System and process for using a conductive, non-stick coating for automating tool touch-off

A method of automating tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising:

• causing an additive manufacturing device to decrease a distance between a nozzle of the additive manufacturing device and a substrate,
• wherein the substrate comprises:
• a bottom layer comprising a conductive material;
• a middle layer disposed directly on the bottom layer, the middle layer comprising a binding material;
• and
• a top layer disposed on the middle layer, the top layer comprising a non-stick conductive material, the non-stick conductive material comprising a fluoropolymer and carbon nanotubes;
• wherein print material is configured to be deposited on the top layer,
• wherein the substrate defines a hole extending at least partially into the bottom layer, through the middle layer, and through the top layer, and
• wherein a conductive object extends through the hole and provides an electrical connection between the bottom layer and the top layer;
• determining a voltage drop resulting from a circuit closing due to the nozzle coming into contact with the top layer of the substrate, thereby creating the electrical connection between the top layer and the bottom layer by current passing from the top layer, through the conductive object and to the bottom layer,
• wherein the circuit comprises the nozzle and the substrate;
• and
• responsive to determining the voltage drop, setting a reference value associated with a coordinate system of the additive manufacturing device, wherein the reference value corresponds to a position of the nozzle upon determining the voltage drop.