Testing Custom Textured PEI Build Plates from Ember Prototypes

FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M 3D Printer with Fully Auto Leveling, Max 600mm/s High Speed Printing, 280°C Direct Extruder with 3S Detachable Nozzle, Core XY All Metal Structure, Print Size 220x220x220mm

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With Ember Prototypes’ custom textured PEI build plates, you’ll discover a fantastic way to add a touch of personalized elegance and practicality to your 3D printing projects. I recently tested one of these custom build plates on my Original Prusa and Creality K1 printers, and the results were impressive. The plates are versatile, allowing you to print on various printer models without needing additional software for unique first-layer patterns. From practical uses like recycling signage to aesthetically enhancing everyday objects like boxes and note holders, these build plates open up new creative possibilities in 3D printing. Have you ever wondered how to upgrade your 3D printing experience? Testing Custom Textured PEI Build Plates from Ember Prototypes might be just what you need to bring a new level of creativity and precision to your work. Imagine the possibilities of printing the first layers with unique patterns, all without the need for heavy-duty 3D software. Sounds intriguing, right?

Testing Custom Textured PEI Build Plates from Ember Prototypes

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Table of Contents

Ember Prototypes Custom Build Plates Specifications

Thanks to Ember Prototypes’ stellar offerings, you can now obtain custom textured flexible PEI build plates for nearly all sizes. Whether you’re working with desktop or larger FDM 3D printers, these plates offer unique ways to print the first layers with distinct patterns. I had the chance to put these build plates to the test on my Original Prusa printer, and since the build plate size was compatible, I also tried it out on the Creality K1. Spoiler alert: the results were quite impressive.

Here’s what you’re looking at with Ember Prototypes’ custom build plates:

Specification Overview:

Material: PEI Textured Build Plate
Custom sizes: Up to 525×525
Available templates: Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, and others.
Tested Materials: PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, PACF, TPU

You have the option of choosing between a thin or thick coating, each serving its unique purpose:

Thin Coating: Minimal imprinting, ideal for content creation, time lapses, and adding a cool factor to your prints.
Thick Coating: Visible imprinting, perfect for transferring patterns or logos onto the first layer.

And the best part? Prices start from $49.99 USD. You can find more information on their official website.

Submitting the Logo – Example

When it comes to customization, Ember Prototypes ensures that your vision aligns perfectly with their capabilities. Our 3DWithUs logo, which features a gradient 3D effect, needed some tweaking to make it suitable for build plates. After submitting our logo via the website, Philip from Ember Prototypes wrote back. He confirmed that our logo would be modified for optimal results.

The process was seamless. Philip even included sketches of the modifications and provided .SVG files featuring our logo on both sides of the build plate. These files are invaluable if you ever want to bring the texture into your slicer for perfect alignment. Helpful how-to video tips are also included on the product page.

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Unpacking The Build Plate

When our customized build plate arrived, it came in a substantial envelope with a test print included. The excitement was palpable as I could see the pattern resembling our logo on the print. It was fascinating and somewhat exhilarating to witness our design transformed into a tangible object.

The build plate looked fantastic on my printer. The thick-coated pattern stood out visually, almost like a birthday present for my upgraded Original Prusa i3 MK25S.

Test Printing on Original Prusa

My initial tests with the new build plate were conducted on the Original Prusa. Keen to avoid any scratch on the pristine surface, I carefully recalibrated the printer with the new plate on. Adjusting the Z-axis took a bit of finesse. The first attempt wasn’t perfect—the bed adhesion failed. But with a slight adjustment and a coat of Magigoo, the first layer adhered perfectly well on my second try.

I chose a challenging design considering bed adhesion, one with many independent islands on the first layer. Much to my delight, the bed adhesion worked like a charm, and the print came out beautifully. A quick clean with alcohol wipes removed any residual traces of Magigoo.

Test Printing on Creality K1

The custom build plate proved to be versatile. To my delight, it fit perfectly on the Creality K1 as well. The printer’s build plate aligners made it convenient to use the same 255mm x 242mm custom build plate. I recalibrated the Creality K1 with minimal fuss, thanks to its automatic bed leveling feature, and achieved satisfying results without needing extra Z adjustments.

Practical and Decorative Uses

Designers can now add a personal touch or a ‘watermark’ to their prints, making them more unique. Printing services can also benefit by incorporating their brand features into the prints. Here are some practical and decorative uses we came across:

Recycling Signage: One of the most practical applications we discovered was featured by @joshuartaylor on Twitter. A build plate with the Universal Recycling Symbol is not just a reminder for the creator but also a message for consumers about the plastic’s recyclability. Additionally, Joshua printed in PET, showing that the build plate is compatible with various materials.

Boxes and Lids: In my practice, boxes and lids benefit significantly from such textures. They usually have perfectly flat sides which means a large surface area can display the texture. Imperfections and visible layers are concealed efficiently, adding an aesthetic flair to otherwise mundane objects.

Other Objects: Think about common items like a Post-it note holder. Adding a textured design elevates simple objects, giving them a personalized feel that’s hard to ignore.

Here’s a quick comparison table for better understanding:

Object Type	Benefits
Recycling Signage	Eco-friendly reminder, informative
Boxes and Lids	Conceals imperfections, aesthetics
Other Objects	Personalized touch, uniqueness

Conclusion

In conclusion, testing the Custom Textured PEI Build Plates from Ember Prototypes opened new doors of creativity and precision in 3D printing. Whether it’s choosing a practical design or a decorative element, the flexibility and uniqueness of these custom plates are bound to enhance your 3D printing projects manifold.

So, next time you think about upgrading your printing setup, consider these custom build plates. They might just be the missing puzzle piece you’ve been searching for.

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