Liquid metal jetting (“LMJ”) is an emerging technology used for high throughput, powder- and laser-free metal additive manufacturing (“AM”). It is also being used as an alternative method for high quality metal powder feedstock generation. The core concept of LMJ is the ability to melt a metal within the nozzle, and controllably eject (not drip) droplets out of one or two orifices at the bottom of the nozzle.
Nozzle design and manufacturing greatly affects the performance of LMJ printers. This LLNL invention describes a novel multi-part nozzle design that improves their performance.
The approach that LLNL researchers developed involve:
- A nozzle fabrication method that makes the process compatible with any LMJ printer.
- An orifice fabrication method that enables advanced production of smaller orifices
- A method for repeatable arresting of the meniscus contact line for metal droplet ejection.
- A method for rapid and repeatable LMJ system initialization
- A method by which meniscus “bouncing” can be dampened
Image Caption: New multi-part nozzle design concept for (a) single orifice droplet jetting and (b) multi-orifice jetting
Current stage of technology development: TRL 3
LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.
- Value Proposition: Improved performance at less operating costs.
- More controllable metal droplet ejection -> less operating costs
- Re-use of nozzles rather than use of disposables -> less operating costs
- An improvement in functional robustness
- Metal Additive Manufacturing
- Metal Powder Production
