Sometimes, the PEI plates used in our printers can have adhesion issues, causing prints to fail. Most adhesion issues can be traced back to improper handling of the print beds. This can be either someone touched the print bed directly leaving behind finger prints, oils, or sweat. When adhesion issues occur, the best and usually easiest way to resolve them is to clean the print bed with regular, unscented dish soap and warm water.
Remove the plate: Take the PEI build plate off the printer bed and bring it to the slop sink, located in the woodshop. Do not use the sink in the bathroom.
Rinse with warm water: Run warm water over the build plate to loosen surface debris.
Apply unscented dish soap: Apply a small amount of unscented dish soap directly onto the plate's surface.
Scrub thoroughly: Using a clean, non-abrasive sponge, gently scrub the entire PEI surface in circular motions to break down oils and fingerprints.
Rinse completely: Rinse all soap residue off the plate with warm water. (Note: Water should sheet evenly off the surface without beading up once oils are fully removed).
Dry the plate: Dry the plate thoroughly with a clean, lint-free towel or let it air dry completely before placing it back onto the printer bed.
If the plate remains dirty or adhesion issues persist after washing with dish soap, please contact the tool steward rather than attempting alternative cleaning methods.