A method and apparatus for depositing metals and metal-like substances in two and three dimensional form without a substrate in a safe, rapid and economical fashion using gas shielded arc welding equipment and programmable robotic motion. The method and apparatus includes the use and application of robotic controls, temperature and position feedback, single and multiple material feeds, and semi liquid deposition thereby creating near net shape parts particularly well suited to rapid prototyping and lower volume production

Systems and method for additive manufacturing with humidity compensation are provided. A first reservoir for activator, a second reservoir for binder, and a third reservoir for build material to be deposited within a build box by way of one or more deposit devices are provided. A controller receives data indicating ambient humidity level from a humidity sensor and commands a control device associated with the first reservoir to adjust an amount of activator removed from the first reservoir based on the ambient humidity level.

A method for determining a temperature of an object includes contacting the object with a first electrical conductor. A difference in electronegativity between the object and the first electrical conductor is greater than a predetermined value. The method also includes contacting the object or a substrate on which the object is positioned with a second electrical conductor. A difference in electronegativity between the object or the substrate and the second electrical conductor is less than the predetermined value. The method also includes connecting the first and second electrical conductors together. The method also includes measuring the temperature of the object using the first and second electrical conductors. The first and second electrical conductors form at least a portion of a thermocouple.

A method for determining a temperature of an object includes contacting the object with a first electrical conductor. A difference in electronegativity between the object and the first electrical conductor is greater than a predetermined value. The method also includes contacting the object or a substrate on which the object is positioned with a second electrical conductor. A difference in electronegativity between the object or the substrate and the second electrical conductor is less than the predetermined value. The method also includes connecting the first and second electrical conductors together. The method also includes measuring the temperature of the object using the first and second electrical conductors. The first and second electrical conductors form at least a portion of a thermocouple.

A 3D printer includes an ejector device comprising a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate, the ejector conduits being arranged in an array. Each ejector conduit includes: a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a passageway for allowing the print material to flow from the first end to the second end, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the passageway. A current pulse generating system is in electrical connection with the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of ejector conduits. A magnetic field source is sufficiently proximate the second end of the plurality of ejector conduits so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer. The 3D printer further comprises a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the ejector device with respect to a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printer. The 3D printer includes: a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, and a passageway defined by an inner surface of the ejector conduit for allowing the print material to pass through the ejector conduit from the first end to the second end, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the passageway; a current pulse generating system in electrical contact with the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits; a magnetic field source sufficiently proximate the second end of the ejector conduit so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle during operation of the 3D printer; and a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the array with respect to a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

The invention relates to a print head (1) for a 3D printer, in particular a metal printer, comprising a housing (3), a device (28) for feeding a metal (14), a piston (5), a reservoir (7, 27) with an outlet opening (10) and an actuator device (12) for displacing the piston (5), wherein the reservoir (7, 27) has a melt region (20) and a displacement body chamber (21) for a liquid phase (8) of the metal (14), wherein the melt region (20) adjoins an inert atmosphere (22) and is connected to the displacement body chamber (21) such that, as a result of the displacement of the piston (5), the liquid phase (8) of the metal (14) can be stimulated to pass through the outlet opening (10), said housing (3) having a multi-part design and comprising at least one cooling flange (25), an insulating plate (26) and the reservoir (7, 27). The invention is characterized in that the reservoir (7, 27) is connected to the cooling flange (25) and/or theinsulating plate (26) by a centering device (50). The invention also relates to a method for operating and/or starting up a print head (1).

The invention relates to a print head (1) for a 3D printer, in particular a metal printer, comprising a housing (3), a device (28) for feeding a metal (14), a piston (5), a reservoir (7, 27) with an outlet opening (10) and an actuator device (12) for displacing the piston (5), wherein the reservoir (7, 27) has a melt region (20) and a displacement body chamber (21) for a liquid phase (8) of the metal (14), wherein the melt region (20) adjoins an inert atmosphere (22) and is connected to the displacement body chamber (21) such that, as a result of the displacement of the piston (5), the liquid phase (8) of the metal (14) can be stimulated to pass through the outlet opening (10), said housing (3) having a multi-part design and comprising at least one cooling flange (25), an insulating plate (26) and the reservoir (7, 27). The invention is characterized in that the reservoir (7, 27) is connected to the cooling flange (25) and/or theinsulating plate (26) by a centering device (50). The invention also relates to a method for operating and/or starting up a print head (1).

The invention relates to a print head (1) for a 3D printer, in particular a metal printer, comprising a housing (3), a device (28) for feeding a metal (14), a piston (5), a reservoir (7, 27) with an outlet opening (10) and an actuator device (12) for displacing the piston (5), wherein the reservoir (7, 27) has a melt region (20) and a displacement body chamber (21) for a liquid phase (8) of the metal (14), wherein the melt region (20) adjoins an inert atmosphere (22) and is connected to the displacement body chamber (21) such that, as a result of the displacement of the piston (5), the liquid phase (8) of the metal (14) can be stimulated to pass through the outlet opening (10), said housing (3) having a multi-part design and comprising at least one cooling flange (25), an insulating plate (26) and the reservoir (7, 27). The invention is characterized in that the reservoir (7, 27) is connected to the cooling flange (25) and/or theinsulating plate (26) by a centering device (50). The invention also relates to a method for operating and/or starting up a print head (1).

Disclosed are a high-throughput preparation device for metal fiber based on multi powder and a method for preparing a metal fiber using the device. The high-throughput preparation device includes a metal powder conveying system, a metal powder mixing system, a metal powder melting system and a metal fiber forming system which are connected in sequence, where the metal powder melting system includes an induction powder melting device and a laser powder melting device which are independently disposed. The method for preparing a metal fiber using the high-throughput preparation device includes four steps: powder conveying, powder mixing, melting and forming.