Metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system and method

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of additive printing technology, and aims to solve the problem that the temperature of the atmosphere in the printing of large-sized parts has a significant impact on the molding quality of the parts, and provides a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system and method. The metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system includes a molding chamber, an air inlet device, an air outlet device and a controller. The molding cavity of the molding chamber has a molding area, and the molding area is divided into a plurality of partitions. The air inlet device includes an air inlet and a plurality of air inlet channels, and the plurality of air inlet channels correspond one-to-one to the plurality of partitions. The air outlet device has a plurality of air outlet channels, and the plurality of air outlet channels correspond one-to-one to the plurality of partitions. The controller is electrically connected to the cooling system and the temperature detection system, and can control the cooling efficiency according to the outlet temperature of each outlet channel, so that each outlet temperature tends to the set atmosphere temperature. The beneficial effect of the present application is that the printing atmosphere temperature of large-sized parts can be controlled more accurately to ensure the printing quality of the parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of additive printing technology, and more specifically, to a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system and method. Background Art

[0002] Traditional metal 3D additive processing and small-size printing types of metal 3D printing equipment have shorter printing times and relatively low printing power, less printing deformation, and low molding atmosphere temperature requirements. Conventional structures can ensure the molding atmosphere temperature.

[0003] However, when printing large-sized parts such as 1m*1m*1m or larger, a large amount of heat is generated during the printing and molding stage. As the printing time increases, the damage caused by the accumulated heat to the printed parts and equipment becomes more and more obvious, making it impossible to produce high-quality parts. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application aims to provide a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system and method to solve the problem that the printing atmosphere temperature of large-size parts has a significant impact on the part molding quality.

[0005] The present application provides a metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system, comprising a molding chamber, an air inlet device, an air outlet device, and a controller. The molding chamber comprises a molding cavity, wherein the molding cavity comprises a molding area for part molding, and the molding area is divided into multiple partitions. The air inlet device comprises an air inlet and multiple air inlet channels. The air inlet is connected to the molding cavity from different locations through the multiple air inlet channels, and corresponds one-to-one with the multiple partitions. The air outlet device comprises multiple air outlet channels, and the multiple air outlet channels are connected to the molding cavity from different locations, and correspond one-to-one with the multiple partitions. The cooling system comprises multiple cooling devices, each of which is respectively disposed at the multiple air inlet channels and is used to cool the incoming air in the corresponding air inlet channels. The temperature detection system comprises an inlet temperature detection element and multiple outlet temperature detection elements. The inlet temperature detection element is disposed at the air inlet and is used to detect the inlet air temperature of the air inlet. The outlet temperature detection elements are respectively disposed at the multiple outlet channels and are used to detect the outlet air temperature of each outlet channel. The controller is electrically connected to the cooling system and the temperature detection system, and is capable of collecting and analyzing the inlet temperature at the air inlet and the outlet temperature at each of the air outlet channels, and controlling the cooling device according to the outlet temperature of each air outlet channel to cool the inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel with a corresponding cooling efficiency, so that the outlet temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set ambient temperature.

[0006] When the metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system in the present application is used, the air inlet is divided into multiple air inlet channels to provide air to the molding cavity, and the air in each air inlet channel is discharged from the corresponding air outlet channel after heat exchange in the corresponding partition of the molding cavity; in this process, the temperature detection system detects the air inlet temperature of the air inlet and the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel, and transmits them to the controller. The controller controls the operation of the cooling device of each air inlet channel according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set atmosphere temperature. For example, if the air outlet temperature of a certain air outlet channel is higher than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is increased to reduce the air inlet temperature of the corresponding air inlet channel; if the air outlet temperature of a certain air outlet channel is lower than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is reduced to increase the air inlet temperature of the corresponding air inlet channel; the adjustment is maintained in this way so that each partition can maintain or approach the set ambient temperature, avoiding the problem of different heat accumulation in each partition due to the different printing surface sizes of the parts in each partition (depending on the shape of the parts in each partition in the current printing surface), and then causing different temperatures in each partition, affecting the part molding accuracy or stress distribution.

[0007] In one embodiment, the cooling system further includes a cooling source and a flow control device, wherein the cooling source is connected to each of the cooling devices through the flow control device, and the flow control device is used to separately control the flow rate of coolant supplied by the cooling source to each of the cooling devices to control the cooling efficiency of the cooling devices.

[0008] In one embodiment, the air inlet device and the air outlet device are respectively located on both sides of the molding chamber along the first direction, and the air inlet channels are sequentially spaced apart along the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction;

[0009] The plurality of partitions are sequentially arranged along the second direction and are connected to the respective air inlet channels one by one;

[0010] The plurality of air outlet channels are sequentially arranged along the second direction and correspond one-to-one to the respective air inlet channels.

[0011] In one embodiment, the structure formed by the multiple air inlet channels is in the shape of a trumpet with a larger cross-section near one end of the molding cavity and a smaller cross-section at the other end, and the structure formed by the multiple air inlet channels covers the molding area along the second direction near one end of the molding cavity.

[0012] In one embodiment, the structure formed by the multiple air outlet channels is in a trumpet shape with a larger cross-section near one end of the molding cavity and a smaller cross-section at the other end, and the structure formed by the multiple air outlet channels covers the molding area along the second direction near one end of the molding cavity.

[0013] In one embodiment, the molding area is located at the center of the molding cavity.

[0014] The present application also provides a method for controlling the temperature of a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere, which is based on the aforementioned metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system. The method for controlling the temperature of a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere comprises:

[0015] The air inlet is divided into multiple air inlet channels to provide air to the molding cavity. The air in each air inlet channel undergoes heat exchange through the corresponding partition of the molding cavity and then is discharged from the corresponding air outlet channel. During this process, the temperature detection system detects the air inlet temperature of the air inlet and the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel, and transmits them to the controller. The controller controls the operation of the cooling device of each air inlet channel according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set atmosphere temperature.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller controls the operation of the cooling device of each air inlet channel according to the outlet air temperature so that the outlet air temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set ambient temperature in the following manner:

[0017] For an air outlet channel whose air outlet temperature is higher than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is improved to reduce the temperature of the air inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel;

[0018] For an air outlet channel whose air outlet temperature is lower than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is reduced to increase the temperature of the inlet air of the air inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel.

[0019] In one embodiment, the air inlet device and the air outlet device are respectively arranged on both sides of the molding chamber along the first direction;

[0020] The forming area is divided into two parts:

[0021] Dividing the forming area into N side-by-side partitions along a second direction, where N is an integer greater than 1, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction;

[0022] The zoning standard is that the width of each zone along the second direction is no more than 0.5m, and the volume difference of the parts to be formed in adjacent zones is more than 20%; if the zoning standard cannot be achieved, the forming area is equally divided into multiple zones with a width of no more than 0.5m along the second direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Front view of the metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system.

[0026] Description of main component symbols:

[0027] Metal 3D Additive Molding Atmosphere Temperature Control System 10

[0028] Molding room 11

[0029] Air inlet device 12

[0030] Air outlet device 13

[0031] Controller 14

[0032] Molding cavity 15

[0033] Molding area 16

[0034] Division 17

[0035] Air inlet 18

[0036] Air inlet duct 19

[0037] Cooling system 20

[0038] Cooling device 21

[0039] Temperature detection system 22

[0040] Inlet air temperature detection element 23

[0041] Outlet air temperature detection element 24

[0042] Cooling source 25

[0043] Flow control device 26

[0044] First Direction 27

[0045] Second Direction 28

[0046] Air outlet duct 29

[0047] Temperature detection device 30

[0048] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0050] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "set on" another element, it may be directly set on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0051] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0052] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0053] Example

[0054] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2This embodiment proposes a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system 10, which includes a molding chamber 11, an air inlet device 12, an air outlet device 13 and a controller 14. The molding chamber 11 has a molding cavity 15, and the molding cavity 15 has a molding area 16 for part molding. The molding area 16 is divided into multiple partitions 17. The air inlet device 12 includes an air inlet 18 and multiple air inlet channels 19. The air inlet 18 is connected to the molding cavity 15 from different positions through the multiple air inlet channels 19, and corresponds one-to-one to the multiple partitions 17. The air outlet device 13 has multiple air outlet channels 29, and the multiple air outlet channels 29 are connected to the molding cavity 15 from different positions, and correspond one-to-one to the multiple partitions 17. The cooling system 20 includes multiple cooling devices 21, and the multiple cooling devices 21 are respectively arranged at the multiple air inlet channels 19 for cooling the incoming air of the corresponding air inlet channels 19. The temperature detection system 22 includes an inlet temperature detection element 23 and multiple outlet temperature detection elements 24. The inlet temperature detection element 23 is located at the air inlet 18 and is used to detect the inlet air temperature at the air inlet 18. The multiple outlet temperature detection elements 24 are located at multiple outlet channels 29 and are used to detect the outlet air temperature of each outlet channel 29. The controller 14 is electrically connected to the cooling system 20 and the temperature detection system 22. It is capable of collecting and analyzing the inlet air temperature at the air inlet 18 and the outlet air temperature at each outlet channel 29. Based on the outlet air temperature of each outlet channel 29, the controller 14 controls the cooling device 21 to cool the corresponding inlet channel 19 with a corresponding cooling efficiency, so that the outlet air temperature of each outlet channel 29 approaches the set ambient temperature. Optionally, the temperature detection system 22 may also include a temperature detection device 30 for receiving temperature data from the inlet temperature detection element 23 and the multiple outlet temperature detection elements 24 and transmitting the data to the controller 14.

[0055] When the metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system 10 in the present application is in use, the air intake from the air inlet 18 is divided into multiple air inlet channels 19 to provide air intake to the molding cavity 15. The air intake of each air inlet channel 19 is discharged from the corresponding air outlet channel 29 after heat exchange in the corresponding partition 17 of the molding cavity 15; during this process, the temperature detection system 22 detects the air intake temperature of the air inlet 18 and the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel 29, and transmits them to the controller 14. The controller 14 controls the operation of the cooling device 21 of each air inlet channel 19 according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel 29 tends to the set atmosphere temperature. For example, if the outlet air temperature of a certain air outlet channel 29 is higher than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 21 is increased to reduce the temperature of the inlet air of the corresponding air inlet channel 19; if the outlet air temperature of a certain air outlet channel 29 is lower than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 21 is reduced to increase the temperature of the inlet air of the corresponding air inlet channel 19; the adjustment is maintained in this way so that each partition 17 can maintain or approach the set ambient temperature, avoiding the problem of different heat accumulation in each partition 17 due to the different printing surface sizes of the parts in each partition 17 (depending on the shape of the parts in each partition 17 in the current printing surface), thereby causing different temperatures in each partition 17, affecting the part molding accuracy or stress distribution.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cooling system 20 further includes a cooling source 25 and a flow control device 26. The cooling source 25 is connected to each cooling device 21 through the flow control device 26. The flow control device 26 is used to control the flow rate of coolant supplied from the cooling source 25 to each cooling device 21 to control the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 21. Optionally, the coolant provided by the cooling source 25 is water, oil, or other cooling medium.

[0057] In this embodiment, the air inlet device 12 and the air outlet device 13 are respectively located on both sides of the molding chamber 11 along the first direction 27, and the air inlet channels 19 are spaced apart in sequence along the second direction 28, which is perpendicular to the first direction 27. A plurality of partitions 17 are arranged in sequence along the second direction 28 and are connected to the air inlet channels 19 in a one-to-one correspondence. A plurality of air outlet channels 29 are arranged in sequence along the second direction 28 and are connected to the air inlet channels 19 in a one-to-one correspondence. Optionally, the structure formed by the plurality of air inlet channels 19 is in the shape of a trumpet, with a larger cross-section at one end near the molding cavity 15 and a smaller cross-section at the other end. The structure formed by the plurality of air inlet channels 19 covers the molding area 16 along the second direction 28 near the molding cavity 15. The structure formed by the plurality of air outlet channels 29 is in the shape of a trumpet, with a larger cross-section at one end near the molding cavity 15 and a smaller cross-section at the other end. The plurality of air outlet channels 29 covers the molding area 16 along the second direction 28 near the molding cavity 15. In this way, the incoming air is guided by the trumpet-shaped air inlet channel 19 and will pass through the corresponding partitions 17 more evenly. After heat exchange in each partition 17 , the air is blown out from the air outlet channel 29 .

[0058] Optionally, the molding area 16 is located at the center of the molding cavity 15 to ensure good heat exchange between the air inlet and the molded parts in the molding area 16 .

[0059] This embodiment further provides a method for controlling the temperature of a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere, which is based on the aforementioned metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system 10. The method includes:

[0060] The air intake from the air inlet 18 is divided into multiple air inlet channels 19 to provide air intake to the molding cavity 15. The air intake from each air inlet channel 19 is heat exchanged through the corresponding partition 17 of the molding cavity 15 and then discharged from the corresponding air outlet channel 29. During this process, the temperature detection system 22 detects the air intake temperature of the air inlet 18 and the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel 29, and transmits them to the controller 14. The controller 14 controls the operation of the cooling device 21 of each air inlet channel 19 according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel 29 tends to the set atmosphere temperature.

[0061] In this embodiment, the controller 14 controls the operation of the cooling device 21 of each air inlet channel 19 according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel 29 tends to the set ambient temperature in the following manner:

[0062] For the air outlet channel 29 whose air outlet temperature is higher than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 21 is improved to reduce the temperature of the air inlet channel 19 corresponding to the air outlet channel 29;

[0063] For the air outlet channel 29 whose air outlet temperature is lower than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 21 is reduced to increase the temperature of the inlet air of the air inlet channel 19 corresponding to the air outlet channel 29 .

[0064] In one embodiment, the air inlet device 12 and the air outlet device 13 are respectively disposed on both sides of the molding chamber 11 along the first direction 27;

[0065] The forming area 16 is divided into zones 17 as follows:

[0066] The forming area 16 is divided into N side-by-side partitions 17 along a second direction 28 , where N is an integer greater than 1, and the second direction 28 is perpendicular to the first direction 27 ;

[0067] The partition 17 division standard is that the width of each partition 17 along the second direction 28 is no more than 0.5m, and the volume difference of the parts to be formed in adjacent partitions 17 is more than 20%; if the partition 17 division standard cannot be achieved, the equally divided forming area 16 is a plurality of partitions 17 with a width along the second direction 28 no more than 0.5m.

[0068] Of course, in other embodiments, other partitioning forms may also be used.

[0069] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions of the present application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system, characterized in that: include: A molding chamber, comprising a molding cavity, wherein the molding cavity comprises a molding area for molding parts, and the molding area is divided into a plurality of partitions; An air inlet device, the air inlet device comprising an air inlet and a plurality of air inlet channels, the air inlet being connected to the molding cavity from different positions through the plurality of air inlet channels, and corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of partitions; An air outlet device, the air outlet device having a plurality of air outlet channels, the plurality of air outlet channels being connected to the molding cavity from different positions and corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of partitions; A cooling system comprising a plurality of cooling devices, each of which is disposed at a corresponding position in a plurality of air inlet channels and configured to cool the air entering the corresponding air inlet channels; A temperature detection system, comprising an inlet air temperature detection element and a plurality of outlet air temperature detection elements; the inlet air temperature detection element is arranged at the air inlet and is used to detect the inlet air temperature of the air inlet; The plurality of outlet air temperature detection elements are respectively arranged at the plurality of outlet air channels, and are used to respectively detect the outlet air temperature of each outlet air channel; a controller electrically connected to the cooling system and the temperature detection system, and capable of collecting and analyzing the inlet air temperature at the air inlet and the outlet air temperature at each of the air outlet channels, and controlling the cooling device to cool the air inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel with a corresponding cooling efficiency according to the outlet air temperature of each air outlet channel, so that the outlet air temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set ambient temperature; The air inlet device and the air outlet device are respectively arranged on both sides of the molding chamber along the first direction; The forming area is divided into two parts: Dividing the forming area into N side-by-side partitions along a second direction, where N is an integer greater than 1, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The zoning standard is that the width of each zone along the second direction is no more than 0.5m, and the volume difference of the parts to be formed in adjacent zones is more than 20%; if the zoning standard cannot be achieved, the forming area is equally divided into multiple zones with a width of no more than 0.5m along the second direction.

2. The metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling system also includes a cooling source and a flow control device. The cooling source is connected to each of the cooling devices through the flow control device. The flow control device is used to control the flow rate of coolant supplied by the cooling source to each of the cooling devices to control the cooling efficiency of the cooling devices.

3. The metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air inlet channels are sequentially spaced apart along the second direction; The plurality of partitions are sequentially arranged along the second direction and are connected to the respective air inlet channels one by one; The plurality of air outlet channels are sequentially arranged along the second direction and correspond one-to-one to the respective air inlet channels.

4. The metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The structure formed by the multiple air inlet channels is in a trumpet shape with a larger cross-section at one end near the molding cavity and a smaller cross-section at the other end, and the structure formed by the multiple air inlet channels covers the molding area along the second direction near one end of the molding cavity.

5. The metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The structure formed by the multiple air outlet channels is in a trumpet shape with a larger cross-section at one end near the molding cavity and a smaller cross-section at the other end, and the structure formed by the multiple air outlet channels covers the molding area along the second direction near one end of the molding cavity.

6. The metal 3D additive manufacturing atmosphere temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The molding area is located at the center of the molding cavity.

7. A method for controlling the temperature of a metal 3D additive molding atmosphere, characterized in that: Based on the metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the metal 3D additive molding atmosphere temperature control method comprises: The air inlet is divided into multiple air inlet channels to provide air to the molding cavity. The air in each air inlet channel undergoes heat exchange through the corresponding partition of the molding cavity and then is discharged from the corresponding air outlet channel. During this process, the temperature detection system detects the air inlet temperature of the air inlet and the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel, and transmits them to the controller. The controller controls the operation of the cooling device of each air inlet channel according to the air outlet temperature, so that the air outlet temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set atmosphere temperature.

8. The method for controlling the atmosphere temperature of metal 3D additive manufacturing according to claim 7, wherein: The controller controls the operation of the cooling device of each air inlet channel according to the outlet air temperature so that the outlet air temperature of each air outlet channel tends to the set ambient temperature in the following manner: For an air outlet channel whose air outlet temperature is higher than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is improved to reduce the temperature of the air inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel; For an air outlet channel whose air outlet temperature is lower than the set ambient temperature, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is reduced to increase the temperature of the inlet air of the air inlet channel corresponding to the air outlet channel.

9. The method for controlling the atmosphere temperature of metal 3D additive manufacturing according to claim 7, wherein: The air inlet device and the air outlet device are respectively arranged on both sides of the molding chamber along the first direction; The forming area is divided into two parts: Dividing the forming area into N side-by-side partitions along a second direction, where N is an integer greater than 1, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The zoning standard is that the width of each zone along the second direction is no more than 0.5m, and the volume difference of the parts to be formed in adjacent zones is more than 20%; if the zoning standard cannot be achieved, the forming area is equally divided into multiple zones with a width of no more than 0.5m along the second direction.

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