SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — How to flatten SD3 aluminum bed?

Re: How to flatten SD3 aluminum bed?

2013-12-02T02:34:13Z

The bed heater on the stock aluminum beds is feeble and smaller than the aluminum so it doesn't heat evenly. Rather than wasting time trying to get rid of any bed warping, I'm planning to go with a QU-BD heater with glass on top, all using the aluminum bed merely as a support, so it doesn't even matter how flat it really is. See: http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1819/hea … isonsstls/

Re: How to flatten SD3 aluminum bed?

2013-12-02T01:56:58Z

it has been my experience with aluminum plating that it you straighten it it will not stay when heated.
I went with this.

http://www.panucatt.com/product_p/hbp200.htm

NOTE: The the hole pattern is not the same so you will have to modify the Carriage.

How to flatten SD3 aluminum bed?

2013-12-01T16:04:57Z

Hi all,
After nearly 6 months of hassle free printing, I finally ripped up my kapton tape while removing a print. So, I decided it was time to add the glass plate.
I had the printer dialed in as far as getting prints to stick. Usually I worried more about sticking to well than not sticking.

Any how, my bed was warped by .020" from the get go but I opted not to try and fix it. Now that I have removed the tape and I'm using the glass, I'm thinking I might as well flatten my bed. I'm asking for ideas or methods others have used to do this.
I have not made any major mods and have not actually disassembled any part of the printer. I was thinking of removing the plate and attempting the bend it flat then maybe lap it in with a surface plate and grinding compound. Since. Don't know how the bed heater actually works and how it's attached to the bottom of the plate, I'm concerned the bending process may break the heater loose from the plate. If bending is not an option, I can machine the top flat. I was thinking if I could bend it, I wouldn't have to take so much material off.

Has anyone flattened their plate? If so, what method did you use?