Nozzle

The nozzle is an integral component of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers. It’s a small piece, usually made of metal, with a tiny hole (orifice) at the end. This hole is where the melted filament is pushed out and deposited onto the print bed during the 3D printing process. 

The heater block is responsible for melting the filament, while the heat break helps maintain a temperature gradient, preventing the filament from melting too early. The extruder pushes the melted filament through the nozzle’s small opening. This melted material is then deposited in precise patterns, layer by layer, to create the 3D object.

Nozzles are available in a range of sizes, each with varying orifice diameters to meet different 3D printing needs. Typically, users can find nozzles that are 0.2mm to 1.0mm in diameter. Smaller nozzle diameters, like the 0.2mm ones, are excellent for creating intricate details and achieving thinner layers in the prints. In contrast, larger nozzle diameters, such as 1.0mm, can extrude more material, which speeds up the printing process but may result in lower detail and resolution. 

Nozzles are typically made from materials like brass, which offers good thermal conductivity, or stainless steel and hardened steel, which are more resistant to wear and better suited for abrasive materials like carbon fiber or glass-filled filaments. Some nozzles also have coatings, such as nickel plating or other non-stick materials, to reduce friction and prevent filaments from sticking. This can help it maintain its print quality and reduce clogs.