I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change the tape?"
Thanks, guys
. (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions, but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own before asking on this forum).
On Sat, Jul 7, 2012 at 6:52 AM, Elbot <tomasre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody
> answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an
> answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform
> tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change
> the tape?"
> Thanks, guys
> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions,
> but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own
> before asking on this forum).
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If you get a bunch of bubbles under it, change it.
The reason that people didn't quantify, it is all based on how tough you are with it. The thicker stuff I use lasts me about 4-6 months of fairly heavy printing.
Just keep it clean and watch out for fingerprints, the oil will keep the plastic from sticking.
Aaron
On Jul 7, 2012, at 7:52 AM, Elbot <tomasre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change the tape?"
> Thanks, guys
> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions, but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own before asking on this forum). > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/-/7QX9AYOsEA8J.
> To post to this group, send email to makerbot@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to makerbot+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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TLDR; version - replace the tape when you think it needs replacing - typically after tears in the main printing area.
I change mine when it gets too damaged in the area where I'm printing. I don't mind a few tears as long as they are small and the film stays flat (or can be encouraged to be flat). If I get gaps larger than a fingernail (subjective guesstimate) then I'll replace the tape. If the back portion is torn, but most of my printing is happening at the front, then I don't bother.
Air-bubbles can be a reason to replace it too. I rarely can get the tape down "perfectly", Most times the small bubbles don't matter. But when I pull pieces off the platform it may pull up the tape a little and introduce an air-bubble. These accumulate over a couple of prints and weaken the integrity of the tape - i.e. it is much more prone to tear or get cut when removing a piece. But, they can be pushed down before starting the next print - if you're lucky you can encourage the bubble to an edge or an existing tear so it can escape and the tape can lay flat again. If not, that same bubble is likely to re-appear the next time you pull an item off.
> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody
> answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really
> an answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print
> platform tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when
> to change the tape?"
> Thanks, guys
> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions,
> but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my
> own before asking on this forum).
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/-/7QX9AYOsEA8J.
> To post to this group, send email to makerbot@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> makerbot+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
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You can patch little holes in the tape with little spare pieces of tape which I usually keep a stripe of around whenever I change the tape.
Also, there was a video somewhere that showed you use soap on the sticky side of the tape to reduce the stickyness of it and give you time to smooth out the bubbles and get it glass smooth. You have to let it dry completely before using it, a couple of hours or a day if you want to be sure, but the advantage is perfect placement. Apparently that's the trick used by auto glass tinters.
On Saturday, July 7, 2012 9:54:26 AM UTC-6, Shawn wrote:
> TLDR; version - replace the tape when you think it needs replacing - > typically after tears in the main printing area.
> I change mine when it gets too damaged in the area where I'm printing. > I don't mind a few tears as long as they are small and the film stays > flat (or can be encouraged to be flat). If I get gaps larger than a > fingernail (subjective guesstimate) then I'll replace the tape. If the > back portion is torn, but most of my printing is happening at the front, > then I don't bother.
> Air-bubbles can be a reason to replace it too. I rarely can get the > tape down "perfectly", Most times the small bubbles don't matter. But > when I pull pieces off the platform it may pull up the tape a little and > introduce an air-bubble. These accumulate over a couple of prints and > weaken the integrity of the tape - i.e. it is much more prone to tear or > get cut when removing a piece. But, they can be pushed down before > starting the next print - if you're lucky you can encourage the bubble > to an edge or an existing tear so it can escape and the tape can lay > flat again. If not, that same bubble is likely to re-appear the next > time you pull an item off.
> On 12-07-07 05:52 AM, Elbot wrote: > > I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody > > answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really > > an answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print > > platform tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when > > to change the tape?"
> > Thanks, guys
> > . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions, > > but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my > > own before asking on this forum).
> > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > > Groups "MakerBot Operators" group. > > To view this discussion on the web visit > > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/-/7QX9AYOsEA8J. > > To post to this group, send email to makerbot@googlegroups.com. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > makerbot+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. > > For more options, visit this group at > > http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
If I make a big part that's really stuck to the tape it lasts one
print. If they're smaller prints that I don't glue down very well I
get several prints. Then I start moving my prints around the platform
avoiding the holes until I break down and change which is about every
couple days, or so. Blue tape is almost one or two prints per tape
application.
Since switching to the wider tape instead of having multiple 20mm strips I
have not had to replace it on my ToM even after going through ~3kg of ABS.
Clean the aluminum platform with alcohol before laying it down and having
some patience to get it down with no bubbles. Start at one side and slowly
lay the stuff down using a credit card to smooth it out as I go. If a
bubble does form, peal it back far enough to get it out and try again.
On the occasions where the tape does pull up in the center somewhere after
pulling off a print use an X-Acto knife to put a small slit in the bubble
and press it down again, although this really has not happened with the
wide tape..
On Saturday, July 7, 2012 4:52:22 AM UTC-7, Elbot wrote:
> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody > answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an > answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform > tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change > the tape?"
> Thanks, guys
> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions, > but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own > before asking on this forum).
On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 3:18 PM, 66tbird <john...@q.com> wrote:
> I'm thinking about going to the thicker sheet style Kapton. Anyone have
> that link for where to get it handy.
> On Saturday, July 7, 2012 4:52:22 AM UTC-7, Elbot wrote:
>> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody
>> answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an
>> answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform
>> tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change
>> the tape?"
>> Thanks, guys
>> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions,
>> but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own
>> before asking on this forum).
> To post to this group, send email to makerbot@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> makerbot+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
On Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:27:33 PM UTC-7, Martin Galese wrote:
> Here you go: http://www.mcmaster.com/#kapton-polyimide-film/=id2lmm It's > number 2271K73. I love the thick Kapton. Putting it down is simple > (compared to the thin tape) and it seems to be damn near indestructible.
On Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:53:42 PM UTC-7, 66tbird wrote:
> Thank you, after seeing the price I remembered why I decided to use up > most of my roll first.
> On Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:27:33 PM UTC-7, Martin Galese wrote:
>> Here you go: http://www.mcmaster.com/#kapton-polyimide-film/=id2lmm >> It's number 2271K73. I love the thick Kapton. Putting it down is simple >> (compared to the thin tape) and it seems to be damn near indestructible.
I replace the tape when it starts to loose stickiness to either the platform [painters tape] or the extruded plastic being printed. When either of those two events occur I replace the tape.
On Saturday, 7 July 2012 21:52:22 UTC+10, Elbot wrote:
> I searched previous threads and krst asked the same question, but nobody > answered it (theron said, "it lasts a long time", but that's not really an > answer), so, here it goes again, "How often do I change the print platform > tape? or When you you change the tape? or How do you know when to change > the tape?"
> Thanks, guys
> . (I just wanted you guys to know that I don't just ask dumb questions, > but search for previously asked and answered questions identical to my own > before asking on this forum).
