Development of a Metal Micro-droplet Ejecting Equipment for Manipulation Jetting Trajectory

Abstract

It is still a challenge to directly study the physical simulation of in-space uniform metal micro-droplet 3D printing on ground, because the gravity contributes to an additional velocity component, which significantly affects the spreading and deposition dynamics of the droplet. To this end, a horizontal ejecting apparatus was developed to spray uniform metal micro-droplets. Meanwhile, based on the electrostatic induction theory, the droplet was charged using a charging electric field. As a result, the deflection flying of the droplet was achieved due to the equilibrium between the droplet gravity and the electric field force. This investigation provides a foundation for the study of metal droplet-based 3D printing in space.