After we finish printing, it is exciting to have your model presented on the build plate, but we still have some last steps to complete. Good post-processing will make your work even better, but sometimes there is a problem that needs to be solved. If the printed model is firmly stuck to the print platform, how do we remove the print from 3D printer bed?
We would like to learn how to remove the 3D print from the printer bed smoothly, one reason is to ensure that our model is not damaged and that there are no defects on the bottom of it due to this last step. Another reason is to protect the printer bed, for example, not to be scratched, and to reuse it better in the next printing time. Let’s learn a few simple and effective ways to handle it together.
When Can you Take 3D Print Off the Print Bed?
Usually we set the print bed temperature to 60°C-70°C, for example when we print model with PLA filament. Most printers are equipped with print bed that can reach up to 110°C, which are relatively high temperatures. So when we finish printing, it is best to wait patiently for the print bed to cool down, taking care not to hurt ourselves, before handing the printed model on the print platform.
How to Remove 3D Print From Print Bed with 4 Effective Ways
Method 1: Apply Some Force to Get Print Off the Print Bed
Remove a 3D print directly: When we start printing, we expect the first layer to adhere well to the print platform, but sometimes it becomes a bit difficult to remove after we finish printing. In fact, the easiest way to remove the print is to try to push it off the printer bed with force, and try to push it at different angles.
Here are two suggestions: always be careful not to injure yourself in the process of force; and pay attention to the temperature of the printing platform. It is best to wait for the printer bed to cool down before removing the printed model, do not burn yourself.
Method 2: Use Tools to Remove Print Stuck on the Printer Bed
There should be a spatula provided with the 3D printer, or we can prepare more professional removal tools. Using a spatula with a bevel is better. We can start at the edge of the 3D print and shake the tightly adhere substrate to separate it from the print bed, finding or creating gaps where we can apply force will make removal easier and more effective.
Please be equally careful not to scratch yourself in this process, and pay attention to the temperature of the printer bed. When using the spatula, it is also best not to scratch the printing bed.
Method 3: Choose the Right Method to Remove Model According to the Build Plate
The print bed, also know as the build plate, we print 3D models on it. Different types of build plate are made of different materials and have characteristics. Knowing some of the characteristics of the print bed will help us to remove the printed model successfully. Glass build plate and spring build plate are the two commonly used in 3D printers.
If your printer is equipped with a glass build plate. The glass is heated evenly and has good adhesion. It is also ideal for PLA filament, so the glass plate is used by desktop FDM 3D printers like Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus. After you have finished the printing work, please be patient and wait for the print bed cool down. Due to thermal expansion and contraction, the glass will naturally pop out of the printed model, which we can easily remove. If you don’t want to wait for the print bed to cool completely, then you can use a spatula to scoop the model down, which requires a bit of effort.
If you use a FDM 3D printer with a spring steel platform, as Anycubic Kobra 2 Neo is equipped to do, then it is relatively easy to remove the model form the print bed. After printing, the models can be removed by gently bending the spring steel platform. The printer bed made of this material can withstand high strength printing and is not subject to corrosion, saving you a lot of maintenance cost.
Method 4: Heat or Freeze the Print Bed
This sounds a bit contradictory and seems to be the opposite of what we have suggested above. But we know the materials used in FDM 3D printers are usually sensitive to temperature, and we can control the temperature to reduce the adhesion of the material on the print bed.
Heat the print bed again to about 70°C, the model tightly attached to the print platform can become easy to remove. Try again with your hands or tools, but be careful not to get burned by the high temperature of the print bed. Like the thermal expansion and contraction mentioned above, when you put the printing platform and prints in the refrigerator to further reduce their temperature, the material shrinks when cola and the model will also become easier to remove from the print bed.
Get PLA off the 3D Print Bed
The 4 methods above are all worth trying when you have a problem to fix a PLA model stuck on the print bed. It should be noted that finding the problem and to avoid the tricky situation next time. Of course in the advancement of technology and iteration of machines, many desktop fast FDM 3D printer fitted with spring steel print bed, that will rarely have problems with being unable to remove the print model from the print bed. However, FDM printers of large format still use glass platforms as the build plate. We need to take care to clean up the model traces left by the bottom layer in time and replace them when necessary.
