Hi,
I just wonder if there are some benefits in using Cool Plate comparing to Textured one, especially for printing PLA?
I have perfect adhesion with using Textured Plate by cleaning it with IPA before each print without glue stick while one is required for Cool Plate.
Additionally, I can set the temperature to 60 deg that imho should provide better result than 35-45.
a smooth bottom surface
This! Although you could archive that using the High Temp Plate which is pretty smooth. Also you may have lower energy consumption.
To speculate, it’s possible that some PLAs may actually print better on a cool plate due to their properties. But I’m not a material scientist…
I 've been using the cool plate for both PLA and PETG and no glue stick for about 6 months and over 100 prints.
Initially, to play safe against too aggressive adhesion, I sprayed Windex on the plate before each print. I left a wet film on the plate (which dried when the plate heated up).
After about 12 prints the adhesion started to suffer. So I wiped the plate down with IPA and stopped using the Windex. Now I only use IPA after every 3-5 prints (depending on how much I handle the plate).
The filament calibration traces can be hard to remove using the plastic scaper but a scarper with a metal blade easily removes it. The prints pop off (with some repeated flexing) after the plate cools.
Bed temps are 30 degrees for PLA and 40 degrees for PETG.
I use the cool plate for 2 reasons; smooth bottom surface finish and low heat plate temps (the latter is appreciated in the summer when I’m running the AC all the time).
Thank you for pointing out that it’s possible to print PETG on it, will try it out, didn’t know it.
Makes lot of sense especially about PETG, 40 deg vs 80 for Textured plate sounds great.
I should note that I have the original Cool Plate that still lists PETG on it. Bambu latter decided to remove the PETG compatibility because it adhered too well and damaged the cool plate sheet. I did not have that problem when I used the “wet Windex” approach first. Just beware you may not have the same results.
I print at 55°C on the “cold” plate without any issues. I out glue stick on the plate once when i first bought the printer and then never again. Works fine for me
and with asa/abs what do you use?
I use the cold plate either for stuff I want flat, or for filaments that stick too well and need a glue stick. I always printed at 55-60ºC with it and only had to change the sheet once. I use the other side (Engineering) for PA, TPE, ASA, because it either sticks poorly (TPE, PA) or too well (ASA, TPU) and I don’t like using adhesives other than 3D LAC on the Textured plate…
But for 99% of stuff, I use the Textured PEI plate.