Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
I am writing this just to make everyone aware that although the Prusa i3 mk3 printed the flexible filament flawlessly, getting the print off the print bed was almost impossible. I had printed a part with a large bottom layer surface area and when it came time to remove the print from the spring steel print bed, it became a battle. I used a rubber scraper, putty knife and lots of brute force with my hands and in the end was able to remove the print, but it also removed about half the clear coat from one side of my spring steel print sheet. I didn't want anyone else to get excited about using the flex filament and think all would be sunshine and roses, because my experience certainly was not. You may be OK with a part that had small surface area on the bottom layer and after the fact, I even wondered if it would have helped to put the print in the freezer for a period of time to stiffen the flex filament and possibly allow the spring steel bed to do its thing, but those thoughts didn't occur till after the damage had been done. I am currently using a piece of aluminum foil between my heat bed and the destroyed side of the spring steel sheet to allow me to print while I wait for the two new sheets I have on back order to come in. I love my printer, so this is definitely not a knock on the printer, but I do think there needs to be some knowledge spread with regards to the potential hazards of using the flex filament on the spring steel print sheets.
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
Sorry to hear that. Material guide is available online: https://www.prusa3d.com/material-guides/
In your case after the print IPA would help to release it from the bed without destroying it.
Before the print it's best practice to print with Live-z raised or glue stick applied or on the blue tape.
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Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
I always use glue stick on my bed - both for PETG and for TPU (flex filament). The glue stick provides a decent level of adhesion to make the print, but it also allows for release. In the worst case (which has never happened to me) it would even be possible to use water, which softens the glue.
Parts printed with flex materials are never going to "pop" off the way rigid plastics do due to different rates of thermal expansion / contraction; the very definition of a flex material means it can deform fairly easily and thus stay with the plate whether hot or cold. Many people use Windex as a release agent for PETG; I don't know if it would also work for flex materials.
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
After a similar run-in with high-temp (260C-90C bed) PETG, I've started using glue stick on a sacrificial sheet when experimenting with higher-temp or experimental stuff until I get some confidence with it. I had tried Windex and finger wipes and had no issues until I ran into this stuff. It's great, but tricky to work with. And no, the freezer trick didn't help. Apparently cold also weakens the adhesive used to hold the PEI sheets to the steel.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
The topic is FLEXible filament :-). You guys are drifting towards PETG. It's slightly different story
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
I tried a tube of Magigoo just because of the hype.
It's not hype. I now use it for every type of filament that requires a release agent. I've used it with NinjaFlex, PETG, PC-MAX, XT-CF20 and maybe others. It always adheres when printing, and always releases when cool.
I've relegated one pei smooth sheet to non-pla. The side that isn't damaged from the XT-CF20 always has some Magigoo on it. It doesn't need cleaning with dish soap, so I only replace a small amount of Magigoo occasionally.
One small container is cheaper than a smooth pei sheet. I've used about 15% over the last 5-6 months.
Just my opinion. But I'll always have some available near the printer.
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
The topic is FLEXible filament :-). You guys are drifting towards PETG. It's slightly different story
It's a different material, but the techniques for bed prep are similar. I test any new material on the sacrificial (damaged) sheet and determine if it's worth using glue stick. I never needed anything extra for flex.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
Many people use Windex as a release agent for PETG; I don't know if it would also work for flex materials.
It works for me when using Ninjaflex.
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
All,
I really appreciate the feed back. It sounds like I obviously should have done some extended research on the flex filament before just taking off with a print. Once my two new spring steel sheets arrive, I love the idea of using the damaged one to prove out any prints I may use with the higher temp filament in the future. I also appreciate the knowledge on the glue stick. I had assumed it was just to help with adhesion and I didn't realize it also helped to release the higher temp filaments.
Re: Flexible Filament - Destroyed My Springstell Sheet
When printing flexible material, I prep my bed with a very fine dusting of talcum powder. Basically just tap a little bit on the bed and then lightly spread around with a dry paper towel. It makes a huge difference with the ability to remove flex parts post-print. I've used this trick on both my MK2 smooth PEI bed and on my MK2.5 textured steel sheet.
I got the idea from this video: .