Abstract: A printhead (1) for printing molten metal for additive manufacturing of a component includes a nozzle component (10) having a nozzle outlet opening (12), a piston (14; 14a) that ejects the molten metal through the nozzle outlet opening (12), an actuator assembly (16; 16a) having an actuator, and a biasing element. By actuating the actuator, the piston (14; 14a) is movable in an actuation direction (y) from an extended position to a retracted position, in which a first piston end (18) that faces the nozzle outlet opening (12) is farther away from the nozzle outlet opening (12) than in the extended position. The biasing element (26; 26a) biases the piston (14; 14a), at least when it is located in the retracted position, back toward the extended position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a component in layers includes dropwise application of a liquid material using a printhead. More particularly, a layer (14) of the component to be produced is divided into an outer region (20) and a central core region (18), and the liquid material (16) is applied successively in the outer region (20) and the core region (18). One or more parameters relating to the spacing between paths to be traversed, the drop size, the spacing between successive drops, etc. is selected so that the layer (14) will have a thickness that is as uniform as possible.

Abstract: A method for starting up a nozzle channel of a print head for processing liquid molten metal, the method including the following steps: A) preparing the print head, wherein metal is melted in a crucible to form a molten metal, and a piston tip is introduced into a nozzle chamber, B) creating an overpressure inside the crucible which encourages molten metal to enter the nozzle chamber, C) moving the piston tip in the nozzle chamber, the piston tip being moved back and forth by an actuator at a filling frequency until molten metal is expelled from the nozzle channel, D) moving the piston tip in the nozzle chamber, the piston tip being moved back and forth by the actuator, wherein initially the movement is performed at a starting amplitude at which molten metal is expelled from the nozzle channel out of the print head, and subsequently the amplitude of the movement is gradually reduced, and wherein the movement is performed with gradual reduction of the amplitude until molten metal is no longer being expelled

Abstract: A method for inserting electrical conductors in slots of a component, wherein, in sections, an insulating film has two legs which are connected by a V-shaped or folded tip region. The legs lie against the slot edges such that damage to the electrical conductors by edges of the slot during the insertion thereof into the slots is avoided. The invention further relates to an associated device, to an associated cutting tool, and to an associated use.

Abstract: In a method and a device for additive manufacturing using a liquid material (16), a support structure (12) is used to form, on the support structure, a component (10) that may have one or more overhangs. For easy separation of the component (10) from the support structure, a separation structure (14) made of solidified material (16) is formed therebetween by changing at least one operating parameter when the separation structure is applied. As a result, a poorer or weaker connection (cohesion) of the material of the separation structure to the material of the support structure and/or to the material of the component is obtained. The change of the at least one operating parameter can be effected, for example, by selective cooling of the liquid material during application of the separation structure and/or by oxidation of the liquid material during application of the separation structure.

Abstract: A method for inserting electrical conductors in slots of a component, wherein, in sections, an insulating film has two legs which are connected by a V-shaped or folded tip region. The legs lie against the slot edges such that damage to the electrical conductors by edges of the slot during the insertion thereof into the slots is avoided. The invention further relates to an associated device, to an associated cutting tool, and to an associated use.