Apparatus and method for calibrating for skew without independent reference object and for compensating for coefficient of thermal expansion and moisture absorption

An apparatus comprising:

• a printer component;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory,
• wherein the at least one memory stores computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
• control the printer component to print a 3D object, the 3D object containing a first feature extending along a first direction and a second feature extending along a second direction different from the first direction;
• control the printer component to print a reference alignment object configured to abut the 3D object after the 3D object has been rotated to a rotated position to abut the 3D object;
• receive measurement data corresponding to positional measurements of the first feature and the second feature of the 3D object in the rotated position;
• and
• determine an amount of skew of the printer component, based on the received measurement data.