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2.5 The build platform (tape, glues and materials)
Different plastics tend to adhere better to different materials. If you are going
to print directly onto these surfaces, it is always a good idea to make sure that
your build platform is free of dust, grease, or oils before starting the print.
Cleaning your print bed with some water or isopropyl rubbing alcohol can make
a big difference. There are several types of tape that stick well to common 3D
printing materials. Strips of tape can be applied to the build platform surface and
easily removed or replaced if you want to print with a different material. For
example, PLA tends to stick well to blue painter’s tape while ABS tends to stick
better to Kapton tape (otherwise known as Polyimide film). You can use
temporary glue or spray on the top of their build platforms. Hair spray, glue sticks,
and other sticky substances tend to work very well if everything else has failed.
Feel free to experiment to see what works best for you!
2.6 When all else fails: Brims and Rafts
Sometimes you are printing a very small part that simply does not have
enough surface area to stick to the build platform surface. Cura includes several
options that can help increase this surface area to provide a larger surface to stick
to the print bed. One of these options is called a “brim.” The brim adds extra rings
around the exterior of your part, similar to how a brim of a hat increases the
circumference of the hat. This option can be enabled by going to the “Support” tab
end enabling the “Platform adhesion type” option. Cura also allows users to add