Piezoelectric actuated 3d-printing nozzle and methods of tool touch-off

A method for additive manufacturing, comprising:

• providing a piezoelectric printhead, comprising:
• a piezoelectric transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric ceramics configured to cause a longitudinal vibration along a vertical axis, each piezoelectric ceramic of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics comprising a bore extending along the vertical axis,
• wherein the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics is provided in an alternating arrangement of positive and negative electrodes;
• a plurality of electrical insulators disposed between each piezoelectric ceramic, and
• a nozzle oriented along the vertical axis and disposed through the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics, the nozzle comprising:
• an extruding end protruding from the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics and configured to deposit a print material onto a print surface;
• a mounting end configured to mount to an additive manufacturing device;
• and
• a medial section comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the extruding end is coupled to the distal end adjacent a piezoelectric ceramic of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics, and the mounting end is coupled to the proximal end,
• positioning, by a controller, the piezoelectric printhead to contact the print surface;
• in response to the piezoelectric printhead contacting the print surface, determining a voltage increase across the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics, the voltage increase resulting from contacting the print surface;
• and
• in response to the voltage increase, setting, by the controller, a position value indicating a current height of the piezoelectric printhead relative to the print surface.

A system for additive manufacturing, comprising:

• a nozzle comprising a mounting head, a medial section, and an extruding end;
• a piezoelectric transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric ceramics configured to cause longitudinal vibration along a vertical axis thereof, each piezoelectric ceramic of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics comprising a bore extending along the vertical axis,
• wherein the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics is provided in an alternating arrangement of positive and negative electrodes;
• and
• a plurality of electrical insulators disposed between each piezoelectric ceramic of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics along the medial section,
• wherein the medial section comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the mounting head,
• wherein the nozzle is oriented along the vertical axis and the medial section is at least partially disposed within the bore of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics,
• wherein the extruding end is directly coupled to the distal end of the medial section adjacent a piezoelectric ceramic of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics,
• wherein the nozzle is configured to deposit print material by the extruding end along the vertical axis such that a first direction of the print material is in-line with a second direction of vibrations of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics, and
• wherein the longitudinal vibration caused by the plurality of piezoelectric ceramics prevents agglomeration of the print material while the print material is received within the nozzle.