Titanium Conveyor For Makerbot ABP and raftless printing

thingiverse

The original plastic conveyor on the MakerBot Thingimatic ABP can be replaced with a strip of Titanium foil for enhanced durability. Although difficult to find, Titanium foil is available online and its longevity makes it a worthwhile investment. Other high-strength metal foils like zirconium or tungsten may also work effectively. The installation process involves measuring and cutting the foil to fit the conveyor mechanism, threading it through the spindle, and securing it with tape for strength. This setup allows for raftless printing using a solution of ABS plastic dissolved in acetone, which provides a smooth, adhesive surface for the first print layer. This technique conserves material and saves time by eliminating the need to print a raft. To use this method, apply a thin layer of the ABS solution to the Titanium build surface before printing, then disable the raft setting in skeinforge. The result is a printed object with a smooth, shiny bottom surface.