Patent ID: 11883879
Assignee: ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Field: Materials, metallurgy (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 10:
11. A 3D printer, comprising:
an ejector configured to receive a build material, wherein the ejector comprises a nozzle that is configured to eject the build material therefrom, and wherein the build material comprises metal;
a valve positioned upstream from the nozzle, wherein the valve is configured to control flow of the build material into or through the ejector, wherein the valve comprises:
a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a narrow portion between the inlet and the outlet, wherein a diameter of the narrow portion is smaller than a diameter of the inlet, the outlet, or both;
a cooler positioned at least partially around the narrow portion, wherein the cooler is configured to cool the build material to below a melting point of the build material to form a solid plug within the body to prevent the build material from flowing therethrough; and
a heater positioned radially inward or radially outward from the cooler, wherein the heater is configured to re-heat the build material to above the melting point to allow the build material to flow therethrough;

and
a substrate positioned below the nozzle, wherein the build material lands on the substrate and cools and solidifies thereon to form a 3D object.