Darkmoon LUX Build Plate User Guide
Introduction
Welcome to the comprehensive guide for the LUX Build Plate from Darkmoon 3D. Our LUX Build Plate is a smooth, modified PEI sheet, offering great adhesion and a glossy, reflective bottom surface. This guide will provide you with essential tips and techniques to care for and print effectively with your LUX Build Plate.
Slicer Settings
To achieve optimal adhesion and print quality, it is crucial to set the bed temperature according to the filament being used. The LUX Build Plate uses the ArUco code for Bambu Lab's High Temp/Smooth PEI plate, which serves as an excellent starting point for the printer settings and printing temperatures. Below are the recommended bed temperatures for various materials. Please note that variations may exist between different brands and specific variations of filament. As always, use your personal experience and follow filament manufacturer recommendations.
- PETG always requires glue for release or permanent damage to the build plate can be expected.
- High fill carbon fiber filaments may lightly scratch the surface, as they have a higher hardness than the LUX build surface.
| Filament | Temperature | Adhesion Promoter | Release Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 55-60°C | No | No |
| PETG | 70-80°C | No | YES |
| TPU | Ambient | No | No |
| ABS/ASA | 100°C | Sometimes | Yes |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | 100°C | Sometimes | Yes |
| PA (Nylon) | 100-110°C | Sometimes | Yes |
Adhesion and Removal Tips
PETG always requires glue for release or permanent damage to the build plate can be expected. Apply glue liberally when printing with PETG and dial back your application as you gain experience using the surface.
High fill carbon fiber filaments may sometimes lightly scratch the surface, as they have a higher hardness than the LUX build surface.
When trying a new filament brand or material type, we recommend printing a small test print in the least-used corner of your build plate using glue if you believe it may be necessary. This way you can ensure you are using the correct settings and prep for each material as you print larger models in higher traffic areas of your build plate without causing damage.
The recommended glue application procedure is to use PVA glue sticks (like purple Elmer's glue or a similar stick) applied directly to the print area. Your glue application may be thinned out using a microfiber cloth and either water or IPA to make sure it has a consistent thickness on the LUX build surface.
Liquid glues are not recommended as there is too much variance between manufacturers, formulations, and even production runs. Use your own judgement and personal experience if you choose to apply liquid glue.
Care and Maintenance
The LUX Build Plate, while stunning, is more temperamental and fragile than the other build plates offered by Darkmoon 3D. It is much more susceptible to damage and treating it well is absolutely required. Like all build plates, the LUX plate is a consumable item that is expected to degrade over time and be replaced as needed. Users are expected to care for and maintain their plates to lengthen the life of their plates.
Regular Cleaning - Recommended after each print
- Materials Needed: 70+% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and a microfiber cloth.
- Procedure: Dampen the microfiber cloth with IPA and wipe the build plate thoroughly to remove any residues. This should be done between prints or whenever you touch the build plate with your fingers.
Deep Cleaning - Recommended as needed
- Materials Needed: Dawn dish soap (blue), nylon bristle cleaning brush, hot water.
-
Procedure:
- Under hot running water, apply Dawn dish soap to the nylon bristle brush.
- Gently scrub the build plate with the brush to break up any residues that IPA might not dissolve.
- Rinse the build plate thoroughly with hot water to remove all soap and residues.
- Dry the plate completely before the next use.
This method helps to remove stubborn residues and ensures that the build plate remains in optimal condition for consistent and high-quality prints.
Scuffing for LUX Build Plate - Recommended as needed
Whether due to user error, freak accidents, or just general wear and tear to the build plate, scratches may begin to appear on your LUX build plate. Small scratches are unlikely to affect print quality, but may be visible on the bottom surface depending on how the light hits them. Adhesion can also be affected by damage in the surface.
To correct these issues, users are highly encouraged to scuff their LUX build plate in order to achieve a consistent "grain" across the surface. This will make the surface less glossy (and become much more "matte"), but will help mitigate future damage and promote better adhesion.
The scuffing procedure will require use of either Scotch-Brite 7447 pads or #000 steel wool, both of which can be found cheap at your local hardware store. Using your chosen abrasive tool, scuff the surface in 2-3" circular patterns with mild force across the entire surface of the build plate. Once a consistent, matte appearance has been established, you may optionally scuff in a single direction to apply a "grain" directional pattern to the surface. During the scuffing process, periodically apply 70%+ IPA to the surface and wipe away any debris using a fresh, clean microfiber cloth (paper towels will work too).
By following this guide, you can maximize the performance and lifespan of your Darkmoon LUX Build Plate, ensuring excellent results with every print.