US 11,839,916 B2
Device and method for cleaning an orifice in a metal drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) metal object
Viktor Sukhotskiy, Livermore, CA (US); Joseph C. Sheflin, Macedon, NY (US); Brian M. Balthasar, North Tonawanda, NY (US); Peter Knausdorf, Henrietta, NY (US); and Chu-Heng Liu, Penfield, NY (US)
Assigned to Additive Technologies LLC, Palm City, FL (US)
Filed by Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/648,490.
Prior Publication US 2023/0226614 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B22F 12/53 (2021.01); B08B 1/00 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B22F 10/30 (2021.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01)
CPC B22F 12/53 (2021.01) [B08B 1/008 (2013.01); B22F 10/30 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A metal drop ejecting apparatus comprising:
an ejector head having a nozzle from which melted metal drops are ejected;
a first planar member toward which the melted metal drops are ejected;
a second planar member positioned between the ejector head and the first planar member, the second planar member having an orifice through which the ejected melted metal drops pass;
an orifice cleaning tool having a cleaning head with a face and a handle operatively connected to the cleaning head, the cleaning head also having a pair of beveled surfaces between the handle and the face, the pair of beveled surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of the face, and the face and the pair of beveled surfaces consisting essentially of carbon having a shore value in a range of 60 shore to 90 shore;
an articulated arm configured to hold the orifice cleaning tool; and
a controller operatively connected to the articulated arm, the controller being configured to:
operate the articulated arm to rub the orifice cleaning tool against the second planar member.