Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

Just curious -- what's the harm in your opinion? I tried the blue tape at first and it would rip almost every time I printed, requiring a new piece. At best, I got through a few prints before requiring new tape. And that stuff gets expensive, it can be a few dollars each.
If applying glue/spray to a build plate is harmful and the plate lasts, say, 50 prints, it's already cheaper just to get a new plate. My current plate (no tape) has about 1200 hours on it (the first 500 was using the acrylic plate)

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

Please keep in mind that different tapes and coatings work better for different filaments. Acetone/abs mix or kapton tape for ABS, Blue tape for PLA.

(Disclaimer, below are my experiences on my 8020 frame printer)
For those tearing the tape, I have found that the bed needs to be perfectly level, and the 'z' axis must be checked after warming up, so the extruder tip does not drag or 'air print'

With ABS, piece of glass on heated bed with Kapton tape, I let it warm up, adjusted so z=0 I can slip a scrap of copy paper between the tip and bed. Used like a feeler gauge, slight drag on paper when pulling it out. If it's been a while or a new setup, do it in the four corners. This leaves a nice 'squish' for the first layer, and typically sticks well.

Eric, with hair spray are you printing ABS or PLA? Glass on bed or not?

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

I am using PLA, and the platform is glass.

I used to rip the tape when trying to remove the part (using a sharp item), not when printing. Even if the part was removable without tools by hand, the tape would sometimes still stick to the part and rip. Part came out fine but the tape was no longer usable. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not trying to be "anti-tape" or saying its the wrong way, nor do I own stock in a hair spray company. I'm just sharing my experience so others don't waste money, or maybe I can learn different ways to improve my rate of success as well.

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

Thanks for the feedback here on the printers, procedures and suggestions.

Good information to have and refer back to.

We get our new printer in on Monday and then on top of that, they are giving teams 300 credits back since they did not sell of them.

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

I just don't like deforming our plate really.. I like keeping it in its pristine condition..

We have a ton of blue painters tape (rolls and rolls) so its not a big deal for us, even if we have to apply it each print.

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

Bit of a late post, and I'm not sure how well it would work with other printers but...

Our team purchased the Replicator 2X over the summer last year. We've been having issues getting our prints to stick as well, and it was getting pretty frustrating. One of our alumni suggested taking some of the ABS, and dissolving it in acetone until its saturated. Let some of the acetone evaporate, and then "paint" a thin layer of the solution onto the kapton tape on your build table. We haven't had a part pull up as far as i know. Just reapply after every 5-10 large prints. You'll have plenty of the acetone/ABS mixture left over.

I don't know if this transfers over to other printers/build plates as well. I know PLA doesn't really dissolve in Acetone very well either. I'm sure there is an alternative for PLA though.

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

With our Replicator 2 (PLA) we were having difficulty with a consistent "stick" and also with removing the raft completely from the printed part. I started using the Aqua Net hair spray, and it works perfectly for the stick...Then I started printing with no raft and the parts were sticking too well...I discovered something very interesting yesterday when I was in a hurry to get home and couldn't get the parts quickly off the platform. I took the parts, platform and all with me on my short walk home, and as soon as they got out into the cold air they dislodged themselves. Obviously different coefficients of thermal expansion so the drastic cool down broke the parts free without any work. Now I need a mini-fridge for summer printing.

Re: FIRST Choice 3D Printer Lottery
 

For PLA, acetone makes the material "rubbery" if I can describe it best. As this happens parts can merge/stick to eachother, but when the acetone evaporates it leaves a white, powdery layer.

However, I have been experimenting with acetone "glossing" -- vaporizing acetone around a part to make it shiny. The results are interesting! PLA will absorb the acetone vapor and it does blend the layers nicely, for a nice shiny finish.