A metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold and a 3D printing mold

Abstract

The present invention provides a metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold and a 3D printing mold. The metal powder storage structure includes: a columnar structure, the metal powder storage structure includes a plurality of the columnar structures uniformly formed inside the mold, the columnar structures are hollow and vertical, and the plurality of columnar structures are arranged side by side and spaced apart; a connection channel, the connection channel connects adjacent columnar structures; a discharge channel, there is at least one discharge channel, and the discharge channel communicates the columnar structure with the outside of the mold. Based on the technical solution of the present invention, a plurality of hollow columnar structures constructed inside the mold are connected into one body through connection channels to form a metal powder storage structure, which not only reduces the laser cost during mold manufacturing, but also saves the metal powder required for mold manufacturing, and can realize the discharge and recycling of metal powder through the discharge channel, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost of the mold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing molds, and particularly to a metal powder storage structure for 3D printing molds and a 3D printing mold. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing is an increasingly popular additive manufacturing technology. With the increasing popularity of mold parts manufactured by metal additive manufacturing, the application of additive manufacturing in the mold field has become increasingly mature. Selective laser melting of metal is a type of 3D printing technology. This technology uses a laser as an energy source and scans layer by layer on a metal powder bed according to the path planned in the three-dimensional slice model. The scanned metal powder is melted and solidified to achieve the effect of metallurgical bonding, and finally the metal part designed by the model is obtained. Currently, selective laser melting of metal technology is widely used in the manufacturing process of metal molds.

[0003] Currently, when manufacturing molds using selective laser melting of metal, in other positions inside the mold that do not involve the part forming structure, there is no targeted design of a hollow structure to reduce the laser energy required for mold forming and the metal powder material required for mold forming. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the mold is relatively high. Even if some molds are provided with a hollow structure inside to reduce the laser energy required for mold forming to reduce the laser generation cost, the unmelted metal powder existing inside the hollow structure cannot be discharged, and thus cannot be recycled, and the effect of reducing the manufacturing cost is not significant.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a metal powder storage structure for discharging the unmelted metal powder inside the 3D printing mold and recycling it to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of the mold. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present application proposes a metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold and a 3D printing mold. The metal powder storage structure is integrally formed by a plurality of hollow columnar structures and connecting channels in the internal structure of the mold, which can reduce the laser cost during mold manufacturing and save the raw material of metal powder.

[0006] A metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold provided by the present invention includes:

[0007] Columnar structures, the metal powder storage structure includes a plurality of the columnar structures uniformly formed inside the mold. The columnar structures are hollow and vertical, and the plurality of columnar structures are arranged side by side and spaced apart;

[0008] Connecting channels, the connecting channels are formed inside the mold and connect adjacent columnar structures;

[0009] An exhaust passage, at least one exhaust passage is formed inside the mold, and the exhaust passage communicates the space inside the columnar structure with the space outside the mold.

[0010] In one embodiment, at most two of the connecting passages are connected to one columnar structure, and the plurality of columnar structures are sequentially connected through the connecting passages to form a chain-shaped metal powder storage cavity with a unique path. The columnar structures corresponding to the head and tail ends of the metal powder storage cavity are the first columnar structure and the second columnar structure respectively;

[0011] Among them, the first columnar structure and the second columnar structure are not connected to each other, and a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage are respectively connected to the two.

[0012] Through this embodiment, a plurality of columnar structures are sequentially connected to each other through connecting passages to form a chain-shaped metal powder storage cavity, and the path of the metal powder storage cavity is unique without forks, which is convenient for the metal powder in the metal powder storage cavity to be directly discharged along the unique path.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connecting passage includes an upper passage connected to the top of the columnar structure and a lower passage connected to the bottom of the columnar structure. The two connecting passages connected to the same columnar structure are the upper passage and the lower passage respectively. Through this embodiment, the upper passage and the lower passage are respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the columnar structure, so that there are no dead corners in the columnar structure, and the metal powder in the columnar structure is completely discharged.

[0014] In one embodiment, the shape of the cross-section of the columnar structure includes but is not limited to circular, oval, kidney-shaped, and water-drop-shaped. Through this embodiment, the shape of the cross-section of the columnar structure can be determined according to the actual situation to adapt to different shapes of the mold and the corresponding space inside the mold, so as to maximize the utilization of the space inside the mold.

[0015] In one embodiment, the columnar structure includes a column base structure and a box base structure. The internal space of the box base structure is larger than the internal space of the column base structure, and the column base structure and the box base structure are evenly distributed in the columnar structure. Through this embodiment, the column base structures and box base structures with different sizes in the columnar structure can be cross-distributed. On the basis of fully ensuring the stability of the internal structure of the mold, the corresponding space inside the mold is maximally utilized in the horizontal direction, the volume of the metal powder storage cavity corresponding to the metal powder storage structure is maximized, and the metal powder is saved to the greatest extent.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cross-section of the column base structure is circular, and the cross-section of the box base structure is kidney-shaped. Through this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the column base structure and the box base structure are different, which facilitates their cross-distribution to maximize the use of space. At the same time, the circular and kidney-shaped cross-sectional shapes make the shapes of the column base structure and the box base structure relatively regular, without dead corners, which is convenient for the discharge of the metal powder inside them.

[0017] In one embodiment, the connection part of the box base structure with the connection channel is located at both ends of the kidney shape. Through this embodiment, the connection channels on the box base structure are located at both ends of the kidney shape, so that all parts of the box base structure are on the path of the metal powder storage cavity, eliminating the internal dead corners and facilitating the discharge of the metal powder inside it.

[0018] In one embodiment, the top wall surface of the columnar structure is an upwardly convex arc surface, and the bottom wall surface is a plane. Through this embodiment, the arc surface at the top of the columnar structure can prevent the collapse of the structure at this part during the mold forming process, and a good support structure is formed by using the good mechanical properties of the arc surface, improving the stability of the metal powder storage structure inside the mold; while the plane at the bottom is convenient for forming.

[0019] In one embodiment, the length of the columnar structure in the vertical direction matches the thickness of the internal space at the corresponding position inside the mold where it is located in the vertical direction. Through this embodiment, the columnar structure can maximize the use of the corresponding space inside the mold in the vertical direction.

[0020] A 3D printing mold provided by the present invention is formed by selective laser melting of metal and includes the above-mentioned metal powder storage structure.

[0021] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0022] A part forming structure, which is located inside the mold and is spaced from the metal powder storage structure, and is used for injection molding of parts;

[0023] A cooling channel structure, which is located inside the mold and is spaced from the metal powder storage structure and the part forming structure, and is used for cooling the injection molded parts in the part forming structure.

[0024] The above technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features as long as the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0025] A metal powder storage structure of a 3D printing mold and a 3D printing mold provided by the present invention, compared with the prior art, at least have the following beneficial effects:

[0026] A metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold and a 3D printing mold according to the present invention utilize a plurality of hollow columnar structures constructed inside the mold and connected into one body through connection channels to form a hollow metal powder storage structure. When the mold is formed by selective laser melting of metal, the position corresponding to the metal powder storage structure does not undergo laser melting, saving the usage cost of laser equipment during the mold manufacturing process. At the same time, the metal powder storage cavity inside the metal powder storage structure stores the metal powder that has not undergone laser melting. After the mold is formed, the metal powder in the metal powder storage cavity can be discharged through the discharge channel and recycled, reducing the consumption of metal powder during the mold manufacturing process and further reducing the manufacturing cost of the mold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Among them:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of the metal powder storage structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a schematic overall structural diagram of the metal powder storage structure and the mold of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 shows Figure 2 a top view of the structure shown after rotating 180°;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of another structure of the mold of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 shows corresponding Figure 4 a schematic structural diagram of the metal powder storage structure of the mold shown.

[0033] In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0034] Reference Numerals:

[0035] 10 - columnar structure, 101 - first columnar structure, 102 - second columnar structure, 11 - column base structure, 12 - box base structure, 20 - mold, 21 - part forming structure, 22 - cooling channel structure, 30 - connection channel, 31 - upper channel, 32 - lower channel, 40 - discharge channel, 41 - first discharge channel, 42 - second discharge channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings.

[0037] The present invention provides a metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold, comprising:

[0038] Columnar structures 10, the metal powder storage structure includes a plurality of columnar structures 10 uniformly formed inside the mold 20, the columnar structures 10 are hollow and vertical, and the plurality of columnar structures 10 are arranged side by side and spaced apart;

[0039] A connecting channel 30, which is formed inside the mold 20 and connects adjacent columnar structures 10;

[0040] The discharge channel 40 is formed inside the mold 20 and there is at least one discharge channel 40 . The discharge channel 40 connects the space inside the columnar structure 10 with the space outside the mold 20 .

[0041] Specifically, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a plurality of columnar structures 10 are sequentially connected as a whole through connecting channels 30 to form a metal powder storage structure and a metal powder storage cavity inside the metal powder storage structure, and the metal powder storage cavity is connected to the space outside the mold 20 through a discharge channel 40.

[0042] During the manufacturing process of the mold 20, the three-dimensional manufacturing model of the mold 20 and the metal powder storage structure inside the mold 20 is designed in advance; when the mold 20 is formed by 3D printing, the laser avoids the position corresponding to the metal powder storage structure, and then the metal powder at the corresponding position of the metal powder storage structure is not melted by the laser and is stored in the formed metal powder storage cavity at the same time. After the mold is formed, the metal powder inside the metal powder storage cavity is discharged through the discharge channel 40 and collected for reuse.

[0043] In this way, the metal powder storage structure reduces the area of ​​the mold that needs to be laser melted, reducing the use cost of the laser equipment; at the same time, the metal powder that has not been laser melted can be discharged and recycled, which reduces the cost of raw materials required for mold manufacturing. Finally, based on the technical solution of this embodiment, the cost of mold manufacturing is significantly reduced.

[0044] It should be noted that the specific structural shape of the metal powder storage structure in the present invention can be further designed according to the specific shape of the corresponding mold 20. In this embodiment, the shape of the mold 20 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it can be used as Figure 1 The plurality of vertical columnar structures 10 shown are used to form a metal powder storage structure. When the shape of the mold 20 is different, for example Figure 4 The disk-shaped mold 20 shown, the metal powder storage structure can be formed by adaptively constructing an annular disk structure inside the mold 20, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0045] In one embodiment, at most two connection channels 30 are connected to a columnar structure 10. A plurality of columnar structures 10 are sequentially connected through the connection channels 30 to form a chain-shaped metal powder storage cavity with a unique path. The columnar structures 10 corresponding to the head and tail ends of the metal powder storage cavity are the first columnar structure 101 and the second columnar structure 102 respectively;

[0046] Among them, the first columnar structure 101 and the second columnar structure 102 are not connected to each other, and a first discharge channel 41 and a second discharge channel 42 are respectively connected to the two.

[0047] Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, a plurality of columnar structures 10 are sequentially connected to each other through the connection channels 30 to form a chain-shaped metal powder storage cavity. At most two connection channels 30 are connected to one columnar structure 10, so that the path of the metal powder storage cavity is unique and there is no fork.

[0048] The head and tail ends of the metal powder storage cavity respectively correspond to the first columnar structure 101 and the second columnar structure 102. After the mold 20 is formed, it is necessary to discharge the metal powder. At this time, a compressed air pipeline is connected to the channel port of the first discharge channel 41, and high-pressure compressed air is introduced into the metal powder storage cavity through the first discharge channel 41. Then, the compressed air squeezes the metal powder in the metal powder storage cavity and pushes the metal powder to move along the path of the metal powder storage cavity. Finally, the metal powder is completely discharged through the second discharge channel 42 to achieve collection and reuse.

[0049] Further, in this embodiment, only the first discharge channel 41 and the second discharge channel 42 as Figure 1 shown are connected to the head and tail ends of the metal powder storage cavity. In actual application, more discharge channels 40 can be connected to the metal powder storage cavity to communicate with the outside of the mold 20, thereby improving the efficiency of discharging the metal powder. In fact, for the metal powder storage cavity, regardless of whether its path is unique, only the starting point and the ending point of each path need to be determined, and at least discharge channels 40 are respectively arranged on the columnar structures 10 corresponding to the starting point and the ending point of each path (the discharge channels 40 can be selectively arranged on the path according to the actual situation), so that the metal powder can be completely discharged by introducing compressed air.

[0050] Preferably, a plurality of connection channels 30 are connected to the columnar structure 10 to form multiple paths with the same starting point and different ending points in the metal powder storage cavity, and discharge channels 40 are respectively arranged at the starting point of the path and on the columnar structure 10 corresponding to the corresponding ending point.

[0051] In one embodiment, the connection channel 30 includes an upper channel 31 connected to the top of the columnar structure 10 and a lower channel 32 connected to the bottom of the columnar structure 10. The two connection channels 30 connected to the same columnar structure 10 are the upper channel 31 and the lower channel 32 respectively.

[0052] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the upper channel 31 and the lower channel 32 are respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the columnar structure 10, so that there are no dead corners in the columnar structure 10, and complete discharge of the metal powder in the columnar structure 10 is achieved.

[0053] In one embodiment, the shape of the cross-section of the columnar structure 10 includes, but is not limited to, circular, oval, kidney-shaped, and water-drop-shaped.

[0054] Specifically, the shape of the cross-section of the columnar structure 10 can be determined according to the actual situation to adapt to different shapes of the mold 20 and the corresponding space inside the mold 20, so as to maximize the utilization of the internal space of the mold 20. At the same time, the shape of the cross-section of the columnar structure 10 can also further adopt other shapes, as long as the shape of the columnar structure 10 corresponding to the cross-section shape is convenient for 3D printing and forming.

[0055] In one embodiment, the columnar structure 10 includes a column base structure 11 and a box base structure 12. The internal space size of the box base structure 12 is larger than the internal space size of the column base structure 11. The column base structure 11 and the box base structure 12 are evenly distributed in the columnar structure 10.

[0056] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the column base structures 11 and the box base structures 12 with different sizes in the columnar structure 10 can be crosswise and evenly distributed. On the basis of fully ensuring the structural stability inside the mold 20, the corresponding space inside the mold 20 is maximally utilized in the horizontal direction, the volume of the metal powder storage cavity corresponding to the metal powder storage structure is maximized, and the most economical use of the metal powder is achieved.

[0057] Preferably, the cross-section of the column base structure 11 is circular, and the cross-section of the box base structure 12 is kidney-shaped.

[0058] Specifically, as Figure 3As shown, the cross-sectional shapes of the column base structure 11 and the box base structure 12 are different, which facilitates their cross-distribution to maximize the utilization of space. At the same time, the circular and kidney-shaped cross-sectional shapes make the shapes of the column base structure 11 and the box base structure 12 relatively regular without dead corners, facilitating the discharge of the metal powder inside. In addition, the cross-sectional shapes of the column base structure 11 and the box base structure 12 can also be other shapes, such as two of the circular, oval, kidney-shaped, and water droplet-shaped, or further adopt other shapes, which can be selected according to the specific situation of the space inside the mold 20, as long as the maximum utilization of the space inside the mold 20 can be achieved and the discharge of the metal powder is facilitated.

[0059] Preferably, the connection part of the box base structure 12 with the connection channel 30 is located at both ends of the kidney shape.

[0060] Specifically, the connection channel 30 on the box base structure 12 is located at both ends of the kidney shape, so that all parts of the box base structure 12 are on the path of the metal powder storage cavity, eliminating dead corners and facilitating the discharge of the metal powder inside.

[0061] In one embodiment, the top wall surface of the columnar structure 10 is an upwardly convex arc surface, and the bottom wall surface is a plane.

[0062] Specifically, the arc surface at the top of the columnar structure 10 can prevent the collapse of the structure at this place during the molding process of the mold 20, and a good support structure is formed by using the good mechanical properties of the arc surface, improving the stability of the metal powder storage structure inside the mold 20; while the bottom plane is more convenient for molding.

[0063] In one embodiment, the length of the columnar structure 10 in the vertical direction matches the thickness of the internal space at the corresponding position inside the mold 20 where it is located in the vertical direction.

[0064] Specifically, the length of the columnar structure 10 in the vertical direction is as large as possible on the premise of not exceeding the thickness of the mold 20 at the corresponding position in the vertical direction; so that the columnar structure 10 can maximize the utilization of the corresponding space inside the mold 20 in the vertical direction.

[0065] The present invention also provides a 3D printing mold, which is formed by selective laser melting of metal and includes the above-mentioned metal powder storage structure.

[0066] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0067] A part forming structure 21, the part forming structure 21 is located inside the mold 20 and is spaced from the metal powder storage structure, and the part forming structure 21 is used for the injection molding of parts;

[0068] The cooling channel structure 22 is located inside the mold 20 and is spaced apart from the metal powder storage structure and the part forming structure 21. The cooling channel structure 22 is used for cooling the injection-molded parts in the part forming structure 21.

[0069] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements can be designed, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that the different dependent claims and the features described herein can be combined in a manner different from that described in the original claims. It should also be understood that the features described in connection with a single embodiment can be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold, characterized in that, it includes: Columnar structures, the metal powder storage structure includes a plurality of the columnar structures uniformly formed inside the mold, the columnar structures are hollow and vertical, and the plurality of columnar structures are arranged side by side and spaced apart; Connection channels, the connection channels are formed inside the mold and connect adjacent columnar structures; Discharge channels, there is at least one discharge channel formed inside the mold, and the discharge channel communicates the space inside the columnar structure with the space outside the mold; Wherein, the top wall surface of the columnar structure is an upwardly convex arc surface, the bottom wall surface is a flat surface, and the length of the columnar structure in the vertical direction matches the thickness of the internal space at the corresponding position inside the mold where it is located in the vertical direction.

2. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, At most two connection channels are connected to one columnar structure, and the plurality of columnar structures are sequentially connected through the connection channels to form a chain-shaped metal powder storage cavity with a unique path. The columnar structures corresponding to the head and tail ends of the metal powder storage cavity are the first columnar structure and the second columnar structure respectively; Wherein, the first columnar structure and the second columnar structure are not connected to each other, and a first discharge channel and a second discharge channel are respectively connected to them.

3. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connection channel includes an upper channel connected to the top of the columnar structure and a lower channel connected to the bottom of the columnar structure. The two connection channels connected to the same columnar structure are the upper channel and the lower channel respectively.

4. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the columnar structure includes a circle, an ellipse, a kidney shape, and a water droplet shape.

5. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The columnar structure includes a column base structure and a box base structure. The internal space size of the box base structure is larger than the internal space size of the column base structure, and the column base structure and the box base structure are uniformly distributed in the columnar structure.

6. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cross-section of the column base structure is circular, and the cross-section of the box base structure is kidney-shaped.

7. The metal powder storage structure for a 3D printing mold according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connection part of the box base structure with the connection channel is located at both ends of the kidney shape.

8. A 3D printing mold, formed by selective laser melting of metal, characterized in that, it includes the metal powder storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The 3D printing mold according to claim 8, characterized in that, it further includes: A part forming structure, the part forming structure is located inside the mold and is spaced apart from the metal powder storage structure, and the part forming structure is used for injection molding of parts. Cooling channel structure, the cooling channel structure is located inside the mold and is spaced apart from the metal powder storage structure and the part forming structure, and the cooling channel structure is used for cooling the injection molded parts in the part forming structure.

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