Closed loop 3D printing

Abstract

To better control part quality of 3D printed parts, the temperature of an extruder filament using a secondary heat source is provided. A heat source, such as an infrared heat source, can be used to heat the filament of a 3D printer to the optimum temperature that will enhance welding of the filament to a substrate that it is being printed on or to. Such an optimum temperature can be based upon, in part, the temperature of the substrate. A controller or other intelligent control can be used to receive temperature readings of the substrate and/or filament and then can adjust the temperature of the heating source to optimize the temperature of the filament to better combine the filament to the substrate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.