I purchased the 3D effect sheet kit from Bambu labs. The one that has 1 spring plate and 4 sticker sheets. I printed the clamps to help apply the sticker and after applying the first sticker, I found air bubbles underneath. Anyone have ideas how to fix this? Will this dissipate over time? Does anyone have any experience with these 3D effect sheets that can share some insight? Thanks in advance.
I had the same problem with mine, even with utilizing the jig and a squeegee specifically to smooth out the sheet. The bubbles would absolutely not move toward the edge when applying the sheet, regardless of pressure or direction. I removed the sheet since it was effectively ruined and found that the places where the bubbles were had visual abnormalities to the adhesive. You may be facing the same issue.
I have done god knows how many stickers, tinting jobs and vinyl decals…
Anything of a large enough size that would allow bubbles to be trapped should comes with enough stiffness to prevent just that.
You literally roll it on - starting on one side with the other lifted up and using a squeegee or such to work from the attached end to the other.
This however requires a certain level of skill - or luck…
There is two big enemies with stickers.
Contamination and trapped air.
I prefer to do a proper clean first to rule out any contamination issues, on windows I even go over the entire pane with a sharp scraper blade as there is ALWAYS something tiny baked onto the glass somewhere…
After that though all hassles can be eliminated with just a bit of soapy water.
For one litre of CLEAN, preferably distilled water, ONE drop of dishwashing liquid is enough.
Grab a spray bottle and do some tests on just the plate:
You want to find a distance where you get the least amount of bubbles landing on the surface.
It does help to hold the plate vertical for this as then you can just apply more to make the bubbles run off.
Once you found what works best put the plate flat onto the table with a cloth or so below to soak up the excess water…
The plate should have a complete soapy water cover.
Same story for the sticker.
Peel the film off the sticky side but leave the protective one on the print surface.
Spray until you have the entire glue covered, try to eliminate any bubbles as before.
Bend the sticker with the centre down and two sides going up.
Place in the centre of the wet plate and slowly lower the sides, both or one by one, whatever works best for you.
Align the sticker PERFECTLY.
Should move around quite easy.
Now with GENTLE pressure you a meaningful squeegee - those for applying stickers and such are about 3 bucks at the hardware store.
Since you have a 3D printer you could just print one and put a layer of cotton fibre, like old jeans over the edge.
Work from the centre outwards!
First round only up and down, next round left and right.
Since you can’t see through the plate it is best to repeat this a few times - only GENTLE pressure.
Hold against the light and check from all sorts of angles that the print surface is perfectly flat and bubble free.
If you spot a bubble it will be soapy water.
As this acts as a lube and release agent you can force it out with the squeegee - to the nearest edge.
Try as little pressure as possible check often.
Not always is the direct way the way the bubble moves easiest
If it wants to move a bit at an angle then let it as it follows the path of least resistance.
Done?
Nope…
Now you check again and make sure you won’t miss anything.
Satisfied?
Great!
Place directly on the table and use the squeegee with good pressure but move it evenly from the centre out and in jerk free motions.
One nice move to and then over the edge.
Once you no longer see any tiny amounts of water landing on the table repeat at least three more times for Justin.
There will still be water trapped between plate and sticker.
But that is tiny amounts.
In order to make sure this won’t backfire it is best to keep the plate temp low for a few days, so PLA and such only.
You can speed things up by leaving the build plate sitting at 40 to 45 degrees over night.
Just want trow this out here, I had a few small (maybe 2cm and smaller) bubbles in my carbon plate after installing. I was disappointed and set it aside. I don’t know how, but the bubbles disappear.
All 4 of mine are perfectly smooth. I was so disappointed with the bubbles I ordered another set of carbon fiber, and I have ended up just saving them.