In the field of 3D printing, nozzles are a key component for achieving precise printing. They are responsible for extruding molten materials and affecting print quality. With the development of technology, nozzle design is constantly evolving to adapt to diverse printing needs. From the initial circular nozzle to the nozzle customized for specific technologies and materials today, the advancement of 3D printing technology has driven the specialization of nozzle design. Although there are many types of 3D printers, not all of their nozzles are universal. This article will explore the differences in nozzle design and their applications, explain why nozzles are not universal, and guide how to choose the right nozzle to optimize printing results and maintenance processes.
Standardization and versatility of nozzles
3D printer nozzles have been standardized in some aspects, but due to differences in printer models, printing needs, and materials, the versatility of nozzles is still limited. Users need to consider these factors when selecting and replacing nozzles to ensure compatibility with printers and printing materials.
- Standardization: The nozzles of 3D printers are standardized to some extent. For example, the nozzles of FDM printers usually have similar basic structures, such as threaded ends connected to heating blocks, and the common thread specification is M6 × 1. This means that nozzles can be standardized and replaced on threaded connections of the same specification.
- Universality: Different brands and models of 3D printers may use nozzles of different sizes and shapes, and the material and processing technology of the nozzle also affect its performance and lifecycle. For example, brass, copper alloy, stainless steel, and hardened steel nozzles have different Mohs hardness, maximum printing temperature, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient, which determine the materials and environments for which the nozzle is suitable. Therefore, they are not universal.
Classification of nozzles
- Classified according to the number of nozzles: single nozzle, double nozzle, triple nozzle, etc.
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Classification
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Application scenarios
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Single nozzle
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Suitable for most basic FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing needs, suitable for individual enthusiasts and small-scale production.
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Double nozzle
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It can print with different materials or colors, suitable for application scenarios that require multi-material or multi-color printing, such as making multi-color models or functional test prototypes.
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Three nozzles
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It can perform more complex multi-material printing and is suitable for printing complex structures that require multiple material combinations.
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- Classified according to the purpose of the nozzle: FDM nozzle, light-curing nozzle, inkjet nozzle, and powder sintering nozzle.
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Classification
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Application scenarios
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FDM 3D printing nozzle
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Suitable for fused deposition molding technology, usually made of metal and high-temperature resistant materials, used for melting and extruding thermoplastic materials
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Photocurable 3D printing nozzle
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Used for SLA (stereo light curing) or DLP (digital light processing) technology, usually including nozzles for spraying liquid photosensitive resin, nozzles for outputting ultraviolet light, and nozzles for supporting computer control systems
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Inkjet head
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Used for 3D printing based on inkjet technology, such as adhesive jetting technology.
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Powder sintering nozzle
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Used in powder bed melting technologies such as SLS (selective laser sintering) or metal 3D printing.
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The material and performance of the nozzle
Introduce the performance of different material nozzles, such as brass, copper alloy, stainless steel, hardened steel, and gem nozzles, as well as their Mohs hardness, maximum printing temperature, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient.
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Classification
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Brass nozzle
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Copper alloy nozzle
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Stainless steel nozzle
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Hardened steel nozzle
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Jewel nozzle
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Advantages
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High cost performance, suitable for printing with conventional consumables such as PLA and ABS.
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High temperature resistant, suitable for printing high temperature consumables such as PEEK and PEKK.
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Food-grade applications, suitable for 3D printing in food, biomedical and other fields.
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Wear-resistant, high-temperature resistant, suitable for printing composite consumables containing abrasive additives such as carbon fiber.
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Super wear-resistant, high-temperature, high-speed, high-quality printing, compatible with all consumables.
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Disadvantages
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The hardness is relatively low and is not suitable for printing consumables containing abrasives.
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The cost is high and may not be economical for general users.
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Compared to brass nozzles, the cost is higher.
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The price is higher and the maintenance requirements are stricter.
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The cost is high and may not be suitable for users with limited budgets.
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Application scenarios
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Widely used in education, home, and small studio environments.
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Suitable for industrial applications that require printing high-temperature materials.
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Suitable for applications that require high health and safety standards.
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Suitable for industrial applications that require printing high-strength and wear-resistant materials.
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Suitable for professional fields with extremely high printing quality requirements.
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Mohs hardness
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3.0
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6.0
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5.0
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7.8
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9.0
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Maximum printing temperature
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300℃
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500℃
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350℃
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500-650℃
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550℃
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Thermal conductivity
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105w/m.k
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330w/m.k
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16w/m.k
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22w/m.k
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45w/m.k
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Coefficient of thermal expansion
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18.0μm / m. ℃
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16.7μm / m. ℃
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6.0μm / m. ℃
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18.0μm / m. ℃
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5.3μm / m. ℃
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Nozzle parameter performance :
- Thermal conductivity: measure the material’s ability to conduct heat, the higher the thermal conductivity, the faster the heat conduction speed, the shorter the nozzle heating time.
- Coefficient of thermal expansion: The object has expansion and contraction due to temperature change, the lower the coefficient of thermal expansion, the smaller the deformation of the object.
- Mohs hardness: reflects the hardness of the object, the greater the Mohs hardness value, the greater the hardness of the printable material.
- Maximum printing temperature: Reflects the maximum printing temperature that the nozzle can withstand.
Technical features of the nozzle
- Nozzle structure
The nozzle is usually threaded with the heating block, and the common thread size is M6 × 1.
The nozzle design has a hexagonal surface that is easy to disassemble, divided into large hexagonal and small hexagonal.
The nozzle mouth shape is divided into short and thick nozzle mouth and long tip nozzle mouth, the short and thick nozzle mouth will flatten the silk material during the printing process to obtain a smoother outer wall; the long tip nozzle mouth can more finely restore the details of the printed part.
- Nozzle diameter
Nozzle diameters range from 0.1-2 mm to meet different printing speed and accuracy requirements.
The diameter of the consumables that can be selected for the nozzle is 1.75mm and 2.85mm. When pursuing speed, choose a large nozzle, and when pursuing accuracy, choose a small nozzle.
The thread end face must ensure horizontal accuracy to seal with the throat end face to prevent molten consumables from overflowing.
Nozzle maintenance and replacement
Nozzle maintenance
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Regular inspection
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The nozzle is one of the most easily worn parts in a 3D printer and needs to be checked periodically to ensure it is intact and clean. Before starting any printing, the nozzle needs to be checked to ensure it is free of any filament debris and the PTFE tube is not damaged.
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Cleaning prevention
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Regularly cleaning the nozzle is the best way to prevent nozzle blockage. When replacing consumables, be sure to replace them when the print head is heated to the melting point of the original consumables to prevent material cooling. When loading new consumables, do not forcefully push them into the print head, which can also prevent material accumulation inside the print head.
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Nozzle cleaning
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To prevent nozzle failure and blockage, it is first necessary to ensure that the nozzle tip and the area around the heating block are clean. You can use a wire brush to brush the nozzle and its surrounding area, using linear motion and ensuring access from multiple directions.
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Solve the blockage problem
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If the nozzle is blocked, you can heat the extruder and nozzle to soften the blocked material, and then push it out with a needle. Without turning on the machine, you can try manually heating the nozzle with a hot air gun and then pushing it out with a needle.
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Nozzle replacement
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Replacement cycle
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It is recommended to replace the nozzle every 500 hours of cumulative printing. Before replacing the nozzle, please heat it to 200 degrees. Please refer to the after-sales video tutorial for specific operations.
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Replacement steps
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If there is residual material attached to the hot end, which makes it impossible to remove the hot end normally, it is necessary to heat the end to 80 degrees to soften the attachment a little before removing it. Please install the hot end silicone sleeve after treatment, otherwise it may cause abnormal temperature control of the hot end.
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Replace hot end assembly
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Sometimes you need to replace the hot end yourself (such as severe blockage, printing abrasive material, or needing to replace a new/different sized nozzle, etc.). Some printers have hot ends that can be installed cold, so there will be no problem of consumables leaking between the nozzle and the thermal insulation interface.
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Purchase options
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There are two options for purchasing hot ends: hot ends with nozzles and complete hot end assemblies. If you need to replace the nozzle, you can replace the hot end with a nozzle or the entire complete hot end assembly
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Conclusion
By delving into the design differences and application scenarios of 3D printer nozzles, we can see that Choosing the right nozzle is crucial for achieving the best printing results. Each nozzle has its specific advantages and limitations, which requires users to make wise choices based on their printing needs, material characteristics, and budget. With the continuous advancement of 3D printing technology, we foresee that nozzle design will continue to evolve to meet the needs of higher precision, more diverse materials, and more complex structure printing. In the future, nozzles may become more intelligent, multi-functional, and even able to self-adapt to different printing conditions. Therefore, keeping up with the latest nozzle technology and market trends will be the key to improving printing quality and efficiency for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals. Let’s look forward to the next revolution in nozzle technology, which will continue to drive the 3D printing industry towards a wider application area.
