Devices, systems, and methods are directed to applying magnetohydrodynamic forces to liquid metal to eject liquid metal along a controlled pattern, such as a controlled three-dimensional pattern as part of additive manufacturing of an object. Electric current delivered to a meniscus of the liquid metal in a quiescent state can be directed to exert a pullback force on the liquid metal. The pullback force can be sufficient to draw the liquid metal, in the quiescent state, in a direction toward the nozzle to reduce the likelihood of unintended wetting of surfaces of the nozzle between uses of the nozzle.

The metal powder production apparatus includes: a spray tank; and a plurality of spray nozzles each including a molten metal nozzle that lets molten metal flow down into the spray tank and a gas injection nozzle that injects gas from a plurality of injection holes to the molten metal flowing down from the molten metal nozzle. The sectional area A1 [mm.sup.2] of the spray tank has a value obtained by multiplying the number n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) of the spray nozzles by a predetermined area value c1.

An atomization powder making device suitable for atomizing molten metal to produce powder includes a housing defining an atomizing chamber, a vessel mounted inside the housing and defining a receiving space for receiving the molten metal, and a flow guide unit extending from the bottom of the vessel and having at least one liquid flow channel for conveying the molten metal from the receiving space to the atomizing chamber. A push unit is disposed in the receiving space for pushing the molten metal to flow through the at least one liquid flow channel. A gas supply unit is configured to supply an atomizing gas for atomizing the molten metal flowing out of the liquid flow channel.

The metal powder producing apparatus includes: a first gas jet nozzle that includes jet holes disposed in a bottom surface of a gas jet device so as to form first rings each, and jets gas against molten metal flowing down through the liquid nozzles; a second gas jet nozzle that includes jet holes disposed in the bottom surface of the gas jet device so as to form second rings each on an outer side of a corresponding one of the first rings, and jets gas to prevent scatter of metal particles; and a third gas jet nozzle that includes jet holes disposed in the bottom surface of the gas jet device so as to form a third ring on an outer side of the second gas jet nozzle, and jets gas against an inner wall surface of the spray chamber.

A caster assembly configured to process and store a material includes a reaction chamber, a storage assembly configured to store material processed in the reaction chamber, and a blower configured to process and store the material. The reaction chamber includes a vessel configured to hold the material in a melted state prior to processing and a powder generating assembly configured to receive the material from the melting vessel. The powder generating assembly includes a feeding chamber and a feeding device disposed at least partially within the feeding chamber. The feeding device includes at least one nozzle configured to inject inert fluid, where the fluid is a gas, liquid, or combination of the two into the feeding chamber and a material inlet through which the material is configured to flow into the feeding chamber to be exposed to the inert fluid, where the fluid is a gas, liquid, or combination of the two.

An atomizer nozzle includes: a molten metal nozzle extending in a vertical direction and which allows a molten metal to flow downward from a lower end thereof; and a gas nozzle including a chamber having an inner peripheral surface surrounding an outer periphery of the molten metal nozzle, a blow portion which introduces a gas to the chamber toward a circumferential direction of the molten metal nozzle, and a cover extending from the chamber to a position below the lower end of the molten metal nozzle while surrounding the molten metal nozzle, wherein the cover is provided with a tapered inner peripheral surface connected to the inner peripheral surface of the chamber and of which diameter is decreased as close to a lower end portion of the tapered inner peripheral surface.

A metal powder manufacturing device includes: an atomization tank; a crucible in which a molten metal is stored; a molten metal nozzle that allows the molten metal stored in the crucible to flow downward into the atomization tank; and a fluid spraying nozzle including a plurality of spraying holes that spray a fluid to an atomization tank side end part of the molten metal nozzle to pulverize a molten metal flow flowing downward from the molten metal nozzle. The molten metal nozzle includes a molten metal nozzle body and an orifice part having an inside diameter equal to or smaller than an inside diameter of the molten metal nozzle body, and a material of the orifice part is harder than a material of the molten metal nozzle body.

This disclosure pertains to a system, methods, and apparatus configured for generating singulated metal droplets and collecting powder metal. The system comprises crucible apparatus each including a crucible housing, a gas inlet, and an alloy nozzle. The crucible housing is operatively coupled to an induction heating element and power supply to provide induction heating of the crucible housing and electromagnetically levitate a mass of molten metal. The gas inlet is operatively coupled to a gas supply and configured to receive a pressurized gas pulse via the gas supply, the pressurized gas pulse being directed at the mass of molten metal. The alloy nozzle is configured to release a metal droplet singulated from the mass of molten level due to the pressurized gas pulse. The system includes a powder collection unit configured to collect powder from one or more dispensing channel configured to catch the falling singulated liquid metal droplet.

This disclosure pertains to a system, methods, and apparatus configured for generating singulated metal droplets and collecting powder metal. The system comprises crucible apparatus each including a crucible housing, a gas inlet, and an alloy nozzle. The crucible housing is operatively coupled to an induction heating element and power supply to provide induction heating of the crucible housing and electromagnetically levitate a mass of molten metal. The gas inlet is operatively coupled to a gas supply and configured to receive a pressurized gas pulse via the gas supply, the pressurized gas pulse being directed at the mass of molten metal. The alloy nozzle is configured to release a metal droplet singulated from the mass of molten level due to the pressurized gas pulse. The system includes a powder collection unit configured to collect powder from one or more dispensing channel configured to catch the falling singulated liquid metal droplet.

The invention relates to a printhead (1) for a 3D printer, particularly a metal printer, comprising a housing (3), a device (28) for supplying a metal (14), a reservoir (7, 27), a nozzle device (2) and a piston (5), the nozzle device (2) comprising a guide sleeve (11), a nozzle plate (9) provided with an outlet (10), and a clamping device (4). The nozzle plate (9) and the guide sleeve (11) are mutually elastically braced by means of the clamping device (4), and the guide sleeve (11) and the reservoir (7, 27) are mutually elastically braced by means of the clamping device (4).