Silicon socks?
Just built my 5 head and took ~1hr of actual assembly/calibration. The extruder boxes had silicon socks included, but there was no instruction on how to install them. I left them off as I’ve never used them with my mk3, and all the instruction pictures didn’t show them. Anyone know how to fit them or if it’s worth adding them?
RE: Silicon socks?
Just push the sock over the heaterblock and check that it sits evenly around the heaterblock. Don't know if you really need them, but the silicone is much easier to clean than the bare heaterblock when using sticky stuff like PETG...
RE: Silicon socks?
Just use the right tool through the face of the head to loosen the nextruder nozzle so you can drop it down- it makes it a lot easier to get the sock on and square. I’m a big fan of them as they keep the nozzle from getting too caked on- from little goobers, to when the print goes full crazy spide.
RE: Silicon socks?
I’ve read complaints the socks block the part fan so for now I’ve left them off. I’d welcome feedback from others. It’s odd Prusa make no mention of them.
RE: Silicon socks?
Here is a modified design of the fan shroud. I printed it, but haven't had the time to test yet.
RE: Silicon socks?
The socks are a good tight fit that I don't think will sag or look like they're about to fall off like the ones that you can buy for the MK3.
Installation is much easier if you disconnect the two wires and completely removing the heater assembly from the extruder. Or at the very least, disconnect the two wires so you can pull the nozzle out of the extruder, but not completely pull the wires out from under the fan 'hole'.
Seems everyone has a bit of stringing to fix at the start because temps seem to be 10C too high by default. That alone makes the silicone socks worth. One caviat to that is if you're using the adapter with a v6 nozzle, you may want to abstain the sock so you can more easily spot possible leaks.
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RE: Silicon socks?
I only have an MK4, but as we have similar extruders, I guess I can chime in.
I once attached such a sock to my hotend, and I got unbelievable stringing issues - yes, I had thought of configuring the sock in the firmware, but that didn't change much. I did a number of test prints, and my conclusion was that the socks probably aren't that good of an idea without further tweaking...
@mvikman : it would be really cool if you could report your findings regarding the shroud!
RE: Silicon socks?
I always install the socks. Protects the hotend from the cooling fan. On both my nextruders the nozzle was installed square-on and the socks didn't fit without fouling the fan shroud. I needed to loosen the nozzle, twist it clockwise a few degrees, then retighten the nozzle. This gave it enough room to fit the socks.
RE: Silicon socks?
I also just turned the nozzle but how do you retighten it?
RE: Silicon socks?
I also just turned the nozzle but how do you retighten it?
There is a hidden grub screw as in Step 13 of these instructions https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/how-to-replace-the-prusa-nozzle-xl-multi-tool_506481 and pay special attention to the warning to not overtighten.
How did you turn it without loosening the grub screw first?
RE: Silicon socks?
Thank you, nhand42! My #1 tool never did seem to have that sock seated perfectly, and today it blew out, fell off, and wrecked the print. I just replaced it with much, much more ease, and can tell that it's on there right now. Off to reprint.
RE:
Here is a modified design of the fan shroud. I printed it, but haven't had the time to test yet.
I have printed this fan shroud for all 5 toolheads. I used PETG, but I have noticed some heat deformation on them. I will need to reprint them using preferably, PC-CF, but ABS may work as well. My XL worked great with PLA, PETG, and TPU, but once I started to print with ABS it really caused me problems. I encountered problems with the toolheads not being able to consistently extrude filament after trying to print with ABS. The problem turned out to be minor deformation of the idler arm due to heat. The original arms on my printer were printed in PETG. Prusa now offers replacement printed with PC-CF. I plan to get a spool of PC-CF and reprint the idler arms and fan shrouds with that. When I was correcting my problem, I first printed a set with PETG, and then with that new set I printed 5 sets with ABS. Currently working like new again. Not sure how much the new fan shrouds help, but it doesn't seem to hurt. The idler arms did not show any deformation, but it was present. No amount of tightening helped. The PETG fan shrouds do show heat deformation. You can also feel it.
I also use the socks on all of the hot ends. I think that it can help keep the nozzle from having quick nozzle temperature fluctuations, as well as help keep the heat block clean. For now, I will be sticking with them.
RE: Silicon socks?
To install the socks use a T8 screw to turn the grub screw. No need to remove it completely or to disconnect the wire. A little lose is the goal here so it turns a little. Then push up with the sock so it pops over the heatblock. Finally, I work it with my fingers until I get it all lined back up. Rotate the nozzle to the same angle and retighten the screw.
Might be easier if you disconnect the cable and ptfe cube and plastic line thing. Then you can pull the toolhead to your work area.