Build plate adhesion type refers to the methods used to ensure a 3D print adheres to the build plate during the printing process. These methods help prevent warping and print failures. There are several build plate adhesion types available, each serving a specific purpose.
Build Plate Adhesion Types
Here's a breakdown of the common build plate adhesion types:
| Adhesion Type | Description | Use Cases | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skirt | A single-layer outline printed around the object but not touching it. | Testing extrusion, purging, and stabilizing temperature. | Quick to print, uses minimal material, helps in purging and temperature stabilization. | Doesn't offer much adhesion; may not be suitable for prints that require high adhesion. |
| Brim | A single-layer outline of several lines printed around the object, touching its base. | Prints with small footprints, parts prone to warping. | Provides good adhesion, helps prevent warping, easy to remove after printing. | Uses more material than a skirt, can be harder to remove on more complex shapes. |
| Raft | A thick, multi-layer platform printed beneath the object. | Prints with very small contact areas, parts needing significant support. | Offers the best adhesion, especially useful for materials prone to warping, provides a solid, stable base. | Uses the most material, requires more print time, can be difficult to remove and can leave marks on the model. |
| None | No adhesion aids are used. | When a print's adhesion to the bed is naturally sufficient or when other methods are used. | Minimal print time and material usage. | Highly prone to warping and print failure, not suggested for most general printing. |
Choosing the Right Adhesion Type
Selecting the appropriate build plate adhesion type is essential for successful printing. Here’s a quick guide:
- Skirt: Ideal for purging the nozzle and ensuring consistent extrusion before the print begins. Use it when your printer is properly calibrated, and you're confident about bed adhesion.
- Brim: The recommended choice for most prints, especially those with corners or small footprints susceptible to warping.
- Raft: Best used for complex prints or when using materials with poor bed adhesion.
- None: Suitable for printing materials and models with naturally high adhesion, or where other methods of adhesion (e.g. adhesives) are preferred.
Example
As the reference states, "This model has the build plate adhesion types from left to right: skirt, brim, and raft." This means that the provided example visually demonstrates, from left to right, how a skirt, brim, and raft appear when printed on a 3D printer.
By understanding these build plate adhesion types, you can significantly improve your 3D printing success rate and quality.
