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Schedule for replacing the nozzle?  

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G Bell
(@g-bell)
Eminent Member
Schedule for replacing the nozzle?

Since Prusa has so many printers running, is there a print time after which you automatically replace the nozzle?  Assume we are printing with generic PLA with no abrasive components and a standard E3D 0.4 mm brass nozzle.

I just checked the stats on my MK3S, and my nozzle has been printing for 100 days, 2800 m of filament.  It does seem worn.  I have a new nozzle, should I just replace it?

Napsal : 09/03/2020 4:10 pm
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Schedule for replacing the nozzle?
Posted by: @gibell

Since Prusa has so many printers running, is there a print time after which you automatically replace the nozzle?  Assume we are printing with generic PLA with no abrasive components and a standard E3D 0.4 mm brass nozzle.

I just checked the stats on my MK3S, and my nozzle has been printing for 100 days, 2800 m of filament.  It does seem worn.  I have a new nozzle, should I just replace it?

If the quality of your print results no longer fits, i would replace the nozzle. I think 2800m filament or 2400 hours of printing is a good performance for one nozzle. That depends also on the used filament..

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Napsal : 09/03/2020 8:48 pm
Nikolai
(@nikolai)
Noble Member
RE: Schedule for replacing the nozzle?

The last time I've changed my one year old nozzle, I really haven't seen much difference to the new one. Yes the old is black and looks horrible from the outside but in regards to the print quality it was barely visible. 

As long as you print regular PLA (with no abrasive particles) standard nozzle will serve you a long time. There is no need to change it just because it passed certain amount of mileage.

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Napsal : 09/03/2020 9:19 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: Schedule for replacing the nozzle?
Posted by: @gibell

Since Prusa has so many printers running, is there a print time after which you automatically replace the nozzle?  Assume we are printing with generic PLA with no abrasive components and a standard E3D 0.4 mm brass nozzle.

If running a farm where the cost of a failure exceeds the cost of a replacement nozzle, I'd expect they'd have some number they use for a regular rotation, likely along with other regular maintenance. Otherwise, for consumers, it's really an "as needed" swap. I'm prepared to toss one the minute a cold pull doesn't fix a problem, but I've only tossed a couple in the last 2 years of printing.

I just checked the stats on my MK3S, and my nozzle has been printing for 100 days, 2800 m of filament.  It does seem worn.  I have a new nozzle, should I just replace it?

If you're noticing anything, it's not going to get better. I'd definitely replace it.

 

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Napsal : 10/03/2020 4:32 am
Clemens M.
(@clemens-m)
Noble Member
RE: Schedule for replacing the nozzle?

@bobstro

Funny is that I have about 35 spools of material printed (each 1 kg material, about 60% PETG, 30% PLA, 10% ABS and PC - no material with abrasive particles) and I am still working with the first 0,4 mm brass nozzle and would not say that this nozzle is worn down.

No idea how to find out that it is time to change it.

Best regards, Clemens

Mini, i3 MK2.5S, i3 MK4, CClone (Eigenbau)

Napsal : 10/03/2020 11:25 am
G Bell
(@g-bell)
Eminent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Schedule for replacing the nozzle?

Thanks for all the comments.  It is good to hear everyone's experience.

I did a cold pull and now the nozzle seems to be OK on a simple model.  If it has any more problems, though, I'll replace it.

Napsal : 10/03/2020 4:09 pm
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