SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Printing on different surfaces?

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Tomek) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 12:39:26 +0000

Gomisan wrote:

Well my Borosilicate glass arrived today, 4 sheets cut to size with the edges ground.
But I'm not having ANY luck with the hairspray. I'be been able to get the most level bed yet, but prints just pop off after a few layers.
My IR thermometer says the glass isnt getting anywhere near the temp of the bed, which could be the issue. Maxxing out at about 85C

People trust their IR thermometer way too much. glass is a reflective surface, you can't really easily IR it. Best bet would be to print or find a black sheet of thin paper, place it on the glass, and IR that.

But, it's true the glass doesn't get quite as hot.

If you're having trouble with hairspray mix together 30% waste plastic and 70% acetone to make some "acetone glue" Spread a thin layer on your plate, and print onto this. It's what I use when I'm frustrated because for some reason hairspray isn't working. I tried this last week when I couldn't be assed to find the real problem. Eventually I had too much sticking so I went back to hairspray and was happing. But when I have a very warpable print, I'll also take out the jar of acetone glue.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Gomisan) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 11:55:15 +0000

Well my Borosilicate glass arrived today, 4 sheets cut to size with the edges ground.

But I'm not having ANY luck with the hairspray. I'be been able to get the most level bed yet, but prints just pop off after a few layers.

My IR thermometer says the glass isnt getting anywhere near the temp of the bed, which could be the issue. Maxxing out at about 85C

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Tony Holmes) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 09:46:57 +0000

I'll go along with 2n2r5,blue PET is great stuff with ABS,I've been using it on my clear ceramic beds with good results.

It's also available from Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mm-33M-PET-A … 515wt_1163

I got some pre-cut sheets with liner from Airwolf 3D,5 12x8 sheets for $35. http://airwolf3d.com/store/products/3d- … pe-8-x-12/ Not too bad when you consider I cut each sheet in half and get 10 sheets for my money.

I installed them using the "wet" method as detailed here: http://airwolf3d.com/blog/2013/02/07/pe … ter-glass/

Their instructions are pretty much spot on except for on thing I learned doing window tint on cars.Don't even think of using an ammonia based cleaner such as "Windex" to either clean the glass or as a lubricant to apply the film,it leads to problems because the ammonia will react with the adhesive.The pros use a drop or two of baby shampoo in a qt of water as lubricant,you can also use plain water.

If anyone is curious where I got my clear ceramic: http://www.onedayglass.com/ they have two thicknesses,"pyroceram" at 3mm and "neoceram" at 5mm.They will custom cut to any size and even drill holes,online quotes are free.

They shipped my 4 sheet order next-day and it made the 3K mile trip from Wash State to NJ with zero damage,they pack carefully and are prompt.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Gomisan) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:20:35 +0000

Great, yet another Amazon item that wont ship to Australia. But I'll take that price and see what I can find locally thanks.

Maybe this is something the 3D printing shops can start stocking alongside the Kapton tape.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (2n2r5) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:03:48 +0000

I bought mine on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AGP … &psc=1

Items Ordered Price
1 of: 4" X 72 Yds - 2 Mil Green Powder Coating Masking Tape - High Temperature [Office Product]
Condition: New
Sold by: Lucent Path (seller profile)
$25.00
Shipping & Handling: $4.40
-----
Total before tax: $29.40

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Gomisan) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:42:36 +0000

I've never seen this Green tape (the clear one) anywhere! Certainly not in hardware stores locally.

Is there a brand name and reseller I can search on so I can buy some online to try? (and yes I have googled " Green Polyester Masking tape " but I wouldn't mind a standard price point to compare too)

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (2n2r5) — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:17 +0000

I printed a flat 5x7 tray that was about 1/4 tall and didn't get the slightest curl on Green Polyester Masking tape (GPMT) with hair spray. This is after I had one start curling on another glass bed with hair spray. Both are good but GPMT wins with ABS.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (op7ical) — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:50:08 +0000

Gordym wrote:

2n2r5 wrote:
Green Polyester Masking tape (also known as green powder coating tape) is fantastic for ABS. You have to be at 80+c but it won't let go of your print until it cools off. Blue painter tape... never tried it.
I have used the green polyester tape and agree that it is a good replacement for kapton. It is cheaper too.

How does the bonding strength compare to glass+hairspray?

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Gordym) — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:16:10 +0000

2n2r5 wrote:

Green Polyester Masking tape (also known as green powder coating tape) is fantastic for ABS. You have to be at 80+c but it won't let go of your print until it cools off. Blue painter tape... never tried it.

I have used the green polyester tape and agree that it is a good replacement for kapton. It is cheaper too.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (Ghostling) — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:32:47 +0000

i use the blue scotch 3m tape pictured above with ABS and it sticks very well.

my PLA stuck very well to clean plain heated glass... so i didn't have to use any sort of tape.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (2n2r5) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:24:06 +0000

Nope, not the same at all. I've never seen green painters tape before. I guess it's for people with a phobia of the color blue. Good catch YSB.

The stuff I use (that pretty translucent/transparent stuff on the bottom there) is nice and thick and doesn't get nicks in it as easy as Kapton. You can take a paint scraper to it without getting the same results as you do with kapton.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (ysb) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:21 +0000

haaa this one is more like kapton... we don't speak about the same green tape...

i speak about this tape that is often used for PLA printing but didn't work at all with ABS :

yours is this one :

not at all the same...

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (2n2r5) — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:46:01 +0000

ysb wrote:

dkeeling728 wrote:
Many people report good results with blue or green painters masking tape on glass, very similar to your mailing label discovery and possibly cheaper to boot!
don't have my SD3 yet, but very much looking forward to joining in on all the tinkering and process of discovery in this new technology!

this tape is good for PLA... not ABS

Green Polyester Masking tape (also known as green powder coating tape) is fantastic for ABS. You have to be at 80+c but it won't let go of your print until it cools off. Blue painter tape... never tried it.

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (ysb) — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:39:24 +0000

dkeeling728 wrote:

Many people report good results with blue or green painters masking tape on glass, very similar to your mailing label discovery and possibly cheaper to boot!
don't have my SD3 yet, but very much looking forward to joining in on all the tinkering and process of discovery in this new technology!

this tape is good for PLA... not ABS

Re: Printing on different surfaces?

null@example.com (kyle79914) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:28:09 +0000

I'm printing a big part right now on a label which is directly on the bed, no kapton tape. One small edge lifted up after about layer 5, but it's coming out pretty good.