Why Does the 3D Print Model Not Stick to the Bed (FDM Printing)?

The 3D printing process always comes with difficulties and obstacles. Even for professional operators who have much experience, a common problem will occur. But it’s not that users cannot 3D print flawlessly or have a bad day every time they deal with 3D printing. The important things are that you know what the process is, what the flows are, and what to do. Most people misunderstand that when they talk about 3D Printing – they just press the button and it automatically gives a good print. Well, it’s not that. Preparing is crucial, so the next step is minimizing the problem.

I want to share with you all the most common basic problems in 3D printing (FDM The Causes and How to solve it. When the user starts 3D printing, FIRST LAYER is priority number one that has to be checked every time. It’s a Base Foundation as if it fails – the next build on top will also fail along the way. There are four main points that everyone has to foresee before hitting the ‘Print’ command.

Point 1: Bed Leveling

Bed Leveling is the first rule that users have to check on mechanical hardware before anything else. The Bigger the Build Platform on the printer – the more difficult to level the bed surface properly. Smaller Print bed areas usually use 4 knobs on each corner to level the bed. But for a bigger area let’s say a 30x30cm square print bed, almost it is impossible to get a perfect Bed leveling manual.

And now comes Automatic bed leveling which is very helpful to get good leveling. More points checked with Automatic Bed Level – more accurate. The drawback of this is users have a longer time to print process as it needs to run calculations of Z-axis coordinate compensation on the bed surface. Make sure that the Bed level of the Print Bed is good and proper so the first layer of print does not ruin everything.

Point 2: Bed Surface Material and Printed Material

There are many types of Bed Surfaces provided by manufacturers. The types of Print bed materials are Plain Glass, Glass with carborundum coating, G10 Garolite, BuildTak, PEI sheet, and many more. Those materials behave differently from the 3D Printing material that I want to print. Most users print common materials like PLA filament, PETG, and ABS filament. Matching the proper requirements for that material is a must. I noted down a few list settings for common Print Bed types and materials: PLA filament with Plain Glassbed: Temperature Bed around 55-70C with clean glass bed or can apply a small amount (very thin) layer PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. PETG with Plain Glassbed: Temperature Bed around 60-75C with apply small amount (very thin) layer of PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. ABS filament with Plain Glassbed: Temperature Bed around 85-105C with the application of ABS juice (ABS mixed with an Acetone) layer on its surface. PLA filament with Carborundum Glass: Temperature Bed around 55-65 Clean the surface with water.

PETG with Carborundum Glass: Temperature Bed around 60-70C with apply small amount (very thin) layer PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. ABS filament with Carborundum Glass: Temperature Bed around 60-70C with apply small amount (very thin) layer PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. PLA filament with BuildTak: Temperature Bed around 50-65 Clean the surface with alcohol. PETG with BuildTak: Temperature Bed around 60-70C with apply small amount (very thin) layer of PVA glue/glue stick on its surface.ABS filament with BuildTak: Temperature Bed around 90-105C with apply small amount (very thin) layer PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. PLA filament with PEI: Temperature Bed around 50-65 Clean the surface with alcohol.

PETG with PEI: Temperature Bed around 60-70C with apply small amount (very thin) layer of PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. ABS filament with PEI: Temperature Bed around 90-105C with a small amount (very thin) layer of PVA glue/glue stick on its surface. As a reminder above settings are general for 3D Print material which is good in quality and performance like SUNLU. Other brands can behave differently and cause not sticking to the bed.

Point 3: First Layer setting on Slicer Software

Print Setting on Slicer software determine all instruction for the 3D Printing process including the process of the First Layer. First Layer Temperature, Speed and Flow, First layer Z height, Fan Cooling, and Using Brim/Raft are the main playing roles. The first Layer Temperature usually slightly higher about 3-5C than the other layer print.

Print Speed is a lot slower (set only 20-30% from Standard Print Speed) so the material sticks firmly on the bed. Z-Layer height set at about 70-80% smaller than printed layer height, Fan cooling is off, some brim layer or even raft if required. That is best practice for standard 3D Print. But don’t get me wrong – those general setting also depends on the material type – Youhave to test it out with a level calibration model like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34558. each time you change the material or physically move the printer.

Point 4: Uniformity Bed Temperature and Big Build

Big 3D Printing is always a challenge from both the manufacturer’s and the user’s perspective. As for this particular problem, it’s quite common that printing tests small models successfully, it’s not guaranteed can print a big model (almost full bed). Ambiance temperature can affect a big printer. When we talk about setting the print bed to 60 C means only near the temp sensor in the middle of the bed, not on the side/corner. Corners’ location is the worst temperature gap from the main temperature setting. To stabilize the temperature of the build print – a 3D Printer Enclosure is a must even if only printing PLA material. Extreme low room temperature like During Winter time, Stick on bed 3D Printing is more difficult to handle. The best 3D Printing surrounding Temp Range for Standard PLA and PETG is 22-35 C so the 3D Print Bed Temperature is not distinct from the setting.

After checking all the above four points – 3D Printing can start with a high chance of success. For Beginner or just started 3D Printing – make sure you know the type of PrinterBed and use Good Standard Material PLA or PETG is like SUNLU PLA+. It’s much easier to learn step-by-step about 3D Printing.

Happy 3D Printing with SUNLU Filament.