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4.3.5 Printhead settings
Press on the Printhead icon on the bottom of the window to move to the next step of the process.
This screen enables many of the options and settings for the bioink and print settings.
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1. Bioink: Select the ink type from the drop-
down menu labeled Bioink. This menu
has many preset print parameters for
common bioink types used in the Corning®
Matribot® Bioprinter.
2. Nozzle: The size of the nozzle inner
diameter. Changing the nozzle size will
result in thinner or thicker printed lines.
3. Speed: The speed of the printhead during
printing moves. Increasing the printing
speed will result in a shorter printing time,
while decreasing the speed can give higher
resolution of the printed structures.
4. Enable temperature control of the
printhead.
5. Temperature: The temperature of the
printhead. Changing the temperature of
some materials can alter their viscosity,
refer to the protocols for your specific
material to determine which temperature
the material prints best at. Certain
materials require a cool printhead to keep
from premature gelation, such as Corning
Matrigel® matrix and Collagen.
6. Preflow volume: The amount of bioink that
is extruded before starting a new filament.
Increase the preflow volume if the bioink is
not extruding at the starting point of each
new filament. Decrease if there is instead
an accumulation of bioink at the starting
point.
7. Extrusion rate: The rate the bioink flows out
from the nozzle. Increasing the extrusion
rate will increase the flow of the bioink
from the nozzle. Decrease if the filament is
too thick.
8. Retract volume: The volume of bioink
which is pulled back up in the nozzle during
a non-print move. Increase the retract
volume if material continues to flow during
non-print moves.
9. Z-offset: The height the nozzle tip is moved up from the surface from the calibrated point. Increase the Z-offset if the nozzle is
calibrated too close to the surface.
10. Advanced: Enable advanced bioprinting parameters.
11. Extra preflow volume: The amount of bioink that is extruded at the start of the very first filament. Increase the extra preflow volume
if the bioink is not extruded at the starting point, this can happen if the nozzle is not fully primed. Decrease if there is an accumulation
of bioink at the starting point.
12. Infill extrusion multiplier: A scaling factor of the extrusion rate in the infill compared to the perimeter. Increase the infill extrusion
multiplier if the perimeter is thicker than desired while the infill is too thin.
13. Retract rate: The speed at which the bioink is retracted back into the nozzle. Increase the retract rate if experiencing a delay in
movement due to waiting for the retract move to finish.
