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After the success of the Flexible build plate for resin 3D printers, WhamBam sent me their Wham Bam Flexible Build System to review on my Creality CR10 Mini. Come and check out the process of installing and using this well-known build surface!.
About the WhamBam Flexible Build System
Having a hard time getting your 3D prints to stick to your bed? Does your print warp during a long print and destroy your work? Are you tired of temporary fixes such as glue sticks, hair spray, and painter’s tape? Once you get your print to stick, do you have to pry, chisel, cut the perimeter, or put your bed in the freezer, just to get your print off the surface without gouging the surface or cutting yourself?
WhamBam have created the specially formulated Wham Bam PEX Polymer Build Surface, which surpasses PEI in temperature resistance, performance, and material ‘stickability”. It sticks so well you would have a heck of a time getting the print off the bed without the WhamBam Flexible Build System. Simply remove the Wham Bam Flexi Build Plate from the Wham Bam Flexi Magnetic Base on your 3D printer when the print is finished and flex slightly to pop your print right off.
They have formulated the magnets and films to resist over 150°C so you can heat your bed to high temperatures for specialty filaments and to not worry about the loss in performance.
WhamBam Flexible Build System Packaging
The WhamBam Flexible Build System comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with the details of what’s inside. Inside you will find more rigid cardboard along with some wire wool. Inside this, it contains a strong cardboard envelope which has the contents of your flex plate. So far so good when it comes to the packaging! No damage whatsoever, considering it came all the way from China!
The contents
Inside the WhamBam Flexible Build System you will find the following:
- Stickers
- Instructions
- Information leaflet
- Magnetic base sticker
- Steel Build Plate
- PEX Build surface
All feel of excellent build quality, and the magnetic sticker sheet is quite strong when the steel sheet attaches to it. This feels like a premium flexible build plate!
Installation
Following the instructions, the first port of call is to remove your build plate from your 3D printer and give the aluminium bed a good clean! My CR10 Mini still has the glass build plate, so it was just a case of taking off the binder clips and taking off the glass. I first cleaned with some window cleaner and then finished off with some Isopropyl Alcohol.
The next step is to ensure everything fits in place. Once checked, peel off part of the backing from the magnetic sheet and the back and apply to your aluminium build plate. Get it all lined up and press the back edge down to secure it in place. You can now slowly peel more of the backing and you press the magnetic stick sheet down, avoiding any air bubbles. This step is now complete!
The Next Step
The next step in this process is putting on the WamBam Flexible Build System steel sheet. It just pops on and looks great!
The next stage in this process is to clean the flexible build plate to remove any grease or dirt as we now have to apply the PEX sheet. Using the same process when applying the magnetic sticker sheet, we gently apply the back part of the PEX whilst its square with the build plate and apply pressure evenly to avoid any air bubbles.
We’re Not Done Yet With The WhamBam Flexible Build System
You may think we’ve finished with the installation, but not yet! Be sure to remove the protective coating before moving on to the next step…
The last step in this process is to give it another clean. The steel wool that came packaged with this? We now need to clean the PEX sheet with this and some Isopropyl Alcohol. This again removes any dirt or grease and will ensure good adhesion for 3D printing. A small squirt of isopropyl alcohol and using a circular motion, the flexible build plate is cleaned. Once done, I then wipe it over with more isopropyl alcohol and a piece of kitchen towel.
Installation Of The WhamBam Flexible Build System Is Now Complete
It is advised by WhamBam to allow a minimum of 24 hours for the 3M bond to cure for 90% adhesion, although 72 hours is best for maximum adhesion
Let’s get testing!
I recently watched 3D Printing Nerd’s video on his print of the Safety Joel, which looks pretty cool! It’s a free model, so be sure to check out his video here! To test the WhamBam Flexible Build system, I printed all the parts at the same time using Longsell Silk Dark Champagne PLA.
Bed adhesion was great. Nothing came off or came loose, especially with the thin support structures. So all is well!
It’s A Windup!
To utilise the WhamBam Flexible build system to its full potential, I printed a printable wind-up car gift card found on Thingiverse. Both parts took up most of the build plate, as you can see, but will it hold? A resounding success! Again, great adhesion and no warping. Really pleased with the results! It leaves a nice smooth finish on the bottom of your 3D prints, which is great!
Where To Buy
You can purchase the WhamBam Flexible Build System direct from their website here. Prices start from $29 for a single pack, however, double packs are available which gives you 2 flexible build plates. WhamBam caters for a wide range of different build plate sizes, so I’m confident they will have what you need. If your size is not available, just drop them an email and I am sure they will be able to cater for your needs!
Conclusion Of The WhamBam Flexible Build System
I have previously reviewed other flexible build plate systems such as the Ziflex, Eryone Maflex and the Biqu SSS. How does the WhamBam Flexible Build system compare? Compared to the Biqu SSS and Eryone Maflex, this is of a far more superior quality. It’s more rigid and has good magnetic adhesion. The Ziflex is of a different material, so I can’t really compare there. Depending on your budget, if you can afford it, I would say go for the WhamBam Flexible Build system. For those on a tighter budget, either the Eryone Maflex or the BIQU SSS will do just fine! This is a much-needed upgrade if you are still printing on a stock glass bed! Top marks from me!
Related Articles:
- Eryone ER20 3D Printer Cartesian FDM – Could It Be A Huge Contender
- Yousu iForm 181 Resin Released and Ready for Duty
- Eryone Maflex Build Plate – Its magnetic-ent!
- Ziflex – The Flexible & Magnetic Build Plate
- Biqu SSS Print Surface – Super Spring Steel Magnetic Print Surface
A premium flexible build plate system for your FDM 3D printers. A great investment to ensure great adhesion along your 3D printing journey!
