Reservoir Heads
Reservoir Heads is how we print (also known as Direct Ink Writing or Robocasting) with fluid or emulsified (non-filament-based) materials which are deposited at, above, or below room temperature, with or without UV Crosslinking.
Nordson and ViscoTec Heads
Yes, Hyrel equipment can accommodate these and other print heads with just a little custom code and a special tool holder and head conversion. Please contact us if you have any questions at all. Please contact us before purchasing non-Hyrel equipment for use with our printers.
Click image for a larger image.
Materials for Reservoir Heads
Reservoir Heads heads are for printing as follows:
- With pastes, gels, emulsifiables or waxes.
- At room or elevated temperatures.
- With or without UV Crosslining.
- With Hyrel Nozzles (1.5mm, 2mm) or Luer Tips OF ANY SIZE.
The following materials can be printed from Cold Flow heads. Note that more viscous materials may not be suitable for plastic syringes or smaller luer tips.
- 3P Quick Cure Clay
- Adhesives
- Clay, Generic
- Epoxy, Two-part
- Fimo
- Glue
- Kato
- Metal Clay, including Precious Metal Clay (PMC)
- Modeling Clay
- PEG PolyEthylene Glycol
- Porcelain
- Plasticine
- Play-Doh
- Resins
- RTV Silicone
- Sculpey
- Sugru
The following materials can be printed from Warm Flow heads. Note that more viscous materials may not be suitable for plastic syringes or smaller luer tips, or may print more easily at higher temperatures.
Reservoir Heads
Ambient or sub-ambient deposition is available through the following Reservoir-based heads:
Heated deposition is available through the following Reservoir-based heads:
-
Overview of the EMO Heads - Overview of the SDS Heads
- Overview of the VOL Heads
- Overview of the KRA Heads
- Overview of the SMH-2 Head
- Please see our Manuals as well.
| Temperature > | 20°C < Ambient | Ambient | Up to 50°C | Up to 90°C | Up to 180°C | Up to 270°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosslinking Optional |
RSD-30 | EMO-25 SDS-5, -10, SDS-30, -60 SMH-2 |
HSD-30 | HSD-10 VOL-25 |
KRA-15 KR2-15 |
TAM-15 |
Note, RSD-30 will take you about 20C below ambient.
So, what do these goofy designations actually stand for?
- EMO: Emulsifiables at Room Temperature - Low to Medium Viscosity
- COD: Emulsifiables T Room Temperature with Crosslink On Demand - Low to Medium Viscosity
- VOL: Volcano: Heated (up to 100°C) Emulsifiables - Low to Medium Viscosity
- KR2: Krakatoa v2: a more robust KRA head with a double gasketed plunger hotter, more viscous Emulsifiables - Very High Viscosity
- TAM: Tambora: Heated (up to 270°C) Emulsifiables - High Viscosity
- SDS: Syringe Dispensing System (uses disposable plastic syringes at room temperature) - Low Viscosity
- HSD: Heated (formerly Volcanic) Syringe Dispensing System - Low to Medium Viscosity
- RSD: Refrigerated Syringe Dispensing System - Low to Medium Viscosity
- DSD: Dual Syringe Dispenser, dispensing two-part mixtures at a fixed ratio - Low to Medium Viscosity
- SMH: Static Mixing Head, blending your ratio of material through a baffled nozzle - Low to Medium Viscosity
Research Papers Citing Hyrel Reservoir Heads
These are now listed by year here.
Firmware Versions for Reservoir Heads
Firmware information is listed on our Firmware page.
Reservoirs for Reservoir Heads
We've used different reservoirs over the years. Here are the details.
Metal Reservoirs
| Tube Material | Plunger O-Rings |
Nominal Volume |
ID mm |
OD mm |
Compatible Heads |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 1 | 25 cc | 16.9 mm | 20.2 mm | EMO, VOL | Modified "Makin" |
| Stainless | 1 | 15 cc | 17.7 mm | 20 mm | discontinued | Modified "Makin" |
| Stainless | 1 | 25 cc | 17.7 mm | 20 mm | discontinued | Modified "Makin" |
| Stainless | 2 | 15 cc | 18 mm | 20 mm | KR2, TAM, EMO-XT | Custom |
| Stainless | 2 | 30 cc | 22 mm | 25 mm | EMO-ST, KR2-ST, TAM-ST | Custom |
Plastic Reservoirs
| Default Heads |
Tube Material | Manufacturer | Part Number |
Nominal Volume |
Notes | Hyrel Part | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDS-1 | Polypropylene | MHC Easy-Touch | 802010 | 1 cc | none | AN.SYR-01/100-MHC | 100 |
| SDS-5 | Polypropylene | BD | 309646 | 5 cc | none | AN.SYR-05/125-BD | 125 |
| SDS-10 | Polypropylene | BD | 309604 | 10 cc | none | AN.SYR-10/100-BD | 100 |
| SDS-30 SDS-30XT |
Polypropylene | BD | 302832 | 30 cc | none | AN.SYR-30/54-BD | 54 |
| SDS-60 SDS-60XT |
Polypropylene | BD | 309653 | 60 cc | none | AN.SYR-60/40-BD | 40 |
| SDS-150XT | Polypropylene | - | - | 150 cc | none | AN.SYR-150/10 | 10 |
| HSD-10 | Polyamide | Ardes* | 10 cc | *modified | AN.SYR-10-Ardes | 1 |
