PLA bed adhesion
I'm fresh to the world of 3d printing but I am a technical person by nature.
I printed a few things successfully however I am having an issue with bed adhesion on a prusa mini with models that have a small or thin first layer contact area.
My most recent print was https://www.printables.com/model/109551-phone-holder. It was printed on it's side and about half way through the print came loose. I had a similar failure with a similar shaped headphone holder also printing on it's side but I noticed the first layers starting to lift from the edges about 20 mins into the print.
My question is what is usually the culprit here? I have successfully printed several models with wide bases. I've tried cleaning the plate (smooth pei) with ipa, changing the temperature of the bed. My next one will be adjusting the z setting to be closer to the bed. I have heard that glue and hairspray might help too.
Would a textured sheet help here at all?
Thanks
That should be fine printing on its side.
Clean the print-sheet with dishwashing detergent (Dawn/Fairy) and plenty of HOT water, rinse well and dry with a fresh paper towel. Handle by the edges only.
If that doesn't help run a first layer Z calibration and show us the print *on the sheet*
Cheerio.
RE: PLA bed adhesion
If the surface is clean and the first layer calibration is done correctly, PLA sticks to the smooth PEI sheet very very good. The phone holder you linked should easily stick to the bed while printing. If it does not either your bed is not clean (use soap and hot water or lots of IPA and make sure it's pure IPA not the one from the drugstore which contains additives to make it better for your skin) or your first layer is not calibrated correctly, post a picture of the calibration still on the bed.
Other agents like hairspray, glue stick, ABS juice ect are meant to achieve adhesion or reduce adhesion on material combinations that don't work without them, for example you need ABS juice to print ABS on a glass bed because it won't stick at all when you don't or you need glue stick when printing PETG on the smooth PEI because otherwise it would stick too well and you will destroy the PEI when removing bigger objects.
Check your material/bed combination here: https://help.prusa3d.com/materials if it's not sticking your problem is not the agent it's your bed not being clean, the surface being old (in the case of your smooth PEI you can wipe it with acetone to renew it for a few times) or the first layer not being correctly set.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Find out why this is pinned in the general section!