Version 1
: Received: 25 November 2017 / Approved: 28 November 2017 / Online: 28 November 2017 (07:37:21 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 21 December 2017 / Approved: 21 December 2017 / Online: 21 December 2017 (16:28:57 CET)
Version 3
: Received: 11 January 2018 / Approved: 12 January 2018 / Online: 12 January 2018 (07:35:31 CET)
Simpson, M.; Khoury, S. Inexpensive Piezoelectric Elements for Nozzle Contact Detection and Build Platform Leveling in FFF 3D Printers. Inventions2018, 3, 8.
Simpson, M.; Khoury, S. Inexpensive Piezoelectric Elements for Nozzle Contact Detection and Build Platform Leveling in FFF 3D Printers. Inventions 2018, 3, 8.
Simpson, M.; Khoury, S. Inexpensive Piezoelectric Elements for Nozzle Contact Detection and Build Platform Leveling in FFF 3D Printers. Inventions2018, 3, 8.
Simpson, M.; Khoury, S. Inexpensive Piezoelectric Elements for Nozzle Contact Detection and Build Platform Leveling in FFF 3D Printers. Inventions 2018, 3, 8.
Abstract
Inexpensive piezoelectric diaphragms can be used as sensors to facilitate both nozzle height setting and build platform leveling in FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printers. Tests simulating nozzle contact are conducted to establish the available output and an output of greater than 8 Volts found at 20 ºC, a value which is readily detectable by simple electronic circuits. Tests are also conducted at a temperature of 80 ºC and, despite a reduction of greater than 80% in output voltage, this is still detectable. The reliability of piezoelectric diaphragms is investigated by mechanically stressing samples over 100,000 cycles at both 20 ºC and 80 ºC and little loss of output over the test duration is found. The development of a nozzle contact sensor using a single piezoelectric diaphragm is described.
Keywords
3D printing; open source; RepRap; calibration; bed levelling
Subject
Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
