Dumb question about I3 MK3 steel print sheets, Sorry!1
 
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Focus Research
(@focus-research)
Active Member
Dumb question about I3 MK3 steel print sheets, Sorry!1

The manual that comes with the I3 warns about not using acetone on a double sided PEI steel sheet.   The only sheet that came with my I3 is dark-green with gold printing on it.  But the manual shows sheets that are black and green, but really doesn't say if they are different or if they are PEI.   so  here is the dumb question:  what kind of sheet do I have?

f anyone from Prusa is reading this: Please  print on the sheet something  that identifies it as PEI.  And add :do not clean with acetone"  if that is a restriction.    You are already l printing all over it (silkscreen probably) so this is a cheap, customer-helpful change!

Posted : 27/07/2021 11:52 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
sheets

If it is smooth, it is PEI.  If it is textured (rough), it is textured.  I would only very rarely used acetone and only to reset a sheet that I am thinking about tossing in the trash.  I have done it a handful (around 5 times) of times (I have dozens of sheets).  

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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 28/07/2021 2:57 am
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member

IIRC, when I assembled mine, the Party Line from Prusa was that acetone was OK for occasional use on the smooth sheet, but never to be used on the textured sheet.

However, I do remember folks here saying that they have used acetone on the textured sheet and the world did not come crashing to an end.  😉

Alcohol has always been my solvent of choice.  I usually use isopropyl 91% but during the height of the pandemic it was not available around here so I used denatured alcohol and 99% 'technical grade' isopropyl.

Posted : 28/07/2021 6:17 am
Lichtjaeger
(@lichtjaeger)
Noble Member
They are all PEI.

The options Prusa offers are:

- smooth PEI stickers

- fine PEI powder coating

- rough/textured PEI powder coating

It should be obvious what sheets you have. A new printer usually comes with a sticker sheet.

Posted : 28/07/2021 9:04 am
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: acetone

 

Posted by: @jsw

IIRC, when I assembled mine, the Party Line from Prusa was that acetone was OK for occasional use on the smooth sheet, but never to be used on the textured sheet.

However, I do remember folks here saying that they have used acetone on the textured sheet and the world did not come crashing to an end.  😉

Alcohol has always been my solvent of choice.  I usually use isopropyl 91% but during the height of the pandemic it was not available around here so I used denatured alcohol and 99% 'technical grade' isopropyl.

Today, acetone is strongly recommended to be used.  It has not always been that way.  I had difficulty removing a print from my textured plate with a very sticky filament.  The ABS was a generic ABS that I acquired by the case for a specific job. After removal, my print sheet slowly became less sticky and I could not get PETG to adhere.  I tried acetone as a last resort and it reset the print sheet to the old adhesive properties.  Did it damage the sheet, no.  Did it shorten the life of the sheet, maybe but I got 2 years out of the sheet.  

I would stay away from acetone until you considering tossing the sheet in the trash because it is just not working.  If it has too much or too little adherence and trash is the only other option, consider acetone before the trash.  If you trash the sheet, it was headed there anyway.  I have done it a handful of times with success.     

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 28/07/2021 9:50 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
There's no warranty on the sheets, so do whatever works

The Prusa party line definitely changed with the release of the textured sheet. I suspect it was more of a CYA line after a few people started using acetone daily and posting pictures of cracked sheets. Prusa's position on water also changed, and the latest official statement makes it sound like either water or acetone will destroy the sheets. I've used acetone sparingly on my smooth PEI for years without issue -- it's good for getting rid of those imprints made when the nozzle was too close -- when dish soap and hot water aren't quite enough.

There's effectively no warranty on the sheets no matter what you do, so I don't worry about the party line much. My textured sheet was a turd on day one and support basically told me tough luck.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 28/07/2021 3:34 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
Warrantee

The lack of warrantee is a concern, but most sheets actually work.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 28/07/2021 3:37 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Kind of a low bar, but yes 🤔
Posted by: @cwbullet

The lack of warrantee is a concern, but most sheets actually work.  

Oh definitely. I'm just surprised they can use the "no warranty" line in the EU given their consumer protection laws. A sheet fresh out of the box should work. I was really disappointed after waiting over a year for the textured sheet back when they were new.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 28/07/2021 3:44 pm
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member

 

Posted by: @bobstro
Posted by: @cwbullet

The lack of warrantee is a concern, but most sheets actually work.  

Oh definitely. I'm just surprised they can use the "no warranty" line in the EU given their consumer protection laws. A sheet fresh out of the box should work. I was really disappointed after waiting over a year for the textured sheet back when they were new.

 

Here in the States we have an 'implied warranty' of fitness and merchantability, which says that a product must be able to do what it is said to do.  It sounds like the EU has something similar.

In the states, some, make that many, try to disclaim this, but when push comes to shove, it usually holds.  In the real world, in the States, anyway, usually the threat of a CC charge-back will result in a refund or replacement.

Now across national lines, like US and Czech Republic, I guess all bets are off.

Posted : 28/07/2021 4:05 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
Warrantee

Concur.  I am sure they would not stand in a lawsuit, but who is gonna sue for $40.

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 28/07/2021 6:16 pm
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