Control method, apparatus, device, system, and medium for powder bed fusion system

Abstract

This invention discloses a control method, apparatus, device, system, and medium for a powder bed melting system. The powder bed melting system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. The method includes: configuring attribute information of the motion mechanisms along the horizontal and vertical axes using a programmable logic controller (PLC) development tool; generating a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanisms based on the attribute information within the digital control operating environment; sending the first file to the PLC, so that the PLC can create a digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC can run a second file in a digital control file format within the digital control operating environment, the second file being adapted to call capabilities to control the movement of the motion mechanisms during the powder bed melting process. Introducing digital control into powder bed melting facilitates implementation, reduces control difficulty, and is beneficial for fault diagnosis and function expansion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing (AM) technology, and in particular to control methods, apparatus, equipment, systems and media for powder bed fusion (PBF) systems. Background Technology

[0002] Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a technology that uses digital model files as a basis and employs bondable materials such as powdered metal or plastic to construct objects by adding materials layer by layer and through rapid prototyping. PBF (Powdered Part Forming) is a novel metal additive manufacturing method.

[0003] Currently, the movement of the vertical and horizontal axes in a PBF system is mainly controlled through programming with a programmable logic controller (PLC). However, controlling motion via PLC programming presents significant implementation challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a control method, apparatus, equipment, system, and medium for a PBF system.

[0005] A control method for a power generation PBF system, the power generation PBF system including a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, the method comprising:

[0006] Based on the PLC development tool, configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism including the horizontal axis and the vertical axis;

[0007] A first file containing the attribute information is generated, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and to provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment;

[0008] The first file is sent to the PLC, which creates the digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC runs a second file in the digital control operating environment, the second file being adapted to invoke the capability to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the PBF process.

[0009] It is evident that introducing digital control capabilities into the PBF motion control of a PLC, and controlling the motion of mechanisms containing vertical and horizontal axes digitally, reduces the implementation difficulty. Furthermore, the number of controlled objects is reduced from two (vertical and horizontal axes) to one (motion mechanism), thus reducing control commands and facilitating fault detection.

[0010] In one implementation, configuring the attribute information of the motion mechanism including the horizontal axis and the vertical axis using the PLC development tool includes:

[0011] In the first configuration page of the PLC development tool, create the process object for the horizontal axis and the process object for the vertical axis;

[0012] In the second configuration page of the PLC development tool, create a motion mechanism that includes the process object of the horizontal axis and the process object of the vertical axis;

[0013] In the third configuration page of the PLC development tool, configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism.

[0014] Therefore, the attribute information of the motion mechanism can be easily configured through the configuration page of the PLC development tool.

[0015] In one embodiment, the attribute information of the motion mechanism includes at least one of the following:

[0016] The identification of the motion mechanism; the kinematic type of the motion mechanism; the identification of the horizontal axis; the identification of the vertical axis; the relationship between the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; the measurement unit of the motion mechanism.

[0017] It is evident that the attribute information of a motion mechanism can be implemented in multiple ways.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first file includes a first function block and a second function block; wherein the first function block is adapted to parse a digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second function block is adapted to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the digital control operating environment based on the attribute information.

[0019] Therefore, by setting function blocks in the first file, it is easy for the PLC to create a digital control operating environment and control the motion of the motion mechanism.

[0020] In one implementation, the first function block is the LKinLang_Parser function block; the second function block is the LKinCtrl_MC_MovePath function block in the LkinCtrl function library.

[0021] It is evident that both the first and second function blocks are easy to implement and convenient to carry out.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second document includes a first control instruction adapted to instruct the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the motion mechanism to move simultaneously; the method includes:

[0023] Based on the said capability, the first control command is executed to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melting process.

[0024] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention also conveniently realize the simultaneous movement of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis, which can extend the PBF process.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first control command includes the target movement position of the horizontal axis, the target movement position of the vertical axis, and the vector composite movement speed of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis;

[0026] Executing the first control command based on the capability includes:

[0027] The vector composite movement speed is decomposed into movement speed along the horizontal axis and movement speed along the vertical axis;

[0028] The capability is invoked to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melt, wherein the horizontal axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the horizontal axis, and the vertical axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the vertical axis.

[0029] As can be seen, vector-based motion speed can conveniently move both the horizontal and vertical axes simultaneously, improving implementation convenience.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second document includes a second control instruction adapted to instruct a motion mechanism that has completed the current motion cycle of the powder bed melting to enter a waiting mode; the method further includes:

[0031] When the PLC receives a notification message indicating that the current melting cycle has been completed, it controls the motion mechanism to exit the waiting mode based on the interface variables.

[0032] Therefore, the second file also allows for convenient control of waiting and restarting between multiple rounds.

[0033] A control device for a PBF system, the PBF system including a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, the device comprising:

[0034] The configuration module is used to configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism containing the horizontal axis and the vertical axis based on the PLC development tool;

[0035] A generation module is used to generate a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and to provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment;

[0036] The sending module is used to send the first file to the PLC so that the PLC can create the digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC can run a second file in digital control file format in the digital control operating environment, the second file being adapted to call the capability to control the motion mechanism in the PBF process.

[0037] It is evident that introducing digital control capabilities into the PBF motion control of a PLC, and controlling the motion of mechanisms containing vertical and horizontal axes digitally, reduces the implementation difficulty. Furthermore, the number of controlled objects is reduced from two (vertical and horizontal axes) to one (motion mechanism), thus reducing control commands and facilitating fault detection.

[0038] In one embodiment, the configuration module is used to create process objects for the horizontal axis and process objects for the vertical axis in the first configuration page of the PLC development tool; create a motion mechanism containing the process objects for the horizontal axis and the process objects for the vertical axis in the second configuration page of the PLC development tool; and configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism in the third configuration page of the PLC development tool.

[0039] Therefore, the attribute information of the motion mechanism can be easily configured through the configuration page of the PLC development tool.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first file includes a first function block and a second function block; wherein the first function block is adapted to parse a digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second function block is adapted to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the digital control operating environment based on the attribute information.

[0041] Therefore, by setting function blocks in the first file, it is easy for the PLC to create a digital control operating environment and control the motion of the motion mechanism.

[0042] A control system for a PBF system, the PBF system including a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, the control system including a configuration terminal and a PLC, wherein:

[0043] The configuration terminal is used to configure attribute information of the motion mechanism containing the horizontal axis and the vertical axis based on the PLC development tool; generate a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; and send the first file to the PLC.

[0044] The PLC is configured to create the digital control operating environment based on the first file; receive a second file in digital control file format, wherein the second file is adapted to invoke the capability to control the motion mechanism in the PBF process; and run the second file in the digital control operating environment.

[0045] It is evident that introducing digital control capabilities into the PBF motion control of a PLC, and controlling the motion of mechanisms containing vertical and horizontal axes digitally, reduces the implementation difficulty. Furthermore, the number of controlled objects is reduced from two (vertical and horizontal axes) to one (motion mechanism), thus reducing control commands and facilitating fault detection.

[0046] In one embodiment, the second document includes a first control instruction adapted to instruct the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the motion mechanism to move simultaneously.

[0047] The PLC is configured to execute the first control command based on the capability, so as to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melting process.

[0048] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention also conveniently realize the simultaneous movement of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis, which can extend the PBF process.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first control command includes the target movement position of the horizontal axis, the target movement position of the vertical axis, and the vector composite movement speed of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis;

[0050] The PLC is used to decompose the vector composite moving speed into the moving speed of the horizontal axis and the moving speed of the vertical axis; and to invoke the capability to move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis simultaneously in the powder bed melting, wherein the horizontal axis moves to the target moving position of the horizontal axis at the moving speed of the horizontal axis, and the vertical axis moves to the target moving position of the vertical axis at the moving speed of the vertical axis.

[0051] As can be seen, vector-based motion speed can conveniently move both the horizontal and vertical axes simultaneously, improving implementation convenience.

[0052] An electronic device, comprising:

[0053] processor;

[0054] Memory for storing the executable instructions of the processor;

[0055] The processor is configured to read the executable instructions from the memory and execute the executable instructions to implement the control method of the PBF system as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0056] A computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the control method of the PBF system as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0057] A computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the control method of the PBF system as described in any of the preceding claims. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will make the above and other features and advantages of the present invention more apparent to those skilled in the art. In the drawings:

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a PBF system.

[0060] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a first schematic diagram of the configuration of the motion structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 4 This is a second schematic diagram of the configuration of the motion structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 5 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the control device of the PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 6 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the control system of the PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 7 This is an exemplary structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The accompanying figure is labeled as follows:

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] Detailed Implementation

[0070] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following embodiments are provided to further illustrate the present invention in detail.

[0071] For the sake of brevity and intuitiveness, the following description uses several representative embodiments to illustrate the solution of the present invention. Numerous details in the embodiments are only used to aid in understanding the solution of the present invention. However, it is obvious that the technical solution of the present invention can be implemented without being limited to these details. To avoid unnecessarily obscuring the solution of the present invention, some embodiments are not described in detail, but only a framework is given. In the following text, "comprising" means "including but not limited to," and "according to..." means "at least according to..., but not limited to only according to...". Due to Chinese language habits, unless the quantity of a component is specifically indicated below, it means that the component can be one or more, or can be understood as at least one.

[0072] PBF is a direct metal 3D printing technology that includes laser melting and electron beam melting processes. In a PBF system, it is necessary to control the coordinated operation of the vertical axis, horizontal axis, laser, and scanning galvanometer. Taking laser melting as an example, the PBF process typically includes: (1) coating a layer of powder (e.g., typically 0.04 mm thick) onto the forming platform; (2) melting the layer with a laser beam according to the cross-section of the part to be printed; (3) repeating steps (1) and (2) as needed until the entire model is created; unmelted powder remains in place but is removed during subsequent processing; (4) brushing off the part and cutting off the substrate.

[0073] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the PBF system. The scraper 13 is positioned on the horizontal axis (e.g., Figure 1 The powder is supplied to the forming platform 14 of the forming chamber in the X direction (as shown). The forming platform 14 is located on the vertical axis (e.g., in the X direction). Figure 1 The laser (shown in the Z direction) is movable. The laser emitted by the laser 10 is formed into a laser beam by the lens 11. After passing through the scanning galvanometer 12, the laser beam is deflected at an angle. The deflected laser beam performs laser melting on the powder on the forming platform 14. Then, the forming platform 14 moves downward along the vertical axis, and the scraper 13 continues to move horizontally along the horizontal axis to provide powder onto the forming platform 14, so that the next round of actions can be performed. Specifically: Step 1: The vertical axis is lowered by a certain distance, for example, 0.04 mm. Step 2: After the vertical axis is positioned, the horizontal axis is positioned from left to right for a certain distance to perform powder coating. Step 3: After the powder coating on the horizontal axis is completed, laser melting is performed. Step 4: The vertical axis is lowered again by a certain distance, for example, 0.04 mm. Step 5: The horizontal axis is positioned from right to left to continue distributing powder. Step 6: After positioning the horizontal axis, laser melting is performed, and the laser is stopped. Steps 1 to 6 are repeated until all actions are performed. These actions can be performed multiple times (e.g., 20,000 times or more).

[0074] The above illustrative description of the PBF system and its processing steps is exemplary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] It is evident that the above process requires control of the movement of the vertical and horizontal axes, and the timing of the movement of the vertical and horizontal axes is related to the working state of the laser and the scanning galvanometer.

[0076] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PBF system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. Figure 2 As shown, the method includes:

[0077] Step 201: Based on the PLC development tool, configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism including the horizontal and vertical axes.

[0078] PLC development tools can be implemented as integrated development tools for configuring, programming, and debugging PLC products, such as the TIA Portal fully integrated automation software. Based on PLC development tools, users can easily drag and drop variables from the PLC into the PLC development tool's HMI (Human Machine Interface), then assign variables in real time within the HMI, and automatically establish a connection between the PLC and the HMI in the background, without the need for manual configuration.

[0079] In one implementation, step 201 specifically includes: creating a technology object for the horizontal axis and a technology object for the vertical axis in the first configuration page of the PLC development tool; creating a motion mechanism containing the technology objects for the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the second configuration page of the PLC development tool; and configuring the attribute information of the motion mechanism in the third configuration page of the PLC development tool. Preferably, the attribute information of the motion mechanism includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the motion mechanism; the kinematic type of the motion mechanism; the identifier of the horizontal axis; the identifier of the vertical axis; the relationship between the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; the measurement unit of the motion mechanism, etc. Among them, the relationship between the horizontal axis and the vertical axis may include: (1) the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are independent of each other; (2) the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are coupled as a whole.

[0080] Specifically, in the first configuration page of the PLC development tool, configuring the process objects for the horizontal and vertical axes can include: creating the horizontal and vertical axis process objects under the "Process Objects" directory in the project tree, and setting their respective basic parameters, such as selecting the drive mode, limit switches, and regular acceleration / deceleration, etc. Then, creating the motion mechanism containing the horizontal and vertical axis process objects, and configuring the motion mechanism's attribute information.

[0081] Figure 3 This is a first schematic diagram showing the configuration of the motion structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 In the kinematic settings area 30 of the motion structure configuration page, the identifier 31 of the motion mechanism and the kinematic type 32 of the motion mechanism (e.g., a Cartesian 2D system) are configured. The motion mechanism includes process objects on the horizontal axis and process objects on the vertical axis. Furthermore, in the measurement unit setting area 33 of the motion structure configuration page, the measurement units for the position 34, velocity 35, angle 36, and angular velocity 37 of the motion mechanism are set. For example, the measurement unit for position 34 can be millimeters (mm), the measurement unit for velocity 35 can be millimeters per minute (mm / min), the measurement unit for angle 36 can be degrees, the measurement unit for angular velocity 37 can be degrees per second, and so on.

[0082] Figure 4 This is a second schematic diagram of the motion structure configured according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration page of the motion structure, the motion mechanism 38 includes a first axis A1 and a second axis A2. In the first axial selection box 39 corresponding to the first axis A1, the first axis A1 is set as a horizontal axis; in the second axial selection box 40 corresponding to the second axis A2, the second axis A2 is set as a vertical axis. Considering that the number of axes in the motion structure may be greater, it is preferable to reserve axial selection boxes for extended axes. For example, when the number of axes in the motion structure is 3, that is, when a third axis A3 is added to the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, the direction of the third axis A3 can be set in the first extended axial selection box 41. As another example, when the number of axes in the motion structure is 4, that is, when a fourth axis A4 is added to the first axis A1, the second axis A2, and the third axis A3, the direction of the fourth axis A4 can be set in the second extended axial selection box 42.

[0083] The above exemplary descriptions illustrate typical examples of configuring motion structures. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0084] Step 202: Generate a first file containing attribute information. The first file is adapted to create a Numerical Control (NC) operating environment and provide the ability to control motion mechanisms based on attribute information in the NC operating environment.

[0085] In one implementation, a first file containing attribute information is generated based on PLC development tools. For example, the first file can be implemented as an S7 file. The first file may contain function blocks (FBs) to enable the creation of a digital control operating environment and to provide the ability to control motion mechanisms based on attribute information within that environment. A function block is a code block that stores input, output, and input / output parameters in a background data block, so that these parameters remain valid after the block is executed.

[0086] Preferably, the first file includes a first function block and a second function block; wherein the first function block is adapted to parse digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second function block is adapted to control the motion of the motion mechanism within the digital control operating environment based on attribute information. For example, the first function block can be implemented as the LKinLang_Parser function block; and the second function block can be implemented as the LKinCtrl_MC_MovePath function block in the LkinCtrl function library. Therefore, based on the LKinLang_Parser function block, a digital control format file can be parsed to obtain motion control instructions for the motion mechanism within the digital control format file; and based on the LKinCtrl_MC_MovePath function block, the motion mechanism can be controlled to execute the path motion specified by the motion control instructions through the process object of the motion mechanism.

[0087] The above description provides a typical example of a functional block. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] Step 203: Send the first file to the PLC so that the PLC can create a digital control operating environment based on the first file, and run the second file in the digital control file format in the digital control operating environment. The second file is adapted to the calling capability to control the movement of the motion mechanism in the powder bed melting process.

[0089] Here, the first file can be sent to the PLC via wired or wireless communication. For example, wireless communication protocols include, but are not limited to, various generations of mobile communication networks (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G), wireless local area networks and / or wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks, etc.

[0090] After receiving the first file, the PLC creates a digital control operating environment based on the first function block in the first file. Furthermore, the PLC can obtain a second file in digital control file format, which is adapted to call the capabilities of the second function block to control the movement of the motion mechanism during the powder bed melting process. For example, the second file can be implemented as a digital control program file, specifically in *.NC file format. In the second file, the motion control instructions for the motion mechanism during the powder bed melting process are programmed in an instruction-based manner. The PLC runs the second file in digital control file format within the digital control operating environment, thereby calling the capabilities of the second function block to control the movement of the motion mechanism according to the motion control instructions during the powder bed melting process.

[0091] In current PBF systems, the horizontal and vertical axes do not move simultaneously. The applicant discovered that, through the second document, functionality can be extended to achieve simultaneous movement of the horizontal and vertical axes, thereby further expanding the PBF process. In one embodiment, the second document includes a first control command adapted to instruct the simultaneous movement of the horizontal and vertical axes in a motion mechanism; the method includes: executing the first control command based on capability to simultaneously move the horizontal and vertical axes in a powder bed molten state.

[0092] In one implementation, the first control command includes a target movement position for the horizontal axis, a target movement position for the vertical axis, and a vector-combined movement speed of the horizontal and vertical axes. Executing the first control command based on capability includes: decomposing the vector-combined movement speed into the movement speed of the horizontal axis and the movement speed of the vertical axis; invoking capability to simultaneously move the horizontal and vertical axes in the powder bed melting process, wherein the horizontal axis moves to the target movement position at the horizontal axis movement speed, and the vertical axis moves to the target movement position at the vertical axis movement speed. For example, the movement of the horizontal and vertical axes can be controlled separately using interpolation motion.

[0093] For example, the first control instruction is: G1 X1000 Z0.04 F1000, where the horizontal axis (X) is positioned to 100mm, the vertical axis (Z) is positioned 0.04mm in the positive direction, and the combined vector movement speed (F) of the horizontal and vertical axes is 1000mm / min. It is evident that simultaneous motion control of the horizontal and vertical axes can be achieved with a single instruction. Compared to traditional PLC programming methods, this reduces the number of instructions, is easier to implement, and facilitates fault location.

[0094] After each round of motion, the motion mechanism needs to wait for the laser and scanning galvanometer to complete melting before executing the next round. In one embodiment, the second document contains a second control instruction adapted to instruct the motion mechanism that has completed the current round of powder bed melting to enter a waiting mode. When the PLC receives (e.g., from an industrial control computer controlling the laser and scanning galvanometer) a notification message indicating that the current melting round has been completed, it exits the waiting mode based on interface variables and controls the motion mechanism to exit the waiting mode. Therefore, based on interface variables, the waiting mode during the execution of the second document can be exited, enabling flexible interaction between the PLC and the second document, and allowing flexible control of the movement timing of the horizontal and vertical axes based on the working state of the laser and scanning galvanometer.

[0095] Figure 5 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the control device of the PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the PBF system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and the device includes:

[0096] The configuration module 501 is used to configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism, including the horizontal and vertical axes, based on the PLC development tool; the generation module 502 is used to generate a first file containing the attribute information, which is adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; the sending module 503 is used to send the first file to the PLC, so that the PLC can create a digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC can run a second file in the digital control file format in the digital control operating environment, which is adapted to call the capability to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the powder bed melting process.

[0097] In one implementation, the configuration module 501 is used to create a process object for the horizontal axis and a process object for the vertical axis in the first configuration page of the PLC development tool; to create a motion mechanism containing the process object for the horizontal axis and the process object for the vertical axis in the second configuration page of the PLC development tool; and to configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism in the third configuration page of the PLC development tool.

[0098] In one implementation, the first file includes a first functional block and a second functional block; wherein the first functional block is adapted to parse a digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second functional block is adapted to control the motion of a motion mechanism in the digital control operating environment based on attribute information.

[0099] Figure 6 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the control system of the PBF system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6As shown, the control system includes a configuration terminal 601 and a PLC 602, and a communication connection 603 exists between the configuration terminal 601 and the PLC 602, wherein:

[0100] The configuration terminal 601 is used to configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism including the horizontal and vertical axes based on the PLC development tool; generate a first file containing the attribute information, which is adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; and send the first file to the PLC 602 based on the communication connection 603.

[0101] PLC602 is used to create a digital control operating environment based on a first file; receive a second file in a digital control file format, wherein the second file is adapted to call capabilities to control the movement of the motion mechanism in the powder bed melting process; and run the second file in the digital control operating environment.

[0102] In one embodiment, the second document includes a first control instruction adapted to instruct the horizontal and vertical axes in the motion mechanism to move simultaneously; and a PLC 602 for executing the first control instruction based on capability to move the horizontal and vertical axes simultaneously in the powder bed melting process.

[0103] In one embodiment, the first control command includes a target movement position of the horizontal axis, a target movement position of the vertical axis, and a vector composite movement speed of the horizontal and vertical axes; PLC602 is used to decompose the vector composite movement speed into the movement speed of the horizontal axis and the movement speed of the vertical axis; and to invoke the capability to move the horizontal and vertical axes simultaneously in the powder bed melting process, wherein the horizontal axis moves to the target movement position of the horizontal axis at the horizontal axis movement speed, and the vertical axis moves to the target movement position of the vertical axis at the vertical axis movement speed.

[0104] The present invention also proposes an electronic device with a processor-memory architecture. Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7As shown, the electronic device 700 includes a processor 701, a memory 702, and a computer program stored in the memory 702 and executable on the processor 701. When executed by the processor 701, the computer program implements the control method of any of the PBF systems described above. Specifically, the memory 702 can be implemented as various storage media such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and programmable programmable read-only memory (PROM). The processor 701 can be implemented as including one or more central processing units (CPUs) or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), wherein the FPGA integrates one or more CPU cores. Specifically, the CPU or CPU core can be implemented as a CPU, MCU, or DSP, etc.

[0105] It should be noted that not all steps and modules in the above processes and structural diagrams are mandatory; some steps or modules can be omitted as needed. The execution order of the steps is not fixed and can be adjusted as required. The division of modules is merely for the convenience of description and functional division. In actual implementation, a module can be implemented by multiple modules, and the functions of multiple modules can also be implemented by the same module. These modules can be located in the same device or in different devices.

[0106] The hardware modules in each embodiment can be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module may include specially designed permanent circuitry or logic devices (such as dedicated processors, such as FPGAs or ASICs) to perform specific operations. A hardware module may also include programmable logic devices or circuitry (such as general-purpose processors or other programmable processors) temporarily configured by software to perform specific operations. The choice between mechanical implementation, dedicated permanent circuitry, or temporarily configured circuitry (such as software-configured circuitry) can be made based on cost and time considerations.

[0107] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a powder bed melting system, characterized in that, The powder bed melting system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and the method includes: Based on the programmable logic controller (PLC) development tool, the configuration (201) includes the attribute information of the motion mechanism of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; Generate (202) a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; The first file is sent (203) to the PLC so that the PLC can create the digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC can run the second file in the digital control operating environment, the second file being adapted to call the capability to control the movement of the motion mechanism in the powder bed melting process; The second document contains a first control instruction adapted to instruct the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the motion mechanism to move simultaneously to their respective target moving positions, wherein the target moving position of the vertical axis is the printing position of the next layer, and the target moving position of the horizontal axis is the standby position of the scraper after the powder is spread.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The PLC-based development tool configuration (201) includes the attribute information of the motion mechanism of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis, including: In the first configuration page of the PLC development tool, create the process object for the horizontal axis and the process object for the vertical axis; In the second configuration page of the PLC development tool, create a motion mechanism that includes the process object of the horizontal axis and the process object of the vertical axis; In the third configuration page of the PLC development tool, configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The attribute information of the motion mechanism includes at least one of the following: The identification of the motion mechanism; the kinematic type of the motion mechanism; the identification of the horizontal axis; the identification of the vertical axis; the relationship between the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; the measurement unit of the motion mechanism.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first file contains a first function block and a second function block; wherein the first function block is adapted to parse a digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second function block is adapted to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the digital control operating environment based on the attribute information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first function block is the LKinLang_Parser function block; the second function block is the LKinCtrl_MC_MovePath function block in the LkinCtrl function library.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes: Based on the said capability, the first control command is executed to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melting process.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first control command includes the target movement position of the horizontal axis, the target movement position of the vertical axis, and the vector composite movement speed of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; Executing the first control command based on the capability includes: The vector composite movement speed is decomposed into movement speed along the horizontal axis and movement speed along the vertical axis; The capability is invoked to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melt, wherein the horizontal axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the horizontal axis, and the vertical axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the vertical axis.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second document contains a second control instruction adapted to instruct the motion mechanism that has completed the current motion cycle of the powder bed melting to enter a waiting mode; the method includes: When the PLC receives a notification message indicating that the current melting cycle has been completed, it controls the motion mechanism to exit the waiting mode based on the interface variables.

9. A control device for a powder bed melting system, characterized in that, The powder bed melting system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and the device includes: The configuration module (501) is used to configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism containing the horizontal axis and the vertical axis based on the PLC development tool; The generation module (502) is used to generate a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; The sending module (503) is used to send the first file to the PLC so that the PLC can create the digital control operating environment based on the first file, and the PLC can run a second file in digital control file format in the digital control operating environment, the second file being adapted to call the capability to control the movement of the motion mechanism in the powder bed melting process.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The configuration module (501) is used to create the process object of the horizontal axis and the process object of the vertical axis in the first configuration page of the PLC development tool. In the second configuration page of the PLC development tool, create a motion mechanism that includes the process object of the horizontal axis and the process object of the vertical axis; In the third configuration page of the PLC development tool, configure the attribute information of the motion mechanism.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first file contains a first function block and a second function block; wherein the first function block is adapted to parse a digital control language to create a digital control operating environment; and the second function block is adapted to control the motion of the motion mechanism in the digital control operating environment based on the attribute information.

12. A control system for a powder bed melting system, characterized in that, The powder bed melting system includes a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and the control system includes a configuration terminal (601) and a PLC (602), wherein: The configuration terminal (601) is used to configure attribute information of the motion mechanism containing the horizontal axis and the vertical axis based on the PLC development tool; generate a first file containing the attribute information, the first file being adapted to create a digital control operating environment and provide the ability to control the motion mechanism based on the attribute information in the digital control operating environment; and send the first file to the PLC (602). The PLC (602) is configured to create the digital control operating environment based on the first file; receive a second file in a digital control file format, wherein the second file is adapted to invoke the capability to control the movement of the motion mechanism during the powder bed melting process; and run the second file in the digital control operating environment. The second document contains a first control instruction adapted to instruct the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the motion mechanism to move simultaneously to their respective target moving positions, wherein the target moving position of the vertical axis is the printing position of the next layer, and the target moving position of the horizontal axis is the standby position of the scraper after the powder is spread.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The PLC (602) is configured to execute the first control command based on the capability to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melting process.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first control command includes the target movement position of the horizontal axis, the target movement position of the vertical axis, and the vector composite movement speed of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; The PLC (602) is used to decompose the vector composite moving speed into the moving speed of the horizontal axis and the moving speed of the vertical axis. The capability is invoked to simultaneously move the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the powder bed melt, wherein the horizontal axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the horizontal axis, and the vertical axis moves to a target moving position at the speed of the vertical axis.

15. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: Processor (701); A memory (702) for storing executable instructions of the processor (701); The processor (701) is configured to read the executable instructions from the memory (702) and execute the executable instructions to implement the control method of the powder bed melting system according to any one of claims 1-8.

16. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions thereon, characterized in that, When the computer instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the control method of the powder bed melting system according to any one of claims 1-8.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the control method for the powder bed melting system according to any one of claims 1-8.

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