bursting membranes 3d machine

[chongsta]

Is anyone else having problems with the membranes on the single 3d machine?

we had 3 or 4 of them and they've all popped after 3 cases have been done (but the first membrane lasted about 10 cases!). Judging by how cheap they are to replace, is this an ongoing thing that they need constant changing?

Temps are 190 for 420 secs. Vacuum guage is around the 0.7 range in the green. There's no warning sound as if the machine is about to go bang or anything...you just hear the membrane go 'pop' and then then pressure obviously falls off


any ideas guys?

thanks
Dave

[Paul]

Hi Dave,
Never had this issue yet with my machine but mind that, i only have it for few days.
Only difference with my printing is that i use 350sec. so bit less then you.

[Justin]

Have a word with 'Andrew' He was having this problem but I think he sorted it

[chongsta]

Hi justin.
Its Andrews machine mate lol. He gave it to me.

The membranes are popping like mad. Cant work it out at all

[Ucase Ltd]

Hi justin.
Its Andrews machine mate lol. He gave it to me.

The membranes are popping like mad. Cant work it out at all

Hi,

I have run for upto 15 mins without any issues. I have done around 200 now and no problems.

Is it the st3042?

[Andrew]

It's the mini 3D version that he is having trouble with. All was printing well first of all and probably printed 50 cases with good results. The pressure then dropped and wouldn't create the vacuum. Switched to the second spare tray. Pressure was fine but every 2 or 3 cases the silicone membrane popped/split. Went through about 4 of these and this tray couldn't get past 3 cases without blowing. So it seems one has too much pressure and the first not enough. Played around with the first one and lifted the membrane edge near the handle as the top and bottom were not sitting flush. This partly rectified the issue, just takes a bit of fiddling to make sure enough of a seal is created. Not ideal for continuous production. I guess the second tray needs a slight release of pressure so the opposite. If you actually look at the trays where they shut, the casting is not straight but has a curve. The membrane top and bottom takes this margin up to a certain extent but not always spot on. It can easily be hit and miss.

The main thing Dave is going to need to know is where is the best place to get the replacement membranes? Are there spares available in Uk or is it back to China?

[Ucase Ltd]

It's the mini 3D version that he is having trouble with. ..

Sorry, My mistake.

Didn't realise it was the mini one.

Even if you could get spares in UK surely that would drive you crazy having to replace that often?
The only thing I can think of in UK is to perhaps buy strong silicone sheeting from a UK supplier and try to cut it to size.
Not sure how much of an option that is.

[sefosdad]

Hello,

I have this same popping problem with my ST-3042. It popped the first time I used it to do s plate. I used the spare taht came with the machine and it did it again but this time I realized that the vacuum gage needle was in the red zone!
The video that came with the machine shows the installation of a valve to control the vacuum, but does not show where to get it or how the installation is done. Any help will be appreciated,

Thank you!

[M.wie]

Hello everyone:
I have the same problem the first membrance did about 100 case but blow up after some time , i bought cheap ones from chine 5 pcs for about 24$. Is there anyone here that may have some ideas why this is happening ?

[alkaboom]

I think it`s because of the heat. These silicon sheets was popping like popcorn in microvawe oven on my ST-3042. Reduced the heat and problem solved. So it seems like those silicon sheets has some heat limits. They were popping around 190C and 200C, now i'm using 160C-170C and that vacuum gage is always in red zone.