PDMS


What is PDMS?

http://bdml.stanford.edu/twiki/bin/view/Rise/PDMSProceSS.html

We use the Sylgard-184 version.

In Europe, SF-45 may be a suitable replacement.

 

How to clean PDMS

To clean the vat I'd suggest warm water, mild soap, a terry towel or, better, a micro fiber cloth. Often I only wipe it clean without any solvents after leaving it upside down for quite a while to let all resin drip off.

One has to carefully wipe the PDMS from highlands over the water fall to the lowlands, and _not_ apply force because the PDMS comes off easily.
Most annoying is to remove all the floating semi-cured particles if these exist, sticking to the PDMS everywhere.
Tools: lot of patience, a toothpick and micro fiber magic.

(Thanks to edefault: http://b9creator.com/support/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=211)

 

How often to replace PDMS?

There is no official replacement policy. Word on the street is that it will be damaged after 3-7 prints, your mileage may vary.

See this forum thread: http://b9creator.com/support/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=364

And this one: http://b9creator.com/support/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=366.0#postid-3152

 

Where to buy PDMS

 

How to replace PDMS

See full instructions here.

Factoid: A 0.5 kg Sylgard 184 kit contains enough PDMS to coat 10-11 vats.

 

Will isopropyl alchohol damage the PDMS?

No.

(from MikeJ, B9Creator designer).

BUT...  there are some reports of vat damage from alcohol (acrylic cracking or chipping) so avoid contact with the acrylic if you wish to wipe clean the PDMS surface with alcohol.

http://b9creator.com/support/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=92