How do you prevent oxidation?

Torch shielding, local End Effector shielding, and global shielding

It really depends on the material we are depositing. We have essentially three approaches: torch shielding only; local End Effector shielding; and global shielding. Torch shielding only is normally good enough for materials like aluminium or steel when deposited using some MIG variants. When depositing with PTA and working with materials such as titanium, we have the choice of creating an inert atmosphere locally (using our local shielding solutions) which protects the material only where it is above a certain critical temperature; or depositing inside an enclosed environment which is entirely filled with argon gas.