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How to Clean a 3D Printer Bed
When you are using a 3D printer, you need to make sure that you are keeping the printer bed clean. If you don’t, you could start to experience problems with your print quality. Thankfully, keeping it clean won’t be too difficult. The procedure you use will depend on the type of plate you have. To create this article we consulted with a range of sources. Here were the most useful ones:
https://all3dp.com/2/clean-3d-print-bed-3d-printer/
https://43dprint.org/best-3d-printer-for-architects/
https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printer-bed-leveling-step-by-step-tutorial/
Signs You Need to Clean Your 3D Printer Bed
There are a few signs that you might need to clean your 3D printer bed. Over time, your printer bed will get dirty. For example, the oil from your fingerprints will stick to the printer bed surface. This will start to affect the adhesive layer. Because of this, the models will no longer stick to the surface, coming off in mid-build.
Over time, this damage will get worse. There is the risk that the plate will get scratched. If this happens, you will need to replace the plate, which can be an expensive procedure. Generally, you will need to clean the plate after every few prints.
Cleaning a Glass Printer Bed
This is a fairly common printer bed, which is known for its durability. However, over time, they will lose their adhesive abilities. Because of this, you will often find some plastic sticking to the bed.
The good news is that cleaning this bed will be fairly simple. First, you need to heat the bed a little. This will make the plastic soft, because of this it will be easier for you to scrape off. You might need to apply a little pressure to get rid of the plastic. This should be done at the end of each printing session.
If this doesn’t work, you will need to use some soap and water. This will dissolve the agents that are used to bond the adhesive to the plate. Before you do this, you will need to remove the plate from the printer. This ensures that the water doesn’t damage the internal electronics. The owner’s manual will tell you how to do this. If that doesn’t work, you can try using sterile alcohol pads. Rub this over the plastic until it comes off.
Cleaning an Adhesive Printer Bed
There are a few reasons why you might want to use an adhesive printer bed. However, over time, there is the risk that parts of the tape will peel off. This creates holes in the print bed.
The best way to clean the printer bed is by using a spatula. You will need to be careful about how you are scraping the bed. Not enough pressure and the plastic will remain attached. But if you use too much pressure you will scrape the tape off as well. If one section is torn, you might be able to carefully remove and replace the damaged tape.
Over time, though, you will need to resurface the printer bed. How often you will need to do this will depend on the type of print bed you have. Usually, you will need to do this once every few weeks. You’ll know it’s time to replace it when you start to see plenty of holes. This video will talk you through this process.
Cleaning a PEI Sheet
The third option you can explore is using a PEI sheet. This is often one of the best printing options, because of how easy it is to keep clean. Plus, you won’t need to add any adhesive material to get the plastic to stick to the printer bed.
How you clean it will determine the type of situation you are dealing with. For example, if you haven’t used the printer for a few days, you will need to get it a relatively quick brush. This will remove any dust that has accumulated on the bed.
Sometimes, you will get a piece of filament that is stuck to the printer bed and will be impossible to remove. In this case, you will need to use some acetone to break it apart. This will soften it up and allow you to wipe the old plastic away. While this will be effective, it also runs the risk of damaging your plates. The good news is that PEI plates will be more resistant to these types of chemicals. However, you should still only clean with this chemical a maximum of once a week. This ensures that the surface doesn’t become too brittle.
If you prefer, you can also use isopropanol. You only need to apply a small amount, putting it on the filament. Then, you will need to wipe it off using a paper towel.
Other Maintenance Requirements
In most cases, as long as you keep the 3D printer bed clean, you shouldn’t have too many problems. But there are a few other things you need to do to keep your 3D printer bed in good working condition.
One of the most important tasks is regularly leveling the print bed. This ensures that the surface is completely flat, so the filament is sticking to be the bed properly. You will need to do this after every few prints. Most machines will come with a function that helps you do this.
Sometimes, the damage to the printer bed will be so significant that you need to replace the plate. You need to find something that will be compatible with your printer. The instruction manual should tell you how to install it. Or you can turn to an online video tutorial.
Conclusion
3D printers aren’t too difficult to care for. The most important thing you need to do is clean the bed. This gets rid of the old filament, so your prints stick to the surface properly. The key to cleaning is doing it frequently, so the filament doesn’t get stuck to the plate. So, use these tips to keep your printer bed in excellent condition.