Guide rail type material pool carrying system and method for industrial type 3D printing

Abstract

The application provides a guide rail type material pool carrying system and method for industrial 3D printing, which comprises a material pool unit, a retractable guide rail unit, a Z-axis unit, a mounting platform and a printing platform; the Z-axis unit comprises a Z-axis body, which is arranged in a Z-axis through hole; the top surface of the Z-axis body is provided with a lifting pin which is detachably and fixedly connected with the material pool unit; the top surface of the Z-axis body is provided with a spherical support which is matched with a groove part of the printing platform, so that stable support of the printing platform is realized. The application designs a guide rail type material pool carrying system for industrial 3D printing, realizes transfer of large-volume industrial additive manufacturing printing parts, improves the yield of large additive manufacturing products, and improves the efficiency of industrial additive manufacturing. Meanwhile, the working flexibility of the equipment is improved, more choices can be provided for the post-processing scheme of additive manufacturing, the whole additive manufacturing process is optimized, and the rapid development of high-precision industries such as aerospace and electronic communication is promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, specifically relating to a guide rail type material tank handling system and method for industrial 3D printing. Background Technology

[0002] As industrial additive manufacturing equipment matures, large-scale additive manufacturing products are increasingly favored by various industries due to practical needs, such as 3D-printed rocket engine thrust chambers and high-temperature resistant radomes. Because additive manufacturing produces increasingly larger products, the corresponding material pool also increases. Furthermore, since the raw materials used in industrial additive manufacturing generally have a high density, the weight of the produced products can reach hundreds of kilograms, posing challenges to product transfer and cleaning.

[0003] After metal 3D printing is completed, the printed samples have good strength and high hardness, and can be transferred by hoisting. Furthermore, the raw materials for metal additive manufacturing are mostly powders, making subsequent cleaning relatively simple; the powder can simply be left to fall off freely at the printing station.

[0004] However, for additive manufacturing using certain fluid slurries as raw materials, such as ceramic fluid slurries, the blank samples after printing have low strength, low hardness, and fragile structure, making them impossible to lift and transfer. Furthermore, subsequent cleaning is cumbersome and cannot be carried out at the original printing station.

[0005] Therefore, additive manufacturing using fluid slurry as raw material faces challenges in product transfer and cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a guide rail-type material tank handling system and method for industrial 3D printing, which can effectively solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0008] This invention provides a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing, including: a material tank unit (100), a retractable guide rail unit (200), a Z-axis unit (300), a mounting platform (400), and a printing platform (500);

[0009] The mounting platform (400) has the X-direction in the left-right direction, the Y-direction in the front-back direction, and the Z-direction in the vertical direction. The mounting platform (400) has a Z-axis through hole (401). At the four corners of the Z-axis through hole (401), a material pool positioning post (402) is fixedly installed. On the left and right sides of the mounting platform (400) and the Z-axis through hole (401), a material pool limiting pin assembly is fixedly installed. The material pool limiting pin assembly includes a material pool Z-direction limiting pin (403) and a material pool Y-direction limiting pin (404).

[0010] The retractable guide rail unit (200) includes guide rails (201) symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the Z-axis through hole (401). The guide rails (201) can slide along the X direction under the drive of the guide rail drive mechanism (202), thereby moving closer to or away from the Z-axis through hole (401).

[0011] The material pool unit (100) includes a material pool body (101), and the printing platform (500) is disposed in the inner cavity of the material pool body (101). The printing platform (500) can move up and down in the Z direction relative to the material pool body (101). The bottom surface of the printing platform (500) has a groove (501).

[0012] On the left and right sides of the material pool body (101), load-bearing wheels (102) that can slide along the guide rail (201) are respectively installed; at the four corners of the bottom of the material pool body (101), material pool positioning pins (103) that cooperate with the material pool positioning pins (402) are fixedly installed, and the material pool positioning pins (402) and the material pool positioning pins (103) are stably in contact, thereby stably supporting the material pool body (101); on the side of the material pool body (101), a material pool limiting seat (104) is fixedly installed, and the material pool limiting seat (104) has a material pool Z-direction limiting hole (1041) that matches the material pool Z-direction limiting pin (403), and a material pool Y-direction limiting groove (1042) that matches the material pool Y-direction limiting pin (404).

[0013] The Z-axis unit (300) includes a Z-axis body (301), which is disposed in the Z-axis through hole (401). The top surface of the Z-axis body (301) has a lifting pin (302) that is separable from and fixedly connected to the material pool unit (100). The top surface of the Z-axis body (301) has a spherical support (303) that matches the groove (501) of the printing platform (500) to achieve stable support for the printing platform (500).

[0014] Preferably, a rear limiting member (405) is fixedly installed on the surface of the mounting platform (400), and the rear limiting member (405) is located at the outer end of the guide rail (201).

[0015] Preferably, the surface of the mounting platform (400) is provided with an X-direction slider guide rail (406), which is located below the guide rail (201) so that the guide rail (201) can slide in the X direction along the X-direction slider guide rail (406).

[0016] Preferably, the guide rail drive mechanism (202) is a drive cylinder.

[0017] Preferably, a positioning detector (105) is fixedly installed on the side wall of the material pool body (101); guide wheels (106) are fixedly installed on the left and right sides of the material pool body (101).

[0018] Preferably, the load-bearing wheel (102) has a double bearing structure, including: a bushing (1021), an inner bearing (1022) and an outer bearing (1023);

[0019] The inner bearing (1022) is embedded in the shaft hole of the outer bearing (1023); the outer bearing (1023) is installed inside the bushing (1021).

[0020] Preferably, the top of the material pool positioning post (402) is spherical, and the bottom of the material pool positioning pin (103) is a conical groove. The spherical shape of the material pool positioning post (402) and the conical groove of the material pool positioning pin (103) are in line contact.

[0021] Preferably, four lifting pins (302) are provided; each lifting pin (302) has a lifting pin shaft (3021) that can extend or retract horizontally; when the lifting pin shaft (3021) extends, it is engaged with the inner wall of the material pool body (101) to realize the connection and fixation between the Z-axis unit (300) and the material pool unit (100); when the lifting pin shaft (3021) retracts, the connection and fixation to the material pool unit (100) is released.

[0022] Preferably, the number of spherical support members (303) is three, arranged in a triangular distribution; the number of groove members (501) of the printing platform (500) is three, arranged in a triangular distribution; the spherical support members (303) and the groove members (501) are in line contact.

[0023] The present invention also provides a method for a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing, comprising the following steps:

[0024] Step 1, Installation process of the material tank:

[0025] Step 1.1, control the guide rail (201) to move inward into position:

[0026] The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move into place in the direction close to the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on both sides are in the state of being retracted inward;

[0027] Step 1.2, horizontally push the material pool unit (100) into place:

[0028] After the printing platform (500) is placed inside the material pool unit (100), the material pool unit (100) moves backward in the Y direction along the guide rail (201) until it contacts the rear limit member (405), triggering the position detector (105), which means that the material pool unit (100) has moved into position in the Y direction, and stops the material pool unit (100) from moving further in the Y direction;

[0029] Step 1.3, limit the Y-direction movement of the material pool unit (100):

[0030] The Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool is popped out, so that the Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool is embedded in the Y-direction limiting groove (1042) of the material pool. The Y-direction limiting groove (1042) of the material pool is a vertical groove, which restricts the material pool unit (100) from moving back and forth in the Y direction, but does not restrict the material pool unit (100) from moving up and down in the Z direction.

[0031] Step 1.4: Control the material pool unit (100) to rise and disengage from the guide rail (201):

[0032] The Z-axis body (301) is driven to move upward until the lifting pin (302) enters the inside of the material pool unit (100). Then the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body (101), thus realizing the fixed connection between the Z-axis body (301) and the material pool body (101).

[0033] Then, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to rise, so that the material pool unit (100) is separated from the guide rail (201);

[0034] Step 1.5, control the guide rail (201) to move outward into position:

[0035] The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move away from the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on the left and right sides are in an outward retracted state, thereby placing the guide rail (201) outside the material pool unit (100) rather than directly below it.

[0036] Step 1.6: Control the material pool unit (100) to descend until it contacts the material pool positioning post (402):

[0037] Control the Z-axis body (301) to descend, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to descend until the material pool positioning pin (103) at the bottom of the material pool body (101) falls onto the surface of the material pool positioning column (402), so that the material pool positioning column (402) stably supports the material pool unit (100).

[0038] Step 1.7, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets:

[0039] The lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin is retracted horizontally to release the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool body (101); at the same time, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to descend so that the Z-axis body (301) is disengaged from the material pool body (101).

[0040] Step 1.8, limit the Z-direction movement of the material pool unit (100):

[0041] The Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool is popped out, so that the Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool is embedded in the Z-direction limiting hole (1041) of the material pool, thereby restricting the material pool unit (100) from moving up and down in the Z direction;

[0042] At this point, the material tank unit (100) is installed in place;

[0043] Step 2, Printing process:

[0044] Step 2.1 After the material pool unit (100) is installed in place, the material pool body (101) is fully limited in the Z and Y directions by the material pool Z direction limiting pin (403) and the material pool Y direction limiting pin (404), and the material pool body (101) is kept stable by the cooperation of the material pool positioning pin (103) and the material pool positioning column (402).

[0045] Step 2.2: Keep the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin in a horizontal retracted state; control the Z-axis body (301) to rise until the spherical support (303) of the Z-axis body (301) and the groove (501) of the printing platform (500) are in stable contact and support.

[0046] Then, when the Z-axis body (301) rises, it pushes the printing platform (500) to rise; when the Z-axis body (301) falls, the printing platform (500) falls under the action of gravity; thus, the lifting and lowering of the printing platform (500) is achieved, and the 3D printing function of the printing platform (500) is realized.

[0047] Step 3, unloading and transfer process of the material pool:

[0048] Step 3.1, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets:

[0049] After the printing platform (500) completes the 3D printing of the part, it controls the Z-axis unit (300) to descend to a state where it is detached from the material pool unit (100);

[0050] Step 3.2, release the Z-direction limit on the material pool unit (100):

[0051] Retract the Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool so that the material pool unit (100) can move in the Z direction;

[0052] Step 3.3: Control the material pool unit (100) to rise and disengage from the material pool positioning column (402):

[0053] The Z-axis body (301) is driven to move upward until the lifting pin (302) enters the inside of the material pool body (101). Then the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body (101), thus realizing the fixed connection between the Z-axis body (301) and the material pool body (101).

[0054] Then, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to rise, so that the material pool unit (100) is separated from and higher than the material pool positioning column (402);

[0055] Step 3.4, control the guide rail (201) to move inward into position:

[0056] The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move into place in the direction close to the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on the left and right sides are directly below the load-bearing wheel (102) of the material pool unit (100);

[0057] Step 3.5: Control the material pool unit (100) to descend until it contacts the guide rail (201):

[0058] The Z-axis body (301) is controlled to descend, which in turn drives the material pool unit (100) to descend until the load-bearing wheel (102) of the material pool unit (100) falls onto the surface of the guide rail (201);

[0059] Step 3.6, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets:

[0060] When the load-bearing roller (102) of the material pool unit (100) falls to the surface of the guide rail (201), the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin retracts horizontally, releasing the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool unit (100); at the same time, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to descend, so that the Z-axis body (301) is disengaged from the material pool unit (100);

[0061] Step 3.7, release the Y-direction limit on the material pool unit (100):

[0062] Retract the Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool, so that the material pool unit (100) slides outward along the guide rail until the material pool unit (100) is pulled out along the guide rail.

[0063] The guide rail type material tank handling system and method for industrial 3D printing provided by this invention has the following advantages:

[0064] This invention designs a guide rail-type material handling system for industrial 3D printing, enabling the transfer of large-volume industrial additive manufacturing parts, improving the yield of large additive manufacturing products, and increasing the efficiency of industrial additive manufacturing. It also enhances the equipment's operational flexibility, provides more options for post-processing solutions in additive manufacturing, optimizes the entire additive manufacturing process, and supports the rapid development of high-precision industries such as aerospace and electronics communications. Attached Figure Description

[0065] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing provided by the present invention;

[0066] Figure 2 Structural diagram of the mounting platform and retractable guide rail unit provided by the present invention;

[0067] Figure 3 A perspective view of the material tank unit provided by the present invention at one angle;

[0068] Figure 4 A perspective view of the material tank unit provided by the present invention from another angle;

[0069] Figure 5 A perspective view of the material pool positioning pin provided by the present invention;

[0070] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the material pool positioning pin and the material pool positioning column provided by the present invention;

[0071] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the force distribution principle of the material pool positioning pin and the material pool positioning column provided by this invention;

[0072] Figure 8 A perspective view of the material pool limiting seat provided by the present invention;

[0073] Figure 9 A perspective view of the load-bearing wheel provided by the present invention;

[0074] Figure 10 This is an assembly drawing of some components of the load-bearing wheel provided by the present invention;

[0075] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the load-bearing wheel provided by the present invention;

[0076] Figure 12 A top view of the feed tank unit provided by the present invention;

[0077] Figure 13 A perspective view of the printing platform provided by the present invention;

[0078] Figure 14 A bottom view of the printing platform provided by the present invention;

[0079] Figure 15 A perspective view of the Z-axis unit provided by the present invention;

[0080] Figure 16 A flowchart of the material tank installation process provided by the present invention;

[0081] Figure 17 A flowchart of the material tank unloading process provided by the present invention.

[0082] in:

[0083] 100 Material pool unit; 101 Material pool body; 102 Load-bearing roller; 1021 Bushing; 1022 Inner bearing; 1023 Outer bearing; 103 Material pool positioning pin; 104 Material pool limiting seat; 1041 Material pool Z-direction limiting hole; 1042 Material pool Y-direction limiting groove; 105 Positioning detector; 106 Guide wheel;

[0084] 200 Retractable guide rail unit; 201 Guide rail; 202 Guide rail drive mechanism;

[0085] 300Z-axis unit; 301Z-axis body; 302 lifting pin; 3021 lifting pin shaft; 303 spherical support component;

[0086] 400 Mounting platform; 401 Z-axis through hole; 402 Material pool positioning pin; 403 Material pool Z-direction limit pin; 404 Material pool Y-direction limit pin; 405 Rear limit component; 406 X-direction slider guide rail;

[0087] 500 printing platform; 501 grooved part. Detailed Implementation

[0088] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0089] Traditional material reservoirs have the following problems: 1. When large-volume printed parts are located inside a traditional material reservoir in industrial additive manufacturing, part transfer is difficult. If the printed part cannot be transferred, subsequent work cannot be performed. 2. Traditional material reservoirs use metal walls, which may deform significantly over time, resulting in uneven gaps between the printing platform and the side walls of the material reservoir. 3. Traditional movable material reservoirs have poor stability and repeatability during printing. 4. Traditional guide rail-type material reservoirs typically have rails installed on the ground, making it easy for impurities to accumulate at the rails, which are difficult to clean and pose a tripping hazard.

[0090] This invention is mainly used to solve the problem of difficult transfer and cleanup of industrial 3D printed products, with reference to... Figure 1 The present invention provides a guide rail type material tank transport system for industrial 3D printing, comprising: a material tank unit 100, a retractable guide rail unit 200, a Z-axis unit 300, a mounting platform 400 and a printing platform 500.

[0091] The following is a detailed introduction to each of the five parts:

[0092] (I) Installation Platform 400

[0093] refer to Figure 2 The mounting platform 400 has the X-axis in the left-right direction, the Y-axis in the front-back direction, and the Z-axis in the vertical direction; the Y-axis is also the guide rail direction; the mounting platform 400 has a Z-axis through hole 401, which is a rectangular hole. At the four corners of the Z-axis through hole 401, a material pool positioning post 402 is fixedly installed; on the left and right sides of the mounting platform 400, a material pool limiting pin assembly is fixedly installed; the material pool limiting pin assembly includes a Z-axis limiting pin 403 and a Y-axis limiting pin 404; the Z-axis limiting pin 403 and the Y-axis limiting pin 404 can be controlled to pop out or retract.

[0094] The rear limiting member 405 is fixedly installed on the surface of the mounting platform 400, and the rear limiting member 405 is located at the outer end of the guide rail 201.

[0095] The surface of the mounting platform 400 is provided with an X-direction slider guide rail 406, which is located below the guide rail 201, so that the guide rail 201 can slide in the X direction along the X-direction slider guide rail 406.

[0096] (II) Retractable guide rail unit 200

[0097] The retractable guide rail unit 200 is used to guide and support the material pool unit 100.

[0098] refer to Figure 2The retractable guide rail unit 200 includes guide rails 201 symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the Z-axis through hole 401. The guide rails 201 can slide along the X direction under the drive of the guide rail drive mechanism 202, thereby moving closer to or away from the Z-axis through hole 401. The guide rail drive mechanism 202 can be a drive cylinder.

[0099] Specifically, the guide rail 201 has an L-shaped cross-section, and the L-shaped guide rail is mounted on the X-direction slider guide rail 406, which is perpendicular to the L-shaped guide rail itself. A cylinder perpendicular to the L-shaped guide rail drives the L-shaped guide rail, controlling its extension or retraction. The front sidewall of the L-shaped guide rail is designed with a wide angle to facilitate the entry of the material pool guide wheel. The rear side of the L-shaped guide rail has a rear limiting member 405. Pushing the material pool unit 100 along the L-shaped guide rail into place establishes the material pool printing and lifting position.

[0100] (III) Material tank unit 100 and printing platform 500

[0101] The material pool unit 100 is used to hold the printed sample and the unformed residual material during the printing process, and to transfer them.

[0102] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 12 The material pool unit 100 includes a material pool body 101. The four sides of the material pool body 101 are made of precision marble splicing with no gaps at the splicing points. Below the material pool body 101 is a material pool base, which connects and fixes the four sides of the material pool at the bottom to enhance the rigidity of the side wall connection and prevent deformation.

[0103] A printing platform 500 is provided inside the material tank body 101. The printing platform 500 can move up and down in the Z direction relative to the material tank body 101; the bottom surface of the printing platform 500 has a groove 501; such as Figure 13 and Figure 14 The diagram shown is a structural diagram of the printing platform 500.

[0104] On the left and right sides of the material pool body 101, load-bearing wheels 102 that can slide along the guide rail 201 are respectively installed; the load-bearing wheels 102 serve to support and transfer the material pool unit 100. This application features a special design for the structure of the load-bearing wheels 102, referencing... Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 The load-bearing roller 102 has a double-bearing structure, including: a bushing 1021, an inner bearing 1022, and an outer bearing 1023; the inner bearing 1022 is embedded in the shaft hole of the outer bearing 1023; the outer bearing 1023 is installed inside the bushing 1021. The entire load-bearing roller 102 is made of rigid material, and the wheel center uses double bearings to increase the force-bearing area of ​​the pin, reduce the tendency of the pin to bend under pressure and the failure of the pin under shear force, and at the same time reduce the deformation of the roller shape under stress.

[0105] At the four bottom corners of the material pool body 101, material pool positioning pins 103 are fixedly installed to cooperate with the material pool positioning posts 402. The material pool positioning posts 402 and the material pool positioning pins 103 are in stable contact, thereby stably supporting the material pool body 101; Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural diagram of the material pool positioning pin 103. Figure 4 The diagram shows the assembly position of the material pool positioning pin 103. The positioning pin 103 is secured with a nut on both the top and bottom of the material pool base, improving the stability of the material pool body 101 when stationary. A 1.5mm gap is left on one side of the positioning pin through-hole on the material pool base, allowing for both vertical and horizontal fine-tuning of the positioning pin 103, thus ensuring a good fit between the positioning pin 103 and the material pool positioning post 402.

[0106] Furthermore, this application further designs the material pool positioning pin 103 and the material pool positioning post 402, enabling them to adopt a self-centering structural force-bearing mode. Specifically, the top of the material pool positioning post 402 is spherical, and the bottom of the material pool positioning pin 103 is a conical groove. The spherical shape of the material pool positioning post 402 and the conical groove of the material pool positioning pin 103 are in line contact. (Reference) Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the force distribution principle. The spherical shape and the conical groove engage in line contact. The self-centering design uses high-rigidity materials, resulting in minimal deformation under these working conditions. Traditional ball-and-socket positioning often involves surface-to-surface contact between curved surfaces. Due to manufacturing difficulties and errors, stable engagement of the spherical surfaces is challenging, hindering high-stability, repeatable positioning accuracy. In this invention, the spherical shape and the conical groove engage in line contact. Therefore, the spherical shape experiences a force F perpendicular to the conical groove. The component F1 of F is always perpendicular to the line connecting the apex of the cone and the center of the sphere. This means that when the spherical shape and the conical groove engage, the line connecting the apex of the conical groove and the center of the spherical shape is established. In practical applications, all four support points utilize the spherical shape and the conical groove, with fixed distances between the spherical shapes and conical grooves. This combination allows for rapid, repeatable positioning and stable support.

[0107] A material pool limiting seat 104 is fixedly installed on the side of the material pool body 101, for reference. Figure 8 The material pool limiting seat 104 has a material pool Z-direction limiting hole 1041 that matches the material pool Z-direction limiting pin 403, and a material pool Y-direction limiting groove 1042 that matches the material pool Y-direction limiting pin 404. Therefore, when the material pool Z-direction limiting pin 403 is inserted into the material pool Z-direction limiting hole 1041, the material pool body 101 can be limited in the Z direction. When the material pool Y-direction limiting pin 404 is inserted into the material pool Y-direction limiting groove 1042, since the material pool Y-direction limiting groove 1042 is a Z-direction groove, it limits the Y direction, but can move in the Z direction.

[0108] A positioning detector 105 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the material pool body 101; guide wheels 106 are fixedly installed on the left and right sides of the material pool body 101.

[0109] (iv) Z-axis unit 300

[0110] The Z-axis unit 300 mainly serves to lift the material pool unit 100 and the printing platform 500 inside the material pool unit 100.

[0111] like Figure 15 As shown, the Z-axis unit 300 includes a Z-axis body 301, which is disposed in the Z-axis through hole 401. The top surface of the Z-axis body 301 has a lifting pin 302 that can be separated from and fixedly connected to the material pool unit 100. The top surface of the Z-axis body 301 has a spherical support 303 that matches the groove 501 of the printing platform 500, thereby achieving stable support for the printing platform 500.

[0112] As a specific implementation, four lifting pins 302 are provided; each lifting pin 302 has a lifting pin shaft 3021 that can extend or retract horizontally; when the lifting pin shaft 3021 extends, it is engaged with the inner wall of the material pool body 101 to realize the connection and fixation between the Z-axis unit 300 and the material pool unit 100; when the lifting pin shaft 3021 retracts, the connection and fixation to the material pool unit 100 is released.

[0113] Three steel balls 302 are evenly distributed in an equilateral triangle on the upper surface of the Z-axis. The lower surface of the printing platform is an equilateral rectangle, and the equilateral triangular steel balls are used to lift the rectangular printing platform. The equilateral triangular distribution supports the rectangular platform with uniform force distribution, resulting in high platform stability. At the same time, the three-point support also facilitates three-point height adjustment, thereby enabling fine-tuning of the printing platform's level. A laterally extendable lifting pin 301 is installed on the upper surface of the Z-axis, which can lift the material pool 100 as a whole, allowing the L-shaped guide rail below the material pool to be extended or retracted.

[0114] In this invention, the spherical support member 303 is a steel ball, and three steel balls are arranged in a triangular pattern. The printing platform 500 also has three grooved members 501 arranged in a triangular pattern. The spherical support member 303 and the grooved members 501 are in line contact. Specifically, the triangularly distributed steel balls are used to lift the rectangular printing platform 500. The triangular distribution provides uniform force distribution on the rectangular platform, resulting in high platform stability. Simultaneously, the three-point support facilitates three-point height adjustment, thereby enabling fine-tuning of the printing platform 500's level.

[0115] The present invention also provides a method for a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing, comprising the following steps:

[0116] Step 1, as follows Figure 16 As shown, the material tank installation process is as follows:

[0117] Step 1.1, control guide rail 201 to move inward into position:

[0118] The guide rail drive mechanism 202 drives the guide rail 201 to move into position closer to the Z-axis through hole 401, so that the guide rails 201 on both the left and right sides are in the inward retracted position.

[0119] Step 1.2, horizontally push the material pool unit 100 into position:

[0120] After the printing platform 500 is placed inside the material pool unit 100, the material pool unit 100 moves backward in the Y direction along the guide rail 201 until it contacts the rear limit member 405, triggering the position detector 105, which means that the material pool unit 100 has moved into position in the Y direction, and stops the material pool unit 100 from moving further in the Y direction.

[0121] Step 1.3, limit the Y-direction movement of the material pool unit 100:

[0122] The Y-direction limiting pin 404 of the material pool is popped out, so that the Y-direction limiting pin 404 of the material pool is embedded in the Y-direction limiting groove 1042 of the material pool. The Y-direction limiting groove 1042 of the material pool is a vertical groove, which restricts the material pool unit 100 from moving back and forth in the Y direction, but does not restrict the material pool unit 100 from moving up and down in the Z direction.

[0123] Step 1.4: Control the material tank unit 100 to rise and disengage from the guide rail 201:

[0124] The Z-axis body 301 is driven to move upward until the lifting pin 302 enters the material pool unit 100. Then the lifting pin shaft 3021 of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body 101, so as to achieve a fixed connection between the Z-axis body 301 and the material pool body 101.

[0125] Then, control the Z-axis body 301 to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit 100 to rise, so that the material pool unit 100 is separated from the guide rail 201.

[0126] Step 1.5, control guide rail 201 to move outward into position:

[0127] The guide rail drive mechanism 202 drives the guide rail 201 to move away from the Z-axis through hole 401, so that the guide rails 201 on the left and right sides are in an outward retracted state, thereby placing the guide rails 201 outside the material pool unit 100, rather than directly below it.

[0128] Step 1.6: Control the material pool unit 100 to descend until it contacts the material pool positioning post 402:

[0129] The Z-axis body 301 is controlled to descend, which in turn drives the material pool unit 100 to descend until the material pool positioning pin 103 at the bottom of the material pool body 101 falls onto the surface of the material pool positioning column 402, so that the material pool positioning column 402 stably supports the material pool unit 100.

[0130] Step 1.7, Z-axis unit 300 descends and resets:

[0131] The lifting pin 3021 of the lifting pin is retracted horizontally to release the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool body 101; at the same time, the Z-axis body 301 is controlled to continue to descend so that the Z-axis body 301 is disengaged from the material pool body 101.

[0132] Step 1.8, limit the Z-direction movement of the material pool unit 100:

[0133] The Z-direction limiting pin 403 of the material pool is popped out, so that the Z-direction limiting pin 403 of the material pool is embedded in the Z-direction limiting hole 1041 of the material pool, thereby restricting the material pool unit 100 from moving up and down in the Z direction.

[0134] At this point, the material tank unit 100 is installed in place;

[0135] Step 2, Printing process:

[0136] Step 2.1 After the material pool unit 100 is installed in place, the material pool body 101 is fully limited in the Z and Y directions by the material pool Z direction limiting pin 403 and the material pool Y direction limiting pin 404, and the material pool body 101 is kept stable by the cooperation of the material pool positioning pin 103 and the material pool positioning column 402.

[0137] Step 2.2: Keep the lifting pin shaft 3021 of the lifting pin in a horizontal retracted state; control the Z-axis body 301 to rise until the spherical support 303 of the Z-axis body 301 is stably in contact with the groove 501 of the printing platform 500 for support.

[0138] Then, when the Z-axis body 301 rises, it pushes the printing platform 500 to rise; when the Z-axis body 301 falls, the printing platform 500 falls under the action of gravity; thus, the lifting and lowering of the printing platform 500 is achieved, realizing the 3D printing function of the printing platform 500.

[0139] Step 3, as follows Figure 17 As shown, the unloading and transfer process of the material pool:

[0140] Step 3.1, Z-axis unit 300 descends and resets:

[0141] After the printing platform 500 completes the 3D printing of the part, it controls the Z-axis unit 300 to descend to a state where it is detached from the material tank unit 100;

[0142] Step 3.2, release the Z-direction limit on the material pool unit 100:

[0143] Retract the Z-direction limiting pin 403 of the material pool so that the material pool unit 100 can move in the Z direction;

[0144] Step 3.3: Control the material pool unit 100 to rise and disengage from the material pool positioning column 402:

[0145] The Z-axis body 301 is driven to move upward until the lifting pin 302 enters the inside of the material pool body 101. Then the lifting pin shaft 3021 of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body 101, thus realizing the fixed connection between the Z-axis body 301 and the material pool body 101.

[0146] Then, control the Z-axis body 301 to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit 100 to rise, so that the material pool unit 100 is separated from and higher than the material pool positioning column 402.

[0147] Step 3.4, control guide rail 201 to move inward into position:

[0148] The guide rail drive mechanism 202 drives the guide rail 201 to move into position close to the Z-axis through hole 401, so that the guide rails 201 on both sides are located directly below the load-bearing wheel 102 of the material pool unit 100.

[0149] Step 3.5: Control the material pool unit 100 to descend until it contacts the guide rail 201:

[0150] The Z-axis body 301 is controlled to descend, which in turn drives the material pool unit 100 to descend until the load-bearing wheel 102 of the material pool unit 100 falls onto the surface of the guide rail 201.

[0151] Step 3.6, Z-axis unit 300 descends and resets:

[0152] When the load-bearing roller 102 of the material pool unit 100 falls onto the surface of the guide rail 201, the lifting pin shaft 3021 of the lifting pin retracts horizontally, releasing the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool unit 100; at the same time, the Z-axis body 301 is controlled to continue to descend, so that the Z-axis body 301 is disengaged from the material pool unit 100.

[0153] Step 3.7, release the Y-direction limit on the material pool unit 100:

[0154] Retract the Y-direction limiting pin 404 of the material pool, so that the material pool unit 100 slides outward along the guide rail until the material pool unit 100 is pulled out along the guide rail.

[0155] This invention has the following innovative design:

[0156] 1. The design features retractable guide rails, facilitating the transfer of the material pool and printed parts, increasing the flexibility of material pool transfer, and better meeting the needs of actual application scenarios.

[0157] 2. The material pool is made of high-hardness and high-rigidity materials such as granite, which reduces problems such as deformation and precision failure of the material pool under stress.

[0158] 3. By designing a self-centering positioning pin and positioning post to work together, the positioning pin and positioning post make line contact, achieving high repeatability and high stability of the material pool, thereby ensuring the printing accuracy of the printed parts.

[0159] 4. The material pool and printing platform adopt a self-centering design structure. Specifically, the spherical support of the material pool and the groove of the printing platform adopt a line contact method to ensure the high repeatability and stability of the printing platform. In addition, the line contact method ensures the gap between the material pool and the printing platform, realizing the stable lifting function of the printing platform.

[0160] 5. The Z-axis is used to lift the material tank and the printing platform respectively, thereby controlling the thickness of the printed product. The structure is simple and ingenious.

[0161] This invention designs a guide rail-type material handling system for industrial 3D printing, enabling the transfer of large-volume industrial additive manufacturing parts, improving the yield of large additive manufacturing products, and increasing the efficiency of industrial additive manufacturing. It also enhances the equipment's operational flexibility, provides more options for post-processing solutions in additive manufacturing, optimizes the entire additive manufacturing process, and supports the rapid development of high-precision industries such as aerospace and electronics communications.

[0162] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1, Installation process of the material tank: Step 1.1, control the guide rail (201) to move inward into position: The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move into place in the direction close to the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on both sides are in the state of being retracted inward; Step 1.2, horizontally push the material pool unit (100) into place: After the printing platform (500) is placed inside the material pool unit (100), the material pool unit (100) moves backward in the Y direction along the guide rail (201) until it contacts the rear limit member (405), triggering the position detector (105), which means that the material pool unit (100) has moved into position in the Y direction, and stops the material pool unit (100) from moving further in the Y direction; Step 1.3, limit the Y-direction movement of the material pool unit (100): Pop out the Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool, so that the Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool is embedded in the Y-direction limiting groove (1042) of the material pool. The Y-direction limiting groove (1042) of the material pool is a vertical groove, which restricts the material pool unit (100) from moving back and forth in the Y direction, but does not restrict the material pool unit (100) from moving up and down in the Z direction. Step 1.4: Control the material pool unit (100) to rise and disengage from the guide rail (201): Drive the Z-axis body (301) to move upward until the lifting pin (302) enters the inside of the material pool unit (100), so that the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body (101), thereby realizing the fixed connection between the Z-axis body (301) and the material pool body (101). Then, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to rise, so that the material pool unit (100) is separated from the guide rail (201). Step 1.5, control the guide rail (201) to move outward into position: The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move away from the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on the left and right sides are in an outward retracted state, thereby placing the guide rails (201) outside the material pool unit (100) rather than directly below it; Step 1.6: Control the material pool unit (100) to descend until it contacts the material pool positioning post (402): Control the Z-axis body (301) to descend, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to descend until the material pool positioning pin (103) at the bottom of the material pool body (101) falls onto the surface of the material pool positioning column (402), so that the material pool positioning column (402) stably supports the material pool unit (100). Step 1.7, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets: The lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin is retracted horizontally to release the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool body (101); at the same time, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to descend so that the Z-axis body (301) is disengaged from the material pool body (101). Step 1.8, limit the Z-direction movement of the material pool unit (100): The Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool is popped out, so that the Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool is embedded in the Z-direction limiting hole (1041) of the material pool, thereby restricting the material pool unit (100) from moving up and down in the Z direction; At this point, the material tank unit (100) is installed in place; Step 2, Printing process: Step 2.1 After the material pool unit (100) is installed in place, the material pool body (101) is fully limited in the Z and Y directions by the material pool Z direction limiting pin (403) and the material pool Y direction limiting pin (404), and the material pool body (101) is kept stable by the cooperation of the material pool positioning pin (103) and the material pool positioning column (402). Step 2.2: Keep the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin in a horizontal retracted state; control the Z-axis body (301) to rise until the spherical support (303) of the Z-axis body (301) and the groove (501) of the printing platform (500) are in stable contact and support. Then, when the Z-axis body (301) rises, it pushes the printing platform (500) to rise; when the Z-axis body (301) falls, the printing platform (500) falls under the action of gravity; thus, the lifting and lowering of the printing platform (500) is achieved, and the 3D printing function of the printing platform (500) is realized. Step 3, unloading and transfer process of the material pool: Step 3.1, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets: After the printing platform (500) completes the 3D printing of the printed part, it controls the Z-axis unit (300) to descend to a state where it is detached from the material pool unit (100); Step 3.2, release the Z-direction limit on the material pool unit (100): Retract the Z-direction limiting pin (403) of the material pool to allow the material pool unit (100) to move in the Z direction; Step 3.3: Control the material pool unit (100) to rise and disengage from the material pool positioning column (402): Drive the Z-axis body (301) to move upward until the lifting pin (302) enters the inside of the material pool body (101), so that the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin extends horizontally and is locked with the inner wall of the material pool body (101), thereby realizing the fixed connection between the Z-axis body (301) and the material pool body (101). Then, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to rise, thereby driving the material pool unit (100) to rise, so that the material pool unit (100) is separated from and higher than the material pool positioning column (402). Step 3.4, control the guide rail (201) to move inward into position: The guide rail drive mechanism (202) drives the guide rail (201) to move into place in the direction close to the Z-axis through hole (401), so that the guide rails (201) on the left and right sides are located directly below the load-bearing wheel (102) of the material pool unit (100); Step 3.5: Control the material pool unit (100) to descend until it contacts the guide rail (201): The Z-axis body (301) is controlled to descend, which in turn drives the material pool unit (100) to descend until the load-bearing wheel (102) of the material pool unit (100) falls onto the surface of the guide rail (201); Step 3.6, Z-axis unit (300) descends and resets: When the load-bearing roller (102) of the material pool unit (100) falls to the surface of the guide rail (201), the lifting pin shaft (3021) of the lifting pin retracts horizontally, releasing the locking effect on the inner wall of the material pool unit (100); at the same time, the Z-axis body (301) is controlled to continue to descend, so that the Z-axis body (301) is disengaged from the material pool unit (100); Step 3.7, release the Y-direction limit on the material pool unit (100): Retract the Y-direction limiting pin (404) of the material pool, so that the material pool unit (100) slides outward along the guide rail until the material pool unit (100) is pulled out along the guide rail.

2. The method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The material tank unit (100), the retractable guide rail unit (200), the Z-axis unit (300), the mounting platform (400), and the printing platform (500) are all included. The mounting platform (400) has the X-direction in the left-right direction, the Y-direction in the front-back direction, and the Z-direction in the vertical direction. The mounting platform (400) has a Z-axis through hole (401). At the four corners of the Z-axis through hole (401), a material pool positioning post (402) is fixedly installed. At the left and right sides of the Z-axis through hole (401), a material pool limiting pin assembly is fixedly installed. The material pool limiting pin assembly includes a material pool Z-direction limiting pin (403) and a material pool Y-direction limiting pin (404). The retractable guide rail unit (200) includes guide rails (201) symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the Z-axis through hole (401). The guide rails (201) can slide along the X direction under the drive of the guide rail drive mechanism (202), thereby moving closer to or away from the Z-axis through hole (401). The material tank unit (100) includes a material tank body (101), and the printing platform (500) is disposed in the inner cavity of the material tank body (101). The printing platform (500) can move up and down in the Z direction relative to the material tank body (101). The bottom surface of the printing platform (500) has a groove (501). On the left and right sides of the material pool body (101), load-bearing wheels (102) that can slide along the guide rail (201) are respectively installed; at the four corners of the bottom of the material pool body (101), material pool positioning pins (103) that cooperate with the material pool positioning pins (402) are fixedly installed. The material pool positioning pins (402) and the material pool positioning pins (103) are in stable contact, thereby stably supporting the material pool body (101); on the side of the material pool body (101), a material pool limiting seat (104) is fixedly installed. The material pool limiting seat (104) has a material pool Z-direction limiting hole (1041) that matches the material pool Z-direction limiting pin (403), and a material pool Y-direction limiting groove (1042) that matches the material pool Y-direction limiting pin (404). The Z-axis unit (300) includes a Z-axis body (301), which is disposed in the Z-axis through hole (401). The top surface of the Z-axis body (301) has a lifting pin (302) that is separable from and fixedly connected to the material pool unit (100). The top surface of the Z-axis body (301) has a spherical support (303) that matches the groove (501) of the printing platform (500) to achieve stable support for the printing platform (500).

3. The method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rear limiting member (405) is fixedly installed on the surface of the mounting platform (400), and the rear limiting member (405) is located at the outer end of the guide rail (201).

4. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The surface of the mounting platform (400) is provided with an X-direction slider guide rail (406), which is located below the guide rail (201) so that the guide rail (201) can slide along the X-direction slider guide rail (406) in the X direction.

5. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide rail drive mechanism (202) is a drive cylinder.

6. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, A positioning detector (105) is fixedly installed on the side wall of the material pool body (101); guide wheels (106) are fixedly installed on the left and right sides of the material pool body (101).

7. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank transport system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The load-bearing wheel (102) has a double bearing structure, including: bushing (1021), inner bearing (1022) and outer bearing (1023). The inner bearing (1022) is embedded in the shaft hole of the outer bearing (1023); the outer bearing (1023) is installed inside the bushing (1021).

8. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the material pool positioning post (402) is spherical, and the bottom of the material pool positioning nail (103) is a conical groove. The spherical shape of the material pool positioning post (402) and the conical groove of the material pool positioning nail (103) are in line contact.

9. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank handling system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of lifting pins (302) is four; each lifting pin (302) has a lifting pin shaft (3021) that can extend or retract horizontally; when the lifting pin shaft (3021) extends, it is engaged with the inner wall of the material pool body (101) to realize the connection and fixation between the Z-axis unit (300) and the material pool unit (100); when the lifting pin shaft (3021) retracts, it releases the connection and fixation to the material pool unit (100).

10. A method for implementing a guide rail type material tank transport system for industrial 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of spherical support members (303) is three, arranged in a triangular pattern; the number of groove members (501) of the printing platform (500) is three, arranged in a triangular pattern; the spherical support members (303) and the groove members (501) are in line contact.

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