Measuring ink stream deposition rate of an aerosol-jet printer

US10322545B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Director, National Security Agency · US

Inventor

• Daniel R. Hines · Lawrenceville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 18, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/95
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for calibrating a deposition rate in an aerosol jet printer. The method includes providing a substrate defining an array of wells, each defining a volume. The method also includes defining a toolpath such that a dispensing nozzle passes over the wells. The method also includes defining a dwell time such that the nozzle remains centered above each well for an amount of time equal to the dwell time, after which the nozzle follows the toolpath to be centered over the following well. The dwell time defines a deposition rate based on the volume of the wells. The method also includes causing the nozzle to move along the toolpath, depositing material into the wells. The method also includes observing one of overfilling and underfilling and adjusting dispensing parameters to effect a modified deposition rate, until the wells are being filled to within a tolerance of exactly full.