How often to change tape?

[Elbot]

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).

[Kenneth Bartlett]

I replace my Kapton tape when it tears during part removal. Otherwise, why bother?

-->Kenne†h E Bar†le††<--

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[Aaron Double]

If you tear it, change it.

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

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[Shawn]

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.

[Cymon]

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.

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[PropellerScience]

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.

[Sean Tu]

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..

[66tbird]

I'm thinking about going to the thicker sheet style Kapton.  Anyone have that link for where to get it handy.

[Martin Galese]

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. 

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Martin Galese

[66tbird]

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. 

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Martin Galese

[BTHOON]

This is not the super thick stuff, but you can't beat the prices at Proto Paradigm:
http://www.protoparadigm.com/products/polyimide-tape/

I use the 220 for my Replicator.  It's CERTAINLY not the nicer thick stuff, though.

[MakerBorg]

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.