On the BambuLab site they sell a Smooth PEI Plate. In the description it says
‘Smooth and Matte Surface Finish’ - The use of a specially selected matte PEI sheet can impart a smooth and matte texture to the bottom surface of the printed object, enhancing its overall appearance.
So I assume one side is smooth and the other side is matte?
They also sell … ‘Bambu Dual-Texture PEI Plate’ - Enjoy the benefits of two different textures in one plate, one side is Textured PEI surface and the other side is Smooth PEI surface.
Is the ‘matte’ texture on the Smooth PEI Plate simply a ‘less textured’ surface than the texture on the ‘Dual-Texture PEI Plate’
I already own a Textured PEI Plate (both sides very textured) that came with the machine but I am looking for a smooth surface plate. Just not sure the correct plate to buy. If the ‘matte’ side of the Smooth PEI Plate is slightly textured (or less textured than the Dual Texture PEI Plate) this will be ideal. Hope that makes sense as it can get confusing trying to explain.
Anyone got both plates and can tell me for sure the difference in all these textures. Thanks.
I would expect both sides to be the same, with a smooth, matte finish. No gloss, no texture, no bumps, recesses, or patterns. Just matte.
The U.S. store shows that dual-sided smooth PEI plate, the dual-sided texture PEI plate you already have, and the (out-of-stock) dual-texture plate with smooth, matte PEI one side, and textured PEI on the other.
I would have thought the term ‘smooth’ meant ‘glossy’, as in very smooth with a shiny appearance. The term ‘matte’ meant the surface finish is a little bit ‘dull’ compared to smooth. But not a full textured finish.
In terms of surface finish it would go like this… Smooth - glossy, shiny finish. Matte - not shiny. A little bit dull with minimal texture. Textured - a definite texture. Possibly quite common in 3d printing?
Maybe I just buy the Smooth PEI Plate and see for myself? Haha, that will remove any confusion in the term ‘smooth’ and ‘matte’ and ‘textured’.
The older ”Smooth PEI/High Temperature Plate” (which has a non PEI “Engineering Plate” back side) and the newer ”Dual Sided Smooth PEI” has the exact same smooth (as in non-textured) and somewhat matte surface. Not very shiny, but also not very matte IMHO.
I recently bought the Bambu Dual-Texture PEI Plate. I wanted to buy the Bambu Smooth PEI Plate but it was not available when I ordered. I assume (but do not know 100%) that it has the same on both sides as the smooth side of my new plate.
I have tinkered with “hobby” type 3D printers for some years now, and Bed adhesion has always been an issue, until I bought an Anycubic with textured PEI last year. I then thought the structured surface was the price to pay for good bed adhesion - and more or less expected issues with the smooth PEI from Bambu Lab.
I have now printed both smaller and larger prints on it - and I am thoroughly amazed. For a person that has struggled with first layer for years, this is like magic!
Bed adhesion is consistently fantastic, both with Bambu Lab PLA and some cheaper brand PLA that I use a lot, mainly because I can source it in a local store.
The surface I get “out of the box” is feels silky smooth like a baby’s behind. If I search under magnification with worst possible lighting, I can distinguish some faint lines - but I can neither feel them with my finger or see them without magnification.
Even after prints have cooled down completely on the plate (nightly prints), they are still stuck, and I have to bend the plate to release them. I have seen no indications of corner lifts at all. None.
For me, this is revolutionary, and I will be very careful to not scratch that precious surface - because this is just amazing.
On this photo with lighting done to try to find defects, there are some filament lines barely visible in upper right corner. The rest is smooth. PLA printed with 0.2mm nozzle on an A1.
