A printing device of a high-efficiency 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of high-efficiency 3D printing equipment printing device, including two horizontal interval arrangement Y-axis guide rail, two Y-axis guide rail between vertical X-axis guide rail is set along horizontal direction, still be provided with Y-axis motion control mechanism and X-axis motion control mechanism, printing head support is installed with printing nozzle;Printing device further includes the powder supply device installed in the upper rear end position of mounting support, further includes powder laying device;Wherein, powder laying device is installed below X-axis guide rail, powder laying device has the powder containing groove capable of accommodating two layers of printing required powder laying capacity;Its characterized in that, printing nozzle includes the front printing nozzle of being arranged in the front side of powder laying device and the rear printing nozzle of being arranged in the rear side of powder laying device.The device has the advantages of being capable of better improving printing efficiency and printing precision.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application number 202111113355.8, filed on 2021-09-23 entitled "A method for bidirectional powder spreading 3D printing". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing 3D printing technology, and more specifically to a printing device for a high-efficiency 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0003] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a type of rapid prototyping technology. It's a technique that uses digital models as a basis and employs methods such as lasers or hot-melt nozzles to deposit and bond materials like plastics, metals, and ceramic powders layer by layer to construct objects. In recent years, 3D printing technology has been widely applied in numerous fields, including industrial design, jewelry, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, and education.

[0004] Currently, common 3D printers include various types such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D Powder Bonding, and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Among these, 3D powder bonding printing, or 3DP technology, is similar to SLS, using powder materials such as ceramic or metal powders. The difference is that the powder materials are not bonded together by sintering; instead, the cross-section of the part is "printed" onto the powder using a binder (such as silicone) applied through a nozzle. Parts bonded with binder have lower strength and require post-processing. The specific process is as follows: After the previous layer is bonded, the forming cylinder descends by one printing layer thickness, typically 0.013–0.1 mm, and the powder cylinder pushes out some powder, which is then spread into the forming cylinder by a powder spreading roller. Under computer control, the nozzle selectively sprays the binder layer according to the forming data of the next construction cross-section. This process of feeding, spreading, and spraying binder is repeated until a 3D powder-bonded print is completed. Areas not sprayed with adhesive are covered with dry powder, which provides support during the molding process and is removed after molding is complete.

[0005] With advancements in manufacturing, many products require the use of different materials in different parts to achieve varying performance characteristics. However, most mainstream 3D printers on the market can only print objects using a single material, which significantly limits their ability to print parts composed of two or more materials in a single process. The same applies to 3D printing technology.

[0006] CN105196549B previously disclosed a parallel multi-station 3D printer. This invention proposes a novel parallel multi-station 3D printer suitable for rapid prototyping technology, including a computer, a support frame, a 3D printer assembly, and a conveyor belt system. The 3D printer assembly consists of multiple 3D printers placed side-by-side as needed, with the computer controlling the printing tasks to achieve parallel pipeline printing.

[0007] The printers described in the aforementioned patents have the following drawbacks: 1. Although they can print multiple materials in a single product, the use of fixed printing line guides results in complex guide structures, inconvenient control and scheduling, and poor flexibility. 2. The use of conventional powder spreading rollers and powder cylinders for powder spreading before each layer of printing leads to complex structures, slow speeds, and surface ripples and low flatness after powder spreading. 3. The printing process employs a classic printing mode: each layer of powder is spread, and the print head prints along the outline of the product layer, layer by layer. Due to the limitations of the adhesive used in printing, the thickness of each powder layer cannot be too thick. Printing each layer in one pass results in low printing efficiency. Increasing the thickness of each powder layer to improve printing efficiency leads to a decrease in print quality and accuracy; therefore, printing efficiency and quality / accuracy cannot be simultaneously achieved.

[0008] To address the aforementioned deficiency (point 3), the applicant previously filed and subsequently disclosed a high-quality three-dimensional powder bonding 3D printing method, which employs a two-step printing process during the powder layer application, thereby improving print quality. However, its printing efficiency still needs further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, the technical problem this invention aims to solve is: how to provide a bidirectional powder-layout 3D printing method that can better improve printing efficiency and accuracy, and further enable the convenient printing of different materials in a single product, while also possessing the characteristics of simple structure and flexible and convenient control. This invention also discloses a printing apparatus for a high-efficiency 3D printing device.

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] A bidirectional powder-laying 3D printing method involves decomposing a product vertically into several horizontal printing layers in a computer, using a powder-laying device that moves horizontally back and forth and lays powder layer by layer according to the thickness of each printing layer, and using a printing nozzle to spray binder to solidify the powder within the product outline of each layer after each layer is laid, and then printing upwards layer by layer to finally obtain the product; the method is characterized in that two layers of powder are laid in one horizontal back and forth movement of the powder-laying device, and at least one printing is performed on each layer of powder.

[0012] In this way, the powder spreading device spreads two layers of powder for printing in one horizontal reciprocating motion, thus fundamentally and greatly improving printing efficiency.

[0013] Furthermore, printing is performed before and after each layer of powder is laid, so that the powder spreading device prints four times in one round trip.

[0014] In this way, the powder layer is sprayed twice with binder for printing, and the printing time is precisely between the powder layer and the top layer. The printing before the powder layer helps the powder to better bond and fix with the previous layer, while the printing after the powder layer is the normal printing. Therefore, it is more effective for the binder to adhere and fix the powder to the shape, which greatly improves product quality. At the same time, printing twice with one powder layer can also increase the powder layer thickness, thereby improving product printing efficiency.

[0015] Furthermore, before each layer of powder is laid, the outline of the adhesive sprayed in this print is between the outline of the powder-printed product of this layer and the outline of the powder-printed product of the previous layer.

[0016] This makes the contours between layers smoother and improves the precision of the product's shape.

[0017] Furthermore, this method employs a high-efficiency 3D printing device, comprising a forming cylinder assembly and a printing device that can be connected and cooperated; the forming cylinder assembly includes a forming cylinder for printing; the printing device includes two horizontally spaced Y-axis guide rails, with an X-axis guide rail vertically mounted between the two Y-axis guide rails in the horizontal direction, the two ends of the X-axis guide rails slidably engaged with the Y-axis guide rails, and a Y-axis motion control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the X-axis guide rails on the Y-axis guide rails; a print head support is slidably mounted on the X-axis guide rails and an X-axis motion control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the print head support on the X-axis guide rails, and a print head is mounted on the print head support; the printing device also includes a powder supply device mounted above the rear end of the mounting bracket, and a powder spreading device; wherein, the powder spreading device is mounted below the X-axis guide rails, and the powder spreading device has a powder receiving tank capable of accommodating the powder spreading capacity required for two layers of printing.

[0018] In this way, when the above equipment is used, the powder spreading device can move back and forth on the Y-axis guide rail along the X-axis guide rail to achieve two layers of powder spreading and printing, which can greatly improve printing efficiency.

[0019] Furthermore, the Y-axis motion control mechanism is a Y-axis electric slide, the guide rail of the Y-axis electric slide forms a Y-axis guide rail on one side, the slide of the Y-axis electric slide and one end of the X-axis guide rail are fixed, the Y-axis guide rail on the other side is a linear guide rail, and the other end of the X-axis guide rail is slidably engaged with the linear guide rail.

[0020] This design offers advantages such as simple structure, convenient control, and reliable control accuracy.

[0021] Furthermore, the X-axis motion control mechanism is an X-axis electric slide, the guide rail of the X-axis electric slide forms an X-axis guide rail, and a printhead bracket is installed on the slide of the X-axis electric slide.

[0022] This design offers advantages such as simple structure, convenient control, and reliable control accuracy.

[0023] Furthermore, the powder supply device includes a powder box with a discharge port at the bottom. A quantitative discharge mechanism is provided at the discharge port. A discharge chute extending forward and downward is connected below the quantitative discharge mechanism. The lower end of the discharge chute is horizontally arranged along the width direction between two corresponding mounting brackets.

[0024] This allows the powder supply device to dispense powder in a quantitative manner according to the required amount for each spreading, and facilitates the feeding of powder into the spreading device.

[0025] Furthermore, the quantitative discharging mechanism includes a metering sleeve horizontally set at the discharge port, with the discharge port connected vertically to the metering sleeve. A metering roller is coaxially arranged at the center of the internal axis of the metering sleeve. Rectangular blades extending axially are evenly distributed along the circumferential outer surface of the metering roller. The length of the rectangular blades is the same as the length of the inner cavity of the metering sleeve, and the outer surface of the blades is rotatably fitted to the inner wall of the metering sleeve. One end of the metering roller rotatably extends out of the end of the metering sleeve and is connected to a metering servo motor.

[0026] In this way, the metering roller can be controlled by a servo motor. Each rotation is at a fixed angle, and a fixed volume of powder can be scraped down by the chamber between the two blades, ensuring uniform and quantitative powder supply.

[0027] Furthermore, the two ends of the powder box are fixed to the sides of the vertically arranged powder box mounting plate, the lower end of the powder box mounting plate is fixed to the mounting bracket, and the metering servo motor is fixed to the other side of the powder box mounting plate.

[0028] This makes it easier to install and fix the powder supply device.

[0029] Furthermore, the powder spreading device includes a powder receiving trough arranged along the length of the X-axis guide rail. The two ends of the powder receiving trough are suspended below the X-axis guide rail near the two ends via upward connecting plates. When the X-axis guide rail slides to the rear end of the Y-axis guide rail, the upper end of the powder receiving trough can connect with the lower end slot of the discharge chute. The powder receiving trough is arranged vertically and vertically, and each of its front and rear sides (the side adjacent to the powder box is the rear side) has a downward-facing scraper. The lower end of the scraper has a horizontally positioned blade. The powder spreading device also includes a scraper switching control mechanism, which can control the two scrapers to switch up and down so that the downward-facing scraper blade is at the height of the printing plane.

[0030] In this way, during powder spreading, the powder receiving trough slides along the X-axis guide rail to the rear end of the Y-axis guide rail. Powder is dispensed quantitatively from the metering dispensing mechanism and falls into the powder receiving trough through the dispensing chute. Then, as the X-axis guide rail slides forward along the Y-axis guide rail, the scraper switching control mechanism controls the rear scraper to switch downwards to the working position. The rear scraper scrapes the powder falling into the powder receiving trough forward to level it, achieving the first layer of powder spreading. Then, the powder receiving trough slides backwards along the Y-axis guide rail to reset, and the scraper switching control mechanism controls the front scraper to switch downwards to the working position. The front scraper scrapes the powder continuing to fall into the powder receiving trough backwards to level it, achieving reciprocating powder spreading on both sides. This scraper-based powder spreading method is more convenient and produces a smooth powder surface. Moreover, the powder spreading mechanism and the print head are both integrated and mounted on the X-axis guide rail. The print head can follow the powder spreading mechanism to print during the powder spreading process and can achieve two layers of powder spreading in one round trip, greatly improving printing efficiency.

[0031] Furthermore, the powder receiving tank is rotatably mounted on the connecting plate near the lower ends of the X-axis guide rail via a rotating shaft at the middle of both ends. Two scrapers are fixed on the front and rear sides below the powder receiving tank and their lower ends open outward in a symmetrical figure-eight shape. The scraper switching control mechanism can control the powder receiving tank to rotate along the rotating shaft.

[0032] In this way, the two scrapers are fixed in place, making the structure more stable and reliable. The up-and-down movement of the two scrapers is switched by rotation control. When the lower end of the powder receiving tank rotates forward, the rear scraper rotates downward to the working position (the blade is on the printing plane), and the front scraper tilts forward to make way, thus enabling forward movement to spread and level the material. After forward spreading is complete, the lower end of the powder receiving tank is controlled to rotate backward to reset, the front scraper rotates downward to the working position, and the rear scraper tilts forward to make way, thus enabling backward movement to spread and level the material. This design is simpler, easier and faster to control, and more stable and reliable.

[0033] Furthermore, the scraper switching control mechanism includes a powder receiving tank rotation control motor fixed on the X-axis guide rail. The powder receiving tank rotation control motor is a servo motor and is connected to the rotating shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank.

[0034] This structure is simple and easy to control.

[0035] Furthermore, the rotation control motor of the powder receiving tank is connected to the shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank via a belt mechanism.

[0036] This structure is convenient and inexpensive. In practice, other methods such as gear drives or synchronous belt drives can also be used to achieve the transmission connection between the two.

[0037] Furthermore, the printhead includes a front printhead disposed in front of the powder spreading device and a rear printhead disposed behind the powder spreading device.

[0038] In this way, when the powder spreading device moves forward, the rear printhead can be used to print the powder layer normally, and when it moves backward, the front printhead can be used to print the powder layer normally. Simultaneously, a pre-print can be performed using the printhead on the other side before powder spreading, where a printing adhesive is sprayed onto the surface of the previous powder layer. This achieves two printings per powder layer, increasing print intensity and thickness, and ultimately improving printing efficiency and quality.

[0039] Furthermore, the X-axis guide rail includes a front X-axis guide rail and a rear X-axis guide rail, which are horizontally arranged side by side and relatively fixed. Each of the front and rear X-axis guide rails is equipped with a printhead bracket and an X-axis motion control mechanism. Each of the two printhead brackets is also equipped with a printhead mounting plate. The printhead mounting plate includes an L-shaped front printhead mounting plate that is installed downwards on the front side of the front printhead bracket. A front printhead is mounted on the horizontal part of the lower end of the front printhead mounting plate. The printhead mounting plate also includes an L-shaped rear printhead mounting plate that is installed downwards on the rear side of the rear printhead bracket. A rear printhead is mounted on the horizontal part of the lower end of the rear printhead mounting plate.

[0040] In this way, when the front and rear printing nozzles work simultaneously during the forward or backward movement of the X-axis guide rail (printing once before and once after each layer of material), the front and rear printing nozzles can move on their own independent X-axis guide rails to print different widths. This is suitable for product components with different front and rear widths, achieving the printing effect of printing one layer of material twice (four round trip printing), thus improving printing quality and efficiency.

[0041] Furthermore, the printhead support is also equipped with a printhead vertical motion control mechanism for controlling the vertical sliding of the corresponding printhead mounting plate.

[0042] This allows for height adjustment of the front and rear printheads, enabling the printheads to be positioned precisely against the top surface of the corresponding powder material during each layer-laying process, thus improving printing accuracy. Consequently, it enhances the overall product appearance quality and features a simple structure that facilitates implementation.

[0043] Furthermore, the printhead vertical motion control mechanism includes a vertical guide rail fixedly mounted on one side of the printhead bracket. One side of the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate is slidably fitted onto the vertical guide rail. A printhead vertical motion control motor is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the vertical guide rail. It also includes a screw arranged parallel to the vertical guide rail at intervals. The printhead vertical motion control motor and the screw are connected by a transmission and can drive the screw to rotate. A nut is threaded onto the screw and fixed to the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate.

[0044] In this way, the vertical motion control motor of the nozzle rotates, driving the screw to rotate. The rotation of the nut is limited by the vertical guide rail via the corresponding nozzle mounting plate. Through the screw and nut forming a lead screw-nut transmission pair, the corresponding nozzle mounting plate is driven to achieve up-and-down sliding control. This design features simple structure, reliable control, stable motion, and high control precision.

[0045] Furthermore, the printing equipment also includes a horizontally arranged printing platform with multiple printing stations, each station having a fixed printing device; it also includes a guiding system for guiding the forming cylinder device and the printing device to dock; wherein, the guiding system is a railless guiding system, which can generate a guiding path as needed.

[0046] This eliminates the need for fixed guide rails and instead generates them as needed, making control more flexible and convenient.

[0047] Furthermore, the railless guiding system includes multiple positioning points set on the surface of the printing platform, each positioning point being equipped with a positioning guide component, and the positioning points are arranged in an array to form a two-dimensional guiding point cloud array; the guiding system also includes an automated guided vehicle, which is equipped with point cloud detection sensors that can sense and position with the positioning guide components at each positioning point, and a caster wheel system is also provided under the automated guided vehicle and connected to a drive motor, which can drive the caster wheel system to steer and move; the forming cylinder device is installed on the automated guided vehicle.

[0048] In this way, when in use, this equipment can rely on point cloud detection sensors to detect the position of the positioning guide components at various positioning points, and control the automatic guided vehicle to move forward between different positioning points. The two-dimensional guide point cloud array controls and plans the travel path, allowing the forming cylinder device to follow the automatic guided vehicle on the printing platform and complete the docking between different printing devices. This enables the printing of different materials in different parts of a product, meeting the performance differences of different parts. It also has the advantages of flexible and versatile control, better avoiding interference, and realizing more printing sequence possibilities; the number of printing stations and automatic guided vehicles can be arranged according to actual production needs.

[0049] Furthermore, the positioning and guiding component is an electromagnetic generator, and the point cloud detection sensor is a magnetic navigation sensor.

[0050] In this way, the electromagnetic generators can be controlled to open and close via computer or other control devices. During operation, the electromagnetic generators along the desired travel path can be activated, and these generators are connected in series to create an effect similar to a guiding magnetic strip. Simultaneously, the remaining electromagnetic generators are deactivated, and a magnetic navigation sensor guides the automated guided vehicle (AGV) along the path. This allows for the generation of different travel paths tailored to the specific needs of each AGV, better avoiding interference from other AGVs. This enables the printing platform to have multiple printing stations and accommodate a large number of AGVs, allowing more AGVs to work together on a single platform, significantly improving efficiency. Furthermore, the travel path shields the AGV from interference from other positioning points, greatly enhancing its reliability and stability.

[0051] Furthermore, the positioning guide component is embedded below the upper surface of the printing platform.

[0052] This can improve protection and extend service life.

[0053] Furthermore, each positioning point also includes at least one wireless charging position, with a wireless charging device buried below the wireless charging position. A wireless charging coil is also correspondingly provided in the middle of the lower surface of the automated guided vehicle. The wireless charging coil is connected to the battery installed on the automated guided vehicle, and the battery is connected to the drive motor.

[0054] This enables automatic charging and extended driving range for the automated guided vehicles (AGVs), making it easier to control the movement sequence and path of the AGVs.

[0055] Furthermore, at least a portion of the wireless charging station is located at the printing station on the printing platform.

[0056] This allows the automated guided vehicle to charge while waiting for printing after it enters the printing station, ensuring that the charging process does not take up working time.

[0057] Furthermore, the automated guided vehicle is also equipped with a wireless communication control module, which is connected to and controls the drive motor.

[0058] This makes it easy to remotely control the automated guided vehicle (AGV) to travel along a planned path via wireless communication using computer or other control devices.

[0059] Furthermore, positioning sensors are also installed on the automated guided vehicle or printing station, and corresponding positioning sensor detection components are also installed on the printing station or automated guided vehicle.

[0060] This allows the automated guided vehicle (AGV) to be precisely positioned when it arrives at the printing station, thanks to the coordinated detection between the positioning sensors and the sensor detection components. This ensures that the forming cylinder on the AGV and the printing device at the printing station can be precisely aligned, guaranteeing print quality.

[0061] Furthermore, the positioning sensor preferably adopts a contact switch, and the positioning sensor detection component adopts a rigid component that can cooperate with the contact switch to achieve contact detection.

[0062] This design has the advantages of simple structure, convenient implementation, and reliable use.

[0063] Furthermore, there are two pairs of contact switches, which are respectively mounted on contact switch mounting brackets on both sides of the automated guided vehicle facing upwards. The positioning sensor detection component is a contact protrusion formed on a pair of mounting brackets at the printing station.

[0064] This allows for more convenient and accurate positioning of the automated guided vehicle at the printing station.

[0065] Furthermore, the omnidirectional wheel system includes four Mecanum wheels installed at the four corners below the automated guided vehicle, each Mecanum wheel being connected to a corresponding drive motor.

[0066] In this way, the drive motor can rotate the four Mecanum wheels at different speeds, allowing the automated guided vehicle to move in different directions, thus enabling better control over the steering and movement of the automated guided vehicle.

[0067] Furthermore, the automated guided vehicle includes a horizontally positioned base plate, the Mecanum wheels and corresponding drive motors are mounted below the base plate, the forming cylinder device is mounted above the center of the base plate, the point cloud detection sensor is mounted below the base plate, the wireless charging coil is mounted below the base plate, and the wireless communication control module is mounted above the base plate.

[0068] This makes it easier to realize the functions of each component.

[0069] Furthermore, the forming cylinder device includes a forming cylinder that is fixedly mounted above the middle of the automated guided vehicle. The upper end of the forming cylinder has a horizontally outwardly extending flange forming a printing plane. The bottom plate tray of the forming cylinder can slide up and down to fit on the inner wall of the forming cylinder. The forming cylinder device also includes a lifting device mounted on the automated guided vehicle below the forming cylinder. The telescopic arm of the lifting device is supported upward and connected to the lower surface of the bottom plate tray.

[0070] In this way, the lifting device raises the base plate tray to a position above the inner cavity of the forming cylinder, and then the powder is spread and printed. After each layer is printed, the lifting device retracts downwards by the distance of one layer, and then powder is spread and printed again in the inner cavity of the forming cylinder. This process is repeated layer by layer until printing is complete. Therefore, it has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient control, and stable and reliable operation.

[0071] Furthermore, the lower end of the forming cylinder has downward support columns at the four corners, and the upper end of the forming cylinder also has a support frame that is obliquely downward and outward at the lower position of the flange.

[0072] This ensures better stability of the molding cylinder.

[0073] Furthermore, a waste material receiving groove is also provided on the printing plane at the front end of the forming cylinder.

[0074] This allows waste materials generated during the laying process to fall off, thus better assisting in the laying process.

[0075] Furthermore, the printing station is formed by multiple pairs of mounting brackets installed in pairs on one side of the printing platform. The mounting brackets are in the shape of an inverted L-shaped support arm, and the front end of the support arm extends horizontally forward in the direction away from the edge of the printing platform. The Y-axis guide rail of the printing device is fixed on the upper support arm of the mounting bracket along the length direction.

[0076] This makes it easier to install the printing device and to connect the forming cylinder device and the printing device.

[0077] In summary, this invention has the advantages of improving printing efficiency and accuracy, facilitating the printing of different materials in a single product, and possessing a simple structure and flexible and convenient control. Attached Figure Description

[0078] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment used in the specific implementation of the present invention.

[0079] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a separate printing platform.

[0080] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a standalone printing device.

[0081] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A structural diagram from another angle.

[0082] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the separate powder supply device.

[0083] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Side sectional view.

[0084] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the medium powder receiving tank.

[0085] Figure 8 for Figure 7 AA sectional view.

[0086] Figure 9 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure.

[0087] Figure 10 for Figure 1 A front view of a standalone automated guided vehicle.

[0088] Figure 11 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure. Detailed Implementation

[0089] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments.

[0090] Detailed implementation: A bidirectional powder-laying 3D printing method involves decomposing the product vertically into several horizontal printing layers in a computer, using a powder-laying device that moves horizontally back and forth and lays powder layer by layer according to the thickness of each printing layer, and using a printing nozzle to spray binder to solidify the powder within the product outline of each layer after each layer is laid, and then printing layer by layer upwards to finally obtain the product; the characteristic is that two layers of powder are laid in one horizontal back and forth movement of the powder-laying device, and at least one printing is achieved on each layer of powder.

[0091] In this way, the powder spreading device spreads two layers of powder for printing in one horizontal reciprocating motion, thus fundamentally and greatly improving printing efficiency.

[0092] In this process, printing is performed before and after each layer of powder is laid, resulting in the powder-laying device printing four times in one round trip.

[0093] In this way, the powder layer is sprayed twice with binder for printing, and the printing time is precisely between the powder layer and the top layer. The printing before the powder layer helps the powder to better bond and fix with the previous layer, while the printing after the powder layer is the normal printing. Therefore, it is more effective for the binder to adhere and fix the powder to the shape, which greatly improves product quality. At the same time, printing twice with one powder layer can also increase the powder layer thickness, thereby improving product printing efficiency.

[0094] In this process, the outline of the adhesive sprayed in each print before each layer of powder is between the outline of the powder-printed product of that layer and the outline of the powder-printed product of the previous layer.

[0095] This makes the contours between layers smoother and improves the precision of the product's shape.

[0096] In this embodiment, the method of the present invention specifically adopts Figure 1-11 The high-efficiency 3D printing equipment shown includes a forming cylinder device and a printing device that can be connected and cooperated. The forming cylinder device includes a forming cylinder for printing. The printing device includes two horizontally spaced Y-axis guide rails 21, and an X-axis guide rail 22 is vertically mounted between the two Y-axis guide rails in the horizontal direction. The two ends of the X-axis guide rail 22 are slidably fitted on the Y-axis guide rails 21. A Y-axis motion control mechanism is also provided for controlling the sliding of the X-axis guide rail on the Y-axis guide rail. A print head bracket 23 is slidably mounted on the X-axis guide rail and an X-axis motion control mechanism is provided for controlling the sliding of the print head bracket 23 on the X-axis guide rail. A print head is mounted on the print head bracket (only the print head mounting hole is shown in the figure, and the print head is not shown). The printing device also includes a powder supply device installed above the rear end of the mounting bracket and a powder spreading device. The powder spreading device is installed below the X-axis guide rail 22 and has a powder receiving tank 36 capable of accommodating the powder spreading capacity required for two layers of printing.

[0097] In this way, when the above equipment is used, the powder spreading device can move back and forth on the Y-axis guide rail along the X-axis guide rail to achieve two layers of powder spreading and printing, which can greatly improve printing efficiency.

[0098] The Y-axis motion control mechanism is a Y-axis electric slide, and the guide rail 24 of the Y-axis electric slide forms one side of the Y-axis guide rail. The slide 25 of the Y-axis electric slide and one end of the X-axis guide rail 22 are fixed. The Y-axis guide rail on the other side is a linear guide rail 26, and the other end of the X-axis guide rail 22 is slidably engaged with the linear guide rail 26.

[0099] This design offers advantages such as simple structure, convenient control, and reliable control accuracy.

[0100] The X-axis motion control mechanism is an X-axis electric slide, the guide rail 27 of the X-axis electric slide forms the X-axis guide rail, and the printhead bracket 23 is installed on the slide of the X-axis electric slide.

[0101] This design offers advantages such as simple structure, convenient control, and reliable control accuracy.

[0102] The powder supply device includes a powder box 30, with a discharge port at the bottom of the powder box. A quantitative discharge mechanism is provided at the discharge port. A discharge chute 31 extending forward and downward is connected below the quantitative discharge mechanism. The lower end of the discharge chute is horizontally arranged along the width direction between two corresponding mounting brackets.

[0103] This allows the powder supply device to dispense powder in a quantitative manner according to the required amount for each spreading, and facilitates the feeding of powder into the spreading device.

[0104] The quantitative discharge mechanism includes a metering sleeve horizontally set at the discharge port. The discharge port is connected to the metering sleeve 32 through the upper and lower parts. A metering roller is coaxially set at the center of the inner axis of the metering sleeve. Rectangular blades extending axially are evenly distributed along the circumferential outer surface of the metering roller 33. The length of the rectangular blades is the same as the length of the inner cavity of the metering sleeve, and the outer surface of the blades is rotatably fitted to the inner wall of the metering sleeve. One end of the metering roller 33 rotatably extends out of the end of the metering sleeve and is connected to a metering servo motor 34.

[0105] In this way, the metering roller can be controlled by a servo motor. Each rotation is at a fixed angle, and a fixed volume of powder can be scraped down by the chamber between the two blades, ensuring uniform and quantitative powder supply.

[0106] The powder box 30 is fixed at both ends to the side of the vertically arranged powder box mounting plate 35, the lower end of the powder box mounting plate 35 is fixed to the mounting bracket, and the metering servo motor 34 is fixed to the other side of the powder box mounting plate.

[0107] This makes it easier to install and fix the powder supply device.

[0108] The powder spreading device includes a powder receiving trough 36 arranged along the length of the X-axis guide rail. The powder receiving trough 36 is suspended at both ends of the X-axis guide rail near the two ends via upward connecting plates 37. When the X-axis guide rail slides to the rear end of the Y-axis guide rail, the upper end of the powder receiving trough can connect with the lower end of the discharge chute. The powder receiving trough is arranged vertically and vertically, and each of its front and rear sides (the side adjacent to the powder box is the rear side) has a downward-facing scraper 38. The lower end of the scraper has a horizontally positioned blade. The powder spreading device also includes a scraper switching control mechanism, which can control the two scrapers to switch up and down so that the downward-facing scraper blade is at the height of the printing plane.

[0109] In this way, during powder spreading, the powder receiving trough slides along the X-axis guide rail to the rear end of the Y-axis guide rail. Powder is dispensed quantitatively from the metering dispensing mechanism and falls into the powder receiving trough through the dispensing chute. Then, as the X-axis guide rail slides forward along the Y-axis guide rail, the scraper switching control mechanism controls the rear scraper to switch downwards to the working position. The rear scraper scrapes the powder falling into the powder receiving trough forward to level it, achieving the first layer of powder spreading. Then, the powder receiving trough slides backwards along the Y-axis guide rail to reset, and the scraper switching control mechanism controls the front scraper to switch downwards to the working position. The front scraper scrapes the powder continuing to fall into the powder receiving trough backwards to level it, achieving reciprocating powder spreading on both sides. This scraper-based powder spreading method is more convenient and produces a smooth powder surface. Moreover, the powder spreading mechanism and the print head are both integrated and mounted on the X-axis guide rail. The print head can follow the powder spreading mechanism to print during the powder spreading process and can achieve two layers of powder spreading in one round trip, greatly improving printing efficiency.

[0110] The powder receiving tank 36 is rotatably mounted on the connecting plate 37 near the lower ends of the X-axis guide rail via a rotating shaft at the middle of both ends. Two scrapers 38 are fixed on the front and rear sides below the powder receiving tank 36 and their lower ends are symmetrically spread outward in a figure-eight shape. The scraper switching control mechanism can control the powder receiving tank to rotate along the rotating shaft.

[0111] In this way, the two scrapers are fixed in place, making the structure more stable and reliable. The up-and-down movement of the two scrapers is switched by rotation control. When the lower end of the powder receiving tank rotates forward, the rear scraper rotates downward to the working position (the blade is on the printing plane), and the front scraper tilts forward to make way, thus enabling forward movement to spread and level the material. After forward spreading is complete, the lower end of the powder receiving tank is controlled to rotate backward to reset, the front scraper rotates downward to the working position, and the rear scraper tilts forward to make way, thus enabling backward movement to spread and level the material. This design is simpler, easier and faster to control, and more stable and reliable.

[0112] The scraper switching control mechanism includes a powder receiving tank rotation control motor 39 fixed on the X-axis guide rail. The powder receiving tank rotation control motor 39 is a servo motor and is connected to the rotating shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank.

[0113] This structure is simple and easy to control.

[0114] The powder receiving tank rotation control motor 39 is connected to the shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank via a belt mechanism.

[0115] This structure is convenient and inexpensive. In practice, other methods such as gear drives or synchronous belt drives can also be used to achieve the transmission connection between the two.

[0116] The printhead includes a front printhead located in front of the powder spreading device and a rear printhead located behind the powder spreading device.

[0117] In this way, when the powder spreading device moves forward, the rear printhead can be used to print the powder layer normally, and when it moves backward, the front printhead can be used to print the powder layer normally. Simultaneously, a pre-print can be performed using the printhead on the other side before powder spreading, where a printing adhesive is sprayed onto the surface of the previous powder layer. This achieves two printings per powder layer, increasing print intensity and thickness, and ultimately improving printing efficiency and quality.

[0118] The X-axis guide rail 22 includes a front X-axis guide rail and a rear X-axis guide rail, which are horizontally arranged side by side and relatively fixed. Each of the front and rear X-axis guide rails is equipped with a printhead bracket and an X-axis motion control mechanism. Each of the two printhead brackets is also equipped with a printhead mounting plate 40. The printhead mounting plate 40 includes an L-shaped front printhead mounting plate that is installed downwards on the front side of the front printhead bracket. A front printhead (not shown in the figure) is installed on the horizontal part of the lower end of the front printhead mounting plate. The printhead mounting plate 40 also includes an L-shaped rear printhead mounting plate that is installed downwards on the rear side of the rear printhead bracket. A rear printhead is installed on the horizontal part of the lower end of the rear printhead mounting plate (only printhead mounting holes are shown on the printhead mounting plates in the figure, and the printheads are not shown).

[0119] In this way, when the front and rear printing nozzles work simultaneously during the forward or backward movement of the X-axis guide rail (printing once before and once after each layer of material), the front and rear printing nozzles can move on their own independent X-axis guide rails to print different widths. This is suitable for product components with different front and rear widths, achieving the printing effect of printing one layer of material twice (four round trip printing), thus improving printing quality and efficiency.

[0120] The printhead support is also equipped with a printhead vertical motion control mechanism for controlling the vertical sliding of the corresponding printhead mounting plate.

[0121] This allows for height adjustment of the front and rear printheads, enabling the printheads to be positioned precisely against the top surface of the corresponding powder material during each layer-laying process, thus improving printing accuracy. Consequently, it enhances the overall product appearance quality and features a simple structure that facilitates implementation.

[0122] The printhead vertical motion control mechanism includes a vertical guide rail 42 fixedly mounted on one side of the printhead bracket. One side of the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate is slidably fitted onto the vertical guide rail. A printhead vertical motion control motor 43 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the vertical guide rail 42. It also includes a screw 44 arranged parallel to the vertical guide rail at intervals. The printhead vertical motion control motor is connected to the screw and can drive the screw to rotate. A nut 45 is threaded onto the screw and fixed to the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate.

[0123] In this way, the vertical motion control motor of the nozzle rotates, driving the screw to rotate. The rotation of the nut is limited by the vertical guide rail via the corresponding nozzle mounting plate. Through the screw and nut forming a lead screw-nut transmission pair, the corresponding nozzle mounting plate is driven to achieve up-and-down sliding control. This design features simple structure, reliable control, stable motion, and high control precision.

[0124] The printing equipment also includes a horizontally arranged printing platform 1, on which multiple printing stations are set up, and each printing station is fixedly equipped with a printing device; it also includes a guiding system, which is used to guide the forming cylinder device and the printing device to dock; wherein, the guiding system is a non-fixed guide rail guiding system, which can generate a guiding path as needed.

[0125] This eliminates the need for fixed guide rails and instead generates them as needed, making control more flexible and convenient.

[0126] The guide system without fixed guide rails includes multiple positioning points 2 set on the surface of the printing platform, and each positioning point 2 is equipped with a positioning guide component. The positioning points are arranged in an array to form a two-dimensional guide point cloud array. The guide system also includes an automatic guide vehicle 3, which is equipped with a point cloud detection sensor 4 that can sense and position with the positioning guide components at each positioning point. A universal wheel system is also set under the automatic guide vehicle and connected to a drive motor 5. The drive motor 5 can drive the universal wheel system to steer and move. The forming cylinder device is installed on the automatic guide vehicle 3.

[0127] In this way, when in use, this equipment can rely on point cloud detection sensors to detect the position of the positioning guide components at various positioning points, and control the automatic guided vehicle to move forward between different positioning points. The two-dimensional guide point cloud array controls and plans the travel path, allowing the forming cylinder device to follow the automatic guided vehicle on the printing platform and complete the docking between different printing devices. This enables the printing of different materials in different parts of a product, meeting the performance differences of different parts. It also has the advantages of flexible and versatile control, better avoiding interference, and realizing more printing sequence possibilities; the number of printing stations and automatic guided vehicles can be arranged according to actual production needs.

[0128] The positioning and guiding component is an electromagnetic generator, and the point cloud detection sensor is a magnetic navigation sensor.

[0129] In this way, the electromagnetic generators can be controlled to open and close via computer or other control devices. During operation, the electromagnetic generators along the desired travel path can be activated, and these generators are connected in series to create an effect similar to a guiding magnetic strip. Simultaneously, the remaining electromagnetic generators are deactivated, and a magnetic navigation sensor guides the automated guided vehicle (AGV) along the path. This allows for the generation of different travel paths tailored to the specific needs of each AGV, better avoiding interference from other AGVs. This enables the printing platform to have multiple printing stations and accommodate a large number of AGVs, allowing more AGVs to work together on a single platform, significantly improving efficiency. Furthermore, the travel path shields the AGV from interference from other positioning points, greatly enhancing its reliability and stability.

[0130] The positioning guide component is embedded below the upper surface of the printing platform.

[0131] This can improve protection and extend service life.

[0132] Each positioning point includes at least one wireless charging station 6, with a wireless charging device buried below the wireless charging station 6. A wireless charging coil 7 is also correspondingly provided in the middle of the lower surface of the automated guided vehicle. The wireless charging coil 7 is connected to the battery installed on the automated guided vehicle, and the battery is connected to the drive motor.

[0133] This enables automatic charging and extended driving range for the automated guided vehicles (AGVs), making it easier to control the movement sequence and path of the AGVs.

[0134] At least some of the wireless charging positions are located at the printing station on the printing platform.

[0135] This allows the automated guided vehicle to charge while waiting for printing after it enters the printing station, ensuring that the charging process does not take up working time.

[0136] The automated guided vehicle is also equipped with a wireless communication control module 8, which is connected to the drive motor and controls it.

[0137] This makes it easy to remotely control the automated guided vehicle (AGV) to travel along a planned path via wireless communication using computer or other control devices.

[0138] The automated guided vehicle or printing station is also equipped with a positioning sensor 9, and a corresponding positioning sensor detection component (not shown in the figure) is also installed on the printing station or automated guided vehicle. In practice, the positioning sensor detection component is installed in the positioning sensor detection component mounting hole 10 on the mounting bracket 20 of the printing station.

[0139] This allows the automated guided vehicle (AGV) to be precisely positioned when it arrives at the printing station, thanks to the coordinated detection between the positioning sensors and the sensor detection components. This ensures that the forming cylinder on the AGV and the printing device at the printing station can be precisely aligned, guaranteeing print quality.

[0140] The positioning sensor 9 is preferably a contact switch, and the positioning sensor detection component is a rigid component that can cooperate with the contact switch to achieve contact detection.

[0141] This design has the advantages of simple structure, convenient implementation, and reliable use.

[0142] The contact switches are in pairs and are respectively mounted on the contact switch mounting brackets 11 on both sides of the automated guided vehicle facing upwards. The positioning sensor detection component is a contact protrusion formed on a pair of mounting brackets 20 at the printing station.

[0143] This allows for more convenient and accurate positioning of the automated guided vehicle at the printing station.

[0144] The omnidirectional wheel system includes four Mecanum wheels 12 installed at the four corners below the automated guided vehicle, and each Mecanum wheel 12 is connected to a corresponding drive motor 5.

[0145] In this way, the drive motor can rotate the four Mecanum wheels at different speeds, allowing the automated guided vehicle to move in different directions, thus enabling better control over the steering and movement of the automated guided vehicle.

[0146] The automated guided vehicle 3 includes a horizontally set base plate, the Mecanum wheel 12 and the corresponding drive motor are installed below the base plate, the forming cylinder device is installed above the middle of the base plate, the point cloud detection sensor 4 is installed below the base plate, the wireless charging coil 7 is installed below the base plate, and the wireless communication control module 8 is installed above the base plate.

[0147] This makes it easier to realize the functions of each component.

[0148] The forming cylinder device includes a forming cylinder 13 fixedly mounted above the middle of the automated guided vehicle. The upper end of the forming cylinder 13 has a horizontally outwardly extending flange forming a printing plane 14. The bottom plate tray 15 of the forming cylinder can slide up and down to fit on the inner wall of the forming cylinder. The forming cylinder device also includes a lifting device 16 mounted on the automated guided vehicle below the forming cylinder. The telescopic arm of the lifting device 16 is supported upward and connected to the lower surface of the bottom plate tray.

[0149] In this way, the lifting device raises the base plate tray to a position above the inner cavity of the forming cylinder, and then the powder is spread and printed. After each layer is printed, the lifting device retracts downwards by the distance of one layer, and then powder is spread and printed again in the inner cavity of the forming cylinder. This process is repeated layer by layer until printing is complete. Therefore, it has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient control, and stable and reliable operation.

[0150] The lower end of the forming cylinder has four downward support columns 17 at its four corners, and the upper end of the forming cylinder also has a support frame 18 that is set at an angle downward and outward.

[0151] This ensures better stability of the molding cylinder.

[0152] Among them, a waste material receiving groove 19 is also provided on the printing plane at the front end of the forming cylinder.

[0153] This allows waste materials generated during the laying process to fall off, thus better assisting in the laying process.

[0154] The printing station is formed by multiple pairs of mounting brackets 20 installed in pairs on one side of the printing platform. The mounting brackets 20 are in the shape of an inverted L-shaped support arm, and the front end of the support arm extends horizontally forward in the direction away from the edge of the printing platform. The Y-axis guide rail 21 of the printing device is fixed on the upper support arm of the mounting bracket along the length direction.

[0155] This makes it easier to install the printing device and to connect the forming cylinder device and the printing device.

[0156] Therefore, the above-mentioned equipment has the advantages of improving printing efficiency and printing accuracy, facilitating the printing of different materials in one product, and having a simple structure and flexible and convenient control.

Claims

1. A printing device for a high-efficiency 3D printing apparatus, comprising two horizontally spaced Y-axis guide rails, an X-axis guide rail vertically mounted between the two Y-axis guide rails along the horizontal direction, the two ends of the X-axis guide rails slidably engaging with the Y-axis guide rails, a Y-axis motion control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the X-axis guide rails on the Y-axis guide rails, a print head bracket slidably mounted on the X-axis guide rails and an X-axis motion control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the print head bracket on the X-axis guide rails, and a print head mounted on the print head bracket; the printing device further comprises a powder supply device mounted above the rear end of the mounting bracket, and a powder spreading device; wherein... The powder spreading device is installed below the X-axis guide rail. The powder spreading device has a powder receiving tank that can accommodate the powder capacity required for printing two layers. The printing nozzle includes a front printing nozzle located on the front side of the powder spreading device and a rear printing nozzle located on the rear side of the powder spreading device, which is used to print one layer of material at the front and one layer at the back. The X-axis guide rail includes a front X-axis guide rail and a rear X-axis guide rail, which are horizontally arranged side by side and relatively fixed. Each of the front and rear X-axis guide rails is equipped with a printhead bracket and an X-axis motion control mechanism. Each of the two printhead brackets is also equipped with a nozzle mounting plate. The nozzle mounting plate includes an L-shaped front nozzle mounting plate that is installed downwards on the front side of the front printhead bracket. A front printhead is mounted on the horizontal part of the lower end of the front nozzle mounting plate. The nozzle mounting plate also includes an L-shaped rear nozzle mounting plate that is installed downwards on the rear side of the rear printhead bracket. A rear printhead is mounted on the horizontal part of the lower end of the rear nozzle mounting plate. This allows the front and rear printheads to work simultaneously to print once before and after each layer of material is laid, and each prints a different width. The printhead support is also equipped with a vertical movement control mechanism for the printhead to control the vertical sliding of the corresponding printhead mounting plate, so that the height position of the printhead can be adjusted to print against the upper surface of the corresponding powder during the two printings before and after each layer of material is laid.

2. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Y-axis motion control mechanism is a Y-axis electric slide. The guide rail of the Y-axis electric slide forms a Y-axis guide rail on one side. One end of the slide of the Y-axis electric slide and one end of the X-axis guide rail are fixed. The Y-axis guide rail on the other side is a linear guide rail. The other end of the X-axis guide rail is slidably engaged with the linear guide rail.

3. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The X-axis motion control mechanism is an X-axis electric slide, the guide rail of the X-axis electric slide forms the X-axis guide rail, and the printhead bracket is installed on the slide of the X-axis electric slide.

4. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The powder supply device includes a powder box with a discharge port at the bottom. A quantitative discharge mechanism is provided at the discharge port. A discharge chute extending forward and downward is connected below the quantitative discharge mechanism. The lower end of the discharge chute is horizontally arranged along the width direction between two corresponding mounting brackets.

5. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The quantitative discharging mechanism includes a metering sleeve horizontally set at the discharge port, with the discharge port connected vertically to the metering sleeve. A metering roller is coaxially arranged at the center of the internal axis of the metering sleeve. Rectangular blades extending axially are evenly distributed along the circumferential outer surface of the metering roller. The length of the rectangular blades is the same as the length of the inner cavity of the metering sleeve, and the outer surface of the blades is rotatably fitted to the inner wall of the metering sleeve. One end of the metering roller rotatably extends out of the end of the metering sleeve and is connected to a metering servo motor. The two ends of the powder box are fixed to the sides of the vertically set powder box mounting plate, the lower end of the powder box mounting plate is fixed to the mounting bracket, and the metering servo motor is fixed to the other side of the powder box mounting plate.

6. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The powder spreading device includes a powder receiving trough arranged along the length of the X-axis guide rail. The two ends of the powder receiving trough are suspended below the X-axis guide rail near the two ends by upward connecting plates. When the X-axis guide rail slides to the rear end of the Y-axis guide rail, the upper end of the powder receiving trough can connect with the lower end of the discharge chute. The powder receiving trough is arranged vertically and vertically and has a downward-facing scraper on each of the front and rear sides. The lower end of the scraper has a horizontally positioned blade. The powder spreading device also includes a scraper switching control mechanism, which can control the vertical movement of the two scrapers to switch so that the downward-facing scraper blade is at the height of the printing plane.

7. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The powder receiving tank is rotatably mounted on the connecting plate near the bottom of the X-axis guide rail at the middle of both ends via a rotating shaft. Two scrapers are fixed on the front and rear sides below the powder receiving tank and their lower ends open outward in a symmetrical figure-eight shape. The scraper switching control mechanism can control the powder receiving tank to rotate along the rotating shaft.

8. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The scraper switching control mechanism includes a powder receiving tank rotation control motor fixed on the X-axis guide rail. The powder receiving tank rotation control motor is a servo motor and is connected to the rotating shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank. The motor controlling the rotation of the powder receiving tank is connected to the shaft at one end of the powder receiving tank via a belt mechanism.

9. The printing apparatus of the high-efficiency 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The printhead vertical motion control mechanism includes a vertical guide rail fixedly mounted on one side of the printhead bracket. One side of the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate is slidably fitted onto the vertical guide rail. A printhead vertical motion control motor is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the vertical guide rail. It also includes a screw arranged parallel to the vertical guide rail at intervals. The printhead vertical motion control motor and the screw are connected by a drive and can drive the screw to rotate. A nut is threaded onto the screw and fixed to the upper end of the corresponding printhead mounting plate.

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