APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-LINE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING NOZZLE INSPECTION
An additive manufacturing apparatus, system, and method. More particularly, the disclosed in-line nozzle inspection apparatus, system and method are suitable to monitor an additive manufacturing print nozzle, and may include: at least one sensor integrated with a motion driver for the print nozzle; a plurality of imaging lenses suitable to provide a substantially complete field of view at least about a tip of the print nozzle; and a comparative engine suitable to compare the field of view state to an acceptable state of the print nozzle, and to execute a cleaning of the print nozzle if the field of view state is unacceptable.
1 . An in-line nozzle inspection system suitable to monitor an additive manufacturing print nozzle, comprising:
at least one sensor integrated with a motion driver for the print nozzle;
a plurality of imaging lenses suitable to provide a substantially complete field of view at least about a tip of the print nozzle; and
a comparative engine suitable to compare the field of view state to an acceptable state of the print nozzle, and to execute a cleaning of the print nozzle if the field of view state is unacceptable.
2 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one camera.
3 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.
4 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a reflectivity sensor.
5 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the integration comprises a physical mount.
6 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the print nozzle comprises solely the tip of the print nozzle.
7 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imaging lenses comprises three imaging lenses.
8 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein ones of the imaging lenses comprise indirect reflective lenses.
9 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein ones of the imaging lenses comprise direct reflective lenses.
10 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially complete field of view comprises a 360 degree field of view.
11 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the acceptable state comprises a template image.
12 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 11 , wherein the comparison comprises a substractive comparison to the template image.
13 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 12 , wherein the subtractive comparison comprises a maximum variance from the template image.
12 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 12 , wherein the subtractive comparison comprises an optimum variance from the template image.
13 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the acceptable state comprises a feature characteristic of the print nozzle.
14 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 13 , wherein the comparison comprises a feature characteristic comparison.
15 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning station.
16 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the execution of the cleaning comprises a movement by the motion driver of the print nozzle into the cleaning station.
17 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the cleaning station cleans clogs of the print nozzle.
18 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the cleaning station cleans buildup from the print nozzle.
19 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the print nozzle comprises a FDM print nozzle.
20 . The in-line nozzle inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the motion driver operates in three axes.