Metal 3D printing device with transfer station and printing method using the same

Abstract

The present application provides a metal 3D printing device with a transfer station and a metal 3D printing method with a transfer station using the same. The metal 3D printing device with a transfer station includes: a first powder spreading device spreads metal powder on a first forming platform, a first scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120μm to 200μm, and heats metal powder with a particle size of 15μm to 150μm on the surface of the first forming platform; a second powder spreading device spreads metal powder on a second forming platform, a second scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70μm to 120μm, and heats metal powder with a particle size of 15μm to 53μm on the surface of the second forming platform; a transfer module is used to transfer the parts printed on the first forming platform to the second forming platform and the third forming platform for grafting other parts of the printed parts. The metal powder printed on the first forming platform and the metal powder printed on the second and third forming platforms are the same or different powders.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular to a metal 3D printing device with a transfer station and a metal 3D printing method with a transfer station using the same. Background Art

[0002] In 3D printing technology, various metal powders are used as processing materials. According to the three-dimensional CAD model, high-energy lasers are used to quickly melt the powders point by point, domain by domain, and layer by layer, and then quickly cool them, thereby forming parts with specific geometric shapes. The density of the formed parts is nearly 100%, and the mechanical properties are equivalent to those of forged parts. The technology has the characteristics of simple process, wide range of forming materials (pure metal powder, composite powder), and can form complex structures that are difficult to manufacture by traditional process methods. Therefore, it has been widely valued by domestic and foreign experts and has become the most promising technology among all current rapid prototyping technologies.

[0003] However, in laser selective melting metal forming, the high-energy laser beam scans the metal powder and melts the printed metal powder layer by layer. In addition, the forming chamber is usually configured with a left forming platform and a right powder spreading platform. Only one workpiece can be formed at a time, resulting in low printing efficiency and only one material can be printed. It cannot meet the industry's rapidly growing demand for metal 3D printing. How to solve the above problems is what technicians in this field need to consider. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present application provides a metal 3D printing device with a transfer station, which is used to efficiently print a formed part and a grafted part of a formed part, including:

[0005] The first printing module includes a first forming platform, a first powder spreading device and a first scanning galvanometer, wherein the first powder spreading device spreads metal powder on the first forming platform, and the first scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm to heat the metal powder laid on the first forming platform;

[0006] The second printing module includes a second forming platform, a second powder spreading device and a second scanning galvanometer, wherein the second powder spreading device is used to spread powder on the second forming platform, and the second scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the metal powder laid on the second forming platform;

[0007] The third printing module includes a third forming platform and a third scanning galvanometer, wherein the second powder spreading device is further used to spread metal powder on the third forming platform, and the third scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the metal powder laid on the third forming platform;

[0008] The transfer module is movably disposed between the first printing module, the second printing module and the third printing module, and is used for transferring printed pieces.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 150 μm onto the first forming platform.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 53 μm onto the second forming platform, and the second powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-53 μm onto the third forming platform.

[0011] In one embodiment, the metal 3D printing device of the transfer station also includes a molding chamber, the molding chamber is provided with a gas circulation filtration module, and the first printing module, the second printing module, the third printing module and the transfer module are arranged in the molding chamber.

[0012] In one embodiment, the metal 3D printing device of the transfer station also includes an automatic clamping module, which is respectively arranged on the first forming platform, the second forming platform, and the third forming platform, and the automatic clamping module is at least used to clamp the printed parts arranged on the first forming platform, the second forming platform, and the third forming platform.

[0013] The present application also provides a metal 3D printing method with a transfer station, using the aforementioned 3D printing device with a transfer station, and comprising the following steps:

[0014] The first printing module is turned on, and metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-150 μm is laid on the surface of the first forming platform by the first powder laying device. The first scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer until a first printed part is formed;

[0015] Controlling, by a control module, the automatic clamping module disposed on the first forming platform to release, so as to move the first printed part to the second forming platform; and

[0016] Turn on the second printing module, and spread metal powder with a particle size of 15μm-53μm on the second forming platform through the second powder spreading device, so that the metal powder covers at least a portion of the first printed part, and use the second scanning galvanometer to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70μm to 120μm to heat the metal powder to form a grafted part of the first printed part.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method further includes the following steps:

[0018] After the first printed part is removed from the first forming platform, metal powder with a particle size of 15μm-150μm is spread on the surface of the first forming platform by the first powder spreading device, and the first scanning galvanometer outputs a laser heating powder with a spot diameter of 120μm to 200μm, and heats the powder layer by layer until a second printed part is formed, wherein the printing layer thickness of the first printed part and the second printed part on the first forming platform is 40μm-80μm.

[0019] Controlling the automatic clamping module disposed on the first forming platform to release by the control module, transferring the second printed part from the first printing module to the third printing module by the transfer module, and placing the second printed part on the third forming platform; and

[0020] The third printing module is turned on, and metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 53 μm is spread on the third forming platform through the second powder spreading device so that the metal powder covers at least a portion of the second printed part, and the third scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam to heat the metal powder to form a grafted part of the second printed part.

[0021] In one embodiment, the metal 3D printing method of the transfer station is used to print at least two parts simultaneously. When the second printing module is turned on, the first printing module is also turned on to process another part.

[0022] In one embodiment, the material of the powder spread by the first powder spreading device and the material of the powder spread by the second powder spreading device are the same or different.

[0023] In one embodiment, the automatic clamping module provided on the first forming platform releases the fixation of the first printed part, the first printed part is transferred to the second forming platform using the transfer module, the automatic clamping module provided on the second forming platform fixes the first printed part, and the first printed part is scanned by the set CCD scanning unit to determine the scanning coordinate origin.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the metal 3D printing device with a transfer station provided in the present application and the 3D printing method using the same achieve efficient grafting of the printed parts by manufacturing the first printed part and the second printed part in steps and manufacturing functional and precise printed parts on the first printed part and the second printed part. The printing conversion and process matching of the base layer and the grafting layer can be quickly realized according to the characteristics of the printed parts, and grafting printing between the same material and the same material or the same material and different materials can be realized, thereby improving processing efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a metal 3D printing device with a transfer station according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic clamping module of the metal 3D printing device of the transfer station in one embodiment of the present application cooperating with the first forming platform, the second forming platform, or the third forming platform.

[0027] Main component symbols

[0028] Metal 3D printing device with transfer station 1

[0029] Molding room 10

[0030] The first printing module 11

[0031] The first forming platform 111

[0032] The first scanning galvanometer 112

[0033] The first powder spreading device 113

[0034] The second printing module 12

[0035] The second forming platform 121

[0036] The second scanning galvanometer 122

[0037] The second powder spreading device 123

[0038] The third printing module 13

[0039] The third forming platform 131

[0040] The third scanning galvanometer 132

[0041] Transfer module 14

[0042] Automatic clamping module 15

[0043] CCD scanning unit 16

[0044] Gas circulation filter module 17

[0045] Gas detection device 18

[0046] Control module 19

[0047] First Print 21

[0048] Second print 22

[0049] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to more fully describe the content of the present application. Shown in the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. Similar reference numerals represent identical or similar components.

[0051] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms. In addition, when used herein, "including" and / or "comprising" and / or "having", integers, steps, operations, components and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components, components and / or groups thereof.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art described in this application. In addition, unless explicitly defined herein, terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant technology and the content of this application, and will not be interpreted as an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0053] The following will describe exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components depicted in the reference drawings are not necessarily shown to scale; and the same or similar components will be given the same or similar reference numerals or similar technical terms.

[0054] The specific implementation methods of the present application are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the embodiment of the present application is used for a metal 3D printing device 1 with a transfer station, which is used to print a first print part 21 and a second print part 22.

[0056] The metal 3D printing device 1 of the transfer station includes a molding chamber 10, a first printing module 11, a second printing module 12, a third printing module 13, a transfer module 14, and an automatic clamping module 15. The first printing module 11, the second printing module 12, the third printing module 13, the transfer module 14, the automatic clamping module 15 and the CCD scanning unit 16 are arranged in the molding chamber 10.

[0057] The first printing module 11 includes a first forming platform 111 , a first scanning galvanometer 112 and a first powder spreading device 113 . The first powder spreading device 113 is used to spread powder on the first forming platform 111 . The first scanning galvanometer 112 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm.

[0058] The second printing module 12 includes a second forming platform 121 , a second scanning galvanometer 122 and a second powder spreading device 123 . The second powder spreading device 123 is used to spread powder on the second forming platform 121 . The second scanning galvanometer 122 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm.

[0059] The third printing module 13 includes a third forming platform 131, a third scanning galvanometer 132 and a second powder spreading device 123. The second powder spreading device 123 is used to spread powder on the third forming platform 131. The third scanning galvanometer 132 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm.

[0060] The transfer module 14 can be movably disposed in the molding chamber 10, and the transfer module 14 can be movable in the working area of ​​any one of the first printing module 11, the second printing module 12, and the third printing module 13. Further, the transfer module 14 can be movably disposed between the first printing module 11 and the second printing module 12 and the third printing module 13, and is used to transfer the first print 21 and the second print 22.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first powder spreading device 113 of the first printing module 11 spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 150 μm onto the first forming platform 111, and spreads the metal powder evenly on the surface of the first forming platform 111 through a powder spreading scraper. The first scanning galvanometer 112 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer to form the base part of the first printed part 21.

[0062] In one embodiment, the second powder spreading device 123 of the second printing module 12 spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 53 μm onto the second forming platform 121, and spreads the metal powder evenly on the surface of the second forming platform 121 through a powder spreading scraper. The second scanning galvanometer 122 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer to continue to form the grafted part of the first printed part 21.

[0063] After the first forming platform 111 completes printing of the base portion of the first print 21, the control module 19 controls the automatic clamping module 15 disposed on the first forming platform 111 to loosen, and the transfer module 14 transfers the base portion of the first print 21 to the second forming platform 121, and the control module 19 controls the automatic clamping module 15 to clamp the substrate of the first print 21.

[0064] After the base part of the first printed part 21 is transferred, the first powder laying device 113 will continue to lay metal powder with a particle size of 15μm-150 microns onto the first forming platform 111, and the first scanning galvanometer 112 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120μm-200μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer to form the base part of the second printed part 22.

[0065] After the first forming platform 111 completes the base part of the second print 22 , the control module 19 controls the automatic clamping module 15 to release, and the transfer module 14 transfers the base part of the second print 22 to the third print module 13 , and the control module 19 controls the automatic clamping module 15 to clamp the substrate of the second print 22 .

[0066] In the implementation case, the second powder spreading device 123 can be movably transferred to the third printing module 13, the second powder spreading device 123 spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15μm to 53μm on the third forming platform 131, and spreads the metal powder evenly on the third forming platform 131 through a powder spreading scraper, and the third scanning galvanometer 132 is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70μm to 120μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer to form the grafting part of the second print 22.

[0067] Furthermore, by manufacturing the base part of the first printed part 21 and the grafted part of the first printed part 21, and the base part of the second printed part 22 and the grafted part of the second printed part 22 in steps, the step-by-step manufacturing of the printed parts is realized, and the base part of the base layer can be quickly formed according to the characteristics of the printed parts. By transferring the printed workpiece, the printing conversion and process matching are completed, and the functional layer can be grafted on the base part of the printed part to realize grafting printing between the same material and the same material or the same material and different materials. That is, the specific material of the metal powder output by the first powder spreading device 113 and the second powder spreading device 123 can be the same or different.

[0068] In one embodiment, the molding chamber 10 may also be provided with a gas circulation filter module 17 and a gas detection device 18 . The gas circulation filter module 17 may be used for gas purification circulation in the molding chamber 10 , and the gas detection device 18 may be used for monitoring the oxygen content in the molding chamber 10 .

[0069] In one embodiment, the first printing module 11, the second printing module 12, and the third printing module 13 are sequentially arranged. In this embodiment, the first printing module 11 is a fiber laser, the second printing module 12 and the third printing module 13 can be configured with a fiber laser, and the second forming platform 121 and the third forming platform 131 are heated by optical path conversion, and two fiber lasers can also be used to heat the second forming platform 121 and the third forming platform 131 respectively.

[0070] In one embodiment, the transfer module 14 is movably disposed at at least one of the first forming platform 111, the second forming platform 121, and the third forming platform 131. The transfer module 14 is at least used to clamp the base portion of the first print 21 or the base portion of the second print 22 disposed on the first forming platform 111, and transfer it to the second forming platform 121 and the third forming platform 131. The function of the transfer module 14 is to transfer the base portion of the first print 21 or the base portion of the second print 22 that has been completed on the first forming platform 111 to the second forming platform 121 and the third forming platform 131.

[0071] In one embodiment, the automatic clamping module 15 is disposed on the first forming platform 111 , the second forming platform 121 and the third forming platform 131 . The automatic clamping module 15 automatically locks or releases the forming substrate with the printed workpiece under the control of the control module 19 .

[0072] In one embodiment, the CCD scanning unit 16 is used to scan the base portion of the first print 21 or the base portion of the second print 22 located on the second forming platform 121 or the third forming platform 131, and determines the scanning coordinate origin by scanning the contour of the base portion of the first print 21 or the base portion of the second print 22 and performing an algorithm calculation.

[0073] The embodiment of the present application also provides a metal 3D printing method with a transfer station, using a metal 3D printing device 1 with a transfer station, and the metal 3D printing method includes the following steps:

[0074] Step S1: Turn on the first printing module 11, lay metal powder with a particle size of 15μm-150μm on the surface of the first forming platform 111, and use the first scanning galvanometer 112 to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120μm to 200μm to heat the metal powder, heating it layer by layer until the base part of the first printed part 21 is formed.

[0075] In one embodiment, metal powder is spread on the first forming platform 111 by the first powder spreading device 113, the metal powder is placed on the surface of the first forming platform 111 by the powder spreading scraper of the first powder spreading device 113, and the metal powder is heated by the first scanning galvanometer 112 to achieve printing, wherein the printing thickness range can be 40μm-80μm.

[0076] Step S2: The base portion of the first printed part 21 is transferred from the first printing module 11 to the second printing module 12 by the transfer module 14 , and the base portion of the first printed part 21 is placed on the second forming platform 121 .

[0077] In one embodiment, the automatic clamping module 15 provided on the first forming platform 111 releases the fixation on the substrate of the first print 21, and the transfer module 14 is used to transfer the base portion of the first print 21 to the second forming platform 121, so that the automatic clamping module 15 provided on the second forming platform 121 fixes the substrate of the first print 21, and the base portion of the first print 21 is scanned by the CCD scanning unit 16. The base portion of the first print 21 is contour scanned and the scanning coordinate origin is determined by algorithm calculation. The coordinate origin is used to guide the scanning galvanometer to assist in printing the grafted portion of the part in the subsequent process.

[0078] Step S3: Turn on the second printing module 12, and lay metal powder with a particle size of 15μm to 53μm on the second forming platform 121 so that the metal powder covers at least part of the base part of the first printed part 21. The second scanning galvanometer 122 outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70μm to 120μm to heat the metal powder and combine it with the base part of the first printed part 21 to form a grafted part of the first printed part 21, and obtain a complete first printed part 21.

[0079] In one embodiment, metal powder is spread on the second forming platform 121 by the second powder spreading device 123, and the metal powder is placed on the second forming platform 121 by the metal powder scraper of the second powder spreading device 123, so that the metal powder covers at least part of the base part of the first print part 21, and the metal powder is heated by the second scanning galvanometer 122 to achieve grafting printing, wherein the printing thickness range can be 30μm to 50μm.

[0080] In one embodiment, after the first forming platform 111 completes the base part of the first print 21, the automatic clamping module 15 releases the fixation of the substrate of the first print 21, and the transfer module 14 transfers the base part of the first print 21 from the first printing module 11 to the second printing module 12; the first powder spreading device 113 spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15μm-150μm on the surface of the first forming platform 111, and the metal powder is heated by a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120μm-200μm output by the first scanning galvanometer 112, and the base part of the second print 22 is formed by printing layer by layer.

[0081] Step S4: Transfer the base part of the second print part 22 on the surface of the first forming platform 111 from the first printing module 11 to the third printing module 13 through the transfer module 14; turn on the third printing module 13, and lay metal powder with a particle size of 15μm to 53μm on the third forming platform 131 so that the metal powder covers at least part of the base part of the second print part 22, and use the third scanning galvanometer 132 to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70μm to 120μm to heat the metal powder to form a grafted part of the second print part 22, and obtain a complete second print part 22.

[0082] In one embodiment, when the second printing module 12 is turned on, the first printing module 11 is also turned on to process the second printed part 22. Furthermore, the first printing module 11, the second printing module 12, and the third printing module 13 can be in working state at the same time, and the processing of the base part and the grafting part of the first printed part 21 and the base part and the grafting part of the second printed part 22 can be completed step by step, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0083] In the above, the specific embodiments of the present application are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and substitutions may be made to the specific embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. These changes and substitutions are all within the scope defined by the present application.

Claims

1. A metal 3D printing device with a transfer station, used for printing formed parts, characterized in that: include: The first printing module includes a first forming platform, a first powder spreading device and a first scanning galvanometer, wherein the first powder spreading device spreads powder on the first forming platform, and the first scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm to heat the powder laid on the first forming platform; The second printing module includes a second forming platform, a second powder spreading device and a second scanning galvanometer, wherein the second powder spreading device is used to spread powder on the second forming platform, and the second scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the powder laid on the second forming platform; The third printing module includes a third forming platform and a third scanning galvanometer, wherein the second powder spreading device is further used to spread powder on the third forming platform, and the third scanning galvanometer is used to output a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the powder spread on the third forming platform; as well as A transfer module, movably disposed between the first printing module, the second printing module and the third printing module, for transferring printed pieces; An automatic clamping module, the automatic clamping modules are respectively arranged on the first forming platform, the second forming platform and the third forming platform, and the automatic clamping modules are used to clamp the substrates of the printed parts arranged on the first forming platform, the second forming platform and the third forming platform; The CCD scanning unit is used to scan the outline of the base part of the printed part arranged on the second forming platform or the third forming platform and determine the scanning coordinate origin through algorithm calculation.

2. The metal 3D printing device with a transfer station as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 150 μm onto the first forming platform.

3. The metal 3D printing device with a transfer station as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The second powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 53 μm onto the second forming platform, and the second powder spreading device spreads metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-53 μm onto the third forming platform.

4. The metal 3D printing device with a transfer station as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a molding chamber, which is provided with a gas circulation filtration module, and the first printing module, the second printing module, the third printing module and the transfer module are arranged in the molding chamber.

5. A metal 3D printing method with a transfer station, using the metal 3D printing device with a transfer station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the following steps: The first printing module is turned on, and metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-150 μm is laid on the surface of the first forming platform by the first powder laying device. The first scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm to heat the metal powder layer by layer until a base portion of the first printed part is formed; Controlling the automatic clamping module disposed on the first forming platform to release by a control module, so as to move the base portion of the first printed part to the second forming platform; and The second printing module is turned on, and metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-53 μm is laid on the second forming platform by the second powder laying device, so that the metal powder covers at least part of the base part of the first printed part, and the second scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam with a spot diameter of 70 μm to 120 μm to heat the metal powder to form a grafting part of the first printed part; The automatic clamping module provided on the first forming platform releases the fixation on the first printed part, the first printed part is transferred to the second forming platform by using the transfer module, the automatic clamping module provided on the second forming platform fixes the first printed part, and the first printed part is scanned by the set CCD scanning unit to determine the scanning coordinate origin.

6. The metal 3D printing method of the transfer station as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: After the first printed part is removed from the first forming platform, the metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm-150 μm is laid on the surface of the first forming platform by the first powder laying device, and the first scanning galvanometer outputs a laser heating powder with a spot diameter of 120 μm to 200 μm, and heats the powder layer by layer until the base of the second printed part is formed, wherein the printing layer thickness of the first printed part and the second printed part on the first forming platform is 40 μm-80 μm; Controlling the automatic clamping module disposed on the first forming platform to release by the control module, transferring the base portion of the second printed part from the first printing module to the third printing module by the transfer module, and placing the base portion of the second printed part on the third forming platform; and The third printing module is turned on, and metal powder with a particle size of 15 μm to 53 μm is spread on the third forming platform through the second powder spreading device so that the metal powder covers at least part of the base part of the second printed part, and the third scanning galvanometer outputs a laser beam to heat the metal powder to form a grafted part of the second printed part.

7. The metal 3D printing method of the transfer station according to claim 6, characterized in that: The metal 3D printing method of the transfer station is used to print at least two parts at the same time. When the second printing module is turned on, the first printing module is also turned on to process another part.

8. The metal 3D printing method of the transfer station as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The material of the powder laid by the first powder laying device and the material of the powder laid by the second powder laying device are the same or different.

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