Calibration system and method for determination of relative position of two components in multi-axis motion system

A 3D printer comprising:

• an extruder with an extruder nozzle for dispensing thermoplastic;
• a build platform;
• at least one actuator configured to move the build platform in a predetermined plane;
• a calibration module configured to:
• a) drive the build platform in a first direction;
• b) drive the extruder nozzle and the build platform toward one another in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction;
• c) detect an indication of kinetic friction between the build platform and the extruder;
• and
• d) calibrate a position of the extruder nozzle relative to the build platform based on a position of the extruder nozzle when the indication of kinetic friction was detected.

A method of calibrating the distance between a first component and a second component, the method comprising:

• moving the first component and second component relative to one another in a predetermined plane;
• moving the first component and second component toward one another in a direction substantially orthogonal to the predetermined plane until the first component and second component touch;
• measuring an indication of kinetic friction to move the first component and second component relative to one another in the predetermined plane;
• determining when the measure of kinetic friction exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• and
• defining a position of the second component when the kinetic friction between the first component and second component exceeds the predetermined threshold.