Kickstarter Gecko build plate for Robo

Many of you have probably seen;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geckotek3d/geckotek-3d-printer-build-plate

I am really tempted. As with all kickstarters, there is a risk that you pay $100 and get nothing or something really sub-par. However if it works out, and it does what it says it may just be a very nice upgrade. I would love to see this and similar projects (are there any?) become available. Bed adhesion is one of the biggest reasons 3d printing cant really move into the mainstream. You cant sell a $1000 machine and have it to work well, and most new users (me included) struggle to find what works well for them on getting things to stick. Since a good 1st layer is 90% of the key to getting a successful print, a good solution would be a boon.

I could also do without it being bright green...but who knows if its green because it has to be.

With a Robo Specific version being available, I will likely throw my money at it.

 

I really like the idea but would prefer if it just mounted to the magnets already on my printer.

 

I'd like it for ABS though. PLA is fine on glass, but ABS on glass leaves something to be desired.

 

Copying a related post over from here: http://forums.robo3dprinter.com/index.php?threads/best-bed-surface.2784/#post-23115

The GekoTek plate looks interesting but I would be worried about this statement from the comment section in regards to the new bed level sensing:

Creator Brad Ruff on June 18
Much of this is in FAQ. It is a polymer coating so if you run the hot nozzle into it, it will scratch. But one scratch wont ruin it. Its pretty tough, Water and alcohol is fine. We found that its not nearly as susceptible to finger oils, etc like kapton and other tapes. Because of the flexing plate, parts should pop right off.​

I would be pretty upset if the level sense bumping put nine marks all over the bed. That would impact your nice smooth bottom prints.

I don't have bed leveling yet so perhaps the Printrbot inductive non-contact sensor scheme would be the way to go since the GekoTek is a metal plate. http://printrbot.com/shop/auto-leveling-probe-2/ Has anyone looked into this?

 

And copying this...

"Will the auto level probe work on the RoBo?"​

It looks like it could work if you can find a good place to mount it. Probably should start a new thread if is anyone is interested in this.

I think the Printrbot uses this sensor or something pretty close:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LJ8A3-2-Z-A...V-PNP-NC-/130991605669?_trksid=p2054897.l5660
Product Name : Inductive Proximity Switch;Model : LJ8A3-2-Z/AY;Theory : Inductive Sensor;Wire Type : DC 3 Wire Type (Black, Brown, Blue)
Switch Appearance Type : Cylinder Type, Metal Shell;Output Type : PNP NC;Diameter of Column Sensor : 8mm;Detecting Distance : 2mm
Supply Voltage : DC 6-36V;Current Output : 300mA;Detect Object : Iron
Total Size : 5 x 1.5cm/2'' x 0.6'' (L*W);Cable Length : 1.2m/47'';External Material : Plastic, Metal

Or this one on amazon prime:
http://www.amazon.com/LJ8A3-2-Z-3-wire-Inductive-Proximity-Sensor/dp/B005GCM7BC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1404881098&sr=1-1&keywords=Inductive Proximity Sensor

There are a lot of these on ebay and amazon with different specs and sizes.

A good discussion here using a differently shaped sensor: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/deltabot/NTZUGcTKxxI

 

That was a big reason I wanted it. Getting a metal sheet on there would make proximity sensing super easy

 

I think I'm gonna bite on one of these. I have a pre-R1 PLA only model, and the acrylic bed leaves something to be desired. Being able to take off the plate and flex it a little to pop off large prints is something I wish I could do instead of constantly trying to wrestle them off with a palette knife. And throwing out my tape and hairspray would be a plus, too.