Smooth PEI Sheet Delaminated on First Print
Hey folks. So I ordered a new smooth PEI sheet from Amazon on Saturday (because I could get it on Sunday, rather than waiting to ship from Prusa to Texas). There's a project I'm going to print for the wife, so I was working on a sample with some settings changes. First couple of tries weren't working out after an hour or so, but the third one ran just fine. It was a 40-hour or so job, a section of a helmet. It was done when I came home from work today, so I lifted the bed sheet off, then flexed the steel to free the print. The non-support area of the print partially delaminated the PEI from the sheet. See the pic; text continues below.
That bubbled region is actually proud (sticks up); you can feel it quite prominently if you run your hand over it. I don't consider myself a 3d printing expert, but I have been using this printer for 5 years so I've got some experience. This print was done with Hatchbox PLA, which I've probably used 20-30 spools of; and with the temperature settings I've learned work for me (200 nozzle/60 bed). I've NEVER seen PLA do this to one of these sheets; also, I've used this spool before without issue. (I have seen PETG do this--though not nearly to this degree--early in my printing learning, when I didn't use enough glue stick.)
So my questions for the group are: 1) Is this a defective sheet or is there another explanation? 2) Is there a way to recover the sheet (without replacing the PEI) or should I just look at returning it?
RE: Smooth PEI Sheet Delaminated on First Print
Bubbles like these can happen with large prints on smooth PEI sheets - turn it over and it will go away over time.
It's mentioned here: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/smooth-steel-sheet_196550
RE: Smooth PEI Sheet Delaminated on First Print
I agree with shledge. This happened to me in a smaller spot after a long print. The next time I used the printer with the same plate, it healed itself after it had heated up. The spots never reappeared agin and I am still using the same plate.
Tom
RE: Smooth PEI Sheet Delaminated on First Print
Thanks to you both. The bubbles have greatly diminished over the last couple of weeks, but they haven't gone away completely.