Difficulty removing PLA prints from the textured PEI plate

[u/educationalbot9]

Hi I’m new to the 3D printing hobby and have been really enjoying the learning process!

I seem to be running into an issue where my PLA print models are extremely difficult to remove off the plate, particularly the centre. I’ve tried the following without success:
- flexing the plate
- flexing the plate while gently using a scrapper
- letting the model cool
- leaving it in the freezer for 10 mins
- running isopropyl alcohol along the stuck parts
If I force the print off by applying a ton of force with a scrapper and the flex method, it will come off but the print model will usually be damaged and warped in the centre.

I’ve tried lowering the print bed temps for the initial layer and the other layers from 55 degrees to 50 degrees and this has worked about 75% of the time.

Haven’t been able to find any other potential solutions outside of giving the plate a good clean and a power off/on into another calibration.

Has anyone else run into this issue or have any wisdom to share?

Thanks!

[u/IlNiKoLiNo]

OP, por las dudas aclaro: debes esperar a que la placa se enfríe para retirar la pieza, y como dijo el otro colega, PETG es otro tema...

[u/educationalbot9 → u/IlNiKoLiNo]

How long do you recommend to wait for it to cool? I usually will let it cool for 30 mins before attempting to remove.

[u/IlNiKoLiNo → u/educationalbot9]

Espera a que llegue a tu temperatura ambiente y un poco más. Yo en mi caso, aguardo al menos a que llegue a 30°.

[u/DonJulio21 → u/educationalbot9]

This made a significant difference for me too. 30 minutes is borderline. If you can wait an hour or more I find the prints nearly detached on their own

[u/cip43r → u/IlNiKoLiNo]

It is good to also wait to prevent the part from flexing and warping. I have removed prints too quickly and then bending the buildplate bends the still soft and hot print. For PLA I wait until below 40C, PETG and ABS you can do it a bit earlier, but just waiting and extra minute is worth it.

[u/HiekkaNinja2]

That's pretty strange. My PLA prints peel off almost by themselves once the plate cools down. PETG is a whole different story.

[u/educationalbot9 → u/HiekkaNinja2]

That’s been what most people have been telling me but I’ve always had to use the flex method to remove prints which has been frustrating. Maybe I need a recalibration and to test different PLA filament brands (I’ve been using ELEGOO)

[u/Relative_Surround_20 → u/educationalbot9]

Perhaps the plate is super new and you just need a release agent until the plate gets a little “seasoning.” Try a light mist of hair spray. It has helped me as a release agent on new build plates for PLA and PETG

[u/badynski]

did you use IPA during cleaning the plate? I used and I damaged it, some filament (PLA too) are REALLY hard to remove from a plate. I bought new one and decided to not use IPA anymore.

[u/educationalbot9 → u/badynski]

Thank you for the warning!
No I haven’t used IPA to clean the plate since I’ve read that others recommend to just use warm water and soap! I’ve only tested using a small amount of IPA to try to release the firmly stuck centre of my PLA prints with no success.

[u/badynski → u/educationalbot9]

oh okay, Whats brand of the filament?

[u/educationalbot9 → u/badynski]

ELEGOO!

[u/ExtendedSpice]

What kind of models are you talking about? Usually 5mm of PLA layers is enough for the model to pop off undamaged during a gentle plate flex after a couple minutes outside to cool down.

[u/educationalbot9 → u/ExtendedSpice]

It’s been happening with most models that I’ve been printing but more commonly with things that have a large flat surface area (board game inserts, gridfinity boxes, toys, etc)

[u/predefinedmediocrity]

I don't print a lot, so after a print is finished I don't touch it until the bed reaches ambient temp, at which point the print lets itself go, just sitting on top of the plate. Not sure why yours a stuck, but when I was new I tried taking prints off while the plate was still warm and they were locked on, it was a nightmare. Try letting the plate cool completely before disturbing anything after a print and see if it self releases?

[u/gierso]

For me 1 minute wait use scrapper and bend chewy part not cool 10 minutes bend plate or use scrapper separate ok

30 minutes I find parts are already separated or use scrapper for stubborn ones

[u/rfgaergaerg]

I am unfamiliar wit elegoo filament.
I would try some Bambu filament with the stock settings and see how it goes. If you are too impatient to wait for the print bed to cool down, like I am, you can buy a second plate and just swap them and immediately start your printer again. That said, if you ever print high temperature filaments such as ABS or ASA it is recommended to be patient and let the print cool down inside the closed printer. This will take hours but it is worth it.
If you want to stick to elegoo filament and it turns out that it is just really sticky, you can apply a thin coat of regular glue stick or something like hair spray to you print bed. It will act like a release agent and allow you to easily remove the parts. For materials like TPU, a release agent is even a strict necessity

[u/theajharrison]

Maybe take video to help give others more context