Abstract: A cap for an extruder of a three-dimensional printer is removeable and replaceable on the hot end of the extruder, e.g., for cleaning or other maintenance of the cap or extruder. The cap may be formed of a polymer having a lower thermal conductivity than the hot end of the extruder such that the cap forms a thermal barrier between the hot end of the extruder and an external environment. Further, the cap may protect the hot end of the extruder from damaging contact with deposited build material (e.g., spatters) as well as other undesirable contact during a three-dimensional printing process.

Abstract: A cap for an extruder of a three-dimensional printer is removeable and replaceable on the hot end of the extruder, e.g., for cleaning or other maintenance of the cap or extruder. The cap may be formed of an polymer having a lower thermal conductivity than the hot end of the extruder such that the cap forms a thermal barrier between the hot end of the extruder and an external environment. Further, the cap may protect the hot end of the extruder from damaging contact with deposited build material (e.g., spatters) as well as other undesirable contact during a three-dimensional printing process.

Abstract: An extrusion head of an extruder is configured to move along a feedpath independently from a heating element so that the extrusion head can yield to extrusion-related forces. Specifically, the extruder may include an extrusion head movably coupled to a thermal core to permit axial displacement of the extrusion head relative to the thermal core. In use, the extrusion head may be displaced within the thermal core when the extruder is subject to extrusion-related forces (e.g., an upward force created by a refraction of build material or a downward force created by an advance of build material). This motion can facilitate better transitions by the extruder between different layers or z-axis positions in a model during fabrication.

Abstract: An extrusion head of an extruder is configured to move along a feedpath independently from a heating element so that the extrusion head can yield to extrusion-related forces. Specifically, the extruder may include an extrusion head movably coupled to a thermal core to permit axial displacement of the extrusion head relative to the thermal core. In use, the extrusion head may be displaced within the thermal core when the extruder is subject to extrusion-related forces (e.g., an upward force created by a refraction of build material or a downward force created by an advance of build material). This motion can facilitate better transitions by the extruder between different layers or z-axis positions in a model during fabrication.