Systems and methods for abrasive oxide removal in additive manufacturing processes

A method of preparing a substrate for an additive manufacturing process, comprising:

• providing a substrate having an oxide layer thereon;
• abrading the oxide layer with an abrasive tool to remove the oxide layer,
• wherein the abrasive tool is coupled to a nozzle of an additive manufacturing device;
• depositing a print material onto the substrate using the additive manufacturing device before, during, or after abrading the oxide layer;
• and
• bonding the print material to the substrate to form an electrical connection between the substrate and the print material.

A system for removing an oxide from substrates during additive manufacturing processes, the system comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface, the top surface having an oxide layer;
• an additive manufacturing printer configured to deposit a conductive print material onto the substrate to form an electrical connection between the substrate and the conductive print material;
• and
• an abrasive tool having a distal tip configured to mechanically remove the oxide layer from the substrate to increase an electrical conductivity of the electrical connection,
• wherein the distal tip is positioned beneath a nozzle of the additive manufacturing printer during printing such that the conductive print material flows around the distal tip.