SYSTEM FOR DETECTING INOPERATIVE INKJETS IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT PRINTING USING A TEST PATTERN AND ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY PROBES

摘要

A printer detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three dimensional objects. The printer includes a conductive substrate onto which a printhead ejects a structural material in a test pattern. A plurality of conductive members arranged in a pattern corresponding to the test pattern are moved at a predetermined distance towards the substrate so ends of the members comes in contact with either the surface of the substrate or the structural material on the substrate. A current source coupled to the substrate produces a current to members touching the substrate. Thus, the inkjets corresponding to the members in which an electrical current is produced are identified as inoperative and the printing of an object can be suspended to take remedial action with regard to the printhead.