In this solution, we are studying the use of a single 435x320x3mm aluminum sheet compared with 2 20x20cm mirrors.
The Setup
Setup details:
- Heat beds: 2
- Bed 1: MK1a (with the thermistor) powered by PSU N°1 (360W)
- Bed 2: MK2B powered by PSU N°2 (300W)
- Initial Temperature: 24°C
- Target Temperature: 110°C
- Print Surface: 1 a3mm thick aluminum sheet (435x320mm in size)
- Insulator: 2mm cork sheet
Temperature profiles:
The red curve is the heating profile, when we apply the 110°C target.
The blue curve is the cooling profile, when the target temperature is set to 0°C.Here the power supplies are OFF.
At the bottom of each graph you have the time in seconds
On the left of the graphs you have the temperature in °C
Conclusion
While heating we have:
- 60°C in 5 min 22 (322 sec)
- 100°C in 32 min 45s (1965 sec)
The system can barely reach 100°C and 102°C seems maximum!
And we must wait 6 min 36 sec (396 sec) to cool down from 100°C to 60°C
Comparison from the previous test:
compared with test 3 It seems worth but let’s see the differences in numbers:
- We have to note however that the surface to heat up has greatly increased from 800cm² to 1392cm² , it’s 74% more surface to heat up.
So it can be normal that the heating time is worth!
- We increase by 68% the heating time to reach 60°C
- We increase by 172% the heating time to reach up 100°C MAX!
The system seems dimensioned to reach 60°C, However it’s impossible to bo beyond 102°C with an open system.
Regarding the cooling time, the aluminum plate properly dissipate the heat, the temperature go from 100°C to 60°C in 3 min 36 sec( 396 sec)
So the time to cool down is decreased by 29% compared to test 3.
Comparison with the Initial test:
- The heating time to 60°C is increased by 61%
- The heating time to 100°C is increased by 100%
- The print surface is increased by 74%.
- The overall systems seems less efficent based on the initial test.
- The heat spread into aluminum is far better than using mirrors.!