Build platform - why glass?
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:45 pm
So given the "chipped glass" thread I've been posting in lately, I've gotten to wondering why we use glass for the bed.
I know nothing about material science so there may be an obvious reason, but to me it seems like we'd be looking for: strong, flat, low thermal CoE, good thermal conductivity, cheap.
Is boro glass really the best/only choice? There have got to be other materials to satisfy all the criteria. Why don't we use something like machined stainless steel disc instead? Or a giant frying pan? Or a cooking stone.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Heated_Bed#Metal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Seems like no matter what material we pick, we'd still be able to add our "adhesion modifiers" such as glue, tape, etc.
I know nothing about material science so there may be an obvious reason, but to me it seems like we'd be looking for: strong, flat, low thermal CoE, good thermal conductivity, cheap.
Is boro glass really the best/only choice? There have got to be other materials to satisfy all the criteria. Why don't we use something like machined stainless steel disc instead? Or a giant frying pan? Or a cooking stone.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Heated_Bed#Metal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Seems like no matter what material we pick, we'd still be able to add our "adhesion modifiers" such as glue, tape, etc.