Every FDM 3D print requires good bed adhesion. Prints detach before fully forming due to a lack of adhesion, producing a nest of mis-extruded plastic (depicted above). Failures of this nature can be extremely aggravating, requiring both time and resources. As a result, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure appropriate bed adhesion. Here are some great tips to help improve your 3D printer bed adhesion!
Get the First Layer Right
Plastic is extruded layer by layer in FDM printing. Because everything is built on top of the first layer, it must be securely bonded to the bed. Aside from that, ensure sure the bed of your printer is level. This creates the ideal surface for the first layer to adhere to. We have a helpful guide if you’re not sure how to level your bed. Finally, adhesive aids are available to keep 3D printouts in place. PVA glue (normal household glue stick), Kapton tape, and blue printer’s tape are examples of these. There are also commercial solutions available, such as Magigoo. Because the results may vary depending on the material, check with your filament manufacturer for their recommended adhesive aids.
Prevent Print Head Collisions
Even if your first layer adheres nicely, there’s a chance your print will come loose. When the print head collides with a part of the print, this happens frequently. This may occur if your printer is prone to blobbing, which results in surface abnormalities that can create problems. To mitigate the likelihood of print head accidents, make sure you pay attention to the retraction settings. Retraction is the process of pulling the filament back to prevent unwanted plastic leaking. Retraction settings that are incorrect can result in mis-extruded plastic, which can catch on the print head and dislodge the print.
Keep a Stable Ambient Temperature
This tip is especially useful for printing high-temperature materials that are susceptible to temperature changes. Even if the initial layer goes properly, temperature fluctuations later in the printing process can induce thermal expansion variations. Temperature variations can cause prints to pop off the print bed because printed plastic does not shrink or expand like most construction plates. We recommend enclosing your 3D printer to reduce temperature changes. This will help maintain a consistent internal printing temperature as well as protect against unexpected cold air gusts. If an enclosure isn’t practical or acceptable, simply relocating your 3D printer to a wind-free location would suffice.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of the top tips to help improve your 3D printer bed adhesion! Oftentimes, bed adhesion comes down to the type of filament you are using, so be sure you know what to look out for when choosing your 3D printer filaments!
Image Credit: Top Tips To Help Improve Your 3D Printer Bed Adhesion by Adobe Stock royalty-free image #269052211
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
home remodeling reference (links to internal page)
 |
 |
 |
 |
| directory | photos | forms | guide |
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.
