The tape can withstand temperatures of up to 200 C without the adhesive breaking down. The major strength of polyester tape is that it is extremely heat-stable, making it the best choice for printing on a heated bed. These can be sold by brands that specialize in 3D printing accessories. Not as common as the first two options is polyester film or PET tape. Given how their suitable applications do not overlap, it is common to stock both blue painters’ tape and Kapton tape if you use 3D printers heavily. Kapton tape is about twice as expensive as blue painters’ tape. This might be a necessary modification in some cases, given how smooth the surface of Kapton tape is. This improves the adhesion of the print to the tape. It’s also harder to remove, so you’re better off just taking them off in separate fragments as they rip off.Īnother common strategy is to apply some hair spray on top of a layer of Kapton tape. Kapton tape is prone to trapped bubbles when applied, although this can be avoided with some experience and by simply taking it slow. This makes the application and removal of Kapton tape more difficult. Kapton is slightly less flexible than blue painters’ tape. Its heat stability means that its adhesive does not break down at elevated temperatures and is not transferred from the tape to the print bed. When printing on a heated bed, Kapton tape is considered to be one of the best options for bed adhesion. It is these same characteristics that make Kapton tape an excellent choice for 3D printing. Aside from providing some electrical insulation, Kapton tape is very durable and has good thermal stability. Kapton tape (or more technically, polyimide tape) is commonly used to wrap around electrical cables and wires. It’s an inexpensive and easily available option for printing with PLA or TPU. The tape is primarily made with paper and is not exactly heat-stable. If your layer of painters’ tape is getting removed too easily, then it’s probably a low-quality roll.īlue painters’ tape is best used for prints that do not a heated bed. It makes removal of finished prints easier but can also result in it coming off mid-print. It is a little easier to remove than masking tape. The special characteristic of painters’ tape is that it can be removed without leaving any residue. The color does not matter, but we recommend getting one from a reputable brand. However, you can also find ‘generic’ painters’ tape which can be white, yellow, or green. The blue color became popular because this was the color of the original ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Painters’ Tape. Take note that painters’ tape does not necessarily have to be blue. The most common type used in 3D printing is blue painters’ tape. Experience makes this step easier but not exactly less tedious. The tape strips have to be perfectly parallel with each other and their edges have to coincide but not overlap. Applying tape to a print bed is a slow and deliberate process. The application of the tape, however, is another matter entirely. If you’re planning to print a very delicate design, then You can simply allow the tape to peel off the print bed, eliminating the need to lift the print off with a scraper. This allows for gentler handling of the finished 3D print during removal. The tape also has the added benefit of being easy to remove. Even if you used a roll of tape that costs less than $5, you can likely get your 3D print to stick as long as you use the proper techniques. This can be easily attributed to one characteristic – tape is very inexpensive but offers good reliability. There are several different options for enhancing bed adhesion in 3D printers, but tape remains one of the more popular. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best types of tape to use in 3D printing, as well as the merits and drawbacks of each option. However, not just any adhesive tape will do. This is considerably easier said than done.Ī go-to material to achieve this purpose is simple adhesive tape. Good bed adhesion does not just get the print to stick to the bed – it must also prevent issues like warping and layer shifting. Getting perfect bed adhesion is one of the foundations of creating a high-quality 3D printer product. 3D Insider is ad supported and earns money from clicks, commissions from sales, and other ways.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |