10.2 Spring steel sheet with TEXTURED double-sided PEI
•
Scratch-proof surface, damage-resistant
•
Transfers texture onto the first layers of
your prints
•
More forgiving Live Adjust Z setting
•
No need for Windex with PETG
•
No need for glue stick with FLEX
•
Prints usually detach automatically once
the sheet cools down
•
The first layer can be more squished (see
Live Z calibration chapter) compared to
smooth sheets
•
PLA prints with a small contact area may
need a brim
•
PLA prints with a huge footprint (across the
entire sheet) may warp
•
Need to change Live Adjust Z if you also
own Smooth PEI sheet
•
Never clean with acetone
The powder coating applied directly onto metal helped us create a build plate that is
highly
damage-resistant.
If a heated nozzle crashes into it, metal can dissipate the heat. Powder coating
also gives the surface a
distinct textured look
that will be visible on your prints.
The textured surface hides most of the mechanical damage caused by various tools. Only the top of
the small bumps can be scratched, however, these scratches will not affect the bottom of the model.
Never clean the textured powder-coated sheet with acetone!
Doing so will create
microfractures in the PEI texture, which will cause the surface to deteriorate over time.
This surface is used on our print farm, look at the printed parts you have on your printer for reference.
10.3 Spring steel sheet with SMOOTH double-sided PEI
•
Perfect for PLA
•
Great adhesion with almost all materials
•
Smooth bottom of prints
•
Tiny details will stick great
•
Rejuvenate with acetone from time to time
•
Do not clean with IPA when printing with
PETG. Release agent might be necessary.
•
You must apply glue stick when printing
Flex
•
Need to change Live Adjust Z if you also
own the textured PEI sheet
The industrial glue which holds the PEI sheet on the heatbed itself softens when
temperatures greater than 110 °C are used.
If higher temperatures are used, the glue can
migrate under the PEI and create slight bumps on the surface.
If you notice
small bubbles forming under the PEI sheet simply flip the sheet over and print
on the other side.
These bubbles do not affect the print quality and will disappear after a few
days or weeks.
10.4 Increasing the adhesion
In some special cases, such as printing a tall object with a very small contact area (with the print
surface), you might need to increase the adhesion. Fortunately, PEI is a very chemically resistant
polymer and you can temporarily apply various adhesion solutions without damaging it. This also
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