Improved Metal Deposition System

Abstract

A system and method for generating droplets of molten metal are disclosed. The system can be used for 3D printing. The system relies on a momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire to cause the droplet to detach from the tip of the metal microwire. The momentum change can be created using an oscillating print head. In another embodiment, a mass impacts the print head to cause the droplet to detach from the metal microwire. The metal microwire can be heated using a heat source such as a laser, induction coil, or plasma arc.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 074,261, filed September 3, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems, methods and processes for generating or creating droplets of molten metal on demand for additive manufacturing, layer-by-layer construction of objects and parts, 3D printing or liquid metal printing. [Background technology]

[0003] In the field of liquid metal printing, droplets of molten metal are used to build three-dimensional (3D) parts and objects by dispensing the droplets in layers on a build platform. Various processes are commonly used.

[0004] One such process detaches a molten metal droplet from the tip of a metal microwire by using a burst of laser energy to vaporize a portion of the molten metal in a channel or tube that acts as a nozzle and then guides the molten metal droplet, propelled by the evaporation, into a desired trajectory.

[0005] Other processes typically involve a reservoir, crucible, pool, or other containment of molten metal from which droplets are generated using a single nozzle or sometimes multiple nozzles. In commercially viable additive manufacturing processes, crucibles feeding a single nozzle or multiple nozzles present a number of challenges: · Consistency and repeatability of molten metal droplet trajectories; Drop-on-demand in multi-nozzle scenarios; · Metal throughput scalability; High temperature materials; · Complexity of the control system; · maintenance scope and intervals; and -Time during malfunction.

[0006] As discussed above, these processes have drawbacks. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a system and method that can generate droplets of molten metal without the use of a molten metal pool and nozzle. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the system and method did not rely on guide channels or metal evaporation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] A system and method for generating droplets of molten metal are disclosed. The system may be used for 3D printing. The system relies on a momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire to cause the droplet to detach from the tip of the metal microwire. The momentum change can be generated using an oscillating print head. In another embodiment, a mass impacts the print head, causing the droplet to detach from the metal microwire. The metal microwire may be heated using a heat source such as a laser, induction coil, or plasma arc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment, a system for forming droplets of molten metal on demand is disclosed, the system comprising: a carriage; an actuator, where a metal microwire is advanced by the actuator; a heat source disposed proximate to a tip of the metal microwire, where the tip of the metal microwire is heated above its melting point so that a droplet is formed; and a mechanism for generating a momentum change of the carriage, where the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire causes the droplet to detach from the tip of the metal microwire.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a substrate for receiving the droplet, the substrate being movable in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the carriage, hi some embodiments, the carriage is disposed between the linear guides such that movement of the carriage is constrained in one direction by the linear guide.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by oscillatory motion of a carriage within a linear guide. In some embodiments, the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by oscillatory motion of a carriage with a hard stop relative to a linear guide.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by momentum transfer to the droplet by mass colliding with a carriage. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a laser emitting a laser beam. In some embodiments, light from the laser is delivered to a region near the tip of the metal microwire by a fiber optic cable. In some embodiments, the fiber optic cable includes a lens that focuses the laser beam onto the tip of the metal microwire. In some embodiments, the heat source includes an induction coil disposed around the tip of the metal microwire. In some embodiments, the heat source includes two electrodes, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the two electrodes to generate a plasma arc proximate to the tip of the metal microwire. In some embodiments, the heat source includes an electrode, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the electrode and the metal microwire to generate a plasma arc proximate to the tip of the metal microwire.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the system includes at least a second actuator, and there are multiple supplies of metal microwires fed by respective actuators, each melted by a heat source, and each droplet breaks off due to a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the metal microwire.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the heat source is attached to a carriage, and the actuator feeds the metal microwire toward the heat source while the carriage is moving, hi some embodiments, the heat source is attached to one of the linear guides so that the heat source does not move with the carriage.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the carriage moves up and down. In some embodiments, the actuator is attached to the carriage. In some embodiments, the heat source is designed such that an amount and rate of thermal energy is applied to the tip of the metal microwire such that the metal microwire above the tip remains solid.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the metal microwire above the tip remains solid due to active temperature management of the metal microwire, such as by conduction or convection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for the deposition of molten metal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a printhead according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a printhead according to a second embodiment. [Figures 4A-4D] 4A-4D show a first mechanism for detaching a droplet from a metal microwire. [Figures 5A-5D] 5A-5D show a second mechanism for detaching a droplet from a metal microwire. [Figures 6A-6D] 6A-6D show a third mechanism for detaching a droplet from a metal microwire. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a printhead according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a printhead with a fixed heat source. [Figures 9A-9D] 9A-9D show one mechanism for using a fixed heat source to heat the droplet and detach it from the metal microwire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Figure 1 shows an apparatus for generating droplets of molten metal that are used to build three-dimensional (3D) parts and objects by dispensing the droplets in layers on a build platform.

[0019] The apparatus includes one or more metal wire sources 1. These metal wire sources 1 may be metal microwire cartridges, spools, or supplies. In embodiments where more than one metal wire source 1 is used, the metal wire sources 1 may contain the same or different types of metal microwire. A print head 2 is in communication with the metal wire sources 1. The print head 2 generates droplets 3 of molten metal that are ejected toward a build platform 4 onto which metal parts are built layer by layer.

[0020] A controller 5, such as a computer, server, dedicated microcontroller, or other suitable processing unit, provides instructions to the device and may be attached directly to the device or may communicate with the device over a network or the internet.

[0021] The instructions from the controller to the machine are derived from the desired part to be created, which is sliced ​​into multiple cross-sectional areas, each corresponding to a layer on which the machine will build the part.

[0022] The metal microwires 7 may range in diameter from 50 to 3000 micrometers. Advancement of the metal microwires 7 from the metal wire source 1 to the print head 2 may be achieved by using a piezoelectric actuator, a stepper motor, or a voice coil. In certain embodiments, there is a single actuator for advancing the metal microwires. In other embodiments, multiple actuators working together may be used.

[0023] The print head 2 may include a single molten metal droplet generator or an array of molten metal droplet generators, each feeding the same or different types of metal microwires. The print head 2 uses the molten metal droplet generator to eject molten metal droplets 3 toward the build platform 4. The print head 2 can fire droplets at a maximum frequency. The minimum time between droplets may be referred to as the droplet generation cycle. Additionally, the print head 2 can fire one or multiple droplets, also referred to as drop-on-demand. In the XY plane, the print head 2 and the build platform 4 move relative to each other in either a vector, a toolpath-like trajectory, or a raster-scan type motion. The ejected molten metal droplets 3 are deposited layer by layer in response to commands from the controller 5. As described above, a three-dimensional part or object is built up from multiple layers. The print head 2 and the build platform 4 may also be more relative to each other in the Z direction.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the printhead 2. The printhead 2 includes a carriage 6 that holds metal microwires 7. The carriage 6 is held by linear guides 11 located on both sides of the carriage 6. The carriage 6 may be movable up and down relative to the linear guides 11. In certain embodiments, the linear guides 11 limit the carriage's movement to only one direction, such as up and down, left and right, or front and back. For example, a rod 15 or other rigid member may be used to connect the carriage 6 to a rotating component 16, such as a cylinder. The rotating component 16 may be driven by a motor at a fixed or variable RPM. The rod 15 is coupled to the rotating component 16 at a location other than the axis of rotation. The center of the rotating component 16 is fixed, and rotation of the rotating component 16 reciprocates the rod 15, moving the carriage 6 relative to the linear guides 11. The rotating component 16 may rotate at the maximum frequency of the printhead so that the carriage 6 moves up and down for each droplet generation. In certain embodiments, the carriage 6 may move in the X or Y direction relative to the linear guides 11.

[0025] The carriage 6 may include one or more actuators 8 for advancing the metal microwire 7 through the carriage 6. In some embodiments, the actuators 8 may be located on the carriage 6. In other embodiments, the actuators 8 may be locators separate from the carriage 6, in which case a flexible drive shaft may connect the carriage 6 and the actuators 8. The actuators 8 may be piezoelectric devices or motors. The metal microwire 7 is advanced such that the distance of advancement can be controlled.

[0026] A variety of different heat sources can be used to heat the tips of the metal microwires 7 to form the metal droplets 13 .

[0027] In one embodiment, an optical conduit 9, such as a fiber optic cable, can be positioned proximate to the carriage 6. Light in the form of a laser beam can be transmitted through the optical conduit 9. The optical conduit 9 can have a curved portion so that the laser beam is focused onto the end of the metal microwire 7. The fiber optic cable can include a lens 10 that focuses the emitted beam onto the tip of the metal microwire 7. Energy from the laser beam can cause the tip of the metal microwire 7 to transition from a solid to a liquid, forming a droplet.

[0028] In another embodiment, a laser may not be used. Rather, another heat source, such as an induction coil, may be used to heat the tip of the metal microwire 7 to produce a liquid. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, where identical components are numbered the same. In this embodiment, the laser is replaced by an induction coil 14 that can surround the tip of the metal microwire 7. When a certain amount of power, determined according to the characteristics of the induction coil 14 and the material, diameter, and length of the metal microwire therein, is applied to the induction coil 14, the tip of the metal microwire 7 is heated and transitions to a liquid state.

[0029] In another embodiment, the heat source used to melt the tip of the metal microwire 7 may be a plasma arc rather than a laser or induction coil. An embodiment utilizing a plasma arc 19 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Similar components are labeled with the same reference numerals. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the plasma arc 19 is generated between two electrodes 18 by applying a potential across a gap between the electrodes 18, which may or may not be filled with a gas other than air, such as a shielding gas. The voltage applied to the electrodes 18 may be an AC or DC voltage. The magnitude of the voltage may be determined based on the distance between the electrodes 18, the thickness of the metal microwire 7, and the type of metal used. The voltage may be applied to one or both electrodes. One skilled in the art can easily determine the appropriate magnitude of the voltage based on these parameters. The plasma arc 19 is hot enough to melt the metal microwire 7 from a solid to a liquid. The tip of the metal microwire 7 is advanced into the plasma arc 19, which heats the metal microwire 7 and transitions it to a liquid state.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the metal microwire 7 serves as one of two electrodes 18 that generate a plasma arc 19 that heats the metal microwire 7 and transitions it to a liquid state. In certain embodiments, the metal microwire 7 is grounded and the electrode 18 is supplied with a voltage, which may be an AC or DC voltage. Furthermore, the voltage applied to the electrode 18 may be a positive or negative voltage. In other embodiments, this voltage may be applied to the metal microwire 7. In still other embodiments, voltages are applied to both the metal microwire 7 and the electrode 18. These voltages may be AC ​​or DC, and positive or negative, and may vary in magnitude.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heat source is designed such that the amount and rate of thermal energy applied to the tip of the metal microwire 7 remains solid at the tip. In other embodiments, the metal microwire 7 remains solid at the tip due to active temperature management of the metal microwire 7, such as by conduction or convection.

[0032] In all embodiments, the size of the droplets is controlled by the distance the metal microwire 7 is advanced by the actuator 8. In some embodiments, the metal droplets 13 may have diameters ranging from 150 to 3000 micrometers. Additionally, one or more droplets may be ejected by not advancing the metal microwire 7.

[0033] In certain embodiments, hard stops 12 may be provided on the linear guide 11 .

[0034] The metallic droplet 13 may be detached from the tip of the metallic microwire 7 by a momentum change. Three different embodiments are described, each capable of creating a momentum change that may impart a force of more than 10 G to the metallic droplet 13. In certain embodiments, the force exceeds 100 G. In some embodiments, the force exerted on the metallic droplet 13 may be on the order of 1000 G or more, thus minimizing the effect of gravity on the orientation and subsequent trajectory of the droplet detachment.

[0035] In a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, metal droplets 13 are ejected using vibration. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the carriage 6 begins to move in a first vibration direction by rotation of the rotating component 16, which may be downward. As shown in FIG. 4B, while the carriage 6 is moving in the first vibration direction, the metal microwire 7 is advanced by the actuator 8, and the wire tip is melted from a solid to a liquid. The amount of metal forming the droplet depends on the speed of the actuator 8, the speed of the carriage 6, and the diameter of the microwire. The molten metal droplet receives a direction of movement. At the end of the vibration motion, the carriage 6 decelerates, changes direction, and accelerates again in a second, opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 4G. To force the separation of the metal droplet 13 from the metal microwire 7 and ensure that the metal droplet 13 continues its motion in the direction it underwent during the initial first direction of the oscillatory motion (see FIG. 4B), the deceleration acceleration, forward acceleration, velocity, and distance traveled for the oscillatory motion are selected according to the microwire diameter, droplet diameter, and droplet mass. As shown in FIG. 4D, the carriage 6 decelerates, changes direction, and moves in the opposite second direction until it reaches its original position, where it accelerates again to begin the next periodic cycle. It should be noted that while FIGS. 4A-4D show oscillations occurring in the Z direction, the carriage 6 and linear guide 11 may also be configured to generate oscillations in the X or Y direction. While FIGS. 4A-4D show a printhead equipped with a laser, it will be understood that the same sequence applies to printheads with other heat sources, such as induction coils or plasma arcs.

[0036] In a second embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 5D, metal droplets 13 are ejected using vibration with a hard stop. This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment. First, as shown in Figure 5A, the carriage 6 is moved in a first vibration direction by rotation of the rotating component 16, which may be downward. As shown in Figure 5B, while the carriage 6 is moving in the first vibration direction, the metal microwire 7 is advanced by the actuator 8, and the wire tip is melted from a solid to a liquid. The amount of metal that forms the droplet depends on the speed of the actuator 8, the speed of the carriage 6, and the diameter of the microwire. The molten metal droplet receives a direction of movement. At the end of the vibration motion, the carriage 6 decelerates, hits a hard stop 12, changes direction, and accelerates again in the opposite direction, as shown in Figure 5C. The deceleration acceleration, acceleration, velocity, and distance traveled for the oscillatory motion are selected according to the microwire diameter, droplet diameter, and droplet mass to force the separation of the metal droplet 13 from the metal microwire 7 and ensure that the metal droplet 13 continues its motion in the direction it underwent during the initial, first direction of oscillatory motion (see FIG. 5B). In certain embodiments, the carriage 6 does not need to decelerate before hitting the hard stop 12. As shown in FIG. 5D, the carriage 6 decelerates, changes direction, and travels in the opposite, second direction until it reaches its original position, where it accelerates again to begin the next periodic cycle. Note that while FIGS. 5A-5D show oscillations occurring in the Z direction, the carriage 6 and linear guide 11 may also be configured to generate oscillations in the X or Y direction. Additionally, while FIGS. 5A-5D show a printhead equipped with a laser, it is understood that the same sequence applies to printheads equipped with other heat sources, such as induction coils or plasma arcs.

[0037] In a third embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A through 6D, metal droplets 13 are ejected using momentum transfer. In this embodiment, the carriage 6 is subjected to a periodic momentum transfer. First, as shown in FIG. 6B, the carriage 6 moves in a first vibration direction while the metal microwire 7 advances, melting the tip of the wire from a solid to a liquid. The amount of metal forming the droplet depends on the speed of the actuator 8, the speed of the carriage 6, and the diameter of the microwire. Once the desired droplet is formed, the carriage 6 receives momentum in the desired droplet movement direction and transfers that momentum to the molten metal droplet, as shown in FIG. 6C. For example, in one embodiment, the carriage 6 is stationary. The rod 15 is in communication with the mass 17. As the rotating component 16 rotates, the mass 17 moves up and down. The rod 15 and mass 17 are sized so that the mass 17 impacts the carriage 6 at the bottom of its stroke. Upon receiving momentum, the metal droplet 13 detaches from the metal microwire 7 and moves in the direction of the momentum, as shown in Figure 6D, and the next periodic cycle begins. Additionally, although Figures 6A-6D show a printhead with a laser, it will be understood that the same sequence applies to printheads with other heat sources, such as an induction coil or plasma arc.

[0038] While each of the previous figures shows the heat source attached to or coupled to the carriage, other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the heat source 20, which may be a laser beam, induction coil, or plasma arc, is not fixed to the carriage 6 but remains stationary relative to the linear guide 11. Other aspects of this embodiment are similar to those described above, and similar components are numbered identically. In this embodiment, the heat source 20 is located at the point where the vibration reverses direction and the metal droplet 13 detaches from the tip of the metal microwire 7.

[0039] 9A-9D illustrate the operation of the printhead of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9A, the sequence of events begins with the metal microwire 7 in a fully advanced position while the carriage 6 begins to move in a first direction, which may be downward. The movement of the carriage 6 inserts the metal microwire 7 into a heat source 20, which melts the metal microwire 7 from a solid to a liquid form. During movement in the first direction, the metal microwire 7 is continuously advanced into the heat source by the actuator 8, increasing the amount of metal used to form the droplet. At the end of the oscillatory motion, the carriage 6 decelerates, changes direction, and accelerates again in the opposite, second direction, as shown in FIG. 9C. The deceleration acceleration, acceleration, velocity, and distance traveled for the oscillatory motion are selected according to the microwire diameter, droplet diameter, and droplet mass to force the separation of the metal droplet 13 from the metal microwire 7 and ensure that the metal droplet 13 continues its motion in the direction it underwent during the original first direction of oscillatory motion, as shown in FIG. 9C. The carriage 6 then moves in the opposite second direction until it reaches its original position where it decelerates, as shown in FIG. 9D. During the motion in the second direction, the metal microwire 7 advances to begin the next periodic cycle. This embodiment of the mechanism has advantages regarding the timing of events and can be used to achieve a specific droplet generation frequency.

[0040] Although not shown, the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A-6D can also be implemented using a heat source that remains stationary relative to the linear guide 11.

[0041] In these embodiments, the controller 5 may be in communication with the actuators 8, motors that control the rotating components 16, and heat sources to perform the operations described herein.

[0042] All of the embodiments described herein can be used in various non-perpendicular orientations. As noted above, the force applied to the metal droplet 13 that separates the metal droplet 13 from the metal microwire 7 can be significantly greater than gravity. The direction of momentum, which is also the direction of printhead vibration, is maintained by the metal droplet 13 and determines its trajectory. In non-perpendicular orientations, gravity has a small effect on the droplet trajectory, potentially causing an otherwise straight trajectory to curve slightly. Compared to the force of surface tension of the molten metal, gravity also has a small effect on submillimeter-scale molten metal droplets, enabling layer-by-layer fabrication of molten metal droplet structures on a vertical platform.

[0043] The embodiments described in this disclosure may have many advantages. Droplet breakoff is more predictable, and the timing of this breakoff is also more predictable. Furthermore, the system has the ability to produce hotter droplets from different types of metals. The system can also break off droplets at a higher frequency. The system may be parallelized into an array of droplet generators, resulting in increased throughput and reduced unit cost.

[0044] The present disclosure is not limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various other embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, while the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of particular implementations in particular environments for particular purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that this utility is not limited and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in many environments for many purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in light of the breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein. According to aspect (1), there is provided a system for forming droplets of molten metal on demand, comprising: A trolley and an actuator, the metal microwire being advanced by the actuator; a heat source positioned proximate to the tip of the metal microwire, whereby the tip of the metal microwire is heated above its melting point to form a droplet; a mechanism for causing a change in momentum of the carriage, the mechanism causing the droplet to separate from the tip of the metal microwire by a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire; The system is provided with: According to aspect (2), the apparatus further comprises a substrate for receiving the droplets, the substrate being movable in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction relative to the carriage. According to aspect (3), the carriage is disposed between the linear guides so that the movement of the carriage is restricted in one direction by the linear guide. According to aspect (4), the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by the oscillatory motion of the carriage within the linear guide. According to aspect (5), the momentum change of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by an oscillatory motion of the carriage having a hard stop relative to the linear guide. According to aspect (6), the change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved by a transfer of momentum to the droplet due to a mass colliding with the carriage. According to aspect (7), the heat source comprises a laser that emits a laser beam. According to aspect (8), light from the laser is delivered to a region adjacent to the tip of the metal microwire by a fiber optic cable. According to aspect (9), the optical fiber cable includes a lens that focuses the laser beam onto the tip of the metal microwire. According to aspect (10), the heat source comprises an induction coil disposed around the tip of the metal microwire. According to aspect (11), the heat source includes two electrodes, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the two electrodes to generate a plasma arc in proximity to the tip of the metal microwire. According to aspect (12), the heat source includes an electrode, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the electrode and the metal microwire to generate a plasma arc in the vicinity of the tip of the metal microwire. According to aspect (13), the method further comprises at least a second actuator, and there are multiple supplies of the metal microwires, which are fed by the corresponding actuators and melted by the heat source, and each of the droplets separates due to a change in momentum of the droplet relative to each of the metal microwires. According to aspect (14), the heat source is fixed to the carriage, and while the carriage is moving, the actuator feeds the metal microwire toward the heat source. According to aspect (15), the heat source is fixed to one of the linear guides so as not to move together with the carriage. According to aspect (16), the carriage moves in the vertical direction. According to aspect (17), the actuator is attached to the carriage. According to aspect (18), the heat source is designed such that the amount and energy ratio of thermal energy applied to the tip of the metal microwire is such that the metal microwire above the tip remains solid. According to aspect (19), the metal microwire above the tip remains solid due to active temperature management of the metal microwire by conduction or convection.

Claims

1. 1. A system for forming droplets of molten metal on demand, comprising: A trolley and an actuator disposed on the carriage, the metal microwire being advanced by the actuator; a heat source positioned proximate to the tip of the metal microwire, whereby the tip of the metal microwire is heated above its melting point to form a droplet; a mechanism for causing a change in momentum of the carriage, the mechanism causing the droplet to separate from the tip of the metal microwire by a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire; Equipped with the carriage is disposed between the linear guides such that movement of the carriage is restricted in one direction by the linear guides; A change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved when the carriage oscillates along the linear guide, decelerates, changes direction, and accelerates again in the opposite direction. system.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a substrate for receiving the droplet, the substrate being movable in X, Y, and Z directions relative to the carriage.

3. A system for forming droplets of molten metal on demand, comprising: A trolley and an actuator disposed on the carriage, the metal microwire being advanced by the actuator; a heat source positioned proximate to the tip of the metal microwire, whereby the tip of the metal microwire is heated above its melting point to form a droplet; a mechanism for causing a change in momentum of the carriage, the mechanism causing the droplet to separate from the tip of the metal microwire by a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire; Equipped with the carriage is disposed between the linear guides such that movement of the carriage is restricted in one direction by the linear guides; a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved when the carriage decelerates as it oscillates along the linear guide, hits a hard stop on the linear guide, changes direction, and accelerates again in the opposite direction; system.

4. A system for forming droplets of molten metal on demand, comprising: A trolley and an actuator disposed on the carriage, the metal microwire being advanced by the actuator; a heat source positioned proximate to the tip of the metal microwire, whereby the tip of the metal microwire is heated above its melting point to form a droplet; a mechanism for causing a change in momentum of the carriage, the mechanism causing the droplet to separate from the tip of the metal microwire by a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire; Equipped with The momentum change of the droplet to the tip of the metal microwire is achieved when the carriage, which oscillates along a linear guide, comes to rest and a mass impacts the carriage from above to transfer momentum. system.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a laser emitting a laser beam.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein light from the laser is delivered to a region proximate the tip of the metal microwire by a fiber optic cable.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a lens that focuses the laser beam onto the tip of the metal microwire.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an induction coil disposed around the tip of the metal microwire.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises two electrodes, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the two electrodes to generate a plasma arc proximate the tip of the metal microwire.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an electrode, and a voltage is applied to at least one of the electrode and the metal microwire to generate a plasma arc proximate the tip of the metal microwire.

11. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least a second actuator, wherein there are a plurality of supplies of the metal microwires, each of which is fed by a corresponding one of the actuators and melted by the heat source, and each of the droplets breaks off due to a change in momentum of the droplet relative to each of the metal microwires.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source is fixed to the carriage, and the actuator feeds the metal microwire toward the heat source while the carriage is moving.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat source is fixed to one of the linear guides so as not to move with the carriage.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the carriage moves in an up and down direction.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is attached to the carriage.

16. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source is designed to apply an amount and rate of thermal energy to the tip of the metal microwire such that the metal microwire above the tip remains solid.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal microwire above the tip remains solid due to active temperature management of the metal microwire by conduction or convection.

Images