Hi All, Anyone have any ideas for alternate print surfaces? I have printed on blue-painters tape, kapton, glass and aluminum with success and failure on a case by case basis. Heated blue tape is definitely my "go to" method. I was recently considering printing on skateboard style grip tape. I was thinking that perhaps a mesh pattern could be laser cut into the grip tap, so that some of the printed object is on the tape and some of the print touches glass. In my mind, this would last longer than blue tape, grip the print very strongly, yet actually be easy the print once bed heat is removed (the print would release from the places where it touches glass) I would love to hear any ideas you have for alternate print surfaces. The afina printer has a unique surface. Though I am not sure exactly what it has. Can anyone elaborate? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184095#msg-184095 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 02:47:45 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184455#msg-184455 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184455#msg-184455 Idolcrasher General Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:01:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184413#msg-184413 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184413#msg-184413 -------------------------------------------------------
> ABS and PLA will both stick to a PCB material?

Not to my knowledge. The UP uses a board with a lot of tiny holes in it. First it prints a raft which fills the holes and stick mechanically.]]> Bantha General Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:48:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184215#msg-184215 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184215#msg-184215 Idolcrasher General Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:26:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184132#msg-184132 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184132#msg-184132 clean PVA I squirt the platform with a spray bottle and spread it around with my finger.]]> billyzelsnack General Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:04:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184115#msg-184115 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184115#msg-184115 -------------------------------------------------------

> I would live to hear any ideas you have for
> alternate print surfaces. The afina printer has a
> unique surface. Though I am not sure exactly what
> it has. Can anyone elaborate?

My current fad is heated mirror-glass with hairspray at the print surface, seems to work well for PLA, and it's easier to remove parts than using watered down PVA glue on Glass, and easier to clean than PVA.

I believe the Afina (UP!) uses a fiberglass perf board (PCB material) - mechanical and some bonding to hold it down, but I believe they also still use a raft for every print, the raft then just bonds itself into the perf board.]]> richrap General Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:13:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184109#msg-184109 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184109#msg-184109
The only problem i can see is an abrasive problem.
A Z axis to low and you can go buying a new nozzle :-\

But the idea of rought surface is not so bad... Maybe small sandpaper (1200/800gr) can work.its a little less abrasive.]]> zelogik General Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:43:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184095#msg-184095 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,184095,184095#msg-184095
Anyone have any ideas for alternate print surfaces?

I have printed on blue-painters tape, kapton, glass and aluminum with success and failure on a case by case basis. Heated blue tape is definitely my "go to" method.

I was recently considering printing on skateboard style grip tape. I was thinking that perhaps a mesh pattern could be laser cut into the grip tap, so that some of the printed object is on the tape and some of the print touches glass.

In my mind, this would last longer than blue tape, grip the print very strongly, yet actually be easy the print once bed heat is removed (the print would release from the places where it touches glass)

I would love to hear any ideas you have for alternate print surfaces. The afina printer has a unique surface. Though I am not sure exactly what it has. Can anyone elaborate?]]> Idolcrasher General Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:47:24 -0500