Multi 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-3D printer that can precisely complete a three-dimensional article (P) made of different colors and different materials by supplying a feedstock made of different colors or different materials to a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An) and selecting and extruding the feedstock at an accurate timing in real time, that is, by 3D printing, thereby precisely completing a multilayer and inclined structure and multiple three-dimensional articles (P) at once using composite materials of different or more types.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-3D printer, and more specifically, to a multi-3D printer that can precisely complete a three-dimensional article made of different colors and different materials, specifically a multi-layer and gradient structure, and furthermore, a plurality of three-dimensional articles at once, by supplying a feedstock made of different colors or different materials to a first extruder to a nth extruder and selecting and extruding the feedstock at an accurate timing in real time, that is, by 3D printing. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a multi-3D printer refers to a device that enables precise 3D printing of three-dimensional objects in a short period of time by utilizing materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or ceramic, as well as plastic, based on a three-dimensional drawing created with a computer design program.

[0003] FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art literature (Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2195752).

[0004] A hopper-type multi-3D printer (100) according to the prior art literature includes, as shown in FIG. 1a, an extruder (1), a first moving part (6), a second moving part (7) and a third moving part (8) for moving the extruder (1) along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, a base plate (91), and a main control part (92).

[0005] The extruder (1) physically crushes the material fed from the upper side and applies an appropriate temperature to discharge it to the build platform (62) through the nozzle (15), and is moved along the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis by the first moving part (6), the second moving part (7), and the third moving part (8), and is detachably mounted on the holder (82), and at this time, the main control unit (92) is electrically connected to the extruder (1) to control the extruder (1).

[0006] FIG. 1b is a perspective view showing an extruder of a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art, FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view showing an extruder of a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art, and FIG. 1d is a side view showing a screw applied to a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art.

[0007] The extruder (1) applied in the prior art literature includes a frame (10), a hopper (11), a housing (12), a screw (13), a motor (14), a nozzle (15), a housing cooling unit (161), a heat dissipation plate (162), a temperature sensor (171), a housing heating unit (172), a manual control handle (19), and an auxiliary control unit (C), as shown in FIGS. 1a to 1d.

[0008] The frame (10) may include a main frame (101) that is fixed to a holder (82), has an elongated shape in the Z-axis direction, and directly contacts the holder (82), and a plurality of auxiliary frames (102, 103, 104) that are formed extending vertically from the main frame (101).

[0009] The first auxiliary frame (102) supports the motor (14), the second auxiliary frame (103) supports the top of the hopper (11), and the third auxiliary frame (104) supports the bottom of the hopper (11), and the second auxiliary frame (103) and the third auxiliary frame (104) prevent the hopper (11) from vibrating up and down.

[0010] The hopper (11) has an opening that opens upward, and the user feeds various materials for 3D printing through the opening of the hopper (11), and the hopper (11) includes a discharge port for discharging the materials fed into it downward, and the housing (12) is connected to the lower side of the hopper (11).

[0011] The housing (12) may have a column shape with a hollow interior, for example, and is arranged lengthwise in the Z-axis direction and includes a housing coupler (12a) for mounting a nozzle (15).

[0012] The screw (13) is provided on the inside of the housing (12) and has a screw body (131) spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing (12) and a swirl projection (132) formed to protrude outwardly from the screw body (131), and while the screw body (131) rotates, the swirl projection (132) crushes the materials fed into the inside of the housing (12).

[0013] The screw (13) is coupled to the motor (14) by a motor coupler (14a), the nozzle (15) is connected to the lower part of the housing (12), and the housing cooling unit (161) is provided on the lower side of the hopper (11) and on the upper side of the nozzle (15) to cool the housing (12).

[0014] The applicant of this application intends to propose the present invention by advancing and improving the 3D printer described in the prior art documents, and the information regarding the national R&D project that supported the present invention is as follows. National R&D Project Supporting the Present Invention 1. Project No.: A22220032. Ministry: Gyeonggi-do 3. Research Management Agency: Gyeonggi Economic & Science Promotion Agency 4. Research Project Name: 2022 Gyeonggi Technology Development Project 5. Research Project Title: Development of a Metal and Ceramic Hybrid 3D Printing System Using Powder Injection Molding Technology 6. Contribution Rate: 1 / 17. Lead Organization: Reprotec 8. Research Period: 2022-07-01 – 2023-06-30 (12 months) Prior art literature

[0015] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2195752 Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2179021 Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2186858 Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2045283 Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2043017 The problem to be solved

[0016] The objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-3D printer capable of precisely completing a three-dimensional article made of different colors and different materials, specifically a multilayer and inclined structure, and furthermore, a plurality of three-dimensional articles at once, by supplying a feedstock made of different colors or different materials to a first extruder to a nth extruder and selecting and extruding the feedstock at an accurate timing in real time, that is, by 3D printing.

[0017] The objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-3D printer that completes a three-dimensional article by melting and extruding a feedstock made of various colors or various materials by mounting a required number of first to nth extruders in receiving grooves formed in the body of a multi-housing.

[0018] The objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-3D printer capable of realizing a simple yet robust assembly by receiving feedstocks of different colors or different materials through each hopper, mixing them via the impeller section while lowering them, and heating and extruding them through the nozzle section, while the significant weight of the first to nth extruders is stably received in the receiving grooves by relying on the seating jaws on which each hanging jaw is seated, and at the same time being detachably mounted to the multi-housing by means of attachment and detachment. means of solving the problem

[0019] The present invention for achieving the above objective is,

[0020] In a multi-3D printer that 3D prints a three-dimensional object by melting and extruding feedstock onto a bed while it is railed along an LM guide,

[0021] A bracket railing along the above LM guide, and

[0022] The basic technical feature of the configuration is that it includes a multi-housing fixed to the above bracket and capable of detachably mounting the first to nth extruders. Effects of the invention

[0023] The present invention has the effect of enabling the precise completion of three-dimensional articles that are layered and filled with different colors and different materials, specifically multilayer and inclined structures, and even multiple three-dimensional articles at once, by supplying feedstocks made of different colors or different materials to the first to nth extruders and selecting and extruding the feedstocks at accurate timing in real time, that is, by 3D printing.

[0024] The present invention has the effect of simultaneously completing three-dimensional articles by installing a first extruder to the nth extruder in the required number of receiving grooves formed in the body of a multi-housing to melt and discharge feedstock made of various colors or various materials.

[0025] The present invention has the effect of enabling a simple yet robust assembly by receiving feedstocks of different colors or different materials through each hopper, mixing them while descending via the impeller section, and heating and discharging them through the nozzle section, while stably receiving the substantial weight of the first to nth extruders in the receiving grooves by relying on the seating ledges on which each hanging ledge is seated, and at the same time being detachably mounted to the multi-housing by means of attachment and detachment.

[0026] The present invention has the effect of realizing a sturdy and simple fixation by securing the first to nth extruders, which are each seated on the seating ledge through a hook and received in the receiving grooves, with a strap through a through-hole.

[0027] The present invention has the effect of minimizing spatial interference caused by the hoppers of the additional nth extruder while ensuring spacing between adjacent hoppers, by eccentrically arranging the inlets of adjacent hoppers among the first to nth extruders so that they are close to each other and facing the impeller sections.

[0028] The present invention has the effect of allowing heat generated from the first to the nth extruder to be dissipated through the holes. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art literature. FIG. 1b is a perspective view showing an extruder of a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art literature. FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view showing an extruder of a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art literature. FIG. 1d is a side view showing a screw applied to a hopper-type multi-3D printer according to prior art literature. FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a three-dimensional article produced by a multi-3D printer according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a multi-3D printer according to the present invention. FIGS. 4a to 4c are schematic front view, schematic side view, and schematic top view, respectively, showing a first extruder to the nth extruder along with a multi-housing applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a first extruder to the nth extruder along with a multi-housing applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention. FIGS. 6a to 6c are perspective views showing a multi-housing applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention, along with a first extruder to the nth extruder with an increasing number. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Preferred embodiments of a multi-3D printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and there may be multiple embodiments, and through these embodiments, the objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention can be better understood.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a three-dimensional article (P) produced by a multi-3D printer according to the present invention.

[0032] The multi-3D printer according to the present invention enables 3D printing of a three-dimensional article (P) by melting and extruding a feedstock in the form of pellets, for example, a mixture of ceramic and binder. However, in the case of 3D printers such as those patented by the applicant in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2179021, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2186858, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2045283, and Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 2043017, there is a problem in that filament residue remains in the extruder, making it difficult to precisely produce a three-dimensional article (P) of various colors and materials (a problem in which 3D printing of multilayer and gradient structures using heterogeneous or more composite materials cannot be precisely realized).

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a multi-3D printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 4a to 4c are a schematic front view, a schematic side view, and a schematic top view, respectively, showing a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An) along with a multi-housing (H) applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4c, the multi 3D printer according to the present invention enables 3D printing of a three-dimensional article (P) by melting and extruding a feedstock onto a bed (B) while being railed along an LM guide (L). Specifically, it includes a bracket (K) that is railed along an LM guide (L), and a multi-housing (H) that is fixed to the bracket (K) and detachably mounts a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An).

[0035] By supplying feedstocks of different colors or different materials to the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) and selecting and extruding the feedstocks at the correct timing in real time, that is, by 3D printing, it is possible to precisely complete a three-dimensional article (P) that is layered and filled with different colors and different materials, specifically, by using composite materials of different types or more to create a multilayer and gradient structure, and furthermore, to precisely complete multiple three-dimensional articles (P) at once.

[0036] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a multi-housing (H) applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention, along with a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An), and FIG. 6a to 6c are perspective views showing a multi-housing (H) applied to a multi-3D printer according to the present invention, along with an increasing number of first extruders (A1) to nth extruders (An).

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 4a to 6c, the multi-housing (H) is provided on one or both sides of the bracket (K) to increase the number of the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) so as to supply a feedstock made of a wider variety of composite materials and colors.

[0038] Specifically, the multi-housing (H) comprises a body (Ha) fixed to one or both sides of a bracket (K), and receiving grooves (Hb) formed in the body (Ha) to detachably mount a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An), respectively.

[0039] The first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are configured to lower and melt feedstock through a self-built screw and heater and to discharge it to the bed (B) through the nozzle part (Ae), that is, to 3D print it. They are installed in the required number of receiving grooves (Hb) formed in the body (Ha) of the multi-housing (H) to melt and discharge feedstock made of that number of colors or that number of materials to complete a three-dimensional article (P).

[0040] More specifically, the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are each equipped with a hopper (Aa) that receives feedstock, an impeller section (Ac) that collects and lowers the feedstock introduced through the hopper (Aa), a support projection (Ad) protruding outwardly from the impeller section (Ac), and a nozzle section (Ae) that melts and discharges the feedstock lowered by the impeller section (Ac). The receiving groove (Hb) is equipped with a seating projection (Hd) that receives the impeller section (Ac) and the nozzle section (Ae) while simultaneously receiving the support projection (Ad). The first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) can be detachably mounted to a multi-housing (H) by relying on the seating projection (Hd) that seats the support projection (Ad) and simultaneously using a detachable means (S) [the support projection (Ad) [It is said to be protruding outwardly from the impeller part (Ac), but its position is not restricted.]

[0041] When receiving feedstock of different colors or different materials through each hopper (Aa), mixing them via the impeller section (Ac), and lowering them to be heated and discharged through the nozzle section (Ae), the significant weight of the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) is stably received in the receiving grooves (Hb) by relying on the seating section (Hd) on which each hanging section (Ad) is seated, and at the same time, it is detachably mounted in the multi-housing (H) of the detachable means (S), thereby enabling a simple yet robust assembly.

[0042] At this time, the attachment means (S) may be a detachable elastic structure or a detachable clip structure, and preferably, it may consist of a through hole (Sa) drilled on each side with the receiving groove (Hb) at the center, and a strap (Sb) that is fitted into the through hole (Sa) and binds the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) respectively. By binding the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An), which are each seated on the seating projection (Hd) through the hook projection (Ad) and received in the receiving grooves (Hb), with the strap (Sb) through the through hole (Sa), a sturdy and simple fixation can be realized.

[0043] Meanwhile, the inlets (Ab) of adjacent hoppers (Aa) among the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are eccentrically positioned toward the impeller sections (Ac) as shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4c so as to ensure a distance between adjacent hoppers (Aa) while minimizing spatial interference caused by the hoppers (Aa) of the additional nth extruder (An).

[0044] In addition, the receiving groove (Hb) is configured to have through holes (Hc) facing the impeller section (Ac) and the nozzle section (Ae) so that heat generated from the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) can be dissipated through the through holes (Hc).

[0045] The multi 3D printer according to the present invention receives feedstock of different colors or different materials through each hopper (Aa), mixes them by passing them down through the impeller section (Ac), and heats and discharges them through the nozzle section (Ae). The first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are arranged in multiple numbers in the receiving groove (Hb) of the multi-housing (H) fixed to one or both sides of the bracket (K) mounted on the LM guide (L), thereby enabling the simultaneous completion of multiple three-dimensional articles (P) by melting and discharging feedstock of a desired number of colors or desired number of materials. Industrial applicability

[0046] The present invention can be used in industrial fields that enable precise 3D printing of three-dimensional objects in a short time using materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or ceramic, based on a three-dimensional drawing created with a computer design program. Explanation of the symbols

[0047] L: LM guide B: Bed P: 3D item K: Bracket A1 : 1st extruder An : nth extruder Aa : Hopper Ab : Input port Ac : Impeller section Ad : Hook Ae : Nozzle section H : Multi-housing Ha : Body Hb : Receiving groove Hc : Through hole Hd : Seating jaw S: Attachment / Detachment Means Sa: Through-hole Sb : Strap

Claims

Claim 1 A multi-3D printer that 3D prints a three-dimensional article (P) by melting and extruding feedstock onto a bed (B) while being railed along an LM guide (L), comprising a bracket (K) that is railed along the LM guide (L) and a multi-housing (H) fixed to the bracket (K) to detachably mount a first extruder (A1) to an nth extruder (An), wherein the multi-housing (H) is provided on one side or both sides of the bracket (K), and the multi-housing (H) comprises a body (Ha) fixed to one side or both sides of the bracket (K) and receiving grooves (Hb) formed in the body (Ha) to detachably mount the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An), respectively. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) each comprises a hopper (Aa) for receiving the feedstock, an impeller section (Ac) for collecting and lowering the feedstock introduced through the hopper (Aa), a support projection (Ad) protruding outwardly from the impeller section (Ac), and a nozzle section (Ae) for melting and discharging the feedstock lowered by the impeller section (Ac); the receiving groove (Hb) comprises a seating projection (Hd) that receives the impeller section (Ac) and the nozzle section (Ae) while simultaneously receiving the support projection (Ad); and the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are characterized by being reliant on the seating projection (Hd) that seats the support projection (Ad) and being detachably mounted to the multi-housing (H) via a detachable means (S). Multi 3D printer. Claim 5 A multi 3D printer according to claim 4, wherein the detachable means (S) comprises through holes (Sa) drilled on both sides with the receiving groove (Hb) at the center, and straps (Sb) fitted into the through holes (Sa) to bind the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) respectively. Claim 6 A multi 3D printer according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the inlets (Ab) of adjacent hoppers (Aa) among the first extruder (A1) to the nth extruder (An) are eccentrically arranged toward the impeller parts (Ac) so as to be close to each other. Claim 7 A multi 3D printer according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the receiving groove (Hb) has through holes (Hc) facing the impeller part (Ac) and the nozzle part (Ae).

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