Release Film

overview release film is a thin, disposable sheet of plastic that sits between the platform and part a sticky back ensures the film stays on the platform during printing and washing product options release film is available for all printers and can be purchased from the carbon shop (login required) the m2 , m3 and m3 max sized films are translucent blue with a slightly matte surface the l1 release film is shiny and clear with a white backing paper m3 release film l1 release film use cases use of release film is dependent on the resin and the part geometry part adhesion to release film is lower than adhesion directly to the platform, so use of release film is recommended when lower adhesion is beneficial for resins with exceptionally strong part adhesion (example epx 82) for resins that are delicate in their green state and have a higher risk of damage during removal from the platform (example sil 30) for part geometries with a large cross section on the platform reference the specific material protocol for release film recommendation benefits release film provides benefits to both the parts and the production process the process is easier and faster to release parts from the platform without damage the film preserves the surface finish of the platform and parts printed on it delicate geometries can be printed on the platform without damaging them during removal many small parts can be removed at once, improving overall production time features m1 and m2 release film dimensions (x x y) m1 141 x 81 mm (5 5 x 3 2 in) m2 198 5 x 127 mm (7 8 x 5 in) thickness 100 µm release film liner with tab prevents the sticky film back from adhering to surfaces before actual application release film a thin sticky back film that adheres to the build platform surface m3 and m3 max release film dimensions (x x y) m3 195 0 x 123 0 mm (7 68 x 4 84 in) m3 max 310 75 x 166 5 mm (12 23 x 6 54 in) thickness 100 µm release film liner prevents the sticky film back from adhering to surfaces before actual application release film liner strip a strip of the liner is removed first to enable easy positioning of the film before removing the entire backing release film a thin sticky back film that adheres to the build platform surface l1 release film dimensions (x x y) 402 x 258 mm (15 82 x 10 16 in) thickness 70 µm release film a thin sticky back film that adheres to the build platform surface release film liner (matte) prevents the sticky film back from adhering to surfaces before actual application accessories film roller reference accessories & supplies docid 95twe3ttl 5ihi6dnl4xi for a suggested purchasing source, unless otherwise noted in addition to standard lab supplies used for ppe (personal protective equipment) and cleaning platforms, you will also require a film roller to assist in applying release film to the platform film roller for m1/m2 printer film foller for l1 printer application m series printers materials and equipment build platform release film film roller scraper acetone pre soaked wipes or squirt bottle + lab wipes equipment and supplies prepare the platform platform must be clean and free of dust, resin or debris from previous prints use the scraper to remove any debris from previous print ensure you have on clean gloves before proceeding apply m1, m2, m3 release film the following steps will show you how to apply the m series release film b these steps apply to m1, m2 and m3 printers video text wipe clean with acetone to remove dust and/or liquid peel back liner grab blue tab and peel off clear backing align film with edge hold film at edges leave a 1 2 mm gap gently drop film verify 1 mm gap around all edges if misaligned, peel film off and try again press down film with film roller start from center and roll to edges repeat as needed inspect film for bubbles push out bubbles with a clean gloved finger finished platform with release film apply m3 max release film these steps apply only to the m3 and m3 max printers video text use the scraper to remove any debris from previous print wipe clean with acetone to remove dust and/or liquid center film with backing on platform there should be a slight overhang on all sides secure the film with one hand with the other hand, bend the edge of the release film and remove the backing strip secure exposed strip of film with film roller flip the other end of the film and remove about half of the backing roll the film flat while pulling the backing with the other hand inspect the release film for bubbles or trapped particles the release film should be centered on the platform with 2 4 mm of clearance on each side ready to print finished platform with release film meets the following criteria no bubbles 1 mm minimum gap to platform edge on all sides platform imperfections covered and smooth to touch if the film does not match this criteria, peel off and reapply (being careful to keep adhesive side of film free from dust and debris) l1 printers two options available l1 release film has two options for release film application use the release film applicator docid\ lvdqjhthanq9d 8ztygcg in production environments or use the manual application method outlined below materials and equipment build platform release film film roller 14" taping knife acetone pre soaked wipes or squirt bottle + lab wipes equipment and supplies prepare the platform platform must be clean and free of dust, resin or debris from previous prints ensure you have on clean gloves before proceeding apply l1 release film the following steps will show you how to apply the l1 release film platform must be clean and free of dust, resin or debris from previous prints peel back and fold 25 mm (1 in) of liner align film with platform edge leaving 2 mm gap and press down the first 12 25 mm (1/2 1 in) check alignment along edges notice that film is inset from the outer edge of the liner and should remain within platform boundary keep tension on film while pulling back liner and moving roller forward inspect film for bubbles or creases check the film for bubbles or creases by running a finger along its surface bubbles can be pushed out to the edge with your finger (clean and gloved) creases generally are not able to be removed remove film and apply a new one process video video text peel back and fold 25 mm (1 in) of liner align film with platform edge leaving 2 mm gap and press down the first 12 25 mm (1/2 1 in) check alignment along edges notice that film is inset from the outer edge of the liner and should remain within platform boundary keep tension on film while pulling back liner and moving roller forward inspect film for bubbles or creases compensate for thickness software v1 20 or later required to compensate for the thickness of the release film for part accuracy go to the print controls tab click checkbox to print with release film caution! if you do not remember to apply the release film to the platform after setting the checkbox in your project, your print will not begin at the platform and will likely fail to adhere to the platform if the next queued print requires a release film, this will be displayed on the printer frontscreen software v1 45 and higher improve adhesion adhesion to release film part adhesion to release film is lower than adhesion directly to the platform the lower adhesion is a benefit in the use cases for release film to aid in part removal, to protect delicate geometries and to speed processing of a packed build platform there may be cases where release film's benefits are desired but the parts require additional help to stay adhered throughout printing and washing issue part did not stay fully adhered to the release film during printing or washing solutions add supports docid\ vubpoaitblm11am9 qj1p to otherwise self supporting geometries add a brim to improve adhesion (in cad software) a brim is an extension of the first slice of a part, like a hat brim standard brim 1 2 mm wider than the base of the part and 100 200 µm tall wider brims will add stronger adhesion after printing, break or trim off the brim light finishing may also be required after curing issue parts around the perimeter of the platform are not adhering well solution the release film is slightly smaller than the build platform small parts may detach near the platform edge if they sit only partially on the release film place parts at least 10 15 mm from the platform edge for a safe margin when using release film red parts removed from platform perimeter that were not fully seated on release film removing parts from release film standard release film removal method hold platform steady with one hand use scraper blade to lift corner of release film run blade along edge of platform (short edge best) continue running blade along length of film under parts hold up film if needed, keeping hand away from blade peel parts off film (but many parts will fall off in process) alternate removal methods peel method lift one corner of the release film with a scraper blade and run blade along the full edge of the film (a short edge works best) squirt a small amount of ipa behind the release film where it meets the platform to loosen the attachment hold the film taught and slowly peel off the release film from the build platform reapply ipa periodically as you peel off the film to continue to loosen the film's attachment to the platform continue pulling off the film until fully removed above film method you can also remove parts in the standard method, placing the scraper between the part and film parts have lower adhesion to film, so parts will remove more easily part geometry may not make it possible to remove the film by the standard method without damaging your parts in this case, use the scraper to remove the part on top of the film , as if the film were not there then remove the film with the scraper after parts are removed proceed to curing many parts will fall off the release film while removing from the platform proceed with touch up and curing other parts will remain adhered to the release film gently peel the film off of the parts use clean, gloved hands or swabs to assist in peeling set up for curing and touch up as needed tip some parts may be directly transferred to their baking setup in this process with minimal handling discard the release film as solid hazardous waste when done release film is not reusable parts falling off of release film during removal from platform resources for additional information, follow the links provided below release film applicator docid\ lvdqjhthanq9d 8ztygcg release film remover docid\ hhe2mrv5esyp61qqat05k accessories & supplies docid 95twe3ttl 5ihi6dnl4xi