To ensure reliable performance, the OPAM has been tested rigorously. It has clocked over 50 hours of printing multiple objects from ABS & PLA filament. Besides that, it has also successfully printed single objects that are over 5 hours long without encountering any jams. There is no need for any canola oil seasoning for PLA printing.

Please note that the OPAM is specifically designed for 1.75mm filaments with a nozzle size of 0.4mm. It has been tested and works well with direct drive extruders. It has not been tested extensively with bowden version yet.

Hi guys, my name is Leong Khit. I have been involved in 3D printing for over a year. I worked at Makino Asia Pte Ltd for close to 4 years where I designed and validated special machine options (mainly hydraulic and pneumatic systems) for customers. Eventually, I moved on and focus on turning my 3D printing hobby into a business.

The OPAM is created due to my frustrations with the intermittent jams in previous hot end design. Instead of spending time on designing and printing my 3D models, I spent most of my time unclogging jams with acetone. it is something that some of you RepRap operators may be familiar with.

Filament jams can be a real cruel joke when you see the dreaded "air-printing" that occurs when you are say 80% towards completion of your 4 hour print job. It is times like these that will turn your day into shit and I have to admit that there are moments when I felt the real urge to just whack the entire printer.

I could have simply solve the jamming issue by buying other newer hot ends on the market. However, as a engineer, I felt that I am capable of designing my own solutions.

while it allowed me to print without any jams, I felt that the design could be further improved to handle extrusion temperatures above 300°C. Thus, I decided to simplify the design by

• Combining the nozzle, heater block and heat sink into 1 single piece of SS304
• Using water cooling as it is far more effective than air cooling
• Removing any PEEK or PTFE material

The benefits of a One Piece design are as follows:

• No leaks/jams between the nozzle and heater block's contact surface
• No galling of the nozzle's thread (since it is built-in as part of the design)

I ran multiple thermal simulation to get the best estimation of the temperature within the hot end and verified the results by testing the actual prototype.

The video below demonstrates the effectiveness of water cooling and verify the results of the computer's thermal simulation. I am able to use my bare hands to hold the cold portion despite the high temperature of 275°C at the nozzle end.

So, after ½ a year of design/validation, 6 prototypes and over 100 hours of testing, the OPAM hot end is finally born.

Once this campaign has successfully reached its target, the technical drawings will be made available at the stated delivery date of the those physical unit.

Why I need your support

In order to produce the OPAM at affordable rates, there are minimum order quantity (MOQ) that is to be met. Your support will help me meet the requirements and also fund future development for 3D printing.

What you will get

For just USD$60 (excluding shipping), you will be getting a jamless printing experience and receiving a package as shown below

comprising of the following:

-1x SS304 Body (fitted with 12V cartridge heater, thermistor & hydraulic fittings)

-1x 12V Submersible water pump

-1x Hydraulic tubing (5 metres)

-1x height extension / Groovemount (3D printed)

(Take note: For the actual unit shipped to you, the tubing color will be changed to clear transparent)

Payment will be by PayPal (the safe way for online transaction).Those without PayPal account will still be able to proceed under the PayPal Guest Checkout option.

Shipping Charges

The shipping cost will be USD$10 worldwide. Free shipping will apply to those in Singapore. Backers are responsible for any custom fee or tax by their local post office.

Risk & Challenges

The worst scenario is when manufacturers fabricate the OPAM off the designed tolerance. To remove this risk, I have chosen to work with only those manufacturers that are servicing the precision industries due to their stringent standards.

I have a good working relationship with those manufactures. They had fabricated my 5th and 6th prototype which I have tested and verified to be reliable. Besides that, I have selected 4 more trustworthy ones on standby.

 At this moment, I have a fully functional working prototype that is ready for full scale production. All I need now is your help to bring this product to reality.

Throughout the entire process, you will receive updates from start to delivery.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you can't afford to fund my project, you can still help by telling all your 3D printing friends about this new OPAM hot end.

Please use the Indiegogo share tool and do anything you can to get the word out.

I appreciate your support and every bit of publicity helps to make this project a reality.

Thank you so much for your support!