Abstract: 3D printers perform additive manufacturing by depositing heated material (commonly plastic) onto a surface from a printer nozzle. During a 3D print, nozzles may “ooze” excess material, leading to deformities in 3D prints. Disclosed is an anti-ooze mechanism that covers up 3D printer nozzles when they are not being used. A servo moves a nozzle shield in front of and away from a nozzle while a 3D print is happening so that no ooze drips onto a 3D print or otherwise escapes from a printer nozzle onto the printer bed. Moreover, the servo can move the nozzle shield quickly to minimize the amount of time that a nozzle spends uncovered, and the nozzle shield is also capable of “scraping off” excess material from the nozzle head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heated printer bed mounted to a kinematic coupling system that permits thermal expansion of both the bed and a support truss. One kinematic couple couples the bed to the support truss and a second kinematic couple couples the support truss to a frame of the printer. Both kinematic couples ensure that a common geometric center along each kinematic couple is maintained despite thermal expansion of the printer bed and the support truss occurring at different rates. The kinematic coupling system mitigates deformations to 3D-printed items from the effects of thermal expansion.

Abstract: 3D printers perform additive manufacturing by depositing heated material (commonly plastic) onto a surface from a printer nozzle. This plastic can come in many forms, including filament and pellets, and not all types of 3D printer heads are suitable for printing with all types of plastic. Moreover, certain materials are more suited to 3D printing at specific resolutions. Disclosed herein are embodiments of a 3D printer head with multiple types of printer heads configured on a single head. By comprising different printer heads that print with materials of varying coarseness and fineness, the single head can print using multiple different materials at multiple 3D-printing resolutions. It also possesses an anti-ooze mechanism to reduce errors while printing and deploys or retracts certain printer heads when they are not being used during a 3D print.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for cancelling fan noise by providing an anti-noise waveform are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques include receiving, at a fan, a pulse width modulated signal from a power supply. A fan blade of the fan is rotated at a spin speed that is measured by a first sensor. A second sensor detects a position of the fan blade. Based on the spin speed and the position, an anti-noise waveform is generated that is configured to cause destructive interference with a fan noise of the fan. An audio signal is output that corresponds to the anti-noise waveform to cause destructive interference with noise caused by the spinning blades of the fan.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for cancelling fan noise by providing an anti-noise waveform are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques include receiving, at a fan, a pulse width modulated signal from a power supply. A fan blade of the fan is rotated at a spin speed that is measured by a first sensor. A second sensor detects a position of the fan blade. Based on the spin speed and the position, an anti-noise waveform is generated that is configured to cause destructive interference with a fan noise of the fan. An audio signal is output that corresponds to the anti-noise waveform to cause destructive interference with noise caused by the spinning blades of the fan.