What is the purpose of the print bed in FDM?

The print bed in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) serves a critical role in ensuring the successful creation of a printed object. Its primary purpose is to provide stability and adhesion for the printed object during the printing process.

When the printer extrudes filament, it is deposited layer by layer, and the print bed helps in securing the first layer of the print, which is crucial for preventing warping or shifting as the layers accumulate. A well-prepared print bed can enhance adhesion, which reduces the risk of the object detaching during printing. Additionally, it creates a level surface to ensure that each layer is built accurately on top of the previous one, contributing to the overall quality and precision of the final product.

In contrast to this, cooling the object is typically managed by a separate cooling fan rather than the print bed itself, while the filament supply is stored in the extruder mechanism, and the nozzle temperature is regulated by the printer's heating element rather than the print bed. Thus, understanding the correct role of the print bed is essential for anyone involved in FDM printing.