Temperature-controllable biological 3D printer and printing method

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to a controllable temperature biological 3D printer and a printing method. The controllable temperature biological 3D printer comprises a mounting frame, a first horizontal moving module, a second horizontal moving module, a vertical moving module, a printing nozzle, a first temperature control assembly, a second temperature control assembly and a second temperature control assembly fixing frame; the first temperature control assembly is fixed on the mounting frame; the second temperature control assembly is fixed on the vertical moving module of the biological 3D printer; and the printing nozzle is fixedly installed on the sliding block of the horizontal moving module. The first temperature control assembly and the second temperature control assembly are arranged to construct a small temperature controllable environment, so that the tip of the printing nozzle and the printed sample are always in the small temperature controllable environment, the printing effect is stable, and energy is saved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to a controllable temperature biological 3D printer and a printing method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The biological 3D printing technology can realize the on-demand printing of bioactive materials, cells and biological factors in three-dimensional space, and provides the possibility for in vitro construction of bionic tissues or organs. However, due to the particularity of bioactive materials, cells and biological factors, the environmental temperature during the printing process needs to be controlled within a certain range. For example, the low-temperature biological 3D printing technology disclosed in CN109731130B and CN112123760A is to deposit biological ink on a low-temperature forming platform, so as to ensure the biological activity of each component in the biological ink, and the ink is frozen and solidified in a low-temperature environment, which greatly improves the printability of the biological ink. However, as the printing process proceeds, the distance between the needle and the low-temperature forming platform increases, and the environmental temperature at the needle position rapidly rises (Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2019, 266: 551-557). Therefore, for the biological ink printed later, the low-temperature forming platform will gradually lose the effect of frozen solidification, resulting in a gradual deterioration of the printing effect as the printing process proceeds (Biofabrication, 2019, 11(3): 035023).

[0003] For another example, the 3D printer disclosed in CN113085181B and CN114248439A realizes the control of the whole printing environment temperature by setting a refrigeration temperature control assembly outside the 3D printer. Since the temperature of the whole printing machine environment is controlled, additional energy consumption is caused, and the printing ink in the printing head is prone to be cooled, which may cause the risk of clogging of the printing head.

[0004] In view of the above problems, the application provides a controllable temperature biological 3D printer and a printing method. SUMMARY

[0005] The application aims to provide a controllable temperature biological 3D printer and a printing method.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The application discloses a temperature-controllable biological 3D printer, which comprises a mounting frame, a first horizontal moving module, a second horizontal moving module, a vertical moving module, a printing nozzle, a first temperature-controlling assembly, a second temperature-controlling assembly and a second temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame, the mounting frame is in a square frame structure, two sides of the top of the mounting frame are provided with the first horizontal moving module, two ends of the second horizontal moving module are driven to move along the Y axis through the first horizontal moving module, the top of the printing nozzle is connected with the second horizontal moving module, and the printing nozzle is driven to move along the X axis through the second horizontal moving module; the first temperature-controlling assembly in a square frame structure is arranged below the printing nozzle, the second temperature-controlling assembly is arranged below the first temperature-controlling assembly, the top end of the second temperature-controlling assembly can be inserted into the inner cavity of the first temperature-controlling assembly, the bottom end of the second temperature-controlling assembly is fixed on the second temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame, the second temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame is connected with the vertical moving module, and the second temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame is driven to move along the vertical direction through the vertical moving module.

[0008] The printing nozzle comprises a printing nozzle fixing frame, a pneumatic slider, a barrel fixing frame, a barrel, a needle, a driving mechanism and a needle hole plate, the top end of the printing nozzle fixing frame is connected with the second horizontal moving module, and the bottom end of the printing nozzle fixing frame is connected with the needle hole plate; the pneumatic slider is fixed above the outer wall of the printing nozzle fixing frame, the barrel fixing frame is fixed on the outer wall of the pneumatic slider, the barrel is sleeved on the inner side of the barrel fixing frame, the top end of the barrel is connected with the driving mechanism, the bottom end of the barrel is connected with the needle in communication with the inner cavity of the barrel, the barrel is in a hollow cylindrical structure with an open top, a piston matched with the barrel for sliding is arranged in the inner cavity of the barrel, and the piston is driven to slide along the inner cavity of the barrel through the driving mechanism; a round hole for the needle to pass through is arranged on the needle hole plate.

[0009] A heat insulation shell is arranged between the barrel and the barrel fixing frame.

[0010] The driving mechanism is a compression cylinder, a mechanical piston or an extrusion screw rod.

[0011] The first temperature-controlling assembly comprises a first circulating liquid flow channel, a first heat insulation layer and a first temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame, the first circulating liquid flow channel is a hollow two-end opening structure composed of one pipeline, the first circulating liquid flow channel is sleeved in the first temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame, the first temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame is in a square structure with a hollow top end and a bottom end, and the inner wall of the first temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame is provided with the first heat insulation layer matched with the shape of the first temperature-controlling assembly fixing frame.

[0012] The second temperature control assembly comprises a printing platform plate, a second circulating liquid flow channel, a second heat insulation layer, and a second temperature control assembly fixing frame.

[0013] The length of the printing platform plate is less than the inner diameter of the first circulating liquid flow channel.

[0014] The present application discloses a printing method of a temperature-controllable biological 3D printer.

[0015] Step one: fill the biological ink into the cartridge, fix the cartridge to the cartridge fixing frame, connect the driving mechanism to the upper end of the cartridge, and install the needle at the lower end of the cartridge.

[0016] Step two: set the temperature of the first temperature control assembly and the second temperature control assembly through the controller, and preheat and precool by turning on the heating and refrigeration cycle machine.

[0017] Step three: input the printing parameters, including the path file, the slurry extrusion speed, and the platform movement speed, through the controller.

[0018] Step four: zero the horizontal movement module and the vertical movement module, control the pneumatic slider to move in the vertical direction through the controller, and adjust the printing nozzle to the appropriate height.

[0019] Step five: start printing the first layer through the controller, and after printing one layer, lower the printing platform plate by one layer height in the vertical direction, continue to print the next layer, and print the entire support until the printing is completed.

[0020] Step six: lower the printing platform along the vertical direction until the highest point of the printing support is lower than the lowest point of the first temperature control assembly, and take out the support from the printing platform plate.

[0021] Step seven: turn off the heating and refrigeration cycle machine, reset the movement module, and turn off the printer.

[0022] The present application has the following advantages:

[0023] (1) During the printing process, the needle tip is always in a temperature-controllable small environment, ensuring stable printing effect.

[0024] (2) By temperature control assembly one and temperature control assembly two to build a temperature controllable small environment, instead of controlling the whole printer environment, energy saving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the printer of one embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 The structure diagram of the printing head of one embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 The structure diagram of the temperature control assembly one of one embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 4 The structure diagram of the temperature control assembly two of one embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5 The structure sectional view of the printing area of the three-dimensional printer.

[0030] 1, mounting frame; 2, first horizontal moving module; 3, second horizontal moving module; 4, vertical moving module; 5, printing head; 6, first temperature control assembly; 7, second temperature control assembly; 8, second temperature control assembly fixing frame; 51, printing head fixing frame; 52, pneumatic slide block; 53, barrel fixing frame; 54, heat insulation shell; 55, barrel; 56, needle; 57, driving mechanism; 58, needle hole plate; 61, first circulating liquid flow channel; 62, first heat insulation layer; 63, first temperature control assembly fixing frame; 71, printing platform plate; 72, second circulating liquid flow channel; 73, second heat insulation layer; 74, second temperature control assembly fixing frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and not to limit the present application.

[0032] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for description purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "fixed", "connected", "mounted" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] The embodiments of the present application are illustrated by specific specific implementation examples as follows, so as to further illustrate the content of the present application.

[0035] As Figure 1 shown, the present application proposes a controllable temperature biological 3D printer, comprising a mounting frame 1, a first horizontal moving module 2, a second horizontal moving module 3, a vertical moving module 4, a printing nozzle 5, a first temperature control assembly 6, a second temperature control assembly 7 and a second temperature control assembly fixing frame 8, the mounting frame 1 is a square box structure, the top of which is provided with the first horizontal moving module 2 on both sides, the two ends of the second horizontal moving module 3 are driven to move along the Y axis by the first horizontal moving module 2, the top of the printing nozzle 5 is connected with the second horizontal moving module 3, and the printing nozzle 5 is driven to move along the X axis by the second horizontal moving module 3; the first temperature control assembly 6 in square box structure is arranged below the printing nozzle 5, the second temperature control assembly 7 is arranged below the first temperature control assembly 6, the top end of the second temperature control assembly 7 can be inserted into the inner cavity of the first temperature control assembly 6, the bottom end of the second temperature control assembly 7 is fixed on the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 8, the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 8 is connected with the vertical moving module 4, and the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 8 is driven to move along the vertical direction by the vertical moving module 4, in the case, the first horizontal moving module 2 and the second horizontal moving module 3 are existing XY axis moving platforms, and the vertical moving module 4 is an existing screw transmission.

[0036] As Figure 2As shown, the printing nozzle 5 includes a printing nozzle fixing frame 51, a pneumatic slider 52, a cartridge fixing frame 53, a cartridge 55, a needle 56, a driving mechanism 57 and a needle hole plate 58, the top end of the printing nozzle fixing frame 51 is connected with the second horizontal moving module 3, and the bottom end thereof is connected with the needle hole plate 58; the pneumatic slider 52 is fixed on the outer wall of the printing nozzle fixing frame 51, the cartridge fixing frame 53 is fixed on the outer wall of the pneumatic slider 52, the cartridge 55 is sleeved on the inner side of the cartridge fixing frame 53, the top end of the cartridge 55 is connected with the driving mechanism 57, the bottom end of the cartridge 55 is connected with the needle 56 which communicates with the inner cavity of the cartridge 55, the cartridge 55 is in a hollow cylindrical structure with an open top, a piston which cooperates with the cartridge 55 to slide is arranged in the inner cavity of the cartridge 55, and the piston is driven by the driving mechanism 57 to slide along the inner cavity of the cartridge 55; the needle hole plate 58 is provided with a circular hole for the needle 56 to pass through, and preferably, the driving mechanism 57 is a compression cylinder, a mechanical piston or an extrusion screw.

[0037] Further, a heat insulation shell 54 is arranged between the cartridge 55 and the cartridge fixing frame 53, so that the raw materials in the cartridge can be kept warm.

[0038] As shown in the figure, Figure 3 The first temperature control assembly 6 includes a first circulating liquid flow channel 61, a first heat insulation layer 62 and a first temperature control assembly fixing frame 63, the first circulating liquid flow channel 61 is a hollow two-end opening structure composed of a pipeline, and can be in a cylindrical or square shape according to actual conditions, the first circulating liquid flow channel 61 is sleeved in the first temperature control assembly fixing frame 63, the first temperature control assembly fixing frame 63 is in a hollow square structure with an open top and bottom, and the inner wall of the first temperature control assembly fixing frame 63 is provided with the first heat insulation layer 62 matched with the shape thereof.

[0039] As shown in the figure, Figure 4 The second temperature control assembly 7 includes a printing platform plate 71, a second circulating liquid flow channel 72, a second heat insulation layer 73 and a second temperature control assembly fixing frame 74, the printing platform plate 71 is arranged on the top of the second circulating liquid flow channel 72, the second circulating liquid flow channel 72 is in a hollow square structure, and the bottom of the second circulating liquid flow channel 72 is provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe on the two sides thereof, the second circulating liquid flow channel 72 is provided with the second heat insulation layer 73 matched with the shape thereof on the outside thereof, the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 74 is in a hollow square structure with an open top, the second circulating liquid flow channel 72 is sleeved in the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 74, and the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 74 is fixed on the second temperature control assembly fixing frame 8.

[0040] The needle hole plate 58 is a flat plate with a circular hole, the circular hole is concentric with the axis of the needle 56, the diameter of the circular hole is larger than the outer diameter of the needle 56, and the length of the printing platform plate 71 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first circulating liquid flow channel 61; during printing, the upper surface of the printing platform plate 71, the inner wall of the first circulating liquid flow channel 61 and the lower surface of the needle hole plate 58 form a printing space, and the printing process is carried out in the space; the pneumatic slider 52 is fixed on the printing nozzle fixing frame, the pneumatic slider 52 is connected with the gas supply pipeline, and the change of the gas pressure in the gas supply pipeline drives the pneumatic slider 52 to move in the vertical direction, so that the needle 56 can pass through the circular hole on the needle hole plate 58 and enter the printing space.

[0041] The heating and refrigeration cycle machine is used to transport the circulating medium to the first circulating liquid flow channel 61 and the second circulating liquid flow channel 72; the horizontal direction inner contour size of the first temperature control assembly 6 is larger than the horizontal direction outer contour size of the second temperature control assembly 7, and the second temperature control assembly 7 can move into the first temperature control assembly 6 in the vertical direction.

[0042] In combination Figure 5 , the present application provides a printing method of the temperature-controllable biological 3D printer, and the steps are as follows:

[0043] Step one: the biological ink is filled into the cartridge, the cartridge is fixed to the cartridge fixing frame, the upper end of the cartridge is connected with the driving mechanism, and the lower end is provided with the needle;

[0044] Step two: the temperatures of the first temperature control assembly and the second temperature control assembly are set through the controller, and the heating and refrigeration cycle machine is started to preheat and precool;

[0045] Step three: the printing parameters including the path file, the slurry extrusion speed and the platform movement speed are input through the controller;

[0046] Step four: the horizontal movement module and the vertical movement module are zeroed, the pneumatic slider is controlled to move in the vertical direction through the controller, and the printing nozzle is adjusted to the appropriate height;

[0047] Step five: the printer starts to print the first layer through the controller, the printing platform plate is lowered by one layer height in the vertical direction after printing one layer, and the next layer is continuously printed until the whole support is printed;

[0048] Step six: the printing platform is lowered in the vertical direction until the highest point of the printing support is lower than the lowest point of the first temperature control assembly, and the support is taken out from the printing platform plate;

[0049] Step seven: the heating and refrigeration cycle machine is turned off, the movement module is reset, and the printer is turned off.

[0050] The above examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application but not limit the present application. Although the present application is explained in detail with reference to the examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application can be modified or replaced equivalently without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, and all of them should be covered in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A temperature-controllable biological 3D printer, characterized in that: The invention comprises a mounting frame (1), a first horizontal moving module (2), a second horizontal moving module (3), a vertical moving module (4), a printing nozzle (5), a first temperature control component (6), a second temperature control component (7) and a second temperature control component fixing frame (8), wherein the mounting frame (1) is a square frame structure, and the first horizontal moving module (2) is provided on both sides of the top thereof, and the two ends of the second horizontal moving module (3) are driven to move along the Y axis by the first horizontal moving module (2), and the top of the printing nozzle (5) is connected to the second horizontal moving module (3) and is driven to move along the X axis by the second horizontal moving module (3); The first temperature control component (6) having a square frame structure is provided below the print head (5), and a second temperature control component (7) is provided below the first temperature control component (6). The top end of the second temperature control component (7) can be inserted into the inner cavity of the first temperature control component (6), and the bottom end of the second temperature control component (7) is fixed to the second temperature control component fixing frame (8). The second temperature control component fixing frame (8) is connected to the vertical moving module (4) and is driven to move in the vertical direction by the vertical moving module (4); The print head (5) comprises a print head fixing frame (51), a needle (56) and a needle hole plate (58), wherein the needle hole plate (58) is provided with a circular hole for the needle (56) to pass through; the top end of the print head fixing frame (51) is connected to the second horizontal movable module (3), and the bottom end thereof is connected to the needle hole plate (58); The first temperature control component (6) comprises a first circulating liquid flow channel (61), and the first circulating liquid flow channel (61) is a hollow structure consisting of a pipe with two ends open; The second temperature control assembly (7) includes a top printing platform plate (71); The length of the printing platform plate (71) is smaller than the inner diameter of the first circulating liquid flow channel (61); The upper surface of the printing platform plate (71), the inner wall of the first circulating liquid flow channel (61) and the lower surface of the needle hole plate (58) form a printing space; During the printing process, the needle passes through the circular hole on the needle plate and enters the printing space, and the tip of the needle is always in a small environment with controllable temperature.

2. A temperature-controllable biological 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The print head (5) comprises a pneumatic slider (52), a barrel fixing frame (53), a barrel (55), and a driving mechanism (57); the pneumatic slider (52) is fixed on the upper outer wall of the print head fixing frame (51); the barrel fixing frame (53) is fixed on the outer wall of the pneumatic slider (52); the barrel (55) is sleeved on the inner side of the barrel fixing frame (53); the top end of the barrel (55) is connected to the driving mechanism (57); the bottom end of the barrel (55) is connected to the needle (56) connected to its inner cavity; the barrel (55) is a hollow cylindrical structure with an open top; a piston is provided in its inner cavity to slide with it; the piston is driven by the driving mechanism (57) to slide along the inner cavity of the barrel (55).

3. A temperature-controllable biological 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A heat-insulating shell (54) is provided between the barrel (55) and the barrel fixing frame (53).

4. A temperature-controllable biological 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (57) is a compression cylinder, a mechanical piston or an extrusion screw.

5. A temperature-controllable biological 3D printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first temperature control component (6) comprises a first heat insulating layer (62) and a first temperature control component fixing frame (63); the first circulating liquid flow channel (61) is sleeved inside the first temperature control component fixing frame (63); the first temperature control component fixing frame (63) is a hollow square structure with open top and bottom ends; the inner wall of the first temperature control component fixing frame (63) is provided with a first heat insulating layer (62) matching its shape.

6. The temperature-controllable biological 3D printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second temperature control component (7) includes a second circulating liquid flow channel (72), a second heat insulation layer (73), and a second temperature control component fixing frame (74). The printing platform plate (71) is arranged on the top of the second circulating liquid flow channel (72). The second circulating liquid flow channel (72) is a hollow square structure, and a liquid inlet pipe and a liquid outlet pipe are respectively provided on both sides of its bottom. The outside of the second circulating liquid flow channel (72) is provided with a second heat insulation layer (73) matching its shape. The second temperature control component fixing frame (74) is a hollow square structure with an open top. The second circulating liquid flow channel (72) is sleeved in the second temperature control component fixing frame (74), and the second temperature control component fixing frame (74) is fixed on the second temperature control component fixing frame (8).

7. A printing method of a temperature-controlled biological 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: Here are the steps: Step 1: Load the bio-ink into the barrel, fix the barrel to the barrel fixing frame, connect the upper end of the barrel to the drive mechanism, and install the needle at the lower end; Step 2: Set the temperature of the first temperature control component and the second temperature control component through the controller, and turn on the heating and cooling cycle machine for preheating and precooling; Step 3: Input printing parameters through the controller, including path file, slurry extrusion speed, and platform movement speed; Step 4: Return the horizontal and vertical motion modules to zero, and use the controller to control the pneumatic slider to move in the vertical direction to adjust the print head to the appropriate height; Step 5: The controller controls the printer to start printing the first layer. After printing one layer, the printing platform descends one layer in the vertical direction and continues to print the next layer until the entire bracket is printed. Step 6: The printing platform is lowered vertically until the highest point of the printing bracket is lower than the lowest point of the first temperature control component, and the bracket is removed from the printing platform; Step 7: Turn off the heating and cooling cycle machine, reset the motion module, and turn off the printer.

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