A flaw detector that detects a flaw in a surface layer portion of a three-dimensional multilayer object during production. The flaw detector includes a probe extending in a second direction intersecting a first direction which is a scanning direction. The probe contains a plurality of coil units disposed side by side in the second direction and each of the coil units includes an excitation coil generating an eddy current in the surface layer portion, and a pair of detection coils disposed side by side inside the excitation coil.

Apparatuses, systems and methods of providing heat to enable an FDM additive manufacturing nozzle having refined print control and enhanced printing speed. The heating element may include at least one sheath sized to fittedly engage around an outer circumference of the FDM printer nozzle; at least one wire coil at least partially contacting an inner diameter of the sheath; and at least one energy receiver associated with the at least one wire coil.

Apparatuses, systems and methods of providing heat to enable an FDM additive manufacturing nozzle having refined print control and enhanced printing speed. The heating element may include at least one sheath sized to fittedly engage around an outer circumference of the FDM printer nozzle; at least one wire coil at least partially contacting an inner diameter of the sheath; and at least one energy receiver associated with the at least one wire coil.

The invention relates to a method for forming powder particles, wherein the method comprises feeding a start material mixture including more than one constituents in the form of granules into a reactor comprising a reaction zone and a heat source, performing thermal synthesis in the reaction zone in which the start material mixture is moved and the constituents of the start material mixture react in the presence of heat so that the reaction is started by means of heat of the reactor and energy of the start material mixture is released in the form of heat in order to achieve the reaction, and producing powder particles during the reaction. Further, the invention relates to a powder particle product.

The invention relates to a method for forming powder particles, wherein the method comprises feeding a start material mixture including more than one constituents in the form of granules into a reactor comprising a reaction zone and a heat source, performing thermal synthesis in the reaction zone in which the start material mixture is moved and the constituents of the start material mixture react in the presence of heat so that the reaction is started by means of heat of the reactor and energy of the start material mixture is released in the form of heat in order to achieve the reaction, and producing powder particles during the reaction. Further, the invention relates to a powder particle product.

Apparatus and methods are described for performing additive manufacturing. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber for fabricating a workpiece composed of deposited metal, a table positioned within the vacuum chamber, and configured to support fabrication of the workpiece on a substrate, and one or more multiple droplet emitters coupled to the vacuum chamber, and arranged to irradiate the workpiece with a stream of molten metal droplets during fabrication.

Apparatus and methods are described for performing additive manufacturing. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber for fabricating a workpiece composed of deposited metal, a table positioned within the vacuum chamber, and configured to support fabrication of the workpiece on a substrate, and one or more multiple droplet emitters coupled to the vacuum chamber, and arranged to irradiate the workpiece with a stream of molten metal droplets during fabrication.

A method for densifying a surface of a powder metal part, includes blending a plurality of powdered metals to form a powder metal blend, actuating an upper punch and a lower punch to apply pressure to the powder metal blend to compact the powder metal blend, sintering the compacted powder metal blend in an oven, forming the compacted powdered metal blend into the powder metal part, heating a portion of the surface of the powder metal part, and densifying the portion of the surface of the powder metal part for a predetermined period of time after the portion of the powder metal part is heated to a predetermined temperature.

A method for densifying a surface of a powder metal part, includes blending a plurality of powdered metals to form a powder metal blend, actuating an upper punch and a lower punch to apply pressure to the powder metal blend to compact the powder metal blend, sintering the compacted powder metal blend in an oven, forming the compacted powdered metal blend into the powder metal part, heating a portion of the surface of the powder metal part, and densifying the portion of the surface of the powder metal part for a predetermined period of time after the portion of the powder metal part is heated to a predetermined temperature.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a container containing a metal and/or ferromagnetic solid and abrasive particles in a static magnetic field; where the container is surrounded by an induction coil; activating the induction coil with an electrical current, to heat up the metallic or ferromagnetic solid to form a fluid; generating sonic energy to produce acoustic cavitation and abrasion between the abrasive particles and the container; and producing nanoparticles that comprise elements from the container, the metal and/or the ferromagnetic solid and the abrasive particles. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising first metal or a first ceramic; and particles comprising carbides and/or nitrides dispersed therein. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising chromium carbide, iron carbide, nickel carbide, γ-Fe and magnesium nitride.