US 7,680,555 B2 · Auto tip calibration in an extrusion apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is a method for performing a calibration routine of a deposition device in a three-dimensional modeling machine that deposits a material to build up three-dimensional objects as directed by a controller on a substrate mounted on a platform. The method comprises generating a material build profile, which represents a three-dimensional structure at defined locations. A relative position of the material build profile is then determined. An expected build profile is identified and then compared to the determined relative position of the material build profile to identify any difference which represents an offset. The modeling system then positions the deposition device based upon the offset.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for performing a calibration routine in a three-dimensional modeling machine having a substrate and an extrusion head that includes a first extrusion tip and a second extrusion tip, the method comprising:

biasing a plunger of a multi-axis sensor assembly operably against a plurality of electrical contacts of the multi-axis sensor assembly;
generating a first material build profile on the substrate with the first extrusion tip;
toggling the extrusion head such that the second extrusion tip is lower than the first extrusion tip;
generating a second material build profile on the substrate with the second extrusion tip;
contacting top surfaces of the first and second material build profiles with the plunger to move the plunger with respect to a housing of the multi-axis sensor assembly, wherein each movement of the plunger disengages the plunger from at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts;
determining relative positions of the top surfaces of the first and second material build profiles in relation to a reference position based on the disengagement of the plunger from the at least one electrical contact;
and
determining a vertical tip-to-tip offset based on a difference between the relative positions of the top surfaces.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Auto tip calibration in an extrusion apparatus

Life of this patent

Auto tip calibration in an extrusion apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20