Having to Fix MakerBot Replicator+ 3D print warping due to prints not sticking to the build plate platform requires checking several aspects of the 3D printer. We came up with 5 top tips we have found or discovered from our experience that should increase the number of your successful prints.
- Check and clean surface build plate
- Adjust the base layer settings
- Check the flex build plate for warping
- Use gaffer tape
- Ensure build plate is level from front to back
In our previous review of the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer we stated the following in regards to the printer’s build plate:
“…Most of the shortcomings of the Replicator+ are forgivable and workable. The build plate is where all the good things fall apart. Why? Because the surface your print needs to adhere to is very important…
…The build plate for the Replicator+ is made out of semi flexible material and comes with a proprietary removable surface sheet. Excessive flexing of the build plate can warp the plate causing prints to not be properly attached to the build plate surface even with rafts. The surface sheet material that comes with the printer provides a poor adhesion surface for the PLA plastic to bind to…
…Additionally, due to the build plate not being heated, you may be limited in the materials you can use as they may shrink and detach from the surface of the build plate…
…The combination of these issues has caused many of my larger prints to be warped…”
To read our full review of the MakerBot Replicator+ please click on the link to MakerBot Replicator+ Review: The 3D Printer for Beginners Is Easy to Use but Worth the Price?
In that article we promised we would revisit this topic of fixing MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printer’s print warping due to prints not sticking to the build plate platform to help our readers who may have faced this similar issue. We scoured the internet to find a solution to fix the problem of warped prints due to the prints not sticking to the platform. Here are our top 5 tips that will improve your print success and we finally the reveal the issue that we found that was causing all of our problems.
Disclaimer: Though we have used this to fix our systems, we are not responsible for any issues that might occur to your system(s) by you following this guide. Please check with the manufacturer or your service provider prior to following this or any guide to be sure you will not cause any issue with your system.
1. Check and clean surface build plate
An easy first preventative maintenance is to clean your build plate surface. Use a solution of isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt and oils from your hands between prints. The first time we did this early on, it seem to work, but it eventually failed to prevent warping.
to fix MakerBot Replicator+ 3D print warping. We also began to notice that our build surface began retaining residual plastic traces and developing dents and nicks after removal of the prints. – Rave Robot
We also began to notice that our build surface began retaining residual plastic traces and developing dents and nicks after removal of the prints. Then we would begin to change out our build plate adhesion surface periodically. This fresh surface seem to fix the print warping issue for the MakerBot Replicator+ for a time, but it too eventually failed to prevent warping.
Though this only provided us with temporary success, it is an easy first check to do to prevent warped prints.
2. Adjust the base layer settings
Check your base layer settings in the MakerBot Print software. After adding your model to be printed to your build plate in the MakerBot Print software, go into your print settings and click on custom settings and then click on Base Layer under settings heading. Try these fixes in this order to see if this will fix your print warping issue.
- Rafts: From the Base layer drop down menu select Raft. This is one of the easiest things you can do to improve print success and prevent warping. Early on this worked for us to fix our print warping on the MakerBot Replicator+ during our initial prints with the system but over time, they too began to peel off the plate and warp our prints.
Additionally you may want to lower the cooling fan percentage for the Filament Cooling Fan Speed: Raft Base to improve adherence. - Padded Base + Brims: From the Base layer drop down menu select Padded Base + Brims. This provides you with a better looking bottom layer, compared to prints with a raft and provides an even larger contact adhesion area for your print to adhere to the surface plate. We recommend increasing the number of brims above 5 to improve your chances of a successful print
- Adjust Filament Cooling Fan Speed for First Model Layer: It may be necessary to adjust the Filament Cooling Fan Speed for the first model layer. Remember as things cool, they contract, and uneven cooling can cause warping. Depending on the plastic you use with your Replicator+, you’ll need to fool around with your fan speed to achieve the optimum print settings (I use as low as 0%).
3. Check the flex build plate for warping
As we stated in the prior article, the MakerBot Replicator+ comes with their flexible build plate, which is a blessing and a curse. If you can, try NOT to remove your flex build plate from the base and flex it to remove your prints. If you have already done so, check to see if you have permanently warped your build plate.
In case of a warped build plate, you might as well replace the flex build plate. You might as well purchase a few as back ups, as this will become an consumable over time.
We noticed our build plate was warped early on, thinking it was a one time thing. We discovered that this happened with all the plates we purchased over time from our removal and flexing of the build plates to remove prints.
4. Use gaffer tape
As stated before, the build plate print adhesion surface can become “dirty” and require replacement. After scouring the internet we found a recommendation to use gaffer tape to improve the build plate print adhesion surface to fix our print warping on the MakerBot Replicator+. You can find it at most hardware stores or online.
Be sure to remove the old adhesive surface prior to placing the gaffer tape down as your nozzle might get hung up on it as it does its initial wipe prior to printing. You might have to place a little piece of your tape down on the back middle Z-axis calibration check point so that the system can adjust to the new surface thickness.
This did improve the adhesion of our prints, but we still saw warping of our prints.
5. Ensure build plate is level from front to back
One of the great things that MakerBot claims is that with the Replicator+, the build plate come already leveled from the factory and needs no adjustment. Well…that’s good, as other 3D printers suffer from this chore which can become a headache if not done correctly. Also, because of that, there is no way to adjust the level of the build plate.
After trying everything under the sun to prevent warped prints, we observed with closer observation at eye level during the printing of our initial layer an abnormality. The Z-height distance of our nozzle from the build plate surface was slightly larger larger near the front of the printer than the back. Our prints were consistently warped on the side closest to the front of the printer.
This problem was very apparent once we noticed it, and we confirmed it with a level. Though it was only slight, it was the cause of all our problems. Sadly, because there is no way to adjust the level of the build plate, we will have to find an alternative way to fix this issue.
UPDATE: We were able to find a hack to level the Flex Build Plate on the MakerBot Replicator+. Please see our article, “How to Level the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer Flex Build Plate” to learn how we did it.
If your system is under warranty and you are noticing this issue with the level distance of the nozzle from the front and back of the build plate, you should reach out to the manufacturer for further assistance.
If you have any suggestions for tips that might have left out, please leave a comment below.
