Super hard nozzles - Test pilots

[Anders Olsson]

Ruby nozzle vs. Diamond sharpener -> Diamond wins

That diamond sharpener got good reviews by the way. Maybe one should try sharpening the kitchen knifes when finished with the ruby nozzle

[Titus]

Haha nice!
I wonder how much effort goes into making this ruby nozzle! It would be nice to see a bonus return in the former of sharp kitchen knifes

[Anders Olsson]

That diamond sharpening thing was just a scientific test I had to perform on one ruby, I normally don't abuse them that way

I can probably make a ruby nozzle in less than an hour now, but it took some time to learn how and in which order to do things.
Many scrapped nozzles later I certainly know what not to do at least

Tested the sharpener on a kitchen knife by the way, I should definitely have bought that thing years ago, amazing how that old knife slices bread now

[LePaul]

Can you tell us about the process? Or is that Top Secret?

[Blizz]

Thanks Anders for sending me a nozzle! (received it a couple days ago)
I ordered some XT-CF20 and can't wait to start experimenting.

A little bit of topic but still: Thought this was a perfect subject for my macro lens and a test in stack-focussing.
Unfortunately I don't have a rig so it's all by hand and far from perfect.
Still, it came out nice so I wanted to share it with you guys:

[PeggyB]

wow, that is a hell of a job! How do they stay in place?

[Blizz]

Very good glue i suppose

[Izzy]

If it is the same as in clocks and watches, then the brass is soft enough for the Jewel (glass bearing) to be inserted and then the brass just pressed and deformed enough to secure it.

[Titus]

Blizz! That is so pretty!
@Anders, nice work! I really wonder how you make these things. Must be cool!
Let me know if you still want someone to test it out on an UMO.

[Blizz]

@Titus: thanks
I think Anders should make a small video where he shows how he makes them
Guess it all starts with a regular E3D nozzle.

[LePaul]

He sent me one to try in my UMO. I also received a hardened nozzle recently, so I am looking forward to see how each nozzle performs with the ColorFabb XT-CF20 material

[Anders Olsson]

Can you tell us about the process? Or is that Top Secret?

Well, I spend a lot of time on developing that process and I have competitors that are likely to read this thread, so sorry, but I am not going to tell you in detail at this point. I can't stop you from trying to take your ruby nozzle apart though, but that is a risk I have to take

Still, it came out nice so I wanted to share it with you guys:[/attachment]

Nice photo, I wish I knew you were going to take close ups, then I would have cleaned your nozzle properly before sending it

Very good glue i suppose

Nope, did not find any glue suitable for the task yet.

If it is the same as in clocks and watches, then the brass is soft enough for the Jewel (glass bearing) to be inserted and then the brass just pressed and deformed enough to secure it.

The first prototypes were made this way, but for various reasons I was not completely happy with that method, so the current batch has another way of fixing them.

@Titus: thanks
I think Anders should make a small video where he shows how he makes them
Guess it all starts with a regular E3D nozzle.

They are made from 3dSolex or E3D nozzles depending on filament diameter. I will not make a video at this point, these were just rough prototypes. I might make a video from the workshop that are manufacturing the next batch though, if I have a chance.

[Anders Olsson]

He sent me one to try in my UMO. I also received a hardened nozzle recently, so I am looking forward to see how each nozzle performs with the ColorFabb XT-CF20 material

Please feel free to use the ruby nozzle for any material! I am interested in all ruby-nozzle related printing experiences.
In fact, I almost haven't used 0.4 mm brass nozzles since I had the first ruby made, did not see any reason to go back to brass

I just received the nozzle that Neotko printed 8 kg formfutura with and the scratches from the manufacturing of the ruby are still visible on the tip of the nozzle (!)

So I think today's conclusion is that you are very unlikely to cause significant wear on it with carbonfill
Therefore, please feel free to test it with other materials!

[martin-bienz]

wow. How cool. That's a great result Anders! I mean I problaby don't qualify for a "test" nozzle. But can I buy one !!!!

[Blizz]

Nice photo, I wish I knew you were going to take close ups, then I would have cleaned your nozzle properly before sending it

I'll make sure to clean it a bit before I take more!

So what was the hole diameter on those? A regular 0.4mm or is it 0.5?