multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
Hi there!
I'm coming to you for advice on buying nozzles and/or upgrading my printer, especially I'd like to know what materials/technologies to go for.
I have a prusa i3 mk3s printer for about 2 years, I have printed 550m of PLA and now I would also like to test new filaments and new nozzle sizes. So I want to get new nozzles, and preferably not have to swap them every 5 minutes. So ideally I'd like something versatile, that can print abrasive materials, do food prints but doesn't sacrifice thermal capabilities to do so (I'd prefer the nozzle to be simple to use, preferably not have to change print profiles from brass or change the nozzle when I switch back to regular PLA).
In my projects :
- glow in the dark prints (hence the abrasion resistance)
- food prints (I would like to know why hardened steel is not recommended for this)
- flexible filaments, PETG, ASA
- switch to printing with a 0.6 nozzle in most cases and a 0.25 nozzle for small and detailed prints (do you think this is a good idea or that it is better to stay with 0.4 for classic prints?)
I have read elsewhere that a copper hotend and silicone sock helps compensate for the poor thermal properties of materials such as hardened steel. Would you advise me to switch to this?
To some extent I consider it worth investing in an expensive but solid and versatile nozzle, which I will only change when I need to change size. Unless you think it's not worth it at all for my use?
So which nozzle do you advise me?
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
For printing parts in contact with food or pharmacs stainless steel nozzles seem mandatory. These nozzles wear with abrasive filaments, not so much as brass but they won't last long if you print that stuff in a regular basis.
Expensive but durable, versatile and solid nozzle ?. To me that means tungsten carbide. Not food safe I believe, but for everything else it would do. Beware using smallish nozzles ( 0.25mm) with particle filled filaments, in all likelihood clogging would be an issue. Even 0.4mm. nozzles are prone to clog with these materials.
I'm a 'true believer' in silicone socks. Some reputable members here are totally against them, That seems to be a black or white matter in this forum, no shades of grey.
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
For printing parts in contact with food or pharmacs stainless steel nozzles seem mandatory. These nozzles wear with abrasive filaments, not so much as brass but they won't last long if you print that stuff in a regular basis.
Expensive but durable, versatile and solid nozzle ?. To me that means tungsten carbide. Not food safe I believe, but for everything else it would do. Beware using smallish nozzles ( 0.25mm) with particle filled filaments, in all likelihood clogging would be an issue. Even 0.4mm. nozzles are prone to clog with these materials.
I'm a 'true believer' in silicone socks. Some reputable members here are totally against them, That seems to be a black or white matter in this forum, no shades of grey.
Thank you for your quick response.
Tungsten carbide seems like a good material, you can't buy them in many places though. Especially if you want a small size. What nozzle size do you mostly use and why?
I didn't knew there was importants drawbacks with silicon socks, what are they? And why do you apreciate yours?
I was thinking that if I had trouble finding a nozzle with the right properties maybe a simple hardened steel nozzle combined with a copper heatblock and a silicone sock would do the trick. Maybe someone already tried and will be able to give me some feedback.
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
I've switched almost exclusively to tungsten carbide. It's like people who only wear black clothes so they don't have to worry about what to wear in the morning…
I use tungsten carbide nozzles from 3d Maker Engineering and Spool3D. Other brands that claim to be tungsten carbide are either alloys or only the tip is tungsten carbide. Alas, 3D Maker Engineering only makes 0.4 and 0.6 mm nozzles. Spool3D makes other sizes but shipping from Spool3D in Canada to me in Massachusetts is ridiculous — I pay less for shipping from Prusa in the Czech Republic! So for other sizes I go with nickel-coated copper nozzles, which—without much scientific evidence—feel to print and last a bit better than regular brass.
I've used hardened steel and Nozzle X before and found I had to adjust print profiles to accommodate their different thermal profiles. Certainly doable, but with tungsten carbide as my main drivers, life's a bit simpler.
Silicon sock… I'm not going to step into this one. To each their own.
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
A long time ago I switched to tungsten carbide on the MK3S and had no issues. It printed pretty much the same as the stock brass.
However, I damaged it (cleaning bit stuck, could not get it out) so I went back to brass for while. I do have a new TC which I will install when I can take the machine down for a good PM, cleaning and lube and the like.
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
I've switched almost exclusively to tungsten carbide. It's like people who only wear black clothes so they don't have to worry about what to wear in the morning…
I use tungsten carbide nozzles from 3d Maker Engineering and Spool3D. Other brands that claim to be tungsten carbide are either alloys or only the tip is tungsten carbide. Alas, 3D Maker Engineering only makes 0.4 and 0.6 mm nozzles. Spool3D makes other sizes but shipping from Spool3D in Canada to me in Massachusetts is ridiculous — I pay less for shipping from Prusa in the Czech Republic! So for other sizes I go with nickel-coated copper nozzles, which—without much scientific evidence—feel to print and last a bit better than regular brass.
I've used hardened steel and Nozzle X before and found I had to adjust print profiles to accommodate their different thermal profiles. Certainly doable, but with tungsten carbide as my main drivers, life's a bit simpler.
Silicon sock… I'm not going to step into this one. To each their own.
Thanks for the advice. I'm from France, I don't know if the delivery is better from the US or Canada. I guess neither is ideal, but tungsten carbide looks like it's worth it. I hope the shipping doesn't double the price though because that hurts.
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
A long time ago I switched to tungsten carbide on the MK3S and had no issues. It printed pretty much the same as the stock brass.
However, I damaged it (cleaning bit stuck, could not get it out) so I went back to brass for while. I do have a new TC which I will install when I can take the machine down for a good PM, cleaning and lube and the like.
It's boring considering the price. Would you recommend it anyway? Any advice on how not to repeat this?
RE: multipurpose 3d printing nozzle
It's boring considering the price. Would you recommend it anyway? Any advice on how not to repeat this?
I'm not totally clear what you mean, but as to the price point for a tungsten carbide nozzle, it's definitely worth it, as it will last longer than several stock brass nozzles.
As to how I would avoid repeating my issue, I'm sure not going to attempt to clean out a nozzle using a cleaning bit again. It's far too easy to break off the bit in the nozzle. I'll stick to using an acupuncture needle.