Kapton tape is a heat resistant tape that is often used in electronics, space blankets, and most relevantly, 3D printer beds. Kapton tape holds up under an immense range of temperatures, and usually lasts for 30-50 prints without any issues, sometimes tearing to signify its loss of adherence with the heat bed. It usually works best with ABS filament. Usually, it is recommended that the tape be cleaned with acetone (nail polish remover) or rubbing alcohol. The process for replacing kapton tape is a bit intensive yet doable, involving water and a squeegee.
While it is not shown in the video, it is best to clean the build plate before applying the kapton tape. The solution in the spray bottle is usually just water and soap or some weak window cleaner.
While kapton tape works great with ABS, there is less information available about the adherence with PLA filament, although it does seem to work well for the most part. Tips for adherence issues usually include a thin layer of glue, blue painter's tape, or hairspray. A very light layer usually does the trick. People have even resorted to taping down the corners of the raft after it is done printing to prevent curling.
Curling usually occurs if the layer of plastic above is colder than the layer of plastic below. This forces the filament to let go of the raft and curl. To regulate this, we can use a heated bed (which we already do), a closed printing chamber (as in actually put on the glass cover while printing which we're supposed to do anyway because PLA filament can be slightly toxic), and keep the print in an temperature controlled environment (really any area with an even temperature). We could also slow down the fans for just the first few layers of the print, though this can be tricky. Alternatively, they recommend using pva glue or hairspray, there is also a special print bed adhesive called magigoo. We could slow down the printing speed a little, which allows the bottom layers to cool more evenly. We could also use mouse ears (little shafts on the bottom that of the print that enhance bed adhesion in the corners.
https://all3dp.com/2/3d-print-warping-what-it-is-how-to-fix-it/
https://all3dp.com/2/pla-not-sticking-to-print-bed-build-plate-easy-fixes/
https://www.tiertime.com/dami/viewtopic.php?t=820
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapton
Work Log:
Monday 2/17: No School
Tuesday 2/18: Worked on animation
Wednesday 2/19: Worked on animation
Thursday 2/20: Worked on letters
Friday 2/21: Worked on printer
While it is not shown in the video, it is best to clean the build plate before applying the kapton tape. The solution in the spray bottle is usually just water and soap or some weak window cleaner.
While kapton tape works great with ABS, there is less information available about the adherence with PLA filament, although it does seem to work well for the most part. Tips for adherence issues usually include a thin layer of glue, blue painter's tape, or hairspray. A very light layer usually does the trick. People have even resorted to taping down the corners of the raft after it is done printing to prevent curling.
Curling usually occurs if the layer of plastic above is colder than the layer of plastic below. This forces the filament to let go of the raft and curl. To regulate this, we can use a heated bed (which we already do), a closed printing chamber (as in actually put on the glass cover while printing which we're supposed to do anyway because PLA filament can be slightly toxic), and keep the print in an temperature controlled environment (really any area with an even temperature). We could also slow down the fans for just the first few layers of the print, though this can be tricky. Alternatively, they recommend using pva glue or hairspray, there is also a special print bed adhesive called magigoo. We could slow down the printing speed a little, which allows the bottom layers to cool more evenly. We could also use mouse ears (little shafts on the bottom that of the print that enhance bed adhesion in the corners.
https://all3dp.com/2/3d-print-warping-what-it-is-how-to-fix-it/
https://all3dp.com/2/pla-not-sticking-to-print-bed-build-plate-easy-fixes/
https://www.tiertime.com/dami/viewtopic.php?t=820
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapton
Work Log:
Monday 2/17: No School
Tuesday 2/18: Worked on animation
Wednesday 2/19: Worked on animation
Thursday 2/20: Worked on letters
Friday 2/21: Worked on printer
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