US 12,186,990 B2
Tip calibration in an additive manufacturing system
Michael Bosveld, Bloomington, MN (US); and Thomas Peter Paul, Chanhassen (MN)
Assigned to STRATASYS, INC., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/422,424.
Application 18/422,424 is a division of application No. 17/562,377, filed on Dec. 27, 2021, granted, now 11,919,242.
Prior Publication US 2024/0157650 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); G01B 7/02 (2006.01); G01B 11/12 (2006.01); G01B 11/27 (2006.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/386 (2017.08) [B29C 64/209 (2017.08); G01B 7/02 (2013.01); G01B 11/12 (2013.01); G01B 11/27 (2013.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A calibration method for a 3D printer that prints parts by depositing polymeric material through a nozzle of a print head as the print head travels along toolpaths, the method comprising:
providing a sliced digital model of the part wherein each slice comprises a toolpath plan;
providing information regarding a center of a tip orifice and a center of a tip surface for each print head loaded into the 3D printer;
inductively sensing the nozzle of an active print head using an inductive sensor to determine a location of the center of the tip surface when the print head is secured to the gantry or robotic arm of the printer;
utilizing the information regarding the center of the tip surface and the center of the tip relative to the sensed location of the center of the nozzle to locate the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice; and
modifying the toolpath plans in the slices to compensate for the located center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice of the nozzle of the active print head such that roads of material extruded through the tip orifice to form roads of the layers to print a 3D part.