US 11,878,349 B2
Metal drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer and method of operation for forming metal support structures
Seemit Praharaj, Webster, NY (US); Douglas K. Herrmann, Webster, NY (US); Thomas J. Wyble, Williamson, NY (US); Jason M. LeFevre, Penfield, NY (US); Chu-Heng Liu, Penfield, NY (US); and Paul J. McConville, Webster, NY (US)
Assigned to Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed by Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,115.
Prior Publication US 2023/0037539 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B22F 12/50 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B22D 23/00 (2006.01); B22F 10/22 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01)
CPC B22F 12/50 (2021.01) [B22D 23/003 (2013.01); B22F 10/22 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A metal drop ejecting apparatus comprising:
an ejector having a vessel with a receptacle within the vessel;
a heater configured to heat the vessel to a temperature sufficient to melt solid metal within the receptacle of the vessel;
a first solid metal feeding mechanism configured to move a first solid metal into the receptacle of the vessel in the ejector for melting;
a second solid metal feeding mechanism configured to move a second solid metal that is different than the first solid metal into the receptacle of the vessel in the ejector for melting; and
a controller operatively connected to the ejector, the heater, the first solid metal feeding mechanism, and the second solid metal feeding mechanism, the controller being configured to:
operate the first solid metal feeding mechanism to feed the first solid metal into the receptacle of the vessel;
operate the heater to melt the first solid metal in the vessel;
operate the ejector to eject melted drops of the first solid metal to form layers of an object;
operate the second solid metal feeding mechanism to feed the second solid metal into the receptacle of the vessel;
operate the heater to melt the second solid metal in the vessel; and
operate the ejector to eject melted drops of the second solid metal to form layers of a support structure.