Ultem 1000 Polyetherimide

[teoman]

I honestly cannot say if the anodization will suffice. Dont think about sanding it like in the other threads.

It will work for some time. Only time will tell for how long.

In the very worst case, you can stick PEI sheet from amazon to the aluminium. Or the fellow can be contacted to see if it can be recoated.

[didymus]

OK, so the plate is finished and in the post.

Hopefully it will arrive today and I'll be able to post a couple of photos of it.

I just wish the German customs would get a move on Been stuck there for an age.

[teoman]

Do let us know.

[teoman]

Did you get it?

As with all surfaces try to print in different places so you do not wear out a particular part of the surface.

[didymus]

Ha! It arrived yesterday, along with my Rostock max v2 kit.... One long night (oh my God so much tape), managed to get a little past checkpoint 1.

Didn't get a chance to unwrap the aluminium/pei board yet, honestly from your first comment I thought you were being sarcastic.... Will post photos when I get home

[bot]

I would assemble and calibrate your kit using the stock glass, otherwise the chances are very high of ruining that fancy new build plate when trying to dial in the printer.

[teoman]

I would assemble and calibrate your kit using the stock glass, otherwise the chances are very high of ruining that fancy new build plate when trying to dial in the printer.

VERY good advice there.

[didymus]

Awesome, thanks for the advice you both, will definitely start with the glass plate.

Attached potato cam pic.... Looks uneven/dirty in the pic, feels incredibly smooth to the touch but you can feel that it is coated.

Got up to check point 9 tonight, have the top on and the end stop switches wired.... My wife days she is a 3d printer widow...

[teoman]

Any updates on this?


How is your bed holding up?

[teoman]

bot,

are you still using the 1/8 inch PEI, and are you still using it without any adhesives?

[bot]

Yes I am and I've made another printer with the same thickness, and using no tape to hold it down. The binder clips work great, that's what I still use on my rostock. On my new one I designed a set of aluminum rings that clamp around the bed evenly to get it even MORE flat. It certainly is flat... don't know if it's MORE flat than the binder clips, but both are flat enough.

The PEI is amazingly durable. It is also very reliable. I never have to worry about my surface. I can focus on calibration, slicing, etc without the extra factor of adding glue, preparing tape, or being super careful when using buildtak or other delicate solution.

[teoman]

you also use buildtak?

[bot]

I did for a short while, only as a trial. It failed the trial.

[teoman]

Another quick question to you bot,

Does working with a thicker PEI sheet have any effects?

I can get a 3mm or a 4mm (1/8 inches is 3.2mm), there really is not much of a price difference. Which one would you recommend?


Thanks in advance.

[bot]

I would choose the 3mm. The 1/8" sheet is plenty thick enough, and I've even been thinking lately that it would be feasible to try slightly thinner sheets. There may even be a disadvantage in going thicker, in that the material might insulate more from heat, preventing the surface from getting as hot, and thicker sheets might not be as easy to clamp flat.

[teoman]

3mm it is then. Thanks.

[teoman]

My PEI has been shipped.

31x31 cm sheet was 90 usd with DHL shipping. Or 75 usd with slower shipping.(china post registered mail).

I bought 2 sheets one was 31x31 and the other 22x22 (for the all metal kossel that i will hopefully build one day). Paid 115 total including shipping. (Store name Crossfire)

Both are 3mm, i would have paid 130 usd total if i had wanted to get them both @4mm.

I am sure it will get delivered faster than amazon which took more than 60 days to arrive.

[bot]

Very cool where did you get it? I'd love to be able to provide a link to suppliers for European people so they don't get taken by scam artists selling other print bed "solutions."

[teoman]

Here is the link:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PEI-shee ... eb201560_6

It is not per KG, you have to communicate with "Mozart Leo" (They really do get creative with some of these names don't they). And then place your order. Once you have placed your order (without paying) the price is adjusted by Mozart. So a bit of communication is necessary. But when i found him online he was very easy to communicate with. I did pester him asking if the sheet could be cut in a circle but unfortunately they cannot do it.


PS: I could have used the wording "representative for Crossfire" but that name is really amusing.

PPS: Note that i have only thrown money at them, I have not received the actual material yet, I have high hopes that it will be the appropriate size and it will be fit for purpose as they do claim to sell to 3d printer owners. I'll report back once I get my sheets.

[teoman]

Very cool where did you get it? I'd love to be able to provide a link to suppliers for European people so they don't get taken by scam artists selling other print bed "solutions."

I am surprised that no one has started to re-brand PEI and sell it as their own miracle solution. That would be the smartest thing to do in my opinion.

Luckily the 3d printing industry is still in its open source stages and things have not been locked down so when you need bed adhesion you end up with forums/posts/info on PEI and not some random miracle patented copyrighted trademarked gizmo.

[bot]

I absolutely hate the people who take a simple thing, obscure its origins, mark it up, and try and turn a profit by doing nothing other than leeching off of other people's work. Lately, the 3D printing world has inched farther and farther away from open source, and closer to capitalist greed.

[teoman]

The point i was trying to make was, atleast they can sell you something that actually works.