INVENT3D
TM
Printer Operating Instructions and Troubleshooting Guide
AST2 © 10/26/16
Page 23
IX. REPLACING BUILDTAK AND OTHER PRINT BOARD MATERIALS
If the BuildTak print board cover is showing significant wear, holes, or gouges that cannot be repaired
with blue painter’s tape, then replace the BuildTak. Submit a Support Ticket or contact
to order.
1.
BuildTak is an adhesive for the print board that allows for easy removal of printed items. There
are other materials that can be used (ie: painter’s tape, hairspray, etc) but BuildTak provides ease
of use. Parts must be removed carefully to prevent damaging the BuildTak sheet.
2.
Loosen the blue thumbscrew and back out the front print board clamp.
3.
Slide print board out from the rear board clamps.
4.
Remove old BuildTak and if necessary, clean board if cloudy layer of adhesive remains.
5.
Remove the plastic covering over the back of new BuildTak sheet to expose the adhesive.
6.
Center over board, start by laying one side down and smoothing the surface as the sheet is laid
down. Apply slowly and avoid bubbles. If necessary, pull section back up, press out bubbles and
smoothly lay it down.
7.
Insert the print board back into the rear board clamps. Slide the front board clamp forward to lock
the print board in place and lock by turning the blue thumbscrew clockwise.
Other Print Board Materials
The optimum material is one that allows the first layer of the printed part to firmly stick to the print
board and then allows the print to be completed without the part unsticking, moving, or warping.
However, it must also the part to be removed when printing is finished without damaging. It has to
withstand the heat from the hot end and extruded plastic without burning. Also, it should not
degrade or rupture quickly and the surface finish is smooth.
Besides BuildTak, there are a few common materials used to coat the surface of the print board. A
primary alternative is blue painters tape. Other options include a glue stick, which contains PVA, can
be applied to build surface and hairspray that is “extra hold” with ingredients such as vinyl, acetate,
and copolymer.
BuildTak’s advantages are that the part sticks firmly to print board, but not so firm that it can’t be
removed, reduced part warping, more forgiving with board leveling due to how well part sticks to
surface, easiest to achieve high print quality even on larger parts and with careful removal of parts
from board, can be used for many prints. It is more expensive, not as readily available and is fragile
as it can be gorged or scratched when parts are removed.
Blue painter’s tape can tear very easily and needs to be replaced after every print, printed part does
not stick easily to tape and there is no margin for error with print board leveling (must be perfect
level), and there can be significant warping when printing larger parts. However, it is inexpensive
and readily available. Brown painters’ tape secures the part better but may be difficult to remove
from the printed part.
