Conweb or POPweb: What's the Difference?

28 September 2026

Arkfly × Phaetus · Cold Plates

Conweb or POPweb:
What's the Difference?

Two purple Arkfly × Phaetus cold plates, a similar operating principle and very similar specifications. Let's look at how Conweb and POPweb differ and which version to choose for your 3D printer.

At first glance, Conweb and POPweb are easy to confuse. Both product lines are Arkfly × Phaetus cold plates, feature the characteristic purple coating and are designed to provide strong first-layer adhesion at a significantly lower bed temperature.

However, POPweb should not be treated as simply another name for Conweb. The two cold plates are very similar in construction, but current POPweb versions are developed for newer printer models, their geometry and build-plate recognition systems.

Arkfly × Phaetus

Conweb™

Arkfly × Phaetus

POPweb™

Technologically, They Are Very Similar

Conweb and POPweb are dual-sided cold plates with a microporous polymer coating on an HRC50+ hardened spring steel base. They use the same basic low-temperature adhesion principle and Flex Release. In other words, POPweb is not a fundamentally different type of build surface.

Microporous Membrane

The same basic adhesion principle.

HRC50+ Spring Steel

A flexible base for easy model removal.

Dual-Sided Coating

A usable build surface on both sides of the plate.

Low-Temperature Printing

For PLA, the manufacturer specifies 30–50 °C.

So What's the Difference?

The main difference between Conweb and POPweb is not the coating or the adhesion principle itself. It is primarily the development of the product line for current generations of 3D printers.

Parameter	Conweb™	POPweb™
Product Line	Earlier cold plate versions	Current versions for newer printer models
Compatibility	Versions for specific compatible printers	New versions for current printer models
Build Plate Recognition	Some versions have the AR code printed directly on the plate	Depending on the version, current markers or stickers are used for the recognition system of a specific printer

The main difference between Conweb and POPweb is not the coating or the adhesion principle, but the adaptation of the cold plate to newer generations of printers and their build-plate recognition systems.

Automatic Build Plate Recognition

One of the features of current POPweb versions is adaptation to the automatic build-surface recognition systems used in modern 3D printers.

Depending on the specific version, corresponding AR markers or stickers may be used to help the printer correctly identify the installed cold plate.

This does not mean that Conweb does not support recognition

AR codes are also used on some Conweb versions. The difference therefore lies not simply in whether a code is present, but in how the recognition system is implemented for a specific plate version and printer.

Which Materials Are the Plates Compatible With?

The cold plate is primarily designed for common materials such as PLA, but it is also compatible with a range of engineering and fiber-reinforced filaments. The manufacturer rates adhesion using the AFI — Adhesion Force Index scale from 1 to 10.

Material	AFI	Bed Temperature	Note
PLA	10	30–50 °C	Excellent adhesion
PETG	9	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Excellent adhesion
ABS	8	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Adhesive recommended
PA	9	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Adhesive recommended
PA-CF	8	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Good adhesion
ABS-CF	8	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Good adhesion
ABS-GF	9	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Excellent adhesion
PET-CF	8	As recommended by the filament manufacturer	Good adhesion
TPU	—	—	Incompatible

How to Read AFI

1–6 — moderate adhesion
7–8 — good adhesion
9–10 — excellent adhesion

Temperature for Other Materials

For PETG, ABS, PA and fiber-reinforced filaments, the manufacturer recommends using the bed temperature specified by the manufacturer of the particular filament.

Conweb or POPweb — Which One Should You Choose?

Conweb™

If Conweb is explicitly listed as compatible with your printer, there is no reason to avoid it simply because POPweb is available. It is still a full-featured cold plate using the same basic low-temperature adhesion technology.

POPweb™

If a dedicated POPweb version is already available for your printer model, it makes sense to choose that version. This is especially relevant for newer printer generations, where compatibility with the automatic build-plate recognition system matters in addition to the build surface itself.

✓

In Short

Conweb and POPweb are based on a very similar operating principle. POPweb is best understood as the development of the current cold plate range for newer 3D printer models, rather than simply Conweb under a different name. The key factors when choosing are exact printer compatibility and the implementation of the build-plate recognition system.

Arkfly × Phaetus