My modification of the design of the work table (heat bed) of the M201 printer

[_kaktus_]

The efficiency of heating the printer's work table leaves a lot to be desired.

I exposed this case with the use of a thermal imaging camera.

In my opinion, the very design of the heated table is not bad, it just belongs to the group of things that can be done in 100 ways. Sometimes worse or better. ;-D

Recalling my assumptions that I do not want to buy better components for my printer, I try to modify it and that to make it work better. Of course, better in my opinion .

I tried my first measurements with a handheld pyrometer. Unfortunately, they did not succeed due to the glossy surface of the work table. The pyrometer clearly failed. The measurements were ridiculous.
But already then I expected that something was wrong.

That's why I repeated the experiment with better equipment, this time it was a thermal camera.

Well, this is how.
I probably haven't discovered anything new, but I'll show you how I tried to solve the problem.

A word of introduction.
The original design assumes heating the work table surface with a heating plate made of PCB.
The problem is that the mosaic, which is a heating medium, is inverted to the bottom and does not adhere directly to the aluminium worktop.
This means that the PCB laminate has to heat up first and then transfer the temperature to the aluminium worktop.
Given the location of the measuring system, the desired and achieved temperature has nothing to do with the working surface temperature of the table. There are discrepancies, and they are very large. They reach over 25℃ ...

My assumptions.
Modify the construction so that the heating element rests directly on the aluminium worktop.
In order to do that, I had to mill the electronics cavities in the aluminium plate from the heating panel.
Sensitive areas have been insulated. I have changed the position of the thermoelelette.
I greased the surface of the heating panel with thermally conductive paste.

Successful operation.
The whole thing is still working after the changes.

Effectiveness of changes:
I'll describe it in the future, now my printer has a defect and I can't work with it. :-(

The gallery:
https://imgur.com/a/ceFIQtL
[attachment=0]temperatura_osiagnieta-nastawa_100.png[/attachment]

PS
It is curious that my specimen of the work table was not equal.
The surface of it was convex in the middle.
I was wondering whether this was a technological catwalk or just a defect ...
I know from conversations with other M201 owners that this is not an isolated case.

I often see in the forum that owners of other printer models report curves trapezoidal screw and smooth bars.
It provides food for thought ...
Maybe a warehouse worker doesn't like Geeetech very much and has stupid jokes?

[_kaktus_]

I can consider the redesign of the structure a success.

setpoint temperature 95°

IR_01243.jpg (54.6 KiB) Viewed 4521 times

Nevertheless, I would like to try other solutions.
These are:

• Geeetech Superplate 3D Printer Glass Platform

• Geeetech Superplate 3D Printer Aluminum Heatbed Kit

These products are not adapted to the size of my printer. This is not a problem in principle, but it may limit the capabilities of this model.

• Glass pane instead of aluminium plate + other heater (Silicone Heater Pad KEENOVO).

At this moment I am inclined to seek a solution which will shorten time by
Wait until the desired temperature is reached.

The head of my model heats up fast enough. Unfortunately, the work table does not heat up quickly enough.