Using non spring steel sheets
Is there a way to use a bed other than the spring steel sheet that come with the printer? I tried clipping a bed from another printer and I wasn't able to get it to work.
Details: I used a textured square sheet from an Ender 3, placed it on the Prusa MK3S+, held it in place with binder clips and it wasn't able to even start. My plan was to adjust the Z height for the new bed but it seems as though the pinda sensor was not seeing a steel bed like it was expecting. I also tried it on a Mini+ with similar failed results. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and maybe someone else out there has tried it. Thanks
Best Answer by JoanTabb:
Hi Brent,
I am not sure how well the inductive sensor would work in this scenario. you would need to lower the Pinda, to sense through the extra thickness, but then due tot he short sensing capability of the sensor, you run the risk of the Pinda colliding with the model during prints,
similarly, as the heatbed has copper tracks and spaces on the surface, I worry that you would get poor mesh bed levelling.
Might I suggest that you try putting Prusa build plate, beneath the other build plate, in the hopes that the inductive sensor will get a better signal off the build plate, than off the copper heatbed. chances are a textured build plate will work best because the textured finish is thinner than the smooth stickers and adhesive sheet.
Good luck,
Joan
RE: Using non spring steel sheets
Hi Brent,
what thickness is the Ender3 build plate?
What Material is it made from?
the Prusa printers have inductive sensors,(Pinda, Spinda or Minda depending upon which machine.) which need to 'See' metal, to trigger. the inductive sensors have a very short sense distance If your trial buildplate was non magnetic, the inductive sensor will try to sense the heatbed beneath the build plate, which may well cause a failure. if the build plate is too thick, attempting to Mesh Bed Level, may cause the nozzle to collide with the build plate surface.
which is not good...
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: Using non spring steel sheets
Interesting and yes, I believe that what you described is what is happening. I used two test build plates one of which was a hard plastic (1.5mm thick) and the other was a plastic magnetic bed that is 1mm thick. Has anyone had success adjusting the sensor, setting or something else to where the pinda will sense the heatbed beneath but still be high enough to not hit the buildplate?
RE: Using non spring steel sheets
Hi Brent,
I am not sure how well the inductive sensor would work in this scenario. you would need to lower the Pinda, to sense through the extra thickness, but then due tot he short sensing capability of the sensor, you run the risk of the Pinda colliding with the model during prints,
similarly, as the heatbed has copper tracks and spaces on the surface, I worry that you would get poor mesh bed levelling.
Might I suggest that you try putting Prusa build plate, beneath the other build plate, in the hopes that the inductive sensor will get a better signal off the build plate, than off the copper heatbed. chances are a textured build plate will work best because the textured finish is thinner than the smooth stickers and adhesive sheet.
Good luck,
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: Using non spring steel sheets
This worked perfectly. I have completed a number of prints and it works great. I am still not able to use a thicker build plate but knowing that the thinner textured plate needs to be there to trigger the sensor helped a lot. It wasn't able to sense the bare heat bed below the plastic build plate very well. Thank you for your suggestion and help.
RE: Using non spring steel sheets
Thanks Brent,
I am glad I could 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