How to choose flexible steel printing sheet with smooth and powder coated PEI
There are many types of printing pads. Glass, Mirror, Ultrabase, but the Holy Grail is considered printing on PEI on a flexible steel plate with a magnetic pad.
Advantages:
- Most materials holds perfectly
- After cooling down, the product will peel off slightly or just flex the plate
- Possibility to use an Induction probe
- Long life
Over the past year I have had the opportunity to try three different PEI pads from different manufacturers.
Let's take a closer look
The owners of Endera 3 Pro can use the already applied magnetic sticker from the factory, but only for the first two types listed below.
1. ENERGETIC Spring Steel Sheet PEI Print Build Plate
First I bought a sheet from Energetic. One spring steel sheet, one foil, one magnetic sticker.
When you discover the magic of PEI foil, there is no way back.
PLA, PETG and ABS hold great and problems with the first layer can practically throw behind your head.
PETG and ABS hold sometimes too much. Therefore it is necessary to use some intermediate layer - varnish, glue.
Click on specific and tested pieces again in the pictures and now also the headings.
You can use the original magnetic sticker from Ender 3 Pro.
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PLA | Unlimited printing, 60°C after cooling, just break off the print or just flex the plate. |
| PETG | Holds great at 80°C, for larger areas I recommend intermediate layer - varnish, glue. | |
| ABS | Holds great at 100-110°C, for larger areas I recommend intermediate layer - varnish, glue and the paper clips in the corners. | |
| Z-offset (negative) | -0.4mm compared to my induction probe. |
2. Trianglelab Double sided Textured Powder Coated PEI Spring Steel Sheet
Trianglelab disappointed me. In my and not only my opinion, it is not a true powdered PEI. PLA grabs it only at 70 ° C, but it is usable.
The corners are peeling off. What I have to highlight is the optically beautiful print structure.
You can use the original magnetic sticker from Ender 3 Pro.
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PLA | PLA keeps me from 70°C, the corners are peeling off. |
| PETG | Holds well at 80°C, for larger surfaces use an intermediate layer (3dlac, glue). | |
| ABS | Holds well at 100°C, for larger areas use an intermediate layer (3dlac, glue) and the paper clips in the corners. | |
| Z-offset (negative) | -0.9mm, the layer is 0.5mm thinner compared to PEI foil. |
3. ENERGETIC Double Sided Textured and Smooth PEI Flexible Spring Steel Sheet
And HERE we have the star of the evening.
Classic PEI foil on one side, PEI powder coating on the other side. Smooth PEI is described above.
Textured side, looks on a different structure than Trianglelab.
1. it is a real powder coated layer , 2. it is a real PEI as we know it.
This is recognized the first time you print. Just great. It holds everything you extrude on it.
The first layer becomes a hobby, not a nightmare :).
It is a pad of maximum quality from a great manufacturer.
It is necessary to use a better magnetic sticker and replace the original from Ender 3 Pro due to PEI foil on both sides.
!!!DO NOT USE ACETONE ON POWDER COATED PEI SIDE!!!!
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PLA | TEXTURED SIDE: PLA holds great at 60°C, like a classic PEI! |
| PETG | TEXTURED SIDE: Holds great at 80°C, for larger areas it is recommended to grease using your fingers as lubricants. | |
| ABS | TEXTURED SIDE: Holds great at 100-110°C, for larger areas it is recommended to grease using your fingers as lubricants the paper clips in the corners. | |
| Z-offset (negative) | TEXTURED side: -0.6mm, SMOOTH side: -0.25mm |
4. ENERGETIC ULTEM1000 PEI sheet 3D Printer surface
Spare PEI foil.
Do not buy cheap PEI foils like me, you can get a piece of worthless plastic and Chinese will write you "This is PEI made of china :D"
It won't happen with Energetic.
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Spare PEI foil. Real PEI foil. The manufacturer offers several dimensions and thicknesses. |
5. ENERGETIC Flex Magnetic Hot Bed Tape with 3M Adhesive
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Separate magnetic sticker. Much better fit than Ender 3 Pro's magnetic sticker. The manufacturer guarantees use up to 140 ° C, and I would trust him 120 ° C. :) |
From my point of view, we have a winner. ENERGETIC double-sided Steel sheet. For one price you get two textures for your products, comfortable removal of prints and excellent adhesion of the first layer.
Here are some tips:
SMOOTH SIDE: For PETG and ABS for larger areas, use a separate intermediate layer.
TEXTURED SIDE: Prints and holds everything. PLA and PETG works perfectly. For ABS use your fingers as "lubricant". Especially for ABS, to be sure (largest parts), use any separating layer.