Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

**Rocketman** · 2013-02-21 05:16:40

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Topic: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

I had to order some more of that tape surface on the heated build platform because I tore it when calibrating the printer. Is there a good video that shows the right way to put the new tape on? It I think is pre-cut so if I mess it up I don't think I can try again. lol. Also it was like $10 each so I really want to get the best use out of an attempt.

Also how does everyone deal with the base of printed objects curling up at the corners? How to prevent that?

**Tomek** · 2013-02-21 06:46:16

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

(1) google "applying kapton tape 3D printer"

If you have one of those squares, and want it perfect, then the squeegie + soap water might be the best method for you.

Personally, I've just been careful about applying it like a decal and dealt with the minor bubbles. That said, it was only a short while before I switched to glass+hairspray

(2) curl on the edges can be mitigated with a brim (a setting in repetier) and also can be mitigated judicious design in the file (relieving some stress, adding some supports, etc, depends on the model.) Also, you should definitively insulate your printer a bit if you don't have a cover. I have cardboard sides.

**wire10ga** · 2013-02-21 13:10:33

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

glass+hairspray 2nd!

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

**3D_UA** · 2013-02-21 13:54:02

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

I bought a 100 foot of Kapton tape width of 20 centimeters on the Ebay for $25, and now I have no headaches. Yes, it is thinner than the one that is sold in Solidoodle, but at that price it can be changed at least every print.

**jjcuff1** · 2013-02-21 15:38:34

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

is glass that much better?

does it allow for even heating
stick better (with hairspray)
can be run with lower bed temps(heat up time less?)

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

**jon_bondy** · 2013-02-21 17:32:44

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Glass is better because 1) it is flat, 2) you can dig at it a bit without having to put down a new surface, and 3) my prints just pop off once the glass cools.

**wire10ga** · 2013-02-21 17:59:34

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Plus you can have more than one glass and swap them out. This allows you to keep the bed hot without having to cool down to get your part off without tearing the kapton on the bed. I just switched to glass and hairspray (needed to give something tacky for the plastic to stick to) and don't see my self going back.

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

**cmetzel** · 2013-02-21 18:09:24

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Glass & Hairspray is the unnofficial official way to go. However I don't get mine popping off, but maybe I'm using better hairspray. I still have to use a painters knife spatula thing to get them off.

**jjcuff1** · 2013-02-21 18:31:43

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

ok do you have to modify the SD or anything? Or just buy a piece of glass and hairspray and print some clips to hold it down?

I assume I will have to reset the zstop or just change the z home position

What do you run the bed temp at to heat the glass up?

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

**cmetzel** · 2013-02-21 19:11:21

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Reset Z stop is all and use binder clips in 3 places. When I was using binder clips I was using front right, front left, and rear left because the homing position and movement made the rear right get in the way from time to time. For the z stop I just turned my screw upside down and threaded it from the bottom, I adjust it by hand. But there's a modified one by lawsy at thingiverse here. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:40701

I modified mine to use a larger glass plate with magnets which I don't know why more people don't do it. i just pop the glass off and slap another one on and go. Writeup here. http://www.soliforum.com/topic/814/magn … -mounting/

You can drop the bed temp a little if you want. I still shoot for 95C for prints I want to be careful with, but I've printed at 65C (with enclosed build environment) and been fine. I even printed on a room temperature bed after repairing a clog just testing the hot end and it stuck fine with hairspray.

**pcpoirier** · 2013-02-21 21:40:02

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

http://youtu.be/i1b54Cq3onY

I made a Video on installing the Kapton tape I got from Granger http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Polyim … Pid=search
Works great and parts stick untill cooled.

**solijohn** · 2013-02-22 16:48:24

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

pcpoirier wrote:

http://youtu.be/i1b54Cq3onY
I made a Video on installing the Kapton tape I got from Granger http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Polyim … Pid=search
Works great and parts stick untill cooled.

Very nice. We sometimes use the glass in the shop, but it isn't a necessity by any means.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

**Rocketman** · 2013-02-22 20:00:57

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

pcpoirier wrote:

http://youtu.be/i1b54Cq3onY
I made a Video on installing the Kapton tape I got from Granger http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Polyim … Pid=search
Works great and parts stick untill cooled.

All fine and good, but I am talking about the precut pieces that Solidoodle sells.

**pcpoirier** · 2013-02-22 20:44:26

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

That works the same way. Push down with fingers.
I got my roll in 3 days at the local Granger store.

**Rocketman** · 2013-02-22 20:47:21

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

pcpoirier wrote:

That works the same way. Push down with fingers.
I got my roll in 3 days at the local Granger store.

Not to be stupid or anything, but what is a granger store?

**pcpoirier** · 2013-02-22 20:53:02

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

http://www.grainger.com

Sorry spelled it wrong

**pcpoirier** · 2013-02-22 20:59:31

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Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Here is some on ebay Even cheaper 100 feet for $24

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160898403569?ss … 1439.l2649

Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Posts: 17

1 Topic by Rocketman 2013-02-21 05:16:40

Topic: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

2 Reply by Tomek 2013-02-21 06:46:16

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

3 Reply by wire10ga 2013-02-21 13:10:33

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

4 Reply by 3D_UA 2013-02-21 13:54:02

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

5 Reply by jjcuff1 2013-02-21 15:38:34

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

6 Reply by jon_bondy 2013-02-21 17:32:44

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

7 Reply by wire10ga 2013-02-21 17:59:34

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

8 Reply by cmetzel 2013-02-21 18:09:24

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

9 Reply by jjcuff1 2013-02-21 18:31:43

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

10 Reply by cmetzel 2013-02-21 19:11:21

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

11 Reply by pcpoirier 2013-02-21 21:40:02

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

12 Reply by solijohn 2013-02-22 16:48:24

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

13 Reply by Rocketman 2013-02-22 20:00:57

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

14 Reply by pcpoirier 2013-02-22 20:44:26

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

15 Reply by Rocketman 2013-02-22 20:47:21

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

16 Reply by pcpoirier 2013-02-22 20:53:02 (edited by pcpoirier 2013-02-22 20:53:43)

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

17 Reply by pcpoirier 2013-02-22 20:59:31 (edited by pcpoirier 2013-02-22 21:00:10)

Re: Installing Heat Tape?? (Also curling??)

Posts: 17