Stainless Steel Nozzle options

[branden....@gmail.com]

In chatting with some people in RepRap IRC we had been talking about carbon fiber based abs and pla. It turns out that some of the carbon fiber mixes go up to around 30% from some suppliers. In the same case the higher mixes are substantially more abrasive on brass nozzles(like going from .4mm to .6mm over the course of 900g of plastic used). Due to this would it be possible for a stainless steel nozzle that could handle the higher abrasiveness of some filaments be available for the Pico?

[branden....@gmail.com]

IsaaX in RepRap IRC provided these images(with permission to post) for reference on wear over the course of 80% filament use on a 750g roll of printing with 30% CF ABS from 3dxtech(http://www.3dxtech.com/carbon-fiber-filament/). He too recently has purchased a Pico and is similarly interested in the option of a SS nozzle option.

http://i.imgur.com/R2QCjIz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IWJVFLM.jpg

[B3]

Branden, you bring up an interesting point. I can't speak about the machinability of such a design, but there would need to be sufficient demand to make them affordable [higher quantity = lower unit cost]. Also, I'm sure stainless steel would last longer for this application, but by how much, I don't know. The benefits need to outweigh the price. I would be interested in finding this out. - Will / B3

[Branden Coates]

I totally understand that stainless steel has a considerable degree of difficulty to machine over brass for nozzles, particularly with drilling the orifice. Its mostly just a curiosity, brass nozzles are cheap enough but replacing the nozzle after every roll of carbon fiber filament would kinda be a bummer. There would probably be a subset of use cases for a stainless steel nozzle option, but things like PLA or ABS would obviously not benefit from it I do not imagine.

If it does work out to be something that is viable please do let me know, I know of a couple people that might find it to be of interested in IRC as well.

[B3]

Branden,

Thank you. After MRRF, we had a few requests for it and we are currently looking into the feasibility. We will keep you and others updated if anything new is to come of it. And that would be awesome if you pass it on in IRC if any developments come about.

Best Regards,

Mike

The B3 Team

-Print On, Printers-

[Kris T]

Please add me to the list for SS nozzles. Brass is a good balance of thermal conductivity, wear resistance and easy machining, but I would also be interested in trying a tip that doesn't wear as quickly with novel/compounded filaments.

[B3]

*Update for those interested. It is feasible.

Since Game of Thrones is premiering soon I'll say this... Stainless is Coming.

Will / B3

[npola...@gmail.com]

Great to hear- I was actually about to ask about this myself but I see I'm not the first. I'll buy a stainless nozzle as soon as they are available.

[B3]

All,

Update on the stainless steel nozzles-

The 3mm Pico stainless steel nozzles have arrived and will be available for purchase on our store early this week. The 1.75mm Pico stainless steel nozzles will come in late this week to early next week.

The 3mm stainless steel nozzles will be available in these select sizes:

0.5mm

0.75mm

2.00mm

Coming soon, the 1.75mm stainless steel nozzles will be available in these select sizes:

0.4mm

0.5mm

0.75mm

1.00mm

1.25mm

2.50mm

I will post again when we put up the options for purchase on our webstore.

Thank you

Mike

The B3 Team

-print on, printers!-

[Branden Coates]

Woo this is awesome. Way to deliver guys. Waiting on the 1.75 nozzles but when they show up I will be ordering a couple. Glad to see the larger nozzle size variety available too.

[wmou...@gmail.com]

They have arrived!

https://www.b3innovations.com/?product=stainless-steel-nozzles

If you are looking for quick print times and extremely strong parts, or steady printing with fine detail, a single un-modified Pico can do it all - designed right, from the start.

Introducing longer-lasting rugged stainless steel nozzles for Pico. Perfect for abrasive filaments such as carbon fiber filled PLA.
We are the pioneers of the vertical heater and large nozzle orifices. From the start we have offered 1mm orifice nozzles for large, faster prints. But now, we have pushed the envelope even further with a 2mm orifice nozzle.

With longer lasting nozzles, larger orifices and 500°C printing, you can print faster, last longer, and create stronger parts — Own Your Limits.

Cheers! — Will

[Jeff DeMaagd]

Thank you. They look great. I ordered a pair.