An ultrasonic assisted powder layer formation machine

Abstract

This invention relates to powder metallurgy equipment, specifically an ultrasonic-assisted powder layering machine. It solves the problem of existing devices struggling to balance layering quality and efficiency, and enables high-quality and efficient layering of various powder materials, especially those with high viscosity, easy agglomeration, and difficulty in layering. The layering machine consists of three parts: a lifting mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and an ultrasonic mechanism. A handwheel connected to a lead screw drives a lifting platform fixed to the lead screw nut to move up and down. A motor fixed to a support has its output shaft connected to a turntable shaft, driving the rotation of a graphite mold on the turntable. Through adjustment of the ultrasonic generator, the amplitude transformer of the ultrasonic mechanism provides corresponding ultrasonic vibration to the connected spreading plate. The device is simple to operate, low in cost, and can prepare layered materials with uniform and thin layers, improving layering efficiency. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for organic solvents, reducing impurity introduction and pollution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to powder metallurgy equipment, specifically an ultrasonic-assisted powder layering machine, which solves the problem that existing layering technologies cannot simultaneously achieve layering quality and efficiency, enabling high-quality and efficient layering of a wide variety of powder materials, especially those that are highly viscous, prone to agglomeration, and difficult to layer. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the main layering processes for layered ceramic materials include: tape casting, slip casting, roll forming, electrophoretic deposition, dry powder layering pressing, and layup wheel paving.

[0003] These layering processes all have shortcomings. Casting introduces organic impurities during preparation, and the large shrinkage during drying results in poor density. Slip casting results in thicker layers, poor surface smoothness, long drying time, low layering efficiency, and lower density with residual impurities. Roll forming is complex with numerous steps, and impurities are easily introduced during preparation. Electrophoretic deposition requires chemical solvents for layering, and residual solvents can cause environmental harm; it also has relatively low layering efficiency and high cost. Dry powder layering pressing has poor stability and easily leads to uneven layer thickness. Furthermore, it is difficult to guarantee the flatness of the layer. In addition, Chinese invention patent CN106623910A discloses a micro-layered powder layup device, which uses a layup wheel to spread and form the powder. However, this device has high requirements for the particle size of the material and the dryness of the powder. During the layering process, highly viscous powder tends to stick to the layup wheel, affecting the flatness of the wheel bottom. Moreover, highly viscous and easily agglomerated powder tends to form larger particles that can overturn the already flat layer and even cause the materials between adjacent layers to mix, which is not conducive to the flatness of the layer material and the preparation of a blank with a small layer thickness. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the problem of existing devices struggling to balance layering quality and efficiency during the layering process, enabling high-quality and efficient layering of various powder materials, especially those with high viscosity, easy agglomeration, and difficulty in layering. An ultrasonic-assisted powder layering machine is designed, and two different structures are proposed regarding the direction of ultrasonic vibration assistance.

[0005] Based on this, the ultrasonic-assisted powder layering device involved in the present invention adopts the following scheme: it includes a base, on which a lifting mechanism and a rotating mechanism are provided; the lifting mechanism includes a column fixed on the base and a guide frame installed above the column, a lead screw is provided inside the guide frame, a handwheel extending out of the top of the guide frame is installed at the upper end of the lead screw, a vertical opening is opened on one side of the guide frame, a slider is fixed on the lead screw nut fitted with the lead screw, and a part of the slider is located outside the vertical opening, the part of the slider located outside the vertical opening is connected to a lifting platform, and an ultrasonic mechanism is connected to the lifting platform; The rotating mechanism includes a bracket mounted on the base and a motor fixed on the bracket. The motor output shaft is vertically upward and connected to a turntable shaft. The turntable shaft passes through the top of the bracket and is connected to the turntable. A pad is fixed above the turntable. The pad has a raised structure in the middle and a hollow cylindrical graphite mold with the same inner diameter as the raised structure is fitted on the raised structure. The ultrasonic mechanism is connected by a connecting rod to a laying plate that extends into the graphite mold and is coaxial with the graphite mold. One side of the laying plate is provided with a positioning piece with the same curvature as the inner diameter of the graphite mold for positioning during layering, so that the laying plate is in contact with the inner wall of the graphite mold and remains vertical.

[0006] The lifting mechanism, through the rotation of the handwheel and the cooperation of the lead screw and nut pair, drives the slider to rise and fall along the guide frame. The lifting platform is fixed on the slider and moves up and down with it. In the rotating mechanism, the motor can drive the graphite mold to rotate; the ultrasonic mechanism is used to generate mechanical vibration in the spreading plate.

[0007] During the layering process, mechanical vibration can promptly separate the accumulated powder, accelerate the layering speed, improve layering efficiency, and enable the powder to more effectively fill the voids, thereby increasing the material density. Mechanical vibration can also promptly remove powder adhering to the spreading plate, improve the flatness of the plate bottom, reduce the introduction of impurities in each layer, and at the same time, crush larger particle sizes and agglomerated powder, preventing these powders from scratching grooves or turning over the powder in the layer, thus damaging the already laid layers or even mixing the powder between layers. This makes the layering more uniform, reduces the requirements of the layering process on the powder, and enables the preparation of blanks with smaller layer thicknesses.

[0008] Furthermore, the ultrasonic mechanism has two arrangement options. In structure one, the ultrasonic mechanism vibrates parallel to the material plate, providing vertical vibration; in structure two, the ultrasonic mechanism vibrates perpendicular to the material plate, providing horizontal vibration.

[0009] The difference between Structure 2 and Structure 1 lies in the ultrasonic component: Structure 2 consists of an ultrasonic generator, transducer, and amplitude transformer. In Structure 1, the ultrasonic component vibrates parallel to the spreading plate, providing vertical vibration, which accelerates powder compaction and is suitable for relatively dry and loose powders. In Structure 2, the vibration direction is perpendicular to the spreading plate, providing horizontal vibration, which more effectively pulverizes powders and is suitable for powders with larger particle sizes or those prone to agglomeration. Therefore, a suitable vibration direction can be selected based on the characteristics of the powder to be layered, improving layering efficiency and quality, and enabling high-quality and efficient layering of various powder materials, especially those with high viscosity, easy agglomeration, and difficulty in layering.

[0010] The present invention has the following beneficial effects by applying ultrasound-assisted laminar flow: (1) The device has a relatively simple structure, is easy to operate and has low cost; (2) It can be applied to more types of ceramic materials, especially powders that are highly viscous, easy to agglomerate and difficult to form layers; (3) With the assistance of ultrasonic vibration, it can prepare layered ceramic materials with flat surfaces, uniform layer thickness and small layer thickness, and improve the layering efficiency; (4) No organic solvents need to be added during the layering process, which reduces the introduction of impurities and reduces environmental pollution. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic-assisted thrombectomy machine structure described in Structure 1 of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic-assisted stratification machine described in Structure 2 of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-section.

[0014] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-section.

[0015] Figure 5 for Figure 2 BB cross-sectional diagram.

[0016] In the diagram: 1-Handwheel, 2-Slider, 3-Lead screw nut, 4-Lead screw, 5-Guide frame, 6-Column, 7-Base, 8-Motor, 9-Bracket, 10-Ultrasonic generator, 11-Turntable shaft, 12-Turntable, 13-Padded block, 14-Graphite mold, 15-Paving plate, 16-Connecting rod, 17-Amplitude rod, 18-Transducer, 19-Lifting platform. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: like Figure 1 As shown, the structure of the laminator of the present invention comprises three parts: a lifting mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and an ultrasonic mechanism.

[0018] The lifting mechanism includes: a column 6 fixed on the base 7, a guide frame 5 fixed on the top of the column 6 by screws, a lead screw 4 inside the guide frame 5, a handwheel 1 mounted on the upper end of the lead screw 4, and a slider 2 fixed on the lead screw nut 3 fitted with the lead screw 4. By rotating the handwheel 1 and cooperating with the lead screw nut pair, the slider 2 is driven to rise and fall along the guide frame 5. The lifting platform 19 is fixed on the slider 2 and moves up and down with the slider 2.

[0019] The rotating mechanism includes: a bracket 9 is provided on the right side of the base 7, a motor 8 is fixed on the bracket 9, a turntable shaft 11 passes through the bracket 9, the turntable shaft 11 is connected to the output shaft of the motor, a turntable 12 is fixed on the turntable shaft 11, and a pad 13 is provided on the turntable 12 (connected by bolts), and a graphite mold 14 with the same inner diameter as the pad 13 is fitted on the outside of the pad 13.

[0020] The ultrasonic mechanism includes: a transducer 18 connected to an amplitude transformer 17 and fixed to a lifting platform 19 via an amplitude transformer flange; an ultrasonic generator 10, transducer 18, and amplitude transformer 17 constitute an ultrasonic component to provide mechanical vibration; a connecting rod 16 connected to the amplitude transformer 17; a laying plate 15 coaxial with the graphite mold 14 fixed to the connecting rod 16; a positioning piece with the same curvature as the inner diameter of the graphite mold 14 is provided on one side of the laying plate 15 for positioning during layering, so that the laying plate 15 is in contact with the inner wall of the graphite mold 14 and remains vertical. Figure 3 , 4 As can be seen, the positioning plate is closely attached to the inner wall of the graphite mold. At the same time, in order to achieve full coverage of the powder layer during rotation and layering, the diameter of the spreading plate 15 should be greater than half of the inner diameter of the graphite mold 14.

[0021] During operation, the material spreading plate 15 is adjusted to fit tightly against the inner wall of the graphite mold 14 according to the positioning piece on one side. The handwheel 1 is rotated according to the layer thickness, causing the lead screw nut 3 and the slider 2 fixed on the lead screw nut 3 to move up and down along the guide frame 5. This causes the lifting platform 19 fixed on the slider 2 to lift the material spreading plate 15 to the required height. Then, the calculated and weighed powder is poured into the graphite mold 14. The motor 8 drives the turntable shaft 11 and the turntable 12 to rotate, causing the pad 13 fixed on the turntable 12 and the graphite mold 14 to rotate. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic generator 10 transmits ultrasonic frequency oscillation signals to the transducer 1. 8. The transducer 18 converts the material into mechanical vibration, and transmits the mechanical vibration to the spreading plate 15 through the amplitude transformer 17 and the connecting rod 16. Through the rotation of the turntable 12 and the vibration of the spreading plate 15, the powder in the graphite mold 14 can be spread evenly. After the second layer is formed, the rotation and vibration are paused. According to the thickness of the second layer of powder, the handwheel 1 is rotated to drive the spreading plate 15 to the required height. Then, the calculated and weighed second layer of powder is poured into the graphite mold 14, the rotation and vibration are turned on, and the second layer of powder is formed. After the second layer is formed, the above operation is repeated to complete the preparation of the layered ceramic blank required by the design scheme.

[0022] Depend on Figure 2It can be seen that the difference between Structure 2 and Structure 1 is that the ultrasonic component is composed of ultrasonic generator 10, transducer 18 and amplitude transformer 17. In Structure 1, the vibration direction of the ultrasonic component is parallel to the spreading plate 15, providing vertical vibration, which can accelerate the compaction of powder and is suitable for relatively dry and loose powder. In Structure 2, the vibration direction is perpendicular to the spreading plate 15, providing horizontal vibration, which can more effectively crush powder and is suitable for powder with larger particle size or easy agglomeration.

[0023] Therefore, the appropriate vibration direction can be selected according to the characteristics of the powder to be layered, thereby improving the layering efficiency and quality, and realizing high-quality and efficient layering of a variety of powder materials, especially powder materials with high viscosity, easy agglomeration, and difficult layering.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic-assisted powder layering machine, comprising a base (7), characterized in that: The base (7) is provided with a lifting mechanism and a rotating mechanism; the lifting mechanism includes a column (6) fixed on the base (7) and a guide frame (5) installed above the column (6). The guide frame (5) is provided with a lead screw (4) inside. The upper end of the lead screw (4) is equipped with a handwheel (1) extending out of the top of the guide frame (5). A vertical opening is opened on one side of the guide frame (5). A slider (2) is fixed on the lead screw nut (3) fitted with the lead screw (4), and a part of the slider (2) is located outside the vertical opening. The part of the slider (2) located outside the vertical opening is connected to a lifting platform (19). An ultrasonic mechanism is connected to the lifting platform (19). The rotating mechanism includes a bracket (9) mounted on a base (7) and a motor (8) fixed on the bracket (9). The output shaft of the motor (8) is vertically upward and connected to a turntable shaft (11). The turntable shaft (11) passes through the top of the bracket (9) and is connected to a turntable (12). A pad (13) is fixed above the turntable (12). The pad (13) has a raised structure in the middle and a hollow cylindrical graphite mold (14) with the same inner diameter as the raised structure is fitted on the raised structure. The ultrasonic mechanism is connected by a connecting rod (16) to a laying plate (15) that extends into the graphite mold (14) and is coaxial with the graphite mold (14). The laying plate (15) has a positioning piece on one side with the same curvature as the inner diameter of the graphite mold (14) for positioning during the laying process, so that the laying plate (15) is attached to the inner wall of the graphite mold (14) and remains vertical. The ultrasonic mechanism vibrates in a direction parallel to the material plate (15), providing vertical vibration; or, the ultrasonic mechanism vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the material plate (15), providing horizontal vibration. The ultrasonic mechanism consists of an ultrasonic generator (10), a transducer (18) and an amplitude transformer (17); the transducer (18) is connected to the amplitude transformer (17) and fixed on the lifting platform (19) through the amplitude transformer flange; one end of the connecting rod (16) is connected to the amplitude transformer (17) and the other end is connected to the material spreading plate (15); The diameter of the spreading plate (15) is greater than half the inner diameter of the graphite mold (14).

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