An automatic leveling device, an automatic leveling method and a 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic leveling device, an automatic leveling method and a 3D printer. The automatic leveling device includes a mounting frame, a laser emission module and a laser reception module. The mounting frame is disposed above the heated bed and is provided with a nozzle. The laser emission module is disposed on the mounting frame and is used for emitting a laser beam to the heated bed. The laser reception module is disposed on the mounting frame and is used for receiving the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the heated bed when the distance between the nozzle and the heated bed is a first designed distance. The automatic leveling device provided by the present invention can solve the problems in the prior art that when using leveling nuts and proximity sensors for leveling, it is necessary to approach the heated bed, the detection distance is short and the reliability is low, improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the heated bed, and ensure the safety of the heated bed, the nozzle and the automatic leveling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to an automatic leveling device, an automatic leveling method and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] Before printing, the existing 3D printers need to level the heated bed, that is, adjust the distance between the nozzle and the heated bed to the thickness of a piece of paper so that the model can be firmly adhered to the heated bed. In the related art, there are usually two leveling methods for leveling the heated bed. One is manual leveling, that is, leveling nuts are installed at the four corners of the heated bed, and by rotating the leveling nuts, the distance between the nozzle and the heated bed can be kept at the thickness of a piece of paper. The other is automatic leveling using sensors. Through strain gauges, proximity switches, etc., determinant matrix points are selected on the heated bed, and each detection point is detected in sequence and the offset value when each detection point is triggered is saved.

[0003] However, for the above-mentioned manual leveling and the method of automatic leveling using sensors such as strain gauges and proximity switches, during each leveling process of the heated bed, it is necessary to ensure that the distance between the sensor and the heated bed is within a few millimeters, and then detect, and record the distance moved when the sensor is triggered. Therefore, when the leveling nut or the sensor fails, it cannot be discovered in the first time. Since the distance between the sensor and the heated bed is too close, the nozzle, the heated bed or the sensor may be damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides an automatic leveling device, an automatic leveling method and a 3D printer. Among them, the automatic leveling device can solve the problems in the prior art that the leveling nut and the proximity sensor need to be close to the heated bed during leveling, the detection distance is short, and the reliability is low, improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the heated bed, and ensure the safety of the heated bed, the nozzle and the automatic leveling device.

[0005] An automatic leveling device provided in the first aspect of the present invention is applicable to a 3D printer and includes:

[0006] A mounting rack, which is arranged above the heated bed and is provided with a nozzle;

[0007] A laser emission module, which is arranged on the mounting rack and is used to emit a laser beam to the heated bed;

[0008] A laser reception module, which is arranged on the mounting rack and is used to receive the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the heated bed when the distance between the nozzle and the heated bed is a first designed distance.

[0009] Further, the automatic leveling device further includes a driving module, and the driving module is used to drive the mounting rack and / or the heated bed to move;

[0010] The laser emission module and the laser reception module are respectively located on opposite sides of the nozzle;

[0011] When the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed is a first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and the laser beam reflected by the hot bed to the laser reception module are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the nozzle.

[0012] Furthermore, the distance between the emission port of the laser emission module and the hot bed is greater than the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed; the distance between the reception port of the laser reception module and the hot bed is greater than the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed.

[0013] Furthermore, the included angle between the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module to the hot bed and the hot bed is a designed angle, where the designed angle is 30° to 80°.

[0014] Furthermore, the automatic leveling device further includes a first fixing part and a second fixing part. The laser emission module is detachably mounted on the mounting frame through the first fixing part, and the laser reception module is detachably mounted on the mounting frame through the second fixing part.

[0015] Furthermore, the drive module includes:

[0016] a mounting frame adjustment component for driving the mounting frame to move towards or away from the hot bed relative to the hot bed to adjust the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed; or

[0017] a hot bed adjustment component for driving the hot bed to move towards or away from the nozzle relative to the nozzle to adjust the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed.

[0018] The automatic leveling device provided by the present invention, by providing a laser emission module and a laser reception module on the mounting frame provided with a nozzle, when the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed is a first designed distance, receives the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed, so as to detect the deviation value of the hot bed, so as to adjust the hot bed to a level state through the drive module, replacing the method of manual leveling using leveling nuts and automatic leveling using other proximity sensors in the prior art, and solving the problems in the prior art that the leveling nuts and proximity sensors need to be close to the hot bed during leveling, the detection distance is short, and the reliability is low. Among them, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed is received by the laser reception module, so that the automatic leveling device can adjust the nozzles and hot beds with different lengths of the first designed distance, improving the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed, and ensuring the safety of the hot bed, nozzle and automatic leveling device.

[0019] A 3D printer provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes the automatic leveling device as described above.

[0020] The 3D printer provided by the present invention can improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed by setting the above automatic leveling device, and ensure the safety of the hot bed, the nozzle and the automatic leveling device.

[0021] An automatic leveling method for a 3D printer provided by the third aspect of the present invention includes:

[0022] If the distance between the nozzle at the leveling point and the hot bed is the second designed distance, control the moving of the mounting rack and / or the hot bed so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed is received by the laser reception module;

[0023] Based on the second designed distance and the first distance of the moving of the mounting rack and / or the hot bed, determine the compensation data for the height of the nozzle at the leveling point to compensate for the height of the nozzle.

[0024] Further, before controlling the moving of the mounting rack and / or the hot bed, the method further includes:

[0025] Based on the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed at the reference point being the second designed distance, move the nozzle to the leveling point;

[0026] Before moving the nozzle to the leveling point, the method further includes:

[0027] At the reference point, drive the moving of the mounting rack and / or the hot bed through the driving module so that the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed is the first designed distance;

[0028] If the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed is received by the laser reception module, control the nozzle to move away from the hot bed so that the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed is the second designed distance.

[0029] Further, based on moving the nozzle to the leveling point, the method further includes:

[0030] Turn on the laser emission module to make the laser emission module emit a laser beam to the hot bed;

[0031] The determining the compensation data for the height of the nozzle at the leveling point based on the second designed distance and the first distance of the moving of the mounting rack and / or the hot bed includes:

[0032] Subtract the first designed distance from the second designed distance to obtain a second distance;

[0033] Subtract the first distance from the second distance to obtain the compensation data for the nozzle height at the leveling point.

[0034] The automatic leveling method provided by the present invention moves the nozzle with a second design distance between the nozzle and the hot bed at the reference point to the leveling point, and then controls the movement of the mounting frame and / or the hot bed so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed is received by the laser receiving module. Based on the second design distance and the first distance of the movement of the mounting frame and / or the hot bed, the compensation data for the nozzle height at the leveling point is determined to compensate the height of the nozzle for automatic leveling of the hot bed, solving the problems in the prior art that the leveling nut and the proximity sensor need to be close to the hot bed during leveling, with a short detection distance and low reliability. Among them, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module and reflected by the hot bed is received by the laser receiving module. By adjusting the angle of the laser emitted by the laser emission module and the angle of the laser received by the laser receiving module, the first design distance can have different lengths, with high laser collimation, which can improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed. Additionally, the first design distance can be made longer to ensure the safety of the hot bed, nozzle and automatic leveling device.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following specification, and part of them will become obvious from the specification or be understood by implementing the present invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention can be achieved and obtained through the structures specifically pointed out in the written specification and the drawings.

[0036] The technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in detail below through the drawings and embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0037] The drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic leveling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram in the A-A direction;

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic flow diagram of the automatic leveling method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the nozzle in the zero position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5Schematic flowchart of self-checking of the automatic leveling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 In (a), it is a schematic diagram of self-checking of the automatic leveling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at the zero position;

[0044] Figure 6 In (b) is Figure 6 A schematic diagram in which the nozzle in (a) moves to a second designed distance from the hot bed;

[0045] Figure 7 In (a), it is a schematic diagram of the distance between the nozzle and the hot bed being the first designed distance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 In (b) is Figure 7 A schematic diagram in which the hot bed in (a) moves to a second designed distance from the nozzle;

[0047] Figure 7 In (c) is Figure 7 A schematic diagram in which the nozzle in (b) moves to the first designed distance from the hot bed.

[0048] In the figure:

[0049] 1 - mounting bracket;

[0050] 2 - hot bed;

[0051] 3 - nozzle;

[0052] 4 - laser emission module;

[0053] 5 - laser reception module;

[0054] 6 - first fixing part;

[0055] 7 - second fixing part. Detailed implementation manners

[0056] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", 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 therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0057] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0058] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0060] An automatic leveling device provided by the present invention is applicable to a three-dimensional printer. Refer to Figure 1 and 2 , which includes a mounting frame 1, a laser emission module 4, and a laser reception module 5. The mounting frame 1 is arranged above the hot bed 2 and is provided with a nozzle 3; the laser emission module 4 is arranged on the mounting frame 1 and is used to emit a laser beam towards the hot bed 2; the laser reception module 5 is arranged on the mounting frame 1 and is used to receive the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is a first design distance. Among them, the specific structure of the mounting frame 1 is not limited. The mounting frame is used to mount the nozzle 3, the laser emission module 4, and the laser reception module 5. The driving module is used to drive the mounting frame 1 to move away from or close to the hot bed 2 and / or drive the hot bed 2 to move away from or close to the mounting frame 1.

[0061] In the present invention, a laser emission module 4 and a laser reception module 5 are provided on the mounting bracket 1 equipped with the nozzle 3. When the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received, so as to detect the deviation value of the hot bed 2, so that the hot bed 2 can be driven by the drive module to move to a leveling state, replacing the manual leveling method using leveling nuts and the automatic leveling method using other proximity sensors in the prior art, and solving the problems in the prior art that the leveling nuts and proximity sensors need to be close to the hot bed during leveling, the detection distance is short, and the reliability is low. Among them, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5. By adjusting the angle of the laser emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the angle of the laser received by the laser reception module 5, the first designed distance can have different lengths, the laser collimation is high, the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed 2 can be improved, and the first designed distance can be made longer, ensuring the safety of the hot bed 2, the nozzle 3 and the automatic leveling device.

[0062] Among them, since the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 is not limited by the distance between the laser emission module 4 and the hot bed 2, the first distance can be adjusted. Not only can the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 detect the hot bed 2 when the nozzle 3 is far from the hot bed 2, that is, when the first distance is large, but also the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 can detect the hot bed 2 when the nozzle 3 can move close to the upper surface of the hot bed 2, that is, when the first distance is small. Therefore, the flexibility of detecting the hot bed 2 can be increased by the cooperation of the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5. At the same time, the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 have strong anti-interference ability. Also, because the laser has high brightness, high directivity, high monochromaticity and high coherence, and is not affected by the temperature of the hot bed and the surrounding environment, the detection accuracy of the automatic leveling device provided by the present invention is high.

[0063] In some embodiments, the automatic leveling device further includes a drive module for driving the mounting bracket 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to move; the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 are respectively located on opposite sides of the nozzle 3; when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the laser beam reflected by the hot bed 2 to the laser reception module 5 are symmetric with respect to the axis of the nozzle 3.

[0064] It can be understood that by placing the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 on opposite sides of the nozzle 3 respectively, the nozzle 3 is located in the middle of the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the laser beam reflected by the heated bed 2 to the laser reception module 5. When the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2 is the first design distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the laser beam reflected by the heated bed 2 to the laser reception module 5 are symmetric with respect to the axis of the nozzle 3, so that the radiation point of the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 on the heated bed 2 is located directly below the nozzle 3, so as to realize the detection of the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2 located directly below the nozzle 3.

[0065] Furthermore, the distance between the emission port of the laser emission module 4 and the heated bed 2 is greater than the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2; the distance between the reception port of the laser reception module 5 and the heated bed 2 is greater than the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2.

[0066] In this application, the emission port of the laser emission module 4 can be the lowest point of the laser emission module 4, and the reception port of the laser reception module 5 can be the lowest point of the laser reception module 5. By placing both the emission port of the laser emission module 4 and the reception port of the laser reception module 5 above the nozzle 3, the nozzle 3 can move freely in the axial direction of the nozzle 3 above the heated bed 2 without the heated bed 2 colliding with the laser emission module 4 or the laser reception module 5, realizing that the nozzle 3 moves to be close to the upper surface of the heated bed 2, increasing the moving stroke of the nozzle 3, and thus improving the moving flexibility of the nozzle 3.

[0067] Furthermore, the angle between the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 to the heated bed 2 and the heated bed 2 is the design angle, where the design angle is 30° - 80°.

[0068] It can be understood that the design angle is set as α, and the design angle between the laser beam emitted to the heated bed 2 and the heated bed 2 is determined by the design distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2. When the design distance is larger, the design angle α is selected to be smaller; when the design distance is smaller, the design angle α is selected to be larger. Therefore, the angle between the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the heated bed 2 can be preferably adjusted and designed to realize that the design distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2 can be adjusted accordingly as needed. Therefore, by adjusting the size of the design angle, the detection distance of the laser beam to the heated bed 2 can be adjusted. Among them, when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2 is the design distance, the angle between the laser beam reflected by the heated bed 2 to the laser reception module 5 and the heated bed 2 is the same as the design angle α.

[0069] Further, the nozzle 3 has a zero position. When the nozzle 3 is in the zero position, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 is reflected by the heated bed 2 onto the nozzle 3. It is necessary to increase the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2 to a first designed distance in order for the laser reception module 5 to receive the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4.

[0070] Before leveling the 3D printer, the nozzle 3 needs to perform a zeroing operation first. In this embodiment, when the nozzle 3 is in the zero position, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 is reflected by the heated bed 2 onto the nozzle 3, so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 is blocked by the nozzle 3. It can be understood that the 3D printer may include a zeroing sensor. When the nozzle 3 moves to the corresponding position, the zeroing sensor is triggered, and it can be determined that the nozzle 3 is in the zero position. It is prior art for the 3D printer to include a zeroing sensor to achieve the zeroing of the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2. For example, the zeroing sensor is a photoelectric sensor, and this application will not elaborate further.

[0071] Furthermore, the automatic leveling device further includes a first fixing part 6 and a second fixing part 7. The laser emission module 4 is detachably installed on the mounting frame 1 through the first fixing part 6, and the laser reception module 5 is detachably installed on the mounting frame 1 through the second fixing part 7.

[0072] The first fixing part 6 includes a first fixing frame connected to the mounting frame 1 and a bolt assembly. An installation groove for installing the laser emission module 4 is provided on the first fixing frame. After the laser emission module 4 is placed in the installation groove, the laser emission module 4 can be fixed on the first mounting frame through the bolt assembly. By detachably installing the laser emission module 4 on the mounting frame 1 through the first fixing part 6, it is convenient to disassemble the laser emission module 4 on the mounting frame 1, thereby increasing the connection flexibility between the laser emission module 4 and the mounting frame 1; the second fixing part 7 includes a second fixing frame connected to the mounting frame 1 and a bolt assembly. An installation groove for installing the laser reception module 5 is provided on the second fixing frame. After the laser reception module 5 is placed in the installation groove, the laser reception module 5 can be fixed on the first mounting frame through the bolt assembly. By detachably installing the laser reception module 5 on the mounting frame 1 through the second fixing part 7, it is convenient to disassemble the laser reception module 5 on the mounting frame 1, thereby increasing the connection flexibility between the laser reception module 5 and the mounting frame 1. The above is an implementation manner of installing the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 on the mounting frame 1. In this application, the installation structure of the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 is not specifically limited.

[0073] In some other embodiments, the driving module may include a mounting frame adjustment component for driving the mounting frame 1 to move towards or away from the heated bed 2 to adjust the distance between the nozzle 3 and the heated bed 2.

[0074] In some other embodiments, the driving module may include a hot bed adjusting component, which is used to drive the hot bed 2 to move towards or away from the nozzle 3, so as to adjust the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2.

[0075] By adjusting the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2, the nozzle 3 can be leveled and can also be used for printing.

[0076] The following will give a detailed description of the embodiments of the automatic leveling device of the present invention. This embodiment is implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and detailed implementation manners are given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0077] An automatic leveling device is applicable to a 3D printer. Refer to Figure 1 and 2 , and includes a mounting frame 1, a laser emission module 4 and a laser reception module 5. The mounting frame 1 is arranged above the hot bed 2 and is provided with a nozzle 3; the laser emission module 4 is arranged on the mounting frame 1 and is used to emit a laser beam towards the hot bed 2; the laser reception module 5 is arranged on the mounting frame 1 and is used to receive the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance.

[0078] The automatic leveling device further includes a driving module, which is used to drive the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to move; the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 are respectively located on opposite sides of the nozzle 3; when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the laser beam reflected by the hot bed 2 to the laser reception module 5 are symmetric with respect to the axis of the nozzle 3.

[0079] The distance between the emission port of the laser emission module 4 and the hot bed 2 is greater than the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2; the distance between the reception port of the laser reception module 5 and the hot bed 2 is greater than the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2.

[0080] The included angle between the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and the hot bed 2 is a designed angle, where the designed angle is 30° - 80°.

[0081] The laser emission module 4 is detachably mounted on the mounting frame 1 through a first fixing part 6, and the laser reception module 5 is detachably mounted on the mounting frame 1 through a second fixing part 7.

[0082] The driving module includes a mounting frame adjusting component and / or a hot bed adjusting component. The mounting frame adjusting component is used to drive the mounting frame 1 to move towards or away from the hot bed 2, so as to adjust the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2; the hot bed adjusting component is used to drive the hot bed 2 to move towards or away from the nozzle 3, so as to adjust the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2.

[0083] A 3D printer provided by the present invention includes the automatic leveling device as described above.

[0084] The 3D printer provided by the present invention can improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed 2 by setting the above automatic leveling device, and ensure the safety of the hot bed 2, the nozzle 3 and the automatic leveling device.

[0085] An automatic leveling method for a 3D printer provided by the present invention, see Figure 3 , and includes the following steps:

[0086] S100. If the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 at the leveling point is the second design distance, control the movement of the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5.

[0087] The leveling point is the point that needs to be leveled. In this embodiment, in order to adjust the distance between the nozzle 3 and the printing surface of the hot bed 2, therefore, the number of leveling points is selected to be at least 3, and at least 3 leveling points are not on the same straight line to realize the leveling process of the printing surface of the hot bed 2.

[0088] Specifically, when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is greater than the first design distance, control the movement of the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 so that the mounting frame 1 and the hot bed 2 move towards each other on the Z axis, and the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5.

[0089] S200. Based on the second design distance and the first distance of the movement of the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2, determine the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the leveling point to compensate for the height of the nozzle 3.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first distance is: after controlling the movement of the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 in step S200, the recorded distance of the movement of the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2. As in this embodiment, when the mounting frame moves, the mounting frame moves from point a to point b, then the distance between point a and point b is the first distance.

[0091] It can be understood that, for example, the leveling points on the hot bed include a first leveling point, a second leveling point, and a third leveling point. Based on the second design distance between the nozzle 3 at the reference point and the hot bed 2, after moving the nozzle 3 to the first leveling point, then moving the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to a position where the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 can be received by the laser reception module 5. At this time, the first distance that the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 move, the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 at this time can be calculated, and then the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the first leveling point can be determined to compensate for the height of the nozzle 3. Then, according to the above method, the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the second leveling point and the third leveling point are calculated respectively to compensate for the height of the nozzle 3 at the second leveling point and the third leveling point, so as to complete the leveling process of the hot bed 2.

[0092] In the present invention, the nozzle 3 with a second design distance between the nozzle 3 at the reference point and the hot bed 2 is moved to the leveling point, and then the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 are controlled to move so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5. Based on the second design distance and the first distance that the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 move, the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the leveling point is determined to compensate for the height of the nozzle 3, so as to perform an automatic leveling process on the hot bed 2, solving the problems in the prior art that when using leveling nuts and proximity sensors for leveling, it is necessary to be close to the hot bed, the detection distance is short, and the reliability is low. Among them, by the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 being received by the laser reception module 5, the automatic leveling device can adjust the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 with different lengths of the first design distance, improving the leveling accuracy, stability, and fault tolerance of the hot bed 2, and ensuring the safety of the hot bed, the nozzle 3, and the automatic leveling device.

[0093] In some embodiments, before controlling the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to move, the method further includes:

[0094] Based on the second design distance between the nozzle 3 at the reference point and the hot bed 2, the nozzle 3 is moved to the leveling point.

[0095] It should be noted that before leveling the 3D printer, it is necessary to first perform a zeroing operation on the nozzle 3. Among them, defining the axis direction of the nozzle as the Z-axis direction, the specific steps for performing the zeroing operation on the nozzle 3 include: driving the mounting frame 1 to move along the Z-axis. If the signal of the zeroing sensor changes, it can be determined that the nozzle 3 is located at the zeroing position. Refer to Figure 4 , where, in this embodiment, in Figure 4 the second design distance is 105 mm. Among them, the reference point is the point corresponding to the position of the hot bed 2 and the nozzle 3 after the zeroing operation of the nozzle 3.

[0096] Before moving the nozzle 3 to the leveling point, it also includes self-checking the automatic leveling device. Refer to Figure 5 , and the method also includes:

[0097] S101. At the reference point, drive the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 through the driving module to move, so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance.

[0098] After performing the zeroing operation at the reference point, moving the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 can make the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 the first designed distance.

[0099] S102. If the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5, control the nozzle 3 to move away from the hot bed 2, so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the second designed distance.

[0100] It can be understood that, refer to Figure 6 , before moving the nozzle 3 to the leveling point, the zero position of the automatic leveling device is also self-checked. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6 (a), the reasonable design of the angles of the laser emission module 4 and the laser reception module 5 enables the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 to be received by the laser reception module 5 at the first designed distance. If when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is adjusted to the first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is indeed received by the laser reception module 5, it can be determined that when the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance, the state of the automatic leveling device is okay, that is, the zero position self-check of the automatic leveling device passes, so as to ensure that the laser reception module 5 can receive the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 when the hot bed 2 is in the leveling state.

[0101] Further, after the self-check of the automatic leveling device passes, by controlling the nozzle 3 to move away from the hot bed 2, as shown in Figure 6 (b), the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 can be made the second designed distance, and at the same time, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 cannot be received by the laser reception module 5, so that after moving the nozzle 3 from the reference point to the leveling point, by controlling the nozzle 3 to move towards the hot bed 2 or controlling the hot bed 2 to move towards the nozzle 3, the leveling process of the hot bed 2 can be completed.

[0102] In some embodiments, based on moving the nozzle 3 to the leveling point, the method also includes:

[0103] S103. Turn on the laser emission module 4 to make the laser emission module 4 emit a laser beam towards the hot bed 2.

[0104] Among them, based on the second design distance and the first distance by which the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 move, the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the leveling point is determined, including:

[0105] S301. Subtract the first design distance from the second design distance to obtain a second distance;

[0106] S302. Subtract the first distance from the second distance to obtain the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the leveling point.

[0107] It can be understood that, for example: as Figure 7 shown in (a) below, the first preset distance is 100 mm, and based on the second design distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 at the reference point being 105 mm, the second distance is obtained as 5 mm; as Figure 7 shown in (b) below, after moving the nozzle 3 to the first leveling point, then moving the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to make the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 be received by the laser reception module 5, as Figure 7 shown in (c) below, at this time, the first distance by which the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 move is d, then the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the first leveling point can be calculated as (5 - d) mm. Then, according to the above method, the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 at the second leveling point and the third leveling point are calculated respectively to compensate the height of the nozzle 3 at the second leveling point and the third leveling point, thereby completing the leveling process of the hot bed 2. The leveling method provided in this embodiment can improve the leveling accuracy, stability and fault tolerance of the hot bed 2, and ensure the safety of the hot bed 2 and the automatic leveling device.

[0108] The following will make a detailed description of the embodiments of the automatic leveling device of the present invention. This embodiment is implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and a detailed implementation manner is given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0109] An automatic leveling method based on the three-dimensional printer as described above includes the following steps:

[0110] (1) At the reference point, drive the mounting frame 1 and / or the hot bed 2 to move through the drive module so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first design distance;

[0111] (2) If the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5, control the nozzle 3 to move away from the hot bed 2 so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the second design distance;

[0112] (3) At the reference point, drive the mounting bracket 1 and / or the hot bed 2 through the driving module to move, so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the first designed distance;

[0113] (4) If the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5, control the nozzle 3 to move away from the hot bed 2, so that the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 is the second designed distance;

[0114] (5) Based on the distance between the nozzle 3 and the hot bed 2 at the reference point being the second designed distance, move the nozzle 3 to the leveling position;

[0115] (6) Control the movement of the mounting bracket 1 and / or the hot bed 2, so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module 4 and reflected by the hot bed 2 is received by the laser reception module 5;

[0116] (7) Based on the second designed distance and the first distance of the movement of the mounting bracket 1 and / or the hot bed 2, determine the compensation data for the height of the nozzle 3 required at the leveling position to compensate for the height of the nozzle.

[0117] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention also intends to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. An automatic leveling method for a three-dimensional printer, characterized in that, The automatic leveling device is applicable to a 3D printer. The automatic leveling device includes: A mounting frame (1), which is arranged above the heated bed (2) and is provided with a nozzle (3); A laser emission module (4), which is arranged on the mounting frame (1) and is used for emitting a laser beam towards the heated bed (2); A laser reception module (5), which is arranged on the mounting frame (1) and is used for receiving the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module (4) and reflected by the heated bed (2) when the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) is a first designed distance; The automatic leveling device further includes a driving module, and the driving module is used for driving the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2) to move; The laser emission module (4) and the laser reception module (5) are respectively located on opposite sides of the nozzle (3); When the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) is a first designed distance, the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module (4) and the laser beam reflected by the heated bed (2) to the laser reception module (5) are symmetric with respect to the axis of the nozzle (3); The automatic leveling method includes: If the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) at the leveling point is a second designed distance, controlling the movement of the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2) so that the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module (4) and reflected by the heated bed (2) is received by the laser reception module (5); Based on the second designed distance and the first distance of the movement of the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2), determining the compensation data for the height of the nozzle (3) required at the leveling point to compensate for the height of the nozzle (3); Before controlling the movement of the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2), the method further includes: Based on the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) at the reference point being a second designed distance, moving the nozzle (3) to the leveling point; Before moving the nozzle (3) to the leveling point, the method further includes: At the reference point, driving the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2) to move through the driving module so that the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) is a first designed distance; If the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module (4) and reflected by the heated bed (2) is received by the laser reception module (5), controlling the nozzle (3) to move away from the heated bed (2) so that the distance between the nozzle (3) and the heated bed (2) is a second designed distance.

2. The automatic leveling method according to claim 1, characterized in that Based on moving the nozzle (3) to the leveling point, the method further includes: Turning on the laser emission module (4) to make the laser emission module (4) emit a laser beam towards the heated bed (2); The determining the compensation data for the height of the nozzle (3) required at the leveling point based on the second designed distance and the first distance of the movement of the mounting frame (1) and / or the heated bed (2) includes: Subtracting the first designed distance from the second designed distance to obtain a second distance; Subtract the first distance from the second distance to obtain the compensation data for the height of the nozzle (3) at the leveling point.

3. The automatic leveling method according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the emission port of the laser emission module (4) and the hot bed (2) is greater than the distance between the nozzle (3) and the hot bed (2); the distance between the reception port of the laser reception module (5) and the hot bed (2) is greater than the distance between the nozzle (3) and the hot bed (2).

4. The automatic leveling method according to claim 1, characterized in that The included angle between the laser beam emitted by the laser emission module (4) to the hot bed (2) and the hot bed (2) is a designed angle, wherein the designed angle is 30° to 80°.

5. The automatic leveling method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic leveling device further includes a first fixing part (6) and a second fixing part (7). The laser emission module (4) is detachably mounted on the mounting frame (1) through the first fixing part (6), and the laser reception module (5) is detachably mounted on the mounting frame (1) through the second fixing part (7).

6. The automatic leveling method according to claim 1, wherein The drive module includes: a mounting frame adjustment component for driving the mounting frame (1) to move towards or away from the hot bed (2) to adjust the distance between the nozzle (3) and the hot bed (2); or a hot bed adjustment component for driving the hot bed (2) to move towards or away from the nozzle (3) to adjust the distance between the nozzle (3) and the hot bed (2).

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