Methods for forming nanostructures of various shapes are disclosed. Nanocubes, nanowires, nanopyramids and multiply twinned particles of silver may by formed by combining a solution of silver nitrate in ethylene glycol with a solution of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in ethylene glycol. Hollow nanostructures may be formed by reacting a solution of solid nanostructures comprising one of a first metal and a first metal alloy with a metal salt that can be reduced by the first metal or first metal alloy. Nanostructures comprising a core with at least one nanoshell may be formed by plating a nanostructure and reacting the plating with a metal salt.

Methods for forming nanostructures of various shapes are disclosed. Nanocubes, nanowires, nanopyramids and multiply twinned particles of silver may by formed by combining a solution of silver nitrate in ethylene glycol with a solution of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in ethylene glycol. Hollow nanostructures may be formed by reacting a solution of solid nanostructures comprising one of a first metal and a first metal alloy with a metal salt that can be reduced by the first metal or first metal alloy. Nanostructures comprising a core with at least one nanoshell may be formed by plating a nanostructure and reacting the plating with a metal salt.

A method of forming an article includes producing a base powder including a plurality of base particles. Each base particle includes an external surface and a first material. The method further includes removing one or more oxides from the external surface of each base particle to form a cleaned powder including a plurality of cleaned particles. Each cleaned particle includes a cleaned external surface made of the first material. The method further includes coating the cleaned external surface of each cleaned particle with a second material having a greater oxidation resistance than the first material to form a coated powder including a plurality of coated particles. Each coated particle includes an external layer including the second material that fully covers the cleaned external surface made of the first material. The method further includes forming the article using the coated powder.

A method of forming an article includes producing a base powder including a plurality of base particles. Each base particle includes an external surface and a first material. The method further includes removing one or more oxides from the external surface of each base particle to form a cleaned powder including a plurality of cleaned particles. Each cleaned particle includes a cleaned external surface made of the first material. The method further includes coating the cleaned external surface of each cleaned particle with a second material having a greater oxidation resistance than the first material to form a coated powder including a plurality of coated particles. Each coated particle includes an external layer including the second material that fully covers the cleaned external surface made of the first material. The method further includes forming the article using the coated powder.

In order to provide a composite object that can be produced at high quality and low cost using a 3D printer, a composite object includes: a first object obtained by assembling one or at least two assemblable toy blocks; and a second object constituted by one or at least two parts produced through 3D printing, and configured to be attached to the first object so as to cover at least a portion except for part of a surface thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to produce an object at high quality and low cost using a 3D printer.

In order to provide a composite object that can be produced at high quality and low cost using a 3D printer, a composite object includes: a first object obtained by assembling one or at least two assemblable toy blocks; and a second object constituted by one or at least two parts produced through 3D printing, and configured to be attached to the first object so as to cover at least a portion except for part of a surface thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to produce an object at high quality and low cost using a 3D printer.

An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.

An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.

The invention relates to an EIGA coil (10) for partial melting an electrode (40). The EIGA coil (10) comprises a plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) which are coaxially arranged with respect to a center axis (M) and axially spaced from each other, wherein each of the plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) is formed in the shape of a ring interrupted by a gap (14A, 14B, 14C) and equidistant with respect to the center axis (M) and extending in a plane perpendicular to the center axis (M). Adjacent windings (12A, 12B; 12B, 12C) of the plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) are respectively connected to each other via a connecting portion (20AB, 20BC; 120AB, 120BC).

The invention relates to an EIGA coil (10) for partial melting an electrode (40). The EIGA coil (10) comprises a plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) which are coaxially arranged with respect to a center axis (M) and axially spaced from each other, wherein each of the plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) is formed in the shape of a ring interrupted by a gap (14A, 14B, 14C) and equidistant with respect to the center axis (M) and extending in a plane perpendicular to the center axis (M). Adjacent windings (12A, 12B; 12B, 12C) of the plurality of windings (12A, 12B, 12C) are respectively connected to each other via a connecting portion (20AB, 20BC; 120AB, 120BC).