A nozzle for additive manufacturing includes a plasma gas tube operable to provide plasma gas to a plasma flame, and a source material tube arranged concentrically inside the plasma gas tube such that the source material passes through the plasma flame. An apparatus and method for additive manufacturing are also disclosed.

A plasma-generation system is provided that includes a variable-frequency microwave generator configured to generate microwave power and a plasma applicator configured to use the microwave power from the microwave generator to (i) ignite a process gas therein for initiating a plasma in a plasma ignition process and (ii) maintain the plasma in a steady state process. The system also includes a coarse tuner connected between the microwave generator and the plasma applicator. At least one physical parameter of the coarse tuner is adapted to be set to achieve coarse impedance matching between the microwave generator and the plasma generated during both the plasma ignition process and the steady state process. A load impedance of the plasma generated during the plasma ignition process and the steady state process is adapted to vary. The microwave generator is configured to tune an operating frequency at the set physical parameter of the coarse tuner.

A plasma-generation system is provided that includes a variable-frequency microwave generator configured to generate microwave power and a plasma applicator configured to use the microwave power from the microwave generator to (i) ignite a process gas therein for initiating a plasma in a plasma ignition process and (ii) maintain the plasma in a steady state process. The system also includes a coarse tuner connected between the microwave generator and the plasma applicator. At least one physical parameter of the coarse tuner is adapted to be set to achieve coarse impedance matching between the microwave generator and the plasma generated during both the plasma ignition process and the steady state process. A load impedance of the plasma generated during the plasma ignition process and the steady state process is adapted to vary. The microwave generator is configured to tune an operating frequency at the set physical parameter of the coarse tuner.

A laser ablation system includes a sample chamber 102 configured to accommodate a target 104 within an interior 106 thereof, a sample generator 108 configured to remove a portion of the target 104 (which may be subsequently captured as a sample) and an analysis system 110 configured to analyze a composition of the sample. A sample capture cell in the chamber proximate to the target has a capture cavity configured to receive target material, a first inlet configured to transmit a flow of a carrier gas from a first location adjacent to an exterior of the capture cell into a region of the capture cavity; and an outlet configured to receive carrier gas from another region of the capture cavity. The sample chamber 102 includes an injection nozzle 120 configured to introduce, into the interior 106, a fluid such as a carrier gas.

A laser ablation system includes a sample chamber 102 configured to accommodate a target 104 within an interior 106 thereof, a sample generator 108 configured to remove a portion of the target 104 (which may be subsequently captured as a sample) and an analysis system 110 configured to analyze a composition of the sample. A sample capture cell in the chamber proximate to the target has a capture cavity configured to receive target material, a first inlet configured to transmit a flow of a carrier gas from a first location adjacent to an exterior of the capture cell into a region of the capture cavity; and an outlet configured to receive carrier gas from another region of the capture cavity. The sample chamber 102 includes an injection nozzle 120 configured to introduce, into the interior 106, a fluid such as a carrier gas.

The invention relates to a system for treating surfaces of bodies, in particular a vacuum dressing, comprising at least one connection means (5a) for the fluidic attachment of a negative-pressure generator for generating negative pressure in a space that can be positioned on the surface of a body, and at least one means for plasma generation (8, 8a, 15) by which the space in which negative pressure can be generated can be at least partly filled with plasma or a plasma-activated medium.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the combined negative pressure and plasma treatment of a wound.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for treating surfaces of bodies by means of the system according to the invention, wherein a body with a surface to be treated is provided, the system for treating surfaces of bodies is provided, a negative pressure is generated in a space positioned on the surface of the body and the space is filled at least partly with plasma or plasma-activated medium.

Embodiments of arc plasma cutting torches are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plasma cutting torch includes an insert component located substantially between a cathode body and an insulator body. The insert component is able to withstand high temperatures and can be made of a metal material or a non-metal material. The insert component can be permanent within the torch or can be replaceable, in accordance with various embodiments.

Embodiments of arc plasma cutting torches are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plasma cutting torch includes an insert component located substantially between a cathode body and an insulator body. The insert component is able to withstand high temperatures and can be made of a metal material or a non-metal material. The insert component can be permanent within the torch or can be replaceable, in accordance with various embodiments.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.

Provided is a fluid-cooled melting tool that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by additive manufacturing techniques, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects. In some configurations, the melting tool is configured to be a plasma transferred arc (PTA) torch and the deposition rate can be increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the electrode made possible by the dual circuit cooling design of the torch. The fluid-cooled melting tools provided herein exhibit stable and repeatable PTA characteristics over wide range of current including current of 400 amps or more, whether pulsed or non-pulsed, and plasma gas flow inputs.