A powder mixing device for a laser additive manufacturing apparatus

By using a powder mixing device with stirring, air inlet, and air outlet components in laser additive manufacturing, the problems of long mixing time and inconvenient cleaning are solved, achieving faster and more uniform powder mixing and self-cleaning function, thus improving workpiece performance.

CN116967442BActive Publication Date: 2026-04-10NANJING HUIRUI PHOTOELECTRIC TECH CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
NANJING HUIRUI PHOTOELECTRIC TECH CO LTD
Filing Date
2023-07-06
Publication Date
2026-04-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing laser additive manufacturing, powder mixing devices suffer from problems such as excessive mixing time, insignificant effect, and inconvenient cleaning.

Method used

The powder mixing device includes a stirring component, an air inlet component, and an air outlet component. The stirring component stirs the powder, the air inlet component introduces gas to suspend the powder and form a vortex, and the air outlet component discharges the powder, thus achieving a self-cleaning function.

Benefits of technology

It reduces powder mixing time, improves powder mixing effect and powder uniformity, enhances the performance of laser additive manufacturing workpieces, and achieves self-cleaning of the powder mixing device.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The application discloses a powder mixing device of a laser additive equipment, and relates to the technical field of laser additive manufacturing, which aims to solve the problems of long powder mixing time, poor powder mixing effect and inconvenient powder cleaning in a powder mixing tank. The powder mixing device of the laser additive equipment comprises a powder mixing tank, a stirring assembly, an air inlet assembly and an air outlet assembly. The powder mixing tank is used for containing powder. The stirring assembly is installed on the powder mixing tank and is used for stirring the powder in the powder mixing tank. The air inlet assembly is used for introducing gas into the powder mixing tank. The air outlet assembly is used for guiding the gas and the powder in the powder mixing tank out.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of laser additive manufacturing, and particularly relates to a powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The laser additive manufacturing technology is a processing method for material surface modification or additive manufacturing by using a laser as a heat source. When the material to be added is a plurality of powders, the particle size, density and shape of different types of powders are different, and therefore uniform powder feeding is an important condition for laser additive manufacturing. Generally, in order to improve the uniformity of powder feeding, powder mixing needs to be performed before powder feeding.

[0003] The commonly used powder mixing device includes a powder mixing tank and a stirring assembly. The powder mixing tank is filled with powder, and the stirring assembly is arranged in the powder mixing tank. By using this structure, the powder in the powder mixing tank can be stirred by the stirring assembly to make the powder distribution more uniform. However, when the powder mixing is performed only by the stirring assembly, the powder mixing time is too long, the powder mixing effect is not significant, and the powder in the powder mixing tank is not easy to clean. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application aims to provide a powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing device, which can reduce the powder mixing time, improve the powder mixing effect, and make the powder in the powder mixing tank easier to clean.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides a powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing device, which comprises:

[0006] a powder mixing tank for accommodating powder;

[0007] a stirring assembly installed on the powder mixing tank and used for stirring the powder in the powder mixing tank;

[0008] an air inlet assembly used for introducing air into the powder mixing tank;

[0009] an air outlet assembly used for guiding the air and the powder in the powder mixing tank out.

[0010] In the technical scheme, the powder mixing device comprises a powder mixing tank, a stirring assembly, an air inlet assembly and an air outlet assembly. The powder mixing tank contains powder. The stirring assembly can stir the powder in the powder mixing tank. The air inlet assembly can introduce gas into the powder mixing tank. The gas and the powder in the powder mixing tank can be discharged through the air outlet assembly. When the powder mixing is needed, the stirring assembly can stir the powder in the powder mixing tank, and the air inlet assembly can introduce gas into the powder mixing tank to suspend the powder. The powder mixing time can be reduced and the powder mixing effect can be improved by the combined action of the stirring assembly and the air inlet assembly. The powder mixing is more uniform, and the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing is better. The powder in the powder mixing tank can be discharged through the air inlet assembly and the air outlet assembly. The gas introduced by the air inlet assembly flows through the powder mixing tank and enters the air outlet assembly, and then is discharged through the air outlet assembly. The powder is carried out of the powder mixing tank in the form of carrier gas when the gas flows through the powder mixing tank, so that the powder can be discharged into the next process in a more uniform state, and the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing is better. In addition, the powder in the powder mixing tank can be cleaned when the air inlet assembly introduces gas into the powder mixing tank, so that the powder mixing device can realize self-cleaning function.

[0011] In some possible implementation manners, the stirring assembly comprises a driving motor and fan blades. The driving motor is connected with the fan blades. The fan blades are arranged in the powder mixing tank. The driving motor drives the fan blades to rotate to directly stir and high-speed airflow stir the powder in the powder mixing tank.

[0012] In some possible implementation manners, the fan blades are arranged at the central position of the powder mixing tank. The fan blades comprise a plurality of blades which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the fan blades.

[0013] In some possible implementation manners, the air inlet assembly comprises an air inlet pipe and a first electromagnetic valve. One end of the air inlet pipe extends into the powder mixing tank, and the other end is connected with an external gas supply device. The first electromagnetic valve is used to close or open the air inlet pipe to control the on-off of the air inlet.

[0014] In some possible implementation manners, the air inlet assembly further comprises a flow meter for measuring the flow of the gas in the air inlet pipe.

[0015] In some possible implementation manners, a plurality of air blowing holes are arranged on the wall of the air inlet pipe. The air blowing holes are directed to the inner wall of the powder mixing tank to blow off the dust on the inner wall of the powder mixing tank while the air is introduced.

[0016] In some possible implementation manners, the air outlet assembly comprises an air outlet pipe and a second electromagnetic valve, one end of the air outlet pipe is located in the powder mixing tank, the other end of the air outlet pipe extends to outside of the powder mixing tank, and the second electromagnetic valve is used for closing or opening the air outlet pipe to control on-off of the carrier gas powder outlet.

[0017] In some possible implementation manners, a plurality of air exhaust holes are arranged on the pipe wall of the air outlet pipe.

[0018] In some possible implementation manners, the powder mixing tank further comprises a tank body and an upper cover, the upper cover is rotationally connected to the tank body through a bearing, and the stirring assembly, the air inlet assembly and the air outlet assembly are all mounted on the upper cover.

[0019] The rotation assembly is connected to the tank body and is used for driving the tank body to rotate relative to the upper cover.

[0020] In some possible implementation manners, the rotation assembly comprises a driving member, a driving gear and a driven gear, the driving member is in transmission connection with the driving gear, the driving gear and the driven gear are in meshing, and the driven gear is fixed to the tank body or is in an integral structure with the tank body.

[0021] The driving member drives the driving gear to rotate, the driving gear drives the driven gear to rotate when rotating, and the driven gear drives the tank body to rotate relative to the upper cover when rotating.

[0022] In some possible implementation manners, a sealing ring is arranged between the tank body and the upper cover.

[0023] In some possible implementation manners, the powder mixing tank further comprises a powder inlet pipe and a first powder valve, the powder inlet pipe is used for conveying powder into the powder mixing tank, and the first powder valve is used for closing or opening the powder inlet pipe.

[0024] The powder inlet pipe is arranged to be inclined, and an end of the powder inlet pipe extending into the powder mixing tank is offset towards a central axis of the powder mixing tank.

[0025] A plurality of powder inlet pipes are arranged, and the plurality of powder inlet pipes are uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction of the central axis of the powder mixing tank.

[0026] In some possible implementation manners, the powder mixing tank further comprises a second powder valve, an opening is arranged at a bottom of the powder mixing tank, and the second powder valve is used for closing or opening the opening.

[0027] In some possible implementation manners, the powder mixing tank further comprises a vibrator mounted on the powder mixing tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The drawings described herein are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and form a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions serve to explain the present application, and do not constitute improper limitations on the present application. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1It is a schematic view of the powder mixing device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic view of the bottom of the powder mixing device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic view of the air inlet pipe in the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic view of the air outlet pipe in the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Reference signs:

[0034] 1-powder mixing tank, 11-upper cover, 12-tank body, 2-stirring assembly, 21-driving motor, 22-fan blade, 3-air inlet assembly, 31-air inlet pipe, 311-air blowing hole, 32-flow meter, 33-first electromagnetic valve, 4-air outlet assembly, 41-air outlet pipe, 411-air exhaust hole, 42-second electromagnetic valve, 5-rotating assembly, 51-driving member, 52-driving gear, 53-driven gear, 6-powder inlet pipe, 7-first powder valve, 8-vibrator, 9-second powder valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the technical problems to be solved by the present application, technical solutions and beneficial effects more clearly understood, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and do not limit the present application.

[0036] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0037] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically limited. The meaning of "several" is one or more than one, unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0038] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0039] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between 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.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of powder mixing device of laser additive equipment, including mixing tank 1, stirring assembly 2, gas inlet component 3 and gas outlet component 4, mixing tank 1 is used to accommodate powder;Stirring assembly 2 is installed on mixing tank 1, for the powder in mixing tank 1 is stirred;Gas inlet component 3 is used to import gas into mixing tank 1;Gas outlet component 4 is used to export the gas and powder in mixing tank 1.

[0041] In the technical scheme, the powder mixing device comprises a powder mixing tank 1, a stirring assembly 2, an air inlet assembly 3 and an air outlet assembly 4. The powder mixing tank 1 contains powder. The stirring assembly 2 can stir the powder in the powder mixing tank 1. The air inlet assembly 3 can introduce gas into the powder mixing tank 1. The gas and the powder in the powder mixing tank 1 can be discharged through the air outlet assembly 4. When the powder needs to be mixed, the stirring assembly 2 can perform high-speed stirring and airflow rotating stirring on the powder in the powder mixing tank 1 to make the powder suspended. The air inlet assembly 3 can introduce gas into the powder mixing tank 1 to provide a gas source for the powder conveying carrier gas. The powder is mixed by the stirring assembly 2 and the air inlet assembly 3, which can reduce the powder mixing time and improve the powder mixing effect. The powder is suspended in the air under the action of the gas after the air inlet assembly 3 introduces the gas into the powder mixing tank 1. At this time, the stirring assembly 2 can stir the surrounding gas to form a rotational flow, vortex flow and other fluid structures. Under the action of the fluid structure and the gas introduced by the air inlet assembly 3, the powder mixing time can be further reduced, the powder mixing effect can be improved, the powder mixing can be more uniform, and the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing can be better. The powder in the powder mixing tank 1 can be discharged through the cooperation of the air inlet assembly 3 and the air outlet assembly 4. After the air inlet assembly 3 introduces the gas, the gas flows through the powder mixing tank 1 into the air outlet assembly 4 and is discharged through the air outlet assembly 4. The powder is carried out of the powder mixing tank 1 in the form of carrier gas when the gas flows through the powder mixing tank 1, so that the powder can be discharged into the next process in a relatively uniform state, and the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing can be better. In addition, the powder in the powder mixing tank 1 can be cleaned when the air inlet assembly 3 introduces the gas into the powder mixing tank 1, so that the powder mixing device can realize the self-cleaning function.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1 Further, the stirring assembly 2 comprises a driving motor 21 and fan blades 22. The driving motor 21 is connected with the fan blades 22. The fan blades 22 are arranged in the powder mixing tank 1. The driving motor 21 drives the fan blades 22 to rotate to stir the powder in the powder mixing tank 1. The powder mixing tank 1 comprises a tank body 12 and an upper cover 11. The driving motor 21 is installed on the upper cover 11 and located outside the tank body 12. The fan blades 22 are located inside the tank body 12 and connected with a motor shaft of the driving motor 21. The driving motor 21 can drive the fan blades 22 to rotate. The driving motor 21 is a direct current high-speed motor. The rotating speed is above 10,000 revolutions per minute. When the driving motor 21 drives the fan blades 22 to rotate, the surrounding fluid can be moved to form a rotational flow, vortex flow and other fluid structures. Under the action of the fluid structure and the gas introduced by the air inlet assembly 3, the powder mixing time can be further reduced, the powder mixing effect can be improved, the powder mixing can be more uniform, and the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing can be better.

[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 1As shown, the fan blades 22 are arranged at the center of the mixing tank 1, and the fan blades 22 include a plurality of blades which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the fan blades 22. Exemplarily, the twist angle of the fan blades is 35°, which can maximize the air volume and driving force, and preferably, the fan blades are turbofan blades. Exemplarily, the rotating speed of the driving motor 21 is not less than 10,000 revolutions per minute, and the fan blades 22 can have an inclination angle of 45°. Exemplarily, the volume of the mixing tank 1 in the embodiment is 3.4 liters, the diameter of the fan blades 22 is at least 80 mm, and the number of the blades is at least three. The fan blades 22 can form a better cyclone effect after 2 minutes of operation. With the structure, when the fan blades 22 are arranged at the center of the mixing tank 1, the cyclone and vortex effects are better, and the powder mixing is more uniform, and the powder mixing effect is improved. When the plurality of blades are evenly distributed along the circumference for stirring, the cyclone and vortex effects are better, and the powder mixing is more uniform, and the powder mixing effect is improved.

[0044] As shown, Figure 1 Further, the air inlet assembly 3 includes an air inlet pipe 31 and a first electromagnetic valve 33. One end of the air inlet pipe 31 extends into the mixing tank 1, and the other end is connected to an external air supply device. The first electromagnetic valve 33 is used to close or open the air inlet pipe 31 to control the on-off of the air inlet. With the structure, when air is needed, the first electromagnetic valve 33 opens the air inlet pipe 31, and the gas from the external air supply device flows into the mixing tank 1 through the air inlet pipe 31 for air supply. When air is not needed, the first electromagnetic valve 33 closes the air inlet pipe 31, and the gas from the external air supply device is cut off when passing through the air inlet pipe 31, and no gas flows into the mixing tank 1.

[0045] In some optional modes, the air inlet assembly 3 further includes a flow meter 32 for measuring the flow of the gas in the air inlet pipe 31. Exemplarily, the flow meter 32 can be a mechanical flow meter 32 or an electronic flow meter 32. The flow meter 32 can automatically adjust the size of the air inlet according to the setting, so as to stabilize the flow at the air outlet. With the structure, the flow of the gas in the air inlet pipe 31 can be calculated by the flow meter 32, and the air supply amount in the mixing tank 1 can be accurately controlled.

[0046] As shown, Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, further, the pipe wall of the air inlet pipe 31 is provided with a plurality of air blowing holes 311, which are directed towards the inner wall of the powder mixing tank 1 to blow off the dust on the inner wall of the powder mixing tank 1 while air is being introduced. As an example, the shape of the air inlet pipe 31 matches the shape of the inner wall of the tank body 12. For example, in the present embodiment, the tank body 12 comprises a main body portion, a transition portion and a bottom plate connected in sequence, the transition portion is arranged obliquely relative to the main body portion, the air inlet pipe 31 comprises an upper pipe portion and a lower pipe portion, the lower pipe portion is arranged obliquely relative to the upper pipe portion, the upper pipe portion is arranged parallel to the main body portion, and the lower pipe portion is arranged parallel to the transition portion. As an example, a plurality of air blowing holes 311 are arranged on the upper pipe portion and the lower pipe portion. As an example, the diameter of the air blowing holes 311 is 1.5 mm, which can avoid the risk of being blocked when the diameter is too small, and can avoid poor air inlet effect when the diameter is too large. With this structure, the inner wall of the tank body 12 can be blown off through the plurality of air blowing holes 311, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the air inlet assembly 3 and improving the self-cleaning function of the powder mixing device.

[0047] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the air outlet assembly 4 comprises an air outlet pipe 41 and a second electromagnetic valve 42, one end of the air outlet pipe 41 is located in the powder mixing tank 1, and the other end extends to the outside of the powder mixing tank 1, the second electromagnetic valve 42 is used to close or open the air outlet pipe 41 to control the on-off of the carrier gas and powder, so that the suspended mixture inside the entire powder mixing cavity can be uniformly collected at different heights. With this structure, when it is necessary to mix the powder in the powder mixing tank 1 or clean the powder mixing tank 1, the first electromagnetic valve 33 opens the air inlet pipe 31, the second electromagnetic valve 42 closes the air outlet pipe 41, and the gas in the air inlet pipe 31 is introduced into the powder mixing tank 1; when it is necessary to send out the powder, the second electromagnetic valve 42 opens the air outlet pipe 41, and the gas in the air inlet pipe 31 flows through the powder mixing tank 1 and sends the powder-gas mixture in the powder mixing tank 1 out from the air outlet pipe 41.

[0048] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, further, the pipe wall of the air outlet pipe 41 is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes 411. As an example, the air outlet pipe 41 is a straight pipe structure parallel to the axis of the tank body 12, the air outlet pipe 41 is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes 411 arranged in the vertical direction in sequence, and the air outlet pipe 41 is provided with a plurality of rows of air outlet holes 411 uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the air outlet pipe 41. The distance between the air outlet pipe 41 and the inner wall of the tank body 12 is about 20 mm, which can make the powder-gas mixture of the tank body 12 pass through the air outlet holes 411 more uniformly; as an example, the diameter of the air outlet holes 411 is 1.5 mm, which can avoid the risk of being blocked when the diameter is too small, and can avoid poor discharge effect when the diameter is too large. With this structure, the powder-gas mixture in the tank body 12 can be discharged more uniformly through the plurality of air outlet holes 411, so that the powder discharged from the air outlet is more uniform, and thus the performance of the workpiece formed by laser additive manufacturing is better.

[0049] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 The powder mixing device further comprises a rotating assembly 5, and the powder mixing tank 1 comprises a tank body 12 and an upper cover 11. The upper cover 11 is rotatably connected to the tank body 12 through a bearing, and the transition between the two is sealed by a dustproof ring and an oil seal. The stirring assembly 2, the air inlet assembly 3 and the air outlet assembly 4 are all installed on the upper cover 11. The rotating assembly 5 is connected to the tank body 12 and is used to drive the tank body 12 to rotate relative to the upper cover 11. For example, the rotating assembly 5 can drive the tank body 12 to rotate forward and reverse. By controlling the forward and reverse rotation of the tank body 12, the tank body 12 can be swung, so that the cleaning effect of the tank body 12 is better. With this structure, when the tank body 12 rotates, the stirring assembly 2, the air inlet assembly 3 and the air outlet assembly 4 will not rotate with the tank body 12. When the tank body 12 rotates, the powder can be further mixed, so that the mixing effect of the powder can be further improved. At the same time, the air inlet assembly 3 can blow and clean the tank body 12 once a week, so that the cleaning effect of the powder mixing tank 1 is improved.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1 Further, the rotating assembly 5 comprises a driving member 51, a driving gear 52 and a driven gear 53. The driving member 51 is in transmission connection with the driving gear 52. The driving gear 52 and the driven gear 53 are in engagement. The driven gear 53 is fixed to the tank body 12 or is in an integral structure with the tank body 12. The driving member 51 drives the driving gear 52 to rotate. When the driving gear 52 rotates, the driven gear 53 is driven to rotate. When the driven gear 53 rotates, the tank body 12 rotates relative to the upper cover 11. For example, the driving member 51 can be an electric motor, a swing air cylinder or a rotary air cylinder. The rotatable angle is 270°. With this structure, when the driving member 51 drives the driving gear 52 to rotate, the driven gear 53 can be driven to rotate, and then the tank body 12 can rotate relative to the upper cover 11. Through the dustproof ring and the oil seal, the sealing performance of the tank body is ensured.

[0051] In some optional ways, a sealing ring is arranged between the tank body 12 and the upper cover 11. For example, the sealing ring is a dustproof ring and a sealing assembly transition sealing structure. With this structure, the transition between the dustproof ring and the sealing assembly is sealed by the sealing ring, so that the sealing effect between the tank body 12 and the upper cover 11 is improved, and the powder in the tank body 12 is prevented from leaking when the tank body 12 rotates relative to the upper cover 11.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1As shown, further comprising a powder inlet pipe 6 and a first powder valve 7, the powder inlet pipe 6 is used to transport powder into the mixing tank 1, the first powder valve 7 is used to close or open the powder inlet pipe 6, so as to control the powder entering, and ensure the sealing performance of the tank body when closed; the powder inlet pipe 6 is inclinedly arranged, and the end of the powder inlet pipe 6 extending into the mixing tank 1 is offset towards the central axis of the mixing tank 1; a plurality of powder inlet pipes 6 are arranged, and the plurality of powder inlet pipes 6 are uniformly distributed along the circumference of the central axis of the mixing tank 1, for example, uniformly distributed around the mixing tank 1 with a diameter of about 50 mm. For example, six powder inlet pipes 6 are arranged, and the six powder inlet pipes 6 are uniformly distributed along the circumference of the central axis of the mixing tank 1, and the end of the powder inlet pipe 6 extending into the tank body 12 is located above the fan blade 22, so that the powder transported by the powder inlet pipe 6 can be stirred when the fan blade 22 rotates. For example, the first powder valve 7 can be a butterfly valve or a flapper valve. By using this structure, the amount of powder entering the tank body 12 can be controlled by the first powder valve 7, and the powder can be transported into the tank body 12 by the plurality of powder inlet pipes, so that the tank body 12 is uniformly supplied with powder, and the uniformity of powder distribution is improved.

[0053] In some embodiments, the powder mixing device further comprises a second powder valve 9, and the bottom of the mixing tank 1 is provided with an opening, and the second powder valve 9 is used to close or open the opening to discharge the powder by gravity. For example, the second powder valve 9 can be a butterfly valve or a flapper valve. By using this structure, the powder in the mixing tank 1 can be discharged in two ways, one is that the powder-gas mixture is discharged from the gas outlet pipe 41 in the form of carrier gas by cooperation of the air inlet assembly 3 and the gas outlet assembly 4, and the other is that the powder is discharged in the form of free-falling powder through the opening at the bottom of the mixing tank 1 under the action of gravity, so that the cleanliness of the tank body 12 is higher, and the self-cleaning effect of the powder mixing device is improved. In addition, the inner walls of the air inlet pipe 31, the gas outlet pipe 41 and the tank body 12 can be polished to reduce the residue of the powder on the inner walls of the container and improve the cleaning effect of the powder mixing device.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1 Further, the powder mixing device further comprises a vibrator 8 mounted on the mixing tank 1. For example, the vibrator 8 can be a vibration motor, and the vibrator 8 plays an auxiliary role in discharging the powder, so as to discharge the powder more completely. By using this structure, the powder mixing device can be vibrated by the vibrator 8, so as to further reduce the powder in the tank body 12 and improve the cleaning effect of the powder mixing device.

[0055] The specific implementation process of the powder mixing device in this embodiment can be:

[0056] First, the feeding operation is carried out, and when feeding, the first powder valve 7 is opened first, and the powder is added from the powder inlet pipe 6 into the tank body 12; then the driving motor 21 of the stirring device is opened, and after the driving motor 21 is opened, the fan blade 22 is controlled to rotate at high speed, and when the fan blade 22 rotates at high speed, a rotational flow or vortex is formed in the tank body 12, so that the powder in the tank body 12 is in a suspended state, and the powder is uniformly diffused in the whole tank body 12, at this time the motor speed is low speed 1000 rpm, which aims to mix and scatter the different powders flowing in each pipeline to each corner in the tank body through the blade, when the powder in each pipeline is put in, the first powder valve 7 is fully closed, and the motor is speeded up to the highest speed (10000 rpm), at this time the internal airflow flows at high speed, and the internal powder forms a rotational flow vortex, further mixing the powder.

[0057] Then the first electromagnetic valve 33 of the air inlet assembly 3 is controlled to open the air inlet pipe 31, and the gas flows into the tank body 12 through the air inlet pipe 31.

[0058] When it is necessary to discharge the powder, there can be two discharge modes, the first discharge mode is to control the second electromagnetic valve 42 of the air outlet assembly 4 to open the air outlet pipe 41, and the gas in the air inlet pipe 31 can flow through the tank body 12, and the powder-gas mixture in the tank body 12 is introduced into the air outlet pipe 41 and discharged through the air outlet pipe 41. At this time, the driving part 51 of the rotating assembly 5 can be controlled to drive the driving gear 52 to rotate, and the driving gear 52 can drive the driven gear 53 to rotate when it rotates, and then drive the tank body 12 to rotate relative to the upper cover 11. When the tank body 12 rotates, it can rotate relative to the air inlet pipe 31, so that the gas in the air inlet pipe 31 can blow the inner wall of the tank body 12 through the air blowing hole 311, so that the dust attached to the tank wall is blown off and discharged through the air outlet pipe 41.

[0059] The second discharge mode is to control the driving motor 21 of the stirring device to be closed, so that the powder is settled at the bottom of the tank body 12, and then the second powder valve 9 is controlled to open the opening at the bottom of the powder mixing tank 1, so that the powder is discharged under the action of gravity. At this time, in order to remove the residual powder attached to the tank wall through the air inlet pipe 31, the vibrator 8 and the driving part 51 of the rotating assembly 5 can be started to drive the driving gear 52 to rotate, and the driving gear 52 can drive the driven gear 53 to rotate when it rotates, and then drive the tank body 12 to rotate relative to the upper cover 11, and the powder in the tank body 12 is vibrated and blown to the next process.

[0060] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this, any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized by, The application relates to a powder mixing device. The device comprises: a powder mixing tank for containing powder; a stirring assembly installed on the powder mixing tank for stirring the powder in the powder mixing tank; an air inlet assembly, which comprises an air inlet pipe and a first electromagnetic valve, one end of the air inlet pipe extends into the powder mixing tank, the other end of the air inlet pipe is connected with an external air supply device, the first electromagnetic valve is used for closing or opening the air inlet pipe to control the on-off of air inlet, and the air inlet assembly is used for introducing air into the powder mixing tank; a plurality of air blowing holes are arranged on the wall of the air inlet pipe and face the inner wall of the powder mixing tank, so that the air blowing holes can blow off the dust on the inner wall of the powder mixing tank while air is introduced; an air outlet assembly for leading out the air and powder in the powder mixing tank; a rotating assembly, the powder mixing tank comprises a tank body and an upper cover, the upper cover is rotationally connected with the tank body through a bearing, and the stirring assembly, the air inlet assembly and the air outlet assembly are installed on the upper cover; the rotating assembly is connected with the tank body and is used for driving the tank body to rotate relative to the upper cover; the tank body comprises a main body part, a transition part and a bottom plate which are sequentially connected, the transition part is arranged to be inclined relative to the main body part, the air inlet pipe comprises an upper pipe part and a lower pipe part, the lower pipe part is arranged to be inclined relative to the upper pipe part, the upper pipe part is arranged to be parallel to the main body part, the lower pipe part is arranged to be parallel to the transition part, and a plurality of air blowing holes are arranged on the upper pipe part and the lower pipe part; 2. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, a second powder valve, an opening is arranged at the bottom of the powder mixing tank, and the second powder valve is used for closing or opening the opening.

3. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by, The stirring assembly comprises a driving motor and fan blades, the driving motor is connected with the fan blades, the fan blades are arranged in the powder mixing tank, and the driving motor drives the fan blades to rotate to stir the powder in the powder mixing tank.

4. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The fan blades are arranged at the central position of the powder mixing tank, and the fan blades comprise a plurality of blades which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the fan blades.

5. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The air inlet assembly further comprises a flow meter for measuring the flow of air in the air inlet pipe.

6. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The air outlet assembly comprises an air outlet pipe and a second electromagnetic valve, one end of the air outlet pipe is located in the powder mixing tank, the other end of the air outlet pipe extends to the outside of the powder mixing tank, and the second electromagnetic valve is used for closing or opening the air outlet pipe to control the on-off of air carrying powder.

7. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of air outlet holes are arranged on the wall of the air outlet pipe. The rotating assembly comprises a driving member, a driving gear and a driven gear, the driving member is in transmission connection with the driving gear, the driving gear and the driven gear are in meshing connection, and the driven gear is fixed on the tank body or is in an integral structure with the tank body; 8. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the driving member drives the driving gear to rotate, the driving gear drives the driven gear to rotate when the driving gear rotates, and the driven gear drives the tank body to rotate relative to the upper cover when the driven gear rotates.

9. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, A sealing ring is arranged between the tank body and the upper cover. The device further comprises a powder inlet pipe and a first powder valve, the powder inlet pipe is used for conveying powder into the powder mixing tank, and the first powder valve is used for closing or opening the powder inlet pipe; the powder inlet pipe is arranged to be inclined, and one end of the powder inlet pipe extending into the powder mixing tank is offset to the central axis of the powder mixing tank. The powder inlet tubes are provided in plurality and are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the central axis of the powder mixing tank.

10. The powder mixing device of a laser additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, A vibrator is further installed on the powder mixing tank.

Citation Information

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