System and method for inoperative inkjet detection in a printer of three-dimensional objects
US9833950B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
8References
11Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three dimensional printer is configured to move at least one printhead from an area where the printhead is forming an object to a position opposite a shaft. The at least one printhead is operated to eject material onto the shaft and the shaft is rotated to enable a light sensor to generate signals indicative of a height of material at a plurality of positions on the shaft. The signals are compared to an expected height of material at each position to identify inoperative inkjets in the at least one printhead.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.