Xerox Corporation

Mariusz Mika

Paul J McConville

Kareem N Tawil

Collin A Ladd

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a liquid silicate application system to apply liquid silicate to a surface of a build platform prior to manufacture of a metal object. The liquid silicate layer is permitted to air dry and then the platform is heated to its operational temperature range for formation of a metal object with melted metal drops ejected by the apparatus. The liquid silicate layer forms a glassy, brittle layer on which the metal object is formed. This brittle layer is removed relatively easily with the object after the object is manufactured and the build platform is permitted to cool. The silicate layer improves the wetting of the surfaces of build platforms made with non-wetting materials, such as oxidized steel, while also preventing metal-to-metal welds with wetting materials, such as tungsten or nickel.

Metal drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer and method of operation for facilitating build and release of a metal object from a build platform

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Mariusz Mika