Hello all,  question:  We d a lot of square-ish parts.  Our original issue was

3D Printing
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Hello all, question: We d a lot of square-ish parts. Our original issue was sticking to the bed, but the real issue is pulled up corners. If I plan to plot a 3x3x1/4" tall block, the corners of the 3x3 block will pull up so I get a very very shallow dome on what should be a flat surface.

Even worse is if we try to make a box… a 3x4x1" tall box, the bottom won’t be flat. We try to model prototype some sheet metal designs, and this is causing a bit of greif.

We’ve recently been trying no heat on the bed, and a piece of plexi in place of the glass. While it is much better, it still has a slight dome-ness… My theory is that he heated material is contracting as it cools, therefore contracting the part as you build…

Ideas? thoughts? suggestions for a better, flatter part?

Makergear 2, PLA, 185°C nozzle, no cooling (fan), simplify3D…

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I picked up a new bed plate from Fleks3d. Works like a champ.

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Yes, the PLA shrinks when it cools (not quite as bad as ABS but enough) you can try hairspray or gluesticks or a hotter bed. Heating the bed slows the cooling of the bottom layers and if you can get some structure on them before they cool you have a shot at a reasonably flat surface. (I say reasonably because I tend to think flat as in no light under a machinist square and that just doesn’t happen).

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Glue sticks work like a champ on an unheated aluminum bed with PLA.