An output head protective sleeve and laser anti-evaporation system for metal additive manufacturing

Abstract

This invention provides an output head protective sleeve and a laser anti-evaporation coating system manufactured by metal additive manufacturing. The system includes an output head protective sleeve body for protecting the laser output head. A honeycomb structure is provided on the inner wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body, and an electromagnetic structure for generating a magnetic field is provided on the side wall of the other end of the output head protective sleeve body. This invention enables metal vapor to be adsorbed within the honeycomb structure, preventing continuous refraction of the metal vapor and thus preventing the accumulation of metal vapor around the lens, thereby avoiding the formation of a coating on the lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the fields of additive manufacturing technology and laser processing, and particularly relates to an output head protective sleeve and a laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the global aerospace industry, countries are accelerating their research into deep space exploration. However, the traditional method of manufacturing on the ground and then resupplying is severely limited by its constraints in carrying capacity, high cost, long cycle time, and high difficulty, significantly restricting extensive space exploration activities worldwide. Therefore, to reduce dependence on Earth's resources, research into on-orbit manufacturing technology is necessary. On-orbit manufacturing technology can significantly reduce the number of spare parts, allowing required components to be manufactured on demand, greatly expanding the functionality of space stations, reducing the cost of space activities, and significantly improving the reliability and safety of space missions.

[0003] Additive manufacturing is a digital forming process that directly shapes parts by layer-by-layer accumulation. Compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing offers advantages such as rapid demand response, single-piece production, small-batch production, customization, and rapid manufacturing. This technology is highly compatible with the technical requirements of space-based manufacturing, and laser filament additive manufacturing, in particular, boasts advantages such as high energy density, small heat-affected zone, high forming precision, and easy material control, making it even more suitable for space-based manufacturing. The laser and optical lens assembly are key components of laser filament additive manufacturing technology, and the stability of their output energy directly affects the smooth progress of the additive manufacturing process. During printing under high vacuum conditions, substances such as metal vapor generated during metal additive manufacturing or other materials from the space environment can evaporate and deposit onto the optical lenses at the front end of the laser output head, causing laser output energy attenuation and even further damage to the laser. Space-based manufacturing faces extreme environments such as high vacuum and extreme temperatures, requiring printing equipment with high component integration and stable reliability. Considering the very close distance between the laser output head and the forming area, during the continuous laser output process of melting metal, the ion cloud or spatter generated by the metal evaporation will coat the laser output head lens with a layer of shielding material. Under these circumstances, the effective energy of the laser output will be greatly reduced, and the excess heat will heat the lens assembly and fiber optic connector, causing thermal ablation and further damaging the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an output head protective sleeve and a laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing. This solves the problem that existing laser filament additive manufacturing technology, under extreme environments of high vacuum and high and low temperatures, will cause ion clouds or sputtering from metal evaporation to coat the laser output head lens with a layer of shielding material, which will greatly reduce the effective energy of the laser output. The excess heat will heat the lens assembly and fiber optic connector, causing thermal ablation and further damaging the equipment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] The present invention provides an output head protective sleeve, comprising an output head protective sleeve body for protecting a laser output head, wherein a honeycomb structure is provided on the inner cavity sidewall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body, and an electromagnetic structure for generating a magnetic field is provided on the sidewall of the other end of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0007] Preferably, the outer wall of the honeycomb structure is wrapped with a cooling water channel, and the inlet and outlet of the cooling water channel are respectively connected to the cooling water inlet and cooling water outlet provided on the outer wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0008] Preferably, an air inlet nozzle is provided on the outer wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body, and the air inlet nozzle communicates with the conical cavity inside the protective sleeve of the output head protective sleeve body; the other end of the output head protective sleeve body is an air outlet.

[0009] Preferably, the diameter of the through hole of the air outlet is ≤ the diameter of the light spot on the plane + 0.2.

[0010] Preferably, the electromagnetic structure includes two symmetrically arranged conductive coils, with the currents in the two conductive coils flowing in opposite directions.

[0011] Preferably, the current of both guide coils is 1.5A.

[0012] Preferably, the output head protective sleeve body has a conical cylindrical structure.

[0013] A laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing includes a laser output head, on which the aforementioned output head protective sleeve body is mounted.

[0014] Preferably, the output head protective sleeve body and the laser output head are threadedly connected.

[0015] Preferably, the laser output head includes an output head body, and a plane mirror and a bushing are sequentially installed in the inner cavity of the output head body from the incident end to the emitting end.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] The present invention provides an output head protective sleeve, which uses an electromagnetic device to interfere with the trajectory of metal vapor entering the inner cavity, causing its trajectory to deflect onto the inner wall of the output head protective sleeve body. Since the output head protective sleeve body is provided with a honeycomb structure, the metal vapor can be adsorbed within the honeycomb structure, avoiding continuous refraction of the metal vapor and thus preventing the metal vapor from accumulating around the lens, thereby preventing the formation of a coating on the lens.

[0018] Furthermore, the cooling water channels allow the metal vapor to cool and condense rapidly on the inner wall of the output head protective sleeve.

[0019] Furthermore, the air intake nozzle, conical inner cavity, and air outlet form an air intake channel, and the diameter of the air outlet is smaller than the diameter of the light spot plane, which can block and reverse the bombardment so that some metal vapor cannot enter the inner cavity of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0020] Furthermore, the two conductive coils with opposite current directions can generate a magnetic field in the inner cavity of the output head protective sleeve body. This magnetic field is used to interfere with the trajectory of the metal vapor entering the inner cavity, causing it to deflect onto the inner wall of the cavity.

[0021] This invention provides a laser anti-vapor deposition system for metal additive manufacturing. By setting an output head protective sleeve body, the system interferes with the trajectory of metal vapor entering the cavity, causing its trajectory to deflect onto the inner wall of the output head protective sleeve body and cool and solidify it. This system can prevent metal vapor from accumulating around the lens, thereby preventing the formation of a coating on the lens. This structure can ensure that the laser output energy does not decay, making the entire forming process stable. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the system structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a comparison diagram of the diameter of the air outlet of the output head protective sleeve and the diameter of the light spot;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the honeycomb structure of the output head protective sleeve;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the current magnetic field structure.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of metal vapor being blocked;

[0028] Figure 7These are before-and-after comparison images of the laser output head lens in the anti-evaporation coating system.

[0029] Among them, 1. Laser output head, 1-1. Output head body, 1-2. Plane mirror, 1-2-1. Antireflective coating, 1-2-2. Evaporated layer, 1-3. Bushing, 2. Output head protective sleeve, 2-1. Air inlet nozzle, 2-2. Honeycomb structure, 2-3. Cooling water inlet, 2-4. Cooling water outlet, 2-5. Air outlet, 2-6. Conical cavity inside the protective sleeve, 2-5-1. Air outlet diameter, 2-5-2. Diameter of the spot on the plane, 3-. Conductive coil, 4. Metal vapor, 5. Molten pool, 6. Substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] This embodiment provides an output head protective sleeve, including a cone-shaped cylindrical structure for protecting a laser output head 1. A honeycomb structure is provided on the inner cavity sidewall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body, and two symmetrically arranged conductive coils 3 are provided on the sidewall of the other end of the output head protective sleeve body. The current directions of the two conductive coils are opposite, which are used to generate a magnetic field in the inner cavity of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0033] The electromagnetic device is used to interfere with the trajectory of the metal vapor entering the inner cavity, causing it to deflect onto the inner wall of the output head protective sleeve. Since the output head protective sleeve has a honeycomb structure, the metal vapor can be adsorbed within the honeycomb structure, preventing continuous refraction of the metal vapor and thus preventing the metal vapor from accumulating around the lens, thereby preventing the formation of a coating on the lens.

[0034] The current of both guide coils is 1.5A.

[0035] The outer wall of the honeycomb structure is wrapped with cooling water channels for rapid cooling and solidification of metal vapor. The inlet and outlet of the cooling water channels are respectively connected to the cooling water inlet 2-3 and cooling water outlet 2-4 provided on the outer wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0036] An air inlet nozzle 2-1 is provided on the outer wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body. The air inlet nozzle 2-1 communicates with the conical cavity 2-6 inside the protective sleeve of the output head protective sleeve body. The other end of the output head protective sleeve body is an air outlet, and the diameter of the through hole of the air outlet is ≤ the diameter of the light spot on the plane + 0.2. The gas can block and bombard in the opposite direction, preventing some metal vapor from entering the inner cavity of the output head protective sleeve body.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] like Figure 1-7 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a metal additive manufacturing laser anti-evaporation coating system. The system is applied to extreme environments of high vacuum and low temperature. Specifically, it includes a laser output head 1 installed on the laser output head 1, and the front end of the laser output head 1 is connected to the output head protective sleeve 2 by a thread.

[0039] The output head protective sleeve 2 is equipped with a conductive coil 3.

[0040] The laser output head 1 includes an output head body 1-1, and a plane mirror 1-2 and a bushing 1-3 are sequentially installed in the inner cavity of the output head body 1-1 from the incident end to the emitting end.

[0041] The output head protective sleeve 2 has a conical cylindrical structure, with its large end connected to the laser output head 1 and its small end close to the forming area.

[0042] An air inlet nozzle 2-1 is provided on the side wall of the large end of the output head protective sleeve, and the air inlet nozzle 2-1 communicates with the conical cavity 2-6 inside the protective sleeve of the output head protective sleeve 2.

[0043] The small end of the output head protective sleeve 2 is an air outlet 2-5, and the diameter d1 of the through hole of the air outlet 2-5 is less than or equal to the diameter d2+0.2 of the light spot on the plane.

[0044] The inner wall of the large end of the output head protective sleeve 2 is provided with a honeycomb structure, and the outer wall of the honeycomb structure is wrapped with cooling water channels arranged in a spiral structure.

[0045] The outer wall of the large end of the output head protective sleeve 2 is also provided with a cooling water inlet 2-3 and a cooling water outlet 2-4, wherein the cooling water inlet 2-3 and the cooling water outlet 2-4 are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the cooling water flow channel.

[0046] The cooling water inlet 2-3 and cooling water outlet 2-4 are respectively connected to the outlet and inlet of the external equipment.

[0047] Two conductive coils 3 are provided, and the two conductive coils 3 are symmetrically wound and fixed on the side wall of the output head protective sleeve 2.

[0048] The currents in the two conducting coils are in opposite directions.

[0049] The protective sleeve for the output head is made of silicon steel.

[0050] The working principle of this embodiment:

[0051] Gas with a set pressure is introduced into the internal cavity 2-6 of the protective sleeve through the air inlet nozzle 2-1 on the output head protective sleeve 2, and discharged through the air outlet 2-5;

[0052] When the laser output head 1 is turned on, a molten pool 5 is generated on the substrate 6. The molten pool 5 will then generate splashed metal vapor 4. The gas passing through the gas outlet 2-5 is blocked and bombarded in the opposite direction because the diameter of the gas outlet 2-5 is less than or equal to the diameter of the laser spot plane output by the laser output head 1. The smaller the area, the faster the flow velocity. This prevents some of the metal vapor 4 from entering the internal cavity 2-6. Some of the remaining metal vapor 4 that is not completely blocked escapes into the internal cavity 2-6 of the protective sleeve.

[0053] The conductive coils 3 wound on both sides of the output head protective sleeve 2 carry current. Since the direction of the current in the coils on both sides should be opposite, it is necessary to ensure that there is a corresponding magnetic field inside the protective sleeve. The current passing through the coils is about 1.5A, which can better deflect the metal vapor and allow the metal vapor 4 to enter the honeycomb structure 2-2 and solidify quickly.

[0054] The honeycomb structure allows the metal vapor 4 to be adsorbed within the honeycomb structure, preventing continuous refraction of the metal vapor 4 and thus preventing the metal vapor 4 from accumulating around the lens.

[0055] In this embodiment, the combined effect of gas and magnetic field prevents the metal vapor 4 generated in the molten pool 6 from being deposited onto the plane mirror 1-2 of the laser output head 1, thereby avoiding the formation of a coating 1-2-1 on the lens. This embodiment can ultimately ensure that the laser output energy does not decay, making the entire forming process run stably.

[0056] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An output head protective sleeve, characterized in that, The product includes an output head protective sleeve body for protecting the laser output head (1), wherein a honeycomb structure is provided on the inner cavity sidewall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body, and an electromagnetic structure for generating a magnetic field is provided on the sidewall of the other end of the output head protective sleeve body. The outer wall of the honeycomb structure is wrapped with cooling water channels. The inlet and outlet of the cooling water channels are respectively connected to the cooling water inlet (2-3) and cooling water outlet (2-4) provided on the outer wall of the output head protective sleeve body at one end. An air inlet nozzle (2-1) is provided on the outer wall of one end of the output head protective sleeve body. The air inlet nozzle (2-1) communicates with the conical cavity (2-6) inside the protective sleeve of the output head protective sleeve body. The other end of the output head protective sleeve body is an air outlet.

2. The output head protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the through hole of the air outlet is ≤ the diameter of the light spot on the plane + 0.

2.

3. The output head protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electromagnetic structure includes two symmetrically arranged conductive coils (3), with the currents in the two conductive coils flowing in opposite directions.

4. The output head protective sleeve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The current of both guide coils is 1.5A.

5. The output head protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output head protective sleeve body has a conical cylindrical structure.

6. A laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing, characterized in that, It includes a laser output head (1), on which the output head protective sleeve body as described in any one of claims 1-5 is installed.

7. A laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The output head protective sleeve body and the laser output head (1) are threaded together.

8. A laser anti-evaporation coating system for metal additive manufacturing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The laser output head (1) includes an output head body (1-1), and a plane mirror (1-2) and a bushing (1-3) are installed sequentially from the incident end to the emitting end in the inner cavity of the output head body (1-1).

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