US 12,109,656 B2
Metal drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer and method of operation for forming metal support structures
Chu-Heng Liu, Penfield, NY (US); Paul J. McConville, Webster, NY (US); Jason M. LeFevre, Penfield, NY (US); Douglas K. Herrmann, Webster, NY (US); and Seemit Praharaj, Webster, NY (US)
Assigned to Additive Technologies LLC, Palm City, FL (US)
Filed by ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, Palm City, FL (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/353,555.
Prior Publication US 2022/0402060 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. B23K 9/04 (2006.01); B23K 9/16 (2006.01); B23K 9/32 (2006.01); B23K 35/38 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/10 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B23K 9/042 (2013.01) [B23K 9/164 (2013.01); B23K 9/325 (2013.01); B23K 35/383 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/10 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A metal drop ejecting apparatus comprising:
an ejector head having a vessel with a receptacle within the vessel, the ejector head being configured to eject melted metal drops from the receptacle;
a heater configured to heat the vessel while the vessel is in the ejector head to a temperature sufficient to melt solid metal within the receptacle of the vessel;
a platform positioned to receive melted metal drops ejected from the receptacle of the vessel;
a source of inert gas that is configured to provide a flow of inert gas surrounding the melted metal drops as the melted metal drops move toward the platform; and
a controller being configured to:
detect support structure layers in a digital model;
generate machine-ready instructions that increase oxidation of the ejected melted metal drops after the melted metal drops have been ejected; and
execute the generated machine-ready instructions to operate the metal drop ejecting apparatus to form support structures with oxidated melted metal drops during formation of a metal object with the metal drop ejecting apparatus.