Devices and Equipment for Uniform Droplet Ejection

Abstract

Controllable ejection of uniform metal droplets is a prerequisite for metal droplet-based 3D printing. However, due to the high temperature of molten metals and the strong corrosivity of some liquid metals, designing devices that produce the critical requirements for metal droplet ejection is a standing challenge in metal droplet-based 3D printing. This chapter discusses metal droplet ejection devices and testing platforms for different application fields developed by our group in recent years. The devices and platforms discussed include the continuous droplet trains ejection device, the pneumatic drop-on-demand ejection device, the piezoelectric drop-on-demand ejection device, the stress wave-driven drop-on-demand ejection device, the controlling system of metal droplet ejection and deposition, and the key-parameter acquisition system. This chapter specifies the application range of developed metal droplet-based 3D printing devices and platforms, laying a foundation for selecting and designing metal-based printing equipment in multiple application fields.