1 Topic by Skyler101

  • Skyler101
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  • Registered: 2013-03-15
  • Posts: 61

Topic: What is a PEEK Insulator, and what does it do?

Hey guys...

I had to pull apart my hot end to clean out my first big clog sad and when I pulled it all apart, I gathered I understood what most of the parts did, but then I saw the PEEK Insulator, and I said to myself... WTH???

Can anyone explain to me what this does? Apart from guide the filament into the barrel? smile

Thanks in advance...

-Skyler101

2 Reply by adrian

  • adrian
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  • From: Canberra, Australia
  • Registered: 2013-01-15
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Re: What is a PEEK Insulator, and what does it do?

It is the heatbreak - it connects the 'cold end' of the extruder (stepper motor/drive gear) from the heater block .. this is what enables things to be fed rather than just melting as the heat from the heater block heats the filament. It prevents leakage out the top of the hotend and ensures the molten plastic is pushed out the nozzle by the force of the firm filament entering the top.

This is replaced with actively cooled stainless on the E3D... but the principles remain the same as the PEEK blocks.

Lots of good info on the anatomy of an extruder can be found at http://reprap.org/wiki/Category:Extruders

3 Reply by Skyler101

  • Skyler101
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Re: What is a PEEK Insulator, and what does it do?

Thanks Adrian, you explained to me what i needed to know...

Cheers mate!

-Skyler101