Atmospheric plasma conduction pathway for the application of electromagnetic energy to 3D printed parts

An extrusion nozzle for a three-dimensional (3D) printer having a ground reference, the extrusion nozzle comprising:

• a nozzle body defining a filament extrusion channel having an extrusion end and a heat break opposing the extrusion end;
• a nozzle housing coaxially disposed about the nozzle body between the extrusion end and the heat break of the nozzle body, wherein the nozzle housing and the nozzle body define an annular plasma generation channel;
• and
• a first electrode comprising a first annular ring that is positioned within the annular plasma generation channel about the nozzle body,
• wherein the first electrode in the annular plasma generation channel is configured to generate an atmospheric plasma.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprising:

• a 3D printer configured to print a 3D part by extruding through a nozzle body defining a filament extrusion channel having an extrusion end and a heat break opposing the extrusion end successive layers of a thermoplastic composite comprising a conductive material that generates heat by reacting to an electric current;
• a plasma emitter configured to generate and direct a plasma toward the 3D part being printed through an annular plasma generation channel defined by the nozzle body and a nozzle housing coaxially disposed about the nozzle body between the extrusion end and the heat break opposing the extrusion end;
• and
• an electromagnetic energy source that is a first electrode comprising an annular ring that is disposed within the annular plasma generation channel configured to generate and direct the electric current into the plasma such that the plasma conducts the electric current to the 3D part being printed.