Inexpensive Piezoelectric Elements for Nozzle Contact Detection and Bed Levelling in FFF 3D Printers

Inexpensive piezoelectric diaphragms can be used as sensors to facilitate both nozzle 1 height setting and bed levelling in FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printers. A variety of probes 2 have been developed by the authors and others to utilize piezoelectric diaphragms both under the 3 build stage and in the printer head. The reliability, repeatability and sensitivity of these probes has 4 been investigated along with such practical considerations as usability in different environments, the 5 functional life of piezoelectric diaphragms in this use and what improvement to print quality may 6 be obtained. A probe using a piezoelectric diaphragm has been developed and released as an open 7 source product, this probe as well as kits for making probes are available and are proving reliable. 8 The conclusion is that piezoelectric diaphragms are equal to or better than other technologies used 9 for nozzle probing. 10