Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?  

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

The E3D sock fits both my Mk2 and Mk2S without any cutting.

And it does a very good job.

Peter

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Early MK2 models had another heater block, a shorter one with another heater cartridge holding. This was improved in the newer version. For the new blocks, the silicon is fitting out of box, for the older ones, you would need to adapt it.

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Just throwing a feeler out there...

Would anyone like a silicone sock to come with thier shiny new MK3 (without the entitlement slant) with all the calibration, settings and PIDs set for using a sock out of the box? After all, this machine is running under the banner of user simplicity in its feature set, and it seems people like them for cleanup and avoiding blobing that ruins a print. Seems it would fit right in with the release ethos of this machine.

They are pretty inexpensive even retail, some of the ones I have seen are $2.50US retail for 3.

I would even propose maybe we could get something together and ask for a PRUSA specific silicone sock in Black!

Would that be at all a attractive option for anyone?
Even if you had to toss in a few bucks to cover the addition?

Are there any advantages to Not running a silicone sock on the extruded assembly?

Also wondering, would it perhaps be advantageous to make a sock that both surrounds the heat block more and is undersized to the block so it more closely hugs the block hopefully not allowing some of the fouling and release of the sock that I have seen.

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

I would love a prusa-branded sock. ^_^

I also strongly prefer having a sock on the heater block, since it makes cleaning the nozzle infinitely easier. (It has for me at least, since I so far have had no issues with the sock being too loose or filament getting where it shouldnt etc.)

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

They are pretty inexpensive even retail, some of the ones I have seen are $2.50US retail for 3.

I would even propose maybe we could get something together and ask for a PRUSA specific silicone sock in Black!

Hi, if you are talking about the original E3D sock, then it is not three of them but it is one for different nozzle sizes.
On the image you see on E3D page, you see three socks for around 3.5GBP.
Those are a set of three for three different nozzle sizes.

I ordered it and found out 🙂

But if you have more hotends, which have different nozzle sizes, then you can „split“ the set to the other hot ends

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

They are pretty inexpensive even retail, some of the ones I have seen are $2.50US retail for 3.

I would even propose maybe we could get something together and ask for a PRUSA specific silicone sock in Black!

Hi, if you are talking about the original E3D sock, then it is not three of them but it is one for different nozzle sizes.
On the image you see on E3D page, you see three socks for around 3.5GBP.
Those are a set of three for three different nozzle sizes.

I ordered it and found out 🙂

But if you have more hotends, which have different nozzle sizes, then you can „split“ the set to the other hot ends

There is a difference between the "Pro" and "Standard" versions of the sock.

I believe the standard version to be all the same.

But this is a moot point....

They are inexpensive by almost "everyone's" standard.

I would LOVE to see them come prebaked with this ability already setup and built in!

Is there enough interest in this specific detail, to have a integrated fully calibrated and intentional inclusion of a silicone sock?

It seems like a small enough detail, and helpful enough, to be able to ask for its inclusion and perhaps even a Prusa Branded bespoak part! Without being a unreasonable hinderance, or taking unreasonable amounts of effort to implement.

I assume they could easily talk to the same supplier of the E3D boys, and have the concept banged out in a few days given the motivation. The parameters would be the same, the color could be adapted to more closely align with Prusa branding.

Just a feeling on the subject, I would love to see a community driven implementation if it were something we wanted as a group!

I know I would love to see it baked right into the platform!

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Socks seem to have a life span. They go brittle after several months of hard use. One has pealed off during normal maintenance and refused to go back on cleanly (air tight contact) nor stay on due to loss off elasticity and deformation. I am on my second (three in pack). The printer works fine without so I doubt Prusa would add to shipped units, but yes I'd trade in those damn gummy bears for a three pack for sure.

I thought this would be silly to share but what the hell, maybe it could help someone. In order to help keep the sock on during maintenance, I've wrapped the 4mm band of Kapton tape around the top. I know, I know, Kapton wrapping is old school but I bought a roll and this stuff is amazing.

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

The printer works fine without

Mainly because 40W heaters are shipped with the printer.

Personally I use a 30W as I feel that a 40W is pushing the power usage a little too far and with a sock, there really is no need for the 40W heater.

I tend to change socks when I change nozzles (every 6 to 8 weeks).

Peter

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

@ Peter
This is off topic but what are your performance deltas? 30W with sock and 40W naked? Sounds like roughly the same. If so, what are your power readings? From memory is fine. I'm running about 120W with bed at 110°C and head at 250°C for ABS, when I go PC and Nylon, I'll need more PAWAH, I'm guessing when and if you do, you'd be running the stock 40 instead?

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Stephen

No, the 30W heater is fine up to the thermistor max. There is a 5 Amp ( therefore 60W) fuse for logic, fans and extruder heater. I prefer at least a 20% overhead with fuses (so 48W max) . A 30W heater works for me. And according to E3D, a 40W heater is simply not required.

The 40W heater on these printers came about with the Mk1, when (amongst other issues) the part fan blew cold air onto the heater block (I redesigned the nozzle to prevent this). But the 40W heater has been the norm ever since; it allows for poor fan nozzle design.

Dan @ E3D:
I would think that this issue is not actually to do with your heater cartridge, both the 25w and 30w heater cartridges that we supply have no problems in maintaining any temperature you want to throw at it. The 40w heater cartridge will mean that the HotEnd will get to temperature much quicker but it will not effect the way that the cartridge maintains the temperature. 40w heater cartridges' also need a lot more supervision compared to 25w or 30w cartridges.

Peter

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

@ Peter
I do like the quick heat up, though the slow bed makes the 40W kind of overkill. But as I have grand plans to join the ranks of forum members running a Volcano, I imagine 40W will be a better fit if a bit risky. Just to bring it back to topic, my Volcano shall wear a sock as well...and it is in the right color!

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Any updates on this? Did we reach a consensus on Socks for the MK3?

I just put an order in with E3D, and added a set of 3 silicone socks. Do they add any value to the printer? Does the MK3 need it?

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

My primary reason for a sock is that it keeps melted plastic off the heatblock. Makes it much easier to clean.

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

Burnt plastic quickly made a mess out of the MK2S heater block. So the sock will be the only modification I'll add to my MK3 from the start once it arrives. And full ACK on the gummy bears, the sock should be in there instead...

- Martin

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

I put a sock on my MK3.

Mainly to prevent the mess.

And it personally don't care about color

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

A sock would most likely prevent issues like this:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOVTT-Vip0jOuMD0Z_DVV2sgGSC2TbZQsqFJwcYllUvgiVVxZFPiCzADeUIEe2RTg?key=ek1kRGdLWnQxOGUyTmZ1SXlTWjBaVTlmNkZtQzNB

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

We’ve had to many socks fall out on the farm ruining the prints and hotends to include it ...

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

As a business, I would agree with that decision. You put it in the box you have to warranty it. So, I'd like to RMA my gummy fish, they are faulty. 😆

But, MK2/3 has very tight confines near the hot-end. Insulation of some kind was found to be needed with my MK2S when printing multi-day ABS and PETG. My parts melted and have since completely replace all extruder related plastic parts with my own designs to combat melt failure. I would prefer this not be an issue in future designs.

Solutions:

Re: Is a silicone sock on the heater block possible?

[quote=arthur.l3 post_id=50580 time=1513203138 user_id=39858]
A sock would most likely prevent issues like this:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOVTT-Vip0jOuMD0Z_DVV2sgGSC2TbZQsqFJwcYllUvgiVVxZFPiCzADeUIEe2RTg?key=ek1kRGdLWnQxOGUyTmZ1SXlTWjBaVTlmNkZtQzNB
[/quote]

Sweet Jesus! That's a wall hanger, lol.