Abstract: A three-dimensional printer for the additive manufacturing of a part is provided. The printer includes a build platen, a pre-extrusion system, and a print head located downstream of the pre-extrusion system and configured to receive and deposit a filament. The print head includes a receiving section configured to receive the filament, an outlet through which the filament is deposited onto the build platen or a previously added layer of a part, a feeding mechanism constructed and arranged to feed the filament into the outlet, and a path length adjustment system positioned on the print head disposed between the pre-extrusion system and the feeding mechanism. The path length adjustment system constructed and arranged to create slack in the filament being delivered from the pre-extrusion system. Path length adjustment devices incorporating sliding components and flexure components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additively manufacturing leak resistant objects are disclosed. Provided herein are methods of forming objects having walls and/or surfaces that are resistant to leaks. Objects disclosed are formed from or manufactured from compositions, including metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. Objects provided herein are made from methods of forming individual shells, forming of series shells, and layer-by-layer forming of objects. Further disclosed are methods of interconnecting shells, layers, and processes for transitioning therebetween the shells and layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additively manufacturing leak resistant objects are disclosed. Provided herein are methods of forming objects having walls and/or surfaces that are resistant to leaks. Objects disclosed are formed from or manufactured from compositions, including metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. Objects provided herein are made from methods of forming individual shells, forming of series shells, and layer-by-layer forming of objects. Further disclosed are methods of interconnecting shells, layers, and processes for transitioning therebetween the shells and layers.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining a position of a nozzle of a 3D printer are described. In certain implementations, a method for determining a position of a nozzle of a 3D printer is provided. The method includes moving a nozzle assembly relative to a test feature of a calibration object such that a nozzle tip contacts the test feature for a plurality of times. The nozzle assembly includes the nozzle that has the nozzle tip. The method also includes reading positions of the nozzle when the nozzle tip contacts the test feature. The method further includes determining a relative position of an end point of the nozzle relative to a reference point.