A single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components

Abstract

The present invention discloses a single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components, and belongs to the field of 3D printing technology. The method forms gaps between printed components by designing an internal support structure, and sets key parameters of the component connection part, so that the support structure can be easily removed after printing. Due to the limitation of the design parameters, the fracture of the support structure will occur at a fixed position, and the obtained components can be movable and non-detachable, which solves the problem that the existing single-nozzle process cannot achieve seamless one-piece molding of movable components. Compared with the multi-nozzle movable component printing method, the materials used are simple and convenient; compared with the assembly of multiple parts into an movable component, the number of parts printed and the number of processes are reduced, and the accuracy, fit and strength of the connection points between the parts are improved, providing a method for convenient and quick printing of one-piece movable components, and expanding the application range of the single-nozzle 3D printing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, in particular to the field of advanced manufacturing with high requirements for integrated component molding, and specifically relates to a single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that uses powdered metal or plastic and other bondable materials as the basis for digital model files to construct objects by printing layer by layer. Existing 3D printing first uses computer modeling software to model, and then "partitions" the built three-dimensional model into layer-by-layer cross-sections, i.e. slices, to guide the printer to print layer by layer. In the field of mechanics, any mechanical parts that can be moved separately need to design and produce the connection structure between the two connecting surfaces. 3D printing conforms to the trend of parts production, and some 3D printing solutions for active structural firmware have appeared. The existing 3D printing of active components, such as CN106738874A, a method for quickly removing 3D printing supports, is generally completed by multiple nozzles and multiple materials, and elution materials are used as support structures. After printing, the elution materials are removed by chemical methods. This printing method is costly and has high requirements for printers. Generally, single-nozzle prints are single, non-movable parts. If the printing of active structural components can be completed quickly and easily in ordinary single-nozzle 3D printers, it will greatly expand the application range of small and simple printers and effectively reduce costs. In particular, the movable mechanical structure of 3D printing makes it possible to make the movable parts inseparable, which is almost impossible to achieve in traditional subtractive manufacturing and casting processes. Such movable and non-detachable 3D printed parts increase the diversity of modern structural design. Therefore, in the prior art, a new technical solution is urgently needed to solve the problem of printing a single nozzle non-detachable movable component. Summary of the invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing method. By designing the connection parts and key parameters between components, the support structure can be easily removed after printing is completed, so that the components can be movable, and a single nozzle 3D printing of non-detachable movable components can be realized. By designing the internal support structure, a gap is formed between the printed components, and the support structure can be easily removed after printing is completed, so that the components can be movable, solving the problem that the existing single nozzle process cannot realize seamless integrated molding of movable components and the support structure is easy to remove.

[0004] The specific technical solution of the present invention is:

[0005] A single-nozzle 3D printing method for a non-detachable movable component, wherein the movable component includes n parts, the parts have a relative movable relationship and are non-detachable; comprising the following steps:

[0006] Step 1: Design the components and connections of the printed part using 3D modeling software;

[0007] Step 1.1, place all parts in the same drawing as an assembly, so that the parts meet the spatial position relationship of assembly completion, adjacent parts cannot directly contact each other, and the spacing between adjacent surfaces is greater than 0.3mm;

[0008] Step 1.2, when adjacent components overlap in projection along the nozzle discharge direction (Z axis), a connection part is designed between adjacent surfaces of the components; the connection part accounts for 3% to 20% of the total volume of the gap, and is composed of multiple lines perpendicular to the adjacent surfaces, and the maximum distance between the lines does not exceed 10mm; if the connection part hinders the relative movement between the components, a window with a size of not less than 10mm×10mm is designed on the component for subsequent removal of the connection part, otherwise no additional window needs to be designed;

[0009] Step 2: Set the printing parameters of the components and connecting parts through the slicing software and generate files to guide the 3D printer to print layer by layer;

[0010] Step 3: Import the generated file into a single-nozzle 3D printer for printing;

[0011] Step 4: Remove the support structure to obtain the active assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, the step 2 includes setting the printing parameters of each component: setting the layer height to be less than 0.1-0.3 mm, the shell to be 0.8-2.0 mm, the filling density to be 10%-100%, the material to be selected as PLA, the printing speed to be 30 mm / s, and the printing temperature to be 200°C-210°C.

[0013] Furthermore, the step 2 includes setting the printing parameters of the connecting parts between components: setting the support overhang angle to 50°, the support pattern routing, concentric or network, the number of support wall rows to 1, the support density to 1%-50%, the support routing distance to 5-15mm, the support Z distance to 0.2-0.4mm, the support step minimum slope angle to 10°, and the support step height to 0.3mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the step 2 includes setting other parameters: the printing platform attachment type is Brim, printing cooling is turned on, retraction is enabled, the Z-axis lifting height is 2-5mm during retraction, and the fan is 100%.

[0015] Furthermore, the specific operations of step 4 are as follows:

[0016] When there is no window on the component, the activity restriction is released by rotating or stretching the components relative to each other. Due to the limitation of design parameters, the fracture of the support structure will occur at a fixed position.

[0017] When there is a window on the piece, use a tool needle-nose pliers to remove the connecting part.

[0018] Furthermore, the movable component includes a circular annular auxiliary structure.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes post-processing the printout to obtain processed active firmware;

[0020] The post-processing comprises at least one of the following steps:

[0021] Performing a process of removing excess material from the active firmware;

[0022] Performing grinding and polishing treatment on the movable firmware;

[0023] The active firmware is subjected to pre-active processing.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: seamless one-piece molding of movable components is achieved through a single-nozzle movable component 3D printing method. Compared with a multi-nozzle movable component printing method, the materials used are simple and convenient; compared with a multi-part design and assembly to form an movable component, the number of parts printed and the number of processes are reduced; compared with separate 3D printing of multiple parts, the accuracy, fit and strength of the connection points between parts are improved; compared with a general 3D printing method with an external support structure, the structure is simple and the support structure is easy to remove. In summary, the present invention improves the integrity of the movable component and expands the application range of the single-nozzle 3D printing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic flow chart of a single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components.

[0026] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an active component.

[0027] Figure 3 A top view of an active assembly.

[0028] In the figure: 1 first component; 2 gap A of the connecting part needs to be designed; 3 gap of the connecting part does not need to be designed; 4 auxiliary protrusion; 5 gap B of the connecting part needs to be designed; 6 second component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solution of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, in an embodiment of a movable component, a single-nozzle 3D printing method for a non-detachable movable component is provided, and the 3D printing method comprises the following steps:

[0031] (1) Design the printed parts and connecting parts using 3D modeling software.

[0032] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the assembly includes a first component 1 and a second component 6. The first component 1 has a "mushroom-shaped" boss, which is a convex part when connected, and the second component 6 has a cavity matching the first component 1, which is a concave part when connected. The two are inseparable. A connecting part is designed between the first component 1 and the second component 6, including Figure 2 The gap A2 of the connection part that needs to be designed and the gap B5 of the connection part that needs to be designed. Among them, the gap 3 of the connection part that does not need to be designed and the gap B5 of the connection part that needs to be designed are 0.4mm, and the gap A of the connection part that needs to be designed is 1.2mm. Taking the upper surface of the second component 6 as the reference plane, the annular boss is stretched to obtain an auxiliary protrusion 4 with a height of 0.8mm and an annular arc spacing of 1.0mm as a rotating support.

[0033] (2) Set the key parameters of components and connections through slicing software.

[0034] The key parameter settings are as follows:

[0035] Set the layer height to 0.1mm, the shell to 1.2mm, the filling density to 15%, the material to PLA, the printing speed to 30mm / s, the printing temperature to 200℃, and the printing platform attachment to Brim;

[0036] Set the support overhang angle to 50°, support pattern concentricity, support wall row number to 1, support density to 5%, support routing distance to 5mm, support Z distance to 0.2mm, support ladder minimum slope angle to 10°, and support ladder step height to 0.3mm;

[0037] Set to turn on printing cooling, enable retraction, Z-axis lifting height 2mm during retraction, and fan 100%.

[0038] (3) Generate files that instruct the 3D printer to print layer by layer.

[0039] (4) The generated file is transmitted to the 3D printer via a data cable or other storage device, so that the 3D printer performs 3D printing on the base.

[0040] (5) Remove the supporting structure and obtain the movable assembly.

[0041] The support structure is the connecting part between the components. After the active component is printed, the 3D printed part is removed from the base and the support of the workpiece is removed:

[0042] The first component 1 and the second component 6 are rotated under the action of external force to remove the connection part, and the break is at a fixed position. The first component 1 and the second component 6 can move normally and cannot be disassembled.

[0043] Comparative Example:

[0044] A 3D printed ring structure: https: / / www.bilibili.com / video / BV1L7411W7GL /

[0045] The collar structure example cannot achieve the effect of limiting, but the present invention can achieve component limiting. The collar structure example has 6 degrees of freedom (rotation of x, y, z axes and translation of x, y, z axes), while the present invention has 1 degree of freedom (any one of the 6 can be used), which can obtain high-precision workpieces. The printing method of the collar structure example with 1 degree of freedom cannot be achieved; in the collar structure example, the support structure has a large area and a large exposed surface, and needs to be disassembled and polished by tools. The present invention is suitable for situations where the support structure is located inside the component and cannot be disassembled using tools. This technology can easily and quickly disassemble the support structure through precise printing size design. In general, the effects that can be achieved by the present invention include but are far from limited to the collar structure example.

Claims

1. A single-nozzle 3D printing method for a non-detachable movable component, wherein the movable component comprises n parts, the parts have a relative movable relationship and are non-detachable; characterized in that: The steps include: Step 1: Design the components and connections of the printed part using 3D modeling software; Step 1.1, place all parts in the same drawing as an assembly, so that the parts meet the spatial position relationship of assembly completion, adjacent parts cannot directly contact each other, and the spacing between adjacent surfaces is greater than 0.3mm; Step 1.2, when adjacent parts overlap in projection along the nozzle discharge direction, design a connection part between adjacent surfaces of the parts; the connection part accounts for 3% to 20% of the total volume of the gap between adjacent parts, and is composed of multiple lines perpendicular to the adjacent surfaces, and the maximum distance between the lines does not exceed 10mm; If the connection hinders the relative movement between components, a window with a size of not less than 10mm×10mm shall be designed on the component for subsequent removal of the connection. Otherwise, no additional window needs to be designed. The connection between components is a supporting structure. Step 2: Set the printing parameters of the components and connecting parts through the slicing software and generate files to guide the 3D printer to print layer by layer; Step 3: Import the generated file into a single-nozzle 3D printer for printing; Step 4: Remove the support structure to get the active components: When there is no window on the component, the movement restriction is released by rotating or stretching the components relative to each other, and the fracture of the support structure will occur at the fixed position; When there is a window on the component, use a tool to remove the connecting part.

2. The single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step 2 includes setting the printing parameters of each component: setting the layer height to be less than 0.1-0.3 mm, the shell to be 0.8-2.0 mm, the filling density to be 10%-100%, the material to be selected as PLA, the printing speed to be 30 mm / s, and the printing temperature to be 200°C-210°C.

3. The single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step 2 includes setting the printing parameters of the connecting parts between components: setting the support overhang angle to 50 0 , support pattern routing, concentric or network, support wall row number 1, support density 1%-50%, support routing distance 5-15mm, support Z distance 0.2-0.4mm, support ladder minimum slope angle 10 0 , support ladder step height 0.3mm.

4. The single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step 2 includes setting other parameters: the printing platform attachment type is Brim, printing cooling is turned on, retraction is enabled, the Z-axis lifting height during retraction is 2-5mm, and the fan is 100%.

5. The single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable component includes a circular ring-shaped auxiliary structure.

6. The single-nozzle 3D printing method for non-detachable movable components according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises post-processing the printout to obtain a processed active firmware; The post-processing comprises at least one of the following steps: Performing a process of removing excess material from the active firmware; Performing grinding and polishing treatment on the movable firmware; The active firmware is subjected to pre-active processing.

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