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

Some customers have requested that we configure our equipment in such a way that heads from other companies like the Nordson Ultimus V heads or one of the Viscotec Vipro 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.

• Adhesives
• Fimo
• Kato
• Glue
• PCL
• Plasticine
• Resins
• Sculpey
• Wax

Reservoir Heads

Ambient or sub-ambient deposition is available through the following Reservoir-based heads:

• 

  EMO-25

• 

  EMO-25 with UV array

• 

  SDS-5, SDS-10,
  SDS-30, SDS-60

• 

  SDS-5, SDS-10,
  SDS-30, SDS-60 with UV array

• 

  SMH-2 Static Mixing Head

Heated deposition is available through the following Reservoir-based heads:

• 

  VOL-25

• 

  VOL-25 with UV array

• 

  KRA-15

• 

  KRA-15 with UV array

• 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.

EMO-Type Head Comparison

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

How do I load an Extruder onto the Printer

As with all Hyrel heads, the following process should be followed:

1. Start with a level bed and Repetrel running and connected to the printer.
2. Load the gibs on the Head into the gib slots on the Yoke from above and slide the head down into place; the last mm of travel should be done gently, ensuring that the electrical connector seats properly (firmly and completely) into the receiving connector.
3. Ensure the LEDs on the print head are flashing - this means the Head is communicating with the Motion Controller.
4. Tighten the thumbscrew in the rear, to prevent the head from moving relative to the Yoke.
5. If the Head doesn't show up in Repetrel, press and release the RESET button on the front of the printer.
6. Once the Head is shown in repetrel, proceed to setting your Z-Zero position.

See also: Loading Print Heads into your Hyrel 3D Printer

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

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

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