Efficient Build Plate Cooling Needed – Fast and Hands-Free Solutions?

Bambu Lab X Series General discussions
1

I need my build plate to cool down to below 20°C within a few minutes, preferably automatically when placed in the cooling system.

I checked MakerWorld, but the automatic option doesn’t seem viable since, as far as I understand, it requires magnets on the build plate. I’d rather avoid creating any potential crash zones for the print head.

I’m open to both active and passive solutions, as long as they’re efficient and don’t require constant monitoring (e.g., manually waving the plate in the air).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

2

Is this just for end of print cooling outside of the printer?

3

They make such a thing. It’s called a “refrigerator”. You probably have one.

If what you’re asking for is something that will take the build chamber and build plate and the print that’s stuck to it down to 20ºC within “a few minutes”, that’s going to require a huge amount of thermal energy. It’s probably going to need a cooler that’s as big as your refrigerator. Something that can almost instantly get the chamber temp well below 20ºC and keep it there while everything cools off.

I don’t see that happening. :slight_smile:

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4

Currently searching for the cost of Liquid nitrogen (LN2) :slight_smile:

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5

That’d work in seconds, vs. minutes. Might be a bit “overkill”. :slight_smile:

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6

I bet the print would release from the plate though.

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7

While cracking from thermal stresses… :grin::grin::grin:

8

I place the plate on our ceran cooktop, maybe move it to a different spot once or twice. It takes maybe 20 seconds to cool down far enough to release the print. Alternatively, a window works just as good.
If you want something dedicated, I would try to get a 10mm aluminum plate. That should be even faster.

9

You could print a PETG open frame and just place the hot build plate on it to cool.
Or, make it active by adding a fan.

Or avoid the problem and buy a second (3rd, 4th) build plate, no waiting around to start the next print (this is the option I took).

@ L0rdS474n what is the reason to get to 20C within a few minutes, is it just to release the print?

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10

Here’s another heat sink idea. I pop the bed plate off and place it flat against my file cabinet which is at room temp (72 F) and it easily cools the place in 20 seconds move it around a bit helps…

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11

You could get a chunk of granite counter top and place it on that to cool down.

12

Yes, outside printer only :grin:

13

I don’t want to cool the chamber, only the removed plate.

14

Mainly to avoid having to many build plates :grin:
I have 5 plates at the moment so really not a problem but it would be nice to begin with the print sooner than later :grin:

15

Then stick it in the freezer.

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16

Last night, I ran outside waving the plate—pretty sure the paper boy might need therapy now. :sweat_smile: