Apparatus, system and method for in-line additive manufacturing nozzle inspection

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.