Why do prints over-stick?

Sticking is an essential experience when printing your object. The print needs to stick to the surface for balance. However, over-sticking causes a bad image to the print thereby disrupting your efforts.

Over-sticking of 3d prints occurs for some reasons, which include:

Using the wrong adhesive

The adhesive is an essential ingredient for 3D printing; however, it is essential to use quality adhesive to smooth your print.

Some people even forget to use adhesive; this is a wrong move. It affects your work negatively, no matter how beautiful the product is

Dirty print bed

The print bed surface must not be dirty. Using a dirty print bed surface impacts your project negatively because the surface is filled with bacteria and fungi. It is always advised that you clean the surface of your print bed before you print with it.

Wrong printer setting

When you buy your printer, it is essential to check the user manual to know how to set it up correctly. Failure to set your printers rightly can cause your print to lose its fine touch.

Using the wrong print bed surface

Know how to set up your bed surface for a good print. Your material will determine the type of bed surface to use. The wrong surface will undoubtedly cause your print to over stick.

Bad first layers

The first layer of your print is significant; it is the preliminary to other layers. It serves as the print’s foundation. Once the foundation is destroyed, there is no option other than to start all over, hence the need to create good first layers.

Not taking advantage of temperature differences

Temperature is an essential factor in printing; therefore, you have to know the temperature difference for a better outcome.

Not using a raft or brim

The raft is a horizontal latticework of filament located at the bottom of your print. The object will be printed on the raft instead of directly on the surface. It prevents the print from directly sticking to the surface as it will stick too much.

When you do not use this raft, it is a high probability that your print will over stick to the surface.

How to Prevent Over-Sticking of 3d Printing

There are a lot of ways to prevent your 3D print from sticking to surfaces. Below are precautionary steps you can take to prevent this unwanted situation during your printing.

Get the Right Adhesive

The main reason a material sticks is that the bond of the surface and the material is too strong, and if you use the right adhesive, it will help you reduce the bond to make it easy for the object to come off easily when needed.

Although there is no specific correct adhesive, there are a few that have been tried out. As long as you have your adhesive and it works fine for you, you are good to go. Nevertheless, you must find the ones that work for you.

Some adhesives that have been tried by people that yielded fantastic results are; glue, hair spray, blue painter’s tape, and specialized 3D printer adhesives.

Change the bed surface

Using the right bed surface for your print is an excellent way to stop over sticking. The glass surface is the most common because of its see-through quality. Yet, it is advised that you use different textures depending on the print’s materials.

Some bed surfaces do not need any ceremonies though, once they properly cool down, the print will come off quickly; no adhesive, no cleaning.

Another type of surface is the flexible type. It can be easily removed from your print. It is called the magnetic flexible build tape.

The magnetic flexible build tape seems to be the best removing surface because of its flexibility.

Although different surfaces have worked well for different people, you can find the type that works with you or the one you are comfortable with.

Some types of surfaces include; BuildTak sheet, borosilicate glass, PEI build surface, and, of course, magnetic flexible build surface.

Build your first layer rightly

The first layer of your print is like the foundation. If the layer presses too hard on the surface, it can cause sticking. On the other hand, it must not be laid down too softly, or it will cause another challenge.

Therefore, it must be a perfect layer. The perfect first layer is one that extrudes down gently on the build surface with a bit of pressure to carefully stick down.

However, the most important thing is getting the right level of your print bed.

Take your time to get your bed accurately leveled on each side and the middle and make sure you heat up your build plate before leveling so you can account for curling.

Many people use a thin card or a piece of paper, then place it below the nozzle for leveling.

You should put your paper underneath your nozzle on each corner and be able to wiggle it for good leveling.

Clean your bed surface

When a bed surface is dirty, the print gladly sticks to the surface. The dirt attracts the print to itself. The bond between them will be strong and it will cause your print to stick. So, you’ve to ensure that your bed surface remains cleaned always.

Create a Temperature Difference Between the Print & Bed

A good step you can take is being able to create a difference in temperature if your print stick too easily. 

The temperature has to be at equilibrium.  This might just be enough to remove the 3D print from the bed. 

Try adjusting your bed temperature, lowering it if prints over-stick. You can also remove your build surface and place it in the freezer for prints to pop off.

Sometimes even using water mixed with isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle on your print can do the job. 

First Layer Printing Too Slow or Bad Height

When the first layer is printing at a slow speed, it deposits more material at a single place, making a thick first layer. Also, if the printing is too fast, it will not stick properly.

With 3D prints that stick too well, doing the opposite is what is going to work better.

Make adjustments to first layer settings like; speed and first layer width.

Do some trial and error testing to figure out the best settings for your first layer.

Use a rift or brim

If you are still experiencing over-sticking, use a raft or brim to increase the surface area of your 3D prints, which allows more leverage to remove the object.

With the brim, you can adjust the minimum brim length, brim width, brim line count, and more.

With the raft, you can adjust several settings such as top layers, top layer thickness, an extra margin, smoothing, fan speed, and print.

Physical force

You can use your hand to do the job. Hold the print in your hand, carefully twist and turn the object till it pops off.

You can also use a rubber mallet. You have to be extra careful while using this tool while you strike it upon the sides.

Use a Flat Object or Removal Tool

Try using a flat and a sharp object such as a spatula to get underneath the 3D print that is stuck down on the bed.

You can then slowly bend the spatula upwards and diagonally to try and weaken the bond between the 3D print and the bed.

Use Floss to Remove the 3D print.

Dental floss is also an excellent tool for removing your print.

Put the floss under your print, hold the floss on each side and pull gently till it comes off.

Conclusion

The Over-sticking of a print is caused by a number of things. You have to be careful to avoid it.

It is not a curse if you encounter certain challenges as you print your products; the terrible thing is not getting a proper solution.

3D takes a lot of practice, time, energy, and money for a perfect outcome of products.

Study other people’s work. Every day, a new technology pops up. Therefore, you must upgrade yourself on new technologies of printing 3D products by studying other’s works.