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    Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...

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    • TLeTourneau
      TLeTourneau last edited by

      I'm thinking about moving to a cast aluminium plate, I'm stuck on what thickness to get. The plate would be 500x500mm (19.6875"2 square) and the options seem to be 5/16" or 3/8", 1/4" was deemed to be to thin for that size in another thread. The 3/8" weighs 14 Lbs and the 5/16" weighs 12.2 Lbs and costs $10 more. I'm just not sure which way to go, I don't know if the additional 1.8 Lbs makes that big of a difference. I am also planning on rebuilding the bed frame with 2020 or aluminum angle to increase stiffness if needed. I'm not against changing the Z axis motors to NEMA 23's either. Any thoughts or advice would be truly appreciated!

      My machine is a CoreXY with dual Z axis using single start T8 leadscrews that have a 2mm lead. On the plus side I live about 90 minutes away from Midwest Metal Supply.

      Thanks,
      Tom

      TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
      Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
      Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
      Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
      7" PanelDue
      E3D V6 Clone
      MOSFET's for hot end
      1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
      dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

      deckingman 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • deckingman
        deckingman @TLeTourneau last edited by

        @tletourneau This is one of those questions where you will likely get dozens of recommendations. I'll start the ball rolling. ☺

        I chose 10mm (3/8") thick for my 400mm x 400mm bed but if I did it again I'd go for 8mm (5/16") because it takes a tad longer than I'd like for the heat to "permeate" through to the top surface (I use a mains powered silicone heater). However for 500mm x 500mm, I'm not sure.........hmm..... on balance, I'd probable go for 8mm (5/16) well supported on a 2020 frame.

        Oh, BTW I use a single Nema17 with 3 off 1mm lead screws and a continuous belt. You don't say how many motors you are using but if it's multiple - then (high torque) Nema 17s will be fine IMO.

        Ian
        https://somei3deas.wordpress.com/
        https://www.youtube.com/c/deckingman/

        TLeTourneau 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • TLeTourneau
          TLeTourneau @deckingman last edited by

          @deckingman thanks for the reply! Finding an appropriate, reasonably priced, heater for a 500x500mm build plate has been another challenge. I have no problem going with a mains powered heater controlled by a SSR but finding one has been fun.

          I have dual independent NEMA 17 60mm Z motors. I'm not sure of the torque rating as TronXY doesn't really publish the specs but the sticker on the motors say "SL 42STH60-1684A".

          Thanks,
          Tom

          TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
          Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
          Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
          Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
          7" PanelDue
          E3D V6 Clone
          MOSFET's for hot end
          1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
          dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

          dc42 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Surgikill
            Surgikill last edited by

            Where are you finding these plates and for what price? I'm looking for some.

            TLeTourneau 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • TLeTourneau
              TLeTourneau @Surgikill last edited by

              @surgikill Midwest Steel and Aluminum Supply (https://www.midweststeelsupply.com/store/aluminumplate). For the size I'm looking at it's about $73.00 for 3/8" and $83.00 for 5/16" plus tax. Shipping would be additional, I'm somewhat local at about 90 minutes away so I would pick it up.

              Thanks,
              Tom

              TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
              Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
              Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
              Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
              7" PanelDue
              E3D V6 Clone
              MOSFET's for hot end
              1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
              dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • SupraGuy
                SupraGuy last edited by

                Yeah, there will be lots of recommendations, and It Depends...

                If you are willing to add supports, then the 5/16" should be fine. A good support structure will help keep things flat when heated.

                Over 500mm, there will be some thermal expansion, so how you hold things together will matter. You will have to allow for the plate to expand and contract.

                Lead screw driven printer, powered by Duet Wifi
                MPCNC powered by Duet Wifi

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • gtj0
                  gtj0 last edited by

                  My 500x500 MIC-6 is 1/4" and I've not had ANY issues with a minimum bed temp of 70C. My 3 point ball and slot mount allows the bed to expand/contract without any lateral movement.

                  TLeTourneau UnderDoneSushi 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • dc42
                    dc42 administrators @TLeTourneau last edited by dc42

                    @tletourneau said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                    Finding an appropriate, reasonably priced, heater for a 500x500mm build plate has been another challenge. I have no problem going with a mains powered heater controlled by a SSR but finding one has been fun.

                    Both Keenovo and Shenzen Ali Brother Technology (via Ali Express) will make one to your size, voltage and power specifications.

                    Duet WiFi hardware designer and firmware engineer
                    Please do not ask me for Duet support via PM or email, use the forum
                    http://www.escher3d.com, https://miscsolutions.wordpress.com

                    TLeTourneau 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • TLeTourneau
                      TLeTourneau @gtj0 last edited by

                      @gtj0 thanks! I'm looking at 100-110C (I print a bit of ABS) that's one of the reasons I am thinking a bit thicker may help. I'm not overly concerned with the heat up time but rather the weight, especially after I put a 1/4" thick piece of glass on it.

                      Thanks,
                      Tom

                      TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
                      Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
                      Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
                      Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
                      7" PanelDue
                      E3D V6 Clone
                      MOSFET's for hot end
                      1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
                      dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

                      gtj0 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • TLeTourneau
                        TLeTourneau @dc42 last edited by

                        @dc42 thanks for the reply! I should have been more clear, I apologize. I know there are options I can get from China, I'm trying to find a US supplier to cut down on shipping time. I wonder if a heater designed for a CR-10 S5 would be ok?

                        Thanks,
                        Tom

                        TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
                        Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
                        Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
                        Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
                        7" PanelDue
                        E3D V6 Clone
                        MOSFET's for hot end
                        1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
                        dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

                        gtj0 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • gtj0
                          gtj0 @TLeTourneau last edited by

                          @tletourneau said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                          @dc42 thanks for the reply! I should have been more clear, I apologize. I know there are options I can get from China, I'm trying to find a US supplier to cut down on shipping time. I wonder if a heater designed for a CR-10 S5 would be ok?

                          I got mine from these guys...
                          https://www.ebay.com/usr/autonomousindustries?ul_noapp=true
                          120V 1600w
                          Ordered on Wednesday, had it the following Monday.

                          I don't see the 500x500 listed any more but you could ask them.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • gtj0
                            gtj0 @TLeTourneau last edited by

                            @tletourneau said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                            @gtj0 thanks! I'm looking at 100-110C (I print a bit of ABS) that's one of the reasons I am thinking a bit thicker may help. I'm not overly concerned with the heat up time but rather the weight, especially after I put a 1/4" thick piece of glass on it.

                            I also tried the tempered glass over aluminum route. It's going to be a bitch to get heat transfer from the aluminum to the glass unless you use a thermal adhesive or paste between them. I tried various things with the help of a Flir camera and gave up. In the end, I went with a Printbite surface and haven't looked back. If you do go with the glass, then the aluminum is really just for heat spreading and mounting so thinner is better.

                            dc42 deckingman 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • dc42
                              dc42 administrators @gtj0 last edited by

                              @gtj0 said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                              I also tried the tempered glass over aluminum route. It's going to be a bitch to get heat transfer from the aluminum to the glass unless you use a thermal adhesive or paste between them.

                              Also, tempered glass is frequently warped by the tempering process.

                              Duet WiFi hardware designer and firmware engineer
                              Please do not ask me for Duet support via PM or email, use the forum
                              http://www.escher3d.com, https://miscsolutions.wordpress.com

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • deckingman
                                deckingman @gtj0 last edited by

                                @gtj0 said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                                I also tried the tempered glass over aluminum route. It's going to be a bitch to get heat transfer from the aluminum to the glass unless you use a thermal adhesive or paste between them...............

                                As @dc42 said, tempering glass (or toughening it) causes is to distort - been there, done that, got the Tee shirt. So if you use glass, stick with plain non-toughened, float glass.

                                Heat transfer isn't a problem - if it was, I wouldn't need double glazing in my house ☺ I get 2.5 degree top between the top of my aluminium bed and the top of the 6mm glass at 55 deg C bed temperature. If that's critical, just set the bed 2.5 degrees warmer. Personally I just use a squirt of 3D lac then I can print pretty much any filament at any temperature over about 50 deg C so bed temperature doesn't really matter to me.

                                Ian
                                https://somei3deas.wordpress.com/
                                https://www.youtube.com/c/deckingman/

                                gtj0 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • mrehorstdmd
                                  mrehorstdmd last edited by

                                  If anyone lives in the Milwaukee or Minneapolis area, Howard Precision Metals sells MIC6 cutoffs for $1.50-2 per lb. My 300x300x8mm bed plate that started as 13.5" x 15" cost me $15 when picked up locally.

                                  https://drmrehorst.blogspot.com/

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • gtj0
                                    gtj0 @deckingman last edited by

                                    @deckingman said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                                    @gtj0 said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                                    I also tried the tempered glass over aluminum route. It's going to be a bitch to get heat transfer from the aluminum to the glass unless you use a thermal adhesive or paste between them...............

                                    As @dc42 said, tempering glass (or toughening it) causes is to distort - been there, done that, got the Tee shirt. So if you use glass, stick with plain non-toughened, float glass.

                                    Heat transfer isn't a problem - if it was, I wouldn't need double glazing in my house ☺ I get 2.5 degree top between the top of my aluminium bed and the top of the 6mm glass at 55 deg C bed temperature. If that's critical, just set the bed 2.5 degrees warmer. Personally I just use a squirt of 3D lac then I can print pretty much any filament at any temperature over about 50 deg C so bed temperature doesn't really matter to me.

                                    I'm just reporting what I saw with the Flir and I did try float glass as well. It took a long time to get an even distribution of heat to the surface. Actually, a little bit of mineral oil on the center of the aluminum plate before laying the glass on top made a huge difference. Anyway, moot point for me. The printbite directly on the aluminum has been working great.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • TLeTourneau
                                      TLeTourneau last edited by

                                      My glass is NeoCeram fireplace glass that I got from a local shop. I use a .5mm layer of high temp silicone sheeting between the glass and the heat bed.

                                      @mrehorstdmd - thanks for the pointer! I'll give them a call.

                                      Thanks,
                                      Tom

                                      TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
                                      Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
                                      Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
                                      Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
                                      7" PanelDue
                                      E3D V6 Clone
                                      MOSFET's for hot end
                                      1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
                                      dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

                                      mrehorstdmd 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • jrjones88
                                        jrjones88 last edited by

                                        Here is another place that sells off cuts of cast aluminum, out of California: http://www.sandsmachine.com/alumweb.htm

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • mrehorstdmd
                                          mrehorstdmd @TLeTourneau last edited by

                                          @tletourneau go to https://www.howardprecision.com/random-rack to select a piece, get a quote, and they'll send a confirmation email. Then you email back and then tell them you want it and will pick up and they'll get it ready for you.

                                          https://drmrehorst.blogspot.com/

                                          TLeTourneau 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • TLeTourneau
                                            TLeTourneau @mrehorstdmd last edited by

                                            @mrehorstdmd thanks again for the replies! I called and talked to them, nice people. They no longer have a facility in Minneapolis so no local pickup for me. 😞 They have a piece of MIC6 that was $40.00 and was $67.00 shipped. The issue was that it is 19 5/8" x 28" and I couldn't find anyone local to cut it to size. If I have Howard cut it the price goes to over $100.00 shipped. I was able to get a 19.675" square 3/8" piece of ATP5 for $95.55 shipped. I've ordered a SSR and some 184C thermal cutoff fuses. Now I just need to order a 120v silicone heat pad. Looking at the frame and thinking through it I think a slightly smaller than 500x500 would be a good idea to give me room to mount the bed to the frame, like 460x460 if I can find one in 110v.

                                            I have also ordered enough 2020 extrusion to build a stable gantry for bed (along with MGN15 linear rails for the X and Y axis).

                                            Thanks,
                                            Tom

                                            TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
                                            Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
                                            Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
                                            Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
                                            7" PanelDue
                                            E3D V6 Clone
                                            MOSFET's for hot end
                                            1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
                                            dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • TLeTourneau
                                              TLeTourneau last edited by

                                              Would a 450x450 heater be alright on a 500x500 bed? Also, does anyone know of a reasonably priced supplier that is not in China or on a holiday?

                                              Thanks,
                                              Tom

                                              TronXY X5S-500 (CoerXY)
                                              Duet 2 Ethernet v1.04
                                              Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
                                              Web Interface Version: 1.22.6
                                              7" PanelDue
                                              E3D V6 Clone
                                              MOSFET's for hot end
                                              1000w Keenovo with SSR for heat bed
                                              dc42 Mini IR Sensor or BLTouch

                                              PlasticMetal 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • PlasticMetal
                                                PlasticMetal @TLeTourneau last edited by

                                                @tletourneau said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                                                Would a 450x450 heater be alright on a 500x500 bed?

                                                Absolutely. Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor, and 1 inch shy on each side is a non-issue. In fact, it gives a desirable gap to ensure the heater clears any mounts, clips, etc.

                                                I use a 310mm diameter MIC-6 plate on my delta, heated by 3 PTC elements (like these), and the heat spreads out fine. In retrospect, 4 would have been a little quicker, but it all works.

                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                • gtj0
                                                  gtj0 last edited by

                                                  You could also get 4 200x200 pads and wire them in parallel.

                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • Wyvern
                                                    Wyvern last edited by

                                                    Not to take over the thread, but has anyone used 3M 468MP to attach a mirror to an aluminum bed?

                                                    I hate hate hate hate hate clips or the likes, they get in the way and reduce build area.

                                                    jrjones88 dc42 Steve Lynch 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • jrjones88
                                                      jrjones88 @Wyvern last edited by jrjones88

                                                      @wyvern said in Yet another cast aluminum plate topic...:

                                                      Not to take over the thread, but has anyone used 3M 468MP to attach a mirror to an aluminum bed?

                                                      I hate hate hate hate hate clips or the likes, they get in the way and reduce build area.

                                                      I restrain my glass plate in 3 directions from the side. I still need to modify (improve) it since the heat cycling loosens the screws over time, but the aluminum is flat enough that after polishing it, if I lift only the glass, the aluminum sticks to it for a few seconds and is lifted up as well.
                                                      I usually have to slide the glass plate off the aluminum plate to separate them.
                                                      I was using the binder clips before but found that it warped the glass slightly because they clamped at the very edge of the glass.

                                                      Wyvern 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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