A tool assembly for performing operations in confined spaces, the tool assembly includes a telescoping pole having a proximal end and a distal end. The telescoping pole is capable of extending between a retracted position and an extended position. A working tool is connected to the distal end of the telescoping pole, and a control unit is connected to the proximal end of the telescoping pole. A flexible cable extending through the telescoping pole electrically connects the working tool to the control unit.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a magnetic field generator to form a magnetic field selectively about a nozzle from which melted metal drops are ejected. The drops ejected in the presence of the magnetic field have their velocities reduced from the initial velocity at which they are ejected. The reduced velocity increases the time in flight of the drops before they impact their landing areas. The increased travel time enables the melted metal drops to oxidize sufficiently that they bond less tightly than the drops ejected without passing through the magnetic field. Thus, the apparatus can form metal support structures that adhere less tightly to the part portions of the object so they can be more easily removed after printing of the object.

A mold includes a weld cavity, housings for the components to be welded, a crucible-funnel in communication with the weld cavity for housing filling material, at least one additional cavity for housing an exothermic mixture; and an inner shell that separates the crucible-funnel and the at least one additional cavity to transmit heat produced in the exothermic reaction from the additional cavity to the crucible-funnel. The mold allows the exothermic mixture to be isolated to avoid contact with the filling material and to prevent the filling material from reaching the weld cavity. The system can further include a first filler and a second filler, arranged to be mounted over the mold for introducing the filling material and the exothermic mixture, respectively.

A mold includes a weld cavity, housings for the components to be welded, a crucible-funnel in communication with the weld cavity for housing filling material, at least one additional cavity for housing an exothermic mixture; and an inner shell that separates the crucible-funnel and the at least one additional cavity to transmit heat produced in the exothermic reaction from the additional cavity to the crucible-funnel. The mold allows the exothermic mixture to be isolated to avoid contact with the filling material and to prevent the filling material from reaching the weld cavity. The system can further include a first filler and a second filler, arranged to be mounted over the mold for introducing the filling material and the exothermic mixture, respectively.

Strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments and strip cladding systems with strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments are disclosed. A disclosed example cladding head for strip cladding system includes a first contact jaw, a second contact jaw, and a third contact jaw. The first contact jaw includes first and second contacts to deliver welding power to a cladding strip that is driven between the first and second contacts. The second contact jaw includes third and fourth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the third and fourth contacts. The third contact jaw includes fifth and sixth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the fifth and sixth contacts, where the first, second, and third contact jaws selectively provide symmetrical contact with the cladding strip across a width of the cladding strip when the cladding strip has one of at least three incremental strip widths, and the three incremental strip widths correspond to ones of the first, second, and third contact jaws.

Strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments and strip cladding systems with strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments are disclosed. A disclosed example cladding head for strip cladding system includes a first contact jaw, a second contact jaw, and a third contact jaw. The first contact jaw includes first and second contacts to deliver welding power to a cladding strip that is driven between the first and second contacts. The second contact jaw includes third and fourth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the third and fourth contacts. The third contact jaw includes fifth and sixth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the fifth and sixth contacts, where the first, second, and third contact jaws selectively provide symmetrical contact with the cladding strip across a width of the cladding strip when the cladding strip has one of at least three incremental strip widths, and the three incremental strip widths correspond to ones of the first, second, and third contact jaws.

An extruder for a metal material includes a cylinder having a receiving space in which a solid metal material is provided, a nozzle extending from a lower end of the cylinder, an upper coil provided on an outer surface of the cylinder and melting the solid metal material to form a liquid metal material, and a first lower coil provided on an outer surface of the nozzle to control an extruded shape of the liquid metal material.

An extruder for a metal material includes a cylinder having a receiving space in which a solid metal material is provided, a nozzle extending from a lower end of the cylinder, an upper coil provided on an outer surface of the cylinder and melting the solid metal material to form a liquid metal material, and a first lower coil provided on an outer surface of the nozzle to control an extruded shape of the liquid metal material.

A computerized method is provided for selecting a direction of formation of a slag puddle on a workpiece during processing of the workpiece by a thermal processing torch. The method comprises causing the torch to emit a thermal arc to gouge the workpiece at a first location without piercing through the workpiece. The method also includes translating the torch from the first location to a second location along a first direction on the workpiece while the torch is gouging the workpiece, the first direction substantially along the selected direction of slag puddle formation. The gouging and translating cause formation of a trench in a surface of the workpiece in the first direction. The method further includes causing the thermal arc emitted by the torch to pierce through the workpiece at the second location, which causes the formation of the slag puddle along the selected direction as guided by the trench.

A computerized method is provided for selecting a direction of formation of a slag puddle on a workpiece during processing of the workpiece by a thermal processing torch. The method comprises causing the torch to emit a thermal arc to gouge the workpiece at a first location without piercing through the workpiece. The method also includes translating the torch from the first location to a second location along a first direction on the workpiece while the torch is gouging the workpiece, the first direction substantially along the selected direction of slag puddle formation. The gouging and translating cause formation of a trench in a surface of the workpiece in the first direction. The method further includes causing the thermal arc emitted by the torch to pierce through the workpiece at the second location, which causes the formation of the slag puddle along the selected direction as guided by the trench.