Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate
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@vistalert said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
@sinned6915 I'm not sure I actually stated any expectations, nor questioned anyone's credentials. I'm here to seek a simple answer. The simple answer to the question just needs to be "a plate of x and y size, needs to be z thick". Based
on many other factors then I can make a decision, with one more blank filled in.I've seen terrible warped beds work "ok" (I used to have one). So I know not to "need" perfection. I'm pragmatic.
Many times I've got through life with "good enough" solutions, by listening, learning and then acting, learning some more when I stuff up, and iterating. That's all I'm doing here. I'm not sure how the impression was gained that I'd be acquiring iron or granite plates. I just find this diverse thinking interesting and educational.
If I was trying to keep cost down I'd go with 1/4" plate (assuming you can get it big enough). Support it at ~300mm on center.
Then make sure the mountings both let you adjust for bow in the plate and its supporting frame, and allow the plate to expand.Then spend the money on making sure the gantry is flat and stiff, because then you can tram the bed to it. Making a gantry that long flat is much less work.
There is no 'right' thickness of plate. With the right design it could be 2mm thick. Or you could go with 25mm. I'm suggesting 1/4" just because its reasonably able to hold its shape, so you are less likely to ruin its flatness during handling, and doesn't need 400 supports.
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@theruttmeister said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
There is no 'right' thickness of plate. With the right design it could be 2mm thick.
With a 1x1m bed you have to consider, people have to step on the bed to remove the print and prepare for the next one. A 2mm plate would bend locally, from the forces it takes to remove the print and the weight of the person.
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At 1sq meter maybe plywood and a coating of self-leveling cement? Embed a floor heating coil in the cement?
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@o_lampe .... long handled spatula and if you are patient enough to let the bed cool all the way you can work with a walking cane and just slide the print off.
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@phaedrux said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
At 1sq meter maybe plywood and a coating of self-leveling cement? Embed a floor heating coil in the cement?
I like the idea! How flat would that cement be?
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@o_lampe said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
How flat would that cement be?
Flat enough for a sensor to handle I think, but not sub-mm flat. Might be able to smooth it by hand, or even press something flat onto it to help a bit? Not sure.
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@o_lampe said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
@phaedrux said in Requirements to have a 1000x1000 aluminium build plate:
At 1sq meter maybe plywood and a coating of self-leveling cement? Embed a floor heating coil in the cement?
I like the idea! How flat would that cement be?
So long as you use the right 'cement', good enough for NASA.
Seriously, self-leveling compounds are used to make large reference surfaces and can be flat to unreasonable numbers of decimal places.
There's a ton of information out there. Look at polymer concrete and epoxy granite. Both are cheap and if done for a self-leveling finish, can be very very flat.
Just needs to be the right material and finished in the right way (materials that shrink are not going to produce a level surface).
