.
4. Battery and joystick controller — for an end-of-day shutdown, pack the FieldPrinter battery and joystick controller.
5. iPad — store with the screen oriented for maximum protection.
6. Accessories — verification reflectors, tape, ink wipes, control point targets, and extra wind guards.
7. FieldPrinter — make sure the robot is fully seated in its case before closing.

Transporting Between Jobsites

Once everything is packed, the system is ready to move to a new site.

Protect Against Temperature

Do not leave equipment or ink in a hot vehicle or freezing conditions during transport or overnight. Ink performance degrades at temperature extremes, and freezing can damage ink. For the full operating and storage ranges, see Operating and Storage Temperature Ranges for Dusty Equipment and Ink. For end-of-day handling, see How to Properly Store Dusty Equipment Overnight.

Shipping Batteries and Ink

Several components have special shipping requirements when you ship the kit between projects. Follow them to avoid carrier restrictions and safety hazards.

⚠️ When in doubt, contact Dusty Robotics support before shipping batteries or ink to confirm the correct method for your situation.

If you are returning equipment at the end of a contract rather than moving it to another site, follow Returning Your Dusty Equipment instead.

Related Articles

• How to Power Off the FieldPrinter
• How to Properly Store Dusty Equipment Overnight
• Operating and Storage Temperature Ranges for Dusty Equipment and Ink
• FieldPrinter Jobsite Readiness Checklist
• Returning Your Dusty Equipment