Stratasys, Inc.

Thomas P Paul

Michael D Bosveld

Patrick W Turley

Thomas L Taatjes

Martin G Zalusky

J Samuel Batchelder

Jason Robert Nixon

Charles Alan Smithson

A method of additive manufacturing comprises operating an additive manufacturing system for fabricating a multiplicity of objects, while acquiring a set of images during fabrication of each of the objects. For each object, a respective set of images is analyzed to identify fabrication irregularities, and a fabrication score is generated based on the irregularities. The multiplicity of objects is clustered according to the fabrication scores into at least two clusters.

Method and system for classifying additive manufactured objects

An induction sensing method for identifying the center of a tip surface of a nozzle of print head of a 3D printer includes providing an eddy current sensor in a fixed position and providing a metal nozzle with a tip orifice in a main body and a tip surface about the tip orifice. The method includes moving the metal nozzle over the eddy current sensor in a predetermined motion path above the eddy current sensor while the eddy current sensor remains stationary and samples the magnitude of inductance in a generated inductive field, thereby generating a curve representing the inductive field. The method includes identifying a maximum amplitude of the curve to identify the center of the tip surface.

Induction sensing method for locating center of metallic nozzle tip

A method for calibrating a 3D printer includes the steps of providing information obtained in a factory calibration indicating a center of an inner diameter of a tip orifice in a metal extrusion nozzle and a center of a tip surface for the nozzle and inductively sensing the nozzle with an eddy current sensor when secured to a print head on a gantry or robotic arm of the 3D printer to identify a sensed location of the center of the tip surface of the nozzle. The method includes determining a location of the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice on the nozzle on the print head and utilizing the provided information to locate the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice.

Tip calibration in an additive manufacturing system

A detector for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the detector comprising a sense conductive component and an excitation conductive component to define a first gap that is configured to receive a consumable material used in the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, where the excitation conductive component is configured to generate a first electrical field across the first gap.

Capacitive detector for use in extrusion-based digital manufacturing systems

A container comprising a housing that is configured to rotatably mount a filament supply spool, and a filament guide mechanism mountable within a channel of the housing, where the filament guide mechanism comprises a filament pathway configured to guide the filament from the filament supply spool rotatably mounted in the interior chamber, and a sensor configured to detect the presence of the filament through at least a portion of the filament pathway.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Thomas P Paul