Flexible build plate suggestions Okay so there are quite a lot of promising surfaces on which to print. Releasing parts can be a problem though the materials grip at lower temperatures and therefore don't release at room temperature. So does anyone have any suggestions for a material that can be used as a flexible substrate for a thin adhesive surface applied to it? It needs to be - around 5-6mm thick - reasonably flat but doesn't have to be perfect - as thermally conductive as possible - flexible enough to bend and release a part - not prone to deformation when heated modestly say to 60-80deg C - cheap Any suggestions welcome. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,777515#msg-777515 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:04:26 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,829590#msg-829590 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,829590#msg-829590
Link to flexible magnetic bed]]> andornot General Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:12:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826157#msg-826157 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826157#msg-826157
Quote
jinx
some bend in it, but how the Andornot print surface cope with it

Andornot print will easily cope with this as its more flexible than the metal plate.]]> andornot General Tue, 19 Jun 2018 16:42:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826114#msg-826114 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826114#msg-826114 www.youtube.com]]]> Srek General Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:23:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826112#msg-826112 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826112#msg-826112 jinx General Tue, 19 Jun 2018 07:53:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826101#msg-826101 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,826101#msg-826101
[attachment 105611 IMG_1634.jpg]
[attachment 105612 IMG_1637.jpg]
[attachment 105613 IMG_1639.jpg]
[attachment 105614 IMG_1640.jpg]]]> andornot General Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:44:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825750#msg-825750 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825750#msg-825750
Quote
andornot
Quote
JoeK1973
Looks great! I would definitely be interested if it is possible to make one for the standard MK2/3 heated bed (213*213).

Although it should be self-evident that placing a piece of metal on a hot surface makes the piece of metal hot too, o_lampe is right. People can be silly.

Does this bed require the corners cutting off?

Yes it does. I have the Mk3 Heatbed.

It's 214mm*214mm, with 209mm between hole centres.

Here's a link to the description of the heatbed. I think they're fairly common?

Cheers

Joe]]> JoeK1973 General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:15:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825743#msg-825743 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825743#msg-825743
Quote
JoeK1973
Looks great! I would definitely be interested if it is possible to make one for the standard MK2/3 heated bed (213*213).

Although it should be self-evident that placing a piece of metal on a hot surface makes the piece of metal hot too, o_lampe is right. People can be silly.

Does this bed require the corners cutting off?]]> andornot General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 07:26:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825742#msg-825742 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825742#msg-825742
The tab is going to have a laser engraved logo/product name and i will add hot as you suggested.]]> andornot General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 07:24:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825737#msg-825737 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825737#msg-825737
That being said, some idiots would grab that metal tab as soon as a print is done (me included).]]> Trakyan General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 06:31:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825727#msg-825727 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825727#msg-825727
Quote

People can be silly.
'Don't put your Hamster in the microwave' LOL
It's not the people being stupid, but U.S. law in that respect.]]> o_lampe General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 05:17:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825703#msg-825703 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825703#msg-825703
Although it should be self-evident that placing a piece of metal on a hot surface makes the piece of metal hot too, o_lampe is right. People can be silly.]]> JoeK1973 General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 02:55:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825697#msg-825697 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825697#msg-825697
BTW: a thermal isolated grip would be nice. The latch in front will be pretty hot. Or at least laser-write a warning to it (for the U.S. market )]]> o_lampe General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 02:36:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825672#msg-825672 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,825672#msg-825672
[attachment 105563 IMG_1626.jpg]
[attachment 105560 IMG_1627.jpg]
[attachment 105561 IMG_1628.jpg]
[attachment 105562 IMG_1629.jpg]]]> andornot General Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:59:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824837#msg-824837 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824837#msg-824837
Quote
Trakyan
It's not so much about bending over time, if my understanding is correct it's more about how far it can bend or flex before it deforms permanently. So using other kinds of steel you'll just need to be careful with how much you flex them.

That is how I understand it as well, but without knowing that point I may be deforming it each time I bend it. The material is stiff enough that if it did deform, the magnets would not be strong enough to overcome the bend and keep it flat. I can only bend it by 1-2 degrees before real strength is needed.

Basically, spring steel or at the very least thinner stainless steel is needed

On a more positive note though, the magnetic sheet purchased from ebay is working extremely well. It is 0.5mm self adhesive sheet, used on cars for magnetic signs. I have had it up to 100 degrees without any noticeable loss of magnetism. magnetic sheet]]> Origamib General Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:01:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824796#msg-824796 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824796#msg-824796 Trakyan General Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:49:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824748#msg-824748 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824748#msg-824748
I do wonder if stainless or mild steel would be a suitable drop in. So far I've got hold of some 0.7mm thick magnetic stainless (430 grade I believe) and overall it has good magnetism to my cheap magnetic sheet. However, it only has a slight bend to it, and I think over time it will likely bend to the point of being unusable. This is disappointing, but I will set it up with some PEI anyway to see how it holds up.

TLDR - 0.7mm 430 stainless steel is not suitable as a flex plate]]> Origamib General Wed, 06 Jun 2018 10:50:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824093#msg-824093 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,824093#msg-824093
NO Warp.]]> G3DBuilder General Thu, 31 May 2018 12:25:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823978#msg-823978 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823978#msg-823978
Quote
andornot
I will launching a system for the duplicator 3i would this fit your machine? The bed size will be 220mm x 220mm with 15mm chamfered corners plus 10mm overhang for a lifting tab. The kit will be under £40.

I'm not sure. My bed is 214mm x 214mm (standard Mk2 / Mk3 heated bed). So there would be a 3mm overlap on each edge. Not sure if the screws would be fouled even with the chamfered corners.]]> JoeK1973 General Wed, 30 May 2018 17:18:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823975#msg-823975 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823975#msg-823975
Quote
JoeK1973
Quote
andornot
I cannot see how this is going to work as 304 stainless steel is not magnetic. I have a system also available but initially i will launch it for 220mmx220mm beds, to fit my duplicator i3. Beware of what neodymium sheet you use as the material is only good for 70 to 80 degrees, the material can be sourced for 130 degrees plus.

Haha, yes you're right. I realised this too late unfortunately. The stainless steel is 'slightly' magnetic but not really to the strength we need for a constantly moving Y-axis on i3 style machines. Pity as the laser cut shape (pic attached) is great. LaserMaster also do mild steel (magnetic) but the thinnest sheets they do in that material are 0.9mm which is probably not felxible enough for this purpose.

I'll keep a lookout for high temp neo magents, thanks - although I now think a better solution may be to place the magnets on the underside of the heated bed (and use a different steel for the buildplate lol) - the worry I have with that is that they may affect my sensor?

I will launching a system for the duplicator 3i would this fit your machine? The bed size will be 220mm x 220mm with 15mm chamfered corners plus 10mm overhang for a lifting tab. The kit will be under £40.]]> andornot General Wed, 30 May 2018 16:59:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823877#msg-823877 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823877#msg-823877
Quote
andornot
I cannot see how this is going to work as 304 stainless steel is not magnetic. I have a system also available but initially i will launch it for 220mmx220mm beds, to fit my duplicator i3. Beware of what neodymium sheet you use as the material is only good for 70 to 80 degrees, the material can be sourced for 130 degrees plus.

Haha, yes you're right. I realised this too late unfortunately. The stainless steel is 'slightly' magnetic but not really to the strength we need for a constantly moving Y-axis on i3 style machines. Pity as the laser cut shape (pic attached) is great. LaserMaster also do mild steel (magnetic) but the thinnest sheets they do in that material are 0.9mm which is probably not felxible enough for this purpose.

I'll keep a lookout for high temp neo magents, thanks - although I now think a better solution may be to place the magnets on the underside of the heated bed (and use a different steel for the buildplate lol) - the worry I have with that is that they may affect my sensor?]]> JoeK1973 General Wed, 30 May 2018 02:40:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823853#msg-823853 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823853#msg-823853
Quote
JoeK1973
Hope you don't mind but I thought this thread was a good place to post what I'm thinking of doing - a magnetic flexible build plate (These prices are based on a 215mm x 225mm sheet for a 214x214 MK2 heater bed)

  • I've bought a custom-shaped laser-cut 0.5mm 304 grade stainless steel sheet from LaserMaster (a smidge under £10). Send them a drawing of the shape you need by email (or I think you can attach it to the order form) and select 1mm but then specify 0.5mm in the comments.
  • I'll be buying some Neodymium adhesive magnetic sheet (£15)
  • And a sheet of PEI (but you could use whatever build surface you prefer I imagine) - about £8 in the UK.

The 0.5mm sheet should hopefully be flexible enough for bending/twisting to get the parts to release. I'll be careful not to over-flex the sheet. The Neodymium (higher Curie temperature) adhesive should be tolerant to normal (for PLA and PETG) heater bed temperatures.

I'll just cut the magnetic adhesive sheet into strips to cover the build plate - a bit like Angus did in his YouTube video. Then the PEI goes on the steel sheet. Spring steel would be nice but is hugely expensive. I'll post here again with results when I get it all installed.

I cannot see how this is going to work as 304 stainless steel is not magnetic. I have a system also available but initially i will launch it for 220mmx220mm beds, to fit my duplicator i3. Beware of what neodymium sheet you use as the material is only good for 70 to 80 degrees, the material can be sourced for 130 degrees plus.]]> andornot General Tue, 29 May 2018 17:05:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823029#msg-823029 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823029#msg-823029 Srek General Tue, 22 May 2018 15:44:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823004#msg-823004 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,823004#msg-823004 www.youtube.com] showing how quick it is to change the build surface.

On magnetic hotplates, the most common and strongest neodymium magnets, types 50 and 52 have a maximum working temperature of 60C. Type N42 is often available in high temperature versions, I think the suffix is -SM, which is good for 150C

Mike]]> leadinglights General Tue, 22 May 2018 12:19:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822986#msg-822986 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822986#msg-822986 www.youtube.com]

You don't need to worry about demagnetization and can cheaply rotate a bunch of sheets. I suspect an aquarium pump with the valves reversed can produce sufficient vacuum, but you might also want a reservoir and switch so the pump doesn't need to run continuously.]]> 691175002 General Tue, 22 May 2018 09:53:46 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822968#msg-822968 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822968#msg-822968 Srek General Tue, 22 May 2018 08:07:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822948#msg-822948 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822948#msg-822948
It seems, not all PEI sheets tend to crack. ( mine does, but it's noname )]]> o_lampe General Tue, 22 May 2018 04:29:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822934#msg-822934 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822934#msg-822934
Quote
o_lampe
I'd be concerned about the PEI sheet cracking, rather than overstretching the steel sheet?!

What build plate would you suggest? Is Buildtak more flexible?]]> JoeK1973 General Tue, 22 May 2018 03:22:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822932#msg-822932 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822932#msg-822932 o_lampe General Tue, 22 May 2018 03:18:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822930#msg-822930 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,822930#msg-822930
  • I've bought a custom-shaped laser-cut 0.5mm 304 grade stainless steel sheet from LaserMaster (a smidge under £10). Send them a drawing of the shape you need by email (or I think you can attach it to the order form) and select 1mm but then specify 0.5mm in the comments.
  • I'll be buying some Neodymium adhesive magnetic sheet (£15)
  • And a sheet of PEI (but you could use whatever build surface you prefer I imagine) - about £8 in the UK.

The 0.5mm sheet should hopefully be flexible enough for bending/twisting to get the parts to release. I'll be careful not to over-flex the sheet. The Neodymium (higher Curie temperature) adhesive should be tolerant to normal (for PLA and PETG) heater bed temperatures.

I'll just cut the magnetic adhesive sheet into strips to cover the build plate - a bit like Angus did in his YouTube video. Then the PEI goes on the steel sheet. Spring steel would be nice but is hugely expensive. I'll post here again with results when I get it all installed.]]> JoeK1973 General Tue, 22 May 2018 03:10:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,778002#msg-778002 Re: Flexible build plate suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,777515,778002#msg-778002 DjDemonD General Fri, 14 Jul 2017 03:47:06 -0400