US 12,454,004 B2
Real-time molten droplet analyzer with spatial modulation in additive manufacturing
Qiushu Chen, San Bruno, CA (US); Peter Kiesel, Palo Alto, CA (US); and Dogan Timucin, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed by Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/984,113.
Prior Publication US 2024/0149349 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B22F 10/34 (2021.01); B22F 10/22 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/50 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B22F 10/38 (2021.01)
CPC B22F 10/34 (2021.01) [B22F 10/22 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/50 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional (3D) printer, comprising:
an ejector configured to release molten droplets along a jetting path from the ejector to a build platform;
a sensor positioned adjacent to the jetting path and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to light emanating from the molten droplets;
an optical mask positioned adjacent to the jetting path, the optical mask comprising a plurality of regions configured to modulate the electrical signal generated by the sensor as the molten droplets travel along the jetting path;
one or more processing devices to:
receive the electrical signal;
analyze the electrical signal to identify one or more characteristics of the molten droplets; and
control the 3D printer based on the one or more characteristics.