DOUBLE JET NOZZLE BODY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a double-jet nozzle body (3) from a nozzle body blank (1) produced by injection molding or additive manufacturing, wherein the double-jet nozzle body (3) has at least two nozzle geometries (5), each of which has an axis, the at least two axes extending in a discharge direction and intersecting at a point outside the nozzle geometries (5), and wherein the nozzle body blank (1) is subsequently processed into the double-jet nozzle body (3) by laser processing. The object of the present invention is to make the manufacturing process cost-effective.For this purpose, an inflow (2) is produced by laser processing, which is arranged between a nozzle geometry (5) and a fluid chamber (6), and / or a funnel (4) is produced by laser processing, which is arranged between the nozzle geometry (5) and the inflow (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a double-jet nozzle body from a nozzle body blank which is produced by means of injection molding or additive manufacturing, wherein the double-jet nozzle body has at least two nozzle geometries, wherein the at least nozzle geometries each have an axis, wherein the at least two axes extend in a discharge direction and intersect outside the nozzle geometries at an intersection point, wherein the nozzle body blank is subsequently processed by laser processing to form the double-jet nozzle body.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding double jet nozzle body.

[0003] A method for producing a dual-jet nozzle body is disclosed, for example, in EP 3 218 032 B1. The plastic nozzle body described therein comprises one or more thin-walled sections, wherein the thin-walled sections are supported by one or more thick-walled sections. Furthermore, the plastic nozzle arrangement has at least two opposing holes with diameters of 5 µm to 100 µm, wherein the axes of the holes meet at an angle between 55° and 125° to an outer surface of the thin-walled section. Furthermore, the holes are produced by laser drilling.

[0004] Due to the physical limitations of plastic injection molding and additive manufacturing, thin-walled sections of the dual-jet nozzle body are either impossible or very difficult to produce using complex manufacturing methods. Consequently, correspondingly small holes must be created using a subsequent process, the laser drilling process.

[0005] However, since at least two nozzle bores must be created whose axes meet outside the nozzle body, the laser drilling process must be used at least twice. The blank must be aligned each time so that at least two axes of the at least two nozzle bores are precisely aligned to ensure proper nozzle function. Since the nozzle bores are already dimensioned in the µm range, incorrect alignment of the blank by a few thousandths of a mm or fractions thereof will result in functional limitations. Aligning the nozzle body blank during processing using the laser drilling process is correspondingly complex. This precise alignment limits cycle times and thus results in high costs.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for producing a double-jet nozzle body that can be carried out cost-effectively. Furthermore, a corresponding double-jet nozzle body is to be proposed.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and claim 7. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0008] In this case, an inflow is created by laser processing, which is arranged between a nozzle geometry and a fluid chamber, and / or a funnel is created by laser processing, which is arranged between the nozzle geometry and the inflow. A fluid can be arranged within the fluid chamber, which is to be ejected through the nozzle geometries. Dimensions of the nozzle geometries are now provided in the µm range, so that the at least two nozzle geometries are also arranged relatively closely one above the other. This means that one inflow, which connects a respective nozzle geometry with the fluid chamber, is also arranged quite closely to the other inflow, which connects the other nozzle geometry with the fluid chamber. Consequently, the inflows are only separated from each other by a thin web.Laser processing allows the thin web to be made correspondingly thin, thus overcoming the physical limitations of additive manufacturing or plastic injection molding. Accordingly, the production of a dual-jet nozzle body is simplified and thus kept cost-effective.

[0009] Since the outlets of the at least two nozzle geometries are located close together and the nozzle geometries must be fluidically connected to the fluid chamber, a funnel enables a favorable fluidic connection between the fluid chamber and the corresponding nozzle geometry. Since the funnel must realize a fluid flow from the fluid chamber to the nozzle geometry, it must also be manufactured in appropriate sizes. Depending on the design of the nozzle geometries, the funnel has a first area with a diameter corresponding to the corresponding nozzle geometry, while a second area of ​​the funnel is larger than the first area. Accordingly, a corresponding funnel can be easily realized using laser processing. Furthermore, the shape of the funnel can be freely selected using laser processing, particularly in the context of 3D laser ablation.This allows for easy adjustments and good optimization options of the funnel to optimize the double jet nozzle body.

[0010] For example, the nozzle body blank may have inflows that have already been produced by injection molding or additive manufacturing, while the funnels are subsequently manufactured by laser machining.

[0011] Laser processing preferably involves laser ablation and / or 3D laser ablation. Laser ablation refers to the removal of material from a surface by bombarding it with a pulsed laser. The laser or laser radiation causes rapid heating and, consequently, the formation of a plasma on the surface of the workpiece. 3D laser ablation is a special form of laser ablation in which material is processed in three dimensions. Furthermore, a combination of the aforementioned methods is possible. This leads to a high degree of design freedom and flexibility, with each method being used for its own purpose, saving time and money.

[0012] In laser ablation, a laser beam from a laser source penetrates a first surface of a workpiece—here, the nozzle body blank—without ablating, melting, or vaporizing material on the first surface. The laser beam traverses the workpiece until it melts or vaporizes material on a surface opposite the first surface, thereby ablating it. The laser beam can then be redirected to ablate material at another location. One ablation direction is aligned opposite the propagation direction of the laser beam.

[0013] With 3D laser ablation, the laser ablation is performed in three dimensions. This allows material of all shapes to be removed.

[0014] Furthermore, 3D laser ablation enables the nozzle body blank to be machined in a single setup. This eliminates the need to re-clamp the nozzle body blank, thus saving time and money.

[0015] Various designs of the dual-jet nozzle body can also be manufactured using laser processing starting from a nozzle body blank. Accordingly, the nozzle body blanks can be produced in large quantities, which is cost-effective.

[0016] Preferably, the nozzle geometry is produced by laser processing with a diameter of less than 300 µm. Preferably, the nozzle geometries each have a diameter of less than 100 µm. The term "less than" is to be understood as "less than or equal to."

[0017] Preferably, the injection molding process or additive manufacturing uses a material with at least one main component from the group PMMA, POM, PP, PE, ABS, COC, PA, PC, PBT, PEEK, PEI, PET, and PPE. These are materials that allow for easy adjustment of an injection molding process or additive manufacturing.

[0018] Laser processing can preferably be combined with a laser drilling process. Laser drilling is also a light-saving processing method in which only enough energy is introduced into the workpiece using laser radiation to melt and partially vaporize the material. By combining various laser processing methods, such as laser drilling, laser ablation, and 3D laser ablation, many different nozzle bodies can be produced from one nozzle body blank. This proposes a cost-effective process with good flexibility.

[0019] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a double-jet nozzle body in which an inlet is arranged between a nozzle geometry and a fluid chamber, and / or a funnel is arranged between the inlet and the nozzle geometry, wherein the inlet and / or the funnel can be produced by laser processing. The inlet fluidically connects the nozzle geometry to the fluid chamber. Fluid can be arranged in the fluid chamber and is intended to escape through the nozzle geometry. Since each of the nozzle geometries is connected to its own inlet and the nozzle geometries are arranged relatively close to one another due to their dimensions, the inlets are also arranged relatively close to one another. Accordingly, the inlets are only separated by a thin web. This thin web can be easily produced using laser processing, whereas it is difficult to manufacture using injection molding or additive manufacturing.Accordingly, the double jet nozzle body can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0020] Each of the at least two nozzle geometries is connected to its own funnel, with a narrow end of the funnel connected to the nozzle geometry and a wide end of the funnel fluidically connected to the fluid chamber. Since the narrow end of the funnel is connected to the nozzle geometry, this narrow end should also have the dimensions of the nozzle geometry. The funnel must be designed accordingly delicately. This can be achieved cost-effectively using laser processing, such as 3D laser ablation.

[0021] For example, the dual-jet nozzle body can also have a funnel and an inlet for each nozzle geometry, with the nozzle geometry connected to the funnel, and the funnel still connected to the inlet. The inlet is connected not only to the funnel but also to the fluid chamber. The inlet can, for example, already be manufactured during nozzle body blank production.

[0022] Laser processing preferably includes laser ablation and / or 3D laser ablation processes. In laser ablation, material is removed from a surface by bombardment with a pulsed laser beam or pulsed laser radiation. 3D laser ablation is essentially the same as laser ablation, but with 3D laser ablation, material can be processed in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, using 3D laser ablation, a nozzle body blank can be processed in a single setup. Consequently, further reclamping processes can be dispensed with, allowing the dual-jet nozzle body to be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0023] Preferably, the nozzle geometry has a diameter of ≤ 300 µm. Nozzle geometries with a diameter of ≤ 100 µm are preferred. These diameters can be easily and therefore cost-effectively manufactured using laser processing.

[0024] The dual-jet nozzle body preferably comprises a material with at least one main component selected from the group consisting of PMMA, POM, PP, PE, ABS, COC, PA, PC, PBT, PEEK, PEI, PET, and PPE. These materials can be processed by injection molding or additive manufacturing, and these materials can also be processed by laser processing.

[0025] Laser processing is preferably combined with a laser drilling process. During laser drilling, laser radiation locally introduces sufficient energy into the workpiece to melt and partially vaporize the material. Melting of the material at the edge of the hole is undesirable. This allows for a high degree of design freedom, allowing various double-jet nozzle bodies to be produced from a single nozzle body blank.

[0026] For example, the material is transparent for laser processing, allowing for various laser processing techniques. This allows for great flexibility in the application of different laser processing techniques. For example, only one area of ​​the nozzle body blank can contain different materials. For example, the nozzle body blank can contain transparent material where laser processing requires it.

[0027] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic plan view of a nozzle body blank, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a nozzle body blank, Fig. 3 a plan view of a nozzle body blank with two inflows, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a nozzle body blank with two inflows, Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a double jet nozzle body, Fig. 6 a detailed view of the in Fig. 5 shown nozzle geometries, Fig. 7 a schematic top view of a triple jet nozzle body, Fig. 8 a schematic side view of a triple jet nozzle body, Fig. 9 a schematic sectional view of a triple jet nozzle body, Fig. 10 a schematic detailed view of the triple jet nozzle body, Fig. 11 a schematic sectional view of a triple jet nozzle body, Fig. 12 a schematic detailed view of the sectional view of a triple jet nozzle body.

[0028] In Fig. 1 A nozzle body blank 1 is shown, such as one produced by an injection molding process or additive manufacturing. The nozzle body blank 1 has, for example, PMMA, POM, PP, PE, ABS, COC, PA, PC, PBT, PEEK, PEI, PET, and PPE, or a combination of the aforementioned materials, as its main components.

[0029] In Fig. 2 is the nozzle body blank 1 with a view of a fluid chamber 6 in a sectional view according to Fig. 1 The nozzle body blank 1 has elements that can be manufactured by injection molding or additive manufacturing. The nozzle body blank 1 is then transferred for laser processing.

[0030] In Fig. 3 a top view of the nozzle body blank 1 is shown, wherein the Fig. 3 The nozzle body blank shown has two inlets 2 and a fluid chamber 6. These two inlets 2 are arranged mirror-symmetrically in the present embodiment. A diameter direction of the nozzle body blank 1 serves as the mirror axis. An alternative design of the nozzle body blank 1 is also possible, so that the inlets can also be positioned differently.

[0031] In Fig. 4 is the nozzle body blank 1 with two inflows 2 of the Fig. 3 designated section.

[0032] The Fig. 3 und 4 The inflows shown can be produced either by injection molding or additive manufacturing. As an alternative to additive manufacturing or injection molding, the inflows 2 can also be produced by laser processing.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a double jet nozzle body 3, which in addition to inflows 2 and a fluid chamber 6 also has funnels 4 and two nozzle geometries 5.

[0034] In Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the Fig. 5 The nozzle geometry arrangement shown is shown. The nozzle geometries 5 have a diameter X and a length Z. Furthermore, the nozzle geometries 5 each have an axis, with the two axes forming an angle Y. The two axes intersect outside the nozzle geometries in the discharge direction. The discharge direction is defined along a fluid discharge. The two nozzle geometries 5 open into an ejection recess 8.

[0035] In Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a triple jet nozzle body 7. The triple jet nozzle body has three nozzle geometries 5.

[0036] Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of the triple jet nozzle body 7.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the Fig. 8 shown triple-jet nozzle body 7 along line AA. The sectional view shows an inlet 2, a funnel 4, and a nozzle geometry 5. The remaining two inlets, funnel, and nozzle geometries 5 are not shown in the sectional view. The triple-jet nozzle body 7 also has a fluid chamber 6. A structure comprising the nozzle geometry 5, each with the funnel 4 and the inlet 2, is identical to the structure of the double-jet nozzle body 3 described above, with the triple-jet nozzle body 7 having three nozzle geometries 5, three funnels 4, and three inlets 2. The nozzle geometries 5 open into an ejection recess 8.

[0038] Fig. 10 shows a detail X of the Fig. 7 Nozzle geometries 5. The nozzle geometries 5 are arranged rotationally symmetrically. The triple-jet nozzle body 7 has the discharge recess 8 into which the nozzle geometries 5 discharge.

[0039] Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of the triple jet nozzle body 7, where Fig. 11 a sectional view of the Fig. 8 shown line BB.

[0040] Fig. 12 shows a detail Y of the Fig. 11 The inflows 2 merge into funnels 4, with a nozzle geometry 5 arranged at the respective narrow ends of the funnels 5. The nozzle geometries 5 are arranged such that their axes intersect outside the triple-jet nozzle body 7. This essentially corresponds to the arrangement of a double-jet nozzle body 3, with the difference that in the triple-jet nozzle body 7, three jets meet instead of two, as in the double-jet nozzle body 3.

[0041] The triple-jet nozzle body 7 can be manufactured from a nozzle body blank 1, whereby the nozzle geometries 5, the funnels 4, and / or the inlets 2 can be produced by laser machining. Furthermore, the discharge recess 8 can be produced, for example, by laser machining.

[0042] The nozzle body blank 1, the double-jet nozzle body 3, and the triple-jet nozzle body 7 each have a fluid chamber 6 in which a fluid can be arranged so that this fluid can be ejected through the nozzle geometries 5. The fluid is thus ejected in an ejection direction, which accordingly extends from the fluid chamber 6 via the inlet 2 and the funnel 4 to the nozzle geometry 5.

[0043] Laser processing can include laser ablation, laser drilling and / or 3D laser ablation.

[0044] In laser drilling, a laser heats the workpiece material so intensely in a short period of time that it melts and partially vaporizes. The removal direction is aligned with the laser's propagation direction. In laser drilling, the work proceeds in the same direction as the laser.

[0045] In laser ablation, the laser beam penetrates a first surface facing the laser generating device, traverses the material of the workpiece, and vaporizes material on the top or back of the workpiece. This process is repeated until the desired structures are created. The ablation direction is essentially opposite to the laser propagation direction. The same principle is also applied in 3D laser ablation, which allows the creation of three-dimensional structures. Thus, 3D laser ablation can also create undercuts or other complex shapes, as long as the vaporized plastic or material can escape to the outside.

[0046] By combining the various laser processing steps, the nozzle body blank can be machined to such an extent in one setup that it no longer requires any rework.

[0047] Furthermore, starting from a nozzle body blank 1, various geometries of the inflows 2, the funnel 4, or the nozzle geometries 5 can be easily implemented. This allows a large number of nozzle body blanks 1 to be produced by an injection molding process, which can then be processed by laser machining depending on the design.

[0048] In addition to the double-jet nozzle bodies 3 and triple-jet nozzle bodies 7 shown here, other multiple-jet nozzle bodies not shown can also be manufactured by laser processing. For example, a nozzle body blank 1 is laser-machined into a multiple-jet nozzle body, with the finished multiple-jet nozzle body having more than three nozzle geometries 5, inlets 2, and funnels 4. The axes of the nozzle geometries 5 intersect at a point outside the multiple-jet nozzle body. Bezugszeichenliste

[0049] 1Nozzle body blank 2Inflows 3Double jet nozzle body 4Funnel 5Nozzle geometry 6Fluid chamber 7Triple jet nozzle body 8Ejection recess XDiameter of the nozzle geometry YAngle of the axes of the nozzle geometry to each other ZLength of the nozzle geometry

Claims

1. A method for producing a double-jet nozzle body (3) from a nozzle body blank (1) which is produced by injection molding or additive manufacturing, wherein the double-jet nozzle body (3) has at least two nozzle geometries (5), wherein the at least two nozzle geometries (5) each have an axis, wherein the at least two axes extend in a discharge direction and intersect outside the nozzle geometries (5) at an intersection point, wherein the nozzle body blank (1) is subsequently processed by laser processing to form the double-jet nozzle body (3), characterized in that by means of the laser processing, an inflow (2) is produced which is arranged between a nozzle geometry (5) and a fluid chamber (6), and / or that by means of the laser processing a funnel (4) is produced which is arranged between the nozzle geometry (5) and the inflow (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe laser processing includes laser ablation and / or 3D laser ablation processes.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle geometry (5) with a diameter (X) of less than 300µm is produced by laser processing.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the injection molding process uses a material with at least one main component from the group PMMA, POM, PP, PE, ABS, COC, PA, PC, PBT, PEEK, PEI, PET and PPE.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that laser processing can be combined with a laser drilling process.

6. Double-jet nozzle body (3), the nozzle body blank (1) of which is produced by an injection molding process or additive manufacturing process, wherein the double-jet nozzle body (3) has at least two nozzle geometries (5), wherein the at least two nozzle geometries (5) each have an axis, wherein the at least two axes extend in a discharge direction and intersect outside the nozzle geometries (5) at an intersection point, wherein the nozzle body blank () is at least partially processed by laser processing to form the nozzle body (3), characterized in that an inflow (2) is arranged between a nozzle geometry (5) and a fluid chamber (6), and / or that a funnel (4) is arranged between the inflow (2) and the nozzle geometry (5), wherein the inflow (2) and / or the funnel (4) can be produced by laser processing.

7. Double jet nozzle body according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe laser processing comprises laser ablation and / or 3D laser ablation processes.

8. Double jet nozzle body (3) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the nozzle geometries (5) have a diameter (X) of less than or equal to 300µm.

9. Double jet nozzle body (3) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the double jet nozzle body (3) comprises a material with at least one main component from the group PMMA, POM, PP, PE, ABS, COC, PA, PC, PBT, PEEK, PEI, PET and PPE.

10. Double jet nozzle body (3) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the laser processing processes can be combined with a laser drilling process.