A powder spreading device and 3D printing apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to a powder laying device, which comprises a device body, a lower powder shaft and an adjusting plate, a powder bin is communicated with the top of the device body, a lower powder port is arranged at the bottom of the device body, the lower powder shaft is rotatably arranged in the device body, the lower powder shaft extends along the length direction of the lower powder port and faces the lower powder port, the adjusting plate is arranged in the device body, a plurality of annular powder grooves are arranged in the length direction of the lower powder shaft at intervals, a plurality of protrusions matched with the annular powder grooves are arranged in the length direction of the adjusting plate at intervals, each annular powder groove is engaged with the corresponding protrusion, and a discharging gap is arranged between the annular powder groove and the protrusion, the discharging gap faces the lower powder port, and the lower powder shaft is rotated to drive the powder to be conveyed to the lower powder port through the discharging gap. The application also relates to a 3D printing equipment. The scheme can solve the problems of poor powder laying and poor powder laying uniformity in the prior art.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of printing equipment, in particular to a powder spreading device and a 3D printing equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, the existing 3DP printing technology mainly takes additive manufacturing as the main part, and the powder solid of different materials is printed, sintered, melted and bonded in layers to construct a complex part structure. The general process is: data slicing processing-work tank lowering-powder spreading device spreading powder-printing head printing slice image-work tank lowering again-powder spreading device spreading powder again-printing head printing slice image again, and the work is cycled in turn. In the whole working process, the powder spreading device is an important forming structure, and it needs to be continuously operated for hundreds of times in the whole forming process. In such an important process, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy, accuracy, level and uniformity of each layer of powder spreading.

[0003] In the powder material unloading process of the powder material unloading device in the existing 3D printing equipment, due to the poor flowability and easy adhesion of the powder material, there are problems such as poor powder unloading, difficulty in exchanging different powder materials and low quality of powder spreading surface, which further leads to low production efficiency. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a powder spreading device and a 3D printing equipment to solve the problems of poor powder unloading and poor powder uniformity in the prior art.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present application adopts the following technical scheme:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application discloses a powder spreading device, comprising a device body, a powder unloading shaft and an adjusting plate, a powder material bin is communicated with the top of the device body, a powder unloading port is formed in the bottom of the device body, the powder unloading shaft is rotatably arranged in the device body, the powder unloading shaft extends along the length direction of the powder unloading port and faces the powder unloading port, the adjusting plate is arranged in the device body, a plurality of annular powder grooves are spaced apart along the length direction of the powder unloading shaft, a plurality of protrusions matched with the annular powder grooves are spaced apart along the length direction of the adjusting plate, each annular powder groove is engaged with the corresponding protrusion, and a powder unloading gap is formed between the annular powder groove and the protrusion, the powder unloading gap faces the powder unloading port, and the powder unloading shaft is rotated to drive the powder material to be conveyed to the powder unloading port through the powder unloading gap.

[0007] In one of the embodiments, a driving mechanism is further included, the driving mechanism is arranged in the device body, the driving mechanism is drivingly connected with the adjusting plate, and the driving mechanism drives the protrusions of the adjusting plate to move in the direction towards or away from the annular powder grooves.

[0008] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove and the protrusion comprises a rectangle, a triangle and a trapezoid.

[0009] In one embodiment, the center line of each annular powder groove is perpendicular to the axis of the lower powder shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment, the angle between the center line of each annular powder groove and the axis of the lower powder shaft is a preset angle, and the preset angle is less than 90 degrees.

[0011] In one embodiment, at least one of the annular powder groove and the protrusion is a flexible member.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least one of the annular powder groove and the protrusion is provided with a cleaning layer.

[0013] In one embodiment, a vibrating device and a scraper are further included, the scraper is arranged at the bottom of the device body, and the lower powder port and the scraper are arranged in sequence in the powder laying direction, and the vibrating device is connected to the scraper for vibration.

[0014] In one embodiment, the vibrating device comprises a connecting shaft, a cam and a hinge member, the connecting shaft is rotatably arranged on the device body and extends along the length direction of the scraper, the cam is sleeved on the connecting shaft, the hinge member is connected to the scraper, and the cam is in rotational contact with the hinge member.

[0015] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application disclose a 3D printing device, which comprises the powder laying device described above.

[0016] The technical scheme adopted by the present application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0017] In the powder laying device disclosed by the embodiments of the present application, the rotatable lower powder shaft arranged on the lower powder port and the adjusting plate matched with the lower powder shaft can temporarily buffer the falling powder, so that the powder is conveyed to the lower powder port through the discharge gap between the annular powder groove and the protrusion. This way makes the powder laying amount in the length direction of the lower powder port more uniform, and the rotating lower powder port also makes the powder falling more smooth, thereby improving the powder laying uniformity and the quality of the answer. Moreover, the powder laying device has a simple structure, compact component layout and small occupied area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Part structure schematic diagram of the powder laying device disclosed by the embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 Part structure schematic diagram from another perspective; Figure 1 Part structure schematic diagram from another perspective;

[0020] Figure 3 Part structure schematic view of the powder laying device disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in another perspective view;

[0021] Explanation of reference signs:

[0022] 100-device body, 110-powder bin, 120-powder outlet, 200-powder shaft, 210-annular powder groove, 300-adjusting plate, 310-protrusion, 400-vibration device, 410-connecting shaft, 420-cam, 430-hinge piece, 500-scraper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0024] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "provided on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can be a middle element. When an element is referred to as "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there can be a middle element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "bottom end", "top end" and the like used herein are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not the only embodiment.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present application herein are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0026] As Figures 1-3 shown, the embodiment of the present application discloses a powder laying device, the disclosed powder laying device is applied to a 3D printing equipment, and the powder laying device comprises a device body 100, a powder shaft 200 and an adjusting plate 300.

[0027] The device body 100 is the main part of the powder laying device, and the device body 100 can provide mounting positions for other parts of the device body. The top of the device body 100 is communicated with a powder bin 110 for temporarily storing powder. The bottom of the device body 100 is provided with a powder outlet 120. During the powder laying process, the powder in the powder bin 110 can be controlled to flow into the device body 100, and then laid on the powder laying surface through the powder outlet 120 to realize specific powder laying work. Of course, the powder outlet 120 is a long strip-shaped outlet to realize large-area powder laying work.

[0028] Optionally, the size of the powder outlet 120 is adjustable. Specifically, the bottom of the device body 100 is provided with an opening, and a connecting plate is movably arranged at the opening. The size of the opening is changed by moving the connecting plate, so that the size of the powder outlet 120 is adjustable, thereby realizing different powder laying effects.

[0029] The powder outlet shaft 200 is rotatably arranged in the device body 100. Optionally, the powder outlet shaft 200 can be connected with a driving member, so that the powder outlet shaft 200 is driven to rotate in the device body 100 by the driving member. The powder outlet shaft 200 extends along the length direction of the powder outlet 120 and faces the powder outlet 120. In this case, the rotating powder outlet shaft 200 can deliver powder into the powder outlet 120. The adjusting plate 300 is arranged in the device body 100. The powder outlet shaft 200 is spaced apart along its length direction and provided with a plurality of annular powder grooves 210. The adjusting plate 300 is spaced apart along its length direction and provided with a plurality of protrusions 310 matched with the annular powder grooves 210. Each annular powder groove 210 is engaged with the corresponding protrusion 310, and the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 have a discharging gap therebetween. The discharging gap faces the powder outlet 120. The powder outlet shaft 200 rotates to drive the powder to be delivered to the powder outlet 120 through the discharging gap.

[0030] In the specific working process, the powder in the powder bin 110 is first delivered to the discharging shaft 200 in the device body 100. The discharging shaft 200 rotates to make the powder move along the axial direction of the discharging shaft 200. Then, when the powder moves to the adjusting plate 300, the powder passes through the discharging gap between the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 due to the blocking of the adjusting plate 300, and then is laid on the powder laying surface through the powder outlet 120. Of course, in the above case, it should be noted that when the powder falls into the device body 100, the discharging shaft 200 and the adjusting plate 300 temporarily block the powder, so that the powder cannot directly drop out through the powder outlet 120, but can only be delivered to the powder outlet 120 through the discharging gap to realize the powder laying effect.

[0031] It can be known from the above that the powder laying device disclosed by the embodiment of the application has the following advantages: the rotatable powder falling shaft 200 is arranged on the powder falling port, and the adjusting plate 300 matched with the powder falling shaft 200 is arranged, so that the falling powder is temporarily buffered, and the powder is conveyed to the powder falling port 120 through the powder falling gap between the annular powder groove 210 and the convex 310, the powder laying amount in the length direction of the powder falling port 120 is more uniform, the powder falling is more smooth through the rotation of the powder falling shaft 200, the powder laying uniformity is improved, and the quality of the powder laying is improved, the powder laying device has a simple structure, the components are arranged compactly, and the area occupied is small.

[0032] Further, the powder falling shaft 200 is a main component of the powder laying device, the two ends of the powder falling shaft 200 can be rotatably arranged in the device body 100 through bearings, and the forming mode of the powder falling shaft 200 can be various, for example, the powder falling shaft 200 can be an integral forming piece, or the powder falling shaft 200 can include a central shaft and an outer edge convex, the central shaft and the outer edge convex can be fixed through bonding, welding or other modes to form the powder falling shaft 200, and the powder falling shaft 200 can also have other forming modes, which are not limited by the embodiment of the application.

[0033] The powder laying device disclosed by the embodiment of the application can also include a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism can be arranged in the device body 100, the driving mechanism can be drivingly connected with the adjusting plate 300, and the driving mechanism can drive the convex 310 of the adjusting plate 300 to move in the direction towards or away from the annular powder groove 210. In this case, the adjusting plate 300 is driven to move through the driving mechanism, so that the size of the powder falling gap can be adjusted, and the size of the powder falling amount through the powder falling gap can be controlled, so that the powder laying layer with different thicknesses can be laid, and the practicability of the powder laying device is improved. Further, the movable adjusting plate 300 can also play a cleaning role, specifically, the powder adhered to the powder falling gap is scraped out through the movement of the adjusting plate 300, so that the powder falling gap is prevented from being blocked or the powder is prevented from being agglomerated, and the powder laying effect is ensured. Of course, the driving mechanism can be a lead screw driving mechanism, a linear motor or a worm and gear mechanism, which are not limited by the embodiment of the application.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210 and the convex 310 can include a rectangle, a triangle and a trapezoid, that is, the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210 can be one of a rectangle, a triangle and a trapezoid, and the cross-sectional shape of the convex 310 can be a rectangle, a triangle or a trapezoid matched with the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210; or the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210 and the cross-sectional shape of the convex 310 can also be a combination of a rectangle, a triangle and a trapezoid; of course, the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210 and the cross-sectional shape of the convex 310 can also be other types of shapes, which are not limited by the embodiment of the application.

[0035] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove 210 and the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 310 can both be rectangular, which can improve the powder conveying efficiency and prevent powder blockage. Further, the corners of the rectangle can be chamfered, which can prevent the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 from being worn during movement while improving the powder conveying efficiency.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the center line of each annular powder groove 210 can be perpendicular to the axis of the powder feeding shaft 200. That is, each annular powder groove 210 is independent, which can facilitate manufacturing, improve powder feeding efficiency, and prevent the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 from being worn, thereby prolonging the service life of the powder feeding shaft 200.

[0037] In another alternative embodiment, the angle between the center line of each annular powder groove 210 and the axis of the powder feeding shaft 200 can be a preset angle, which can be less than 90 degrees. In this case, the plurality of annular powder grooves 210 can form a continuous spiral powder groove in the length direction of the powder feeding shaft 200, which can improve the powder conveying efficiency and prevent powder blockage, thereby improving the powder feeding efficiency.

[0038] In the disclosed embodiment, at least one of the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 can be a flexible member. That is, the structure of the annular powder groove 210 can be a flexible member; or the structure of the protrusion 310 can be a flexible member; or the structures of the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 can both be flexible members. This can prevent the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 from being worn, and when at least one of the annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 is a flexible member, the gap between the side of the annular powder groove 210 and the side of the protrusion 310 can be smaller during assembly to ensure uniform powder feeding. The flexible member can be a plastic member or a metal with low hardness, which is not limited in the embodiment.

[0039] Of course, in the above case, the adjusting plate 300 can be a movable member, which can be driven by a driving mechanism to move the flexible annular powder groove 210 and the protrusion 310 into full contact; or the flexible protrusion 310 and the annular powder groove 210 into full contact, so that the powder adhering to the powder feeding gap can be scraped out, thereby preventing the powder feeding gap from being blocked or the powder from being clumped, and ensuring the powder paving effect.

[0040] In another alternative embodiment, at least one of the annular powder chute 210 and the protrusion 310 can be provided with a cleaning layer. That is, the annular powder chute 210 is provided with a cleaning layer; or, the protrusion 310 is provided with a cleaning layer; or, both the annular powder chute 210 and the protrusion 310 are provided with a cleaning layer. In this case, during the rotation of the discharging shaft 200, the cleaning layer can always play a role in cleaning the powder, so as to prevent the powder from caking on the side surface of the annular powder chute 210 and the side surface of the protrusion 310, ensure the powder discharging efficiency, and also improve the service life of each component.

[0041] Of course, in the above case, the adjusting plate 300 can be a movable piece, and a driving mechanism can be used to drive the adjusting plate 300 to move, so that the annular powder chute 210 provided with the cleaning layer is in full contact with the protrusion 310; or, the protrusion 310 provided with the cleaning layer is in full contact with the annular powder chute 210, so that the powder adhered to the discharging gap is cleaned out, thereby preventing the discharging gap from being blocked or causing the powder to caking, and ensuring the powder paving effect. Meanwhile, the cleaning layer can be a brush layer, or a steel brush or other structure having a cleaning effect, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0042] The powder paving device disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can further include a vibrating device 400 and a scraper 500. The scraper 500 can be arranged at the bottom of the device body 100, and the powder discharging port 120 and the scraper 500 can be arranged in sequence in the powder paving direction. In this case, during the powder paving process, the falling powder can be scraped by the scraper to ensure the uniformity of the powder paving. The vibrating device 400 can be vibrationally connected with the scraper 500, so that the vibrating device 400 provides a vibration force for the scraper 500, so as to realize the compacting effect on the powder paving layer, and further ensure the powder paving quality.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the vibrating device 400 can include a connecting shaft 410, a cam 420 and a hinge piece 430. The connecting shaft 410 is rotatably arranged on the device body 100, that is, both ends of the connecting shaft 410 can be rotatably arranged on the device body 100 through bearings, and one end of the connecting shaft 410 can be connected with a driving part. The driving part drives the connecting shaft 410 to rotate, and the connecting shaft 410 can extend along the length direction of the scraper 500. The cam 420 can be sleeved on the connecting shaft 410, the hinge piece 430 can be connected with the scraper 500, and the cam 420 can be in rotational contact with the hinge piece 430. In this case, due to the special structure of the cam 420, the hinge piece 430 in contact with the cam 420 can be driven to jump during the rotation of the cam 420, and further drive the scraper 500 connected with the hinge piece 430 to jump, so as to make the scraper 500 realize the compacting effect on the powder paving layer. The vibrating device 400 with this structure is simple in structure, convenient to manufacture and install, and can provide a more stable vibration force to the scraper 500, so as to ensure the powder paving effect.

[0044] Meanwhile, the number of the cam 420 and the hinge piece 430 can be two, and the two cams 420 and the hinge pieces 430 can be installed at two ends of the connecting shaft 410, so as to provide more uniform vibration force for the scraper 500, so as to improve the powder paving effect. Of course, a plurality of cams 420 and hinge pieces 430 can also be arranged in the axial direction of the connecting shaft 410, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Of course, the vibration device 400 can also provide vibration force for the device body 100, so as to improve the powder paving efficiency, and also prevent the powder paving shaft 200 and the adjusting plate 300 from being blocked by the powder.

[0045] Correspondingly, in the embodiments of the present application, the number of the scraper 500 can be two, and in the powder paving direction, the two scrapers 500 can be located on both sides of the powder outlet 120, and the distance between the scraper 500 and the powder paving surface is less than the distance between the powder outlet 120 and the powder paving surface. The powder paving device with such a structure can realize bidirectional powder paving, so as to improve the practicability of the powder paving device.

[0046] Based on the powder paving device disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application also disclose a 3D printing equipment comprising the powder paving device described in any of the above embodiments.

[0047] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as the limitation of the patent scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, which all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powder spreading device, characterized by The device comprises a device body (100), a lower powder shaft (200), an adjusting plate (300), a driving mechanism, a vibrating device (400) and a scraper (500). The top of the device body (100) is connected with a powder bin (110), and the bottom of the device body (100) is provided with a lower powder outlet (120). The lower powder shaft (200) is rotatably arranged in the device body (100) and extends along the length direction of the lower powder outlet (120) and faces the lower powder outlet (120). The adjusting plate (300) is arranged in the device body (100). The lower powder shaft (200) is spaced apart along the length direction and is provided with a plurality of annular powder grooves (210). The adjusting plate (300) is spaced apart along the length direction and is provided with a plurality of protrusions (310) matched with the annular powder grooves (210). Each annular powder groove (210) is engaged with the corresponding protrusion (310), and the annular powder groove (210) and the protrusion (310) have a discharging gap therebetween, which faces the lower powder outlet (120). The lower powder shaft (200) rotates to drive the powder to be conveyed to the lower powder outlet (120) through the discharging gap. The driving mechanism is arranged in the device body (100) and is drivingly connected with the adjusting plate (300). The driving mechanism drives the protrusions (310) of the adjusting plate (300) to move in the direction facing or away from the annular powder grooves (210). The scraper (500) is arranged at the bottom of the device body (100), and the lower powder outlet (120) and the scraper (500) are arranged in sequence in the powder laying direction. The vibrating device (400) is vibrationally connected with the scraper (500).

2. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein The cross-sectional shape of the annular powder groove (210) and the protrusion (310) comprises a rectangle, a triangle and a trapezoid.

3. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein, The center line of each annular powder groove (210) is perpendicular to the axis of the lower powder shaft (200).

4. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein The included angle between the center line of each annular powder groove (210) and the axis of the lower powder shaft (200) is a preset angle, which is less than 90 degrees.

5. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein, At least one of the annular powder groove (210) and the protrusion (310) is a flexible member.

6. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein, At least one of the annular powder groove (210) and the protrusion (310) is provided with a cleaning layer.

7. The powder spreading device of claim 1, wherein The vibrating device (400) comprises a connecting shaft (410), a cam (420) and a hinge member (430). The connecting shaft (410) is rotatably arranged on the device body (100) and extends along the length direction of the scraper (500). The cam (420) is sleeved on the connecting shaft (410). The hinge member (430) is connected with the scraper (500). The cam (420) is in rotational contact with the hinge member (430).

8. A 3D printing device, characterized by The powder laying device comprises any one of claims 1 to 7. The powder laying device comprises any one of claims 1 to 7.

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