A New Head for Friction Stir 3D Printing Metals
This patent describes a specialized part, called a deposition head, for a machine that 3D prints metal by stirring and fusing materials together, creating strong joints.
Original patent title: “Deposition head for friction stir additive manufacturing devices and methods”
This patent describes a specialized part, called a deposition head, for a machine that 3D prints metal by stirring and fusing materials together, creating strong joints. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a device for joining two metal work-pieces using a process called friction stir additive manufacturing. The device includes a rotating spindle that deposits a filler material along a weld line as the machine moves. A key component is the deposition head, which surrounds part of the spindle but remains stationary while the spindle rotates. This head has a specific design: it features a first semi-cylindrical portion and a second semi-cylindrical portion positioned perpendicular to the first. The second portion includes a chamfered inner surface, which is designed to precisely shape the final weld, controlling how the material is laid down and fused. For example, this device could be used to add new material onto an existing metal structure or join two plates together with a strong, precisely formed seam.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover friction stir manufacturing devices that do not include a deposition head with both a first and second semi-cylindrical portion.
- Does not cover deposition heads where the second semi-cylindrical portion lacks a chamfered inner surface.
- Does not cover additive manufacturing methods that do not rely on friction stir principles.
- Does not cover devices where the deposition head rotates relative to the spindle.
- Does not cover joining work-pieces without depositing a filler material.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is the specific design of the deposition head, featuring two perpendicular semi-cylindrical portions and a chamfered inner surface. This geometry is intended to precisely guide and shape the filler material as it's deposited by the rotating spindle, allowing for better control over the final weld profile and material properties.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Aerospace components like aircraft fuselage panels
Automotive parts for lightweight vehicles
Shipbuilding structures
Repairing metal components
Building custom metal prototypes
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Friction stir additive manufacturing is a crucial technology for creating strong, high-quality metal parts, especially for industries like aerospace and automotive. It allows for joining dissimilar materials and building complex geometries with minimal distortion. This patent aims to improve the precision and control of the material deposition process, which can lead to even better weld quality and expanded applications for this manufacturing technique.
Filed
March 3, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Mazak, Siemens, and GE Additive are active in the broader field of metal additive manufacturing and friction stir technologies. Research institutions and universities worldwide also continuously develop new friction stir welding and additive manufacturing tools and processes. The original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, though unknown, likely operates in this advanced manufacturing space.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the ongoing advancement of metal additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of stronger, lighter, and more durable components. By improving the precision of material deposition, it can reduce manufacturing defects and expand the range of materials that can be effectively joined or built. This could lead to wider adoption in critical industries and potentially reduce waste in manufacturing processes.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a device for joining two metal work-pieces using a process called friction stir additive manufacturing. The device includes a rotating spindle that deposits a filler material along a weld line as the machine moves. A key component is the deposition head, which surrounds part of the spindle but remains stationary while the spindle rotates. This head has a specific design: it features a first semi-cylindrical portion and a second semi-cylindrical portion positioned perpendicular to the first. The second portion includes a chamfered inner surface, which is designed to precisely shape the final weld, controlling how the material is laid down and fused. For example, this device could be used to add new material onto an existing metal structure or join two plates together with a strong, precisely formed seam.
The clever bit
The clever bit is the specific design of the deposition head, featuring two perpendicular semi-cylindrical portions and a chamfered inner surface. This geometry is intended to precisely guide and shape the filler material as it's deposited by the rotating spindle, allowing for better control over the final weld profile and material properties.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover friction stir manufacturing devices that do not include a deposition head with both a first and second semi-cylindrical portion.
- Does not cover deposition heads where the second semi-cylindrical portion lacks a chamfered inner surface.
- Does not cover additive manufacturing methods that do not rely on friction stir principles.
- Does not cover devices where the deposition head rotates relative to the spindle.
- Does not cover joining work-pieces without depositing a filler material.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$11K – $35K
Midpoint $22K · 18.4 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). A New Head for Friction Stir 3D Printing Metals (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,604). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734604/deposition-head-for-friction-stir-additive-manufacturing-devices-and-methods
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US12734604"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
More to explore
More in Energy & Clean Tech
US RE49155 · 2022 · Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Electric or Natural Gas Blending and Pumping for Oil Wells
US 11436484 · 2022 · Nvidia Corp
Nvidia's Method for Training Self-Driving Car AI in Simulations
US 11840398 · 2023 · Titan Trailers Inc
How Titan Trailers Builds Stronger, Smoother Cargo Containers
US 2708656 · 1955
How the First Nuclear Reactor Works
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A New Head for Friction Stir 3D Printing Metals cover?
This patent describes a specialized part, called a deposition head, for a machine that 3D prints metal by stirring and fusing materials together, creating strong joints.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Friction stir additive manufacturing is a crucial technology for creating strong, high-quality metal parts, especially for industries like aerospace and automotive. It allows for joining dissimilar materials and building complex geometries with minimal distortion. This patent aims to improve the precision and control of the material deposition process, which can lead to even better weld quality and expanded applications for this manufacturing technique.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover friction stir manufacturing devices that do not include a deposition head with both a first and second semi-cylindrical portion.
Patent monitoring