Abstract: Powder distribution in additive manufacturing may include systems or methods to distribute powder from an intermediate buffer or reservoir while scanning over a stage with the buffer or reservoir.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes controlling a drive mechanism (110) of an additive manufacturing apparatus (100) to move a build platform (104) of the apparatus relative a static member (102); monitoring the movement of the build platform (104) using an optical sensor (302) that senses relative displacement between the build platform (104) and the static member (102); and generating calibration data based on the movement of the build platform (104) for calibrating a drive controller (120) of the drive mechanism (110) to compensate for run-out effects in the movement of the build platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method for a printer having a mechanism for advancing a medium in a direction of media advance comprising the following steps: (a) providing a printhead, the printhead having a swath height in the direction of media advance; (b) providing an estimate of either the swath height or the characteristic of the mechanism; (c) printing a base pattern on a medium using the printhead; (d) printing an overlay pattern on the medium using the printhead to form an interference pattern; (e) advance the medium of a predetermined distance using the mechanism at a time between the printing of the base pattern and the printing of the overlay pattern; (f) analyze an optical evaluation of the interference pattern; (g) evaluate as either: (i) the swath height if the characteristic of the mechanism is known or estimated; or (ii) the characteristic of the mechanism if the swath height is known or estimated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method for a printer having a mechanism for advancing a medium in a direction of media advance comprising the following steps: a—providing a printhead, the printhead having a swath height in the direction of media advance; b—providing an estimate of either the swath height or the characteristic of the mechanism; c—printing a base pattern on a medium using the printhead; d—printing an overlay pattern on the medium using the printhead to form an interference pattern; e—advance the medium of a predetermined distance using the mechanism at a time between the printing of the base pattern and the printing of the overlay pattern; f—analyze an optical evaluation of the interference pattern; g—evaluate as either: i—the swath height if the characteristic of the mechanism is known or estimated; or ii—the characteristic of the mechanism if the swath height is known or estimated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method for a printer having a mechanism for advancing a medium in a direction of media advance comprising the following steps: a- providing a printhead, the printhead having a swath height in the direction of media advance; b- providing an estimate of either the swath height or the characteristic of the mechanism; c- printing a base pattern on a medium using the printhead; d- printing an overlay pattern on the medium using the printhead to form an interference pattern; e- advance the medium of a predetermined distance using the mechanism at a time between the printing of the base pattern and the printing of the overlay pattern; f- analyze an optical evaluation of the interference pattern; g- evaluate as either: i- the swath height if the characteristic of the mechanism is known or estimated; or ii- the characteristic of the mechanism if the swath height is known or estimated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method for a printer having a mechanism for advancing a medium in a direction of media advance comprising the following steps: (a) providing a printhead, the printhead having a swath height in the direction of media advance; (b) providing an estimate of either the swath height or the characteristic of the mechanism; (c) printing a base pattern on a medium using the printhead; (d) printing an overlay pattern on the medium using the printhead to form an interference pattern; (e) advance the medium of a predetermined distance using the mechanism at a time between the printing of the base pattern and the printing of the overlay pattern; (f) analyze an optical evaluation of the interference pattern; (g) evaluate as either: (i) the swath height if the characteristic of the mechanism is known or estimated; or (ii) the characteristic of the mechanism if the swath height is known or estimated.