Overview
This is the one checklist to run through to confirm you're ready to use the Dusty FieldPrinter — everything you need is on this page. It walks you from file preparation days before you mobilize, through confirming the equipment arrived, verifying the jobsite and its conditions, and the final day-of readiness checks right before you station and print.
When every box is checked, your files, equipment, site, and team are ready — you can station and print. Run through it every time you prepare for a new floor or jobsite.
Phase 1 — Files, Portal, and Dusty Academy
Complete these off-site, before the equipment ships or before you drive to the jobsite. Without a prepared file published to the Dusty Portal, the robot has nothing to print.
☐ Dusty Portal accounts are active for everyone who needs one — file preparers (to publish files) and operators. Operators sign in to the Dusty App on the tablet with their Portal account, so Portal access is required to run the robot (portal.dustyrobotics.com)
☐ VDC training series is complete in Dusty Academy for whoever prepares the file
☐ Dusty AutoCAD Plugin is installed — use a supported version of AutoCAD or AutoCAD Architecture (2021–2026)
☐ Layout file is prepared and cleaned following the file prep checklist (shared coordinate system, correct units, simplified linework, correct text heights)
☐ Control point CSV is formatted correctly — five columns only (Point Name, X, Y, Z, Description), and every point with a unique point name.
☐ File is published to the Portal and reviewed (units correct, control points align, trade/floor/revision names clear)
☐ Operators have watched the Dusty Academy FieldPrinter operation courses (academy.dustyrobotics.com)
🔍 Full guidance: Dusty File Prep Checklist (Revit → AutoCAD → Dusty Portal)
Phase 2 — Site and Environmental Conditions
Confirm the jobsite conditions are right before you set up. These determine whether the FieldPrinter can print at all, and whether the print will be accurate.
Surface and slope
☐ Surface is supported — concrete, wood, steel, or plastics/polymers, and is flat, rigid, and stable
☐ Slope is within limits — the FieldPrinter prints on slopes up to about 5° (roughly a standard ADA-compliant ramp); steeper than that, it won't print
Weather and temperature
☐ No standing water and no active rain — if it's too wet to snap a chalk line, it's too wet to use Dusty
☐ Temperature is in range — the FieldPrinter Set operates from 5°F to 110°F (the AT930 tracker's minimum is 32°F)
☐ Ink matches conditions — water-based prints at 30°F–90°F (dry conditions); solvent-based prints at 25°F–95°F (cold or slightly moist surfaces)
☐ Cold cartridges are acclimated to room temperature (68°F–72°F) before printing
☐ Wind is manageable — above roughly 15–20 mph, don't print; strong wind shifts the tracker and disturbs the ink, causing faded or wavy lines.
☐ Equipment is kept shaded whenever possible to avoid overheating
🔍 Full guidance: Operating and Storage Temperature Ranges for Dusty Equipment and Ink · Operating the FieldPrinter on Slopes
Coordination and timing
☐ Power is available to charge the batteries on site
☐ Deployment schedule shared with other trades to minimize disruptions
☐ Timing optimized — for the most complete print, print before risers, plumbing stub-ups, or temporary shoring go in, or wait until shoring is removed (obstructions break the line of sight between the tracker and the robot)
Phase 3 — Jobsite Readiness
Run through these checks on site, before stationing and printing. Completing them reduces setup delays, prevents avoidable errors, and supports safe, efficient layout.
Floor and site conditions
☐ Surface is walkable and stable with no soft spots or hazards
☐ Printing area is clear of debris, dust piles, standing water, and loose materials
☐ Navigation paths are unobstructed — no pallets, cords, trash, or stacked material
Edge protection and fall hazards
☐ Edge protection is installed around trenches, slab edges, slab openings, column diamonds, and other potential fall hazards
☐ Fall hazards in and around the print path are identified and guarded before the robot runs
☐ Edge protection is tall enough — at least 2" stops the robot from driving off the edge, but at least 7" is needed to print cleanly and accurately right up to the edge
🔍 Related: How Tall Should Edge Protection Be to Print Near a Slab Edge?
Control points
☐ Control points are marked on site — at least 3 non-collinear surveyed control points are physically marked (crosshairs) across the layout area at most every 150 feet and match the control points in the published file
☐ Control points are accessible — more than the minimum improves accuracy
☐ Control marks are visible and not covered by dust, paint, or protection board
☐ Control points are not blocked by materials, equipment, or temporary structures
🔍 Related: Control Point Creation Requirements for Surveyors · How to Select Control Points for Better Stationing Accuracy
Jobsite coordination
☐ Active work in the printing area is paused or rerouted
☐ Nearby trades are informed that automated layout is underway
☐ Clear boundaries are set in the Dusty App if needed
☐ Printing area is protected from overhead work or lifts