E3D Original Copper Heater Block

Heater blocks are an essential part of a hotend as their task is to melt the filament before it gets to the nozzle to be extruded. Heater blocks, such as the E3D Original Heater Block, are typically made of aluminum as it transfers heat quickly and efficiently. The E3D Original Copper Heater Block, however, is made of plated copper.

The V6 Original Copper Heater Block comes with an M3 grub screw to secure a cartridge-style thermistor,  or a PT100 or PT1000 temperature sensor, and an M3 dome head screw to clamp the heater cartridge. It is compatible with all V6 nozzles.

In addition to all those features, the Volcano Original Copper Heater Block has a longer melt path that enables faster, larger, and stronger printing. Its volumetric flow is 3 times bigger compared to the V6 Original Copper Heater Block.

The special high temperature copper alloy used for the E3D Original Copper Heater Block has a softening point of over 500 ºC and a significantly higher thermal conductivity, which means that this heater block can be used with advanced materials that require a high extrusion temperature, for example ULTEM or PEEK. It should be kept in mind that in order to 3D print at such high temperatures (above 300 ºC) with the E3D Original Copper Heater Block, the PT 100 or PT 1000 temperature sensors must be used.

Image 1: Silicone socks can be mounted on the E3D Original Copper Heater Block. Source: E3D.

The nickel plating of the copper heater block eliminates the risk of the copper alloy oxidizing at such high working temperatures. The plating also reduces the bonding surface of the heater block, which means the melted plastic will not adhere to the block. Nevertheless, the E3D silicone sock can be used on the Copper Heater Block. This will not only prevent melted plastic from adhering to the heater block (reducing maintenance time) but also to protect the heater block from air currents.

Similarly to the Original Heater Block, the Original Copper Heater Block is as compact as possible in order to use the working space in a smart way. The Original Copper Heater Block was designed and manufactured with utmost care, ensuring uniform and constant heat transmission which leads to consistent filament flow even at high speeds and with materials that require high printing temperatures.