Crystallization process adjustment method and crystallinity adjustment device for 3D printing consumables

Abstract

The present invention discloses a crystallization process adjustment method and a crystallinity adjustment device for 3D printing consumables. The crystallization process adjustment method for 3D printing consumables includes the following steps: S1, a controller receives a control instruction, and the controller calls out an internal preset control parameter; S2, the consumables extruded by the extruder are pulled to a traction machine, and the consumables pass through a crystallinity adjustment device provided between the extruder and the traction machine, at which time the consumables are in a linear distribution state in the crystallinity adjustment device; S3, an execution command is input to the controller, and after receiving the execution command, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device according to the control instruction, so that the consumables located in the crystallinity adjustment device are changed from a linear distribution state to a zigzag distribution state. The effect of the present invention is that it can automatically change the residence time of the consumables corresponding to the production formula in the water cooling device according to the formula produced by the extruder, thereby affecting the crystallinity, and there is no need to manually wrap the consumables around the roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing consumables. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing filaments are used in FDM 3D printers. The crystallization of 3D printing filaments affects their quality. To address the issue of insufficient crystallinity, Chinese patent application No. 2018222259233, entitled "A Device for Controlling the Crystallinity of Polymer Materials," proposes increasing the dwell time of the filament within a water tank to improve crystallinity. However, this technology relies on manually adjusting the dwell time of the filament by turning a dial, which not only fails to automatically adjust crystallinity, but also requires different dwell times for different filaments. Manual control is unstable and susceptible to human uncertainty or deliberate manipulation, resulting in inconsistent crystallinity between batches. Furthermore, if the tractor's operating speed is increased, manual adjustment of the dial and, consequently, the dwell time of the filament must be adjusted. If the manual adjustment is forgotten and the tractor's pulling speed is increased, the filament's dwell time will not meet the preset time, meaning that the crystallinity will not be within the preset range. The device also requires manual work to wrap the filament around each roller. Because there are too many rollers and the extruder's extrusion speed is relatively fast, the filament in front falls to the ground. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a crystallization process adjustment method and a crystallinity adjustment device for 3D printing consumables, which can automatically change the residence time of the consumables corresponding to the production formula in the water cooling device according to the formula produced by the extruder, thereby affecting the crystallinity. Secondly, there is no need to manually wrap the consumables around the rolling parts.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is:

[0005] A method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables comprises the following steps:

[0006] S1: The controller receives the control instruction and calls out the internal preset control parameters;

[0007] S2, pulling the consumables extruded by the extruder to a traction machine, and the consumables pass through a crystallinity adjustment device provided between the extruder and the traction machine, at which time the consumables are in a linear distribution state in the crystallinity adjustment device;

[0008] S3. Input an execution command to the controller. After receiving the execution command, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device according to the control instruction, so that the consumables located in the crystallinity adjustment device change from a straight line distribution state to a zigzag distribution state, so as to increase the residence time of the consumables in the crystallinity adjustment device.

[0009] Step S3 is followed by step S4, in which the controller is electrically connected to the traction machine, and the traction machine is provided with a speed sensor for detecting the traction speed; when the controller does not receive a change control instruction, after the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine increases the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided by the crystallinity adjustment device to further increase the path length of the consumable inside the crystallinity adjustment device, so as to further increase the residence time of the consumable in the crystallinity adjustment device for cooling; when the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine reduces the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided by the crystallinity adjustment device to shorten the path length of the consumable inside the crystallinity adjustment device, so as to shorten the residence time of the consumable in the crystallinity adjustment device for cooling.

[0010] In step S1, when the controller receives a control instruction, the controller detects the working state of the path changing device. The states of the path changing device are divided into two categories, one is the first state in which the consumables are distributed in a straight line, and the other is the second state in which the consumables are distributed in a zigzag manner; if the path changing device is in the first state, no action is performed; if the path changing device is in the second state, the controller drives the path changing device to restore the path changing device to the first state.

[0011] A crystallinity adjustment device adopts the crystallization process adjustment method of 3D printing consumables; the crystallinity adjustment device includes a water tank for holding coolant, a path changing device for changing the movement path of the consumables in the cooling area, an angle sensor and a controller for directly / indirectly detecting the status of the path changing device; the controller is electrically connected to the path changing device and the angle sensor; the water tank has a first end, a second end and a cooling area between the first end and the second end; the top of the first end, the top of the second end and the top of the cooling area are all open, allowing the consumables to fall into the cooling area unimpeded when pulled from the first end to the second end and be supported by the path changing device; the path changing device is relatively fixed to the water tank; the path changing device includes a motor, a transmission device connected to the motor, and a plurality of actuators connected to the transmission device; each actuator includes an actuator shaft connected to the transmission device, a cantilever located at the middle position on the upper end of the actuator shaft, and two rolling members respectively hinged to the two ends of the cantilever, and the rolling members change the movement path of the consumables under the drive of the cantilever.

[0012] The water tank includes a tank body, the first end of which is arranged at the left end of the tank body, and the first end is configured as the consumable material entry end, the second end is arranged at the right end of the tank body, and the second end is configured as the consumable material removal end, the interior of the tank body between the first end and the second end is a groove, the cooling area is arranged in the groove, the groove is filled with water, and the water submerges the consumable material located in the cooling area; the consumable material entry end is provided with a first notch, and the consumable material removal end is provided with a second notch, and the first notch and the second notch are both open to the top of the tank body; the motor of the path changing device is fixedly installed at the outer bottom of the tank body, and the motor is provided with an output shaft, one end of the output shaft passes through the tank body and is arranged inside the tank body and is located in the cooling area.

[0013] The transmission device includes a driving wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft, a driven wheel hinged to the trough body, and a transmission belt connected between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; all the executing shafts are hinged to the trough body, and all the executing shafts are in transmission connection with the transmission belt; a number of bearings are provided at the bottom of the trough body, and the lower end of each executing shaft is inserted into one of the bearings, and the driven wheel is hinged to the trough body through the driven shaft, and the lower end of the driven shaft is inserted into one of the bearings.

[0014] The crystallinity adjustment device also includes an anti-scratch device, which includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located within the trough body adjacent to the first notch, and the second portion is located within the trough body adjacent to the second notch. The first portion includes a first fixed shaft, a first roller hinged to the upper end of the first fixed shaft, a second fixed shaft, and a second roller hinged to the upper end of the second fixed shaft. The first and second fixed shafts are located at opposite ends of the first notch, with the distance between the first and second rollers being less than the width of the first notch. The second portion includes a third fixed shaft, a third roller hinged to the upper end of the third fixed shaft, a fourth fixed shaft, and a fourth roller hinged to the upper end of the fourth fixed shaft. The third and fourth fixed shafts are located at opposite ends of the second notch, with the distance between the third and fourth rollers being less than the width of the second notch. The first and second portions are used to prevent the consumables located within the trough body from being scratched or even broken by the first and / or second notches due to the tortuous transition between the consumables located outside the trough body when the cantilever rotates at a large angle. The first, second, third, and fourth rollers are rotatable, thereby alleviating the risk of consumables being scratched. Furthermore, the first roller, the second roller, the third roller and the fourth roller are sponge rollers, and the sponge rollers absorb water.

[0015] A grating plate is provided on the output shaft, and a plurality of through-holes are provided on the grating plate. An infrared sensor is fixedly mounted on the motor / slot body. The infrared sensor rotates toward the area where the through-holes of the grating plate are provided. The grating plate and the infrared sensor cooperate to form an angle sensor.

[0016] The products produced by the extruder have recipes, and all recipes are pre-made into a database and stored inside the controller.

[0017] When the extruder starts to extrude, one end of the filament is manually pulled from the first end to the second end, and the filament is supported by the cantilever. Then, because the filament is in a straight line, it is more suitable for manual pulling of the filament to the traction machine, and then docked on the traction machine. After the manual input of the execution command, the controller changes the straight-line filament into a zigzag filament without additional manual intervention. Because the filament moves in the cooling area, the moving distance becomes longer, so the residence time becomes longer, which improves the crystallinity. Moreover, because the path in the cooling area becomes longer, the amplitude of cooling and temperature change becomes smaller, which is more conducive to crystallization.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: it can automatically change the residence time of the consumables corresponding to the production formula in the water cooling device according to the formula produced by the extruder, thereby affecting the crystallinity, and secondly, it is not necessary to manually wind the consumables on the rolling parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the steps of the crystallization process adjustment method of the 3D printing consumables in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional principle of the crystallinity adjustment device in the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional principle of the crystallinity adjustment device in the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional principle of the crystallinity adjustment device in the present invention. Figure 3 ;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional principle of the crystallinity adjustment device in the present invention. Figure 4 ;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of the crystallinity adjustment device in the present invention hiding the tank body;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the principle of the consumables in the crystallinity adjustment device of the present invention being in a straight line state;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the principle of the consumable material in the crystallinity adjustment device of the present invention being in a zigzag state;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of the angle sensor in the crystallinity adjustment device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10It is a schematic diagram of the electronic control principle of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, the crystallization process adjustment method of the 3D printing consumable 4 of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0030] S1: The controller receives the control instruction and calls out the internal preset control parameters;

[0031] S2, pulling the consumables 4 extruded by the extruder to the traction machine, and the consumables 4 pass through the crystallinity adjustment device provided between the extruder and the traction machine, at which time the consumables 4 are in a linear distribution state in the crystallinity adjustment device;

[0032] S3. Input an execution command to the controller. After receiving the execution command, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device according to the control instruction, so that the consumables 4 located in the crystallinity adjustment device change from a straight distribution state to a zigzag distribution state, so as to increase the residence time of the consumables 4 in the crystallinity adjustment device.

[0033] Step S3 is followed by step S4, in which the controller is electrically connected to the traction machine, and the traction machine is provided with a speed sensor for detecting the traction speed; when the controller does not receive a change control instruction, after the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine increases the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided by the crystallinity adjustment device to further increase the path length of the consumable 4 inside the crystallinity adjustment device, so as to further increase the residence time of the consumable 4 in the crystallinity adjustment device for cooling; when the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine reduces the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided by the crystallinity adjustment device to shorten the path length of the consumable 4 inside the crystallinity adjustment device, so as to shorten the residence time of the consumable 4 in the crystallinity adjustment device for cooling.

[0034] In step S1, when the controller receives a control instruction, the controller detects the working state of the path changing device. The states of the path changing device are divided into two categories, one is the first state in which the consumables 4 are distributed in a straight line, and the other is the second state in which the consumables 4 are distributed in a zigzag manner; if the path changing device is in the first state, no action is performed; if the path changing device is in the second state, the controller drives the path changing device so that the path changing device returns to the first state.

[0035] A crystallinity adjustment device, which adopts the crystallization process adjustment method of the 3D printing consumable 4; the crystallinity adjustment device includes a water tank 1 for containing coolant, a path changing device for changing the moving path of the consumable 4 in the cooling area 13, an angle sensor and a controller for directly / indirectly detecting the state of the path changing device; the controller is electrically connected to the path changing device and the angle sensor; the water tank 1 has a first end 11, a second end 12 and a cooling area 13 provided between the first end 11 and the second end 12; the upper part of the first end 11, the upper part of the second end 12 and the upper part of the cooling area 13 are all open, allowing the consumable 4 to move from the first end 11 When pulled toward the second end 12, it can fall into the cooling area 13 without obstacles and be supported by the path changing device; the path changing device is relatively fixed to the water tank 1; the path changing device includes a motor 21, a transmission device 22 connected to the motor 21, and a plurality of actuators 23 connected to the transmission device 22; each actuator 23 includes an actuator shaft 231 connected to the transmission device 22, a cantilever 232 at the middle position of the upper end of the actuator shaft 231, and two rolling members 233 respectively hinged at both ends of the cantilever 232, and the rolling member 233 changes the moving path of the consumable 4 under the drive of the cantilever 232.

[0036] The water tank 1 includes a tank body, a first end 11 is arranged at the left end of the tank body, and the first end 11 is configured as the entry end of the consumable 4, the second end 12 is arranged at the right end of the tank body, and the second end 12 is configured as the exit end of the consumable 4, the interior of the tank body between the first end 11 and the second end 12 is a groove, and a cooling area 13 is arranged in the groove, and the groove is filled with water, and the water submerges the consumable 4 located in the cooling area 13; a first notch is provided at the entry end of the consumable 4, and a second notch is provided at the exit end of the consumable 4, and the first notch and the second notch are both open to the top of the tank body; the motor 21 of the path changing device is fixedly installed at the outer bottom of the tank body, and the motor 21 is provided with an output shaft, one end of the output shaft passes through the tank body and is arranged inside the tank body and is located in the cooling area 13.

[0037] The transmission device 22 includes a driving wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft (not shown in the figure), a driven wheel 234 hinged to the trough body, and a transmission belt connected between the driving wheel and the driven wheel 234; all the execution shafts 231 are hinged to the trough body, and all the execution shafts 231 are in transmission connection with the transmission belt; a plurality of bearings 230 are provided at the bottom of the trough body, and the lower end of each execution shaft 231 is inserted into one of the bearings 230, and the driven wheel 234 is hinged to the trough body through the driven shaft, and the lower end of the driven shaft is inserted into one of the bearings 230.

[0038] The crystallinity adjustment device also includes an anti-scratch device, which includes a first part 31 and a second part 32. The first part 31 is arranged in the groove body next to the first notch, and the second part 32 is arranged in the groove body next to the second notch; the first part 31 includes a first fixed shaft 311, a first roller 312 hinged at the upper end of the first fixed shaft 311, a second fixed shaft 313 and a second roller 314 hinged at the upper end of the second fixed shaft 313; the first fixed shaft 311 and the second fixed shaft 313 are arranged at both ends of the first notch, and the distance between the first roller 312 and the second roller 314 is less than the width of the first notch; the second part 32 includes a third fixed shaft 323, a third roller 324 hinged at the upper end of the third fixed shaft 323, a fourth fixed shaft 321 and a fourth roller 322 hinged at the upper end of the fourth fixed shaft 321; the third fixed shaft 323 and the fourth fixed shaft 321 are arranged at both ends of the second notch, and the distance between the third roller 324 and the fourth roller 322 is less than the width of the second notch. The first portion 31 and the second portion 32 are used to prevent the consumables 4 located inside the tank from being scratched or even broken by the first and / or second notches when the cantilever 232 rotates at a large angle. The first roller 312, the second roller 314, the third roller 324, and the fourth roller 322 are rotatable, thereby reducing the risk of scratches on the consumables 4. Furthermore, the first roller 312, the second roller 314, the third roller 324, and the fourth roller 322 are sponge rollers that absorb water.

[0039] A grating plate 5 is provided on the output shaft, and a plurality of through holes are provided on the grating plate 5. An infrared sensor 6 is fixedly mounted on the motor 21 / slot body. The infrared sensor 6 rotates toward the area where the through holes are provided on the grating plate 5. The grating plate 5 and the infrared sensor 6 cooperate to form an angle sensor.

[0040] The products produced by the extruder have recipes, and all recipes are pre-made into a database and stored inside the controller.

[0041] When the extruder starts to extrude, one end of the consumable 4 is manually pulled from the first end 11 to the second end 12, and the consumable 4 is supported by the cantilever 232. Then, because the consumable 4 is in a straight line, it is more suitable for manual pulling of the consumable 4 to the traction machine, and then docked on the traction machine. After the manual input of the execution command, the controller changes the consumable 4 in a straight line state into a zigzag state without additional manual intervention. Because the consumable 4 moves in the cooling area 13, the moving distance becomes longer, so the residence time becomes longer, which improves the crystallinity. Moreover, because the path in the cooling area 13 becomes longer, the amplitude of the cooling and temperature change also becomes smaller, which is more conducive to crystallization.

[0042] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: it can automatically change the residence time of the consumable 4 corresponding to the production formula in the water cooling device according to the formula produced by the extruder, thereby affecting the crystallinity, and secondly, there is no need to manually wind the consumable 4 on the roller 233.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: The controller receives the control instruction and calls out the internal preset control parameters; S2, pulling the consumables (4) extruded by the extruder to a traction machine, and the consumables (4) pass through a crystallinity adjustment device provided between the extruder and the traction machine, and at this time, the consumables (4) are in a linear distribution state in the crystallinity adjustment device; S3, inputting an execution command to the controller, and after receiving the execution command, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device according to the control instruction, so that the consumables (4) located in the crystallinity adjustment device are changed from a straight distribution state to a zigzag distribution state, so as to increase the residence time of the consumables (4) in the crystallinity adjustment device; The crystallinity adjustment device comprises a water tank (1) for containing a cooling liquid, a path changing device for changing the moving path of the consumable material (4) in the cooling area (13), an angle sensor and a controller for directly / indirectly detecting the state of the path changing device; the controller is electrically connected to the path changing device and the angle sensor; the water tank (1) is provided with a first end (11), a second end (12) and a cooling area (13) provided between the first end (11) and the second end (12); the upper part of the first end (11), the upper part of the second end (12) and the upper part of the cooling area (13) are all open, allowing the consumable material (4) to fall into the cooling area (13) without hindrance and be supported by the path changing device when being pulled from the first end (11) to the second end (12); the path changing device is fixed relative to the water tank (1); The path changing device comprises a motor (21), a transmission device (22) transmission-connected to the motor (21), and a plurality of actuators (23) transmission-connected to the transmission device (22); each actuator (23) comprises an actuator shaft (231) transmission-connected to the transmission device (22), a cantilever (232) disposed at an intermediate position on the upper end of the actuator shaft (231), and two rolling elements (233) hinged at both ends of the cantilever (232). The rolling element (233) changes the moving path of the consumable material (4) under the drive of the cantilever (232); the crystallinity adjustment device also includes an anti-scratch device, the anti-scratch device includes a first part (31) and a second part (32), the first part (31) is arranged in the groove body next to the first notch, and the second part (32) is arranged in the groove body next to the second notch; the first part (31) includes a first fixed shaft (311), a first roller (312) hinged to the upper end of the first fixed shaft (311), a second fixed shaft (313) and a second roller hinged to the upper end of the second fixed shaft (313); the first fixed shaft (31 1) The second fixed shaft (313) is provided at both ends of the first notch, and the distance between the first roller (312) and the second roller is smaller than the width of the first notch; the second part (32) includes a third fixed shaft (323), a third roller (324) hinged to the upper end of the third fixed shaft (323), a fourth fixed shaft (321), and a fourth roller (322) hinged to the upper end of the fourth fixed shaft (321); the third fixed shaft (323) and the fourth fixed shaft (321) are provided at both ends of the second notch, and the distance between the third roller (324) and the fourth roller (322) is smaller than the width of the second notch.

2. The method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S3 is followed by step S4, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the traction machine, and the traction machine is provided with a speed sensor for detecting the traction speed; when the controller does not receive a change control instruction, after the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine increases the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device to increase the path length of the consumable (4) inside the crystallinity adjustment device, thereby increasing the residence time of the consumable (4) in the crystallinity adjustment device for cooling; When the controller detects through the speed sensor that the traction machine reduces the traction speed, the controller drives the path changing device provided in the crystallinity adjustment device to shorten the path length of the consumable (4) inside the crystallinity adjustment device, thereby shortening the residence time of the consumable (4) for cooling inside the crystallinity adjustment device.

3. The method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S1, when the controller receives the control instruction, the controller detects the working state of the path changing device. The states of the path changing device are divided into two categories, one is a first state in which the consumables (4) are distributed in a straight line, and the other is a second state in which the consumables (4) are distributed in a zigzag manner; if the path changing device is in the first state, no action is performed; if the path changing device is in the second state, the controller drives the path changing device so that the path changing device returns to the first state.

4. The method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water tank (1) includes a tank body, a first end (11) is arranged at the left end of the tank body, and the first end (11) is configured as an inlet end for consumables (4), a second end (12) is arranged at the right end of the tank body, and the second end (12) is configured as an outlet end for consumables (4), the interior of the tank body between the first end (11) and the second end (12) is a groove, a cooling area (13) is arranged in the groove, the groove is filled with water, and the water submerges the consumables (4) located in the cooling area (13); the inlet end for consumables (4) is provided with a first notch, the outlet end for consumables (4) is provided with a second notch, and both the first notch and the second notch are open to the top of the tank body; the motor (21) of the path changing device is fixedly installed at the outer bottom of the tank body, the motor (21) is provided with an output shaft, one end of the output shaft passes through the tank body and is arranged inside the tank body and is located in the cooling area (13).

5. The method for adjusting the crystallization process of 3D printing consumables according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission device (22) includes a driving wheel fixedly mounted on the output shaft, a driven wheel (234) hingedly connected to the trough body, and a transmission belt connected between the driving wheel and the driven wheel (234); all the execution shafts (231) are hingedly connected to the trough body, and all the execution shafts (231) are transmission-connected to the transmission belt; a plurality of bearings (230) are provided at the bottom of the trough body, and the lower end of each execution shaft (231) is plugged into one of the bearings (230); the driven wheel (234) is hingedly connected to the trough body through the driven shaft, and the lower end of the driven shaft is plugged into one of the bearings (230).

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