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Ken Hammond
(@ken-hammond)
Active Member
Sticky Print Bed

I have a couple of MK3S's that have been performing well for months. I've been using the textured steel sheets with good results, but I thought I would try the smooth sheets for a change. I printed a few layers of an ABS print, aborted it because of clumping, and found that it had absolutely welded itself to the sheet. Two questions: why did this happen, and how do I get the print off the sheet? The sheet is covered in a layer of apparently non-removable plastic.

Posted : 22/12/2020 2:16 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Sticky Print Bed

try dribbling IPA around the parts, let it soak and try again, if that doesn't work, pop the sheet in the freezer for a short while, ad try again!

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

Posted : 22/12/2020 8:50 pm
Swiss_Cheese
(@swiss_cheese)
Noble Member
RE: Sticky Print Bed

I recognize that print, it's a sun dial, or was going to be 🙄

Question (1) It happened because the (clean) smooth PEI sheet sticks like nobody's business. In the future you will want to use a separator of some sort when printing ABS, ASA, PETG or TPU's on your smooth PEI sheet e.g. glue stick or windex, their are others. you should be fine printing PLA on it with no separator. while PVA glue stick may seem counter intuitive to use as a separator it really works quite well for ABS, ASA and TPU's but not so well for PETG.

For PETG Windex works like a charm and so do (are you ready for this?) naturally produced, locally sourced, body oils e.g. forehead grease and oils on your fingers (personally I use Windex) but both work great and I'm sure there are others.

Question (2)

As Joan mentioned IPA or Freezer. Freezer is probably your best bet, 20min should do, I had the same thing happen my first time with ABS on smooth PEI.  Avoid trying to scrape it with a metal scraper.

The Filament Whisperer

Posted : 22/12/2020 10:27 pm
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member
RE: Sticky Print Bed

Back when I was unfamiliar with the PEI sheet (I was used to glass plates) I ruined one side of the smooth sheet that came with my printer by:

1. Failing to use a release agent with a fairly large flat ABS print.

2. Getting impatient removing the print, not letting it cool, and using a kitchen implement to try to pry it off.

Needless to say, with the print came a few pieces of the PEI coating!  🙁

Had I simply waited for the print to cool down, I probably could have removed it.  Maybe some time in the refrigerator would be needed.

I learned the lesson and always use a release agent with ABS, PETg and PC Blend.  I prefer Layerneer, since it goes on with a much thinner coat than glue stick.

Posted : 23/12/2020 1:17 am
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