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Time for Aluminum bed.

Discussion in 'Mods and Upgrades' started by KTMDirtFace, Sep 5, 2016.

  1. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Going to upgrade one of my robo3d's to an aluminum bed. Couple things I'm not sure about, what kind of aluminum should I use?

    Is 6061 T6 ok?

    How thick? 2.5 - 3mm thick? ( 1/8" probably?

    Bed heater? No idea what to get.

    Also planning to change to this IR Sensor https://printedsolid.com/collection...cts/mini-ir-differential-height-sensing-board

    I assume it will work on aluminum? if not I have these also https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FZC8F2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Was printing a mount to velcro my amazon fire TV up under my TV. Printed in PrintinZ PLA/PHA filament.

    Bed was fully cool ( cooled all night ), this happend. I have a Fleks3d plate i can put on for now.

    [​IMG]

    This is what I was printing.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 KTMDirtFace, Sep 5, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2016
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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  3. WZ9V

    WZ9V Active Member

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    The general consensus (RepRap forums) is that a heated bed should use cast aluminum tooling plate. That is very flat and stays flat as heated. In my opinion the Y axis system on the Robo is just not a good base for something that heavy. Mine practically eats LM8UU bearings on the Y axis due to the loads presented at the extremes.
     
  4. danzca6

    danzca6 Well-Known Member

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    Right the stock y design may not handle the weight. 6061 T6 should be fine if you go down that route. I see folks using 3mm thick. I think the Ultimaker might use 4mm. The IR probably won't work on aluminum. When u get home I'll check mine against a sheet I have. Heater can be a Kapton heater it something similar. The aluminum might be a bit of a heat sync and require a bit more to warm up but will be more even I would believe.
     
  5. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    I ordered a 10x15x1/8" sheet of milled 6061 T6

    Trying to find a silicone bed heater. I'm thinking 225x250mm would be good size, haven't found one yet. also How many watts should it be? I read something from waldo that the ramps only pulls 11Amps. so even a 150w/12v = 12.5A heater would pull more than that is that a problem?

    Was also considering changing the Y out to linear rails someday. but not now..so maybe then i could go with a cast bed.
     
  6. danzca6

    danzca6 Well-Known Member

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    You could always look at going with a SSR (solid state relay) setup.
     
  7. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Don't know what that means. :)

    Software guy here i don't know crap about electronics.
     
  8. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Means rather than have the RAMPS power the heated bed the RAMPS turns an SSR on/off and the power supply directly powers the heater through the relay.
     
  9. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    I see thanks found a toms video on it.

    How many watts is the stock powersupply anyway?

    How much wattage of a heater should I get?
     
  10. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Stock is 350w
    I would be cautious going more than 150w on just the heater, but you can always power it directly from a 24v external power supply (almost all bed heaters are rated at 24v) and then it will not matter (external supply would power just the heated bed) and 24v heats up way quicker.
     
  11. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Grab a spare PC supply if you don't want to pop for a 24v standalone.
     
  12. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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  13. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Sure. Make sure you have at least 200w* more than the heater wants.
    Run the electronics off the 12v line and the bed heater off of 24v.



    *Just to be safe
     
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  14. danzca6

    danzca6 Well-Known Member

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    Ok sorry for the delay. I was extremely surprised tonight. I actually got the IR to trigger just fine on several sheets of aluminum that I have. I tried the chrome plated spatula/scraper that comes with the Robo and I'll be dog gone...that worked as well. I mean, that is crazy. So I don't think you will have too much of an issue with an aluminum bed coupled with the IR.
     
  15. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Cool. thanks!

    I kinda figured it would trigger but at a different height from the black backed glass.
     
  16. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Anyone know where to get specific sized silicone heaters? and where it lets me choose the watts?

    I haven't found what I want so far.
     
  17. WZ9V

    WZ9V Active Member

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    I got my from a place on AliExpress which works fine but I recently bought a Keenovo one and it seems better built but less flexible. Since we don't need flexible I prefer that one. I think you can order custom from them if you contact them. They sell one on Amazon 300mm square 750W which is the style I got, you may want to start with that and them tell them the customizations you want. BTW my Silicone heater for the Robo is only 360W 120V 3A and I use a DC/AC SSR to trigger it.

    http://www.keenovo.com/index.html

    This is the one I got from Amazon (for a SmartRapCore XL300)
    https://www.amazon.com/approx-KEENO...e=UTF8&qid=1473262894&sr=8-5&keywords=keenovo
     
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  18. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Havn't worked out yet what i'm doing for heat, probably have keenovo make me one like WZ9V suggested.

    But my sheet of aluminum came today 10x15x1/8" from http://www.onlinemetals.com/ The shipping was expensive for some reason the aluminum itself wasn't that much.

    It seems very flat, not bowed. I have some other smaller 1/8" aluminum from amazon that is bowed badly.

    Just set it on top of the glass bed to make sure its the right size.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  19. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    #19 KTMDirtFace, Sep 13, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2016
  20. jim3Dbot

    jim3Dbot Active Member

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    It will work, but take a little longer to heat...............this heater may only draw about <1amp....solid state relay need not be too large only will see 1 amp of AC current............

    Sorry, just noticed you ordered a larger heater.......noted it is a 110volt heater, 3 amps
     
    #20 jim3Dbot, Sep 13, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2016

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