How can I get prints to stick?

[hexbugspider]

I’m about to get started in 3d printing by purchasing a creality cr-10 mini. I have a question about bed adhesion and what should I do? It comes with a glass bed so would the prints stick directly onto that or do I need to put some sort of glue or gluestick on it? If I use glue stick can the bed still be heated? Preferably i would like to use some kind of build tack material, is there any available for the cr-10 mini? I don’t know
Thanks for your help

[Jory]

What material are you planning on using?

[hexbugspider]

Pla

Just doing this because posts must be at least 20 characters long.

[Jory]

Not sure about a glass bed, but I put blue painters tape on my aluminum bed, lightly spray some unscented Aquanet hairspray or use the purple Elmer’s glue stick and I never have stuff pop off, even without any kind of heat on the bed.

[cobnut]

Hi @hexbugspider PLA will probably need some “help” to stick to a glass bed, but it’s one of the more forgiving materials in terms of bed adhesion so you probably won’t need much.

There’s a product called “3D Lac” that’s popular with 3D printers - I use it all the time - and that alone should be enough for most PLA models. Models can behave differently depending on their shape (on the bed) and how much plastic is laid down (on the bed) in the first layer. If you find a particular print isn’t working, you may need to go to the Elmer’s glue or even blue tape as @Jory suggested, but make sure you get the right one - they’re not all the same! You should get the Scotch Blue tape shown here:

Amazon.co.uk

I usually get the 50mm wide version but the wider ones will reduce the risk of lines on the base.

[wirlybird]

I started out using hair spray (3D Lac and only available in Europe I believe) on glass but eventually went to the purple glue stick and found it much easier to use. You’ll need to fiddle with it to get the hang of it but once you do it is pretty good, especially for PLA.
Now, another option is to go to a PEI sheet on the glass. Takes a bit to get used to but once you do you’ll never go back to anything else.

Also consider The buildtak flex system. Don’t know if they have it for the printer you are doing but it is a decent system.

[hexbugspider]

Is there a pei sheet in the size 220x220x250? As I’m getting the creality ender 3.

[wirlybird]

Check out here. This is where I get all of my PEI sheets.

https://catalog.cshyde.com/category/pei-ultem

[cobnut]

@hexbugspider I’ve used PEI for years (and still use it on my Prusa) and it works great for PLA - no adhesive necessary unless the model has very fine parts laid onto the bed. You might also consider PrintBite. I’ve recently installed this onto my FF Pro and it’s been a revelation in terms of use with ABS, PETG and CPE - no need for any surface dressing - prints stick while printing and just lift off when cooled. However it’s not really as good for PLA, ironically, as the bed needs to be very hot - much hotter than PLA needs on a PEI bed - to get the adhesion and that’s energy wasted, especially for a long print. The ideal solution would be to have multiple beds, one (or more) fitted with a surface for PLA, one (or more) fitted with a surface for PETG, etc.

[wirlybird]

I tried Printbite on my MK2 and on my X-Pro. Total fail on the MK2. Made progress on the X-Pro but still not great. PLA was ok but ABS would still curl on the corners/edges.
I also didn’t like having to run things temp wise at their upper limits. Unneeded stress on the components I feel.
PEI is my go to on the MK2 for PLA, ABS and PETG works great.

I am now using the BuildTak Flex plate on my Creator Pro’s and X-Pro. The Buildtak sheet is great for PLA and does ok for ABS but I put a PEI sheet on their plate and it is excellent for ABS. Let it cool and give the plate a twist and the part starts to come off.
Takes some work to get it going ok but not bad.

I still have a Printbite sheet left over!

[cobnut]

Yeah, PrintBite does seem to need to ramp the temp right up to get it sticky enough for ABS and it becomes unstuck at still quite a high temp (around 60C in my experience). They could do with trying to reduce those values - it’d be great if it was sticky at, say, 65C and didn’t become unstuck until 40C or so. Not a huge problem for me as I try to avoid printing in ABS these days and PrintBite works great for PETG & CPE.

[hexbugspider]

Do pei sheets stick onto aluminium plates?

[wirlybird]

Yes. I use them direct on the aluminum on my smaller printers (150X150mm) since the plate is flat.
On a larger surface area you may want to use the PEI on glass or something on top of the aluminum to ensure a flat surface unless you are happy with how flat the aluminum is.