Abstract: A fused material deposition microwave system and method include at least one high power microwave source, at least one deposition nozzle having adjustable outlet diameter for depositing one or more materials, a waveguide for guiding microwave energy to the deposition nozzle to melt the materials, and a material source to supply one or more materials to the deposition nozzle. The system and method further include a controller for controlling the deposition nozzle, microwave energy, and material source according to a computer-aided manufacturing set of instructions to deposit and fuse molten material on a workpiece. The system and method provide improvements in additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects that are particularly beneficial for manufacturing objects made of metals and ceramics.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a 3-dimensional object comprises a print head that is configured and disposed for depositing one or more material layers in a prescribed manner on a printing table. At least one of the material layers comprises two or more materials. A source of microwave energy is disposed and configured for directing a beam of microwave energy toward the work-piece in a prescribed manner. A controller is operatively coupled to the print head and the source of microwave energy. The controller is configured for causing the print head to deposit the one or more material layers in the prescribed manner and for causing the source of microwave energy to direct the beam of microwave energy toward the work-piece in the prescribed manner. A method for manufacturing a 3-dimensional object comprises depositing one or more material layers in a prescribed manner on a printing table and directing a beam of microwave energy toward the work-piece in a prescribed manner.