Additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing device. In the device, the additive and subtractive processes are completed independently, and there is no need to use a tool switching device on a machining center to switch the subtractive tool and the additive forming component, which greatly improves the production efficiency. The device includes a machining center, an additive forming component and a cooling nozzle; the additive forming component includes a connecting plate, a motor, a linear module for linear motion and an energy deposition metal additive forming device; the linear module for linear motion is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center, and a connecting plate is slidably connected to the linear module for linear motion; the energy deposition metal additive forming device is fixedly installed on the connecting plate; the motor provides power to the linear module for linear motion so that the connecting plate drives the energy deposition metal additive forming device to move up and down; the cooling nozzle is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center, and the air outlet faces the work table of the machining center.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular relates to an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing technology forms three-dimensional entities through the orderly accumulation or stacking of materials. Due to its advantages such as high material utilization and the ability to achieve integrated forming of complex parts, additive manufacturing technology, especially metal additive manufacturing technology, has entered the industrial application stage in aerospace, nuclear energy, marine engineering, automotive engineering and other fields.

[0003] However, the existing additive and subtractive equipment still has the following problems:

[0004] 1. Currently, most of the additive and subtractive equipment uses a tool switching device on the machining center to switch between subtractive tools and additive forming components. This approach greatly reduces production efficiency.

[0005] 2. Cooling of subtractive tools: Currently, most machining is done by dry milling without cooling the tool. Dry machining will affect the tool life and increase the tool cost.

[0006] 3. For cooling the work surface, the existing method is to add a heat insulator between the work surface and the printing substrate support, but this method cannot control the temperature of the printing substrate and the cooling effect is poor. Summary of the invention

[0007] In order to solve the problems in the background technology, the present invention provides an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment, which installs an independently movable additive forming component on the spindle box of the machining center, so that the additive and subtractive processes can be completed independently. There is no need to use a tool switching device on the machining center to switch the subtractive tool and the additive forming component, which greatly improves the production efficiency. At the same time, air cooling is also used to cool the machining area, which greatly reduces the damage to the tool during the machining process.

[0008] The specific technical solution of the present invention is:

[0009] The present invention designs an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing device, including a machining center, an additive forming component, and a cooling nozzle;

[0010] The additive forming component includes a connecting plate, a motor, a linear motion linear module, and an energy deposition metal additive forming device;

[0011] The linear module of linear motion is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center and can move in the vertical direction with the spindle box. A connecting plate is slidably connected to the linear module of linear motion; an energy deposition metal additive forming device is fixedly installed on the connecting plate; the motor provides power to the linear module of linear motion so that the connecting plate drives the energy deposition metal additive forming device to switch its position up and down in the vertical direction; the cooling nozzle is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center, and the air outlet faces the work table of the machining center.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve a better temperature control effect on the work surface of the machining center, a water cooling plate is also provided on the work surface of the machining center; the water cooling plate is installed on the work surface of the machining center and can rotate with the work surface; a water inlet and a water outlet are provided on the water cooling plate; a circulation pipe is provided in the water cooling plate, one end of the circulation pipe is connected to the water inlet, and the other end is connected to the water outlet, and the circulation pipe is coiled from the edge to the center of the water cooling plate; a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the workpiece are provided on the water cooling plate; the mounting holes must be opened away from the position of the circulation pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to improve heat dissipation and facilitate manufacturing, the circulation pipeline is made of copper pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the energy deposition metal additive forming device is a laser cladding head, which is a powder feeding laser cladding head or a wire feeding laser cladding head.

[0015] Furthermore, the energy deposition metal additive forming device can also be a welding gun, which is a cold metal transfer welding gun (CMT) or a metal inert gas shielded welding gun (MIG) or a non-metal inert gas shielded arc welding gun (TIG).

[0016] Furthermore, the above-mentioned machining center is a five-axis machining center, adopts a gantry structure, and adopts a cradle and turntable combination.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to avoid the influence on the atmosphere during the process of adding or reducing materials, increase the service life of the tool, save the amount of gas used to cool the tool, effectively ensure the processing quality of the parts, and greatly improve the production efficiency, the equipment also includes an atmosphere adjustment circulation device;

[0018] The atmosphere regulating circulation device comprises a first sealed box, a second sealed box, an inert gas source and a purification unit;

[0019] The first sealed box body is connected to the second sealed box body through a first pipe and a second pipe;

[0020] The processing center is installed in the first sealed box; the first sealed box is also installed with a water oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and an air conditioner;

[0021] The inert gas source and the purification unit are both connected to the first sealed box;

[0022] The first sealed box is also provided with an exhaust pipeline, and a pressure relief valve is provided on the exhaust pipeline;

[0023] An air compressor and a fan are placed in the second sealed box; the air compressor provides cold air to the cooling nozzle through a low-temperature cooling device arranged outside; and the fan is connected to the first sealed box through a third pipeline.

[0024] Furthermore, since the air compressor will automatically shut down due to overheating, causing the entire system to fail to operate normally, the system also installs a heat exchanger in the second sealed box, and the heat exchanger is connected to an external chiller. Through heat exchange between the second sealed box and the outside, the air compressor will not shut down due to overheating.

[0025] The advantages of the present invention are:

[0026] 1. The equipment provided by the present invention adopts an independently movable additive forming component installed on the spindle box of the machining center, so that the additive and subtractive processes are completed independently. There is no need to use a tool switching device on the machining center to switch the subtractive tool and the additive forming component, which greatly improves the production efficiency. At the same time, air cooling is also used to cool the machining area, which can effectively reduce the temperature rise of the machining tool, extend the service life of the tool, reduce the long-term use cost of the tool, and improve the surface quality of the machined parts.

[0027] 2. The equipment provided by the present invention adopts the method of adding a water cooling plate to the work surface. Compared with the general means such as heat insulation cotton, it can not only ensure that the work surface is protected from the influence of temperature rise, but also more easily ensure the dimensional accuracy; it is also easy to regulate and maintain the temperature of the printed substrate.

[0028] 3. The present invention adopts a laser cladding head and a welding gun as an energy deposition metal additive forming device, which can realize the printing of metal powder and metal wire, and the printing method is diversified.

[0029] 4. The present invention adopts an atmosphere regulating circulation device to ensure that the pressure, temperature and water and oxygen content of the entire equipment are maintained in a balanced state during the material reduction and material addition processes, thereby avoiding problems with part quality caused by atmosphere destruction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is the front view of the additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment;

[0031] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view of the machine center (section lines of the base, beam, cradle, etc. of the machining center are omitted in this figure);

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the local structure of the laser cladding head installed on the connecting plate;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the local structure of the welding gun installed on the connecting plate;

[0034] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a water cooling plate.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a structural layout diagram of the present invention when it has an atmosphere regulating circulation device.

[0036] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0037] 1-machining center, 2-spindle box, 3-cooling nozzle, 4-work table, 5-additive forming component, 6-connecting plate, 7-motor, 8-linear motion linear module, 9-laser cladding head, 10-welding gun, 11-water cooling plate, 12-water inlet, 13-water outlet, 14-circulation pipeline, 15-mounting hole, 16-first sealed box, 17-second sealed box, 18-inert gas source, 19-purification unit, 20-first pipeline, 21-second pipeline, 22-water oxygen sensor, 23-pressure sensor, 24-temperature sensor, 25-air conditioning, 26-exhaust pipeline, 27-air compressor, 28-fan, 29-low-temperature cooling device, 30-heat exchanger, 31-chiller, 32-third pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Based on the defects of existing additive and subtractive materials equipment, the present invention provides an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment. The system is described in detail below based on specific examples and related drawings.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] See also Figure 1-3 As shown, the device includes a machining center 1, an additive manufacturing component 5, and a cooling nozzle 3;

[0041] The additive forming assembly 5 includes a connecting plate 6, a motor 7, a linear motion module 8 and an energy deposition metal additive forming device (a laser cladding head 9 is used in this embodiment);

[0042] The linear module 8 for linear motion is fixed on the spindle box 2 of the machining center 1, and the linear module 8 is slidably connected to the connecting plate 6; the laser cladding head 9 is fixedly installed on the connecting plate 6; the motor 7 provides power to the linear module 8 for linear motion so that the connecting plate drives the laser cladding head 9 to move up and down; the purpose of this design is to separate the up and down movement of the laser cladding head 9 from the up and down movement of the spindle, and according to the printing needs, the laser cladding head 9 can be lowered by using the linear module 8 set on the spindle box, and the lowering height is adjustable; when reducing material, the laser cladding head 9 can be raised, and the parts can be processed by using the tool installed on the spindle, which greatly improves the processing efficiency.

[0043] The linear motion module 8 and the servo motor 7 are used to realize up and down movement, which can improve the control accuracy; the linear motion module 8 and the connecting plate 6 are used to increase the strength and rigidity of the equipment and reduce the vibration brought to the laser cladding head during the material reduction process.

[0044] The cooling nozzle 3 is fixed on the spindle box 2 of the machining center, and the air outlet faces the worktable 4 of the machining center. By providing cold air to the cooling nozzle 3, the tool and the machining area are cooled.

[0045] See also Figure 4 , so that the laser cladding head in this embodiment can also be replaced by a welding gun 10, thereby realizing metal wire printing.

[0046] See also Figure 5 A water cooling plate 11 is added to the work surface 4 of the machining center 1. The water cooling plate 11 can rotate with the work surface 4. Compared with general insulation cotton and other means, it can not only ensure that the work surface is protected from the influence of temperature rise, but also more easily ensure dimensional accuracy; it is also easy to regulate and maintain the temperature of the printed substrate.

[0047] A water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13 are provided on the water-cooling plate 11; a circulation pipe 14 is provided inside the water-cooling plate 11, one end of the circulation pipe 14 is connected to the water inlet 12, and the other end is connected to the water outlet 13, and the circulation pipe 14 is coiled inside the water-cooling plate from the edge to the center; a plurality of mounting holes 15 for fixing workpieces are provided on the water-cooling plate 11; the mounting holes 15 must be opened to avoid the position of the circulation pipe 14.

[0048] The circulation pipe 14 is made of copper pipe, which has good heat dissipation. The temperature rise generated during the printing process can be taken away by cooling water through the circulation pipe; it can not only ensure that the work surface is protected from the influence of temperature rise, but also regulate and maintain the temperature of the printed substrate.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] In order to quickly adjust the atmosphere environment in the process of additive and subtractive materials in real time, avoid the impact of the process on the atmosphere, and effectively ensure the processing quality of parts, the present invention also provides an additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment with an atmosphere adjustment circulation device.

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the atmosphere regulating circulation device includes a first sealed box 16, a second sealed box 17, an inert gas source 18 and a purification unit 19;

[0052] The first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 are connected through a first pipe 20 and a second pipe 21;

[0053] The first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 need to be designed into a nearly water-free and oxygen-free environment according to the characteristics of different materials during the printing process, so that various metal materials such as titanium alloy can be directly printed to avoid the influence of water and oxygen during the printing process; their manufacturing materials are all welded stainless steel plates to ensure the sealing stability of the box.

[0054] The first sealed box 16 is installed with the additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment described in Example 1; the first sealed box 16 is also installed with a water and oxygen sensor 22, a pressure sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24 and an air conditioner 25;

[0055] The inert gas source 18 and the purification unit 19 are both connected to the first sealed box 16;

[0056] The first sealed box 16 is also provided with an exhaust pipeline 26, and a pressure relief valve is provided on the exhaust pipeline 26;

[0057] An air compressor 27 and a fan 28 are placed in the second sealed box 17; the air compressor 27 provides cold air to the cooling nozzle 3 through a low-temperature cooling device 29 arranged outside;

[0058] The fan 28 is connected to the first sealed box 16 via a third pipeline 32 .

[0059] In order to prevent the air compressor 27 from shutting down due to overheating, a heat exchanger 30 is installed in the second sealed box 17. The heat exchanger 30 is connected to an external chiller 31 to achieve heat exchange, thereby directly cooling the air compressor to ensure the normal operation of the system.

[0060] The working principle of the atmosphere regulating circulation device is as follows:

[0061] 1) Fill with inert gas source

[0062] Inert gas is filled into the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 by using the inert gas source 18. At this time, the exhaust pipeline 26 is opened to exhaust most of the air in the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 to a certain value. At this time, the water oxygen sensor 22 and the pressure sensor 23 are both in the open state to detect the water oxygen content and pressure value of the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 in real time;

[0063] 2) Gas purification

[0064] The purification unit 19 is used to purify the water and air in the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17, so that the environment in the two boxes is basically in a state close to being free of water and oxygen;

[0065] If the water oxygen content exceeds the set value, the purification unit 19 is turned on to purify the water oxygen content;

[0066] If the pressure value fed back by the pressure sensor 23 is not within the set range, the pressure relief valve on the exhaust pipe 16 is opened, or the inert gas source 18 starts to work, and the pressure in the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 is fine-tuned (the principle is: exhaust when there is more, and replenish when there is less) to ensure that the gas pressure in the box is always within the range of ±12mbar;

[0067] 3) Adding and reducing materials;

[0068] The air compressor 27 extracts the inert gas in the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 to increase the pressure, and then transmits it to the cooling nozzle 3 through the low-temperature cooling device 29 to blow cold air to the tool; at this time, in order to maintain the pressure in the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17 basically balanced and stable, the pressure sensor 23 feedbacks, and the pressure relief valve and the inert gas source 18 start to fine-tune the working pressure, exhausting when it is too high and replenishing when it is too low, to ensure that the gas pressure in the box is always within the range of ±12mbar;

[0069] At the same time, the temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature inside the first sealed box 16 and the second sealed box 17, and the main temperature control is performed by the air conditioner 25 arranged in the first sealed box 16 and the fan 28 in the second sealed box 17; since the overheating of the air compressor 27 will cause the air compressor 27 to stop running, the heat exchanger 30 of the second sealed box 17 continues to exchange heat with the external chiller 31, so that the air compressor 27 is always in normal operating mode.

Claims

1. An additive and subtractive composite manufacturing device, characterized in that: Includes machining centers, additive manufacturing components, and cooling nozzles; The additive forming component includes a connecting plate, a motor, a linear motion linear module, and an energy deposition metal additive forming device; The linear module of linear motion is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center and can move along the vertical direction with the spindle box. A connecting plate is slidably connected to the linear module of linear motion; an energy deposition metal additive forming device is fixedly installed on the connecting plate; the motor provides power to the linear module of linear motion so that the connecting plate drives the energy deposition metal additive forming device to switch positions up and down in the vertical direction; the cooling nozzle is fixed on the spindle box of the machining center, and the air outlet faces the worktable of the machining center; The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment is also provided with an atmosphere regulating circulation device; The atmosphere regulating circulation device comprises a first sealed box, a second sealed box, an inert gas source and a purification unit; The first sealed box body is connected to the second sealed box body through the first pipe and the second pipe; the processing center is installed in the first sealed box body; the first sealed box body is also installed with a water oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and an air conditioner; The inert gas source and the purification unit are both connected to the first sealed box; The first sealed box is also provided with an exhaust pipeline, and a pressure relief valve is provided on the exhaust pipeline; An air compressor and a fan are placed in the second sealed box; the air compressor provides cold air to the cooling nozzle through a low-temperature cooling device arranged outside; the fan is connected to the first sealed box through a third pipeline; It also includes a heat exchanger installed in the second sealed box, and the heat exchanger is connected to an external chiller.

2. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water cooling plate is also provided; the water cooling plate is installed on the working table of the machining center and can rotate with the working table; a water inlet and a water outlet are provided on the water cooling plate; a circulation pipe is provided inside the water cooling plate, one end of the circulation pipe is connected to the water inlet, and the other end is connected to the water outlet, the circulation pipe is coiled from the edge to the center inside the water cooling plate, and a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the workpiece are provided on the water cooling plate.

3. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The circulation pipeline adopts a copper pipe.

4. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy deposition metal additive forming device is a laser cladding head.

5. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The laser cladding head is a powder feeding laser cladding head or a wire feeding laser cladding head.

6. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy deposition metal additive manufacturing device is a welding gun.

7. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The welding gun is a cold metal transfer welding gun, a melting inert gas shielded welding gun, or a non-melting inert gas shielded arc welding gun.

8. The additive and subtractive composite manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The machining center is a five-axis machining center, adopts a gantry structure, and adopts a cradle and a turntable combination.

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