PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
Hi,
I have been having lots of adhesion issues with PLA parts not sticking properly to the textured sheet. I have tried cleaning with IPA and dish soap (not tried scotch brite, as I worry about too much damage), and I have tried modifying the live adjust Z and have a good height for the nozzle, and I've tried upping the bed temperatures. Things just aren't sticking.
I have heard this is a known problem with the textured sheets (especially now, prusa no longer even say that they work for PLA on the site) but I cannot get myself a smooth sheet (prohibitive shipping costs) and I don't really want to buy anything new, if possible (I have been recommended printbite, but I would rather not pay for something I'm unsure about). Is there a way I can make PLA stick better without having to buy anything new? Any modifications to the sheet or print profile tricks?
Thanks,
Nico
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
I use Textured build plates with my Prusa's. and PLA.
I use 7x7 mesh bed levelling,
I use Life Adjust 'Z' My way for first layer calibration ( https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-assembly-and-first-prints-troubleshooting/life-adjust-z-my-way/)
and I use 60C to 70 Centigrade on the heatbed.
I wash my build plate with hot water and a little dish detergent , rinse well with clean hot water and dry immediately with clean paper towels, keep your fingers off the build plate.
first layer nearly complete, Mk3S textured plate!
top left, Mk3 with mmu2 and textured build plate
bottom left mk2 with mmu1 +12volt mk52 heatbed and textured build plate
right picture mk3s with textured build plate,
three different textured build plates
I have used Scotchbright pads, on my textured plates from time to time, some folk use 1000 grit wet and dry paper on their build plates.
I do not use other surface preparations on my build plates... not even IPA.
the most important part of your print, is the first layer
both of these prints were done, face down on textured build plates, using mk3S and Palette 2S Pro
So far, I have not found a textured build plate that will not allow you to print with PLA.
the important things are Clean build plate surface, good first layer configuration (LiveZ) and a reasonable bed temperature. up to 70C. 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: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
The following solved my problem.
\I'd been using my smooth sheet for about a year with no problems then it got to the point PLA would not stick and then PETG stopped. I would clean it with IPA and washing it with dawn helped but did not last long. Unrelated I had ordered the textured sheet and when it came in I could not get anything to work. Nothing stuck. Dawn would help for maybe one print but event that was iffy?
Then I had a light bulb moment and tried something. I had been using IPA towelettes, opening one, wiping everything down and then printing. I got to thinking that the amount of alcohol in the wipe might not be enough to remove the residue and was actually just smearing it around, making things worse. So I started powering the alcohol in the middle and letting it run outward. Flooding it in effect. Not enough to run off the sides but once it started heading to a side I would use a paper towel and pull it around the outer sections. Then effectively spreading it around like you might a poly or something.
Well my next print worked great. And the one after that without recleaning, and another. I only clean about every 10 prints or so. The only other change I made is I am very conscious about not removing the print from the textured one until the sheet has cooled down below 40C. This restored my life to the smooth sheet and the textured sheet.
I think different people have different idea's of what clean it with IPA means. Thus some never have problems and some like me can't get anything to stick.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
If you keep using the textured sheet it will be more expensive then buying a pei sheet for pla.
Prints will release to soon , you loose money and you need more time printing.
If you keep printing pla on textured sheet,
every print clean with dish soap, clean a few times and use a lot of hot water, this cleans every thing,(alcohol does not).
Use a big brim attach to model,
bed to 70 degrees
use glue stick,
first layer slower(try if this helps),
first layer thicker(try if this helps). (helps if bed is not flat).
If you want to print without problems, and have more fun, buy a different sheet or use petg only. Look for one in your country.
Cleaning with alcohol in general terms, use a clean paper towel and use a lot of alcohol, I use a plant sprayer, soak it in and clean it for a long time. Keep in mind dish soap is better.
On a pei sheet I use alcohol a few times then clean with dish soap.(some models I clean every print).
A few weeks I did print pla on pei sheet, after cleaning with dish soap, and did alcohol on bed, and used a glue stick to go over the bed/alcohol(several times over the bed), this leaves a very light glue behind, it seems to work.
Printed a few weeks without problems.
On youtube I saw someone cleaning with water on the printer without removing the bed. Because alcohol does not clean of everything.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
@peter-m-3
Cleaning with water ON the printer is not a good idea... you have you be very careful not to get water on the electronics or mechanism...
I have fitted removable build plates for all of my printers to make cleaning off the printer, easier
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: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
Just adding in that I have also been unable to get PLA to work on textured sheet. I gave up and just always switch to my smooth sheet.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
I'm surprised nobody mentioned wiping the print bed with acetone on a clean paper towel, has that fallen out of favor? That's still my go-to when a scrubbing with Dawn and hot water doesn't correct the issue.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
@stephen-h14
Acetone makes the coating brittle over time.
See my post a few back. My textured sheets that did not work at all before are great now. I DO NOT even clean between prints.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
I was able to get Prusament PLA to stick pretty well by doing Live Adjust Z and setting it to squish the first layer more. Still not as good as the smooth sheet, but Prusa does say at https://help.prusa3d.com/article/textured-steel-sheet_196534 that their textured sheet isn't intended for PLA. The textured sheet is best for PETG and TPU, and more materials. I got my textured sheet because my TPU filament took off a chunk of the PEI on my Smooth Steel Sheet.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
I've found that the sweet spot for calibrating the Z for the textured build plate surface is just at the point where the 'brush strokes' disappear into the texture pattern on the 'flag' of the internal calibration routine.
And yes, I routinely do PLA prints on the textured plate. I'll use Layerneer for smaller prints as an adhesion booster.
RE: PLA parts not sticking to textured sheet - what can I do?
Try hairspray 😉
Yes! I use Got2b Glued but any firm hold spray will work. You can get it anywhere.