1 Topic by amaterov

  • amaterov
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  • Registered: 2014-12-03
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Topic: Where to find an aluminum bed to replace the glass one?

My glass bed cracked once again, for the third time sad I don't want to spend $60 for replacements anymore, could anyone please suggest an easy yet affordable alternative? Herd aluminum beds works well. Thank you

2 Reply by wiley

  • wiley
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  • Registered: 2016-05-16
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Re: Where to find an aluminum bed to replace the glass one?

Now you've got me wondering how hard it would be to switch to an aluminum bed with a heating pad and ditch the Z endstop for an inductive sensor and have automagic autoleveling forever. I'll have to do some research.

3 Reply by Weekend Avenger

  • Weekend Avenger
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  • Registered: 2014-06-17
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Re: Where to find an aluminum bed to replace the glass one?

If your bed isn't actually ruined (still heats) you might want to just add a surface on top of it. My CTC printer actually has an aluminum bed, but I print on picture frame glass that is mounted above it ($2 each at places like Lowes). The glass was easily thin enough to still be "adjusted for" with just the leveling screws at 3/16 glass.

I've lost "chips" out of my Da Vinci's boro glass myself, but it hasn't cracked yet. I just ignore the chips slight effect on the bottom of a part, if the part prints over it. Using a glue stick greatly decreases the chance of breaking the boro glass, while ABS slurry or even hairspray tends to increase the chance that you damage the glass.

4 Reply by okcazure

  • okcazure
  • okcazure
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  • From: Dayton, OH
  • Registered: 2015-02-21
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Re: Where to find an aluminum bed to replace the glass one?

There is another topic on the subject at http://www.soliforum.com/post/113370/#p113370. In any case I purchased my aluminum bed from online metals and it has worked great since I installed it (~50 prints).   I researched the types of aluminum and I suggest either 7075-T6 or 6061-T6.  Other types of aluminum, particularly types that are not heat treated may not work very well.  I ordered a heater from jdholbrook33 on this forum (online store at http://www.davincizone.com).  He installed the heater for me and he is probably willing to do so for you as well.  Without buying a new heater there are other options such as putting the aluminum on top of the glass bed or removing the heater from a broken glass bed and reapplying it to the aluminum.

3D Printing since January 2015
https://www.thingiverse.com/okcazure/designs
Printer: Prusa MINI+
Previous printer: DaVinci 1.0

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