Replacing your print bed surface

The print bed surface, will need to be changed at some point as it will eventually lose its stick over time due to use and general wear and tear. You will need to change the print bed sheet if damage has occurred as a result of hot extruder collisions or incorrectly removing prints with a paint scraper. You can purchase new print bed sheets from our online store.

Before changing your print bed surface though, you might like to clean the print bed to make sure it is not just dirty.

Step 1 - Remove the old print surface

- Raise the extruder off the print bed by using the manual controls in BuildBee, or by turning the printer off and lifting the extruder arm and propping it up with something (a filament box works well).

- Remove the old print bed sheet by lifting up one corner and carefully peeling the sheet back until it comes free.

Step 2 - Clean the print bed

- Wipe down the print bed to make sure it is clean and free of debris and residue leftover from the old print bed sheet.

- Isopropyl alcohol will help you clean off some of the leftover adhesive from the print bed sheet.

Step 3 - Apply the new print bed sheet

- Remove the backing from the new print bed sheet and apply it to a clean print bed.

- Start from the edge where the extruder homes, making sure the print bed sheet is aligned flush with the edges of that corner.

- Work your way across the print bed, smoothing the print bed sheet as you go to ensure there are no air bubbles trapped underneath.

Step 4 - Check your Z offset calibration

- Run a Z-Offset calibration to ensure that the nozzle height is properly set.

Print bed surface maintenance

Here are some recommendations and best practices for extending the life of your print bed sheets:

1. Avoid using painters tape or glue stick, as they will leave behind excess adhesive on the print bed surface which will prevent your prints from sticking properly.
   
2. Use a spatula or putty knife with smooth/rounded corners. Avoid using objects with sharp edges or corners that could potentially accelerate the wear and tear of the print bed sheet.
   
3. Make sure your printers extruder nozzle is NOT in direct contact with the print bed sheet. If your calibration is too low, the nozzle can drag and leave marks in the print bed sheet or even melt holes in it. Refer to this article to calibrate the Z-Offset.
   

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