Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
I am a new to 3D printing. I would like to order the MK3.
What is the difference of the Smooth PEI Sheet vs the Textured Plate? What is the advantage of one versus the other?
Re: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Hi Enzo,
With the smooth one (smooth PEI sheet, it is a metal sheet with PEI sheets glued on it) you'll have a smooth and shiny bottom surface like the MK2S.
With the textured one (powder coated PEI on the metal sheet) you'll have a textured, granular surface, which is not necessarily bad as some say it looks like the side surfaces of 3d prints.
Personnally I have the smooth one as the other ones are soon to be available. It works great but the textured ones might possibly be better at print adhesion (more surface) for materials that like warping like ABS.
Also the textured ones should be more scratch resistant (powder coated) but the software and sensors are already very good at avoiding the hotend to ever touch the bed.
Note that there is also a powder coated glossy PEI option!
You can read the official description on each sheet page in the shop:
https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/34-mk3-printer-parts
Hope that helps!
Re: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Also. early adopters had to decide wh3ther to get the
Mk3 ASAP OR WAIT FOR THE POWDER COATED SHEET.
I chose early delivery.
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: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Powder coated sheet has a textured surface that has more contact area for prints to stick. Adhesion and textured surface layers are the main advantage / disadvantage vs the stickered sheet.
Re: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Coming from using blue tape, the smooth pei sheet is like freaking magic to me. I absolutely love it. I plan to buy the power coated one when available but I'm glad I got the PEI sheet.
Re: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Thank you everyone for replying. Since this is my first 3d printer and I will mostly be using PLA until I learn more I will stick to the smooth PEI sheet for now and look for the other options later once I understand more about printing.
Thanks everyone!
Re: Smooth PEI Sheet vs Textured Plate?
Well, it's not as if you have a choice. The powder coated one is still vapor ware at this point in time. Check the blog.