Metal drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer and method of operation for forming metal support structures

A metal drop ejecting apparatus comprising:

• an ejector head having a vessel with a receptacle within the vessel, the ejector head being configured to eject melted metal drops from the receptacle;
• a heater configured to heat the vessel while the vessel is in the ejector head to a temperature sufficient to melt solid metal within the receptacle of the vessel;
• a platform positioned to receive melted metal drops ejected from the receptacle of the vessel;
• a source of inert gas that is configured to provide a flow of inert gas surrounding the melted metal drops as the melted metal drops move toward the platform;
• and
• a controller being configured to:
• detect support structure layers in a digital model;
• generate machine-ready instructions that increase oxidation of the ejected melted metal drops after the melted metal drops have been ejected;
• and
• execute the generated machine-ready instructions to operate the metal drop ejecting apparatus to form support structures with oxidated melted metal drops during formation of a metal object with the metal drop ejecting apparatus.