NOZZLE FOR COUPLING ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY AND HEATABLE COMPOSITION

摘要

A nozzle (24) for application of an extrudable material (4) to a substrate optically couples an electromagnetic beam (20) to the extrudable material. The nozzle (24) forms a flow channel (12) with a window (38) at one end. The extrudable material (4) is admitted to the flow channel (12) such that it flows across the bottom surface of the window (22) and through the flow channel (12). The nozzle (24) is removably held in a head (26) to permit replacement of the nozzle when worn or for installation of a nozzle having different characteristics for a different application.