Adhesion problems
We're a week into owning our Prusa Mini and have had a few adhesion issues. Generally this has been halfway through prints that have smaller footprint and are taller, all using PLA. We've been using the PEI bed for most of these and have recalibrated a couple of times. Slowing the speed for the 1st couple of layers and adjusting the z axis live during the 1st few layers also doesn't help.
We have some residue on the PEI surface that we are struggling to remove using IPA wipes or kitchen towel. I read that fine sand paper could be used and wondered whether this was something anyone had tried? It sounds like older print beds adhere better than new beds, so perhaps some fine abrasion is the key? Thoughts/recommendations appreciated.
We tried Pritt stick but that also did not help. Are other glues better? Do we need to use a hair dryer on the glue stick to aid adhesion?
Thanks!
RE: Adhesion problems
Smooth or textured sheet? If you see any residue, the surface is not clean enough and you are just displacing the dirt around instead of wiping it off.
Wash it with dish soap, scrub with new fresh clean brush or sponge or even just hands in gloves, don’t use the one you already use for washing your dishes it’s greasy. Rinse in hot water, wipe with clean paper towels, do not touch the surface with bare fingers at all. Let it dry thoroughly (put it on heated bed to speed it up). That should get rid of any stuck residue. Wipe with IPA in between prints when the sheet is cold, or else it evaporates very quickly.
This should work in general for both sheets, smooth sheet you can treat once in a while with acetone to refresh the surface. Don’t use acetone on textured sheet.
RE: Adhesion problems
If you are saying PEI I am guessing you mean the smooth sheet. Do not use any sand paper on it! You can get great adhesion by wiping it with IPA. The bed needs to be clean of grease in order for you prints to stick. Only use glue stick for PETG in order for your print not to stick too much to the surface. You do not use the stick for adhesion but to have the opposite effect.
Also if you don't have adhesion only in demanding prints(small surface in contact with the bed) try using brim in your slicer settings. Brim will help your prints in having bigger area to stick to and as a result better adhesion overall.
Original Prusa Mini + Smooth PEI
Prusa Slicer 2.6.0
RE: Adhesion problems
I clean my flat sheet each morning with IPA (alcohol) and a paper wipe. This gives excellent adhesion for PLA. When I had sliding, in my early days, it was due to my Z adjust being too high. The first layer calibration worked but when I went to print the sliding started.
RE: Adhesion problems
Thanks for all the tips.
I have been using IPA infused wipes between prints and have adjusted Z axis. I do have some residual PLA that is pretty well stuck to the base plate and have struggled to scrub it off using kitchen towel / IPA. Soapy water also does not remove this effectively.
Any other pointers appreciated!
RE: Adhesion problems
If I get some difficult to remove particles of filament (Often the first layer of supports) stuck on the build plate, I print a tese patch over that area of the build plate, and then peel it off, with the particles.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Adhesion problems
When my PEI sheet was new I found that using a kitchen cleaning pad lightly on the surface gave me great adhesion. The blue pads are the ones I use here.
Phil
Stay safe and healthy, Phil