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Jul 2016

Hey guys(and gals), I was hoping someone might be able to tell me where I can find/get a heat source for a hot bed. Some friends and I are designing our own printer, build volume ~406mm x 889mmx 584mm(16"x35"x23"), and are struggling with this last part, “How to heat the bed.”

We’re trying to keep our options opened so our bed isn’t constructed yet(frame and everything else is). We were hoping to figure out how to heat the bed, then “design” it.

The first thought that occurred to me was, we could use a 12"x12" hotbed and mount that in an aluminum sleeve welded to the bottom of our print bed… But I suspect that between the power consumption and time to heat the entire surface, it would be impractical.

So, how about it gang? Any thoughts?

Also, I should not, we are trying to keep this cost effective, so far everything minus the hotbed, we are at just under $300, with a budget <$400.

  • created

    Jul '16
  • last reply

    Sep '18
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2 months later
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10 months later

I heard back from the silicone heater manufacturer concerning how close the resistive element can be from the edge of the silicone rubber heater. Typically they design the traces to set back from the edge .125”. Occasionally for 120V heaters, they have reduced the set back from the edge to .094” to enable a longer circuit length. That would result in a much smaller distance between outer-edge traces at the seam of two heaters. With a glass bed I imagine the temperature would be fairly even. If I can get ahold of two heaters with a small edge set back I’ll do a test.