UMO+ PEEK Isolator

[Migo 1]

what is peek isolator function in the UMO+ Extruder ? I can't find it.....so any suggestions for replacing it with something else in the same umo+ design

[gr5 964]

PLA sticks to almost everything when it is melted.  Particularly to metals like brass and steel.  Even when you polish the metal carefully, it becomes a problem.  All metal hot ends like the e3dv6 hotend works very poorly with PLA and it gets jammed all the time but it works great for ABS.

 

Teflon (aka PTFE) is great because PLA doesn't stick much to teflon.  Doesn't stick at all really.  But teflon doesn't do well above 200C - it degrades "quickly" (over many hundreds of hours - maybe 500 hours failure if teflon reaches 250C).  When teflon degrades it becomes more soft and more rubbery.

 

The peek helps hold the teflon and also insulates the teflon so the teflon doesn't get too hot.  Only a small part of the teflon gets hot - that small area at the bottom.  If that area becomes week it is okay as the peek holds the teflon firmly without degrading.

 

You could instead maybe use wood.  You want a material that can withstand 250C for months.  And is stiff and strong (as strong as any typical plastic like PLA, ABS but at 250C).  But most important (and difficult to find) it needs to be somewhat insulative.  It must not conduct heat very well.