1. Introducció
The Mellow FluxHeat V6 Hotend is a new generation of compact, high-performance hotend primarily designed for professional and industrial 3D printing applications. It excels in printing large-size workpieces or large quantities of flexible materials, especially 2.85mm TPU filament. Featuring a powerful ceramic heating element and aerospace-grade components, it integrates seamlessly with the optional ALPS pressure bed leveling module to deliver rapid heating, stable extrusion, and precise leveling.
The Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus Extruder, designed for 2.85mm 60T 12MM gear systems, complements the hotend with its durable, nickel-plated hardened steel gears. These high-precision CNC machined gears ensure accurate dimensions, high concentricity, and burr-free operation for superior printing results.
Figure 1: Mellow FluxHeat 2.85 Hotend overview, highlighting 96W heating power and 350°C printing temperature.
2. Especificacions
2.1. FluxHeat V6 Hotend
- Potència de calefacció: 96W (24V Ceramic Heating Plate)
- Printing Temperature: Up to 350°C (with Pt1000 temperature sensor)
- Zona de calefacció: 8.3 x 18.3 mm
- Inner Wall Heating Length: 35 mm
- Print Flow Rate: > 40 mm³/s
- Throat Tube Material: Aerospace-Grade TC4 Titanium (surface finish ≤ 0.2 Ra)
- Cargols de fixació: TC4 Titanium
- Nozzle Interface: M6 Threaded (V6 compatible)
- Nozzle Compatibility: Standard copper, hardened steel, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide
- Pes: Approximately 27.1g (hotend only)
Figure 2: Hotend performance metrics including print flow, heating efficiency, and printing temperature.
Figura 3: Detallada view of the ceramic heating plate and inner wall heating length.
2.2. Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus Extruder
- Diàmetre del filament: 2.85 mm
- Tipus d'engranatge: 60T 12MM Gear
- Material de l'engranatge: Nickel-Plated Hardened Steel
- Gear Hardness: HRC 55+
- Inner Wall (Filament Path): 3.15 mm
- Extruder Weight: 58.1 g
Figure 4: Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus Extruder gears and specifications.
Figure 5: Close-up of extruder gear surface plating and filament path inner wall.
2.3. ALPS Pressure Leveling Module (Optional)
- Xip: ADS131M02
- Resolució: 24-bit ΔΣ ADC
- S màximampTarifa de ling: 64 KSPS
- Interfície: SPI
- Subministrament Voltage: 2.7V-5.5V
- Interval de guany: 1 a 128
- Compatibilitat: Klipper, Marlin, RRF firmware
Figure 6: Comparison of ADS131M02 chip specifications with other common sensors.
2.4. Package Dimensions and Weight
- Longitud: 17 cm
- Amplada: 7 cm
- Alçada: 6 cm
- Pes: 0.3 kg
3. Contingut del paquet
The following components may be included depending on the selected set:
Figura 7: Mésview of available package sets and their components.
- Set 1: FluxHeat V6 2.85 Hotend
- FluxHeat V6 2.85 Hotend x1
- 96W High-performance Heater x1
- NN PT1000 Temperature Sensor x1
- High-performance Thermal Grease x1
- Set 2: FluxHeat V6 2.85 ALPS Hotend
- FluxHeat V6 2.85 ALPS Hotend x1
- 96W High-performance Heater x1
- NN PT1000 Temperature Sensor x1
- High-performance Thermal Grease x1
- Set 3: Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus
- Black Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus Extruder x1 (motor not included)
- Set 4: Moons 8T Motor
- Moons 8T 36mm Motor x1
- Set 5: Moons 10T Motor
- Moons 10T 36mm Motor x1
- Set 6: LDO 8T Motor
- LDO 8T 36mm Motor x1
- Set 7: LDO 10T Motor
- LDO 10T 36mm Motor x1
- Set 8: Silicone Socks
- Silicone Socks x2
Figure 8: Silicone socks included in Set 8.
- Sets 9-15: Hardened Steel Nozzles
- 2.85MM Hardened Steel Nozzles x2 (available in 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0mm sizes)
Figure 9: Hardened Steel SC V6 nozzle details.
4. Configuració i instal·lació
4.1. Hotend Assembly
- Apply a small amount of high-performance thermal grease to the ceramic heating plate.
- Insert the 96W ceramic heating plate into the hotend block.
- Carefully thread the Aerospace-Grade TC4 Titanium Throat Pipe into the hotend block. Ensure it is securely seated.
- Attach the nozzle to the M6 threaded interface of the hotend. Ensure it is tightened appropriately for your printer's specifications.
- Secure the throat pipe using the TC4 Titanium Fixing Screws on both sides. These screws provide auxiliary fixation to prevent the throat pipe from bending.
- Connect the NN PT1000 Temperature Sensor wires to your printer's mainboard according to its wiring diagram.
- If using, install the silicone sock over the hotend block to improve thermal stability and prevent filament from sticking.
Figura 10: Explotat view of hotend components and assembly points.
Figure 11: Detail of TC4 Titanium Fixing Screws for throat pipe stability.
Figure 12: Close-up of the Aerospace-Grade TC4 Titanium Throat Pipe.
4.2. Extruder Installation (Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus)
- If not already assembled, install the nickel-plated hardened steel gears into the Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus extruder body. Ensure proper alignment and smooth rotation.
- Mount the extruder to your 3D printer's carriage system.
- Install the appropriate motor (e.g., Moons 8T/10T, LDO 8T/10T) to the extruder.
- Connect the motor wiring to your printer's mainboard.
Figure 13: Vz-Hextrudort-Low Plus Extruder.
4.3. ALPS Pressure Leveling Module Integration
The ALPS Pressure Leveling Module transmits a signal to the mainboard, identifying the status when it comes into contact with the heated bed. It is important to note that this solution is not suitable for easily deformable heated beds or X-axes prone to deformation and distortion.
- Connect the ALPS module to the hotend as shown in the diagram.
- Connect the 1.5-meter cable from the ALPS module directly to the UART interface on your printer's motherboard.
- Refer to the official documentation for detailed setup and configuration of the ALPS module with your specific firmware (Klipper, Marlin, RRF). A comprehensive guide is available at: https://mellow.klipper.cn/en/docs/ProductDoc/ExtensionBoard/fly-apls/
Figure 14: Diagram illustrating the connection of the hotend to the ALPS module and mainboard.
Figure 15: ALPS module indicating normal (blue light on) and triggered (light off) states.
5. Instruccions de funcionament
5.1. Càrrega de filaments
- Ensure the hotend is heated to the appropriate temperature for your 2.85mm filament (e.g., 220-240°C for PLA, 230-250°C for PETG, 240-260°C for ABS, up to 350°C for high-temp materials like PEEK/PEI).
- Insert the 2.85mm filament into the extruder's input.
- Manually feed the filament until it engages with the extruder gears and begins to push through the hotend.
- Continueu alimentant fins que el filament fos s'extregui de la boquilla, indicant un camí clar.
5.2. Printing Parameters
- Compatibilitat de filaments: Optimized for 2.85mm filaments, including TPU, nylon, and carbon fiber composite materials.
- Printing Temperature: The hotend supports printing temperatures up to 350°C. Adjust based on filament type and manufacturer recommendations.
- Caudal: The hotend is capable of a print flow rate exceeding 40 mm³/s, allowing for high-speed printing. Calibrate your printer's flow rate (extrusion multiplier) for optimal results.
- Selecció de broquets: Choose the appropriate nozzle material and diameter for your filament. Hardened steel nozzles are recommended for abrasive filaments like carbon fiber composites.
Figure 16: Various nozzle materials and their maximum operating temperatures.
Figure 17: The hotend is compatible with multi-scenario printing, including nylon and carbon fiber composite materials.
5.3. ALPS Module Parameter Adjustment
The ALPS module supports USB plug-and-play parameter adjustment, allowing for custom pressure trigger thresholds without requiring complex coding or firmware modifications. Its modular design ensures compatibility with mainstream firmware such as Klipper, Marlin, and RRF.
Figure 18: ALPS module features including PGA and intelligent threshold adjustment.
6. Manteniment
- Neteja/substitució de la boquilla: Regularly inspect your nozzle for wear or clogs. Replace worn nozzles, especially when printing abrasive materials. For hardened steel nozzles, their durability reduces the frequency of replacement.
- Throat Pipe Inspection: Check the TC4 titanium throat pipe for any signs of blockage or wear. The low thermal conductivity and high toughness of the titanium pipe reduce the risk of plugging.
- Extruder Gear Maintenance: Periodically inspect the nickel-plated hardened steel gears for any debris or wear. Clean as necessary to ensure smooth filament feeding. The nickel plating enhances wear resistance.
- Mitjó de silicona: Replace the silicone sock if it becomes damaged or worn to maintain optimal thermal performance.
- Thermal Grease: Reapply high-performance thermal grease to the ceramic heating plate if you notice inconsistent heating or after disassembling the hotend.
7. Solució De Problemes
- Obstrucció de filaments:
- Ensure the hotend temperature is appropriate for the filament.
- Check for debris in the throat pipe or nozzle. Use a cleaning needle if necessary.
- Verify that the extruder gears are clean and gripping the filament properly.
- Extrusió inconsistent:
- Calibrate your extruder's E-steps.
- Check for partial clogs or worn extruder gears.
- Ensure consistent filament diameter.
- Fluctuacions de temperatura:
- Verify the NN PT1000 temperature sensor is securely connected and not damaged.
- Ensure the ceramic heating plate is properly seated and thermal grease is applied.
- Check for drafts around the hotend.
- ALPS Module Not Triggering/False Triggers:
- Ensure the module is correctly wired to the mainboard's UART interface.
- Adjust the pressure trigger threshold using the USB interface on a PC.
- Confirm your heated bed or X-axis is not prone to deformation, as this can affect accuracy.
- Refer to the ALPS module documentation for specific firmware configuration.
8. Consells d'usuari
- For optimal performance with flexible filaments like TPU, ensure your extruder path is as constrained as possible to prevent buckling.
- When switching between different filament types, especially those with varying temperature requirements, perform a cold pull to clear any residual material from the hotend.
- Regularly check the concentricity of your extruder gears to maintain precise filament control and prevent planing.
- If experiencing issues with bed leveling, double-check the stability of your printer's frame and bed, as the ALPS module performs best on rigid systems.
9. Garantia i Suport
For any technical assistance, warranty claims, or product inquiries, please contact the Mellow 3D Official Store directly. Provide your purchase details and a clear description of the issue for prompt support.
