Upgrading and modifying 3D printers is a core part of what makes desktop 3D printing so unique. As the industry grows and manufacturing techniques improve, it’s always possible to take even the oldest of machines and bring them up to par with modern technology. Micro Swiss 3D printer components are drop-in replacements to upgrade the capabilities of dozens of different 3D printers, from all-metal hotends and wear-resistant nozzles to full conversion kits for direct-drive extruders.

Let's break it down-

All-Metal Hotends

Drop-in replacements are the name of the game for Micro Swiss; every Micro Swiss all-metal hotend kit is designed to replace the stock hotend of your 3D printer without permanent modification or 3D printing any custom mounts. This makes getting started ridiculously easy, because all you need to do is remove the old hotend, pre-assemble the Micro Swiss kit, install, and reinsert the heater cartridge and thermistor and you’re ready to start 3D printing again. And since every Micro Swiss hotend is all-metal, you can 3D print with engineering grade materials like NylonX, NylonG, or PRO Series Nylon as this upgrade will raise your 3D printer’s maximum printing temperature to 300°C.

An all-metal Micro Swiss hotend mounted to the direct drive kit designed for an Ender 3 or CR-10.
An all-metal Micro Swiss hotend mounted to the direct drive kit designed for an Ender 3 or CR-10.

Wear Resistant Nozzles

Having a nozzle for your 3D printer that can handle all the materials you want to throw at it is just as important as an all-metal hotend. Micro Swiss knows this all too well and made sure to have options for the variety of form factors you can find on 3D printers. Some of their nozzles are brass with a wear-resistant coating and special polymer additives for a non-stick effect, which makes them a great drop-in replacement for your standard nozzle when you want to print with abrasive filaments like metal filled BASF Ultrafuse 316L  or carbon fiber-filled NylonX. Or if you’re a power user and know that carbon fiber 3D printing filaments are the way of the future, hardened steel nozzles are also available for ultimate abrasive performance. Take care to check that the nozzle is compatible with your 3D printer, as the form factor may not work on every 3D printer, or it may require an upgrade to a Micro Swiss all-metal hotend.

Micro Swiss wear resistant nozzles can bring engineering grade filaments to budget 3D printers.
Micro Swiss wear resistant nozzles can bring engineering grade filaments to budget 3D printers.

Direct Drive Extruders

Choosing a more affordable, entry-level hobbyist 3D printer often means you will have a perfectly capable 3D printer, just without all the bells and whistles, leaving room for you to choose what sort of upgrades and features mean the most to you. Micro Swiss designed and machined custom mounting hardware to convert some of the most popular 3D printers out there, like the Ender 3 and the CR-10, into direct-drive 3D printers. By mounting the extruder directly to the print head instead of attached to the frame (like in a Bowden system) you are able to exercise more control over the filament for easier flexible filament 3D printing and shorter retraction lengths, creating a more responsive system altogether. These direct drive extruder kits feature dual-drive feeder gears, an adjustable tensioner, and all the hardware required to mount the new extruder to your 3D printer.

A Creality Ender 3 with the stock hotend replaced and converted to a direct drive extruder.
A Creality Ender 3 with the stock hotend replaced and converted to a direct drive extruder.

Micro Swiss 3D printing components and upgrades are some of the easiest changes you can make to your 3D printer to expand its capabilities and improve its performance. To learn more and to order your Micro Swiss upgrade today, check out your options here.