Replicator 2 Glass Plates

[James Harbal]

So, anyone using a Glass Plate for their Rep2?

If so, what are the specs for it?  Boro vs Soda? Thickness (Will 9.65mm Work)?  Shapped or just Straight Rectangle? Scratch/Dig?  Flatness Tolerance? 

I really need someone that is actually using a glass plate so I can figure out what to order.

[Adan Akerman]

James,

These uncertainties were the reason I decided I was unable to go forward with this. If I had a Replicator 2 in hand I would know how critical each tolerance might be... but I don't and can't. If you have a Rep2, you will probably find it best to make a single plate first, confirm its function, then replicate it for others.

This is a thread in which some people state their experience making their own: https://groups.google.com/d/topic/makerbot/3y1_MvfEKKY/discussion

In that thread, Arkady states these dimensions: 284 x 166 x 8mm.  Elsewhere, other dimensions have been given. The key dimension to resolve is that 166mm depth. Never having seen a Rep2, I'm not clear on how this dimension can vary as much as it does between the various reported DIY solutions. Clips bending out of the way? Clips not touching? Hopefully it's just an indication of a forgiving tolerance. Thickness reports have varied from 8 to 10mm, and I'm told this is possible because of the compliant pads on which the glass rests. 

In the ongoing group buy thread there's other discussion of people's DIY glass plates for the Rep2. https://groups.google.com/d/topic/makerbot/KyWplHN_D6c/discussion

Other answers:

-boro seems unnecessary for an unheated application

-shaped seems unnecessary. After seeing the pricing I came back with, only one person still wanted shaped. Maybe offer to measure and mark the clip locations, just to help people visually align.

-I'm not sure what you mean by scratch/dig. If I receive a scratched piece of glass from the fabricator, I get them to replace it.

-flatness of a standard glass plate is going to be soooooo much better than the best acrylic, no need to worry about a special tolerance. But I'm sure the values given for standard glass are easily available.

I'm sorry I can't help more... but as mentioned, these were the questions that, if I'd been able to answer, would have allowed me to go forward with it.

All the best,

Adan

--
 
 

[James Harbal]

Well Unfortunately I don't have my Rep2 (yet) to test a piece of glass on.  But Hope to get it by end of January then I'll be able to test out glass.

[Adan Akerman]

I guess it's all a question of the amount of risk you and potential participants wish to take on: as seen again recently, people are making these plates pretty casually with fractional dimensions out of 3/8" glass... and apparently it works fine? As long everyone goes into it eyes-open, the worst outcome is a lot of people have glass that shares a failure mechanism. And this community has a pretty good record of developing workarounds for such shared problems. 

But it's also not the end of the world to wait until you get your Rep2 and test-then-ship.

Adan

On Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 10:23 AM, James Harbal <jwha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Well Unfortunately I don't have my Rep2 (yet) to test a piece of glass on.  But Hope to get it by end of January then I'll be able to test out glass.

--
 
 

[Toby Morral]

I just went to my local glass place, handed them the Rep2 BP and asked them to make me the same in glass.  They were unable to do the cut-outs (too small they said), but made a plate for me in 3/8" (if memory serves)  tempered glass.  It fits perfectly and prints (and leveling process) have been markedly improved.  In the absence of the cut-outs, it's difficult to perfectly center the plate, but I haven't encountered any problems as a result (yet).  It may become an issue on larger prints?  The cost of the glass was $25.  The supplier actually made two and the glass shop gave me the second one at no cost.

[Hammerhead]

For the record, those two plates I chipped/scalloped with the Garnier "nuclear hold" hairspray are still working fine even on the heated plate of my R1, so I doubt there's much to be concerned over regarding scratches or chips.  However, it's possible borosilicate has different properties than traditional plate glass.

[Ichigo]

I just came across this on eBay, rep 2 glass build platforms, about to buy one for myself, it looks like the same guy is selling extruder upgrades too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200903643968?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[Bryon Miller]

I bought both from him.  The extruder upgrade is on its way.  I just bought the glass yesterday, he only had one up at the time.  I was afraid my printer wouldn't be able to print the replacement parts and I didn't want to go looking for the springs and stuff.  My build plate looks great right now, but I'll keep the glass as a back up.

[Ichigo]

definitely let me know how it works out, thanks!

[KOS]

Has anyone tried getting just regular glass cut - rather than a tempered or borosiliate glass - using the Replicator 2? I've been calling around my local glass shops and they all have to order the tempered glass, and it's gonna cost about $120 after all is said and done with the cuts. I'm thinking this is crazy, so I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck printing on just regular glass?

[MBR2 User]

I replaced my build plate with a piece of 3/8" Lexan.  Very flat, very strong.  Not glass but similar heat sink properties to the original acrylic that came with the Rep2.

[Bryon Miller]

I will, I'll post a picture too, I think the description said that you don't get the one in the picture, it had some sort of design on it.

[Ichigo]

Yea I talked to the guy last night, he said something about listing it in a rush and just using a pic from thingiverse that his plate doesn't have the crosshatching, it's just clear tempered glass

[David Kessner]

I got two regular glass plates cut from a local shop that normally does things like glass shower doors and stuff.  The edges are slightly ground (so they can't cut me).  Cost me US$19/each.  Works great.

[KOS]

Man I am getting ridiculous quotes up here in Canada. So far the cheapest quote I've been able to get for REGULAR glass is $75. They can't even do the pattern for the print bed in tempered glass.. what gives?

Anyone know of a good source from the USA to get these made?

[Ichigo]

My buddies glass plate just arrived, he got it from wadewinston or whatever on ebay. It is insanely nice... definitely a good purchase...

[kent faulring]

That's good to know, I have two on the way.... Is there a notch cut in the top edge for the clip on the BP holder?

[Ichigo]

No, there are no notches, he got the silicon pads with it, it actually sits right inside of the clips, it's pretty epic lol it makes his bot look totally different, I can't wait to get mine...