Automatic powder feeding method and automatic powder feeding device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of 3D printing, and relates to an automatic powder feeding device, which comprises support plates, sliding rails, a shelf assembly and a powder bucket assembly. The support plates are in two groups and oppositely arranged. The sliding rails are arranged on the opposite surfaces of the oppositely arranged support plates. The shelf assembly is arranged between the two groups of support plates and on the sliding rails. The shelf assembly can slide along the axial direction of the sliding rails. The powder bucket assembly is arranged on the shelf assembly and can slide on the shelf assembly. The application provides an automatic powder feeding device and a powder feeding method, which are convenient to add powder and high in efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, and relates to an automatic powder supply method and an automatic powder supply device, particularly to an automatic powder supply method for a metal 3D printing factory and an automatic powder supply device based on this method. Background Technology

[0002] Metal 3D printing is a rapid prototyping technology. Based on digital model files, computer-aided design generates layer-by-layer data for the part, which is then imported into a forming device. A laser is used to sinter metal powder layer by layer to form the part. Insufficient metal powder during the metal 3D printing process will directly lead to printing failure. As the processing size of 3D printed parts gradually increases, their manufacturing cycle also becomes longer. However, 3D printing equipment can only store a limited amount of metal powder, so metal powder must be added to the equipment during the printing process.

[0003] Currently, the main methods for adding metal powder to metal 3D printing plants are manual powder addition, powder delivery pipeline addition, and automatic powder circulation systems for individual machines. However, all three methods have some drawbacks:

[0004] Regarding manual powder addition: 3D printing factories typically have dozens or even hundreds of printing machines, requiring a large amount of powder. Manual addition is inefficient and labor-intensive. Additionally, the powder material is stored high inside the 3D printer, making manual powder addition inconvenient. Furthermore, metal powder is prone to dust generation in exposed environments, polluting the environment.

[0005] Regarding the powder feeding method using pipelines: a complex pipeline network needs to be laid, which occupies a lot of space; if the pipeline is thin, it is prone to blockage, and if the pipeline is thick, the cost will increase; in addition, 3D printing factories need to deal with different work requirements. A printing machine will use different metal powders for printing operations. If a powder feeding pipeline is used, it is necessary to deal with the different metal powder delivery requirements, and multiple sets of powder feeding pipelines need to be set up. A complex metal powder delivery pipeline network needs to be laid on the top of the printer, resulting in high manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0006] For stand-alone automatic powder circulation equipment: each printing machine in a 3D printing factory needs to be equipped with a set of automatic powder circulation equipment, which is costly and difficult to manage and maintain; at the same time, the automatic powder circulation equipment also requires manual powder replenishment regularly, which is labor-intensive and inefficient; moreover, when 3D metal printing equipment changes to metal powder for printing operations, the automatic powder circulation equipment needs to be replaced with equipment corresponding to the metal powder used, which is labor-intensive and inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems in the background art, the present invention provides an automatic powder supply method and automatic powder supply device that is easy to add powder and has high efficiency.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] An automatic powder supply method, characterized in that: the automatic powder supply method includes...

[0010] 1) The controller moves the toner cartridge assembly to the top of the printing equipment and supplies toner to the printing equipment;

[0011] 2) After the powder supply is completed, the controller moves the powder tank assembly away from the printing equipment.

[0012] Specifically, step 1) above is as follows: the powder level sensor of the powder storage cylinder sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, and the controller controls the powder tank assembly to move on the frame assembly to above the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment and align it with the powder filling port of the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment, so as to directly supply powder to the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment.

[0013] Specifically, step 1) above is as follows: the powder storage cylinder level sensor sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, the controller controls the powder cylinder assembly to move on the frame assembly to above the intermediate powder cylinder and supply powder to the intermediate powder cylinder, and the intermediate powder cylinder supplies powder to the printing equipment's powder storage cylinder.

[0014] Specifically, step 1) above is as follows: the powder level sensor of the powder storage cylinder sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, the controller controls the powder barrel assembly to move on the frame assembly to above the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment, and the position of the powder barrel assembly is finely adjusted by the powder barrel assembly drive device so that the powder barrel assembly is aligned with the powder filling port of the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment, and powder is directly supplied to the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment.

[0015] Specifically, step 1) above is as follows: the powder storage cylinder level sensor sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, the controller controls the powder cylinder assembly to move on the frame assembly to above the intermediate powder cylinder, the powder cylinder assembly drive device finely adjusts the position of the powder cylinder assembly so that the powder cylinder assembly is aligned with the powder filling port of the intermediate powder cylinder, and powder is supplied to the intermediate powder cylinder, and the intermediate powder cylinder supplies powder to the printing equipment's powder storage cylinder.

[0016] The above-mentioned automatic powder supply method further includes, before step 1), the following steps: 0) determining whether there is powder in the powder hopper assembly; if so, proceeding directly to step 1); if not, adding powder to the powder hopper assembly first, and then proceeding to step 1 after the powder adding operation is completed.

[0017] In step 0) above, the powder barrel assembly is added as follows: the powder level sensor in the powder barrel assembly sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, and the controller controls the powder barrel assembly to move on the frame assembly until the powder barrel assembly is placed below the powder storage cylinder. The metal powder inside the powder storage cylinder falls into the powder barrel assembly by gravity, thus completing the powder addition operation of the powder barrel assembly.

[0018] In step 0) above, the powder barrel assembly is added as follows: the powder level sensor in the powder barrel assembly sends a powder shortage signal to the controller, the controller controls the powder barrel assembly to move on the frame assembly, the controller controls the frame assembly to move on the slide rail until the powder barrel assembly is placed below the powder storage cylinder, and the metal powder inside the powder storage cylinder falls into the powder barrel assembly by gravity, thus completing the powder addition operation of the powder barrel assembly.

[0019] An automatic powder feeding device is characterized in that: the automatic powder feeding device includes a support plate, a slide rail, a frame assembly, and a powder bucket assembly; the support plate is in two sets, and the two sets of support plates are arranged opposite each other; a slide rail is provided on the opposite surface of the oppositely arranged support plate; the frame assembly is placed between the two sets of support plates and on the slide rail; the frame assembly can slide freely along the axial direction of the slide rail; the powder bucket assembly is arranged on the frame assembly and can slide freely on the frame assembly.

[0020] The powder bucket assembly includes a powder bucket body, a powder bucket assembly positioning device, and a powder bucket assembly driving device; the powder bucket assembly positioning device is connected to the powder bucket body; the powder bucket assembly driving device is connected to the powder bucket body and drives the powder bucket body to slide on the frame assembly.

[0021] The powder hopper body includes a powder feeding cylinder, a powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve, a powder feeding cylinder level sensor, a first telescopic pipe, a powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve, a first air inlet valve, and a first air outlet valve. The first telescopic pipe is located at the bottom of the powder feeding cylinder and communicates with the inside of the powder feeding cylinder. A powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve is provided between the powder feeding cylinder and the first telescopic pipe. A powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve is provided at the top of the powder feeding cylinder. A powder feeding cylinder level sensor is provided inside the powder feeding cylinder. A first air outlet valve and a first air inlet valve are sequentially provided on the first telescopic pipe from top to bottom. The powder hopper assembly positioning device is located outside the powder feeding cylinder. The powder hopper assembly driving device is connected to the powder feeding cylinder and drives the powder feeding cylinder to slide freely on the frame assembly.

[0022] The aforementioned powder hopper assembly drive device includes a battery power unit, a drive motor, a longitudinal motion unit, and a lateral motion unit, all disposed outside the powder filling cylinder. The battery power unit is connected to the longitudinal motion unit, the lateral motion unit, and the drive motor, respectively. The longitudinal motion unit drives the powder filling cylinder to make micro-movements on the frame assembly along the axial direction of the frame assembly. The lateral motion unit drives the powder filling cylinder to make micro-movements on the frame assembly in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the frame assembly. The drive motor drives the powder filling cylinder to slide freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly.

[0023] The aforementioned powder hopper assembly drive device includes a right-angle reducer, a sliding groove, a cable, a drive sprocket, a chain, and a driven sprocket; the frame assembly has a sliding groove arranged along its axial direction; the two ends of the frame assembly are provided with a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket; a chain is arranged between the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket; the powder adding cylinder is disposed in the sliding groove and moves freely along the axial direction of the sliding groove; the bottom of the powder adding cylinder is placed on the chain and moves synchronously with the chain; the cable is connected to the right-angle reducer; the right-angle reducer is connected to the drive sprocket and drives the drive sprocket to rotate.

[0024] The aforementioned powder hopper assembly drive device includes a battery power unit, a drive motor, a guide wheel, and a drive wheel, all of which are disposed outside the powder filling cylinder; the drive wheel and the guide wheel are arranged in parallel on the frame assembly and can move freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly; the drive motor is connected to the drive wheel and drives the drive wheel to rotate; the battery power unit is connected to the drive motor.

[0025] The powder hopper body also includes an arch-breaking device disposed inside the powder feeding cylinder; the arch-breaking device includes an arch-breaking motor, an arch-breaking main shaft, an arch-breaking fork, and a bearing with a seat; the bearing with a seat is disposed on the inner wall of the powder feeding cylinder; one end of the arch-breaking main shaft is placed on the bearing with a seat, and the other end passes through the side wall of the powder feeding cylinder and is connected to the arch-breaking motor; the arch-breaking motor drives the arch-breaking main shaft to rotate; an arch-breaking fork is disposed on the arch-breaking main shaft along the circumference of the arch-breaking main shaft.

[0026] The aforementioned powder container assembly positioning device includes a longitudinal positioning camera, a transverse positioning camera, and a wireless transmitting and receiving device; the longitudinal and transverse positioning cameras are arranged alternately at the bottom of the powder container; the wireless transmitting and receiving device is located at the top of the powder container.

[0027] The aforementioned automatic powder supply device also includes a powder storage bin mounted on the support plate for adding powder to the powder hopper assembly; the powder storage bin includes a powder storage cylinder and a second telescopic pipe communicating with the inside of the powder storage cylinder; a powder storage cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve is provided between the powder storage cylinder and the second telescopic pipe; a second air outlet valve and a second air inlet valve are sequentially provided on the second telescopic pipe from top to bottom; the second telescopic pipe communicates with the powder adding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve on the powder adding cylinder.

[0028] The aforementioned automatic powder supply device also includes a transfer powder tank located at the bottom of the powder tank assembly; the transfer powder tank includes a transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve, a transfer tank level sensor, a transfer tank body, and a mounting bracket; the transfer tank body is mounted on the mounting bracket; a transfer tank level sensor is installed inside the transfer tank body; the first telescopic pipe is located at the top of the transfer tank body and communicates with the interior of the transfer tank body; a transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve is installed between the first telescopic pipe and the transfer tank body.

[0029] The advantages of this invention are:

[0030] This invention provides an automatic powder supply method and device, including a support plate, a slide rail, a frame assembly, and a powder tank assembly. There are two sets of support plates, arranged opposite each other. Slide rails are provided on the opposite surfaces of the opposing support plates. The frame assembly is placed between the two sets of support plates and rests on the slide rails. The frame assembly can slide freely along the axial direction of the slide rails. The powder tank assembly is mounted on the frame assembly and slides freely on it. The powder tank assembly automatically supplies powder to the printing equipment in the 3D printing factory. The entire process can be automated, greatly reducing labor and management costs. It significantly improves powder supply efficiency, ensuring that the 3D printing equipment will not unexpectedly stop due to powder shortage, thus preventing the scrapping of 3D printed parts. Furthermore, the automatic powder supply device provided by this invention has a simple structure, is easy to manage and maintain, maximizes personal safety, and eliminates the risk of injury from metal powder when manually adding powder to the 3D printing equipment. It solves problems such as inconvenience, low efficiency, large space occupation and easy blockage of powder delivery pipes, and difficulty in managing and maintaining single-machine automatic powder circulation equipment in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the automatic powder feeding device provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the automatic powder feeding device provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA view;

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder hopper assembly (powered by the A-type powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a connection diagram of the powder hopper assembly (powered by the A-type powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention;

[0038] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;

[0039] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 A top-view structural diagram;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the arch-breaking device used in this invention;

[0041] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the frame assembly (powered by the B-type powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the powder hopper assembly provided by the present invention moving to the left under the action of the B-type powder hopper assembly drive device;

[0043] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the powder hopper assembly provided by the present invention moving to the right under the action of the B-type powder hopper assembly drive device;

[0044] Figure 14 This is a connection diagram of the powder hopper assembly (powered by a type B powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention.

[0045] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;

[0046] Figure 16 yes Figure 11 A top-view structural diagram;

[0047] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transfer powder hopper provided by the present invention;

[0048] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the intermediate toner container and the toner storage container of the printing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0049] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the powder adding process of the powder hopper assembly (powered by a type B powder hopper assembly drive device) provided by the present invention.

[0050] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the automatic powder feeding device provided by the present invention;

[0051] Figure 21 yes Figure 20 A partially enlarged structural diagram;

[0052] Figure 22 yes Figure 20 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure;

[0053] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder hopper assembly (powered by a C-type powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention;

[0054] Figure 24 yes Figure 23 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;

[0055] Figure 25 yes Figure 23 A top-view structural diagram;

[0056] Figure 26 This is a connection diagram of the powder hopper assembly (powered by a C-type powder hopper assembly drive device) used in this invention.

[0057] Figure 27 yes Figure 26 A schematic diagram of the side view structure;

[0058] Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram of the powder adding process of the powder bucket assembly (powered by a C-type powder bucket assembly drive device) provided by the present invention;

[0059] in:

[0060] 1-First powder storage cylinder; 11-Pneumatic butterfly valve at the outlet of powder storage cylinder; 12-Second telescopic pipe; 13-Second air inlet valve; 14-Second air outlet valve; 2-Slide rail; 3-First powder hopper assembly; 31-Longitudinal motion unit; 32-Transverse motion unit; 33-Powder feeding cylinder; 34-Powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve; 35-Powder feeding cylinder level sensor; 36-Arch breaking motor; 37-Battery power unit; 38-First drive motor; 39-First telescopic pipe; 310-Powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve; 311-Second drive motor; 312-First air inlet valve; 313-Powder storage cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve; 314-Longitudinal positioning camera; 315-First air outlet valve; 316-Powder storage cylinder 317-Cylinder level sensor; 318-Horizontal positioning camera; 319-Wireless transmitter and receiver; 320-Arch breaking main shaft; 321-Arch breaking fork; 322-Bearing with seat; 323-Guide wheel; 324-Drive wheel; 4-Frame assembly; 41-Right angle reducer; 42-Slide rail; 43-Cable; 44-Drive sprocket; 45-Chain; 46-Driven sprocket; 5-Transfer powder hopper; 51-Transfer hopper inlet pneumatic butterfly valve; 52-Transfer hopper level sensor; 53-Transfer hopper body; 54-Mounting bracket; 6-Second powder hopper assembly; 7-Second powder storage hopper; 8-Support plate; 9-Horizontal ground; 10-Printing equipment; 101-Powder filling port; 102-Printing equipment powder storage hopper. Detailed Implementation

[0061] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 20 , Figure 21 as well as Figure 22As shown, this invention provides an automatic powder supply device for a 3D printing factory. The automatic powder supply device includes support plates 8, slide rails 2, a frame assembly 4, and a powder bucket assembly. There are two sets of support plates 8, which are arranged opposite each other on a horizontal ground 9. Several longitudinally arranged printing devices 10 (or arranged in a matrix) are mounted on the horizontal ground 9. Each printing device 10 has a powder storage cylinder 102 on its top. The powder bucket assembly supplies powder to each printing device 10. Slide rails 2 are provided on opposite surfaces of the opposing support plates 8. The frame assembly 4 is placed between the two sets of support plates 8 and on the slide rails 2. The frame assembly 4 can slide freely along the axial direction of the slide rails 2. The powder bucket assembly is mounted on the frame assembly 4 and slides freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4. The frame assembly 4 can slide laterally on the slide rails 2 via its built-in drive motor, which is powered by an external power source via a cable. The direction in which the frame assembly 4 moves along the slide rails 2 is referred to as the lateral direction, and the direction in which the powder bucket assembly moves along the frame assembly 4 is referred to as the longitudinal direction. The toner cartridge assembly provided by this invention can be one or more. When there is only one toner cartridge assembly, such as a first toner cartridge assembly 3, the first toner cartridge assembly 3 can move laterally with the frame assembly 4 and move longitudinally within the frame assembly 4, thereby supplying toner to the printing device 10 through the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing device 10 to be filled. When there are multiple toner cartridge assemblies, such as a first toner cartridge assembly 3 and a second toner cartridge assembly 6, the first toner cartridge assembly 3 and the second toner cartridge assembly 6 have the same structure, or they can have different structures. Regardless of whether their structures are the same, the first toner cartridge assembly 3 and the second toner cartridge assembly 6 both move longitudinally within the frame assembly 4. The position of the printing device 10 to be filled is determined by the lateral movement of the frame assembly 4 on the slide rail 2 and the longitudinal movement of the toner cartridge assembly on the frame assembly 4, and then the toner is supplied to the printing device 10 through the toner storage cylinder 102. The powder material required for printing in the first toner cartridge assembly 3 and the second toner cartridge assembly 6 can be of the same material or different materials, and the appropriate powder material is selected according to the actual printing situation. For example, the first toner cartridge assembly 3 contains iron-manganese alloy powder, and the second toner cartridge assembly 6 contains iron-nickel-manganese alloy powder. It should be noted that when only one frame assembly 4 exists, a maximum of two toner cartridge assemblies can move longitudinally simultaneously to supply toner to different printing devices. In this case, the toner supply device can provide a maximum of two different powder materials. It is understood that if a third powder material is required, a new toner cartridge assembly needs to be replaced, or more frame assemblies 4 need to be installed.

[0062] The powder hopper assembly includes a powder hopper body, a powder hopper assembly positioning device, and a powder hopper assembly driving device; the powder hopper assembly positioning device is connected to the powder hopper body; the powder hopper assembly driving device is connected to the powder hopper body and drives the powder hopper body to slide freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4. Further details can be found in the following sections. Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 11 , Figure 14 , Figure 23 , Figure 24 as well as Figure 26 The powder barrel body includes a powder feeding cylinder 33, a powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve 34, a powder feeding cylinder level sensor 35, a first telescopic pipe 39, a powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve 310, a first air inlet valve 312, and a first air outlet valve 315; the first telescopic pipe 39 is located at the bottom of the powder feeding cylinder 33 and communicates with the interior of the powder feeding cylinder 33; a powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve 310 is provided between the powder feeding cylinder 33 and the first telescopic pipe 39; a powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve 34 is provided at the top of the powder feeding cylinder 33; a powder feeding cylinder level sensor 35 is provided inside the powder feeding cylinder 33; a first air outlet valve 315 and a first air inlet valve 312 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom on the first telescopic pipe 39; a powder barrel assembly positioning device is located on the outer wall of the powder feeding cylinder 33; a powder barrel assembly driving device is connected to the powder feeding cylinder 33 and drives the powder feeding cylinder 33 to slide freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4. The first toner cartridge assembly 3 or the second toner cartridge assembly 6 and the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment are connected via the first telescopic pipe 39. At this time, the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the toner cartridge outlet and the pneumatic butterfly valve 313 at the toner storage cylinder inlet are still closed. The first air inlet valve 312 and the first air outlet valve 315 are opened to introduce inert gas to expel the oxygen in the first telescopic pipe 39 until the oxygen content of the discharged gas meets the requirements of 3D printing. The first air outlet valve 315 is closed, and the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the toner cartridge outlet and the pneumatic butterfly valve 313 at the toner storage cylinder inlet are opened to add toner to the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment. After the operation is completed, the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the toner cartridge outlet and the pneumatic butterfly valve 313 at the toner storage cylinder inlet are closed, and finally the first air inlet valve 312 is closed.

[0063] This invention provides three different powder hopper assembly drive devices, namely type A, type B, and type C, wherein:

[0064] For the type A toner cartridge drive device, the toner cartridge drive device includes a battery power unit 37, a first drive motor 38, a longitudinal motion unit 31, and a transverse motion unit 32, all of which are located outside the toner filling cylinder 33. (The longitudinal motion unit 31 and the transverse motion unit 32 are all commercially available linear motion units, and the longitudinal motion unit 31 and the transverse motion unit 32 serve as fine-tuning units.) The battery power unit 37 is connected to the first drive motor 38 and drives the first drive motor 38 to rotate, realizing the longitudinal movement of the toner cartridge assembly on the frame assembly. The battery power unit 37 is connected to the longitudinal motion unit 31 and the transverse motion unit 32 respectively. The battery power unit 37 drives the longitudinal motion unit 31 to move the toner filling cylinder 33 freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4 (fine-tuning). The battery power unit 37 drives the transverse motion unit 32 to move freely along the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the frame assembly 4 (fine-tuning). The combined use of the longitudinal motion unit 31 and the transverse motion unit 32 makes the toner cartridge assembly aligned with the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment, improving the accuracy of toner filling.

[0065] For the type B powder hopper assembly drive device, the powder hopper assembly drive device includes a right-angle reducer 41 (with its own drive motor), a sliding groove 42, a cable 43, a drive sprocket 44, a chain 45, and a driven sprocket 46; the sliding groove 42 is arranged on the frame assembly 4 along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4; the drive sprocket 44 and the driven sprocket 46 are arranged at both ends of the frame assembly 4; the chain 45 is arranged between the drive sprocket 44 and the driven sprocket 46; the powder filling cylinder 33 is arranged in the sliding groove 42 and moves freely along the axial direction of the sliding groove 42; the bottom of the powder filling cylinder 33 is placed on the chain 45 and moves synchronously with the chain 45; the cable 43 is connected to the right-angle reducer 41; the right-angle reducer 41 is connected to the drive sprocket 44 and drives the drive sprocket 44 to rotate. The right-angle reducer 41 is fixed on the bottom surface of the frame assembly 4, and the drive sprocket 44 is assembled at the power output end of the right-angle reducer 41. The power supply of the right-angle reducer 41 is provided by an external power source through the cable 43. Driven sprocket 46 is fixed to the other end of the bottom surface of frame assembly 4. Driven sprocket 44 and driven sprocket 46 are the same size. During assembly, ensure that drive sprocket 44 and driven sprocket 46 are coplanar in the longitudinal vertical plane. Chain 45 is connected to powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) through pin holes. See also... Figure 12 When the drive sprocket 44 rotates counterclockwise, the chain 45 provides a leftward pulling force to the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6), causing the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) to move to the left. See also Figure 13When the drive sprocket 44 rotates clockwise, the chain 45 provides a rightward pulling force to the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6), causing the toner cartridge assembly to move to the right (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6). Furthermore, the Type B toner cartridge assembly drive device also includes a longitudinal motion unit and a transverse motion unit, both of which are powered by an external power source via cables. It is understood that the combined use of the transverse and longitudinal motion units can ensure that the toner cartridge assembly is aligned with the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment, improving the accuracy of toner filling.

[0066] For the C-type powder hopper assembly drive device, the drive device includes a battery power unit 37, a second drive motor 311, a guide wheel 322, and a drive wheel 323, all mounted on the top of the powder filling cylinder 33. The battery power unit 37 is connected to the second drive motor 311. See also Figure 25 The drive wheel 323 and the guide wheel 322 are arranged in parallel on the frame assembly 4 (exemplarily, the frame assembly 4 is a channel steel, and the drive wheel 323 and the guide wheel 322 are arranged in parallel in the groove of the frame assembly 4 itself, and the frame assembly 4 acts as a guide rail) and can move freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly 4; the second drive motor 311 is connected to the drive wheel 323 and drives the drive wheel 323 to rotate, so as to realize the longitudinal movement of the powder bucket assembly; at the same time, the guide wheel 322 ensures that there will be no positional deviation or tipping during the longitudinal movement of the powder bucket assembly.

[0067] The battery power unit 37 configured on the first powder bin assembly 3 or the second powder bin assembly 6 can return to zero for charging when idle.

[0068] See Figure 6 as well as Figure 10 The powder container also includes an arch-breaking device disposed within the powder feeding cylinder 33. This device includes an arch-breaking motor 36, an arch-breaking main shaft 319, an arch-breaking fork 320, and a bearing 321. The bearing 321 is disposed on the inner wall of the powder feeding cylinder 33. One end of the arch-breaking main shaft 319 is placed on the bearing 321, and the other end passes through the side wall of the powder feeding cylinder 33 and is connected to the arch-breaking motor 36. The arch-breaking motor 36 drives the arch-breaking main shaft 319 to rotate. The arch-breaking fork 320 is disposed circumferentially on the arch-breaking main shaft 319. The arch-breaking motor 36 drives the arch-breaking main shaft 319 to rotate, and the arch-breaking main shaft 319 drives the arch-breaking fork 320 to rotate, effectively suppressing the agglomeration and arching of metal powder in the powder feeding cylinder 33, allowing the metal powder to fall freely into the powder storage cylinder of the 3D printing equipment.

[0069] See Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 as well as Figure 27The toner cartridge assembly positioning device includes a longitudinal positioning camera 314, a transverse positioning camera 317, and a wireless transmitter and receiver 318. The longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317 are arranged alternately at the bottom of the toner cartridge 33; the wireless transmitter and receiver 318 is located at the top of the toner cartridge 33. The secondary precise positioning of the toner outlet of the first toner cartridge assembly 3 or the second toner cartridge assembly 6 with the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cartridge 102 of the printing equipment is achieved through image recognition using real-time photographs taken by the longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317, which are installed above the printing equipment 10 or at the bottom of the toner cartridge 33. (When the longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317 are installed above the printing equipment 10, the bottom of the toner cartridge 33 is photographed by the longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317, thereby determining the toner filling position of the bottom of the toner cartridge 33 relative to the top of the printing equipment 10, especially the bottom of the toner cartridge 33 relative to the toner storage cartridge 102 of the printing equipment.) The relative position of the toner filling port 101 is used for precise positioning. When the longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317 are installed at the bottom of the toner filling cylinder 33, the top of the printing device 10 is photographed by the longitudinal positioning camera 314 and the transverse positioning camera 317, especially the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing device, so as to determine the relative position of the bottom of the toner filling cylinder 33 with the top of the printing device 10, especially the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing device, for precise positioning. The movement of the toner filling cylinder 33 is controlled by the longitudinal motion unit 31 and the transverse motion unit 32 to achieve secondary precise positioning with the 3D printing device toner storage cylinder. The wireless transmitting and receiving device 318 is connected to the controller through a wireless network to realize information transmission between the controller and the toner tank assembly (first toner tank assembly 3 or second toner tank assembly 6). In addition, the toner tank assembly can also be precisely positioned by other means such as position sensors, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0070] See Figure 19 as well as Figure 28The automatic powder supply device provided by the present invention further includes a powder storage bin disposed on the support plate 8 for adding powder to the powder hopper assembly; the powder storage bin includes a powder storage cylinder and a second telescopic pipe 12 communicating with the interior of the powder storage cylinder; a powder storage cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve 11 is disposed between the powder storage cylinder and the second telescopic pipe 12; a second air outlet valve 14 and a second air inlet valve 13 are disposed sequentially from top to bottom on the second telescopic pipe 12; the second telescopic pipe 12 communicates with the powder filling cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve 34 on the powder filling cylinder 33. There is at least one powder storage bin, or multiple powder storage bins arranged opposite each other, and each powder storage bin has the same structure. By way of example, the present invention provides a first toner storage cylinder 1 and a second toner storage cylinder 7 on the side of the support plate 8. The first toner storage cylinder 1 and the second toner storage cylinder 7 are both located above the slide rail 2 on the same side, and a gap is provided between them. The first toner bucket assembly 3 or the second toner bucket assembly 6 moves horizontally along the slide rail 2 via the frame assembly 4 and docks with the first toner storage cylinder 1 or the second toner storage cylinder 7. The first toner bucket assembly 3 or the second toner bucket assembly 6 moves longitudinally along the frame assembly 4 to dock with the toner filling port 101 of the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing device. The first toner storage cylinder 1 or the second toner storage cylinder 7, the toner storage cylinder 102 of the printing device, and the first toner bucket assembly 3 or the second toner bucket assembly 6 are all filled with inert gas to prevent the metal powder from oxidizing at high temperatures under laser irradiation and reducing the strength of the printed parts. When the powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) is low on powder, the powder level sensor 35 of the powder feeding cylinder sends a low powder signal through the wireless transmitter and receiver 318. The controller controls the powder hopper assembly to return to the zero position (powder feeding position), and the control frame assembly 4 moves laterally to below the powder storage cylinder (first powder storage cylinder 1 or second powder storage cylinder 7). The powder storage cylinder (first powder storage cylinder 1 or second powder storage cylinder 7) is connected to the inlet pipe of the powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) through the second telescopic pipe 12. During the powder feeding operation, the pneumatic butterfly valve 11 at the outlet of the powder storage cylinder and the pneumatic butterfly valve 34 at the inlet of the powder feeding cylinder open. The metal powder inside the powder storage cylinder (first powder storage cylinder 1 or second powder storage cylinder 7) falls into the powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) by gravity, completing the powder feeding operation of the powder hopper assembly. The pneumatic butterfly valve 11 at the outlet of the powder storage cylinder and the pneumatic butterfly valve 34 at the inlet of the powder feeding cylinder then close. Both the powder storage cylinder (first powder storage cylinder 1 or second powder storage cylinder 7) and the powder bucket assembly (first powder bucket assembly 3 or second powder bucket assembly 6) are filled with inert gas.

[0071] See Figure 17 as well as Figure 18The automatic powder supply device also includes a transfer powder tank 5 located at the bottom of the powder tank assembly. The function of the transfer powder tank 5 is as follows: If the powder tank assembly (first powder tank assembly 3 or second powder tank assembly 6) directly adds metal powder into the powder storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment, the forming chamber of the printing equipment 10 will experience slight vibrations during the powder addition process. These vibrations will affect the optical instruments and the accuracy of powder spreading, causing defects such as decreased density and porosity in the printed parts, and in severe cases, rendering the 3D printed parts unusable. If the printing equipment 10 is equipped with a transfer powder tank 5, when the powder level sensor 31 in the powder storage cylinder of the printing equipment 10 is activated... 6. When a powder shortage is detected, the pneumatic butterfly valve 313 at the powder storage cylinder inlet will open when the powder storage cylinder of the 3D printing equipment is dispensing powder. The intermediate powder tank 5 will add powder to the powder storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment. During the laser parting process or the squeegee powder spreading process, the intermediate powder tank 5 will not add powder to the powder storage cylinder 102 of the printing equipment. This can effectively avoid vibration affecting the optical instruments and the accuracy of powder spreading, and improve the accuracy of the printing operation. It can also avoid the powder tank assembly (first powder tank assembly 3 or second powder tank assembly 6) waiting for a long time above a printing equipment 10, effectively improving the operating efficiency of the automatic powder supply device. The transfer tank 5 includes a transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve 51, a transfer tank level sensor 52, a transfer tank body 53, and a mounting bracket 54; the transfer tank body 53 is mounted on the mounting bracket 54; the transfer tank level sensor 52 is installed inside the transfer tank body 53; the first telescopic pipe 39 is placed on the top of the transfer tank body 53 and communicates with the interior of the transfer tank body 53; the transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve 51 is installed between the first telescopic pipe 39 and the transfer tank body 53. When the transfer powder hopper 5 is low on powder, the transfer hopper level sensor 52 sends a powder shortage signal. The controller then controls the powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) to move above the transfer powder hopper 5. The powder outlet of the powder hopper assembly (first powder hopper assembly 3 or second powder hopper assembly 6) and the inlet of the transfer powder hopper 5 are connected via the first telescopic pipe 39. At this time, the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the powder filling cylinder outlet and the pneumatic butterfly valve 51 at the transfer hopper inlet are still closed. The first air inlet valve 312 and the first air outlet valve 315 are opened to introduce inert gas and expel the oxygen in the first telescopic pipe 39 until the oxygen content of the discharged gas meets the requirements for 3D printing. The first air outlet valve 315 is closed, and the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the powder filling cylinder outlet and the pneumatic butterfly valve 51 at the transfer hopper inlet are opened to add powder to the transfer powder hopper 5. After the operation is completed, close the pneumatic butterfly valve 310 at the outlet of the powder feeding cylinder and the pneumatic butterfly valve 51 at the inlet of the transfer tank, and finally close the first air inlet valve 312 to complete the powder supply to the transfer tank 5.

[0072] The specific usage of this invention is as follows:

[0073] When the toner cartridge 102 of the printing equipment is low on toner, the toner level sensor 316 installed inside the toner cartridge 102 transmits a low-toner signal to the controller. The controller then controls the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) to move above the toner cartridge 102 and align it with the toner filling port 101, directly supplying toner to the toner cartridge 102. Alternatively, the controller controls the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) to move above the transfer toner cartridge 5 and align it with the transfer toner cartridge 5, directly supplying toner to the transfer toner cartridge 5, which then supplies toner to the toner cartridge 102. After the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) has finished supplying toner, the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) moves away from the printing equipment 10 via the toner cartridge assembly drive device.

[0074] When the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) is low on toner, the toner level sensor 35 sends a low-toner signal via the wireless transmitter and receiver 318. The controller then controls the toner cartridge assembly to return to the toner-filling position via the toner cartridge assembly drive device, and the control frame assembly 4 moves laterally to below the toner storage cylinder (first toner storage cylinder 1 or second toner storage cylinder 7). The toner storage cylinder (first toner storage cylinder 1 or second toner storage cylinder 7) is connected to the inlet pipe of the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) via the second telescopic pipe 12. The metal powder inside the toner storage cylinder (first toner storage cylinder 1 or second toner storage cylinder 7) falls into the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) by gravity, completing the toner filling operation. After the toner storage cylinder has completed the toner supply operation, the toner cartridge assembly (first toner cartridge assembly 3 or second toner cartridge assembly 6) moves away from the toner storage cylinder via the toner cartridge assembly drive device, preparing to supply toner to the printing equipment 10.

Claims

1. An automatic powder supply method, characterized in that: The automatic powder supply method includes the following steps: 1) The controller controls multiple toner cartridges to move on the frame assembly (4) to above the transfer toner cartridge (5). The controller uses a longitudinal positioning camera (314) and a transverse positioning camera (317) installed at the bottom of the toner filling cylinder (33) to take pictures in real time and identify the relative positions of the toner outlet of each toner cartridge in the multiple toner cartridges and the toner filling port of the transfer toner cartridge (5). Then, the controller controls the movement of the toner filling cylinder (33) through the longitudinal motion unit (31) and the transverse motion unit (32) to achieve precise alignment between the toner outlet of each toner cartridge in the multiple toner cartridges and the toner filling port of the transfer toner cartridge (5), and supplies toner to the transfer toner cartridge (5). The transfer toner cartridge (5) supplies toner to the toner storage cylinder (102) of the printing equipment. 2) After the powder supply is completed, the controller controls the powder tank assembly to move away from the printing equipment (10). Step 1) also includes: 0) Determine if there is powder in the powder hopper assembly. If yes, proceed directly to step 1). If no, add powder to the powder hopper assembly first, and then proceed to step 1 after the powder adding operation is completed. Step 0) involves adding powder to the powder container assembly, specifically: The powder level sensor (35) in the powder barrel assembly sends a powder shortage signal to the controller. The controller controls the powder barrel assembly to move on the frame assembly (4) until the powder barrel assembly is placed below the powder storage cylinder. The metal powder inside the powder storage cylinder falls into the powder barrel assembly by gravity, completing the powder adding operation of the powder barrel assembly.

2. The automatic powder feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step 1) Specifically: The powder storage cylinder level sensor (316) sends a powder shortage signal to the controller. The controller controls the powder cylinder assembly to move on the frame assembly (4) above the intermediate powder cylinder (5) and supply powder to the intermediate powder cylinder (5). The intermediate powder cylinder (5) supplies powder to the printing equipment powder storage cylinder (102).

3. The automatic powder feeding method according to claim 2, characterized in that: Step 1) Specifically: The powder storage cylinder level sensor (316) sends a powder shortage signal to the controller. The controller controls the powder cylinder assembly to move on the frame assembly (4) to above the intermediate powder cylinder (5). The position of the powder cylinder assembly is finely adjusted by the longitudinal motion unit (31) and the transverse motion unit (32) so that the powder cylinder assembly is aligned with the powder filling port of the intermediate powder cylinder (5) and powder is supplied to the intermediate powder cylinder (5). The intermediate powder cylinder (5) supplies powder to the printing equipment powder storage cylinder (102).

4. The automatic powder feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step 0) involves adding powder to the powder container assembly, specifically: The powder level sensor (35) in the powder barrel assembly sends a powder shortage signal to the controller. The controller controls the powder barrel assembly to move on the frame assembly (4). The controller controls the frame assembly (4) to move on the slide rail (2) until the powder barrel assembly is placed below the powder storage cylinder. The metal powder inside the powder storage cylinder falls into the powder barrel assembly by gravity, completing the powder adding operation of the powder barrel assembly.

5. An automatic powder feeding device for implementing the automatic powder feeding method as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The automatic powder supply device includes a support plate (8), a slide rail (2), a frame assembly (4), and a powder bucket assembly; the support plate (8) consists of two sets, which are arranged opposite to each other; a slide rail (2) is provided on the opposite surfaces of the oppositely arranged support plates (8); the frame assembly (4) is placed between the two sets of support plates (8) and on the slide rail (2); the frame assembly (4) can slide freely along the axial direction of the slide rail (2); the powder bucket assembly is arranged on the frame assembly (4) and slides freely on the frame assembly (4); a transfer powder bucket (5) is provided at the bottom of the powder bucket assembly. The powder bucket assembly includes a powder bucket body, a powder bucket assembly positioning device, and a powder bucket assembly driving device; the powder bucket body is connected to the transfer powder bucket (5); the powder bucket assembly positioning device is connected to the powder bucket body; the powder bucket assembly driving device is connected to the powder bucket body and drives the powder bucket body to slide on the frame assembly (4).

6. The automatic powder feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The powder hopper body includes a powder feeding cylinder (33), a powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve (34), a powder feeding cylinder level sensor (35), a first telescopic pipe (39), a powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve (310), a first air inlet valve (312), and a first air outlet valve (315); the first telescopic pipe (39) is located at the bottom of the powder feeding cylinder (33) and communicates with the inside of the powder feeding cylinder (33); a powder feeding cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve (310) is provided between the powder feeding cylinder (33) and the first telescopic pipe (39). The top of the powder feeding cylinder (33) is provided with a powder feeding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve (34); the powder feeding cylinder (33) is provided with a powder feeding cylinder level sensor (35); the first telescopic pipe (39) is provided with a first air outlet valve (315) and a first air inlet valve (312) from top to bottom; the powder bucket assembly positioning device is placed outside the powder feeding cylinder (33); the powder bucket assembly driving device is connected to the powder feeding cylinder (33) and drives the powder feeding cylinder (33) to slide freely on the frame assembly (4); The powder barrel assembly drive device includes a battery power unit (37), a first drive motor (38), a longitudinal motion unit (31), and a transverse motion unit (32), all disposed outside the powder filling cylinder (33). The battery power unit (37) is connected to the longitudinal motion unit (31), the transverse motion unit (32), and the first drive motor (38), respectively. The longitudinal motion unit (31) drives the powder filling cylinder (33) to make micro-movements on the frame assembly (4) along the axial direction of the frame assembly (4). The transverse motion unit (32) drives the powder filling cylinder (33) to make micro-movements on the frame assembly (4) in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the frame assembly (4). The first drive motor (38) drives the powder filling cylinder (33) to slide freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly (4). or, The powder bucket assembly drive device also includes a right-angle reducer (41), a sliding groove (42), a cable (43), a drive sprocket (44), a chain (45), and a driven sprocket (46); the frame assembly (4) is provided with a sliding groove (42) along the axial direction of the frame assembly (4); the two ends of the frame assembly (4) are provided with a drive sprocket (44) and a driven sprocket (46); a chain (45) is provided between the drive sprocket (44) and the driven sprocket (46); the powder adding cylinder (33) is placed in the sliding groove (42) and moves freely along the axial direction of the sliding groove (42); the bottom of the powder adding cylinder (33) is placed on the chain (45) and moves synchronously with the chain (45); the cable (43) is connected to the right-angle reducer (41); the right-angle reducer (41) is connected to the drive sprocket (44) and drives the drive sprocket (44) to rotate; or, The powder barrel assembly drive device includes a battery power unit (37), a second drive motor (311), a guide wheel (322), and a drive wheel (323), all of which are disposed outside the powder filling cylinder (33). The drive wheel (323) and the guide wheel (322) are arranged in parallel on the frame assembly (4) and can move freely along the axial direction of the frame assembly (4). The second drive motor (311) is connected to the drive wheel (323) and drives the drive wheel (323) to rotate. The battery power unit (37) is connected to the second drive motor (311). The powder barrel body also includes an arch-breaking device disposed inside the powder feeding cylinder (33); the arch-breaking device includes an arch-breaking motor (36), an arch-breaking main shaft (319), an arch-breaking fork (320), and a bearing with a seat (321); the bearing with a seat (321) is disposed on the inner wall of the powder feeding cylinder (33); one end of the arch-breaking main shaft (319) is placed on the bearing with a seat (321), and the other end passes through the side wall of the powder feeding cylinder (33) and is connected to the arch-breaking motor (36); the arch-breaking motor (36) drives the arch-breaking main shaft (319) to rotate; an arch-breaking fork (320) is disposed on the arch-breaking main shaft (319) along the circumference of the arch-breaking main shaft (319). The powder barrel assembly positioning device includes a longitudinal positioning camera (314), a transverse positioning camera (317), and a wireless transmitting and receiving device (318); the longitudinal positioning camera (314) and the transverse positioning camera (317) are arranged alternately at the bottom of the powder filling barrel (33); the wireless transmitting and receiving device (318) is arranged at the top of the powder filling barrel (33); The automatic powder supply device also includes a powder storage bin on the support plate (8) for adding powder to the powder barrel assembly; the powder storage bin includes a powder storage cylinder and a second telescopic pipe (12) that communicates with the inside of the powder storage cylinder; a powder storage cylinder outlet pneumatic butterfly valve (11) is provided between the powder storage cylinder and the second telescopic pipe (12); a second air outlet valve (14) and a second air inlet valve (13) are provided on the second telescopic pipe (12) from top to bottom; the second telescopic pipe (12) communicates with the powder adding cylinder inlet pneumatic butterfly valve (34) on the powder adding cylinder (33); The transfer tank (5) includes a transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve (51), a transfer tank level sensor (52), a transfer tank body (53), and a mounting bracket (54); the transfer tank body (53) is mounted on the mounting bracket (54); the transfer tank body (53) is equipped with a transfer tank level sensor (52) inside the transfer tank body (53); the first telescopic pipe (39) is placed on the top of the transfer tank body (53) and communicates with the interior of the transfer tank body (53); the transfer tank inlet pneumatic butterfly valve (51) is provided between the first telescopic pipe (39) and the transfer tank body (53).

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