<p>They are used for nonplaner 3d printing.</p>

<p><div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gmePlcU0TRw?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p><a href="https://all3dp.com/4/nonplanar-3d-printing-gives-the-smoothest-top-layers/" rel="noreferrer">https://all3dp.com/4/nonplanar-3d-printing-gives-the-smoothest-top-layers/</a></p>

<p>The gist of it is, that You can achieve smoother, curvy top layers that are more true to form, buy using a nozzle like the one you mentioned. Also, they can be used to print multiple objects at the same time, where is faster to print 10 to 20 layers of one object then switch to the next object on the build plate, rather than having to print each layer of each object sequentially. This reduces build time, stringing, voids and the potential knocking off the part by the nozzle (as it moves to print the next object, since that object may have shrunk/expanded since the nozzle last visited it).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T13:23:37.480Z
Since OP asked "Gimmick or actual product improvement?" it might be nice to address too whether these are strictly an improvement or a set of tradeoffs. I'd imagine the latter. For example they probably have a much harder time keeping extrusion temperature consistent.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T13:30:15.683Z
It's to early in the game to tell what the tradeoffs are. It might be layer adhesion, who knows. I hope it's not a hype thing like velocity painting.
user77232
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T18:23:41.237Z
I did not think of non-planar printing, but indeed that would be an engineering application.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T22:26:00.917Z
the thermodynamic tradeoffs are obvious: you radiate more heat and cool the filament more for a finer deposition.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T13:05:45.843Z
2020-02-03T13:05:45.843Z
user77232
<p>An obvious drawback is the lack of a flat surface around the opening, resulting in a severe limitation of the extrusion width to exactly the nozzle width (plus some percent). This nozzle cannot efficiently push the filament against the nearby perimeters because it cannot constrain its height and it cannot flatten the top of the already extruded one. So layer adhesion may not be a big problem, but perimeter-to-perimeter likely is.</p>

<p>Also, the thinner wall and extended length will reduce the filament temperature, however I don't know whether a simple compensation would do, since cooling will depend on filament speed and travel speed.</p>

<p>Regarding the cooling, you can check also the original designer's <a href="https://well-engineered.net/index.php/en/46-small-smaller-airbrush-nozzle" rel="nofollow noreferrer">goal</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A big problem with small. hot and slow prints is the heat radiation of
  the hotend and nozzle itself. To get as little as possible heat into
  the print, the nozzle needs to be as long and pointy as possible. The
  longer the nozzle, the bigger the distance between heater block and the
  print. And the more pointy it is, the less heat radiation can affect
  the print. A nice side benefit: the cooling fan can blow better onto
  the print and "around" the nozzle.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T18:21:43.753Z
I read that they use an extra 20-30 °C for printing, so you might be right on your second paragraph. Steel conducts less heat and the thin pointy nose cools the filament. This may be an issue for PLA, you don't want to overcook it...
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-04T15:37:11.253Z
If the nozzle tip is made of steel then its actually a better insulator than the brass nozzle.
user77232
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-04T16:24:23.773Z
But it's thinner and has a much worse surface/volume ratio
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-03T17:21:36.377Z
2020-02-04T16:23:44.097Z
2020-02-04T16:23:44.097Z
FarO
<p>Lately I noticed that there is a new type of nozzles (called airbrush nozzles?!?) available; typically found on those online overseas vendor sites. The nozzles are advertised for usage in E3D hardware, but are not found amongst the <a href="https://e3d-online.com/nozzles-for-3d-printer" rel="noreferrer">E3D genuine nozzles</a>.</p>

<p>These nozzles look like this:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OH4O2.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OH4O2.png" alt="Airbrush nozzle"></a></p>

<p></p>

<p>What are the basic physics principles or what is the engineering relevance for application of airbrush nozzles? (Gimmick or actual product improvement?)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-04T16:04:39.467Z
While these long skinny tips make it *easier* to print in 3-axes as the answers describe, that's not their original intent so far as I can tell.  The long skinny profile allows for different extrusion properties as well as better airflow from any cooling fan you may have.
Carl Witthoft
<nozzle>
Is there an engineering/physics foundation for application of airbrush nozzles?
0scar
# Is there an engineering/physics foundation for application of airbrush nozzles?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-03)

Lately I noticed that there is a new type of nozzles (called airbrush nozzles?!?) available; typically found on those online overseas vendor sites. The nozzles are advertised for usage in E3D hardware, but are not found amongst the [E3D genuine nozzles](https://e3d-online.com/nozzles-for-3d-printer).

These nozzles look like this:

[![Airbrush nozzle](https://i.sstatic.net/OH4O2.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/OH4O2.png)

What are the basic physics principles or what is the engineering relevance for application of airbrush nozzles? (Gimmick or actual product improvement?)

**Tags:** nozzle

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: While these long skinny tips make it *easier* to print in 3-axes as the answers describe, that's not their original intent so far as I can tell.  The long skinny profile allows for different extrusion properties as well as better airflow from any cooling fan you may have.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2020-02-03. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

An obvious drawback is the lack of a flat surface around the opening, resulting in a severe limitation of the extrusion width to exactly the nozzle width (plus some percent). This nozzle cannot efficiently push the filament against the nearby perimeters because it cannot constrain its height and it cannot flatten the top of the already extruded one. So layer adhesion may not be a big problem, but perimeter-to-perimeter likely is.

Also, the thinner wall and extended length will reduce the filament temperature, however I don't know whether a simple compensation would do, since cooling will depend on filament speed and travel speed.

Regarding the cooling, you can check also the original designer's [goal](https://well-engineered.net/index.php/en/46-small-smaller-airbrush-nozzle):

> A big problem with small. hot and slow prints is the heat radiation of
> the hotend and nozzle itself. To get as little as possible heat into
> the print, the nozzle needs to be as long and pointy as possible. The
> longer the nozzle, the bigger the distance between heater block and the
> print. And the more pointy it is, the less heat radiation can affect
> the print. A nice side benefit: the cooling fan can blow better onto
> the print and "around" the nozzle.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I read that they use an extra 20-30 °C for printing, so you might be right on your second paragraph. Steel conducts less heat and the thin pointy nose cools the filament. This may be an issue for PLA, you don't want to overcook it...  
> **username_2**: If the nozzle tip is made of steel then its actually a better insulator than the brass nozzle.  
> **username_5**: But it's thinner and has a much worse surface/volume ratio  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-02-03. Score: 5

They are used for nonplaner 3d printing.

<https://all3dp.com/4/nonplanar-3d-printing-gives-the-smoothest-top-layers/>

The gist of it is, that You can achieve smoother, curvy top layers that are more true to form, buy using a nozzle like the one you mentioned. Also, they can be used to print multiple objects at the same time, where is faster to print 10 to 20 layers of one object then switch to the next object on the build plate, rather than having to print each layer of each object sequentially. This reduces build time, stringing, voids and the potential knocking off the part by the nozzle (as it moves to print the next object, since that object may have shrunk/expanded since the nozzle last visited it).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Since OP asked "Gimmick or actual product improvement?" it might be nice to address too whether these are strictly an improvement or a set of tradeoffs. I'd imagine the latter. For example they probably have a much harder time keeping extrusion temperature consistent.  
> **username_2**: It's to early in the game to tell what the tradeoffs are. It might be layer adhesion, who knows. I hope it's not a hype thing like velocity painting.  
> **username_0**: I did not think of non-planar printing, but indeed that would be an engineering application.  
> **username_4**: the thermodynamic tradeoffs are obvious: you radiate more heat and cool the filament more for a finer deposition.  

---

