GLACIER Handle: Wash Plate & Keep Your Hands Safe!

GLACIER Build Plate Handle

Wash Build Plate Properly & Keep Your Hands Safe !

Prepare your GLACIER Build Plate for successful printing as it should be. Clean and wash it with really HOT water and without touching it ... Now it's easy task with the help of your new assistant - Glacier Plate Handle.

Everyone knows that a properly washed Build Plate is necessary for flawless printing. And properly washed means using really hot water. The hotter, the better. And don't touch it anywhere so you don't leave greasy fingerprints on it. Of course, it's one thing to say it and another to do it. Moreover, if you use really hot water (as you should), the work is not only uncomfortable, but also a little bit unsafe. 

The solution is a holder/handle that securely holds the Build Plate, keeping your hands safe so you can focus on what's important- washing the plate thoroughly and properly.

Some time ago, I discovered a model designed for the Bambu's Build Plate and was thrilled with how it works. However, in addition to the Bambu plates, I also like the GLACIER plate from BIQU. But I couldn't find a handle for it. So I designed my own, which is now available to you as well.

Main features

• Securely holds and supports the Glacier plate. The mounting base is wide enough, so there is no risk of damage to the Build Plate
   
• You can use the hottest water possible - the hotter it is, the better your plate will be cleaned
   
• Your hands will be safe at all times - no scalding & no desperate changing grip back and forth
   
• You don't have to touch the plates with your hands at all - no risk of dirtying or greasing the laboriously washed plates
   
• You can hang the cleaned plate using the handle and let it dry - no touching, no risk of contamination
   
• After initial assembly, there is no need to disassemble the model again - just loosen the locking nut slightly - the jaws will release and the plate can slid out. Installing the plate into the handle is just as easy - slide the plate into the loosened jaws, secure it with the "hexa" protrusions, and tighten the nut. One or two turns are enough and the plate is firmly held in place - you can focus on cleaning

What Filament to use?

PLA - Although PLA has limited temperature resistance, I have never experienced hot water damaging the holder/handle during use. And I have pretty hot water at my home (approx. 65 C). 

PETG - However, there is still the option to use more temperature resistant PETG, and then you don't have to worry at all.

During design and testing, the model was printed from both materials. Either PLA or PETG work OK. For maximum compatibility, I used Bambu Filaments during testing (although I normally use other brands). 

The printing itself is quick and easy - you will need about 2 hours and 70 g of filament. 

BTW: Don't be confused by information listed in the print profile - it calculates all 3 versions it contains  (details below) ... and you will be printing just one.

I recommend using the prepared print profiles (they contain the necessary and tested settings). If for some reason you decide to create your own profile, pay attention to the most stressed part - the screw. It's printed with modifier to give it the greatest possible strength (parameter Walls:100). Printing the model does not require the use of supports – I had to make some (design) compromises to achieve this, but you can now print the model easily without it.

3 versions - Choose the one you like best

There are two Print Profiles available - the Main profile is designed for PLA, the second one is optimized for PETG. Both profiles contain 3 versions of the handle:

• with the Biqu logo and the Glacier inscription embossed. One color only.
• with the Biqu logo and the Glacier inscription embossed & colorized - two colors, longer printing, a little waste, but definitely nicer :-)
• without logo - completely clean (single color, of course)
   

Additional Note – Compatibility

It has already been mentioned that the holder is designed only for the GLACIER plate from Biqu (size 257x257mm). However, during testing, I discovered that even this one type of plate can vary slightly in the position of the "hex holes" used to secure the plate. Two Glacier boards had slightly different holes (??). 

The model has been designed to fit both "versions" of the plate. Although I don't expect it, it is possible that there are other "versions" where the position of the "hex holes" may be slightly different - then plate may not "fit" properly into the handle - if you encounter such problem, please contact me. Making the adjustment is not that complicated if I know what is needed :-)

License

The license is set as a Standard Digital File License (no modifications, remixes, etc.). However, if you have a good idea on how to improve the model, feel free to contact me …
 

That's all, folks... If you print Glacier Handle... Enjoy! ...
And don't forget to like it... of course ... if you like it, that is  :-)