Patent ID: 8222908
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: B33Y,G01N

Abstract:
1. A detector for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the detector comprising: a control board configured to be retained in the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system; a sense conductive component operably secured to the control board; an excitation conductive component operably secured to the control board to define a first gap between the sense conductive component and the excitation conductive component, the first gap being configured to receive a consumable material used in the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, wherein the excitation conductive component is configured to generate a first electrical field across the first gap; and a reference conductive component operably secured to the control board on an opposing side of the excitation conductive component from the sense conductive component to define a second gap between the excitation conductive component and the reference component, wherein the excitation conductive component is further configured to generate a second electrical field across the second gap.