Is a heat spreader really necessary I see that the typical build stage consists of an aluminium heat spreader, the heater and a glass plate. I had to ask myself if this is really needed and built a stage with no heat spreader. I have done maybe 50 or 60 prints now on that printer and have noticed no problems either with the build stage moving or with uneven heat on the surface. [attachment 45342 20140318_110223.jpg] I think you can see above that there is nothing under the heater (except a layer of metalised bubble film for insulation). The glass build stage is pulled doen onto the heater and the support screws which are visible. The question is, is the heat spreader/plate really needed or have I just got lucky. Mike https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444729#msg-444729 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:39:48 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,446278#msg-446278 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,446278#msg-446278 umdpru General Sun, 21 Dec 2014 14:23:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444768#msg-444768 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444768#msg-444768 www.youtube.com]

and photo of the new heater made from the marked out PCB material. The supports this time will be soldered to the copper layer on the back.

[attachment 45351 20141217_101213.jpg]

Mike]]> leadinglights General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:09:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444766#msg-444766 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444766#msg-444766
Maybe I could combine the heater and printing surface there - but I would need a quick disconnect system for the heater power, I need to flex the plate to detach my parts after printing.]]> DeuxVis General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:08:00 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444759#msg-444759 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444759#msg-444759
Quote
thejollygrimreaper
Quote
DeuxVis
Never used an aluminum plate myself. Why do you think it is needed ?

My sandwich looks like this, from top to bottom :

Printed part
Garolite plate (for adhesion)
Glass plate (to avoid flexing)
Heater pcb
Insulation made of glass wool wrapped in kapton tape (to avoid wasting heat on the unused side)

thats quite the sandwich, all i've got is kapton heater - 3mm aluminium sheet - glass

I agree, but when I first switched to garolite as a surface I tried to get rid of the glass and got all my prints mysteriously fail - until I realised garolite + pcb was not rigid enough.
I could probably replace the glass by an aluminium heat spreader which could be thinner, now that you mention it.]]> DeuxVis General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:03:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444758#msg-444758 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444758#msg-444758
In the end, do what works best for you. Since you're not having problems, I wouldn't worry about it. If you start to have problems, or you were having problems to begin with, then you could explore the possibility]]> cdru General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:58:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444750#msg-444750 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444750#msg-444750
Quote
DeuxVis
Never used an aluminum plate myself. Why do you think it is needed ?

My sandwich looks like this, from top to bottom :

Printed part
Garolite plate (for adhesion)
Glass plate (to avoid flexing)
Heater pcb
Insulation made of glass wool wrapped in kapton tape (to avoid wasting heat on the unused side)

thats quite the sandwich, all i've got is kapton heater - 3mm aluminium sheet - glass]]> thejollygrimreaper General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:49:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444747#msg-444747 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444747#msg-444747
My sandwich looks like this, from top to bottom :

Printed part
Garolite plate (for adhesion)
Glass plate (to avoid flexing)
Heater pcb
Insulation made of glass wool wrapped in kapton tape (to avoid wasting heat on the unused side)]]> DeuxVis General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:42:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444746#msg-444746 Re: Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444746#msg-444746 Srek General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:41:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444729#msg-444729 Is a heat spreader really necessary https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,444729,444729#msg-444729 [attachment 45342 20140318_110223.jpg]

I think you can see above that there is nothing under the heater (except a layer of metalised bubble film for insulation). The glass build stage is pulled doen onto the heater and the support screws which are visible.

The question is, is the heat spreader/plate really needed or have I just got lucky.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:06:15 -0500