<p>Any thermoplastic is a bad choice to carry a heated bed. For an <strong>unheated</strong> bed, monolithic (cast, not printed) acrylic plate of sufficient thickness can be used.</p>
<p>To get the needed stiffness and temperature resistance, steel plate of about 2+mm is the best choice, followed by aluminium of a higher thickness. The latter can be sawed with woodworking equipment, if done slowly.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-22T11:30:18.367Z
2021-03-22T11:30:18.367Z
Trish
<p>I have purchased a replacement bed for my 3D printer. I wish to have it mounted on a single linear rail.</p>
<p>Currently I am unable to drill properly into aluminum (due to problems with my drill).</p>
<p>Therefore, I'd like to print and use an adapter piece/plate to fasten the Y-carriage to the linear rail block. The bed has a thermal insulation foam so the area around the bottom of the Y-carriage plate/bed assembly doesn't seem to go over 60 °C.</p>
<p>My question is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Which material should I use for this adapter piece, and why? <em>(I have access to PLA, PETG and ABS.)</em></li>
<li>Should I use threaded inserts or fasten the Y-carriage with nuts?</li>
</ul>
<p>Please see the image below to have an idea as to what I mean by an adapter.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/npUyi.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/npUyi.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-19T17:03:54.480Z
What is a heated insert? Are you talking about something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/initeq-M3-0-5-Threaded-Inserts-Printing/dp/B077CKDDVY/ref=asc_df_B077CKDDVY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242048563613&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1092820601930732420&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032929&hvtargid=pla-409533404050&psc=1)?
Rykara
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-20T20:16:08.490Z
Yes I am @Rykara
Phil
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-20T20:59:55.383Z
Borrow a drill from someone else. Printing a mounting plate like that would be a terrible idea due to the limited stiffness of plastic, especially at above ambient temperatures.
Ezra
<heated-bed><y-axis><linear-motion><carriage>
Which material should I use to print a mounting adapter for the y-carriage?
Phil
# Which material should I use to print a mounting adapter for the y-carriage?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-03-19)

I have purchased a replacement bed for my 3D printer. I wish to have it mounted on a single linear rail.

Currently I am unable to drill properly into aluminum (due to problems with my drill).

Therefore, I'd like to print and use an adapter piece/plate to fasten the Y-carriage to the linear rail block. The bed has a thermal insulation foam so the area around the bottom of the Y-carriage plate/bed assembly doesn't seem to go over 60 °C.

My question is:

* Which material should I use for this adapter piece, and why? *(I have access to PLA, PETG and ABS.)*
* Should I use threaded inserts or fasten the Y-carriage with nuts?

Please see the image below to have an idea as to what I mean by an adapter.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/npUyi.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/npUyi.png)

**Tags:** heated-bed, y-axis, linear-motion, carriage

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What is a heated insert? Are you talking about something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/initeq-M3-0-5-Threaded-Inserts-Printing/dp/B077CKDDVY/ref=asc_df_B077CKDDVY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242048563613&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1092820601930732420&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032929&hvtargid=pla-409533404050&psc=1)?  
> **username_0**: Yes I am @username_1  
> **username_2**: Borrow a drill from someone else. Printing a mounting plate like that would be a terrible idea due to the limited stiffness of plastic, especially at above ambient temperatures.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-03-22. Score: 1

Any thermoplastic is a bad choice to carry a heated bed. For an **unheated** bed, monolithic (cast, not printed) acrylic plate of sufficient thickness can be used.

To get the needed stiffness and temperature resistance, steel plate of about 2+mm is the best choice, followed by aluminium of a higher thickness. The latter can be sawed with woodworking equipment, if done slowly.


---

