A rod support structure for a powder making device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rod support structure of a powder making device, comprising a support unit fixed on the wall of an atomizing chamber, the support unit consisting of a support unit outer shell and a support unit inner sleeve sleeved in the inner cavity of the support unit outer shell, a compressed gas channel is axially opened in the side wall of the support unit outer shell, and a plurality of mutually parallel annular grooves are opened on the support unit inner sleeve, and a plurality of micropores are distributed along the circumference at the bottom of each annular groove, and the gas outlets of the micropores spray toward the outer peripheral wall of the metal rod. The rod support structure of the metal powder making device of the present invention can increase the rotation speed of the rod, reduce the vibration of the rotating parts, prevent the atomizing chamber from being polluted by external air, and reduce the temperature of the non-melting zone of the rod to prevent other parts from being damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of metal powder preparation for 3D printing, and relates to a rod material support structure, in particular to a rod material support structure for a powder making device. Background Art

[0002] At present, the methods for preparing metal powders include mechanical method, chemical method, gas atomization method, centrifugal atomization method, metal thermal reduction method, electrolysis method, etc. The metal powder produced by the rotating electrode method in the centrifugal atomization method is spherical, with a dense structure and a narrow particle size distribution. The parts used in 3D printing have high relative density and good mechanical properties. It is the main method for preparing metal powders for 3D printing.

[0003] The process of producing metal powder by the rotating electrode method is to place the metal rod in an inert gas, such as argon, helium, etc., and melt it through an electron beam, electric arc, etc. At the same time, the metal rod rotates at high speed, and the molten metal is atomized by centrifugal force. After condensation, high-purity spherical metal powder can be obtained. Since the metal rod is continuously consumed and atomized into powder, the metal rod needs to be fed axially while rotating at high speed. During processing, the metal rod has a long overhang, and the circumference is uneven during melting and atomization, causing imbalance of the rotating parts and large vibration of the equipment. The rotation speed is difficult to increase, which affects the quality and production efficiency of the metal powder.

[0004] In the prior art, an auxiliary support, rolling bearing or bushing is generally added, and a gap is left between the metal rod. The size of the gap is difficult to determine. If the gap is too large, it will not play a supporting role. Since the end of the rod is always in a molten state and the temperature is very high, if the gap is too small, the metal rod and the auxiliary support are easy to stick together. Due to the existence of the gap, the rod is easy to be brought into the atomization chamber during the feeding process, causing the metal powder to be contaminated. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and provide a rod support structure for a powder making device, which can reduce the swing of the rod when it rotates at high speed, reduce the vibration of the device, increase the rotation speed of the rod, prevent external air from entering the atomization chamber, and reduce the temperature of the rod, thereby improving the quality of metal powder and processing efficiency.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The rod support structure of this powder making equipment includes a support unit fixed on the wall of the atomizing chamber, the support unit is composed of a support unit outer shell and a support unit inner sleeve arranged in the inner cavity of the support unit outer shell, a compressed gas channel is axially opened in the side wall of the support unit outer shell, and a plurality of mutually parallel annular grooves are opened on the support unit inner sleeve, and a plurality of micropores are distributed along the circumference at the bottom of each annular groove, and the gas outlets of the micropores spray toward the outer peripheral wall of the metal rod.

[0008] Furthermore, the compressed gas channel on the supporting unit housing is communicated with the annular groove.

[0009] Furthermore, a plurality of vent holes communicating with the annular groove on the outer wall of the inner sleeve of the support unit are opened in the compressed gas channel.

[0010] Furthermore, the compressed gas channel is a blind hole opened in the side wall of the supporting unit shell, and the right end is the air inlet.

[0011] Furthermore, the air inlet of the compressed gas channel is connected to a compressed gas source. After the compressed gas enters the annular groove through the air vent from the compressed gas channel, high-pressure gas is ejected from the micropores through the annular groove to form an air floating support on the outer wall of the metal rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the micropores are evenly distributed on the periphery of the metal rod.

[0013] Furthermore, the compressed gas is the same as the gas in the atomization chamber.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The rod support structure of the metal powder preparation equipment of the present invention can increase the rotation speed of the rod, reduce the vibration of the rotating parts, prevent the atomization chamber from being polluted by the external air, and reduce the temperature of the non-melting area of ​​the rod to avoid damage to other parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of metal powder preparation equipment;

[0017] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of air support.

[0018] Among them: 1-tungsten electrode; 2-atomization chamber; 3-arc; 4-metal powder; 5-support unit; 6-metal rod; 7-driving device; 8-equipment base; 9-support unit shell; 10-support unit inner sleeve; 11-micropore; 12-compressed gas channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0020] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The rod support structure of the powder making equipment of the present invention includes a support unit 5 fixed on the wall of the atomizing chamber 2, and the support unit 5 is composed of a support unit outer shell 9 and a support unit inner sleeve 10 sleeved in the inner cavity of the support unit outer shell 9. A compressed gas channel 12 is axially opened in the side wall of the support unit outer shell 9, and a plurality of mutually parallel annular grooves are opened on the support unit inner sleeve 10. A plurality of micropores 11 are distributed along the circumference at the bottom of each annular groove, and the gas outlets of the micropores 11 spray toward the outer peripheral wall of the metal rod 6. The compressed gas channel 12 on the support unit outer shell 9 is connected with the annular groove. A plurality of vents are opened in the compressed gas channel 12, which are connected with the annular groove on the outer wall of the support unit inner sleeve 10. The compressed gas channel 12 is a blind hole opened in the side wall of the support unit outer shell 9, and the right end is an air inlet. The air inlet of the compressed gas channel 12 is connected to a compressed gas source. After the compressed gas enters the annular groove through the vent hole from the compressed gas channel 12, high-pressure gas is ejected from the micropores 11 through the annular groove to form an air floating support on the outer wall of the metal rod 6.

[0021] Furthermore, the micropores 11 of the present invention are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the metal rod 6 , and the compressed gas is the same as the gas in the atomization chamber 2 .

[0022] The working process of the present invention is as follows:

[0023] Combination Figure 1 : The atomizing chamber 2 is filled with inert gas, and the driving device 7 drives the rod 6 to rotate at high speed. An arc 3 is generated between the rod 6 and the tungsten electrode 1 to melt the rod. The molten metal material is thrown out under the action of centrifugal force, and forms metal powder 4 after solidification. The solidified metal powder is collected at the bottom of the atomizing chamber. As the rod 6 is continuously consumed, the driving device 7 drives the rod 6 to feed to the left at the same time. The supporting unit 5 is installed and fixed on the atomizing chamber 2, supporting the front end of the rod 6 to prevent the rod 6 from swinging too much and causing vibration of the equipment.

[0024] Combination Figure 2 :The compressed gas enters the support unit housing 9 from the compressed gas channel 12, and enters the support unit inner sleeve 10 through the air hole. There are multiple annular grooves on the support unit inner sleeve 10, and multiple micropores 11 are distributed along the circumference at the bottom of each annular groove. The compressed gas is finally ejected from the micropores 11, so that the compressed air fills the gap between the support unit inner sleeve 10 and the metal bar 6. Due to the high pressure of the compressed air, when the metal bar 6 deviates to one side, the pressure here increases, and the force on the metal bar 6 increases, while the pressure on the opposite side decreases, and the force also decreases, so that the metal bar 6 returns to the center position, improving the stability and rotation speed of the rotating parts. Since the compressed gas is the same as the gas in the atomizing chamber 2, and the pressure is higher than the atomizing chamber 2 and the atmospheric pressure, the compressed gas will continuously enter the atomizing chamber 2 on the left and the atmosphere on the right, thereby blocking the outside air from entering the atomizing chamber 2, preventing the atomizing chamber 2 from mixing into the atmosphere to cause metal powder pollution and increase impurities.

[0025] In summary, the present invention effectively improves the stability and rotation speed of the powder making equipment through a new supporting method, avoids the pollution of the metal by the external atmosphere, and improves the processing quality and efficiency of the metal powder.

Claims

1. A rod support structure for a powder making device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a support unit (5) fixed on the wall of an atomizing chamber (2), the support unit (5) comprising a support unit outer shell (9) and a support unit inner sleeve (10) sleeved in the inner cavity of the support unit outer shell (9), a compressed gas channel (12) being axially opened in the side wall of the support unit outer shell (9), a plurality of mutually parallel annular grooves being opened on the support unit inner sleeve (10), a plurality of micropores (11) being distributed along the circumference at the bottom of each annular groove, the gas outlets of the micropores (11) spraying toward the outer peripheral wall of the metal rod (6); an air inlet of the compressed gas channel (12) being connected to a compressed gas source, the compressed gas entering the annular groove through the air vent from the compressed gas channel (12), and then spraying high-pressure gas from the micropores (11) through the annular groove to form an air-floating support on the outer wall of the metal rod (6); the micropores (11) being evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the metal rod (6); the compressed gas is the same as the gas in the atomizing chamber (2); A plurality of vent holes are provided in the compressed gas passage (12) and communicate with the annular groove on the outer wall of the support unit inner sleeve (10); the compressed gas passage (12) is a blind hole provided in the side wall of the support unit outer shell (9), and the right end is an air inlet.

2. The rod support structure of the powder making equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compressed gas channel (12) on the support unit housing (9) is in communication with the annular groove.

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