Polycarbonate first layer: bed, surface and adhesive
Quick answer
Polycarbonate sticks best to smooth pei at a bed temperature of about 110 C. Use glue stick.
Bed temperatures and surface preparation are conventions drawn from manufacturer guidance. Your build plate maker knows your plate better than any general table.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Bed temperature, first layer | 110 C |
| Bed temperature, later layers | 100 to 120 C |
| Nozzle temperature | 270 to 310 C |
| Surface | Smooth PEI |
| Adhesive | Glue stick |
| Enclosure | Required |
| Warping tendency | high |
What a correct first layer looks like
The lines should be slightly wider than they are on later layers and just touching each other, giving a continuous surface with no gaps and a faintly matte finish. Distinct round strands with gaps between them mean the nozzle is too high. A glossy surface with ridges pushed up between the lines means it is too low.
PC bonds ferociously. Use glue as a release layer to protect the plate.
Polycarbonate specifics
Very strong, very hot, and demanding of an all metal hotend.
Because Polycarbonate needs a warm chamber, a first layer failure here is often not a first layer problem at all. A draught across the bed, or a cold room, will lift the corners of a part whose first layer went down perfectly. Fix the environment before adjusting the offset.
Build surfaces and adhesion
- Geeetech
Geeetech 6-Pack 3D Printer Glue Sticks, 36g, Enhanced First Layer Adhesion
$11.99 Check pricePrices change often - HENYCEE
HENYCEE PEI Build Plate for Bambu Lab X2D/P2S/X1/X1C/X1E/P1P/P1S/A1
$16.99 Check pricePrices change often
Common questions
What bed temperature for Polycarbonate?
About 110 C for the first layer, then 100 to 120 C for the rest of the print. Running the first layer slightly hotter helps it key into the plate, and dropping back afterwards reduces the chance of the lower part of a tall print softening and bulging, which is sometimes called elephant foot.
Do I need glue for Polycarbonate?
Yes, use glue stick. Note that here the glue works as a release agent rather than an adhesive: this material bonds to bare PEI strongly enough to tear the sheet, and the glue is a sacrificial layer protecting the plate.
How do I set the Z offset?
Print a single layer patch, let it cool, peel it off and measure it with calipers. If you asked for 0.2 mm and measured 0.28 mm, lower the nozzle by 0.08 mm. Change the offset in small steps and confirm the direction on your machine first, because a few invert the sign and a large blind adjustment can gouge the plate.
Why did it stick last week and not now?
Plate contamination is the usual answer, and it builds up gradually so the failure seems sudden. Oils from handling parts transfer to the surface every time you touch it, and they repel plastic long before the plate looks dirty. Wash with warm water and dish soap, or wipe with isopropyl alcohol, and adhesion usually returns immediately.