Problem with PEI sheet
My filaments don't want to stick to the PEI sheet, not only PLA but PETG as well. I'm presently using blue tape over a generic steel sheet, but I'd like to use the PEI. What settings and tips do people have printing on PEI? Thanks.
RE: Problem with PEI sheet
Are you using the textured or smooth PEI? Both can benefit from a wash under the kitchen sink with Dawn dish soap (or your local equivalent), scrub with a plain paper towel and dry with another. After that, use Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" procedure for calibrating a good 1st layer for adhesion and you should be all set.
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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: Problem with PEI sheet
I've used the "smooth" PEI for 1000 hrs of printing.
Guess what, they all said you MUST use 90% alcohol to clean or it won't work.
I use 50% alcohol, scrub it like polishing your car (with plain paper towl) for 30 seconds between EVERY print and NEVER an adhesion problem. FYI: I do try to do it while it is still hot at times because it seems to work much more efficiently to clean the surface.
FYI: Bed temp impacts it greatly also relative to filament type.
Just my opinion.
RE: Problem with PEI sheet
Guess what, they all said you MUST use 90% alcohol to clean or it won't work.
I use 50% alcohol, scrub it like polishing your car (with plain paper towl) for 30 seconds between EVERY print and NEVER an adhesion problem. FYI: I do try to do it while it is still hot at times because it seems to work much more efficiently to clean the surface.
Lower concentrations of alcohol work. They just won't be as effective as higher concentrations at the same volume. If you're OK with scrubbing for longer periods frequently, lower concentrations and/or lower volumes of alcohol work just fine.
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: Problem with PEI sheet
Must say i have stopped using IPA, could not get any thing to stick to the textured plate at all.
now i just was with hot water and washing up liquid, works too well on the smooth sheet i ripped a piece out!
I was having this problem on my Ende3, kept cleaning with IPA could not get any thing to stick tried all sorts of things ,from glue to hair spray nothing would work.
Good scrub in the sink and all is good, now wont get IPA near my printers at all
RE: Problem with PEI sheet
Interesting. So half say detergent and half alcohol. I have a textured sheet by the way. I decided to try the detergent first and scrubbed the sheet with a stiff plastic brush. I have a print going now, a display base for my brain, and it is sticking (120 by 160 mm and flat, so less of a challenge). I will try the alcohol next if I have more problems. Thanks for the advice.
Timothy
RE: Problem with PEI sheet
I've had good luck with the textured sheet with only an occasional IPA cleaning.
I did carefully run the built-in Z calibration and set up a separate profile (textur1) for the textured sheet.
I have had a few cases where a PLA print with a small footprint will break away from the plate after a number of layers. For those (prints with a small footprint) I've gone to the smooth sheet.