I have just purchased a brand new glass plate for my taz 6.
Instead of having the PEI sheet, one side of the glass has a matte surface. The other side is smooth glass.
My question is: does this matte surface take the place of the pei sheet? Can you print directly onto this surface? Does it require a certain procedure to set the z offset?
Are you sure that’s not a PEI sheet? They’ve always had the plain borosilicate glass sheet, which is clear on both sides - TAZ Glass Bed - Borosilicate and one that has the PEI on one side and glass on the other - TAZ Glass/PEI Print Bed.
The PEI is not textured like metal powdercoated PEI sheets typically are, but you should easily see a layer separating the PEI and glass.
I am sure its not a pei sheet.
Well, you can print directly onto glass, but there’s a big reason that nobody does that anymore. Adhesion sucks (except for PETG, where it bonds permanently) and you have to wait for things to cool down before removal when adhesion is good. My recommendation would be to get a removable magnetic plate system for it.
WhamBam makes great ones, but they’re expensive: Kit with PEX - LulzBot TAZ Series - 300 x 300 – Wham Bam Systems
I use a FYSETC one on mine - Amazon.com: FYSETC 3D Printing Platform 300x300 Build Plate - affiliate link
The FYSETC one needs the corners cut off with a Dremel, and as with the WhamBam, you’ll need to adjust your Z offset to compensate for the higher bed compared to the washers as well.