FEP Replacement Jig

[Mark W]

Replacing the FEP is a simple yet tedious task.  It's simple because everything is done with machine screws.  Tedious because there are, I don't know, like 4 thousand of them!  (Ok, just 32, but still)

What makes it tricky is that you're not just laying the FEP between the two frames and screwing it all together; there needs to be a certain amount of tension.  This is easily done by placing a bottle cap under the FEP while you press the frame halves together and against a table.  However this means you're always pressing with one hand while trying to screw with the other...    

So, I built a jig to do the pressing for me.  Of course, this is after I just replaced all my FEPs, so hopefully it will be a while before I actually need to use it. 


https://i.imgur.com/YFdZJRH.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/NHYChT5.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/gj7pST7.jpg

[Cajonpassfan]

Am I the only one who doesn’t know what FEP is??
  Otto

[MK]

I think it stands for Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene film.  It's the surface where you start the 3D printing on.  I think. 

[peteski]

Am I the only one who doesn’t know what FEP is??
  Otto

FEP film is a thin transparent  membrane which makes up the bottom of the vat containing the liquid UV-curable resin in those 3D printers.  It sits directly over the the screen which exposes the resin to UV ligth, and hardens the resin layers during printing. The resin doesn't stick to the FEP film very well, so the hardened layer can easily detach from the film, and then the print cycle repeats over and over again, printing the 3D object.

[eja]

I think it stands for Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene film.  It's the surface where you start the 3D printing on.  I think. 

No you were not !