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Nozzle cleaner 3d printer
How to Clean a 3D Printer Nozzle (5 Methods) – Clever Creations
Using a nozzle cleaning kit and a cleaning filament is the most effective way to clean your 3D printer nozzle. You can remove the nozzle and soak it in acetone to remove any traces of filament impurities. A brass wire brush with soft bristles will help eliminate any leftover filament residue.
A 3D printer nozzle is a crucial element in the 3D printing process, and it is responsible for the smooth extrusion of your filament. Any clogs or blockages in the nozzles will directly affect your print quality. Clogged nozzles will lead to under extrusion, inconsistent filament flow, and uneven layers.
Even though cleaning a blocked nozzle is easy, it can be challenging to identify the clog in the first place. In this article, we’ll explain how to recognize a nozzle clog, go over the various cleaning methods and what you can do to prevent nozzle clogging in the future.
Read on to learn how to clean a 3D printer nozzle and get a smooth 3D printing experience!
How Can You Tell If a Printer Nozzle Is Clogged?
Image: squid-do via Reddit
It can be tricky to attribute print defects to clogged nozzles. However, a few notable indicators will quickly tell you whether you are dealing with nozzle clogging.
The easiest way to detect a nozzle clog is if you notice a decrease in the overall print quality. Inconsistent extrusion, missing layers, and under extrusion are a few of the side-effects of a blocked nozzle. A partial blockage in the nozzle can cause all of these problems. Similarly, a complete jam can occur due to clogged material stuck in the nozzle.
An improper first layer is another sign of nozzle clogging. If the nozzle does not extrude filament during the first layer or there’s an uneven filament flow, you might have a clog in your nozzle. However, it is helpful to eliminate any bed leveling and Z-offset issues before you check for a nozzle clog.
Additionally, filament curling right after extrusion and thinner print lines are also signs of a clogged nozzle. Recognizing these signs will help you quickly clean your nozzle and prevent further degradation of your 3D prints.
How Do You Clean a 3D Printer Nozzle?
If you start to see filament deposits on the outer surface of your nozzle, it is time to clean it. 3D printer nozzle cleaning is easy, and all you need is a brass wire brush and a wiping cloth.
The brass brush prevents damage to your brass nozzles and lets you scrub any stuck printed material from your dirty nozzle.
Before starting the cleaning process, it is helpful to first heat your 3D printer nozzle. Heating the nozzle softens any stuck filament bits and lets you wipe them off more quickly.
Once you’ve scrubbed the nozzle thoroughly, you can wipe away any leftover material from its surface. A soft microfiber cloth is our go-to equipment for this.
3D printer nozzle cleaning is now complete, and you can start printing again.
Remember to always keep an eye on the state of your nozzle and clean it regularly to maintain optimal print quality.
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Check PriceHow Do You Unclog a Clogged 3D Printer Nozzle?
If your nozzle is already clogged, don’t worry! Cleaning a nozzle is an easy process that can be done through a couple of different methods.
Nozzle Cleaning KitA standard nozzle cleaning kit consists of thin metal needles, tweezers, and a brush. You can use this method to clean out your nozzle by following these steps:
- Start by heating up your nozzle to right under its maximum temperature. This will help to soften any filament that is stuck inside the nozzle.
- Next, use the metal needles to pick out any larger pieces of filament that may be blocking the nozzle.
- Once the larger pieces have been removed, use the nozzle brush to clean out any smaller bits of filament.
- Finally, use the tweezers to remove any final pieces of filament or debris.
3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kit - 0.4mm Needles and Tweezers Toolkit...
Check PriceCold Pull
A cold pull or an atomic pull is often used to unclog the nozzle and remove any debris inside it. It is an easy technique and requires no disassembly or cleaning tools to remove the clog.
Using Nylon filament will give the best results. However, you can also use PLA, ABS, or a dedicated cleaning filament (more on this later) if Nylon is not available.
First, you need to heat the nozzle to the printing temperature of your filament. After that, you will have to manually push the filament until it extrudes out of the nozzle. You can now let your hot end cool down while pushing the filament into the nozzle.
In the final step, you need to first remove the extruded material from the nozzle tip. Then set the printer temperature to 85-90 °C. Once it reaches this temperature, slowly pull the filament out of the nozzle completely.
You might have to perform this procedure several times to remove any dirt and filament bits from the inside of your nozzle. You can stop once you notice the cold pulled filament is free from debris.
Soaking the Nozzle in Acetone
A nozzle cleaning kit and cold pull might not always be practical with filaments like ABS, and your nozzle might still be clogged. When it comes to ABS, removing the nozzle and soaking it in acetone is a good way to clear clogs.
Start by heating the nozzle before removing it from the hot end. Heating the nozzle frees it up slightly from the heater block and makes it easy to unscrew. You can use a spanner or a nozzle removal tool to remove the nozzle safely and efficiently.
After you’ve removed the nozzle, soak it in a cup with a layer of acetone for around 30 minutes. The acetone will help to dissolve any ABS filament that is stuck inside the nozzle.
Recommended:
How to Melt and Dissolve PLA Filament
Once the soaking is complete, you can use a wire brush to remove any final bits of filament.
Be sure to also clean the nozzle tip as this is where most of the clogs occur.
You can now reassemble your 3D printer and start printing again. Make sure to properly dry the nozzle first. A paper towel or soft cloth is just fine for this.
Remember to always keep an eye on your nozzle and clean it regularly to maintain optimal print quality.
Using a Heat Gun
While an acetone soak is helpful for ABS filament, it is not as effective on other filament materials. Especially PETG and Nylon are fairly non-reactive to acetone.
When dealing with these filaments, a heat gun will help clear your nozzle clog.
The first step is to remove the nozzle from the 3D printer hot end or extruder assembly. This is the same as what you would do for ABS soaking.
Next, you will need to heat the nozzle with the heat gun until the filament inside melts.
Once the filament has melted, you can use a thin needle or a wire brush to remove any debris from the nozzle. Be careful, the nozzle is hot at this point.
After cleaning the nozzle, you can now reattach it to the hot end assembly and start printing again. Make sure that the nozzle is properly cooled down before reattaching it.
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Check PriceHow Often Should You Clean a 3D Printer Nozzle?
At a minimum, you should clean your 3D printer nozzle when you change filament materials. It is easy for nozzles to clog from leftover material after a filament change.
For example, when you switch from ABS filament to PLA, some ABS material might be left in the nozzle. As PLA prints at a lower temperature than ABS, the leftover ABS will not melt and result in a nozzle clog.
Another reason for nozzle clogs is dirt and dust particles that enter along with the filament. If you continuously print with dirty filament, the debris can accumulate in the nozzle over time and clog the nozzle.
Because it can be a challenge to keep your filament free from dust and dirt, you can clean the nozzle after every 100-200 printing hours as prevention.
Generally, if you notice a decrease in print quality, that is usually a sign that your nozzle is starting to get clogged and needs cleaning. You can do this regardless of how long or with which materials you have been 3D printing.
How to Prevent 3D Printer Nozzle Clogs
Regularly Use 3D Printer Cleaning Filament
3D printing cleaning filament is the easiest way to clean your nozzles from the inside. It is made up of a material specifically used to clean and purge plastic out of injection molding machines. You need to extrude it at the printing temperature of your filament until you notice a clean white strand of material coming out of the nozzle, free of any debris or filament color.
Even though cleaning filament may seem slightly expensive, it does work effectively and clears out any partial clogs. And you only need a small amount. You can use it after every 100-200 hours of printing for effective cleaning of your nozzles and to prevent nozzle clogs.
NovaMaker 3D Printer Cleaning Filament 1.
75mm Natural,...
Replace Worn-out Nozzles
You want your nozzle opening to look round.This nozzle is already showing some signs of wear, but still has some print hours left in it.Brass nozzles undergo a lot of wear due to the constant friction of the filament. This wear accelerates when you use abrasive filaments like glow-in-the-dark, carbon fiber, and metal-filled filaments.
Not only do abrasive filaments wear out the nozzle opening, but the tiny metal particles of the nozzle material can start accumulating. This can block filament flow and lead to filament jams.
If you regularly use abrasive filaments or notice a lot of nozzle wear, it’s a good idea to replace your brass nozzle more often.
Alternatively, you can use stainless steel or other hardened nozzles. These are more resistant to abrasive filaments and have a higher lifespan than your typical plain brass nozzles.
Fix the PTFE Tube Hot End Gap
In a PTFE-lined 3D printer hot end, the tube goes all the way inside and sits right on top of the nozzle.
If the gap is not flush between the PTFE tube and the nozzle, the melted filament will ooze out of it. Eventually, there will be a build-up of plastic filament within the hot end, leading to filament jamming.
The gap is caused due to faulty PTFE tube couplings. As the couplings wear out, the PTFE tube starts sliding in and out of the hot end, creating a gap between itself and the nozzle. Extruder skipping and under extrusion are signs of a filament jam in the hot end.
You should immediately rectify the PTFE tube gap within the hot end if you notice these issues.
The first thing here is to make sure that the PTFE tube has been cut flush at a 90° angle. If it has a slope to it, it will never perfectly align with the hot end.
Secondly, it helps to use replace worn-out pneumatic couplings with new ones on both the extruder assembly and the hot end assembly. This ensures that the PTFE tube stays in place over time.
PTFE Bowden Tube (1M) 1PCS+ 6pcs KJH04-M6 Fittings + 6pcs JP4-01.
..
Use High-Quality Filament
A high-quality filament will reduce nozzle clogs while also giving you high print quality. Manufacturers of high-quality filament ensure that their product contains little to no impurities, is produced in a dust-free environment, has a consistent diameter, and is properly vacuum packed to reduce as many imperfections in the material as possible.
We have created an overview of the highest quality filament in our Best PLA, Best ABS, and Best PETG articles. We recommend you check these brands out if you suspect your clogged nozzles are caused by low-quality filament.
While these filaments may be more expensive than budget materials, they are often worth the extra money.
They don’t only save time, but their results are better too. If you are looking to sell your 3D prints and make money with your 3D printer, quality filaments can be a worthwhile investment.
Keep Filament Clean and Dust-Free
A clean 3D printing space contributes significantly to preventing nozzle clogs.
If your plastic filament is exposed to the outside environment while printing, it will pick up dust particles that clog your nozzle. After printing with it, you need to store it away from sunlight and in a storage box to prevent the accumulation of dust on it.
Another way you can protect your 3D printing setup from dust and dirt is by using a 3D printer enclosure. These don’t only keep the current filament in the printer clean, but also the 3D printer itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a clogged nozzle with PLA?
In order to clean a clogged nozzle with PLA, you will need to disassemble the printer and remove the nozzle. Once the nozzle is removed, you can use a small wire, needle, or other small pointed tool to clear any debris that may be blocking the opening. You might need to heat the nozzle up with a lighter to melt the plastic filament.
Be careful not to damage the nozzle while cleaning it.
How do you clean an Ender 3 nozzle after printing?
It’s important to clean your Ender 3 nozzle regularly to prevent clogs and ensure quality prints.
After every print, it is advisable to clean the nozzle with a brass wire brush. This will remove any debris or build-up that may have occurred during the printing process.
A clean nozzle will ensure that your prints are of the highest quality and avoid any potential issues such as clogging or poor adhesion.
Conclusion
A clean 3D printer nozzle gives you the best print results and helps prevent damage to the 3D printer caused by clogs. Periodic cleaning of your 3D printer nozzle ensures fewer chances of sudden breakdown and prevents downtimes.
Degradation in the print quality, coupled with under extrusion and inconsistent filament extrusion are some of the indicators of a blocked nozzle. You can quickly unclog the nozzle using a nozzle cleaning kit and a wire brush and periodically use a cleaning filament. Especially the cleaning filament is useful for keeping nozzles clean.
When dealing with ABS filament, you can soak the nozzle in an acetone bath to soften the filament.
This makes it a lot easier to remove.
Let us know your experience with 3D printer nozzle cleaning. If you find this article helpful, share it with your peers to help them prevent nozzle clogs and keep their 3D printers running smoothly.
How to Clean Your 3D Printer Nozzle & Hotend Properly – 3D Printerly
The nozzle and hotend on your 3D printer go through plenty when it comes to 3D printing, so properly cleaning them is essential. If you don’t properly clean them, you can run into quality issues and inconsistent extrusion.
The best way to clean your 3D printer nozzle and hotend are to take apart the hotend and use a nozzle cleaning kit to clear out the nozzle. Then clean off any stuck filament around the nozzle with a brass wire brush. You can also use a cleaning filament to push through the nozzle.
There are more details and other methods that you can use to clean your 3d printer nozzle and hotend properly, so keep on reading to find out how to get this done.
Symptoms of Clogged Nozzle on Your 3D Printer
Now, there are clear symptoms that the nozzles are clogged or jammed because they are not clean.
Continuous Adjustment of Feed Rate
You would have to adjust the feed rate or the flow settings again and again, which you never did before this time. This shows that your nozzle has started to clog, and the particles are accumulating there.
The Problem in Extrusion
The extrusion, the very first layer of the printing, will start to look uneven and would not stay consistent throughout the whole printing process.
Motor Thumping
Another symptom is the motor that is driving the extruder starts thumping means you would see it jumping backward because it can’t keep up with the other parts that make it turn.
Dust
You would see more dust than usual around the extruder and motor part, which is a clear sign that you need to clean everything starting from your nozzle.
The Odd Scraping Sound
One thing you can notice in terms of noises is an odd scraping sound which the extruder is making because it is grinding the plastic and it cannot push the gear fast enough now.
Other Symptoms
The printer would start showing print blobs, uneven or rough printing, and a poor layer adhesion feature.
How to Clean Your Nozzle
There are a few methods that people use to clean their nozzles, but generally, it comes down to heated up the nozzle to a fairly high temperature and manually pushing through filament.
It’s usually done with a needle from a good nozzle cleaning kit.
A good nozzle cleaning kit that you can get from Amazon for a great price is the MIKA3D Nozzle Cleaning Tool Kit. It’s a 27-piece kit with plenty of needles, and two type of precise tweezers for your nozzle cleaning worries.
When a product has great ratings on Amazon, it’s always good news, so I would definitely go with it. You have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and quick response times if ever needed.
After heating up your material, using a high-quality needle works wonders.
What this does it heat up any built-up material, dust and dirt within the nozzle then push it out straight through the nozzle. You are likely to get a build up of dirt if you are printing with many materials which have different printing temperatures.
If you print with ABS and some filament gets left inside the nozzle then you switch to PLA, that leftover filament is going to have a hard time being pushed out at lower temperatures.
How to Clean Outside of 3D Printer Nozzle
Method 1
You can simply use a paper towel or napkin to clean the nozzle when it has cooled down. This should usually do the trick to clean the outside of your nozzle.
Method 2
If you have larger, stubborn residue on the outside of your 3D printer nozzle, I would recommend heating your nozzle up to around 200°C, then using needle nose pliers to pick the plastic off.
3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Brush
For rigorous cleaning of your nozzle, I would suggest you buy a good quality cooper wire toothbrush, which will help you get all the dust particles and other residues from the nozzle.
But remember, always heat the nozzle before using the brush to get it to the temperature where it was in its last printing session.
A solid nozzle cleaning brush from Amazon is the BCZAMD Copper Wire Toothbrush, specially made for 3D printer nozzles.
You can use the tool even if the wires get deformed. The best thing about this tool is that it is very handy, and you can easily hold the brush while cleaning the surface and sides of the nozzles.
Best 3D Printer Cleaning Filament
NovaMaker Cleaning Filament
One of the better cleaning filaments out there is the NovaMaker 3D Printer Cleaning Filament, which comes vacuum-sealed with desiccant to keep it in optimal conditions. It does an amazing job cleaning out your 3D printer.
You get 0.1KG (0.22lbs) of cleaning filament. It has excellent heat stability, allowing it to have a wide range of cleaning abilities. It goes anywhere from 150-260°C without giving you issues.
The slight viscosity of this cleaning filament means you can take easily take residual material out of the nozzle without it jamming inside.
Using cleaning needles alongside this is a great solution to prevent your nozzle clogging while transitioning between lower and higher temperature materials.
It is recommended to use the cleaning filament at least every 3 months for regular maintenance and unclogging procedures.
eSun Cleaning Filament
You can use the eSUN 3D 2.85mm Printer Cleaning Filament, which has a size of 3mm and gets easily inside the nozzle.
The good thing about it is that it possesses a certain level of adhesive quality, which clears out everything and will not clog the extruder during cleaning. You can use it for cleaning the nozzle and extruder both before and after the printing.
It has a wide cleaning range of almost 150 to 260 degrees Celsius that allows you to take up the temperature to a good level to let the particles inside the printer soften up for the removal.
How to Use 3D Printer Cleaning Filament
Cleaning filament can be used in your 3D printer to do cold and hot pulls which are popular methods widely used by 3D printer users.
A hot pull is perfect for getting those large carbonized materials out of your nozzle when there is a serious blockage. A cold pull is where you remove the remaining smaller residue so that your nozzle is completely cleaned up.
To use your 3D printer cleaning filament, load the filament as you usually would into your 3D printer until it has replaced your old filament and actually extrudes from the nozzle.
Change the extruder temperature to make sure it stays hot, for a temperature between 200-230°C. Then extrude a few centimeters of filament, wait, then extrude more a few times.
After this, you can remove the cleaning filament, load up the filament you want to print with, then make sure the cleaning filament is completely displaced after starting your next print.
This filament can be used to clean the printers print core by applying hot and cold pulls. Hot pulls are used to get the biggest parts of carbonized material out of the print core and are highly recommended when the print core is clogged.
With a cold pull, the remaining small particles will be removed, ensuring the print core is completely clean.
How to Clean a Hotend Tip Covered in PLA or ABS?
You can use a failed ABS print, push it onto the tip and push it straight up. But first, you have to heat the hotend to almost 240°C, and then when you have applied the failed ABS print, let the hotend cool down for a minute.
After this, pull or twist off the piece of ABS, and you will get a clean hotend.
If you are having trouble with cleaning the hotend covered in PLA, you can follow this procedure, which I am going to explain.
You have to first heat the hotend to a temperature of 70°C, and then you need to grab the PLA from any side with a pair of tweezers, or you can use pliers but carefully.
The best thing about PLA is that it gets soft on high temperature and makes it easy to be pulled off, leaving the hotend clean.
Cleaning an Ender 3 Nozzle Properly
Method 1
Cleaning Ender 3 nozzle would require you to open up its fan shroud and remove it from its place to get a more clear view of the nozzle. Then, you can use an acupuncture needle to break the particles which are stuck in the nozzle.
This would help you to make the particle break into small pieces. Then you can use a filament from the top size of the nozzle from the extruder part and enter it from there until it comes out with all those particles.
Method 2
You can also remove the nozzle completely from the printer and then clean it by heating it at a high temperature with a hotgun to let the particles soften up and then use a filament, let it stay inside for a while and then do a cold pull.
Keep doing this cold pull until the filament starts coming out clean.
How Often Should I Clean My 3D Printer Nozzle?
You should clean your nozzle as and when it gets fairly dirty or at least every 3 months for regular maintenance. If you don’t clean your nozzle too often, it’s not the end of the world, but it does help to give your nozzle more life and durability.
I’m sure there are plenty of people who rarely clean their nozzles and things are still working fine.
It depends on how often you print with your 3D printer, what nozzle material you have, what 3D printer materials you are printing with, and your other maintenance.
Brass nozzles can last a very long time if you exclusively print with PLA at low temperatures and have your bed leveling methods perfect.
Method and device for cleaning the print head of a 3d printer and a cleaner for a 3d print head cleaner
The group of inventions relates to the field of synthesis technologies, i.
e. production of three-dimensional physical objects by additional deposition (layering) using, in particular, polymeric materials, and more precisely, to 3D inkjet printing technologies, auxiliary operations of these technologies and equipment for auxiliary operations. A method for cleaning the print head of a 3D printer includes moving the print head by the printer's movement mechanism at the start of printing or changing the nozzle from inactive to active to a position in which the opening of the activated nozzle is aligned with the opening of the cleaner installed on the holder, after the holes coincide, the inner channel of the cleaner is deformed, then the printer pushes the plastic into the channel, thus equalizing the pressure and temperature of the plastic to a working state, after cleaning the nozzle is moved to the working area, while the inner channel of the cleaner stops deforming and captures the plastic, while the extruded thread remains in the cleaner or is cut off on the edge of the cleaner.
A 3D printer print head cleaning device for implementing the method, comprising a desktop, a printer print head movement mechanism, a printer print head with nozzles for feeding plastic, a cleaner placed on a holder. The 3D printer head cleaning device cleaner is made in the form of a rubber or silicone cap with an internal channel. Equalization of pressure and temperature of the plastic melt is provided at the start of printing or changing the nozzle and at the same time cleaning the nozzle from burr. 3 n. and 3 z.p. f-ly, 7 ill. nine0003
The group of inventions relates to the field of synthesis technologies, i.e. production of three-dimensional physical objects by additional deposition (layering) using, in particular, polymeric materials, and more precisely, to 3D inkjet printing technologies, auxiliary operations of these technologies and equipment for auxiliary operations.
The technology disclosed in the description of this solution relates to the field of inkjet 3D printing, which is most often implemented using a dispensing head, nozzle (nozzles), adjustment and control elements for the operation of the 3D printer head, as well as polymer construction (thermoplastic), as working material.
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Similar technical solutions are known from the prior art, which describe methods and devices that allow you to clean the print head of a 3D printer during its operation (see RU 161249 U1 04/10/2016, RU 2609179 C1 01/30/2017), in which the inkjet print head 3D printer, contains a movable platform made in a single housing with two nozzles with heaters placed on it and a nozzle switching mechanism, the position of which is determined by the position sensor of the movable platform and is limited by a position limiter, equipped with a nozzle valve that locks one of the nozzles and opens the other, in in which holes are made, the edge of which ensures the removal of flash from the nozzle. nine0003
The disadvantage of the closest analogues is that the system described in them does not allow reaching the required pressure and temperature of the plastic melt when the nozzle is idle or printing is started, which complicates the printing process and reduces its quality.
The objective of this technical solution is to develop a system for cleaning the print head of a 3D printer to eliminate the above disadvantages.
The technical result of the claimed group of inventions is to equalize the pressure and temperature of the plastic melt relative to those required when starting printing or changing the nozzle and simultaneously cleaning the nozzle from burr. nine0003
The technical result is achieved by creating a method for cleaning the print head of a 3D printer, which includes moving the print head by the printer movement mechanism at the start of printing or changing the nozzle from inactive to active to a position in which the opening of the activated nozzle coincides with the opening of the cleaner installed on the holder, after matching holes, the inner channel of the cleaner is deformed, then the printer pushes the plastic into the channel, thus equalizing the pressure and temperature of the plastic to a working state, after cleaning the nozzle is moved to the working area, while the inner channel of the cleaner stops deforming and captures the plastic, while the extruded thread remains in the cleaner or cut off on the edge of the cleaner.
nine0003
In a particular embodiment of the method, passing over the soft surface of the cleaner, the nozzle is cleared of adhering plastic.
The technical result is achieved by creating a 3D printer print head cleaning device for implementing the above method containing a desktop, a printer print head movement mechanism, an axis carriage holder, a printer print head with plastic supply nozzles, a cleaner holder and a cleaner placed on the holder. nine0003
The technical result is also achieved by creating a cleaner for the 3D printer printhead cleaning device, made in the form of a rubber or silicone cap with an internal channel in the form of two interlocking conical cavities, while the cavity with a base of a smaller diameter located on the top of the cap closes with the cavity with a base of larger diameter placed on the bottom of the cap.
In a particular embodiment, the outer surface of the cleaner is ribbed. nine0003
In another particular embodiment of the cleaner, it is made on a 3D printer.
The following graphic materials explain the essence of the claimed solution, in no way restrict any other embodiments of the claimed solution.
Fig. 1: General scheme of the 3D printer, top view,
In Fig. 2: General scheme of the 3D printer, front view,
In Fig. 3: nozzle cleaning process,
FIG. 4: top view of the purifier,
Fig. 5: side view of the cleaner,
FIG. 6: sectional view of the cleaner with the channel in the undeformed state,
FIG. 7: a section of the cleaner is shown in the state of deformation of the inner channel when the nozzle coincides with the hole of the cleaner.
Fig.
1. Carriage holder
2. Work table
3. Print head
4. Nozzle
5. Y axis
6. X-axis
7. Nozzle cleaner holder
8. Nozzle cleaner
9. Printed part.
The claimed group of inventions performs the task of cleaning the nozzles from excess plastic residues that have arisen during the printing process and creates the necessary pressure in the system after switching from one nozzle to another, since during the downtime, the pressure in the inactive nozzle drops.
The invention group consists of a 3D printer head cleaning method and apparatus and a 3D print head cleaning device cleaner. nine0003
The claimed method is carried out by using a well-known 3D printer equipped with a device for cleaning the print head and operating according to a certain algorithm.
The 3D printer print head cleaning device for implementing the method comprises a desktop 2, a mechanism for moving the printer print head, an axis carriage holder 1, a printer print head 3 with nozzles 4 for supplying plastic, a cleaner holder 7 and a cleaner 8 placed on the holder. nine0003
The cleaner of the 3D printer print head cleaning device is made of a cap made of a soft material, such as rubber or silicone, with an internal channel in the form of two interlocking conical cavities, while the cavity with a base of a smaller diameter located on the top of the cap closes with a cavity with a base of a larger diameter, placed on the bottom of the cap.
The outer surface of the cap can also be made in the form of a cone with ribs.
The cleaner can be 3D printed. nine0003
The method of cleaning the print head of a 3D printer includes the following sequence of actions by moving the print head by the printer movement mechanism at the start of printing or changing the nozzle from inactive to active to a position in which the opening of the activated nozzle coincides with the opening of the cleaner installed on the holder, after the holes match the inner channel cleaner is deformed, as shown in fig. 7, which displays the deformation of the inner channel when the nozzle coincides with the cleaner hole. nine0003
After the holes coincide, the printer starts to push the plastic into the channel, thus aligning the system to a working state. After cleaning, the nozzle leaves for the working area and continues printing. As the nozzle moves away from the cleaner, the inner channel stops deforming and captures the plastic, thus preventing the freshly extruded thread from being pulled out of the cleaner. Also, passing on the soft surface of the cleaner, the nozzle is cleared of adhering plastic.
Thus, the combination of features of the claimed group of inventions allows to achieve the claimed technical result, namely, the equalization of the pressure and temperature of the plastic melt relative to those required when starting printing or changing the nozzle, and this combination will also allow cleaning the nozzles from burr at the same time. nine0003
1. A method for cleaning the print head of a 3D printer, which includes moving the print head by the printer movement mechanism at the start of printing or changing the nozzle from inactive to active to a position in which the opening of the activated nozzle is aligned with the opening of the cleaner mounted on a holder made in the form of rubber or a silicone cap with an internal channel, which is made in the form of two interlocking conical cavities, while the cavity with a base of a smaller diameter placed on the top of the cap closes with a cavity with a base of a larger diameter located on the bottom of the cap, after the holes coincide, the inner channel of the cleaner is deformed , then the printer pushes the plastic into the channel, thus equalizing the pressure and temperature of the plastic to a working state, after cleaning the nozzle is moved to the working area, while the inner channel of the cleaner stops deforming and captures the plastic, while the extruded thread remains in cleaner or cut off on the edge of the cleaner.
nine0003
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that by passing over the soft surface of the cleaner, the nozzle is cleared of adhering plastic.
3. Device for cleaning the print head of a 3D printer for implementing the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1 and 2, containing a desktop, a mechanism for moving the printer print head, a printer print head with nozzles for feeding plastic, a cleaner placed on a holder made in the form of a rubber or silicone cap with an internal channel, which is made in the form of two interlocking conical cavities, with In this case, the cavity with a base of a smaller diameter placed on the top of the cap is connected to the cavity with a base of a larger diameter placed on the bottom of the cap. nine0003
4. Cleaner for the 3D printer head cleaning device according to claim 3, made in the form of a rubber or silicone cap with an internal channel, which is made in the form of two interlocking conical cavities, while the cavity with a base of a smaller diameter placed on the top of the cap closes with a cavity with a base of larger diameter, located on the bottom of the cap.
5. Cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that its outer surface is ribbed. nine0003
6. Cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that it is made on a 3D printer.
Review Top 5 3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kits
Sometimes nozzle clogging occurs when the 3D printer is not producing enough heat. This leads to material sticking inside the nozzle. This requires not only some tweaks or settings, but also the correct cleaning mode. Answer? The right printer nozzle cleaning kit.
Quality Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kit helps you meet the critical need to keep your extruder nozzle in good condition. Keep in mind that regular maintenance of your 3D printer will not only help you create perfect 3D prints, but will also help you extend the life of your device. nine0003
Below are some of the best 3D printer nozzle cleaning kits from the top brands on the market. To help you make the best choice out of these five great options, we've put together a list of their key features with the help of 3D printer enthusiasts and professionals.
Look for a kit that gives you all the tools and materials you need to clean your nozzle the best way possible. Once you've made your selection, don't forget to click on the buttons below to access the best Amazon prices on them! nine0003
12 stainless steel needles 0.4mm, 12 copper needles 0.35mm, 2 different precision tweezers, 1 plastic bottle
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great for Makerbot Creality CR-8, MK3 Makerbot Reprap Prusa I3 10D printers
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curved stainless steel precision tweezers
- 100 flexible needle0003
3.
A set of tools for cleaning Sopel 24D printer Glarks of 3 items
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10 cleaning icy 9000 9000
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9" Pallet Cutter
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Cons:
- While needles are great for cleaning the tip, a stick should be placed behind them to dislodge any residue. thread inside the print head.
- Be careful when handling the tweezers as they are very sharp.
Final take:
The Mika3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Tool Kit is a good option for cleaning and maintaining 3D printer nozzles. These tiny tools do a great job of removing stubborn blockages that have built up over time. Tweezers alone are worth the money, and needles are also good for removing tough blockages. Similarly, the kit is great for determining if a print problem is caused by a clog or something else in the process, including an extruder problem or bad filament. The price was reasonable for the kit because it provides everything you need and is a great investment for your 3D printer. nine0139
4 8mm nozzles made of high quality brass which are strong, durable and support 1.75mm inlet diameter, 0.4mm outlet diameter and 3mm hex 6D printer nozzle diameter. Cons:
- Tweezers can be quickly bent without proper care.
Final take:
Leinuosen 21D Printer Cleaning and Nozzle Kit is great value for money as it comes with 3 printer nozzles and 10 nozzle cleaning needles 10mm in one package. The kit includes a good set of sensors, nozzles and tweezers that can be used with 0.4D printers and are extremely useful for clearing clogs and cleaning the nozzles.
The cleaners work well and clean the nozzle as well as the extruder much more thoroughly and quickly. This package is all you need if you are looking for a handy 3D printing service kit at the lowest price but with decent quality. nine0139
Cons:
- The quality of some tools is not very impressive, but they still do their job well.
Final take:
Glarks 3 Pieces 24D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Tool Kit not only offers nozzle cleaning tools, but also provides everything you need to maintain your 3D printer. It includes a deburring tool for trimming the edge of the 3D printer and cleaning needles for cleaning the nozzles of the 3D printer, including troubleshooting filament clogs. It also comes with a wire cutter designed to cut filament and some other lightweight materials used in printing. It also contains tweezers to pry leaky filament from the extruder nozzle until it prints, a filing tool to smooth out roughness on 3D prints by rubbing it over rough pieces of material, and a scraper to remove models from 3D printers.
This package is like a one stop shop for everything you need. nine0139
Cons:
- Although this item is impressive, it does not fit the XYZ axes of the Da Vinci Mini 3D printer.
Final take:
The needles in the REPTOR 3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kit are 76mm or 3 inches long, which are flexible enough to bend into clogs from the bottom end or long enough for the top end.
Useless tools tend to be slightly more durable and durable than other nozzle cleaning tools. It has perfectly textured handles that are easy to grip and are very useful for clearing blockages in the hot end. In addition, the tweezers are sharp, so the advantage is that it comes with a protective tip for safety precautions. This tool kit is all you need for your 3D printer ready for any nozzle issues. nine0121
The dimensions of the package
4.5 x 3 x 0.1 inches
for 94%
easy to use
Pros of :
- Includes 5 0.4mm drill bits for cleaning 3D printer nozzles.
- Handles provide excellent and secure control and grip. nine0139
- Made of high quality stainless steel, drill length 16 mm.
- Offers a 20mm long shank and is compatible with most 0.4mm 3D printer extruder nozzles.
Cons:
- Delicate and will bend easily if used improperly.
Final Take:
Kamo 3 Pieces Drill Bits is a fantastic tool designed to help you deal with clogged nozzles in your 3D printer. Nozzle clogging happens on a weekly basis, but this mini drill works quite well, drilling through the base of the nozzle when it gets hot. You can easily remove PLA or other filaments stuck inside with just your hand or with a slight twist. This is a great troubleshooting product for the price as well as saving time on lengthy cleaning processes. For reference, if you have a 3D printer that you use regularly, you should service it with these Kamo drills, however be aware that they are tiny, thin and bend easily. nine0003 Check Price
Best 3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kits - Buyer's Guide
Value
Most brands have some sort of unique value that sets them apart from other products.
Along with brands, some like Leinuosen offer high quality products at an affordable price while others like REPTOR offer more expensive but worthy investment. Remember that the quality of the equipment is often more important than the price. nine0003
Material Compatibility
Due to the high thermal conductivity and tight manufacturing tolerances, all nozzles are made of some kind of metal. As a result, there are various nozzle cleaning tools that are used in the 3D printer nozzle cleaning process. Remember that each one has its own set of characteristics that affect the nozzle cleaning process in different ways, so you should choose cleaning tools that are compatible with your printer's nozzle type. nine0003
bore diameter
Bore diameter is the last and most important nozzle characteristic to consider. The nozzle diameter is usually between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm. Make sure the tools in your cleaning kit are compatible with the nozzle diameter.
quality
You may not get what you pay for with 3D printer nozzle cleaning kits, sometimes even less and sometimes even more. By comparison, the quality and durability of 3D printer nozzle cleaning kits can indicate how well and how long they will last. nine0003
Best 3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Kits - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my 3D printer nozzle is clogged?
When the material is fully heated, manually push it out of the nozzle. By that time, the material should gradually exit the nozzle, if this does not happen, the nozzle may be clogged.
How long will the 3D printer nozzle be used before it needs to be cleaned?
This depends on the filament you are using and how often you use your 3D printer. In the past, brass nozzles only lasted a few months, but you should expect a shorter life if you're printing with carbon fiber.
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How often should I clean the 3D printer nozzle?
It depends on how often you print or what type of filament you use. Poor quality or burnt filament is more likely to clog the pores of the nozzle, so it is recommended to clean it 200 to 400 hours after printing.
Why is nozzle cleaning important in your 3D printer?
Most 3D printer problems have been caused by clogged nozzles, so it's important to keep the nozzle in good working order to ensure 3D printing quality. nine0003
Author Santi Bongco
Santi Bonco is the editor of SolidSmack, the leading site for 3D CAD, robots, cool product designs, and other technologies. For the past seven years, he has been teaching robotics and developing innovative ideas for 3D printers with his students. He has also assisted in the development of some innovative digital ideas and products for various digital marketing companies and major companies in Asia.
