RE:RE:New Press Release - PyroGenesis Receives New U.S. Patent for Its Innovative NexGen(TM) Plasma Atomization Metal Powder Production Technology for Use in Additive Manufacturing and 3D PrintingGreat point from @Namazon on PyroGenesis' NexGen Plasma Atomization System:
@Namazon It's a very slick addition to the plasma atomization process they originally invented. No wonder they call it NexGen. The use of an induction coil to essentially melt the titanium (or whatever metal) just prior to being blasted by the plasma into micron spheres. On that patent link that @cargo posted... look at number "14" on the drawing... this is the induction coil... essentially one of these: 
Preheating the titanium means you can run more material in less time compared to a cold feed. I recall Peter saying that the higher the rate of throughput the cheaper it is to produce. Electromagnetic induction heats an electrically conductive object (as in the titanium metal). Eddy currents are generated within the titanium and results in resistive heating. The induction coil can heat the metal to the melting point. Most are made of water-cooled copper rings. They've essentially made an mini induction furnaces add-on that can be used in a vacuum or inert atmosphere. This is cleaner and prevents oxidation. A high frequency magnetic field can actually stir the metal, ensuring consistent alloy distribution. It sounds like a brilliant design. GO PYR GO! BCONTVentures wrote: Fantastic news! Congratulations to Peter, Pierre, Massimo, and Team!
“With full commercialization achieved, and now with the U.S. patent confirmed for our technology, we look forward with great optimism regarding our future, with an ever-widening range of metal powder offerings becoming available to the additive manufacturing industry.”