Systems and methods for continuous flow control of printable material in additive manufacturing

A print head for additive manufacturing, the print head comprising:

• a pressure coupler comprising:
• a body having a first opening and a second opening;
• a channel spanning the first opening and the second opening, wherein the channel passes through the longitudinal center of the body;
• a membrane embedded in the body, wherein the membrane is contiguous with, and forms a region of, the channel passing through the body such that the material flowing through the channel imparts a force on the first surface in a substantially perpendicular direction to the direction of material flow;
• a print head housing comprising:
• a recess for receiving the pressure coupler, wherein the first opening of the pressure coupler is positioned within the print head housing and the second opening extends outside the print head housing;
• a platform having an opening;
• and
• a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned adjacent to the recess and contacts the membrane;
• a syringe pre-loaded with a printable material, the syringe comprising:
• a tube for containing the printable material, the tube having a male Luer tip;
• and
• a piston within the tube for dispensing printable material out of the tube through the male Luer slip taper;
• wherein the syringe is removably inserted into the print head housing through the opening in the platform such that the first opening in the pressure coupler receives the male Luer slip taper;
• a nozzle adapted to removably attach to the second opening in the pressure coupler;
• and
• a dispensing control unit having a plunger, wherein the dispensing control unit is removably attached to the print head housing, wherein the plunger inserts into the syringe to engage the piston.

A method for controlling the flow rate of flowable material through a flow path, the method comprising:

• displacing a plunger, wherein displacement of the plunger causes movement of a flowable material through a flow path;
• measuring a pressure of the flowable material at a point in the flow path downstream of the plunger and proximate to an outlet of the flow path;
• comparing the measured pressure and a target pressure;
• adjusting the displacement of the plunger to reduce the difference between the measured pressure and the target pressure;
• and
• confirming flow of the flowable material based on displacement of the plunger.