US 11,628,622 B2 · Edge profilometer

Abstract

A profilometer provides, to a controller, a feedback signal indicative of topography of an exposed surface of an object that is being manufactured by a 3d printer. The profilometer includes an emitter and a camera. The emitter illuminates a region of surface of the object with a pattern having an edge that defines a boundary of an illuminated portion of the surface. The camera receives an image that transitions between a first state in which the edge is visible in the image at a location that is indicative of the surface's depth and a second state in which the edge is not visible at all. From this second state, the controller obtains information representative of a depth of the surface.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An apparatus for additive manufacturing of an object having a surface, said apparatus comprising

a printhead that is disposed at a variable distance from said surface,
a profilometer comprising an array of photosensitive elements, said profilometer being configured to detect patterns on said surface, said patterns including a first pattern,
a controller that controls said variable distance,
wherein said controller uses information in said first pattern to control said variable distance so as to cause said profilometer to receive a second pattern,
wherein, in said first pattern, said photosensitive elements are all either entirely illuminated or entirely non-illuminated, and
wherein, in said second pattern, some of said photosensitive elements are illuminated and others are not illuminated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Edge profilometer

Life of this patent

Edge profilometer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23