Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
I was just thinking about different print surface and was wondering if anyone has tried adding a glass screen protector (like for phones and tablets) to their print sheet.
(something like this iPad Pro protector https://www.amazon.com/SPARIN-Generation-Glass-Apple-Compatible-Anti-Scratches/dp/B0CY2CJHG9/?th=1)
It seems it might allow it to remain pretty flexible, be thin enough to retain decent thermal properties, and allow you to print most materials.
On a related note, does anyone make something like a steel sheet with a glass top coat?
RE: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
The Mk1 Prusa printer had a glass buildplate. It was not easy to use!
the Mk2 replaced the glass with PEI. things improved immensely at that time.
the MK2 & Mk3 printers use an inductive probe for automatic bed levelling,
If a glass layer was too thick it would prevent the Pinda or SupaPinda, from working,
the Mk4 uses a pessure transducer (Strain gauge) that may work with a Glass build surface.
Glass is non magnetic, so you would need to find a way of folding a glass surface down (Swiss Clips may help)
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: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
That's why I was thinking of a glass screen protector, since they are so thin and flexible they could just be added on top of the steel PEI sheet and everything should still work, you just need about 0.3mm offset for the nozzle, and just assume that the screen protector is as flat as the steel sheet.
The hardest part would probably be getting the glass onto the steel without any dust getting under it and causing unevenness.
RE: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
I Disagree, the hardest part is probably going to be stopping the contraction of the extruded polymer filament destroying a thin sheet of glass during cooling...
Have you never seen the cooling filament cause sheet metal of the build plate to bend? and PEI Sheets to be pulled off the build plate
on the Mk1, it was entirely possible to break chunks of the borosilicate glass from the surface !
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: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
I will definitely admit that I am a beginner to 3d printing and haven't seen many failures.
But, the advantage of incredibly thin glass is that it is much more flexible and should be more resilient to stress from heat expansion.
It seems it would be easier to just try it and find out than to spend a lot of time researching and simulating thermal expansion.
This is the reason why I posted in the first place. 😋
Maybe after a week, if no one has replied saying they have tried it, I will try.
RE: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
I have been here a long time, and have not seen anyone using thin glass as an alternative build plate.
when the Mk1 printer was launched, Prusa recommended using ABS Slurry as a build plate dressing, to promote filament adhesion,
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: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
I haven't tried putting a glass screen protector on a print sheet, but it sounds like an interesting idea! The flexibility and thermal properties of the protector might make it a good option for printing various materials. As for a steel sheet with a glass top coat, I'm not aware of any existing products like that, but it could be a great innovation for improving print surfaces. If you decide to experiment with the screen protector, let us know how it goes!
RE: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
Dear Jhonn45. Who Are Us?
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: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
Are you trying for the shiny surface that a glass plate gives or some other effect?
I've had great luck using a photographer's ferrotype plate to print but it's tricky. You need to use hairspray or something just as sticky to make it stick plus you need to get your live Z calibration perfect. Gives you an almost mirror surface on the base of your print. 
RE: Has anyone tried putting a glass screen protector on their bed/sheet?
Wow, Benjamin! That's a really creative question!
First of all, I have to say that your creativity is really impressive! The idea of putting a glass screen protector on the bed sheet is really unique. I guess the next step is to install a camera on the pillowcase?