I would like to open the following for discussion and standardizing. To standardize the definition and use of the terms: 'Hot End' and 'Extruder'.
Reason: The current use of Extruder when one is refering to the Hot End is inaccurate and confusing. In current use the term Extruder is switched back and forth between Extruder when refering to filament delivery rates and devices built or calibrated. Then, Extruder is also used in writing documentation when it is to be expressly refering to the Hot End. We have Direct Extruders and remote Bowden Extruders but, the Extruder is not heated nor should it be. That would be the Hot End.
Example: In the RepRap G-code page here The M104 & M105 Commands are directly referring to the 'Hot End' but, is written as to the 'Extruder'. Whereas the M113 is for the Extruder Stepper Motor. The Hot End does not have a Stepper. There are other occurances in this document as well as others throughout the RepRap site.
I'd like to propose that all references and definition to each, 'Extruder' & 'Hot End', should be standardized within documentation, specifications, designs, gcode descriptions, tutorials and such to mean - as follows:
Hot End: Defined as the Print device which contains the plastic heating method and print nozzle of the printer. [Or similar... You got the idea. ;-)]
Extruder: Plastic filament delivery device which transfers the plastic filament from a roll, spool or similar, to the Hot End for extrusion. [Or similar/like description.]
Comments?
Reason: The current use of Extruder when one is refering to the Hot End is inaccurate and confusing. In current use the term Extruder is switched back and forth between Extruder when refering to filament delivery rates and devices built or calibrated. Then, Extruder is also used in writing documentation when it is to be expressly refering to the Hot End. We have Direct Extruders and remote Bowden Extruders but, the Extruder is not heated nor should it be. That would be the Hot End.
Example: In the RepRap G-code page here The M104 & M105 Commands are directly referring to the 'Hot End' but, is written as to the 'Extruder'. Whereas the M113 is for the Extruder Stepper Motor. The Hot End does not have a Stepper. There are other occurances in this document as well as others throughout the RepRap site.
I'd like to propose that all references and definition to each, 'Extruder' & 'Hot End', should be standardized within documentation, specifications, designs, gcode descriptions, tutorials and such to mean - as follows:
Hot End: Defined as the Print device which contains the plastic heating method and print nozzle of the printer. [Or similar... You got the idea. ;-)]
Extruder: Plastic filament delivery device which transfers the plastic filament from a roll, spool or similar, to the Hot End for extrusion. [Or similar/like description.]
Comments?