3D printed module for generating cleaning flow

Abstract

The present invention discloses a 3D printing module for removing uncured building materials attached to a 3D printed part. The 3D printing module includes: a platform in a housing for supporting the 3D printed part; a vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform; a cleaning element for applying a cleaning flow in the housing to clean the 3D printed part; and a controller. The controller is used to vibrate the platform, generate a cleaning flow in the housing, and control at least one of the platform and the cleaning element to apply the cleaning flow to different parts of the 3D printed part on the platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a 3D printing module for generating a cleaning flow. Background Art

[0002] Some additive manufacturing or 3D printing systems generate 3D objects by selectively solidifying portions of successively formed layers of build material, layer by layer. The unsolidified portions of the build material can be separated from the generated object at the end of the 3D printing process. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a 3D printing module for generating a cleaning flow is provided, the 3D printing module comprising: a platform within a shell for supporting a 3D printed component; a vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform; a plurality of cleaning elements for applying a cleaning flow within the shell to clean the 3D printed component; and a controller for: vibrating the platform; generating a plurality of cleaning flows in the shell; and controlling at least one of the platform and the cleaning elements to apply the plurality of cleaning flows to different portions of the 3D printed component on the platform, wherein the plurality of cleaning flows cause the 3D printed component to move around the platform.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning a 3D printed part is provided, comprising: vibrating a vibration mechanism to vibrate a platform from a 3D printing module housing; simultaneously generating a plurality of cleaning flows in the housing through a plurality of cleaning elements; and moving at least one of the platform and the cleaning element to apply the plurality of cleaning flows to different portions of the 3D printed part located on the platform, wherein the plurality of cleaning flows cause the 3D printed part to move around the platform.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a 3D printing device is provided, comprising: a platform within a shell, the platform having a hole, the platform being used to receive a build bed thereon, the build bed comprising a 3D printed part and uncured build material; a vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform; a plurality of cleaning elements for simultaneously applying a plurality of cleaning flows within the shell to clean the 3D printed part; and a controller for: vibrating the platform for a first time period to remove a certain amount of build material through the hole of the platform; generating a plurality of cleaning flows in the shell during different second time periods; and during the second time period, controlling at least one of the platform and the cleaning elements to apply the plurality of cleaning flows to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform, thereby removing the build material attached to the 3D printed part, wherein the plurality of cleaning flows cause the 3D printed part to move around the platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present application may be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of non-limiting examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a 3D printing module.

[0008] Figure 2 is a flow chart of an example method for removing uncured build material in a 3D printing module.

[0009] Figure 3A is another schematic diagram illustrating an example of a 3D printing module.

[0010] Figure 3B is another schematic diagram illustrating an example of a 3D printing module.

[0011] Figure 3C is another schematic diagram illustrating an example of a 3D printing module.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cleaning element configuration in a 3D printing module.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a 3D printing module having a tilting mechanism.

[0014] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first stage of a cleaning process of a 3D printing module.

[0015] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second stage of the cleaning process of the 3D printing module.

[0016] Figure 7 is a flow chart of another example method for removing uncured build material from a 3D printing module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following description relates to various examples of additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing, devices, and processes for generating 3D objects. Throughout this disclosure, the terms "a" and "an" are intended to mean at least one of a particular element. In addition, as used herein, the term "includes" means including but not limited to, and the term "comprising" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on.

[0018] For the sake of simplicity, it should be understood that in the present disclosure, elements with the same reference numbers in different figures may be identical in structure and may perform the same function.

[0019] A 3D printing system generates a 3D object by performing a series of 3D printing operations. In some 3D printing systems, some 3D printing operations are separated from each other and can be performed by different subsystems of the 3D printing system. The subsystems may vary depending on the type of material and 3D printing technology used. Some subsystems may be physically placed in different locations. Other subsystems may be integrated into a single housing.

[0020] Some 3D printers generate 3D objects by selectively processing layers of build material. For example, a 3D printer selectively solidifies portions of a layer of build material corresponding to slices of a 3D object to be generated, thereby leaving uncured portions of the layer in areas where the 3D object is not to be generated. The combination of the generated three-dimensional object and the uncured build material is often referred to as a build bed. The volume in which the build bed is generated is often referred to as a build chamber.

[0021] Suitable powder-based build materials for use in additive manufacturing may include at least one of a polymer, a metal powder, or a ceramic powder, where appropriate. In some examples, the build material may be provided in other forms, such as gels, pastes, and slurries.

[0022] The 3D printing system may also perform a cleaning operation to separate the generated 3D printed parts from the uncured build material. In some examples, the cleaning operation may be performed in the 3D printer. In other systems, the entire build bed is transferred to a cleaning device where the cleaning operation is performed. In some systems, a first cleaning operation may be performed in a first cleaning module (e.g., a 3D printer), and a second cleaning operation may be performed in a second cleaning module (e.g., a cleaning device).

[0023] These cleaning operations can be performed in a closed container that houses the build bed. In contrast to industrial processes with large conveyor belt systems, these containers are small in size and do not have much space for conveying the entire build bed. Some examples of 3D printing modules herein separate uncured build material from 3D printed parts (i.e., clean uncured build material from 3D printed parts) in an automated manner and within the volume where the build bed is located, thereby suppressing build material that is dispersed in the air during the cleaning operation.

[0024] In some systems, a removable container adapted to hold a build bed can be attached to or detached from different subsystems of a 3D printing system. In some systems, the removable container is a build unit. A build unit can be a module that includes a build chamber in which a 3D object will be generated during the entire 3D printing process of the 3D printing system.

[0025] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1is a schematic diagram showing a vertical cross-section of a 3D printing module 100 according to an example. The 3D printing module 100 may be, for example, a part of a build material processing station, a 3D printer, a cleaning station, or the like.

[0026] The 3D printing module 100 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 is a container defining a chamber 115, and a platform 120 is located in the chamber 115. The platform can substantially span the entire horizontal surface of the chamber 115. In some examples, the platform 120 can be moved (e.g., vertically moved) within the chamber 115 by, for example, a platform drive mechanism (not shown).

[0027] In examples where 3D printing module 100 is included in a 3D printer, chamber 115 may be referred to as a build chamber. The build chamber enables the formation of layers of build material on platform 120. In some examples, portions of the newly formed uppermost layer of build material may be selectively cured (or partially cured) to form a layer that includes at least a portion of 3D printed object 130 being generated. Upon completion of the 3D object generation process, a cleanup operation is performed to separate 3D printed part 130 and uncured build material.

[0028] However, in some examples, the 3D printing module 100 is included in a cleaning station that is not integrated into the 3D printer. In these examples, the build bed is generated in the 3D printer and then transferred to the cleaning station by, for example, a transport unit (not shown). The transport unit can be understood as a housing suitable for holding the build bed and engageable with the cleaning station. In one example, after the build bed generation is completed, the build bed is transferred to the transport unit. In another example, the build bed is generated directly in the transport unit in the 3D printer, and when the generation of the 3D object 130 is completed, the transport unit with the build bed is transferred to the cleaning station. The transport unit with the build bed can be engaged with the cleaning station so that the build bed can be transferred from the internal volume of the transport unit to the top surface of the platform 120. In these examples, the cleaning operation is performed in the cleaning station.

[0029] Uncured building material that is in direct contact with or in close proximity to the generated 3D printed object (hereinafter referred to as attached building material) may be more difficult to separate than other portions of the uncured building material (hereinafter referred to as loose building material). This may be caused, for example, by the building material also including some printing agent and / or may be affected by heat penetration caused during the generation of the 3D object.

[0030] In another example, a first cleaning operation is performed in a 3D printer and a second cleaning operation is performed in a cleaning station. The first cleaning operation can be used to remove a first portion of uncured build material (e.g., loose build material) and the second cleaning operation can be used to remove a second portion of uncured build material (e.g., adhered build material).

[0031] The platform 120 may be controlled to move vertically within the chamber 115. In one example, the platform 120 is to be reciprocated up and down. In one example, the platform 120 is to be reciprocated up and down by a distance corresponding to the entire height of the chamber. In another example, the platform 120 is to be reciprocated up and down by a distance in the range of 0 to 150 mm, such as 100 mm. In another example, the platform 120 is to be reciprocated up and down by a distance in the range of 0 to 75 mm, such as 50 mm. In another example, the platform 120 is to be reciprocated up and down by a distance less than 50 mm.

[0032] The 3D printing module 100 also includes a vibration mechanism 140 for vibrating the movable platform 120. The vibration mechanism 140 can vibrate, thereby transmitting the vibration to the platform 120. Therefore, the vibration is transmitted to the build bed as energy. Some of the uncured building materials may exist in the chamber 115 in a cohesive manner, making it more difficult to remove from the chamber. The vibration can loosen and / or break the cohesive building materials, thereby allowing such building materials to be removed from the 3D printing module 100 by, for example, a sieve and / or a pneumatic removal system (not shown). The vibration of the building platform 120 provides a vertical displacement of the 3D printing part 130 with the uncured building material 135 attached, thereby allowing such building materials to be removed. In another example, the vibration of the building platform 120 also provides lateral displacement.

[0033] The vibration mechanism 140 can be controlled to vibrate at a specific frequency or frequency range. In one example, the vibration mechanism 140 vibrates to vibrate the platform 120 at a fixed frequency. In another example, the vibration mechanism 140 vibrates to vibrate the platform 120 at a plurality of fixed frequencies spaced apart for a predetermined period of time (e.g., vibrating at a first frequency for a period of time, followed by vibrating at a second frequency for a period of time). In yet another example, the vibration mechanism 140 vibrates to vibrate the platform 120 at a set of frequencies ranging from a lower end frequency to a higher end frequency.

[0034] In one example, the vibration mechanism 140 can vibrate the platform 120 at a frequency of 20 to 60 Hz, such as 30 Hz or 50 Hz. In another example, the vibration mechanism 140 can vibrate the platform 120 at a frequency of 40 to 50 Hz.

[0035] The 3D printing module 100 also includes a cleaning element 150 for applying a cleaning airflow 155 in the housing to clean the 3D printed part 130. The cleaning element 150 can be any device suitable for generating and applying a cleaning flow 155, such as a blowing nozzle, a microturbine, a dry ice generating device, or a bead blasting device. In one example, the cleaning element 150 is an air knife. In the example where the cleaning element 150 is a dry ice generating device, there may be a previous chamber in which a piece of dry ice is sublimated to form a cold airflow, which is directed to the chamber 115 as a cleaning flow 155. An air knife is a tool for generating a uniform laminar airflow. An example of an air knife is formed by a plurality of air nozzles positioned one after another in a straight line. Another example of an air knife is formed by a narrow and usually relatively long air port.

[0036] Cleaning element 150 may be mounted or attached to a wall of chamber 115. Cleaning element 150 may be located toward the top of the housing and, when in use, above platform 120 to generate a cleaning stream 155 generally toward platform 120. Cleaning stream 155 is intended to reach adhered uncured build material 135 and remove adhered uncured build material 135 from any 3D printed parts located on platform 120, thereby cleaning the 3D printed parts. For simplicity, Figure 1 Only a single 3D printed part 130 is shown.

[0037] In another example, the cleaning element 150 can be controlled to generate the cleaning flow 155 in a rotatable manner. In one example, the cleaning element 150 can be rotated to change the angle at which the flow strikes the object 130. In another example, the cleaning element 150 can be fixed but additionally include a gate (not shown) to change the orientation of the cleaning flow 155 without rotating the cleaning element 150 itself.

[0038] 3D printing module 100 may additionally include a build material removal system 157 to transfer removed uncured build material from a cleaning operation to a reservoir external to chamber 115. In one example, build material removal system 157 is a pneumatic build material extraction device (eg, a fan).

[0039] The 3D printing module 100 also includes a controller 160. The controller 160 includes a processor 165 and a memory 167 having specific control instructions to be executed by the processor 165. The controller 160 is coupled to the vibration mechanism 140 and the cleaning element 150. In addition, the controller 160 may also be coupled to the platform 120. The controller 160 may control the operation of the cleaning element 150, the vibration mechanism 140, and in addition the platform 120. The functionality of the controller 160 will be further described below.

[0040] In the examples herein, the controller may be any combination of hardware and programming that may be implemented in a variety of different ways. For example, the programming of the module may be processor executable instructions stored in at least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, and the hardware for the module may include at least one processor to execute those instructions. In some examples described herein, multiple modules may be implemented together by a combination of hardware and programming. In other examples, the functionality of the controller may be implemented at least in part in the form of electronic circuits. The controller may be a distributed controller, multiple controllers, etc.

[0041] Figure 2 is used to print modules from 3D (e.g. Figure 1 1. A flowchart of an example method for removing uncured building material from a 3D printed object on a platform 120 in a 3D printing module 100 of the present invention. In some examples, method 200 may be performed by controller 160.

[0042] Method 200 may start when at least one 3D printed part with uncured building material attached thereto is placed on platform 120 in 3D printing module 100. In another example, method 200 may start when the entire building bed is placed on platform 120.

[0043] At block 220, the controller 160 controls the vibration mechanism to vibrate, thereby vibrating the platform 120 at a predetermined frequency or frequency range. The vibration of the platform 120 causes the 3D printing part 130 to move laterally and vertically. The vertical displacement of the 3D printing part 130 can at least partially remove the uncured building material 135 attached thereto. In another example, when the entire build bed is placed on the platform 120, the vibration of the platform 120 can loosen and / or break the uncured building material structure, so that the building material removal system 157 (e.g., an external pneumatic building material removal device) transports the building material to an external building material tank or hopper.

[0044] At block 240, the controller 160 controls the cleaning element 150 to generate a cleaning flow 155 in the chamber 115. The controller 160 controls the cleaning element 150 to apply the cleaning flow 155 in a predetermined manner. For example, the controller 160 controls the cleaning element 150 to generate the cleaning flow 155 as a series of pulses in a predetermined period (e.g., a sequence of a first period with an active cleaning flow 155 and a second period without the cleaning flow). In another example, the controller 160 controls the cleaning element 150 to generate the cleaning flow 155 as a sequence of higher intensity and lower intensity cleaning flows (e.g., a sequence of a first period with a higher intensity cleaning flow 155 and a second period with a lower intensity cleaning flow 155). In yet another example, the controller 160 controls the cleaning element 150 to generate the cleaning flow 155 as a sequence of increasing intensity (i.e., from a lower intensity to a higher intensity) and decreasing intensity (i.e., from a higher intensity to a lower intensity) (e.g., a sequence of a first period of the cleaning flow 155 as an intensity ramp-up and a second period of the cleaning flow 155 as an intensity ramp-down).

[0045] At block 260, controller 160 controls at least one of platform 120 and cleaning element 150 to apply cleaning stream 155 to different portions of 3D printed part 130 on platform 120. Controller 160 may control platform 120 to move vertically by a distance to redirect 3D printed part 130 relative to cleaning stream 155 so that cleaning stream 155 reaches different portions of 3D printed part 130, thereby removing uncured building material 135 attached to different portions to which cleaning stream 155 has been directed. Controller 160 may also control cleaning element 150 or any device (e.g., gate) that may be engaged with cleaning element 150 and cleaning stream 155 to redirect cleaning stream 155 to be directed toward different portions of 3D printed part 130, thereby removing uncured building material 135 attached to different portions to which cleaning stream 155 has been directed. In one example, controller may control cleaning element 150 or a device that may be engaged with cleaning element 150 to move vertically, laterally, or rotate.

[0046] Figure 3A -C shows a 3D printed module (e.g., from Figure 1 An example embodiment of a 3D printing module 100) that relates to a previously disclosed Figure 1 , these elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 3A The 3D printing module disclosed in -C includes a housing 110, a platform 120, a vibration mechanism 140, a cleaning element 150 and a controller 160.

[0047] Figure 3AA 3D printing module 300A according to one example is shown. In this example, the cleaning element 150 is fixed relative to the chamber 115. The cleaning flow 155 is also fixed relative to the chamber 115, whereby the angle between the cleaning flow 155 and the horizontal axis is constant.

[0048] In this example, platform 120 is a movable platform that can be controlled by controller 160. Controller 160 controls platform 120 to move vertically during the cleaning operation (e.g., along arrow 325 as shown). The vertical movement of platform 120 enables 3D printed part 130 to change its orientation relative to fixed cleaning stream 155, so that fixed cleaning stream 155 reaches different portions of the surface of 3D printed part 130, thereby removing uncured building material 135 from different portions of the surface of 3D printed part 130.

[0049] In one example, the starting position of the platform 120 may be at the lower portion of the chamber 115, and the controller 160 may then move the platform 120 vertically upward in a single pass throughout the cleaning operation. In another example, the starting position of the platform 120 may be at the upper portion of the chamber 115, and the controller 160 may then move the platform 120 vertically downward in a single pass throughout the cleaning operation. In another example, the controller 160 may move the platform 120 vertically downward and vertically upward throughout the cleaning operation, both in a single pass. In yet another example, the controller 160 may move the platform 120 up and down multiple times throughout the cleaning operation.

[0050] Refer to the description of 3D printing module 300B Figure 3B In one example, the platform 120 is a fixed platform relative to the housing 110. In another example, the platform 120 is a movable platform, wherein the controller 160 moves the platform 120 relative to the cleaning element 150 and / or the housing 110 to a predetermined position before a cleaning operation. Once the platform 120 is in the predetermined position, the controller 160 controls other elements from the 3D printing module 300B to start a cleaning operation.

[0051] However, in this example, the cleaning stream 155 is controlled to move in a rotatable manner (e.g., rotatable along the illustrated arrow 357). In one example, the cleaning element 150 is rotatable, so the cleaning stream 155 will rotate in a manner similar to the cleaning element 150 that generates the cleaning stream 155. In another example, the cleaning element 150 is fixed relative to the housing 110, but a gate (not shown) can be used to control the orientation of the cleaning stream 155. Therefore, controlling the rotation of the gate also results in controlling the rotation of the cleaning stream 155.

[0052] When the platform 120 is maintained at a predetermined position, the cleaning stream 155 is controlled to move in a rotatable manner so that the cleaning stream 155 is applied to different parts of the 3D printed part 130 during the cleaning operation. Therefore, the cleaning stream 155 reaches different parts of the 3D printed part and removes the uncured building material 135 located there.

[0053] Reference 3D printing module 300C discloses Figure 3C Platform 120 is a movable platform and is controlled to Figure 3A Similarly, the cleaning flow 155 is also controlled to move with the movable platform 120 disclosed in Figure 3B The cleaning flow 155 disclosed in moves and / or rotates in a similar manner.

[0054] In one example, the platform 120 is controlled to move to a position relative to the housing 110, and the cleaning flow 150 is rotated according to one of the examples disclosed above (see, e.g., Figure 3B ). Then, the control platform 120 is moved to a different position relative to the housing 110, and the cleaning flow 150 is similarly rotated. The cleaning method can be repeatedly or similarly performed by moving the platform 120 to different positions during the cleaning operation.

[0055] In another example, the cleaning flow 155 is controlled to be fixed at a first angle relative to the horizontal axis, and the platform 120 is controlled to move according to one of the examples disclosed above (see, e.g., Figure 3A ). Sequentially, the cleaning stream 155 is controlled to be fixed at a second different angle relative to the horizontal axis, and the platform 120 is controlled to move similarly. The cleaning method can be repeatedly or similarly performed by positioning the cleaning stream 155 at different angles relative to the horizontal axis during the cleaning operation.

[0056] In yet another example, the platform 120 is controlled as from Figure 3A At least one example of the invention is disclosed as moving, and the cleaning flow 150 is disclosed to move simultaneously as from Figure 3B The cleaning method can be repeatedly performed during the cleaning operation.

[0057] By carrying out the above example, during a cleaning operation, cleaning stream 155 is applied to different portions of 3D printed part 130 , thereby removing uncured building material 135 located at the different portions to which cleaning stream 155 is applied.

[0058] Figure 4 4 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of an example of a cleaning element configuration in a 3D printing module 400. The 3D printing module 400 is related to the previously disclosed Figure 1The 3D printing module includes a housing 110 and a platform 120, wherein at least a 3D printed part 130 is to be placed on the platform 120 for cleaning.

[0059] The 3D printing module 400 includes a plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D in the chamber 115, each of which can be connected to the cleaning element 450A-D. Figure 1 The cleaning elements 150 of the housing 110 are the same or similar. In this example, four cleaning elements 450A-D are shown, one at the top of each side wall of the housing 110. However, other examples may have more or fewer cleaning elements. In addition, the cleaning elements 450A-D are shown as being roughly located in the middle of each side wall of the chamber 115, but in other examples, they can be located anywhere from the side wall of the housing 110 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0060] Each of the plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D is coupled to a controller 160 (not shown). The controller 160 is to control the plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D to independently generate cleaning streams 455A-D. In this example, the controller 160 controls the first cleaning element 450A to generate a first cleaning stream 455A, controls the second cleaning element 450B to generate a second cleaning stream 455B, controls the third cleaning element 450C to generate a third cleaning stream 455C, and controls the fourth cleaning element 450D to generate a fourth cleaning stream 455D.

[0061] In one example, the controller 160 controls the plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D to simultaneously generate the plurality of cleaning streams 455A-D. In another example, the controller 160 controls the plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D to sequentially generate the plurality of cleaning streams 455A-D. In yet another example, the controller 160 controls the plurality of cleaning elements 450A-D to simultaneously generate the plurality of cleaning streams 455A-D in a first time period and sequentially generate the plurality of cleaning streams 455A-D in a second time period.

[0062] In the above example, the term "sequentially" should be interpreted as generating a plurality of cleaning streams 455A-D in sequence. In the example herein, the sequence may involve turning on / off different cleaning elements 450A-D, controlling the rotation of cleaning streams 455A-D, controlling the intensity of cleaning streams 455A-D, etc.

[0063] In one example, a sequence can involve opening a first cleaning element 450A to produce a first cleaning stream 455A in a first time period. Then close the first cleaning element 450A and open the second cleaning element 450B to produce a second cleaning stream 455B in a second time period. Then close the second cleaning element 450B and open the third cleaning element 450C to produce a third cleaning stream 455C in a third time period. Then close the third cleaning element 450C and open the fourth cleaning element 450D to produce a fourth cleaning stream 455D in a fourth time period. This sequence can be repeated multiple times. Other examples can involve opening / closing cleaning elements 450A-D in different orders, with different cleaning streams 455A-D rotations, intensities, etc.

[0064] The controller 160 controls the cleaning elements 450A-D and the cleaning streams 455A-D to apply the independent cleaning streams 455A-D to clean the 3D printed part 130. In one example, the cleaning elements 450A-D are configured so that the generated cleaning streams 455A-D are balanced to keep the 3D printed part 130 in the middle of the chamber 115 during cleaning. However, in another example, the cleaning elements 450A-D are configured so that the generated cleaning streams 455A-D will cause the 3D printed part 130 to move around the platform 120 to enhance the cleaning performance.

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a 3D printing module 500 having a tilt mechanism 570. The 3D printing module 500 is related to the previously disclosed Figure 1 The 3D printing module 500 includes a housing 110, a platform 120, a vibration mechanism 140, and a controller 160. At least the 3D printing part 130 will be placed on the platform 120 for cleaning.

[0066] As described above, 3D printing module 500 also includes tilt mechanism 570. Tilt mechanism 570 may be any mechanism suitable for tilting platform 120, thereby changing the orientation of platform 120 relative to airflow 155. In some examples, tilt mechanism 570 includes electromechanical elements.

[0067] Tilt mechanism 570 is coupled to controller 160. Controller 160 controls tilt mechanism to reorient platform 120 relative to cleaning stream 155, thereby reorienting 3D printed part 130, so that cleaning stream 155 is applied to uncured building material 135 and removes them for cleaning purposes.

[0068] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Another example of a cleaning process for a build bed in 3D printing module 600 is shown. Fig. 6Ais a schematic diagram showing an example of the first stage of the cleaning process, Figure 6B is another schematic diagram showing an example of the second stage of the cleaning process. The 3D printing module 600 is related to the previously disclosed Figure 1 The 3D printing module 600 includes a housing 110 , a platform 120 , a vibration mechanism 140 , a cleaning element 150 , and a controller 160 .

[0069] Print module 600 includes a build bed receiving interface (not shown) for receiving build bed 680. In some examples, the build bed receiving interface is located on the side of housing 110, and the build bed is transported laterally from the transport unit to platform 120. In other examples, the build bed receiving interface is located on the top side of housing 110, and the build bed is transferred from the transport unit from the top of the housing to platform 120. In some examples, controller 160 controls build platform 120 to move to a higher position to help transfer build bed 480 from the transport unit to the top surface of platform 120.

[0070] Build bed 680 includes a plurality of 3D printed parts 130 and uncured build material. In some examples, the uncured build material includes loose build material 685 and build material 135 attached to the walls of 3D printed parts 130 (also referred to as attached build material 135). Attached build material 135 is more difficult to separate from the 3D printed object than loose build material 685.

[0071] Platform 120 includes a plurality of holes 625 extending through its surface, adapted to remove build material of build bed 680 from the top surface of platform 120 to the bottom surface of platform 120. At the bottom surface of the platform, a build material removal system may remove the removed build material from housing 110. In some examples, the build material removal system may be a pneumatic conveying system in fluid communication with a hopper, tank, or container (not shown).

[0072] Back to Fig. 6A , the build bed 680 is transferred to the housing 110, in particular the platform 120. The controller 160 then controls the vibration mechanism 140 to vibrate and vibrate the platform 120 for a first period of time. The vibration of the platform 120 is to remove the uncured build material from the build bed 180. The loose build material 685 may be removed first. In some examples, the attached build material 135 may take longer to remove, or may not be completely removed due to the influence of the vibration.

[0073] In one example, the first time period may be a fixed predefined amount of time. The first fixed predetermined amount of time may be based on the fill level of the build bed, the expected part quality of the print job, the material, the curing technology used, etc.

[0074] However, in other examples, the first time period can be based on the amount of building material removed. The removed building material is delivered to a hopper, which can include a load cell coupled to controller 160. In one example, controller 160 can detect whether the load cell senses that the weight of the hopper (and its contents) has increased to a predetermined threshold. In another example, controller 160 also detects that the weight of the hopper (and its contents) has not increased, indicating that most of the loose building material 685 has been removed.

[0075] Figure 6B Corresponding to 3D printing module 600 after the first time period, most of the loose building material 685 has been removed. After the first time period, platform 120 may include a plurality of 3D parts 130 with attached building material 135 that needs to be cleaned.

[0076] The controller 160 can then control the cleaning element 150 (or multiple cleaning elements) to generate a cleaning flow 155 in the housing 110 during a different second time period. In some examples, the first time period and the second time period are independent time periods. In other examples, the first time period and the second time period partially overlap.

[0077] In one example, controller 160 also controls platform 120 to move during a second time period so that cleaning flow 155 is applied to a different portion of 3D printed part 130 to remove at least a portion of attached building material 135 (see, e.g., Figure 3A Related examples).

[0078] In another example, controller 160 is to control cleaning element 150 and / or a gate (not shown) during a second time period to generate and direct rotatable cleaning stream 155 to a different portion of 3D printed part 130 to remove at least a portion of attached building material 135 (see, e.g., Figure 3B Related examples).

[0079] In yet another example, controller 160 is to control platform 120, cleaning element 150, and / or gate movement during a second time period so that cleaning flow 155 is applied to a different portion of 3D printed part 130 to remove at least a portion of attached building material 135 attached thereto (see, e.g., Figure 3C Related examples).

[0080] Additionally, the controller 160 may also control the vibration mechanism 140 to cause the platform 120 to vibrate during the second time period.

[0081] In some additional examples, the controller 160 may also be coupled to a tilt mechanism to tilt the platform 120 .

[0082] Figure 7 is a flow chart of another example method 700 for removing uncured building material in 3D printing module 600. Method 700 may involve Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Previously disclosed elements of the invention are denoted by the same reference numerals. In some examples, method 700 may be performed by Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The controller 160 executes.

[0083] Method 700 may begin when build bed 680 is placed onto platform 120 in housing 110 of 3D printing module 600 .

[0084] At block 720 , controller 160 may control vibration mechanism 140 to vibrate platform 120 for a first period of time to remove an amount of build material (eg, loose build material 685 ) from platform 120 through aperture 625 .

[0085] At block 740 , the controller 160 may control the cleaning element 150 to generate the cleaning flow 155 in the housing 110 during a second, different time period.

[0086] At block 760 , controller 160 controls at least one of platform 120 and cleaning element 150 during a second time period to apply cleaning flow 155 to a different portion of 3D printed part 130 on platform 120 to remove building material 135 attached to 3D printed part 130 .

[0087] As used herein, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" are used to provide flexibility for the end points of a range by providing a certain degree of flexibility. The degree of flexibility of the term may be dictated by the particular variable and will be determined within the knowledge of one skilled in the art based on experience and the relevant description herein.

[0088] The drawings in the examples of the present disclosure are some examples. It should be noted that some units and functions of the process can be combined into one unit, or further divided into multiple sub-units. What has been described and shown herein are examples of the present disclosure and some variations thereof. The terms, descriptions, and drawings used herein are set forth in an illustrative manner. Within the scope of the present disclosure, many variations are possible, and the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0089] Example implementations have been described having the following set of features:

[0090] Feature Group 1: A 3D printing module for removing uncured build material attached to a 3D printed part, comprising:

[0091] A platform inside the shell for supporting the 3D printed parts;

[0092] A vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform;

[0093] a cleaning element for applying a cleaning flow within the housing to clean the 3D printed part; and

[0094] Controller for:

[0095] Vibration platform;

[0096] generating a purge flow in the housing; and

[0097] At least one of the platform and the cleaning element is controlled to apply the cleaning flow to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform.

[0098] Feature Group 2: A 3D printing module having Feature Group 1, wherein the cleaning element is located toward the top of the housing and generates a cleaning flow toward the platform.

[0099] Feature Group 3: A 3D printing module having any of the aforementioned Feature Groups 1 to 2, wherein the controller is used to control the vertical movement of the platform within the shell.

[0100] Feature Group 4: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 3, wherein the controller is used to control the cleaning flow to move in a rotatable manner.

[0101] Feature Group 5: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 4, wherein the cleaning element is fixed relative to the housing and the controller is used to control vertical movement of the platform during a cleaning operation.

[0102] Feature Group 6: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding feature groups 1 to 5, wherein the controller is further used to: (i) control the platform to move to a predetermined position relative to the housing; and (ii) control the cleaning element to move in a rotatable manner while the platform remains in the predetermined position, so that the cleaning flow is applied to different portions of the 3D printed part during the cleaning operation.

[0103] Feature Group 7: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 6, wherein the controller is used to move the cleaning flow and the build platform such that the cleaning flow is applied to different portions of the 3D printed part during a cleaning operation.

[0104] Feature Group 8: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 7, wherein the cleaning element is an air knife.

[0105] Feature Group 9: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 8, further comprising a plurality of cleaning elements in the housing coupled to a controller, the controller being configured to control each cleaning element to apply an independent cleaning flow in sequence to clean the 3D printed part.

[0106] Feature Group 10: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to apply the cleaning flow in a predetermined manner.

[0107] Feature Group 11: A 3D printing module having any of the preceding Feature Groups 1 to 10, further comprising a tilt mechanism, and wherein the controller is used to control the tilt mechanism to change the orientation of the platform relative to the airflow.

[0108] Feature Group 12: A 3D printing module having any of the aforementioned feature groups 1 to 11, further comprising: (i) a build bed receiving interface for receiving a build bed onto a platform, the build bed comprising uncured build material and a 3D printed part; (ii) a plurality of holes in the platform for removing the uncured build material; (iii) a hopper for receiving the removed uncured build material; and (iv) a controller for: (iv.i) causing a vibration mechanism to vibrate the platform for a first time period when the build bed is received onto the platform via the build bed receiving interface to remove the uncured build material into the hopper, (iv.ii) generating a cleaning flow in the housing during a different second time period, and (iv.iii) controlling at least one of the platform and the cleaning element to apply the cleaning flow to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform during the second time period to remove build material attached to the 3D printed part.

[0109] Feature Group 13: A method comprising:

[0110] vibrating the vibration mechanism to vibrate the platform from the 3D printing module housing;

[0111] generating a cleaning flow in the housing through the cleaning element; and

[0112] At least one of the platform and / or the cleaning element is moved to apply the cleaning flow to a different portion of the 3D printed part located on the platform.

[0113] Feature Group 14: The method having Feature Group 13, further comprising tilting the platform by a tilt mechanism.

[0114] Feature Group 15: A 3D printing device, comprising:

[0115] a platform within the housing, the platform having a hole, the platform being adapted to receive a build bed thereon, the build bed comprising a 3D printed part and uncured build material;

[0116] A vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform;

[0117] a cleaning element for applying a cleaning flow within the housing to clean the 3D printed part; and

[0118] Controller for:

[0119] vibrating the platform for a first period of time to remove an amount of build material through the aperture of the platform;

[0120] generating a purge flow in the housing during a second, different time period; and

[0121] During a second time period, at least one of the platform and the cleaning element is controlled to apply a cleaning flow to a different portion of the 3D printed part on the platform to remove building material adhered to the 3D printed part.

Claims

1. A 3D printing module for generating a cleaning flow, the 3D printing module comprising: A platform inside the shell for supporting the 3D printed parts; A vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform; a plurality of cleaning elements for applying a cleaning flow within the housing to clean the 3D printed part; as well as Controller for: Vibration platform; generating a plurality of cleaning streams in the housing; as well as At least one of the platform and the cleaning element is controlled to apply a plurality of cleaning streams to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform, wherein the plurality of cleaning streams cause the 3D printed part to move about the platform.

2. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning element is located toward the top of the housing and is used to generate a plurality of cleaning streams toward the platform.

3. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is used to control the vertical movement of the platform in the shell.

4. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is used to control the rotation of multiple cleaning streams.

5. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning element is fixed relative to the housing, and the controller is used to control the vertical movement of the platform during a cleaning operation.

6. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: Controlling the platform to move to a predetermined position relative to the housing; and The cleaning element is controlled to rotate while the platform is maintained at a predetermined position so that multiple cleaning streams are applied to different portions of the 3D printed part during a cleaning operation.

7. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is used to move the multiple cleaning streams and the build platform so that the multiple cleaning streams are applied to different portions of the 3D printed part during a cleaning operation.

8. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning element is an air knife.

9. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is used to control the plurality of cleaning elements to simultaneously apply independent cleaning flows to clean the 3D printed part.

10. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is used to control the cleaning element to generate the plurality of cleaning flows as a series of pulses of a predetermined time period.

11. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, further comprising a tilting mechanism, and wherein: A controller is used to control the tilt mechanism to change the orientation of the platform relative to the airflow.

12. The 3D printing module according to claim 1, further comprising: A build bed receiving interface, used to receive a build bed onto the platform, the build bed including uncured build materials and 3D printed parts; a plurality of holes in the platform for removing uncured build material; a hopper for receiving removed uncured build material; The controller is used to: upon receiving the build bed onto the platform via the build bed receiving interface, causing the vibration mechanism to vibrate the platform for a first period of time to remove uncured build material to the hopper; generating a plurality of purge flows in the housing during different second time periods; as well as At least one of the platform and the cleaning element is controlled during a second time period to apply a plurality of cleaning streams to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform to remove building material adhered to the 3D printed part.

13. A method for cleaning a 3D printed part, comprising: vibrating the vibration mechanism to vibrate the platform from the 3D printing module housing; Simultaneously generating multiple cleaning flows in the housing through multiple cleaning elements; as well as At least one of the platform and the cleaning element is moved to apply the plurality of cleaning streams to different portions of the 3D printed part located on the platform, wherein the plurality of cleaning streams cause the 3D printed part to move about the platform.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising tilting the platform via a tilt mechanism to change an orientation of the 3D printed part relative to the plurality of cleaning streams.

15. A 3D printing device, comprising: a platform within the housing, the platform having a hole, the platform being adapted to receive a build bed thereon, the build bed comprising a 3D printed part and uncured build material; A vibration mechanism for vibrating the platform; A plurality of cleaning elements for simultaneously applying a plurality of cleaning streams within the housing to clean the 3D printed part; as well as Controller for: vibrating the platform for a first period of time to remove an amount of build material through the aperture of the platform; generating a plurality of purge flows in the housing during different second time periods; as well as During a second time period, at least one of the platform and the cleaning element is controlled to apply a plurality of cleaning streams to different portions of the 3D printed part on the platform to remove building material attached to the 3D printed part, wherein the plurality of cleaning streams cause the 3D printed part to move around the platform.

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