A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing methods

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and discloses a multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing methods, including a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform, wherein: the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is provided with a printing end, the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is used to drive the printing end to move along a preset path above the printing platform, and the ink output device and the light curing device are provided on the printing end; the ink output device is used to move relative to the printing end and output infrared light curing ink and ultraviolet light curing ink on the printing platform simultaneously or sequentially; the light curing device is used to move relative to the printing end, and the light curing device can simultaneously or sequentially emit infrared light and ultraviolet light for curing inks of different materials to cure the corresponding inks in real time. The present invention realizes the integrated printing and forming of multiple functional ink materials, and solves the problem that ink materials with multiple curing methods cannot be integrated and printed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and more specifically, relates to a multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing, an emerging manufacturing technology that has rapidly developed in recent decades, features a "point-by-point line-by-line, line-by-line surface" manufacturing process. Theoretically, it can create three-dimensional objects of any complexity, providing a powerful means for forming complex structures. Consequently, it has garnered significant attention in both scientific research and industry. Ink direct writing, a widely used 3D printing technology, can be used for the processing and forming of liquid ink materials. It boasts low equipment costs, simple technology, and easy operation, and theoretically enables additive manufacturing of most functional materials.

[0003] However, current direct-write ink printing relies primarily on the modulus of the ink itself to maintain the printed shape, placing high demands on the ink's rheological properties. This results in a limited range of suitable workpieces and a simple printing structure. For example, patent CN211279753U discloses a UV-curable 3D printing pen that rapidly cures the UV-curable material extruded from the needle using a UV irradiation system distributed around the reservoir syringe, thereby achieving 3D printing. Patent CN205130407U also discloses a 3D printing device that achieves the delivery and printing of liquid printing material through the cooperation of a peristaltic pump and an extruder. The extruder is also equipped with a UV curing device to achieve rapid curing while printing.

[0004] The above-mentioned ink direct writing 3D printing equipment can only achieve ultraviolet light-assisted curing of ink, that is, after printing a layer, ultraviolet light is irradiated to cure the ink material. Printing and curing cannot be carried out at the same time, and only ink materials that can be cured by ultraviolet light can be cured. The types of applicable ink materials are limited. At the same time, there are also problems such as poor motion performance of the ink direct writing equipment, low printing accuracy, and difficulty in achieving multi-material integrated printing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the defects of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing methods to solve the problems of poor motion performance, low printing accuracy and difficulty in achieving multi-material integrated printing of existing ink direct writing 3D printing devices.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes, comprising a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform;

[0007] The multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is provided with a printing end, and the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device drives the printing end to move along a preset path above the printing platform, and the ink output device and the light curing device are provided on the printing end;

[0008] The ink output device is used to move relative to the printing end and output infrared light curing ink and ultraviolet light curing ink simultaneously or sequentially along a preset path on the printing platform;

[0009] The light curing device is used to move relative to the printing end, and the light curing device can simultaneously or sequentially emit infrared light and ultraviolet light for curing inks of different materials, so as to cure the corresponding inks in real time.

[0010] Furthermore, the light curing device includes an infrared light emitting unit and an ultraviolet light emitting unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the wavelength range of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting unit is 265nm-400nm; preferably, the power density of the ultraviolet light is 0W / cm 2 -40 W / cm 2 Adjustable within the range.

[0012] Furthermore, the wavelength of the infrared light emitted by the infrared light emitting unit is 900nm-1100nm; preferably, the power density of the infrared light is 0W / cm 2 -150W / cm 2 Adjustable within the range.

[0013] Furthermore, the ink output device includes an infrared light curing ink output unit and an ultraviolet light curing ink output unit; preferably, the infrared light curing ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit can move respectively relative to the printing end, and the movement accuracy is not greater than 0.01mm / s.

[0014] Furthermore, the speed at which the infrared light curing ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit extrude ink is in the range of 0.01 mm / s-20 mm / s.

[0015] Furthermore, an inert gas protection unit is provided on the printing end for outputting inert gas in real time to prevent the infrared light curing ink output by the infrared light curing ink unit from oxidative decomposition; preferably, the inert gas protection unit can move relative to the printing end.

[0016] Furthermore, the printing end is provided with an elastic ink output unit for outputting elastic ink, and the light curing device outputs ultraviolet light to cure the elastic ink in real time.

[0017] Furthermore, the elastic ink output unit extrude ink at a speed in the range of 0.01 mm / s-20 mm / s; preferably, the elastic ink output unit can move relative to the printing end.

[0018] Furthermore, the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is a robotic arm with multiple movable joints, and the printing end is the end effector of the robotic arm; preferably, the movement speed of each movable joint of the robotic arm is 0.01mm / s-50mm / s.

[0019] The above technical solution conceived by the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0020] 1. The ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by the present invention has an ink output device and a light curing device arranged at the printing end of the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, and the ink outlet of the ink output device and the laser outlet of the light curing device are always facing the printing platform; the ink output device can also output inks of multiple different materials simultaneously or sequentially, and the light curing device can emit infrared light or ultraviolet light simultaneously or sequentially; when the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device drives the printing end to move flexibly in the three-dimensional direction, the ink output device and the light curing device can both move relative to the printing end, thereby realizing the function of flexibly printing inks of multiple different materials according to the shape and material requirements of the workpiece to be printed, and synchronously and real-time curing of inks of different materials according to the shape and material requirements of the workpiece to be printed through the coordinated movement of the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, the ink output device and the light curing device.

[0021] 2. The ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by the present invention, the ink output device includes an infrared light curing ink output unit and an ultraviolet light curing ink output unit, both of which can move relative to the printing end, and the movement accuracy is not greater than 0.01mm / s. The advantage is that the movement accuracy is high, and the printing forming accuracy can be better controlled; at the same time, the printing end is also provided with an inert gas protection unit, which can output inert gas while the infrared light curing ink output unit outputs ink to prevent the infrared light curing ink from oxidative decomposition, and the infrared light emitting unit can move synchronously and emit infrared light to realize the function of real-time curing of ink, thereby combining ultraviolet light curing assisted ink direct writing forming, infrared light curing assisted ink direct writing forming and shear thinning forming, realizing the integrated printing forming of multiple functional ink materials, and solving the problem that ink materials with multiple curing methods cannot be integrated and printed.

[0022] 3. The ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by the present invention has a light curing device including two light source emitting units, an infrared light emitting unit and an ultraviolet light emitting unit, and both can move respectively relative to the printing end. During printing, each ink output unit and each light source emitting unit can move independently relative to the printing end, which has the advantages of diverse combination forms and flexible control.

[0023] 4. The ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by the present invention is also provided with an elastic ink output unit, which can output elastic ink cured by ultraviolet light, so that the ink direct writing 3D printing device can print a richer variety of ink materials, can achieve more types of printed workpieces, and can improve the ink curing speed and printing speed.

[0024] 5. The ink direct-writing 3D printing equipment provided by the present invention has a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device which is a robotic arm with multiple movable joints, and the printing end is the end effector of the robotic arm. The motion speed of each movable joint of the robotic arm can be adjusted within the range of 0.01mm / s-50mm / s. The wide range of motion speed adjustment can be suitable for more types of ink materials and better balance the relationship between printing speed and printing accuracy; at the same time, the ink extrusion speed of each ink output unit can also be adjusted within a specific speed range, which has the advantage of better matching the different motion speeds of the robotic arm and stably extruding inks of different viscosities. According to the ink material to be printed and the size and structure of the workpiece to be printed, the appropriate robotic arm motion speed and ink extrusion speed are selected to ensure printing accuracy and improve printing efficiency.

[0025] 6. The ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by the present invention has an ultraviolet light emitting unit that emits an adjustable wavelength of ultraviolet light within the range of 265nm-400nm, and a power density of the ultraviolet light of 0W / cm 2 -40W / cm 2 The wavelength and power of the infrared light emitted by the infrared light source emitting unit can be adjusted within the corresponding range. The adjustable ultraviolet light and infrared light power can adapt to different ink materials and different printing speeds to ensure that the ink can be fully cured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ink direct writing 3D printing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of rheological characterization of UV-curable magnetic ink (a) and infrared-curable liquid metal ink (b) provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of scanning electron microscope characterization of infrared light and ultraviolet light curing auxiliary ink direct writing print provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the figure: 1-infrared light curing ink output unit, 2-infrared light emitting unit, 3-ultraviolet light emitting unit, 4-ultraviolet light curing ink output unit, 5-inert gas protection unit, 6-elastic ink output unit, 7-robotic arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present 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 only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0031] This embodiment provides a multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes, including a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform;

[0032] The multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is provided with a printing end, the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device drives the printing end to move along a preset path above the printing platform, and the ink output device and the light curing device are provided on the printing end;

[0033] The ink output device is used to move relative to the printing end and output inks of different materials simultaneously or sequentially along a preset path on the printing platform;

[0034] The light curing device is used to move relative to the printing end, and the light curing device can simultaneously or sequentially emit infrared light or ultraviolet light corresponding to inks of different materials to cure the corresponding inks in real time.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the light curing device includes an infrared light emitting unit and an ultraviolet light emitting unit, which can cure inks with different material properties.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength range of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting unit is 265nm-400nm; the power density of the ultraviolet light is 0W / cm 2 -40 W / cm 2 The range can be adjusted arbitrarily. Its advantage is that different UV wavelengths and power densities can be selected according to the type of ink, thereby ensuring that the ink is completely cured.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the infrared light source emitting unit emits near infrared light with a wavelength of 900nm-1100nm and a power density of 0W / cm 2 -150W / cm 2 Adjustable within the range.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the ink output device includes an infrared light curing ink output unit and an ultraviolet light curing ink output unit. The infrared light curing ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit can move relative to the printing end respectively, and the movement accuracy is no more than 0.01mm / s.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the speed at which the infrared light curing ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit extrude ink can be arbitrarily adjusted within the range of 0.01 mm / s-20 mm / s.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, an inert gas protection unit is also provided on the printing end for outputting inert gas in real time to prevent the infrared light curing ink output by the infrared light curing ink unit from oxidative decomposition; accordingly, the inert gas protection unit can also move independently relative to the printing end.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, an elastic ink output unit is further provided on the printing end, which is used to output the elastic ink, and the light curing device outputs ultraviolet light to cure the elastic ink in real time, so that the types of printing materials of the 3D printing device are richer.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the speed at which the elastic ink output unit extrudes ink can be adjusted within the range of 0.01 mm / s-20 mm / s. This has the advantage that different extrusion speeds can be selected according to the rheological properties of different inks, the structural dimensions of the printed part, and the movement speed of the robotic arm, thereby ensuring printing accuracy and improving printing efficiency; and the elastic ink output unit can also move independently relative to the printing end.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is a robotic arm with multiple movable joints, and the printing end is the end effector of the robotic arm; the movement speed of each movable joint of the robotic arm is 0.01mm / s-50mm / s.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, a multi-material integrated ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes includes a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform, wherein:

[0046] The multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is a six-degree-of-freedom motion robot arm 7, the execution end of the robot arm 7 is the printing end, and the ink output device and the light curing device are integrated on the printing end;

[0047] The ink output device includes an infrared light curing ink output unit 1, an ultraviolet light curing ink output unit 4 and an elastic ink output unit 6, and an ink output nozzle is provided at the lower end of each ink output unit; the light curing device includes two curing units, namely an infrared light emitting unit 2 and an ultraviolet light emitting unit 3; an inert gas protection unit 5 is also integrated on the printing end; the above-mentioned three ink output units, two light curing units and one inert gas protection unit are arranged in a ring shape on the lower surface of the printing end, and the three ink output units and the two light curing units and one inert gas protection unit are arranged opposite to each other in pairs, and can move independently relative to the printing end.

[0048] The infrared light emitting unit 2 uses an infrared laser emitter with a model number of FC-W-980H-50W, and the infrared light emitted acts on the infrared curing ink extruded by the infrared curing ink output unit 1 to heat and cure it; the ultraviolet light emitting unit 3 uses an ultraviolet laser emitter with a model number of OmniCure S2000, and emits ultraviolet light to act on the ultraviolet curing ink extruded by the ultraviolet curing ink output unit 4 (i.e., the ultraviolet curing ink output unit) to react and cure it; at the same time, an external air cooler can also be used to cool the two laser emitting units to ensure that the laser emitting units can work stably. The ultraviolet light beam and infrared light beam emitted by the two laser emitters respectively serve as energy input sources for ink curing. During the ink extrusion process, they will move with the movement of the ink output unit, thereby ensuring real-time extrusion and real-time curing of the ink; in order to ensure the real-time curing, this embodiment uses a fiber laser. Since the optical fiber is flexible and the optical fiber head is lightweight, it can move with the high-precision movement of the ink output nozzle.

[0049] The wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting unit 3 is 265nm-400nm, and the power density of ultraviolet light is 0W / cm 2 -40W / cm 2 Adjustable, the infrared light wavelength emitted by the infrared emitting unit is 980nm, and the infrared light power density is 0W / cm 2 -150W / cm 2 Adjustable, by selecting different light source power densities, real-time curing of different types of functional materials under various printing parameters can be achieved.

[0050] The volume of each of the aforementioned ink output units is 10mL-50mL, and the speed at which the ink is output can be adjusted within a precision range of 0.01mm / s-10mm / s, thereby ensuring stable extrusion of inks of different viscosities.

[0051] Each joint of the aforementioned six-degree-of-freedom motion robot arm 7 can move separately in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the movement speed of each joint is adjustable within the range of 0.01mm / s-50mm / s, and can move along any route in space, thereby improving the printing efficiency of complex structural parts.

[0052] The three ink output units mentioned above can continuously print three different ink materials at one time. Based on the spreading effect of the liquid ink material on the solidified surface after extrusion, the interlayer bonding force of different materials of the printed part is made stronger.

[0053] In other embodiments, if there is only one ink output unit, the ink output unit can be connected to different external ink storage structures through pipes. During printing, inks of different materials are output in turn by connecting to ink storage barrels of different materials, thereby realizing the printing of inks of different materials.

[0054] The aforementioned inert gas protection device can provide inert gas protection to the infrared curable ink while it is being cured, preventing it from oxidative decomposition under the heating effect of infrared light, thereby improving the printing quality of the formed part.

[0055] This embodiment uses infrared lasers and ultraviolet light sources as energy sources for ink curing. The power density of the light source can be changed according to the properties of the ink to ensure a smooth forming process. An extrusion device with adjustable extrusion speed and a six-degree-of-freedom unit with adjustable movement speed are used to enable the selection of different printing parameters and ink materials as needed. In addition, the synergistic effect of each ink curing unit and the corresponding ink output unit solves the problem of easy clogging of the output nozzle during the part forming process.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] This embodiment provides a multi-material integrated ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing methods, and performs actual printing work:

[0058] Use Figure 1 The multi-material integrated ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes shown in the figure includes a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform, wherein:

[0059] The multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is a six-degree-of-freedom motion robot arm 7, the execution end of the robot arm 7 is the printing end, and the ink output device and the light curing device are integrated on the printing end;

[0060] The ink output device includes an infrared light curing ink output unit 1, an ultraviolet light curing ink output unit 4 and an elastic ink output unit 6, and an ink output nozzle is provided at the lower end of each ink output unit; the light curing device includes two curing units, namely an infrared light emitting unit 2 and an ultraviolet light emitting unit 3; the printing end is also integrated with an inert gas protection unit 5; the above-mentioned three ink output units, two light curing units and one inert gas protection unit are arranged in a ring shape on the lower surface of the printing end, and the three ink output units and the two light curing units and one inert gas protection unit are arranged opposite to each other in pairs, and can move independently relative to the printing end.

[0061] The infrared curable ink output by the infrared curable ink output unit 1 is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and gallium indium tin liquid metal, with a mass ratio of 2:8;

[0062] The UV curing ink output unit 4 outputs the UV curing ink which is Nd2Fe 14 B), a mixture of fumed silica and UV-curable resin (Elastic 50A Resin) in a mass ratio of 3:1:6;

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the rheological characterization diagrams of the UV-curable magnetic ink (a) and the infrared-curable liquid metal ink (b) provided in this embodiment show that as the shear rate increases, the viscosity decreases. It can be seen that both inks have good rheological properties and both inks have very obvious shear thinning properties. As the angular frequency increases, their storage modulus and loss modulus also increase significantly, which is a prerequisite for ensuring that the ink can be smoothly extruded.

[0064] During printing, the diameter of the ink output nozzle of each ink unit is 0.1 mm, the ink extrusion speed is 0.1 mm / s, and the moving speed of the ink output nozzle is set to 0.5 mm / s; the power density of the ultraviolet light emitting unit 3 is 15 W / cm 2 , the power density of infrared light emitting unit 2 is 30W / cm 2 .

[0065] The infrared light curing ink output by the infrared light curing ink output unit 1 is liquid metal ink. Therefore, during curing, the inert gas protection unit simultaneously outputs an inert gas (such as nitrogen, argon or helium) to protect the ink printed on the printing platform to prevent its oxidative decomposition. In this embodiment, nitrogen is used as the protective gas with a flow rate of 100 sccm.

[0066] like Figure 3The figure shows a schematic diagram of the scanning electron microscope characterization of the infrared light and ultraviolet light curing auxiliary ink direct writing print provided in the embodiment. Specifically, the scanning electron microscope characterization pictures of the liquid metal ink layer printed by the infrared light curing ink output unit 1 and the magnetic ink layer printed by the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit 4 are shown. Figure 3 As can be seen from Figures a and b, the solidified magnetic ink has a regular shape and uniform size, and from Figure b, the magnetic powder in the cross section of the print is evenly distributed. As can be seen from Figures c and d, the solidified liquid metal ink has a regular shape and neat edges, and from Figure d, there are fewer pores in the cross section of the print and the liquid metal is evenly distributed, showing the good appearance of the print.

[0067] The present invention combines ultraviolet light curing-assisted ink direct writing forming, infrared light curing-assisted ink direct writing forming and shear thinning forming to achieve integrated printing forming of multiple functional ink materials, solving the problem that ink materials with multiple curing methods cannot be integrated and printed.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes, characterized in that: It includes a multi-degree-of-freedom motion device, an ink output device, a light curing device and a printing platform, wherein: The multi-degree-of-freedom motion device is a robotic arm, and its end effector serves as a printing end. The robotic arm is used to drive the printing end to move along a preset path above the printing platform. The ink output device and the light-curing device are arranged on the printing end; the ink output device includes an infrared light-curing ink output unit, an ultraviolet light-curing ink output unit, and an elastic ink output unit; the light-curing device includes an infrared light emitting unit and an ultraviolet light emitting unit, and the printing end is also provided with an inert gas protection unit; the infrared light-curing ink output unit, the ultraviolet light-curing ink output unit, the elastic ink output unit, the infrared light emitting unit, the ultraviolet light emitting unit, and the inert gas protection unit are arranged in a ring on the printing end and can move independently relative to the printing end; The infrared light curing ink output unit, ultraviolet light curing ink output unit and elastic ink output unit can output infrared light curing ink, ultraviolet light curing ink and elastic ink simultaneously or sequentially on the printing platform; the infrared light emitting unit and ultraviolet light emitting unit can emit infrared light and ultraviolet light simultaneously or sequentially, the infrared light is used to cure infrared light curing ink, and the ultraviolet light is used to cure ultraviolet light curing ink and elastic ink; the inert gas protection unit can output inert gas in real time to prevent infrared light curing ink from oxidative decomposition.

2. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultraviolet light emitting unit is used to emit ultraviolet light, and the wavelength range of the ultraviolet light is 265nm-400nm.

3. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power density of the ultraviolet light is 0W / cm 2 -40W / cm 2 The range can be adjusted arbitrarily.

4. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The wavelength of the infrared light emitted by the infrared light emitting unit is 900nm~1100nm.

5. The multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power density of the infrared light is 0W / cm 2 -150W / cm 2 The range can be adjusted arbitrarily.

6. The multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movement accuracy of the infrared light curable ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curable ink output unit when moving relative to the printing end is no more than 0.01 mm / s.

7. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The speed at which the infrared light curing ink output unit and the ultraviolet light curing ink output unit extrude ink is in the range of 0.01 mm / s-20 mm / s.

8. The multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic ink output unit extrude ink at a speed within a range of 0.01 mm / s to 20 mm / s.

9. The multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic ink output unit is movable relative to the printing end.

10. A multi-material ink direct writing 3D printing device with multiple curing modes according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The movement speed of each movable joint of the robotic arm is 0.01 mm / s-50 mm / s.

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