HotEnd BCN3D by E3D-Online

The BCN3D factory offers a wide range of HotEnds optimized by E3D-Online for its 3D printers,with independent double head (IDEX), to get the most out of all the impressions.

Many users would like to achieve the best finish in the shortest possible time. This is possible thanks to the independent dual extruder, by using a HotEnd with a smaller nozzle diameter for the outer walls and a HotEnd with a larger nozzle size for filling. This combination is also favourable for 3D printing where supports (PVA or HiPS) are needed, thus shortening printing times.

The available nozzle diameters are: 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm and 1 mm. You can easily identify the diameter of the nozzle according to the number of holes:

Number of marks	Nozzle diameter	Compatibility
	0.4 mm	Sigma R19 Sigmax R19 Sigma D25 Epsilon Series
	0.6 mm	Sigma R19 Sigmax R19 EpsilonSeries
	0.8 mm	Sigma R19 Sigmax R19 Sigma D25 Epsilon Series
	1 mm	Sigma R19 Sigmax R19 Epsilon Series
	0.6 mm (Hotend X)	Epsilon Series
-	0.4 mm (Hotend M)	Epsilon Series

Table 1: Identification of the diameter and compatibility of BCN3D nozzles according to number of holes.

The wide variety of nozzle diameters to choose from helps achieve different effects on 3D printed parts, as well as print faster and more efficiently depending on the project and parameters, as well as the material used.

What diameter to choose?

The HotEnd with a nozzle of 0.4 mm or 0.6 mm are the most common, versatile and used. With these diameters you can get quality finishes in acceptable printing times. A part are valid for all types of material, from the common (PLA and ABS) to engineering (PC and PC-Max) with the brass HotEnds (0.4 mm or 0.6 mm), those that contain fibers (Timberfill Light Wood Tone, Timberfill "Rosewood", Timberfill "Champagne") with the HotEnd X (0.6 mm) or even metal filaments with HotEnd M (0.4 mm).

Image 1: The BCN3D HotEnds family. Source: BCN3D 

The HotEnd with a nozzle of 0.8 mm or 1 mm (High Flow) are the fastest. Thanks to its diameter and because it has a larger heating block than usual, thus providing greater heat transfer to the material, large pieces can be made in a shorter time interval. If the surface finish is important, you can use these nozzles for the filling in combination with smaller nozzles and thus get a good surface finish in record time. With the use of 0.8 mm or 1 mm nozzles we recommend that you use the larger purge tank.

HotEnd X and HotEnd M

The HotEnd X with a 0.6 mm nozzle made of a special tool steel alloy is a must-have for all users who are thinking of using materials with abrasive fibres, such as carbon fibres (PLA-Carbon Fibre or Nylon-Carbon Fibre CF15) or glass fibres (PETG GF). The design of the HotEnd X is intended to maintain the nozzle diameter for a long time despite the abrasion of the material and allows the smooth flow of the material.

Image 2: 0.6 mm HotEnd X. Source: BCN3D.

HotEnd M is designed for printing metal-filled materials such as Ultrafuse 316L and Ultrafuse 17-4PH. Like HotEnd X, it is also made from a special tool steel alloy, and is immensely hard and maintains this resistance to high temperatures without ever softening. 3D printed parts with metal filaments require debinding and sintering, which can be done with the help of BASF's debinding and sintering voucher for metal filaments. The HotEnd M is also included in the BCN3D Metal Kit, along with other accessories for printing with Ultrafuse metal filaments.

Image 3: 0.4 mm HotEnd M. Source: BCN3D.

Regardless of the diameter of the HotEnd nozzle and the nozzle material used  the internal geometry is essential to ensure proper operation, free of jams and high performance. For this reason, BCN3D has maintained the proportions of the geometry of all its nozzles always combined with a HotEnd "full metal", with high quality materials and with a surface finish of the super smooth internal walls. 

By being able to combine two nozzles of different diameter, the number of possibilities is very large.

Thanks to all the above, it has never been so simple and efficient to make a double extrusion.