3D printing device and method for simulating space environment

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, providing a 3D printing apparatus and method simulating a space environment. The apparatus fixes a dispensing needle for outputting printing paste, while a driving component moves a temperature control platform and a supporting printing substrate within three-dimensional space. This not only enables precise and rapid printing of materials but also reduces the space requirements of the 3D printing equipment. The 3D printing apparatus and method of this invention provide a space-like environment for extrusion printing technology, overcoming the impact of extreme temperature changes in the printing environment on the material forming process and the performance of the formed parts, thereby expanding the range of usable materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and to a 3D printing apparatus and method for a simulated space environment. Background Technology

[0002] Space manufacturing technology is an effective technological guarantee for human exploration of space, and space 3D printing is a key technology for realizing space manufacturing, and a key research topic for the world's leading spacefaring nations. Currently, space 3D printing technology mainly consists of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and other molding technologies that use filaments as printing raw materials, and its technological research is relatively mature.

[0003] However, existing FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology has the following drawbacks: it has limitations in the selection of printing materials, and the vacuum and extreme temperature changes in the printing environment have a significant impact on the material forming process and the performance of the formed parts, which further increases the restrictions on printing materials and reduces the range of usable materials.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a 3D printing device that simulates a space environment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a 3D printing device and method for simulating a space environment, in order to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a 3D printing apparatus for a simulated space environment, comprising a printing paste feeding unit, a printing substrate for receiving printing paste deposited on a preset printing path, a UV light source for photocuring the printing paste deposited on the preset printing path, and a printing stage unit for moving the printing substrate; wherein,

[0007] The printing paste feeding unit includes a dispensing needle for discharging printing paste;

[0008] The dispensing needle, UV light source, and printing station unit are housed in the vacuum chamber; a vent interface for connecting a vacuum pump is provided on the vacuum chamber.

[0009] The printing station unit includes a temperature control platform for supporting the printing substrate and a drive assembly for moving the temperature control platform.

[0010] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that an observation window is provided at the top of the vacuum chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that the driving component includes an X-axis driving component that drives the temperature control platform to move in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis driving component that drives the temperature control platform to move in the Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis driving component that drives the temperature control platform to move in the Z-axis direction.

[0012] Furthermore, in a preferred configuration, the printing paste feeding unit further includes a storage device for storing printing material and a printing paste channel for connecting the storage device and the dispensing needle; the storage device is located outside the vacuum chamber, and the printing paste channel enters the vacuum chamber through the paste feeding inlet.

[0013] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that KF flanges are provided at both the slurry feed inlet and the venting interface.

[0014] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that the temperature control platform includes a cold platform for cooling and a hot platform for heating.

[0015] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that the temperature control platform has a temperature range of -50℃ to 100℃.

[0016] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that a chamber door is provided on the side of the vacuum chamber.

[0017] Furthermore, a preferred structure is that the vacuum chamber is enclosed by a cylindrical shell.

[0018] This invention also protects a 3D printing method for a simulated space environment, the method comprising:

[0019] The printing paste enters the dispensing needle through the printing paste channel from the self-storage device;

[0020] In the vacuum chamber, the dispensing needle outputs printing paste, while the driving component moves the temperature control platform and the printing substrate carried by the temperature control platform according to the preset printing path, and the printing paste is deposited on the printing substrate.

[0021] The printing paste deposited on the preset printing path is cured by UV light source.

[0022] This invention establishes a 3D printing device and method that simulates a space environment, offering the following advantages: It provides a simulated space environment for extrusion printing technology, overcoming the impact of extreme temperature variations on the material forming process and the performance of the formed parts, thereby expanding the range of usable materials; by fixing the dispensing needles used to output the printing paste, and moving the temperature control platform and the printing substrate it supports in three-dimensional space via a drive component, it not only achieves precise and rapid printing of materials but also reduces the space requirements of the 3D printing equipment; by setting up a vacuum chamber, it reduces the harm of toxic gases to operators during the printing process; this invention also effectively maintains good environmental stability and temperature uniformity, ensuring printing quality and making it suitable for high-precision 3D printing scenarios. It enables 3D integral molding of composite materials under vacuum conditions, applicable to the development of urgently needed space products, spacecraft maintenance and repair, and the construction of large space structures, providing crucial technical support for space exploration research and offering a degree of operability for exploring intelligent manufacturing technologies in space. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the application scenario of the 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 A top-view structural schematic diagram of a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Side view;

[0027] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the 3D printing method for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] The components include: 1. Dispensing needle; 2. Printing substrate; 3. Temperature control platform; 4. Z-axis drive; 5. Interface; 6. Y-axis drive; 7. X-axis drive; 8. Printing paste channel; 9. UV light source; 10. Vacuum chamber; 11. Observation window; 12. Chamber door; 13. Material storage device; and 14. Vacuum pump.

[0029] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0030] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] A 3D printing device simulating a space environment includes a printing paste feeding unit, a printing substrate 2 for receiving printing paste deposited on a preset printing path, a UV light source 9 for photocuring the printing paste deposited on the preset printing path, and a printing stage unit for moving the printing substrate 2. The printing paste feeding unit includes a storage device 13 for storing printing material, a dispensing needle 1 for discharging printing paste, and a printing paste channel 8 connecting the storage device 13 and the dispensing needle 1. The storage device 13, dispensing needle 1, UV light source 9, and printing stage unit are all disposed in a vacuum chamber 10. A vent interface for connecting a vacuum pump 14 is provided on the vacuum chamber 10. The printing stage unit includes a temperature control platform 3 for supporting the printing substrate and a drive assembly for moving the temperature control platform 3. The vacuum chamber 10 is enclosed by a shell. This invention provides a simulated space environment for 3D printing through a vacuum pump and a temperature control platform 3; it fixes the dispensing needles used to output printing paste, and drives the temperature control platform and the printing substrate carried by the temperature control platform to move in three-dimensional space through a drive component. This not only enables precise and rapid printing of printing materials, but also reduces the space requirements of 3D printing equipment.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] Figures 1-4 The structure of a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention has been described in general; wherein, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A scene diagram of a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A top view of a 3D printing apparatus for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A side view of a 3D printing apparatus for a simulated space environment provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figures 1-4As shown, a 3D printing device simulating a space environment includes a printing paste feeding unit, a printing substrate 2 for receiving printing paste deposited on a preset printing path, a UV light source 9 for photocuring the printing paste deposited on the preset printing path, and a printing stage unit for moving the printing substrate 2. The printing paste feeding unit includes a storage device 13 for storing printing material, a dispensing needle 1 for discharging printing paste, and a printing paste channel 8 connecting the storage device 13 and the dispensing needle 1. The dispensing needle 1, UV light source 9, and printing stage unit are disposed in a vacuum chamber 10. The printing paste channel 8 enters the vacuum chamber 10 through a paste feeding inlet. A vent interface for connecting a vacuum pump 14 is provided on the vacuum chamber 10. The printing stage unit includes a temperature control platform 3 for supporting the printing substrate and a drive assembly for moving the temperature control platform 3. The vacuum chamber 10 is enclosed by a shell.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided by this invention consists of a vacuum system and a printing system, enabling the printing of composite materials under simulated space low-pressure and extreme temperature environments. The material storage device of the printing system is located outside the vacuum chamber enclosed by the shell. Its function is to store the printing paste and allow it to flow from the outside of the enclosed cavity to the inside by providing pressure with compressed air. In specific implementations, to precisely control the feed rate of the printing paste, the material storage device 13 may also include a combination of an injection pump or a flow controller and a compressor. The vacuum system is used to achieve a low-pressure environment during the 3D printing process. The vacuum system includes a vacuum chamber 10 and a vacuum pump 14. This invention, by creating a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment containing a vacuum chamber, provides a vacuum environment for direct-write printing, which can reduce the porosity of the extruded material, improve the bonding force between printed materials, and increase the strength of the composite material. Moreover, while ensuring high vacuum and printing area, it achieves the technical effect of minimizing the spatial size of the printing device.

[0036] In the specific implementation process, such as Figure 1As shown, the vacuum chamber 10 is enclosed by a cylindrical shell, and the UV light source 9 is installed at the top of the vacuum chamber. Multiple types of interfaces 5 are provided on the walls of the vacuum chamber 10 to facilitate the simulation of enclosed spaces under different environmental conditions. Interfaces 5 can be, but are not limited to, a slurry inlet, a vent, a water inlet for connecting cooling water, and an electrical inlet. The slurry inlet / outlet is located on the top wall of the vacuum chamber and connects to a storage device; the vent, water, and electrical inlets are all located on the side walls of the vacuum chamber. To further ensure the airtightness of the vacuum chamber, KF flanges are provided at the slurry inlet, vent, water, and electrical inlets. The vent connects the vacuum pump to the vacuum chamber, and air is extracted from the vacuum chamber through a sealed conduit to achieve a vacuum environment within the chamber during printing. In a specific embodiment, an observation window 11 is provided at the top of the vacuum chamber 10. A chamber door 12 is provided on the side of the vacuum chamber 10. The 3D printing process can be observed through the observation window 11, and the composite material after printing can be transferred through the chamber door 12.

[0037] Specifically, the printing ink channel 8 is a stainless steel or rubber tube assembled with the top wall of the vacuum chamber via a KF flange, allowing the printing ink to flow from outside the vacuum chamber to inside the vacuum chamber 10. It is connected to the dispensing needle via a Luer connector, ensuring easy needle replacement. The dispensing needle is the ink outlet of the 3D printing system; the printing ink is extruded from the end of the dispensing needle and gradually spread onto the printing substrate. In practice, a dispensing gun head can also be used as the dispensing needle; no specific limitation is made here. The UV light source 9 includes at least one ultraviolet lamp with a power greater than 15W, used to cure the printing material to form a three-dimensional structure. The printing substrate 2 is fixed above the temperature control platform 3, serving to support the printing ink extruded from the dispensing needle 1 and provide a support platform for the printed structure. In practice, the platform size of the printing substrate is 120mm*120mm.

[0038] In the specific implementation process, the temperature control platform 3 consists of two parts: a cold stage and a hot stage. The temperature range of the temperature control platform is -50℃ to 100℃. Specifically, the cold stage can be, but is not limited to, a semiconductor cooling plate, while the hot stage can be, but is not limited to, a resistance wire heating plate. In a specific embodiment, the temperature control platform 3 is a displacement platform that realizes the displacement of the printing substrate in three directions: X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The temperature control platform 3 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the vacuum chamber, directly below the dispensing needle, by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes an X-axis drive 7 that drives the temperature control platform to move in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis drive 6 that drives the temperature control platform to move in the Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis drive 4 that drives the temperature control platform to move in the Z-axis direction. The printing paste is extruded from the end of the dispensing needle 1 and gradually spread onto the printing substrate 2. The printing substrate 2 moves along a set path in the XY plane under the drive of the drive component, so that the slurry extruded from the dispensing needle is spread on the printing substrate 2 in a preset specific shape. After printing one layer, the printing substrate is lowered to a set height by the Z-axis drive component 4, and the printing of the second layer can begin. The 3D printing device for a simulated space environment provided by this invention, by fixing the dispensing needle used to output printing slurry, and driving the temperature control platform and the printing substrate supported by the temperature control platform to move in three-dimensional space through the drive component, can not only achieve precise and rapid printing of printing materials, but also reduce the space requirements of 3D printing equipment, achieve a high vacuum degree of the printing system, and thus reduce the power requirements of spacecraft.

[0039] In one specific embodiment, the material storage device 13 includes two or more liquid storage tanks, each corresponding to a type of printing slurry. The material storage device is placed outside a closed spatial cavity, greatly expanding operability. It can not only achieve single-material printing but also be combined with two-(multi-)material 3D printing systems, in-situ blending 3D printing systems, and microfluidic 3D printing systems, thereby enhancing the diversity of printing materials.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus for a simulated space environment of the present invention further includes a control unit for controlling the printing paste feeding unit, the UV light source, the temperature control platform, and the environmental state of the vacuum chamber. The control unit further includes controllers that respectively control the printing paste feeding unit, the UV light source, the temperature control platform, and the environmental state of the vacuum chamber.

[0041] The control unit can be, but is not limited to, a computer. The functions of the control unit are implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed by a processor, the computer program can implement the steps of the above-described method embodiments. The computer program includes computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable files, or certain intermediate forms. The computer-readable medium can include: any entity or device capable of carrying computer program code, recording media, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, magnetic disks, optical disks, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution media, etc. It should be noted that the content contained in the computer-readable medium can be appropriately added or removed according to the requirements of legislation and patent practice in the jurisdiction. For example, in some jurisdictions, according to legislation and patent practice, computer-readable media do not include electrical carrier signals and telecommunication signals. In summary, the 3D printing device of the present invention, which simulates a space environment, is an intelligent 3D printing device that automatically configures the environment of the vacuum chamber according to the actual application scenario through a control unit.

[0042] The present invention also protects a 3D printing method for a simulated space environment, including steps S110 to S130.

[0043] S110, The printing paste enters the dispensing needle 1 from the storage device through the printing paste channel 8; S120, In the vacuum chamber 10, the dispensing needle 1 outputs the printing paste, and at the same time, the driving component drives the temperature control platform 3 and the printing substrate 2 carried by the temperature control platform 3 to move according to the preset printing path, and the printing paste is deposited on the printing substrate 2; S130, The printing paste deposited on the preset printing path is cured by UV light source 9.

[0044] Specifically, before the 3D printer starts working, the dispensing needle 1, connected to the material storage device 13, is installed at the top of the vacuum chamber 10 at the slurry inlet to check the closure of the chamber door 12. Then, the external vacuum pump 14 is turned on, and air is drawn through a hose to ensure a vacuum environment inside the vacuum chamber 10, simulating a vacuum environment for the printing system. Under this printing environment, the printing system inside the vacuum chamber 10 begins to operate. First, a GCODE file is input to the control unit. The control unit analyzes and outputs corresponding commands to control the positioning and zeroing of the XYZ motion axes and the subsequent three-dimensional movement path. Then, the controller controlling the slurry feed unit is turned on to adjust to the optimal material extrusion rate. Next, the drive assembly moves the printing substrate 2 on the temperature control platform 3 to receive the slurry extruded by the dispensing needle 1. Simultaneously, the UV light source 9 of the curing device is turned on to simultaneously print and cure the material, achieving the formation of a three-dimensional structure. After printing is complete, the vacuum pump 14 is stopped, the air inlet valve is opened, and after balancing the internal and external pressure difference, the printed composite material is removed.

[0045] The 3D printing device and method for a simulated space environment of the present invention, by establishing a 3D printing device for a simulated space environment, has the following beneficial effects: it provides a simulated space environment for extrusion printing technology, overcoming the influence of extreme temperature changes in the printing environment on the material forming process and the performance of the formed parts, thereby expanding the range of usable materials; by setting up a vacuum chamber, it can reduce the harm of toxic gases to operators during the printing process; the present invention can also effectively maintain good environmental stability and temperature uniformity, ensuring printing quality, and is suitable for high-precision 3D printing scenarios. It can realize the 3D integral molding of composite materials under vacuum conditions, and can be applied to scenarios such as the development of urgently needed space products, spacecraft maintenance and repair, and the construction of large space structures. It is an important technical guarantee for space exploration research and provides certain operability for exploring intelligent manufacturing technology in space.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing device of a simulated space environment, characterized by, The system includes a printing paste feeding unit, a printing substrate for receiving printing paste deposited on a preset printing path, a UV light source for photocuring the printing paste deposited on the preset printing path, and a printing stage unit for moving the printing substrate; wherein... The printing paste feeding unit includes a dispensing needle for discharging printing paste; the printing paste feeding unit also includes a storage device for storing printing material; the storage device is located outside the vacuum chamber; the printing paste feeding unit also includes a printing paste channel for connecting the storage device and the dispensing needle; the printing paste channel enters the vacuum chamber through the paste feeding inlet; The dispensing needle, the UV light source, and the printing station unit are disposed in a vacuum chamber; a vent interface for connecting a vacuum pump is provided on the vacuum chamber; The printing stage unit includes a temperature control platform for supporting the printing substrate and a drive assembly for moving the temperature control platform; the temperature control platform includes a cold stage for cooling and a hot stage for heating.

2. A 3D printing device for simulating a space environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, An observation window is provided at the top of the vacuum chamber.

3. A 3D printing device for simulating a space environment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The drive assembly includes an X-axis drive unit that moves the temperature control platform in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis drive unit that moves the temperature control platform in the Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis drive unit that moves the temperature control platform in the Z-axis direction.

4. A 3D printing device for simulating a space environment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, KF flanges are installed at both the slurry inlet and the vent.

5. The 3D printing device for a simulated space environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control platform has a temperature range of -50℃ to 100℃.

6. The 3D printing device for a simulated space environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A chamber door is provided on the side of the vacuum chamber.

7. The 3D printing device for a simulated space environment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum chamber is enclosed by a cylindrical shell.

8. A 3D printing method for a simulated space environment, characterized in that, The method of using a 3D printing apparatus for a simulated space environment according to any one of claims 1-7 includes: printing paste entering a dispensing needle from a storage device through a printing paste channel; the storage device is located outside the vacuum chamber. In the vacuum chamber, the dispensing needle outputs printing paste, while the driving component moves the temperature control platform and the printing substrate carried by the temperature control platform according to the preset printing path, and the printing paste is deposited on the printing substrate; the temperature control platform includes a cold stage for cooling and a hot stage for heating. The printing paste deposited on the preset printing path is cured by UV light source.

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