Patent ID: 9067446
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: B29C,B33Y,B41J

Abstract:
1. A printer for forming objects comprising: a substrate having a surface; a printhead configured to eject material through inkjets in the printhead onto the surface of the substrate; at least one ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic sensor being configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a thickness of the substrate and material opposite the at least one ultrasonic sensor; and a controller operatively connected to the printhead, and the at least one ultrasonic sensor, the controller being configured to operate the printhead to eject material onto the surface of the substrate with reference to a predetermined pattern, to receive the signal generated by the at least one ultrasonic sensor, and to detect inoperative inkjets in the printhead with reference to the signal received from the at least one ultrasonic sensor and the predetermined pattern.