An Automatic Powder Cleaning Method for 3DP Metal Powder and a Complete Powder Cleaning Device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder and a complete set of powder cleaning devices, including a working cylinder, above which a powder cleaning kit is sealingly connected. The powder cleaning kit at least includes a replaceably installed powder cleaning plate, a powder cleaning box, and a powder cleaning glove box; an air blowing pipeline is respectively connected to the side wall and / or the top wall of the powder cleaning kit, and an air suction pipeline is connected to the top wall or another side wall of the powder cleaning kit. The air suction pipeline is connected to a cyclone separator, a powder recovery bucket is provided at the cyclone separator, the output end of the cyclone separator is connected to an industrial fan, a filter is provided between the cyclone separator and the industrial fan, and the output end of the industrial fan is connected to the air blowing pipeline; a lifting assembly is further provided below the working cylinder, and the lifting assembly is used to lift the workpiece into the powder cleaning box. This method simultaneously utilizes air suction and air blowing and forms a circulating enclosed space, enabling it to clean the excess powder cleanly, quickly, and thoroughly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and particularly to an automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder and a complete set of powder cleaning devices. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing (3DP) is a kind of rapid prototyping technology, also known as additive manufacturing. It is a technology that constructs objects layer by layer based on digital model files, using powdered metals, binders, curing agents, etc.

[0003] After 3DP metal printing is completed, the part sprayed with the binder is cured and formed, and the powder not sprayed with the binder becomes surplus powder that needs to be removed, partly to obtain the part and partly for powder recycling. Currently, the powder cleaning work is mainly completed manually, and the main means are brush cleaning and air gun blowing. The brush can brush off most of the surplus powder, and the powder in the grooves on the surface of the part and the flow channels inside the part is blown off by high-speed air flow. This set of powder cleaning operations will generate a large amount of dust, deteriorate the production environment, and cause powder waste at the same time.

[0004] There are also those carried out through powder cleaning devices. For example, a closed-type automatic powder cleaning device disclosed in a Chinese utility model patent (publication number: CN210126286U) can achieve all-round automatic powder cleaning of the whole part through the rotation of the powder cleaning platform and the sliding of two air blowing guns. Another example is a multifunctional powder cleaning device and method for additive manufacturing formed parts disclosed in a Chinese invention patent (publication number: CN112719302B), which uses an air blowing head and a powder suction head for cleaning, and is provided with a powder filtering device and a powder recycling device for powder recycling.

[0005] Although these powder cleaning methods can play a cleaning role, there are still some problems. If only blowing air on the surplus powder, it is difficult to avoid dust and powder waste. The metal powder used in 3DP contains fine powder below 10 microns. If collected with a filter after being blown up by high-speed air flow, high-precision filters need to be selected, and these filters will soon be blocked by powder. If a cyclone separator is selected to collect the powder after the powder is blown up by high-speed air flow, the air flow obtained by blowing air needs to be maintained at a certain high wind speed so that the cyclone separator can function properly, and manual blowing with a high-pressure air gun cannot meet this requirement.

[0006] If only sucking the surplus powder, the sucked powder can be stably separated by a cyclone separator, but the negative pressure at the suction port has the characteristic that as the distance from the suction port increases, the negative pressure decays rapidly, so that the suction port loses the suction force on the powder. To maintain the suction force, the suction port must be continuously moved closer to the powder, so manual participation is necessary. At the same time, the suction method has no effect on the powder in the grooves on the surface of the part and the powder in the flow channels inside the part. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder and a complete set of powder cleaning devices in view of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] An automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder, the automatic powder cleaning method includes the following processes:

[0010] Process 1: A powder cleaning plate connected with a blowing pipeline and a suction pipeline is hermetically covered above the working cylinder, and the airflow blown out by the blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder in the working cylinder and then is sucked away by the suction pipeline;

[0011] Process 2: A powder cleaning box with the same inner peripheral size as the working cylinder is hermetically inverted on the working cylinder, a blowing pipeline is connected to the top surface and one side surface of the powder cleaning box respectively, and a suction pipeline is connected to the other opposite side surface; the piston plate in the working cylinder is lifted by a jacking assembly so that the workpiece is located in the powder cleaning box, and the airflow blown out by the blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder on the workpiece and then is sucked away by the suction pipeline;

[0012] Process 3: A powder cleaning glove box is hermetically covered on the working cylinder, a blowing pipeline and a suction pipeline are connected to a pair of opposite side surfaces of the powder cleaning glove box respectively, a thin-caliber nozzle is connected to the end of the blowing pipeline located inside the powder cleaning glove box, and a glove inlet is provided on the other side surface of the powder cleaning glove box. The operator's hand reaches into the powder cleaning glove box from the glove inlet to pick up the workpiece and uses the airflow ejected by the thin-caliber nozzle for powder cleaning, and the blown powder is sucked away by the suction pipeline;

[0013] The automatic powder cleaning method includes a mode in which Process 1 and Process 3 are used in combination, or a mode in which Process 2 and Process 3 are used in combination, or a mode in which Process 1, Process 2 and Process 3 are carried out in sequence.

[0014] This automatic powder cleaning method is simple and easy to implement and can be fully automated; according to the type of workpiece, different powder cleaning modes can be selected, the powder cleaning effect is good, the powder in the gaps and the flow channels of the workpiece can be cleaned, there is no dead angle in the cleaning, it is clean and fast, so that the recovery rate and cleaning efficiency of the excess powder can be improved; moreover, there is no powder overflow in each cleaning process, the dust in the environment is reduced, and the surrounding environment is kept good.

[0015] The first process can use the purging plate to clean the powder on the surface of the working cylinder better and faster. For the powder deep below the working cylinder, it can be cleaned by the method of the second process, and the powder removal rate will be greatly improved. Through the first process and / or the second process, most of the powder in the working cylinder can be removed. For the powder in the internal flow channels of some workpieces, it is cleaned by the high-speed air flow in the third process, so as to completely complete the powder cleaning and recycling operations of the working cylinder and the workpieces.

[0016] Further, a cyclone separator, a filter and an industrial fan are sequentially connected between the suction pipeline and the blowing pipeline to form a closed circulation system, and an inert gas is introduced into the circulation system.

[0017] This automatic powder cleaning method uses both suction and blowing and combines them to form a closed loop. In this closed loop, blowing can bring out its two advantages. One is that it can blow out the excess powder in the surface grooves and internal flow channels of the parts. The other is that the effective size range of blowing is large, and it will not decay rapidly like suction due to the increase in the distance from the powder. In this closed loop, suction can also bring out its two advantages. One is that it ensures that the air flow passes through the cyclone separator at a certain speed stably, so as to ensure the stable separation of powder by the cyclone separator. The other is that suction reduces the positive pressure in the part area and reduces the probability of powder overflow under the action of the positive pressure of blowing. At the same time, after suction and blowing are combined into a closed pipeline, the noise transmitted by the industrial fan is greatly reduced.

[0018] In addition, after forming a closed loop, the powder cleaning system expands the application scenarios. Some metal powders are not suitable for staying in the air and need to be operated under the protection of inert gas. At this time, the inert gas can be filled into the closed circulation system, which on the one hand meets the process requirements for protecting the metal powder, and on the other hand minimizes the consumption of inert gas.

[0019] Further, the air flow sucking the powder in the suction pipeline enters the cyclone separator at a speed of not less than 22 m / s. By adopting the suction and blowing methods of the present application, a high-speed suction air flow can be better maintained. A powder recovery bucket is provided below the cyclone separator.

[0020] A set of powder cleaning device for 3DP metal powder, the set of powder cleaning device is used to implement the above-mentioned automatic powder cleaning method; the set of powder cleaning device includes a working cylinder, and a powder cleaning kit is hermetically connected above the working cylinder. The powder cleaning kit at least includes a replaceably installed powder cleaning plate, a powder cleaning box and a powder cleaning glove box; an air blowing pipeline is respectively connected to the side wall and / or the top wall of the powder cleaning kit, and an air suction pipeline is connected to the top wall or another side wall of the powder cleaning kit. The air suction pipeline is connected to a cyclone separator, a powder recovery bucket is provided at the cyclone separator, the output end of the cyclone separator is connected to an industrial fan, a filter is provided between the cyclone separator and the industrial fan, and the output end of the industrial fan is connected to the air blowing pipeline; a lifting assembly is further provided below the working cylinder, and the lifting assembly is used to lift the workpiece into the powder cleaning box.

[0021] The structure of the set of powder cleaning device is simple, easy to install and use, and can form a circulating closed space; the powder cleaning kit is easy to replace, and different types of powder cleaning kits can be installed on the working cylinder according to requirements to achieve different cleaning effects. Using them in cooperation can achieve better results.

[0022] The air blowing pipeline can blow up the powder in the working cylinder through positive pressure, and the powder mixed with the gas is sucked to the cyclone separator by the air suction pipeline through negative pressure. The cyclone separator can separate the gas and the powder, and the separated powder will be collected in the powder recovery bucket for reuse; the clean gas separated will be further filtered by the filter to be cleaner so that the gas can be reused. Since the cyclone separator separates most of the powder, the situation of the filter being blocked by powder will be significantly reduced. The industrial fan is a type of air pump, which can output a positive-pressure air flow at the output end and form a negative-pressure effect at the air suction pipeline end, so that the air suction pipeline can suck air at high speed.

[0023] Further, the powder cleaning plate is hermetically covered above the working cylinder, the air blowing pipeline and the air suction pipeline are connected above the powder cleaning plate, and the air suction pipeline is connected to the middle of the powder cleaning plate through a pipe joint; the air blowing pipeline includes a first intake main pipe detachably connected to the output end of the industrial fan, the first intake main pipe is connected with an air flow distributor, the air flow distributor is connected with a plurality of first intake branch pipes, and the plurality of first intake branch pipes are connected to the upper part of the powder cleaning plate in a multi-point decentralized manner.

[0024] The setting of the air flow distributor can divide the air flow input by the first intake main pipe into multiple branch air flows, and respectively pass through the first intake branch pipes into the working cylinder from above the powder cleaning plate to blow up the excess powder in the working cylinder, and then be sucked away by the middle air suction pipeline. The multiple evenly distributed first intake branch pipes can form as even as possible multi-point downward air blowing.

[0025] Further, the size of the purifying bin is not less than that of the working cylinder. The air blowing pipelines are respectively connected to the side wall and the top wall of the purifying bin, and the air suction pipeline is connected to the other opposite side wall of the purifying bin; the air blowing pipeline includes a second air inlet main pipe detachably connected to the output end of the industrial blower. The second air inlet main pipe is branched to connect two air flow distributors. The upper air flow distributor is connected to the top wall of the purifying bin through a plurality of second air inlet branch pipes, and the lower air flow distributor is connected to the side wall of the purifying bin through a plurality of third air inlet branch pipes.

[0026] Further, the second air inlet branch pipes are connected to the upper part of the purifying bin in a multi-point dispersion manner. The third air inlet branch pipes at least include three groups arranged at intervals, and each group has two pipes arranged vertically.

[0027] The purifying bin can use the two air flow distributors to introduce multiple air flows into the inside of the bin from the upper and side surfaces of the bin respectively, so as to blow up at multiple angles and positions. This process can blow up the excess powder in the gaps and workpiece grooves in the working cylinder, further improving the cleaning rate.

[0028] Further, the air suction pipeline and the air blowing pipeline are respectively connected to the opposite side walls of the purifying glove box. A thin-caliber nozzle connected to the air blowing pipeline is arranged inside the purifying glove box, and a sealing glove extending into the purifying glove box is arranged on the other side wall of the purifying glove box.

[0029] Further, the air blowing pipelines (including the first air inlet main pipe and the second air inlet main pipe) and the output end pipeline of the industrial blower are all connected by detachable pipe joints for easy disassembly and replacement; valves and pressure gauges are respectively arranged on the output end pipeline of the industrial blower and the air suction pipeline to control the opening and closing of the circulation pipeline during disassembly and replacement.

[0030] Further, connecting flanges are respectively arranged on the end faces of the working cylinder and the purifying kit. Sealing grooves and sealing rings are arranged on the connecting flanges to ensure the sealing performance after butt joint; the connecting flanges are fixed by means of clamping, buckling or bolt connection with a clamp.

[0031] Further, the working cylinder is arranged on a workbench. A piston plate is arranged inside the working cylinder, and a jacking assembly is connected below the piston plate. The jacking assembly is a jacking cylinder or a jacking electric cylinder. The lifting of the piston plate can be controlled by using the jacking assembly, and a sliding seal can also be arranged between the outer periphery of the piston plate and the inner periphery of the working cylinder.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. This automatic powder cleaning method is simple and easy to implement, capable of full-automatic operation; according to the type of workpiece, different powder cleaning modes can be selected, with good powder cleaning effect. It can clean the powder in the gaps and the workpiece flow channels without leaving dead corners, quickly and cleanly, thus improving the recycling rate and cleaning efficiency of excess powder; moreover, no powder spills during each cleaning process, reducing dust in the environment and keeping the surrounding environment in good condition. 2. In the first process, the powder cleaning plate can be used to clean the powder on the surface of the working cylinder quickly and well; for the powder deep below the working cylinder, the method of the second process can be used for cleaning, greatly improving the powder removal rate. Through the first process and / or the second process, most of the powder in the working cylinder can be removed, and for the powder in the internal flow channels of some workpieces, high-speed air flow is used in the third process to completely complete the powder cleaning and recycling operations of the working cylinder and the workpiece. 3. This invention can utilize both suction and blowing, forming a closed-loop space, highlighting the advantages of suction and blowing, enabling it to clean excess powder cleanly, quickly, and thoroughly. 4. This device can fill inert gas into the closed-loop system, on the one hand meeting the process requirements for protecting metal powder, and on the other hand minimizing the usage of inert gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic connection diagram of the powder cleaning plate of a 3DP metal powder complete set of powder cleaning device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic connection diagram of the powder cleaning box of a 3DP metal powder complete set of powder cleaning device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a front elevation structure schematic diagram of the powder cleaning box of a 3DP metal powder complete set of powder cleaning device of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic connection diagram of the powder cleaning glove box of a 3DP metal powder complete set of powder cleaning device of the present invention;

[0037] In the figure: 1, working cylinder; 201, powder cleaning plate; 202, powder cleaning box; 3, blow air pipeline; 301, first intake main pipe; 302, air flow distributor; 303, first intake branch pipe; 304, second intake main pipe; 305, second intake branch pipe; 306, third intake branch pipe; 4, suction pipeline; 5, cyclone separator; 6, powder recovery bucket; 7, filter; 8, industrial fan; 9, piston plate; 10, lifting assembly; 11, powder cleaning glove box; 12, sealing glove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "middle", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] An automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder, the automatic powder cleaning method includes the following processes:

[0041] Process 1: As Figure 1 shown, the powder cleaning plate 201 connected with the air blowing pipeline and the air suction pipeline 4 is hermetically covered above the working cylinder 1. The air flow blown out by the air blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder in the working cylinder 1 and then is sucked away by the air suction pipeline 4;

[0042] Process 2: As Figure 2 shown, the powder cleaning box 202 with the same inner circumference size as the working cylinder 1 is hermetically inverted on the working cylinder 1. The air blowing pipelines are respectively connected to the top surface and one side surface of the powder cleaning box 202, and the air suction pipeline 4 is connected to the opposite side surface; the piston plate 9 in the working cylinder 1 is lifted by the lifting assembly 10 so that the workpiece is located in the powder cleaning box 202. The air flow blown out by the air blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder on the workpiece and then is sucked away by the air suction pipeline 4;

[0043] Process 3: As Figure 4 shown, the powder cleaning glove box 11 is hermetically covered above the working cylinder 1. The air blowing pipelines 3 and the air suction pipeline 4 are respectively connected to a pair of opposite side surfaces of the powder cleaning glove box 11. The end of the air blowing pipeline 3 located inside the powder cleaning glove box 11 is connected with a thin-caliber nozzle. A glove inlet is provided on another side surface of the powder cleaning glove box 11. The operator's hand reaches into the powder cleaning glove box 11 from the glove inlet to pick up the workpiece and uses the air flow ejected by the thin-caliber nozzle for powder cleaning. The blown powder is sucked away by the air suction pipeline 4;

[0044] The automatic powder cleaning method includes a mode in which Process 1 and Process 3 are used in combination, or a mode in which Process 2 and Process 3 are used in combination, or a mode in which Process 1, Process 2, and Process 3 are carried out sequentially.

[0045] This automatic powder cleaning method is simple and easy to implement, and can operate fully automatically; according to the type of workpiece, different powder cleaning modes can be selected, and the powder cleaning effect is good. Powders in the gaps and the workpiece flow channels can be cleaned without leaving dead corners, clean and fast, thereby improving the recovery rate and cleaning efficiency of excess powder; moreover, no powder overflows during each cleaning process, reducing dust in the environment and keeping the surrounding environment in good condition.

[0046] Process 1 can use the powder cleaning plate 201 to clean the powder on the surface of the working cylinder better and faster; for the powder deep below the working cylinder 1, the cleaning method of Process 2 can be used, and the powder removal rate will be greatly improved; through Process 1 and / or Process 2, most of the powder in the working cylinder can be removed, and for the powder in the internal flow channels of some workpieces, high-speed air flow in Process 3 is used for cleaning, so as to completely complete the powder cleaning and recovery operations of the working cylinder and the workpiece.

[0047] Further, a cyclone separator 5, a filter 7, and an industrial fan 8 are sequentially connected between the suction pipeline 3 and the blowing pipeline 4 to form a closed circulation system, and an inert gas is introduced into the circulation system.

[0048] This automatic powder cleaning method uses both suction and blowing and combines them to form a closed cycle. In this closed cycle, blowing can bring out its two advantages. One is that it can blow out the excess powder in the surface grooves and internal flow channels of the parts, and the other is that the action size range of blowing is large and will not decay rapidly like suction due to the increase in the distance from the powder. In this closed cycle, suction can also bring out its two advantages. One is to ensure that the air flow passes through the cyclone separator 5 at a certain speed stably, so as to ensure the stable separation of powder by the cyclone separator 5; the other is that suction reduces the positive pressure in the part area and reduces the probability of powder overflow under the positive pressure of blowing. At the same time, after suction and blowing are combined into a closed pipeline, the noise transmitted by the industrial fan 8 is greatly reduced.

[0049] In addition, after forming a closed cycle, the powder cleaning system expands the application scenarios. Some metal powders are not suitable for staying in the air and need to be operated under the protection of inert gas. At this time, the inert gas can be filled into the closed circulation system, which can meet the process requirements for protecting metal powders on the one hand and minimize the usage of inert gas on the other hand.

[0050] Further, the air flow of the suction pipeline 4 for sucking powder enters the cyclone separator at a speed of not less than 22 m / s. By adopting the air suction and blowing methods of the present application, a high-speed air suction flow can be better maintained. A powder recovery bucket 6 is provided below the cyclone separator 5.

[0051] Combined with Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a complete set of powder cleaning device for 3DP metal powder is provided. The complete set of powder cleaning device is used to implement the above automatic powder cleaning method. The complete set of powder cleaning device includes a working cylinder 1, and a powder cleaning kit is hermetically connected above the working cylinder 1. The powder cleaning kit includes a replaceably installed powder cleaning plate 201, a powder cleaning box 202, and a powder cleaning glove box 11. The side wall and / or the top wall of the powder cleaning kit are respectively connected with a blowing pipeline 3, and the top wall or another side wall of the powder cleaning kit is connected with a suction pipeline 4. The suction pipeline is connected to a cyclone separator 5. A powder recovery bucket 6 is provided at the cyclone separator 5. The output end of the cyclone separator 5 is connected to an industrial fan 8. A filter 7 is provided between the cyclone separator 5 and the industrial fan 8. The output end of the industrial fan 8 is connected to the blowing pipeline 3. A jacking assembly 10 is further provided below the working cylinder 1, and the jacking assembly 10 is used to jack the workpiece into the powder cleaning box 202.

[0052] The structure of the complete set of powder cleaning device is simple, easy to install and use, and can form a circulating closed space. The powder cleaning kit is easy to replace. Different types of powder cleaning kits can be installed on the working cylinder according to requirements to achieve different cleaning effects, and better effects can be achieved when used in cooperation with each other.

[0053] The blowing pipeline 3 can blow up the powder in the working cylinder through positive pressure. The powder mixed with the gas is sucked to the cyclone separator 5 by the suction pipeline 4 through negative pressure. The cyclone separator 5 can separate the gas and the powder. The separated powder will be collected in the powder recovery bucket 6 for reuse. The clean gas separated will be further filtered by the filter 7 to be cleaner so that the gas can be reused. Since the cyclone separator 5 separates most of the powder, the situation that the filter 7 is blocked by the powder will be significantly reduced. The industrial fan 8 is a kind of air pump, which can output a positive pressure air flow at the output end and form a negative pressure effect at the suction pipeline end, so that the suction pipeline can suck air at a high speed.

[0054] Further, the purifying plate 201 is hermetically covered above the working cylinder 1. Above the purifying plate 201, the blowing pipeline and the suction pipeline 4 are connected. The suction pipeline 4 is connected to the middle of the purifying plate 201 through a pipe joint. The blowing pipeline includes a first intake main pipe 301 detachably connected to the output end of the industrial blower 8. The first intake main pipe 301 is connected with an air flow distributor 302. The air flow distributor 302 is connected with a plurality of first intake branch pipes 303. The plurality of first intake branch pipes 303 are connected to the upper part of the purifying plate 201 in a multi-point decentralized manner.

[0055] The air flow distributor 302 can divide the air flow input by the first intake main pipe 301 into multiple branch air flows, and respectively pass through the first intake branch pipes 303 into the working cylinder 1 from above the purifying plate, blowing up the excess powder in the working cylinder, and then being sucked away by the middle suction pipeline. The plurality of evenly distributed first intake branch pipes 303 can form as evenly distributed multi-point downward blowing.

[0056] Further, the size of the purifying box 202 is the same as that of the working cylinder 1. The blowing pipeline is respectively connected to the side wall and the top wall of the purifying box 202. The suction pipeline 4 is connected to the other opposite side wall of the purifying box 202. The blowing pipeline includes a second intake main pipe 304 detachably connected to the output end of the industrial blower 8. The second intake main pipe 304 is branched to connect two air flow distributors 302. The upper air flow distributor 302 is connected to the top wall of the purifying box 202 through a plurality of second intake branch pipes 305. The lower air flow distributor 302 is connected to the side wall of the purifying box 202 through a plurality of third intake branch pipes 306.

[0057] Further, the second intake branch pipes 305 are connected to the upper part of the purifying box in a multi-point decentralized manner. The third intake branch pipes 306 include at least three groups arranged at intervals, and each group has two pipes arranged vertically.

[0058] The purifying box 202 can use the two air flow distributors 302 to respectively introduce multiple air flows into the box body from above and the side of the box body, achieving blowing from multiple angles and positions. This process can blow up the excess powder in the gaps and workpiece grooves in the working cylinder, further improving the cleaning rate.

[0059] Further, the suction pipeline 4 and the blowing pipeline 3 are respectively connected to the opposite side walls of the purifying glove box 11. A fine-caliber nozzle connected to the blowing pipeline 3 is provided inside the purifying glove box 11. A sealed glove 12 extending into the purifying glove box 11 is provided on the other side wall of the purifying glove box 11.

[0060] Further, the blowing pipeline 3 (including the first intake main pipe 301 and the second intake main pipe 304) and the output pipeline of the industrial fan 8 are connected by detachable pipe joints for easy replacement; valves and pressure gauges are also respectively provided on the output pipeline of the industrial fan 8 and the suction pipeline 4 to control the opening and closing of the circulation pipeline during replacement.

[0061] Further, connecting flanges are respectively provided on the end faces of the working cylinder 1 and the purifying powder kit, and sealing grooves and sealing rings are provided on the connecting flanges to ensure the sealing performance after butt joint; the connecting flanges are fixed by means of bolt connection.

[0062] Further, the working cylinder 1 is arranged on a workbench, a piston plate 9 is arranged inside the working cylinder 1, a lifting assembly 10 is connected below the piston plate 9, and the lifting assembly 10 is a lifting cylinder. The lifting of the piston plate 9 can be controlled by using the lifting cylinder, and a sliding seal can also be arranged between the outer periphery of the piston plate 9 and the inner periphery of the working cylinder 1.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder, characterized in that, the automatic powder cleaning method includes the following processes: Process 1: A powder cleaning plate connected with a blowing pipeline and a suction pipeline is hermetically covered above the working cylinder. The airflow blown out by the blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder in the working cylinder, and then is sucked away by the suction pipeline; Process 2: A powder cleaning box with the same inner peripheral dimensions as the working cylinder is hermetically buckled on the working cylinder. Blowing pipelines are respectively connected to the top surface and one side surface of the powder cleaning box, and a suction pipeline is connected to the other side surface opposite to the side surface. The piston plate in the working cylinder is lifted by a jacking assembly so that the workpiece is located in the powder cleaning box. The airflow blown out by the blowing pipeline blows up the excess powder on the workpiece, and then is sucked away by the suction pipeline; Process 3: A powder cleaning glove box is hermetically covered on the working cylinder. Blowing pipelines and a suction pipeline are respectively connected to a pair of opposite side surfaces of the powder cleaning glove box. The end of the blowing pipeline located inside the powder cleaning glove box is connected with a fine-caliber nozzle. A glove inlet is provided on the other side surface of the powder cleaning glove box. The operator's hand reaches into the powder cleaning glove box from the glove inlet to pick up the workpiece and uses the airflow ejected by the fine-caliber nozzle to clean the powder. The blown powder is sucked away by the suction pipeline; The automatic powder cleaning method includes a mode of using Process 1 and Process 3 in combination, or a mode of using Process 2 and Process 3 in combination, or a mode of sequentially performing Process 1, Process 2 and Process 3.

2. The automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that, a cyclone separator, a filter and an industrial fan are sequentially connected between the suction pipeline and the blowing pipeline, and a closed circulation system is formed. An inert gas is introduced into the circulation system.

3. The automatic powder cleaning method for 3DP metal powder according to claim 2, characterized in that, the airflow sucking the powder in the suction pipeline enters the cyclone separator at a speed of not less than 22 m / s. A powder recovery bucket is provided below the cyclone separator.

4. A complete set of powder cleaning device for 3DP metal powder, characterized in that, the complete set of powder cleaning device is used to implement the automatic powder cleaning method in claim 1; the complete set of powder cleaning device includes a working cylinder, and a powder cleaning kit is hermetically connected above the working cylinder. The powder cleaning kit at least includes a replaceably installed powder cleaning plate, a powder cleaning box and a powder cleaning glove box; blowing pipelines are respectively connected to the side surface and / or the top surface of the powder cleaning kit, and a suction pipeline is connected to the top surface or the other side surface opposite to the side surface of the powder cleaning kit. The suction pipeline is connected to a cyclone separator. A powder recovery bucket is provided at the cyclone separator. The output end of the cyclone separator is connected to an industrial fan. A filter is provided between the cyclone separator and the industrial fan. The output end of the industrial fan is connected to the blowing pipeline; a jacking assembly is further provided below the working cylinder, and the jacking assembly is used to lift the workpiece into the powder cleaning box.

5. The complete set of powder cleaning device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that, The purifying powder plate sealing cover is arranged above the working cylinder. Above the purifying powder plate, the air blowing pipeline and the air suction pipeline are connected. The air suction pipeline is connected to the middle of the purifying powder plate through a pipe joint. The air blowing pipeline includes a first main air inlet connected detachably to the output end of the industrial blower. The first main air inlet is connected with an air flow distributor, and the air flow distributor is connected with a plurality of first air inlet branch pipes. The plurality of first air inlet branch pipes are connected to above the purifying powder plate in a multi-point decentralized manner.

6. The complete powder purifying device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that the size of the powder purifying box is not less than that of the working cylinder. The top surface and one side surface of the powder purifying box are respectively connected with the air blowing pipeline, and the other side surface opposite to the side surface of the powder purifying box is connected with the air suction pipeline. The air blowing pipeline includes a second main air inlet connected detachably to the output end of the industrial blower. The second main air inlet is connected with two air flow distributors through branches. The upper air flow distributor is connected with the top surface of the powder purifying box through a plurality of second air inlet branch pipes, and the lower air flow distributor is connected with the side surface of the powder purifying box through a plurality of third air inlet branch pipes.

7. The complete powder purifying device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 6, characterized in that the second air inlet branch pipes are connected to above the powder purifying box in a multi-point decentralized manner. The plurality of third air inlet branch pipes at least include three groups of third air inlet branch pipes arranged at intervals. Each group is composed of two third air inlet branch pipes arranged vertically.

8. The complete powder purifying device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that the air suction pipeline and the air blowing pipeline are respectively connected to a pair of opposite side surfaces of the powder purifying glove box. A fine-caliber nozzle connected with the air blowing pipeline is arranged inside the powder purifying glove box, and a sealing glove extending into the powder purifying glove box is arranged on the other side surface of the powder purifying glove box.

9. The complete powder purifying device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that connecting flanges are respectively arranged on the end faces of the working cylinder and the powder purifying kit. Sealing grooves and sealing rings are arranged on the connecting flanges. The connecting flanges are fixed by means of clamping, buckling or bolt connection through a fixture.

10. The complete powder purifying device for 3DP metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that the working cylinder is arranged on a workbench. A piston plate is arranged inside the working cylinder. A jacking assembly is connected below the piston plate. The jacking assembly is a jacking cylinder or a jacking electric cylinder.

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