Hot-End (3D Printing)

maker

The hot-end is the component of a 3D printer that melts and extrudes thermoplastic filaments to create printed objects.

expanded

In 3D printing, the hot-end is critical as it heats the filament to the required melting temperature, ranging typically from 190°C to 260°C (374°F to 500°F), depending on the filament material. Its design ensures that the filament is consistently melted and extruded through a nozzle with a specific diameter, commonly 0.4 mm, allowing for fine control over the layer deposition, directly influencing the print quality.

examples

The E3D V6 hot-end can reach temperatures up to 300°C (572°F), suitable for printing advanced materials such as polycarbonate.

It is commonly used in high-performance desktop 3D printers where precision and material versatility are required.

The Ultimaker 2+ hot-end is designed with a custom 0.4 mm nozzle for optimized PLA and ABS printing.

Utilized in commercial environments where reliable and continuous operation is essential.

related terms

Heat gun

A heat gun is an electric tool that emits a stream of hot air for various applications.

3D printing

The process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file by layering material.

Build Plate (3D Printing)

The surface or platform on which a 3D printed object is constructed.

Heat shrink

Heat shrink is a protective plastic sheath that contracts when exposed to heat, used for insulating wires and cables.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing process that builds objects layer by layer using a continuous filament of thermoplastic material.