Plans on creating a steel sheet for TPU?
 
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Plans on creating a steel sheet for TPU?  

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Gabriel
(@gabriel)
Member
Plans on creating a steel sheet for TPU?

Maybe there is already a topic on that, sorry if it's the case

Currently we have those sheets who are best suited for:

Smooth = PLA
Textured = PETG
Satin = PC blend (accommodate PETG, PLA, TPU, etc...)
PA Nylon = Obviously for Nylon
???? = TPU

Right now we use the satin sheet to print 95A, 85A, 75A TPU. Printing on those is no problem at all, it actually stick so well. We use glue to help the release, but this is where it start to be less fun.

Applying glue means we have to clean more often to be sure to always have the same amount of glue (the same amount vary from on person to another, this is a hard thing to teach to new people) If you put too much glue and you print something tricky it might release mid print. If there is not enough glue then you are going to pay when you want to take the part off the build plate using IPA or brute force.

I would love to see a steel sheet made for printing TPU so that while heated up it sticks and when cold it release like other type of sheet behave.

Sure this might not be the biggest problem right now as I'm pretty sure TPU is not the most used filament. Still I think that would be an awesome steel sheet to offer 🙂

Let me know what you think about this. If someone know a type of sheet that does just that I'm all ear! Just tired of removing them by hand. (Glass is not an option for us)

Napsal : 09/09/2022 2:49 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Plans on creating a steel sheet for TPU?

try rubbing talcum powder into the surface of the build plate, remove all surplus powder  and print straight on the treated surface. 

in the image above, you see my reminder to use talc, and the initial gross weight of the roll, so I can estimate how much of the 800 grams of filament remains on the reel.

 

Note, if you can't find talc, skin grease works as well...    skin grease is nearly always available...

after using these preparations I wash my build plate, to restore normal adhesion... (More cost effective than other treatments, and no glue residue. )

If you really want to use gluestick, wipe it over with a well soaked Isopropyl alcohol cloth, this smooths the glue application and makes a little gluestick go a long way, which reduces the appearance of gluestick on prints.

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

Napsal : 09/09/2022 10:48 pm
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Gabriel
(@gabriel)
Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Plans on creating a steel sheet for TPU?

Thank you for the tips. I've never tried the talc powder, heard of it but we don't have that in the factory.

I made the mistake of showing people skin grease can work, and this is what most of them have been using for a time now. Unfortunately not all the skin grease are made the same haha. Even this option is user dependent and sometimes they don't apply enough. Still, this is the easiest so this is what they use the most.

We already went through everything you mentioned except the talc powder, I'm not sure if its really gonna solve my problem.

We try to make the printer usable by any worker in the shop. We make them follow a procedure to operate the printers. Right now the part that is still not so obvious for a new comer to the 3D printing world is that part. The fact that you have to use just enough but not too much glue/skin grease, or wipe with alcohol to even the glue is not easy for everyone.

That is mostly why I was wondering if Prusa is going to create such a wonderful steel sheet in the first place 😀

Napsal : 12/09/2022 11:46 am
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