Light-cured 3D printing nozzle

Abstract

The application discloses a light-curing 3D printing nozzle, which comprises a light-shielding injection body, a curing nozzle and a curing light source generating body, wherein the light-shielding injection body is internally through-penetrated, the inner ring and the outer ring of the step outside the nozzle are respectively provided with a first clamping interface and a second clamping interface, the curing nozzle is internally through-penetrated and column-shaped, the upper end of the curing nozzle is detachably connected with the first clamping interface, the outer wall of the column-shaped curing nozzle is made of a light-transmitting material, the curing light source generating body is wrapped outside the curing nozzle and the upper end of the curing light source generating body is detachably connected with the second clamping interface. The light-curing 3D printing nozzle is characterized in that the curing nozzle and the curing light source generating body are installed at the bottom of the light-shielding injection body, the liquid 3D printing material is extruded through the light-transmitting curing nozzle, the curing light source generating body applies curing light to the curing nozzle so that the material is gradually cured, the curing light source generating body is wrapped and installed outside the curing nozzle, the volume of the nozzle can be reduced, the interference of the nozzle during movement can be avoided, and the utilization rate of the light source is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, more particularly to a light-curing 3D printing nozzle. BACKGROUND

[0002] 3D printing technology is a kind of rapid prototyping technology, which is a technology that uses powder-like metal or plastic and other adhesive materials to construct objects through layer-by-layer accumulation based on digital model files. Light-curing printing technology is to design a three-dimensional entity model through CAD, use a discrete program to slice the model, design the scanning path of the laser, and accurately control the movement of the laser scanner and the lifting platform with the generated data. Then a laser with a specific wavelength and intensity is used to irradiate the surface of the light-curing material according to the designed scanning path, so that a layer of resin in a specific area on the surface is solidified from point to line and from line to plane in sequence. Then the lifting platform is lowered by one layer of height in the vertical direction, and another layer of liquid resin is covered on the solidified layer to perform the second layer scanning, solidify another layer, and the second solidified layer is firmly bonded to the previous solidified layer. In this way, a three-dimensional entity is formed by layer-by-layer stacking. Since the existing light-curing printing system has high cost, high use and maintenance cost, and the precise equipment of the system has strict requirements on the working environment, the application is greatly limited.

[0003] Extrusion-based stereolithography is a relatively economical 3D printing method, which is to accumulate the stereolithography material through the nozzle. There are two common methods at present, one is pre-printing solidification, and the other is post-printing solidification. Pre-printing solidification is to irradiate the material with ultraviolet light before it is sent into the nozzle. Post-printing solidification is to apply solidification light (usually ultraviolet light) to the extruded material to change it from liquid to solid, and then to realize 3D forming after layering. The disadvantage of pre-printing solidification is that the solidification time is not easy to control, in addition, a large extrusion force needs to be applied to avoid clogging the nozzle. The disadvantage of post-printing solidification is that the low-viscosity resin has poor forming effect due to its good fluidity. There are documents that disclose the extrusion-based stereolithography 3D printing nozzle. The disclosed technology is different from the traditional stereolithography printing system. The nozzle structure adopts the mode that the light-tight nozzle head is connected and communicated with the light-transmissive nozzle head, and the nozzle head constitutes the nozzle structure. Under the uniform irradiation of ultraviolet light, the cross-linking solidification is realized. The stereolithography material enters the light-transmissive nozzle head and is finally extruded. The stereolithography material completes partial cross-linking solidification in this process, and the viscosity of the stereolithography material is used to adhere to the solidified material of the previous layer, until the complex three-dimensional solid structure is printed. Although this technology provides a design idea for the extrusion-based stereolithography 3D printing nozzle, there are still many problems, such as the solidification effect of the light-transmissive nozzle head can only act on the outer surface of the columnar nozzle, which makes the printed resin material solidify unevenly and affects the forming effect after extrusion; the 3D printing light source occupies a large space, which is easy to interfere during the movement of the nozzle, and the utilization rate of the open light source is also low; the extrusion flow rate of the resin material cannot be adjusted according to the printing size and printing accuracy, and a series of problems.

[0004] Therefore, it is important to design a stereolithography 3D printing nozzle to solve some existing problems and make it more suitable for the extrusion-based stereolithography printing method, which is crucial for the development and reform of rapid prototyping technology. SUMMARY

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle. The photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle of this invention mounts a curing nozzle and a curing light source generator at the bottom of a light-shielding injection body. Liquid 3D printing material is extruded through the light-transmitting curing nozzle, and the curing light source generator applies curing light to the curing nozzle, causing the material to gradually solidify. The curing light source generator, encased outside the curing nozzle, reduces its volume, prevents interference during nozzle movement, and improves light source utilization. A baffle plate installed inside the curing nozzle guides the printing material flowing in the center of the nozzle to the sidewalls, ensuring that the printing material in the center also receives sufficient light. The curing process ensures more uniform curing of the printing material. A flow divider grid is installed at the bottom of the curing nozzle to stabilize the flow of the printing material as it approaches the outlet. The flow divider grid also has a light-transmitting effect, which, together with the reflective coating of the curing light source, enhances the illumination at the flow divider grid. This allows the curing light to enter the flow divider grid and act on the printing material inside, resulting in more uniform curing. Nozzles are installed at the bottom of the curing nozzle, allowing for the selection of nozzles with different bottom through-holes based on factors such as the size and precision of the 3D printed object, ensuring both efficiency and printing quality.

[0006] The specific technical solution of this invention is as follows: a photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle, comprising:

[0007] The light-shielding injection body has a through-cavity, and the inner and outer rings of the outer stepped nozzle are respectively provided with a first locking interface and a second locking interface.

[0008] The curing nozzle is a cylindrical structure with an internal through-hole, and its upper end is detachably connected to the first card interface. The outer wall of the cylindrical curing nozzle is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0009] A curing light source generator is provided, which is wrapped around the curing nozzle and its upper end is detachably connected to the second card interface.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a baffle plate is installed inside the curing nozzle, and the baffle plate is inclined relative to the cross-section of the curing nozzle.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spoiler includes a middle blocking portion, an upper extending guide portion, and a lower extending guide portion. The middle blocking portion is inclined, the upper extending guide portion extends upward from the upwardly inclined side of the middle blocking portion, and the lower extending guide portion extends downward from the downwardly inclined side of the middle blocking portion.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a flow passage gap between the side of the upper extension guide portion and the inner wall of the curing nozzle.

[0013] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the intermediate blocking part is provided with buckles on both sides, the inner wall of the curing nozzle is provided with a buckle slot, and the buckles are buckled into the buckle slot to fix the spoiler.

[0014] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the spoiler is arranged at least three along the axial direction of the curing nozzle, and the spoilers are rotated by a certain angle in sequence in the circumferential direction of the curing nozzle.

[0015] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the bottom of the inner hole of the curing nozzle is provided with a shunt grid, and the shunt grid is a light-transmitting structure integrated with the curing nozzle.

[0016] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the curing light source generating body is provided with a reflection covering part at the opposite position of the shunt grid, and the reflection covering part is bent inward by 40-50° from the outer wall of the main body of the curing light source generating body.

[0017] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the curing light source generating body is provided with an inwardly extended light source mounting seat at the connection between the light-shielding injection body and the curing nozzle, the light source mounting seat is mounted with a curing light source on the side of the reflection covering part, the light emitting direction of the curing light source is towards the inner wall of the reflection covering part, and the inner wall of the curing light source generating body in the irradiation direction of the curing light source is a light-reflecting surface.

[0018] As the preferred embodiment of the present application, the light-curing 3D printing nozzle further comprises a nozzle connected to the bottom end of the curing nozzle, the inner cavity of the nozzle is through from top to bottom, and the bottom end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the top end; the nozzle and the bottom end of the curing nozzle are detachably connected.

[0019] In summary, the light-curing 3D printing nozzle of the present application has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. The curing light source generating body is mounted on the outside of the curing nozzle, which can reduce the volume, avoid interference during the movement of the printing nozzle, and improve the utilization rate of the light source.

[0021] 2. The spoiler is installed in the curing nozzle, which can guide the printing material flowing in the middle of the curing nozzle to the side wall position of the curing nozzle, so that the printing material in the middle can also be cured, and the curing of the printing material is more uniform.

[0022] 3. The shunt grid is arranged at the bottom outlet of the curing nozzle, which makes the printing material flow more stably when approaching the outlet, and the shunt grid has a light-transmitting effect, which cooperates with the reflection covering part of the curing light source generating body to enhance the lighting at the shunt grid, so that the curing light can act on the internal printing material after entering the shunt grid, thereby making the curing of the printing material more uniform.

[0023] 4. The nozzle is installed at the bottom of the curing nozzle, and different nozzles with different bottom through holes can be selected according to the size and accuracy of the 3D printed object and other factors, so as to ensure the efficiency and printing effect of 3D printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the light-curing 3D printing nozzle of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a front view of the light-curing 3D printing nozzle of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a sectional view A-A of the Figure 2

[0027] Figure 4 It is an exploded view of the sectional view of the local parts of the light-curing 3D printing nozzle of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the spoiler of the light-curing 3D printing nozzle of the present application;

[0029] In the figure, 1 is a light-shielding injection body, 11 is a first clamping interface, 12 is a second clamping interface, 2 is a curing nozzle, 21 is a spoiler, 211 is an intermediate blocking part, 2111 is a buckle, 212 is an upwardly extended flow guiding part, 213 is a downwardly extended flow guiding part, 22 is a clamping groove, 23 is a flow dividing grid, 3 is a curing light source generating body, 31 is a reflective covering part, 32 is a light source mounting seat, 33 is a curing light source, and 4 is a nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present application will be further described below by specific embodiments in combination with the drawings.

[0031] Example 1:

[0032] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the light-curing 3D printing nozzle comprises:

[0033] The light-shielding injection body 1 has a through hole from top to bottom in the inner cavity, and the inner circle and the outer circle of the external step of the nozzle are respectively provided with a first clamping interface 11 and a second clamping interface 12;

[0034] The curing nozzle 2 is a cylindrical structure with an internal through hole, and the upper end is detachably connected with the first clamping interface 11, and the outer wall of the cylindrical structure of the curing nozzle 2 is made of light-transmitting material;

[0035] The curing light source generating body 3 is covered on the outside of the curing nozzle 2, and the upper end is detachably connected with the second clamping interface 12.

[0036] ​Therefore, when the liquid 3D printing material passes through the curing nozzle 2, the curing light source 3 applies curing light to the curing nozzle 2, causing the material to gradually solidify. The curing light source 3 is installed on the outside of the curing nozzle 2 to reduce its volume, avoid interference during the movement of the printing nozzle, and improve the utilization rate of the light source.

[0037] Example 2:

[0038] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The curing nozzle 2 is equipped with a baffle plate 21, which is inclined relative to the cross section of the curing nozzle 2.

[0039] Therefore, the curing light generated by the curing light source 3 has a much better curing effect on the printing material near the side wall inside the curing nozzle 2 than on the printing material located in the middle of the curing nozzle 2. By installing the baffle 21 inside the curing nozzle 2, the printing material flowing in the middle of the curing nozzle 2 can be guided to the side wall of the curing nozzle 2, so that the printing material in the middle can also be cured, making the curing of the printing material more uniform.

[0040] The spoiler 21 includes a middle blocking part 211, an upper extension guide part 212 and a lower extension guide part 213. The middle blocking part 211 is inclined, the upper extension guide part 212 bends upward from the upwardly inclined side of the middle blocking part 211, and the lower extension guide part 213 bends downward from the downwardly inclined side of the middle blocking part 211.

[0041] As a result, the printing material flowing to the upper extension guide 212, the middle blocking part 211 and the lower extension guide 213 flows through the gap between the baffle 21 and the inner wall of the curing nozzle 2, thus getting closer to the inner wall of the curing nozzle 2.

[0042] There is a flow passage gap between the side of the upper extension guide section 212 and the inner wall of the curing nozzle 2.

[0043] As a result, the printing material flows through the flow gap, and the projected area of ​​the flow gap on the cross-section of the curing nozzle 2 accounts for 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the cross-sectional area, thus ensuring both curing effect and smooth flow.

[0044] The middle blocking part 211 has buckles 2111 on both sides, and the inner wall of the curing nozzle 2 has a slot 22. The buckles 2111 are inserted into the slot 22 to fix the baffle 21.

[0045] Therefore, the baffle 21 can be manufactured and processed separately using flexible materials, and can be installed by snapping it into the slot 22 with a buckle 2111. The installation is convenient and the processing is simple. Furthermore, the baffle 21 can be removed and cleaned as a consumable when the curing nozzle 2 becomes clogged, ensuring that the curing nozzle 2 remains unobstructed.

[0046] At least three baffles 21 are installed along the axial direction of the curing nozzle 2, and the baffles 21 are rotated sequentially at a certain angle in the circumferential direction of the curing nozzle 2.

[0047] Therefore, the sequential rotation of the baffle plate 21 in the circumferential direction of the curing nozzle 2 can generate a certain stirring effect after the printing material flows through, thereby making the printing material in different parts with different curing degrees more uniformly mixed and ensuring the curing effect.

[0048] Example 3:

[0049] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 The bottom of the inner hole of the curing nozzle 2 is provided with a flow divider 23, which is an integral light-transmitting structure with the curing nozzle 2.

[0050] Therefore, the printing material mixed and agitated by the baffle plate 21 can reduce its radial flow velocity after passing through the diversion grid 23, making the flow of the printing material more stable when it approaches the outlet. In addition, the diversion grid 23 has a light-transmitting effect, and the curing light generated by the curing light source 3 can enter the diversion grid 23 and act on the internal printing material, thereby making the curing of the printing material more uniform.

[0051] Example 4:

[0052] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The curing light source generator 3 is provided with a reflective covering part 31 at a position opposite to the diversion grid 23. The reflective covering part 31 is bent inward by 40°-50° from the outer wall of the main body of the curing light source generator 3.

[0053] Therefore, the reflective coating 31 can reflect the curing light generated by the curing light source generator 3 to the area around the diversion grid 23, thereby increasing the light intensity at the diversion grid 23 and ensuring that the curing light can be transmitted to the interior of the diversion grid 23, thus enhancing the curing effect.

[0054] Example 5:

[0055] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 The curing light source generator 3 has an inwardly extending light source mounting base 32 at the connection between the light-shielding injection body 1 and the curing nozzle 2. The curing light source 33 is mounted on the side of the light source mounting base 32 facing the reflective covering part 31. The light emission direction of the curing light source 33 is towards the inner wall of the reflective covering part 31. The inner wall of the curing light source generator 3 located in the direction of illumination of the curing light source 33 is a reflective surface.

[0056] Therefore, the curing light source 33 generally uses ultraviolet light as the curing light. Its emission direction is towards the reflective covering part 31, which makes the curing light more perpendicular to the reflective covering part 31. After being reflected by the reflective covering part 31, it acts almost perpendicularly to the diversion grid 23, which strengthens the light intensity of the curing light at the diversion grid 23. The curing nozzle 2 is located at the front part of the diversion grid 23 and can be obliquely irradiated by the outer edge of the curing light source 33 or reflected by the inner wall of the curing light source generator 3, so as to achieve a gradual curing effect.

[0057] Example 6:

[0058] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle also includes a nozzle 4 connected to the bottom of the curing nozzle 2. The inner cavity of the nozzle 4 is open from top to bottom, and the cross-sectional area at the bottom is smaller than that at the top. The nozzle 4 is detachably connected to the bottom of the curing nozzle 2.

[0059] Therefore, the nozzle 4 can be installed selectively, and different nozzles 4 with different bottom through holes can be selected according to factors such as the size and precision of the 3D printed object. Generally, if the 3D printed object is larger, a nozzle 4 with a larger bottom through hole is selected, and if the precision requirement is higher, a nozzle 4 with a smaller bottom through hole is selected, thereby ensuring the efficiency and printing effect of 3D printing.

[0060] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the concept and scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the design concept of the present invention should fall within the protection scope of the present invention. All technical contents for which protection is sought in this invention have been fully described in the claims.

Claims

1. A photopolymer 3D printing nozzle, characterized in that, include: The light-shielding injection body (1) has a through-hole in the inner cavity, and the inner and outer rings of the outer steps of the nozzle are respectively provided with a first card interface (11) and a second card interface (12). Curing nozzle (2), the curing nozzle (2) is an internally through cylindrical structure, and the upper end is detachably connected to the first card interface (11). The outer wall of the cylindrical curing nozzle (2) is made of light-transmitting material. A curing light source generator (3) is wrapped around the curing nozzle (2), and its upper end is detachably connected to the second card interface (12). A baffle plate (21) is installed inside the curing nozzle (2), and the baffle plate (21) is inclined relative to the cross section of the curing nozzle (2); The spoiler (21) includes a middle blocking part (211), an upper extension guide part (212) and a lower extension guide part (213). The middle blocking part (211) is inclined. The upper extension guide part (212) bends upward from the upward inclined side of the middle blocking part (211). The lower extension guide part (213) bends downward from the downward inclined side of the middle blocking part (211).

2. The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a flow gap between the side of the upper extension guide section (212) and the inner wall of the curing nozzle (2).

3. The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle blocking part (211) has buckles (2111) on both sides, and the inner wall of the curing nozzle (2) has a slot (22). The buckles (2111) are inserted into the slot (22) to fix the baffle (21).

4. The photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: At least three baffles (21) are installed along the axial direction of the curing nozzle (2), and the baffles (21) are rotated sequentially at a certain angle in the circumferential direction of the curing nozzle (2).

5. The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the inner hole of the curing nozzle (2) is provided with a flow divider (23), and the flow divider (23) and the curing nozzle (2) are an integral light-transmitting structure.

6. The photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The curing light source generator (3) is provided with a reflective covering part (31) at a position opposite to the diversion grid (23). The reflective covering part (31) is bent inward by 40°-50° from the outer wall of the main body of the curing light source generator (3).

7. The photopolymerization 3D printing nozzle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The curing light source generator (3) has an inwardly extending light source mounting base (32) at the connection between the light-shielding injection body (1) and the curing nozzle (2). The light source mounting base (32) has a curing light source (33) mounted on the side facing the reflective covering part (31). The light emission direction of the curing light source (33) is towards the inner wall of the reflective covering part (31). The inner wall of the curing light source generator (3) located in the irradiation direction of the curing light source (33) is a reflective surface.

8. The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photopolymer 3D printing nozzle also includes a nozzle (4) connected to the bottom end of the curing nozzle (2). The inner cavity of the nozzle (4) is open from top to bottom, and the cross-sectional area at the bottom end is smaller than that at the top end. The nozzle (4) is detachably connected to the bottom end of the curing nozzle (2).

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