A circuit printing system and method based on 3D printing surface pathing ironing

Abstract

A circuit printing system and method based on 3D printing surface pathing ironing, comprising an external industrial computer for controlling the coordinated work between modules, a multi-nozzle switching module for switching different process nozzles, a printing process module for regulating the associated nozzle, a nozzle module for realizing the printing requirements of each target structure, and a mechanical movement module for carrying the nozzle module to move according to the design path; the process module comprises a FFF process controller, a temperature controller and a gas pressure controller, and the nozzle module comprises a FFF support structure printing nozzle, an ironing nozzle and a circuit printing nozzle; the present application selectively improves the surface quality of 3D printed parts, produces ironing channels while reducing their roughness, reduces the adverse effects of gullies caused by filament stacking on circuit printing, and thus improves the accuracy and stability of subsequent circuit printing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and more specifically to a circuit printing system and method based on 3D printing surface path shaping ironing. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, 3D printing technology has developed rapidly, with fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology being particularly prominent. It provides a reliable platform for the integrated printing of multiple materials. High-precision conductive material circuit composite printing based on FFF support structures can achieve the integrated manufacturing of support structures and functional circuits, showing great promise in application fields such as microelectronics, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering.

[0003] Traditional FFF printing technology (Tang Tongming, Zhang Zheng, Deng Jiawen, et al. Research status and development trend of FDM-based 3D printing technology [J]. New Chemical Materials, 2015, 43(06):228-230+234) constructs a three-dimensional entity by heating filamentary material from the nozzle to a molten state and then depositing it layer by layer along a predetermined trajectory. This "layer-by-layer" manufacturing method results in obvious step effects on the surface of parts formed from high-performance polymer materials (PEEK, ABS, PETG, PP, PEI, PA, etc.), affecting the surface smoothness of the 3D printed structure. As a result, it is difficult to stably manufacture high-precision circuits directly on the FFF printed surface, which cannot meet the manufacturing requirements of supporting conductive composite structures and greatly restricts the development of integrated 3D composite printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a circuit printing system and method based on 3D printing surface path ironing, which selectively improves the surface quality of 3D printed parts, generates ironing channels while reducing their roughness, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of subsequent circuit printing.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0006] A circuit printing system based on 3D printing surface path shaping ironing includes:

[0007] External industrial computer 1: Used to control the coordinated operation between various modules;

[0008] Multi-nozzle switching module 2: Used for switching between nozzles for different processes;

[0009] Process module 3: Used to control the printing process of associated printheads;

[0010] Printhead module 4: Used to meet the printing requirements of various target structures;

[0011] Mechanical motion module 5: Used to carry the nozzle module 4 and move it according to the designed path.

[0012] The process module 3 includes an FFF process controller 301, a temperature controller 302, and a pressure controller 303.

[0013] The printhead module 4 includes an FFF support structure printing printhead 401, an ironing printhead 402, and a circuit printing printhead 403.

[0014] The external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to the FFF process controller 301, which is connected to the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 to realize the 3D printing of the support structure of the molten filament.

[0015] The external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to the temperature controller 302, and the temperature controller 302 is connected to the ironing nozzle 402 to realize path-based ironing based on the 3D printed structural surface.

[0016] The external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to the pneumatic controller 303, which is connected to the circuit printing nozzle 403. The pneumatic extrusion circuit printing material is used to achieve the printing of fine circuit structures.

[0017] The external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to the multi-nozzle switching module 2, which is equipped with a nozzle module 4 to enable on-demand switching of different nozzles.

[0018] The multi-nozzle switching module 2 includes: a pneumatic slide 201, which is used to drive the ironing nozzle 402 to move up and down; and a pneumatic slide 202, which is used to drive the circuit printing nozzle 403 to move up and down.

[0019] The mechanical motion module 5 includes a printing platform 501 and a motion robotic arm 502; the motion robotic arm 502 is a six-axis multi-joint robot, a four-axis joint robot, a planar robot, or a gantry-type Cartesian coordinate module.

[0020] The ironing nozzle 402 contains a high-temperature heating rod 4021 for heating the ironing nozzle 402; the lower part of the ironing nozzle 402 is equipped with an ironing needle 4022 for transferring heat to the surface of the 3D printed structure to achieve ironing; the ironing needle 4022 can be cylindrical, spherical, conical, or frustum-shaped to achieve different path ironing effects.

[0021] The ironing nozzle 402 can be replaced by a laser as an equivalent device to achieve contactless heat transfer and path-based ironing.

[0022] A method for circuit printing using a 3D printing surface path-based ironing system includes the following steps:

[0023] Step 1: Complete the printing path planning and parameter setting for different processes on the external industrial control computer 1;

[0024] Step 2: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated, and the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 is positioned at the printing position;

[0025] Step 3: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the FFF process controller 301 to print the support structure 6;

[0026] Step 4: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated, and the ironing nozzle 402 is positioned at the printing position;

[0027] Step 5: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the temperature controller 302 to perform path ironing. During this process, the ironing nozzle 402 moves according to the pre-set circuit structure printing trajectory to form ironing grooves 7 on the subsequent circuit printing path.

[0028] Step 6: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated, and the circuit printing nozzle 403 is positioned at the printing position;

[0029] Step 7: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the air pressure controller 303 to print the circuit structure 8. During this process, the circuit printing nozzle 403 moves according to the preset circuit structure printing trajectory and deposits conductive material into the ironing groove 7.

[0030] Step 8: The program finishes running, all modules stop working, and the integrated 3D printing is complete.

[0031] The ironing process parameters for the ironing nozzle path include ironing temperature, ironing contact distance, and ironing speed.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0033] 1. The present invention proposes a circuit printing system based on 3D printing surface path ironing. Through an external industrial control computer, a multi-nozzle switching module, a process module, a nozzle module, and a mechanical motion module, it can realize the integrated printing of circuit support structures and fine surface circuits. It can also be combined with a multi-degree-of-freedom or large-size motion platform to realize the printing of fine circuit structures on large-size planar / complex curved surface supports.

[0034] 2. The present invention proposes a circuit printing ironing method based on 3D printing surface path ironing. By hot ironing the area to be printed with the circuit, the substrate for fine circuit printing can be smoothed. Compared with printing fine circuits directly on the 3D printing surface, this method can effectively reduce the adverse effects of grooves caused by filament stacking on fine circuit printing, and ensure the morphological stability and electrical performance stability of the circuit printed on the FFF printing substrate.

[0035] 3. The circuit printing ironing method based on 3D printing surface path ironing proposed in this invention can selectively eliminate the problem of low surface smoothness of the molded parts caused by the "layer-by-layer stacking" forming principle of fused filament fabrication (FFF). Compared with the traditional method of ironing the entire surface, it is more efficient. While improving the surface smoothness of the printed support structure, it also generates ironing grooves. Based on this, the surface of the manufactured finely embedded circuit is beneficial to improving the adhesion with the printing substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the circuit printing system of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the circuit printing system of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the printhead module of the circuit printing system of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ironing nozzle of the circuit printing system of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the circuit printing method of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the circuit printing method of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a real-world image showing the 3D printed surface path ironing effect according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 8 These are comparison images of actual circuit printing effects based on 3D printing surface path ironing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0046] Reference Figures 1-3 A circuit printing system based on 3D printing surface path shaping ironing, comprising:

[0047] External industrial computer 1: Used to control the coordinated operation between various modules;

[0048] Multi-nozzle switching module 2: Used for switching between nozzles for different processes;

[0049] Process module 3: Used to control the printing process of associated printheads;

[0050] Printhead Module 4: Printhead Module 4 is used to meet the printing requirements of various target structures;

[0051] Mechanical motion module 5 is used to carry nozzle module 4 and move it according to the designed path;

[0052] The above modules together constitute a 3D printing surface path ironing circuit printing system to implement the 3D printing surface path ironing circuit printing method.

[0053] The process module 3 includes an FFF process controller 301, a temperature controller 302, and a pressure controller 303;

[0054] The printhead module 4 includes an FFF support structure printing printhead 401, an ironing printhead 402, and a circuit printing printhead 403;

[0055] An external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to an FFF process controller 301. The FFF process controller 301 is connected to an FFF support structure printing nozzle 401. The FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 contains heating terminals to melt the printing material and, in conjunction with the filament extruder in the FFF process controller 301, extrude the printing material to achieve FFF support structure printing. The relevant process parameters used to control FFF printing mainly include printing temperature, heated bed temperature, and extruder feed rate.

[0056] An external industrial computer 1 is electrically connected to a temperature controller 302, which is connected to an ironing nozzle 402 to control the ironing temperature to achieve path-based ironing on the surface of the 3D printed structure. The ironing temperature setting varies slightly depending on the material, and the ironing temperature should be 10℃~100℃ higher than the melting point of the printing material.

[0057] An external industrial computer 1 is electrically connected to a pneumatic controller 303. The pneumatic controller 303 is connected to a circuit printing nozzle 403 and is used to control the air pressure parameters during circuit extrusion printing. Finally, the circuit printing material is extruded to achieve the printing of fine circuit structures. The pressure range of the air pressure extrusion in the pneumatic controller 303 is 10 to 800 kPa.

[0058] An external industrial control computer 1 is electrically connected to a multi-printer switching module 2. The multi-printer switching module 2 is equipped with a printer module 4. The multi-printer switching module 2 can be a pneumatic slider switch, a lead screw lifting switch, or a rotary switch, etc. In this embodiment, a pneumatic slider switch is used to achieve on-demand switching between different printing printers; see reference... Figure 3 The multi-nozzle switching module 2 includes: a pneumatic slide table 1 201 and a pneumatic slide table 202. The pneumatic slide table 1 201 is used to drive the ironing nozzle 402 to move up and down, and the pneumatic slide table 202 is used to drive the circuit printing nozzle 403 to move up and down. Since the system has multiple nozzles and operates continuously / switching according to process requirements, the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 is located in the printing position by default. When it is necessary to switch processes, the pneumatic slide table is used to control the switching and extension of the nozzles to avoid structural position interference during printing.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 The mechanical motion module 5 includes a printing platform 501 and a motion robotic arm 502; the motion robotic arm 502 can be replaced by a six-axis multi-joint robot, a four-axis joint robot, a planar robot, or a gantry-type Cartesian coordinate module.

[0060] Reference Figure 4 The ironing nozzle 402 contains a high-temperature heating rod 4021 for heating the ironing nozzle 402; the lower part of the ironing nozzle 402 is equipped with an ironing needle 4022 for transferring heat to the surface of the 3D printed structure to achieve ironing; the ironing needle 4022 can be cylindrical, spherical, conical, or frustum-shaped, and by changing the shape of the ironing needle 4022, its contact state with the support structure can be changed to achieve different path-based ironing effects.

[0061] The ironing nozzle 402 can use a laser as an equivalent replacement. The laser wavelength range can be selected from 100nm to 1600nm in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared light bands to match the specific absorption wavelength of different support structure materials. The laser uses continuous laser or pulsed laser to selectively heat treat the surface of the support structure to achieve non-contact heat transfer and path-based ironing.

[0062] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 A method for circuit printing using a 3D printing surface path-based ironing system includes the following steps:

[0063] Step 1: The printing path planning and parameter settings for different processes are completed on the external industrial control computer 1. In this embodiment, the printing substrate, i.e., the support structure 6, is first set to a planar square substrate, the FFF printing temperature of the selected PEEK material is set to 420℃, and the printing speed is 30mm / s. Secondly, the ironing trajectory is set to a straight line segment, the ironing temperature is set to 450℃, the ironing contact distance is set to 0.1mm, and the ironing speed is set to 2mm / s. Finally, the circuit printing trajectory is set to a straight line segment, the extrusion air pressure is set to 300KPa, and the circuit printing speed is set to 2mm / s.

[0064] Step 2: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated, and the pneumatic slide 1 201 and pneumatic slide 2 202 rise. The FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 is located in the printing position. At this time, the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 is located at the lowest point of the multi-nozzle switching module 2, completing the switching of the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401.

[0065] Step 3: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the FFF process controller 301, and the motion robotic arm 502 drives the FFF support structure printing nozzle 401 to move, and print the set support structure 6 on the printing platform 501.

[0066] Step 4: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated. Pneumatic slide 1 201 descends and pneumatic slide 2 202 rises. The ironing nozzle 402 is located at the printing position. At this time, the ironing nozzle 402 is located at the lowest point of the multi-nozzle switching module 2, and the switching of the ironing nozzle 402 is completed.

[0067] Step 5: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the temperature controller 302, heating the ironing nozzle 402 to the set temperature. The motion robotic arm 502 drives the ironing nozzle 402 to move and perform path ironing. During this process, the ironing nozzle 402 moves according to the pre-set circuit structure printing trajectory, accurately forming ironing grooves 7 on the subsequent circuit printing path, improving the flatness of the 3D printed surface on the subsequent circuit printing path.

[0068] Step 6: The multi-nozzle switching module 2 is activated, the pneumatic slide 1 201 rises, the pneumatic slide 2 202 falls, and the circuit printing nozzle 403 is in the printing position. At this time, the circuit printing nozzle 403 is at the lowest point of the multi-nozzle switching module 2, completing the switching of the circuit printing nozzle 403.

[0069] Step 7: The mechanical motion module 5 responds to the air pressure controller 303 and pressurizes to the set extrusion air pressure. The motion robotic arm 502 drives the circuit printing nozzle 403 to move and print the circuit structure 8. During this process, the circuit printing nozzle 403 moves according to the preset circuit structure printing trajectory, accurately depositing conductive material in the ironing groove 7, thereby improving the printing quality of fine circuits.

[0070] Step 8: The program finishes running, all modules stop working, and the robotic arm 502 drives the multi-nozzle switching module 2 back to the printing start position, thus completing the integrated 3D printing.

[0071] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 7 The image shown is a physical representation of the 3D printing surface path-based ironing effect in this embodiment. It can be seen that path-based ironing was achieved on the surface of the PEEK material. After path-based ironing, a uniform ironing groove 7 was generated on the surface of the PEEK support structure 6. The ironing groove 7 has a certain depth compared to the surface of the support structure 6 and is not affected by the surface quality of the PEEK support structure 6. This is beneficial to the subsequent fine printing of the circuit structure 8, which enhances the adhesion and improves the uniformity of the morphology.

[0072] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a comparison of the circuit printing effect based on 3D printing surface path ironing in this embodiment. Compared with the fine circuit printed on the surface of the support structure 6 without surface path ironing, the circuit structure 8 manufactured by the method of this invention is accurately deposited in the ironing grooves 7. According to the measurement, the average linewidth of the path ironed circuit structure 8 is 302±17μm and the unit resistance is 1.03Ω / cm, both of which are better than the average linewidth of 306±127μm and the unit resistance of 1.36Ω / cm of the surface directly printed circuit.

[0073] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention 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 therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A circuit printing system based on 3D printing surface path ironing, characterized in that, include: External industrial control computer (1): used to control the coordinated operation between various modules; Multi-nozzle switching module (2): used for switching between different process nozzles; Process module (3): Used to control the printing process of associated printheads; Printhead module (4): Used to meet the printing requirements of various target structures; Mechanical motion module (5): used to carry the multi-nozzle switching module (2) and the nozzle module (4) to move according to the design path; The process module (3) includes an FFF process controller (301), a temperature controller (302), and a pressure controller (303). The printhead module (4) includes an FFF support structure printing printhead (401), an ironing printhead (402), and a circuit printing printhead (403). The external industrial control computer (1) is electrically connected to the multi-nozzle switching module (2), and the multi-nozzle switching module (2) is equipped with a nozzle module (4) to realize the on-demand switching of different nozzles; The multi-nozzle switching module (2) includes: a pneumatic slide table one (201), which is used to drive the ironing nozzle (402) to move up and down; and a pneumatic slide table two (202), which is used to drive the circuit printing nozzle (403) to move up and down. The mechanical motion module (5) includes a printing platform (501) and a robotic arm (502); the robotic arm (502) is a six-axis multi-joint robot, a four-axis joint robot, a planar robot, or a gantry-type Cartesian coordinate module. The ironing nozzle (402) contains a high-temperature heating rod (4021) for heating the ironing nozzle (402); the lower part of the ironing nozzle (402) is equipped with an ironing needle (4022) for transferring heat to the surface of the 3D printed structure to achieve ironing; the ironing needle (4022) is cylindrical, spherical, conical, or frustum-shaped to achieve different path ironing effects.

2. The circuit printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external industrial control computer (1) is electrically connected to the FFF process controller (301), and the FFF process controller (301) is connected to the FFF support structure printing nozzle (401) to realize the 3D printing of the support structure of the molten filament; The external industrial computer (1) is electrically connected to the temperature controller (302), and the temperature controller (302) is connected to the ironing nozzle (402) to realize path-based ironing based on the surface of the 3D printed structure. The external industrial control computer (1) is electrically connected to the pneumatic controller (303), and the pneumatic controller (303) is connected to the circuit printing nozzle (403) to pneumatically extrude circuit printing material to achieve the printing of fine circuit structures.

3. The circuit printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ironing nozzle (402) can be replaced by a laser as an equivalent to achieve non-contact heat transfer and path-based ironing.

4. The method using the circuit printing system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Complete the printing path planning and parameter setting for different processes on an external industrial computer (1); Step 2, the multi-nozzle switching module (2) is activated, and the FFF support structure printing nozzle (401) is positioned at the printing position; Step 3: The mechanical motion module (5) responds to the FFF process controller (301) to print the support structure (6); Step 4, the multi-nozzle switching module (2) is activated, and the ironing nozzle (402) is positioned at the printing position; Step 5, the mechanical motion module (5) responds to the temperature controller (302) to perform path ironing. During this process, the ironing nozzle (402) moves according to the pre-set circuit structure printing trajectory to form ironing grooves (7) on the subsequent circuit printing path. Step 6, the multi-nozzle switching module (2) is activated, and the circuit printing nozzle (403) is positioned at the printing position; Step 7, the mechanical motion module (5) responds to the air pressure controller (303) to print the circuit structure (8). During this process, the circuit printing nozzle (403) moves according to the pre-set circuit structure printing trajectory and deposits conductive material into the ironing groove (7). Step 8: The program finishes running, all modules stop working, and the integrated 3D printing is complete.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ironing process parameters for the ironing nozzle path include ironing temperature, ironing contact distance, and ironing speed.

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