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PRINT HEADS
The F123 printer utilizes two print head assemblies, one for model and one for support. Once a head has been
used for model or support, it can only be used for that designated material (model or support) thereafter. The
heads are designed for use with a range of modeling materials. The heads extrude model material and support
material with two identical liquefiers. A single blower fan, mounted above the tip liquefier entrances, cools the
incoming material at the liquefier entrances.
Head life is directly related to the amount of build time for the head. Heads are a replaceable consumable item
and should be changed once the head’s odometer reaches 1500 build hours (see “Viewing Head Details” on
page 63 for information on head odometers). You will receive a warning when the head’s odometer reaches
1350 build hours, reminding you to order a replacement head as the head is nearing its odometer limit. You can
continue using a head which has exceeded its odometer limit, but it is highly recommended that you change the
head as part quality will be unpredictable. The corresponding Head Status Icon will be displayed in its warning
state on the User Interface (see Table 4-6 on page 61 for icon states). The entire model or support head
assembly is replaced as a single unit (see “Head Replacement” on page 117 for instructions). The Head
Release Lever locks and unlocks the associated head into or out of its seated position.
When building with PLA material a specialized PLA head is used. The PLA head is dark gray while standard
heads are black. The PLA head must be installed into the model head location within the gantry. A cooling
module is used in conjunction with the PLA model head and must be installed into the support head location
within the gantry (see Table 2-4 on page 10 for help identifying the cooling module). When building with PLA
material, the PLA model head extrudes both model and support materials. (See “Replacing a PLA Head” on
page 119 for instructions on replacing a PLA head or the associated cooling module).
Figure 3-15: Head Assemblies
Support Head
Assembly
Model Head
Assembly
Head Release Lever
(one per head assembly)
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