Hi all,
I’m looking to buy a 3D printer with dual extruison but the configuration i want doesn’t have a heated bed (to save money)
I will mainly print (dual extruison) with PLA and PVA plastic and i’m wondering if the PVA plastic needs a heated print bed for optimal results. #buildone
Thanks!
Links:
https://www.robotic.industries/ (main 3d printer website)
Having no heated bed doesn’t save money. You will waste more in failed prints than the cost of the bed and it’s power. Trust me I used to only print without heated.
I’ve completely disconnected my heated bed and haven’t had any issues. PVA should stick just like PLA. Just put glue stick down if you’re on bare aluminium or glass and you’ll be fine. You don’t really need a heated bed unless you’re using ABS/ASA or PETG, or other, more exotic filaments.
Totally agree with @Griffin_Paquette . You will want a heated bed for what you want to do. Don’t cut corners with this. I really enjoy my Dual head printer and I’m glad I went all out.
Save up and get u a prusa if your new to 3d printing - a kit is ok - I’ve own mk2 and 3 - and several delta - if u just want to print it’s far better choice
While the original prusa is best, the mk 3 didn’t yet have multi material and building yours from a kit (like Tom’s come videos) will work too. You’ll find a number of dual extrusion options to use for that platform as well, whether an e3d Chimera or dual hotend setup. But best matter single material extrusion first before going to dual. The problems don’t just add up, they multiply, if not use an exponential curve.
In printing for 4 plus years - I’ve still not got
Then need for multi material - the Mk 3 Bed is really killer - and the quiet really helps - but I have to say the filament sensor really helps - I tend to print different colors in different prints and with the ease of
Filament change on the mk3 it’s really easy
Direct drive is a killer for using any material
@Griffin_Paquette Doesn’t PLA require no heated build plate because it doesn’t warp as much?
@Glenn_West Would you reccomend any other sub-$200 3D printer?
@thetacocat PLA doesn’t require a heatbed, but the failure rate is quite high without one. Heatbed guarantees adhesion on every print, or nearly so. And PLA warps less, yes, but PVA is a different matter as well. Heatbed may help you with that quite a bit.
@thetacocat technically you can print it without, but it will still warp. Also think of it this way, you will have to continuously replace your blue tape, or glue or whatever after each print, which in turn costs a good bit. I calculated that I had spent more on blue tape than it would’ve cost me to add and run a heated bed, which is why I added it. Trust me, in the long run, it is something you don’t want to live without.
@Griffin_Paquette I’ve never had issues with PLA warping. Also, glue stick is really cheap (I got 10 sticks for $3 back in July, and am still using the first one I took out of the pack). I don’t see the need for a heated bed if OP is just going to print PLA.