PEI print bed surface experiments

[critical_limit]

First 2 are what I ordered.


PS. I live in Istanbul. So it would take longer to reach me than you.

I´m in Berlin, Germany. Think we have to wait for a few more weeks

[teoman]

As long it arrives...

I am really having trouble with bed adhesion... pritt doesnt really work well. Hairspray usually lets go after 5 or 6 layers. So far only abs juice seems to work. But that is such a mess.

For shnazzy parts it is ok as I can just pour on some more on the existing layer. But if I want a clean print then the bed has to be cleaned and abs juice applied again very cleanly and all that is very time consuming.

I have high hopes for the PEI.

[Renha]

I have tried my PEI (without sanding yet) with 120 grade Celsius heated bed (with 24v power supply it's faster than getting 85 grade with stock one!) with small parts - adhesion is Great, but first 20-40 layers of part is little overmelted, and now I think that I am really need heat spreader plate: I could touch heated plate without pain near to it's border.

[nitewatchman]

I think that 120C is perhaps a little high and heat spreader plates really help make the bed temperature uniform. I use 65C for PLA and 105C for ABS. I think that you want to be near or at the Glass Transition Temperature (65C for PLA and 105C for ABS).

Many people use aluminum, I used copper due to it much higher heat transfer coefficient and ability to store heat but it cost 6x more ($50USD verses $8USD).

nitewatchman

[Renha]

I am in search of copper plates supplier near to me for at least 6 hours. What width do you use? For now I am searching 10mm one, is it o'k?

[nitewatchman]

I used a 1.5mm (1/16") copper plate and placed it under the BoroSilacate Glass. A 10mm plate would take quite a while to heat up and will be expensive.

So I have the Onyx heater, the copper plate, the glass plate, the 3m tape and then the PEI sheet.

Good Luck!

[teoman]

This may be out of context but i emailed geckotek. And they said that they would be building a magnetic base and build plate for the Max V2 in the works but they cannot ship until the kickstarter orders have been fulfilled. They can be followed in a mailing list at geckotek3d.com.

I would like to try the geckotek and will be purchasing it to be able to print in nylon and pc. (No relation to the company).

[nitewatchman]

I have one of the Early Bird Gecko Plates coming, I think number 4 or 5. They are projecting delivery in October or at least were.

The "material" is coated onto a thin spring steel sheet that is placed on the bed of the printer. The magnetic mount is an aluminum plate that could be used as a heat spreader with magnets embeded into the plate surface to hold the steel Gecko Plate in place.

It looks like this technology is coming out of the DARPA sponsored Z-Man Project.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_setae

http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Release ... 06/05.aspx

[teoman]

Just got another mail. And for those who did not particupate in the kickstarter, it would be after november.

[teoman]

Good old van der waals forces. They are a pita when you are dealing with nanotechnology from a manipulation perspective.


I wonder how long the geckotek surface is usable for? Or will the nanofibers (if that is indeed what they use) slowly rip off over time.

[teoman]

Damn, amazon is slow with the PEI.

Not yet shipped
Delivery estimate: Friday, September 19, 2014 - Friday, October 17, 2014 by 8:00pm

[teoman]

So, before my PEI arrives, I was thinking that i would get the other necessary stuff. For isopropyl alcohol what do you think of these?

Isopropyl Alcohol wipes, says they are %70 isopropyl alcohol.

Pack of 100 wipes for 5 bucks is a good price, includes shipping...

http://www.dx.com/p/outdoor-emergency-f ... AEqrUixuVI

[nitewatchman]

I have good results wiping mine down with Acetone.

[bdjohns1]

I have good results wiping mine down with Acetone.

That's what I do too. PEI isn't sensitive to acetone, and it gets up any trace residues of ABS left behind.

[teoman]

My Rambo fan started acting up. Could it be deforming by suck8ng up acetone vapours?

[Mac The Knife]

If its the original, It's probably its time. I changed out for a fan with ball bearings.

[nitewatchman]

My Rambo fan started acting up. Could it be deforming by suck8ng up acetone vapours?

My original fan lasted 10 days - two weeks.

Replaced with a Noctua fan - permanent solution.

[teoman]

Yep, I am well aware that the fan is not the best that is why I ordered a fan with my PEI bed. Fan has arrived but the bed is no where to be seen. But what i was wondering was, will acetone damage the fans?

[Lightpath]

Got an url for the fan you used?

PEI has pretty much changed my printer. I print a few things, wipe it down with isopro 99%, and keep printing. It's like freakin' magic. Love my slab, even if I got one that's way too thick.

[teoman]

I think this is it
http://www.amazonsupply.com/dp/B009NQLT0M/ref=pd_sim_1

[mhackney]

"PEI has pretty much changed my printer. I print a few things, wipe it down with isopro 99%, and keep printing. It's like freakin' magic. Love my slab, even if I got one that's way too thick."

Told you so! I love PEI. It's all I print PLA and ABS on now.

[teoman]

I am lucky as some one recommended i buy an extra glass build plate.

I can have one for PEI and the oher for nylon etc... (not that i have ever printed anything but abs). And if something comes along i can use / cover the spare bed and use that.

[crocky]

I just ordered some PEI and tape too, seems to be the way to go... It's coming on a slow boat I think, that happens when you live down here

Thanks Michael, I have read and read....

[teoman]

They ship very late.


Mine still has not shipped.

[artexmg]

How about glass - tape -aluminum foil -tape - pei?

No experience.

I used Copper plate between the bed and the glass. Spreads the heat nicely and after stablizing, it stores an amazing amount of heat.

Hey Man, would you point out to the coper plate you bought? I'd seen several options in Amazon, I just do not want to guess

Thanks!!