An apparatus for moulding battery components including a molten metal feed trough, a mould block adjacent to the feed trough, a weir between the feed trough and each cavity and a supply for feeding molten metal to the feed trough. The mould block has at least one mould cavity and a cooling arrangement which cools the mould block, and the mould block is provided with a heating arrangement adjacent to the or each mould cavity. In use, the heating arrangement maintains at least part of the, or each, mould cavity at an elevated temperature relative to the average operational temperature of the mould block.

A 3D printer includes an ejector configured to receive a build material. The 3D printer also includes a valve configured to control flow of the build material into or through the ejector. The valve includes a cooler configured to cool the build material to below a melting point of the build material to form a solid plug to prevent the build material from flowing therethrough. The valve also includes a heater configured to re-heat the build material to above the melting point to allow the build material to flow therethrough. The 3D printer also includes a nozzle positioned downstream from the valve. The build material is ejected through the nozzle. The 3D printer also includes a substrate positioned below the nozzle. The build material lands on the substrate and cools and solidifies thereon to form a 3D object.

A 3D printer includes an ejector configured to receive a build material. The 3D printer also includes a valve configured to control flow of the build material into or through the ejector. The valve includes a cooler configured to cool the build material to below a melting point of the build material to form a solid plug to prevent the build material from flowing therethrough. The valve also includes a heater configured to re-heat the build material to above the melting point to allow the build material to flow therethrough. The 3D printer also includes a nozzle positioned downstream from the valve. The build material is ejected through the nozzle. The 3D printer also includes a substrate positioned below the nozzle. The build material lands on the substrate and cools and solidifies thereon to form a 3D object.

A molten metal processing device including a molten metal containment structure for reception and transport of molten metal along a longitudinal length thereof. The device further includes a cooling unit for the containment structure including a cooling channel for passage of a liquid medium therein, and an ultrasonic probe disposed in relation to the cooling channel such that ultrasonic waves are coupled through the liquid medium in the cooling channel and through the molten metal containment structure into the molten metal.

A molten metal processing device including a molten metal containment structure for reception and transport of molten metal along a longitudinal length thereof. The device further includes a cooling unit for the containment structure including a cooling channel for passage of a liquid medium therein, and an ultrasonic probe disposed in relation to the cooling channel such that ultrasonic waves are coupled through the liquid medium in the cooling channel and through the molten metal containment structure into the molten metal.

An additive manufacturing system for producing metal parts from pure metal or eutectic alloys. The system includes an additive manufacturing print head, a print head heater system, an agitation system, a nozzle in the additive manufacturing print head, a reservoir for melting the metal, and a long heated tube for conditioning the alloy for extrusion in the semi-solid state through a nozzle.

An apparatus for moulding battery components comprising a molten metal feed trough 130, a mould block 100 adjacent to the mould block, a weir 133 between the feed trough and each cavity and a supply 132 for feeding molten metal to the feed trough. The mould block has at least one mould cavity 110 and a cooling arrangement which cools the mould block, and the mould block is provided with a heating arrangement 150 adjacent to the or each mould cavity. In use, the heating arrangement maintains at least part of the, or each, mould cavity at an elevated temperature relative to the average operational temperature of the mould block.

An apparatus for moulding battery components comprising a molten metal feed trough 130, a mould block 100 adjacent to the mould block, a weir 133 between the feed trough and each cavity and a supply 132 for feeding molten metal to the feed trough. The mould block has at least one mould cavity 110 and a cooling arrangement which cools the mould block, and the mould block is provided with a heating arrangement 150 adjacent to the or each mould cavity. In use, the heating arrangement maintains at least part of the, or each, mould cavity at an elevated temperature relative to the average operational temperature of the mould block.

A metal transfer device including a cast trough body that includes a vessel for receiving liquid metal, a heater for heating the trough body, and a reinforcing layer provided on an outer surface of the cast trough body between the trough body and the heater. The reinforcing layer includes a composite ceramic material having a high thermal conductivity.

A metal transfer device including a cast trough body that includes a vessel for receiving liquid metal, a heater for heating the trough body, and a reinforcing layer provided on an outer surface of the cast trough body between the trough body and the heater. The reinforcing layer includes a composite ceramic material having a high thermal conductivity.