Abstract: A method for calibrating a 3D printer includes the steps of providing information obtained in a factory calibration indicating a center of an inner diameter of a tip orifice in a metal extrusion nozzle and a center of a tip surface for the nozzle and inductively sensing the nozzle with an eddy current sensor when secured to a print head on a gantry or robotic arm of the 3D printer to identify a sensed location of the center of the tip surface of the nozzle. The method includes determining a location of the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice on the nozzle on the print head and utilizing the provided information to locate the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice.

Abstract: An induction sensing method for identifying the center of a tip surface of a nozzle of print head of a 3D printer includes providing an eddy current sensor in a fixed position and providing a metal nozzle with a tip orifice in a main body and a tip surface about the tip orifice. The method includes moving the metal nozzle over the eddy current sensor in a predetermined motion path above the eddy current sensor while the eddy current sensor remains stationary and samples the magnitude of inductance in a generated inductive field, thereby generating a curve representing the inductive field. The method includes identifying a maximum amplitude of the curve to identify the center of the tip surface.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a 3D printer includes the steps of providing information obtained in a factory calibration indicating a center of an inner diameter of a tip orifice in a metal extrusion nozzle and a center of a tip surface for the nozzle and inductively sensing the nozzle with an eddy current sensor when secured to a print head on a gantry or robotic arm of the 3D printer to identify a sensed location of the center of the tip surface of the nozzle. The method includes determining a location of the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice on the nozzle on the print head and utilizing the provided information to locate the center of the inner diameter of the tip orifice.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing comprises operating an additive manufacturing system for fabricating a multiplicity of objects, while acquiring a set of images during fabrication of each of the objects. For each object, a respective set of images is analyzed to identify fabrication irregularities, and a fabrication score is generated based on the irregularities. The multiplicity of objects is clustered according to the fabrication scores into at least two clusters.

Abstract: A cart includes a first structural member and a second structural member. The first structural member has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second structural member has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. A pivot pivotally connects the first portions of the first and second structural members. A force generator applies a force between the third portions of the first and second structural members. The force generator causes the first and second members to pivot toward each other. A first connector connects the first structural member to a load and a second connector connects the second structural member to the load. In this manner, the pivoting of the first and second structural members toward each other applies a lifting motion at the first and second structural members that is transferred by the first and second connectors to the load. One or more wheels may be provided to support the first and second structural members.

Abstract: A consumable material comprising an exterior surface having encoded markings that are configured to be read by at least one sensor of a direct digital manufacturing system, where the consumable material is configured to be consumed in the direct digital manufacturing system to build at least a portion of a three-dimensional model.