Replacing the vat film

The 3d printer vat has a transparent film on the bottom through which UV light shines to form a layer; the model is then prised from the film before the next layer is formed. This film is a consumable, and the first one lasted me about two months, but the second lasted over two years.

I had some issues with prints failing part way through, and could see resin on the screen when the vbat was removed, but the film appeared to be fine. I replaced the screen protector, but got more failures, and the screen was dirty almost immediately, so I am fairly sure I have a hole. As the film gets stretched during each cycle, a pinprick hole could get enlarged during the process, but be very hard to spot.

So I replaced the film.

I followed the Elegoo video, and there is no point me repeating it.

This is the state of the film, not that bad after 2 years:


The screen protector, after just two weeks:


I had recently replaced it (see here), and that was my last one. The cheap ones I ordered are coming from Cina and not here yet, so printing is currently on hold.




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