Replicator 2x 11"x8.5" Glass Plate Clips

thingiverse

I have updated these clips for use on a 200mm x 300mm borosilicate glass plate. Check out the demo video here: https://youtu.be/nj_XB561nx8. I experimented with using a glass plate on the heated build plate of my Makerbot Replicator 2x to resolve adhesion issues by trying glue stick, ABS slurry, and hairspray. I used the glass from an old document frame like other users who claim success. I found some unused 11" x 8.5" document frames and used them as a source for my glass plate. Following online examples, I used medium binder clips to keep the glass plate in place, but this resulted in a near-coronary experience when the carriage collided with one of the clips, causing the glass plate to loudly crack into multiple pieces. So, I decided to try another method of keeping the glass plate in place and looked online for simple clips that might work. Not finding any suitable options, I designed my own clips. These are sized to hold a glass plate that is 11" long, 8.5" wide, and 1.5mm thick. The clips take advantage of the design of the underside of the Replicator 2x build plate, which has a notch running along the left and right sides, providing a convenient place to anchor these clips. The notch also allows the clips to be placed at different locations along the sides to compensate for the shape and size of the item being printed. I tried several widths to find a balance between gripping ability, potential interference with the extruders, and ease of use. I found that a 15mm width provides the best grip while remaining easy to install and remove as needed (see the demo video above). I also have a 10mm width available in case a design requires excessive carriage travel. I recommend playing around with these clips before using them on a critical build to see how well they work for you. The size of the glass plate required me to make sure the front edge is back far enough to clear the display/SD card assembly. You may want to add a Z-axis shim to compensate for the added thickness of the glass and prevent the extruder nozzle(s) from damaging the glass. I used http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:67494. The FreeCAD files are included so you can customize these clips to fit your own glass plates. Note that some photos show the glass plate on top of Kapton tape, but this is not a recommended configuration. Using Kapton under the glass will likely cause heating issues with the build plate. Disclaimer: The glass from inexpensive document frames may not be tempered or borosilicate and may not handle repeated heating/cooling as desired. Use gloves & protective eyewear whenever possible. Print Settings: Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator 2X Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: .2 mm Infill: 10% Notes: Used Makerbot ABS