System and method for controlling rate of flow of printing material

A system for controlling rate of flow of a printing material in a dispensing system, the system comprising:

• a pressure source configured to provide pressure for dispensing of the printing material;
• a cartridge having a first end and a second end, the cartridge operatively coupled to the pressure source and configured to hold the printing material therein, wherein the cartridge comprises a plunger for displacing the printing material from the cartridge;
• a cartridge adapter coupled to the first end of the cartridge;
• a distance sensor configured to measure a distance (D) between the cartridge adapter and the plunger;
• a cartridge outlet configured to dispense the printing material;
• a processor operatively coupled to the pressure source, and the distance sensor, wherein the processor is configured to:
• utilize the measured distance (D) and/or a predefined set of parameters related to the cartridge to calculate a required distance between the cartridge adapter and the plunger corresponding to a volume of the printing material required to be dispensed;
• and
• control the pressure source to regulate a pressure to move the plunger to be at the required distance from the cartridge adapter at a defined speed to control the rate of flow of the printing material;
• and
• a printing material sensor including at least one of:
• an optical sensor, a camera, and a scale, wherein the printing material sensor is configured to at least:
• monitor a rate of flow of the dispensing of the printed material;
• and
• send the monitored rate of flow to the processor if a current rate of flow for dispensing of the printing material differs from a desired rate of flow or from a measured rate of flow for dispensing of the printing material.