An additive manufacturing composite configuration laser ceramic forming apparatus and forming method

Abstract

This invention provides an additive manufacturing equipment and method for forming composite laser ceramics. The additive manufacturing equipment for forming composite laser ceramics includes: a ceramic forming device, a forming mold assembly, and a powder placement system. The forming mold assembly is assembled in the ceramic forming device, and the powder placement system is also assembled in the ceramic forming device. The forming mold assembly is used to form composite laser ceramics and includes an upper pressure block, a lower pressure block, and a middle forming cavity mold. The powder placement system includes a three-dimensional motion module platform and a multi-material partitioned placement structure. This additive manufacturing equipment for forming composite laser ceramics overcomes the limitations of traditional single-crystal preparation in terms of size and configuration, enabling composite forming with different substrate materials, different doped materials, or different doping concentrations. It also overcomes the limitations of gain medium configuration or size, achieving free and controllable distribution of doped materials and concentrations in laser ceramics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of multi-material additive manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment and forming method. Background Technology

[0002] High-energy lasers, with their numerous advantages, can play a vital role in both civilian and military applications. In civilian applications, high-energy lasers have found significant use in urban and airport low-altitude laser obstacle clearance and the welding and cutting of thick metal plates. In low-altitude laser obstacle clearance, especially in airport areas, the presence of drones, fixed-wing aircraft, hot air balloons, airships, and other aircraft in the flight path during aircraft takeoff and landing can interfere with operations and even cause collisions, necessitating the identification and handling of such aircraft. In the field of laser processing, with the rapid development of shipbuilding, nuclear power, and other sectors, higher demands are being placed on the welding and cutting of thick metal plates. High-power laser welding at the 10,000-watt level has become one of the most popular and cutting-edge welding technologies internationally. Utilizing the ultra-high power density of 10,000-watt lasers can greatly improve welding efficiency, which has significant scientific and application value for solving the problem of high-quality and efficient processing of thick metal plates in domestic naval vessels and other fields. In the military field, high-energy lasers can be used to launch attacks using high-energy beams, representing a new concept in weaponry. High-energy lasers have advantages such as concentrated energy, long transmission distance, high precision, fast response speed, strong resistance to electromagnetic interference, and high cost-effectiveness.

[0003] All-solid-state lasers, due to their compact structure, small size, high reliability, ease of maintenance, modularity, and versatility, can improve the mobility and reliability of laser systems, making them a key focus in the development of high-energy lasers. Traditional all-solid-state lasers typically use rare-earth-doped laser single crystals as the gain medium. With the development of high-energy lasers, the requirements for the size and performance of the gain medium have gradually increased. However, the size of the crystal is limited by the growth equipment and mechanism. With the growth of large-size crystals, problems such as crystal color centers intensify, severely affecting the crystal quality. Simultaneously, during high-power pumping, the temperature gradient within the laser crystal causes thermal lensing and thermally induced birefringence, affecting the laser beam quality and limiting its output power.

[0004] Therefore, research in the field of high-energy lasers focuses on improving the thermal performance of laser gain media configurations. By designing the internal structure of the media, controlling and optimizing the heat generation distribution within the gain media, the thermal effect of the media can be suppressed at its source, thereby improving laser output capability. However, current growth methods and equipment for gain media can only achieve the fabrication of simple composite gain media through bonding. While this can improve laser output capability to some extent, as the output power increases, the size of the gain media and the bonding surface also increase, resulting in long processing cycles, high processing costs, and prominent issues such as bonding interface thermal effects and large-area bonding defects, limiting the laser output power. Furthermore, bonding technology cannot be used to develop gain media with complex configurations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the limitation of traditional laser medium fabrication techniques in fabricating complex gain media configurations, this invention proposes an additive manufacturing equipment for forming composite laser ceramics. Combined with a designed multi-material partitioned placement structure, it allows for the design and fabrication of complex laser ceramic configurations, such as surface gain, planar waveguides, and co-doped composites, based on the absorption of pump light by different doping materials and concentrations. This overcomes the limitations of gain medium configuration or size, enabling free and controllable distribution of doping materials and concentrations in laser ceramics. It leverages the designability of laser ceramic structure and function, effectively suppressing thermal effects under high-energy pumping and improving the output capability of a single gain medium module. This fundamentally solves the current situation where the development of high-energy solid-state laser technology is constrained by the limitations of gain media.

[0006] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related technologies. To this end, this invention provides an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, comprising: a ceramic forming device, a forming mold assembly, and a powder placement system; the forming mold assembly is assembled in the ceramic forming device, and the powder placement system is assembled in the ceramic forming device; the forming mold assembly is used to form composite laser ceramics, and the forming mold assembly includes an upper pressure block, a lower pressure block, and a middle forming cavity mold; the powder placement system includes a three-dimensional motion module platform and a multi-material partitioned placement structure; the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment adjusts the size, pressure, operating mode, and operating accuracy of the ceramic forming device according to the maximum size of the composite laser ceramic.

[0007] The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment of the present invention has the following advantages: it breaks through the limitations of traditional single crystal preparation in terms of size and configuration, and can realize composite forming of different substrate materials, different doped materials or different doping concentrations. It breaks through the limitations of gain medium configuration or size, and realizes the free and controllable distribution of laser ceramic doped materials and concentrations, giving full play to the advantages of laser ceramic structure and function design. Under high-energy pumping, it effectively suppresses thermal effects and improves the single-module output capability of gain medium.

[0008] Optionally, the ceramic forming device provides power for composite configuration laser ceramic forming. The ceramic forming device includes a control cabinet, a hydraulic device, an upper cylinder, a lower cylinder, an upper table, a lower table, a worktable, and a grating ruler. The hydraulic device is connected to both the upper and lower cylinders. The upper cylinder is connected to the upper table, and the lower cylinder is connected to the lower table. The worktable is located between the upper and lower tables. The control cabinet controls the start and stop of the ceramic forming device and controls the pumping of hydraulic oil into and out of the upper and lower cylinders by the hydraulic device, thereby driving the upper and lower tables to move.

[0009] Optionally, the hydraulic device is a bidirectional servo hydraulic press; the running speed and distance of the upper and lower platforms are read by the grating ruler, and the positional accuracy of the upper and lower platforms is controlled through closed-loop feedback.

[0010] Optionally, the worktable is fixed and provides an installation platform for the molding die assembly and the powder placement system; the powder placement system is installed on the worktable and is used to place ceramic powders doped with different concentrations of rare earth ions.

[0011] Optionally, the dimensions of the upper and lower pressure blocks are designed and processed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic; the dimensions of the middle forming cavity mold are designed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic, and the form and position tolerances of the upper and lower pressure blocks are designed; the structure of the middle forming cavity mold is designed according to the required configuration of the composite laser ceramic, so as to satisfy the powder placement system to place powder in the middle forming cavity mold according to the configuration of the composite laser ceramic.

[0012] Optionally, the upper pressure block is installed on the upper platform, the lower pressure block is installed on the lower platform, and the middle forming cavity mold is installed on the worktable; the forming mold assembly is installed by pin positioning and bolt fastening to meet the requirements of forming composite laser ceramics with different structures and sizes.

[0013] Optionally, the lower end pressure block can move downward to form a composite laser ceramic forming cavity of a predetermined height with the middle forming cavity mold, so that the powder placement system can place powder.

[0014] Optionally, the three-dimensional motion module platform includes two parallel X-direction modules, one Y-direction module, and one Z-direction module. The X-direction module is mounted on the worktable, the Y-direction module is mounted on the X-direction module, and the Z-direction module is mounted on the Y-direction module. The stroke of the X-direction module, Y-direction module, and Z-direction module is determined according to the maximum size of the required composite laser ceramic.

[0015] Optionally, the movements of the X-direction module, Y-direction module, and Z-direction module are all controlled by servo motors; the controllers of the servo motors are integrated in the control cabinet.

[0016] Optionally, the multi-material partitioned placement structure is installed on the Z-direction module, and the three-dimensional motion module platform drives the multi-material partitioned placement structure to the position of the composite configuration laser ceramic forming cavity for powder placement.

[0017] Optionally, the multi-material partitioned laying structure includes one or more nozzles, each nozzle storing rare earth ion ceramic powder with a predetermined doping concentration, and the laying of rare earth ion ceramic powder with different concentrations of doping is achieved by multiple nozzles.

[0018] Optionally, the multiple nozzles are designed to be movable, and the nozzles can be freely selected according to the configuration requirements of the laser ceramic. One or more nozzles can be selected to complete the placement of ceramic powder, so as to achieve free and controllable distribution of doped materials and concentration in the laser ceramic.

[0019] Optionally, the nozzle has at least two powder inlets and a mixing device inside the nozzle, which injects ceramic powders with different substrates, concentrations, or ion doping as needed and achieves online uniform mixing, thereby realizing the laying of rare earth ion ceramic powders with gradually varying doping concentrations.

[0020] This invention also provides a forming method for an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming device, comprising the following steps:

[0021] After the powder placement system completes the predetermined powder placement, the control cabinet is operated to control the movement of the upper platform. When the upper platform moves downward, the upper and lower pressure blocks press the composite laser ceramic powder placed in the middle forming cavity mold to perform composite laser ceramic pressing and forming. When the forming work is completed, the upper platform moves upward, and the upper pressure block disengages from the middle forming cavity mold.

[0022] Optionally, the pressing pressure application method for the composite configuration laser ceramic pressing forming operation includes the following three methods: the upper pressing block applies pressure, the lower pressing block applies pressure, and the upper and lower pressing blocks apply pressure together.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment without a powder placement system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a molding die assembly installed in a ceramic molding device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a powder placement system installed on a ceramic forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-material partitioned laying structure in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure label:

[0032] 1 is a ceramic forming device, 1-1 is a control cabinet, 1-2 is a hydraulic device, 1-3 is a lower oil cylinder, 1-4 is a lower table, 1-5 is a worktable, 1-6 is an upper table, 1-7 is an upper oil cylinder, 1-8 is an upper table grating ruler, and 1-9 is a lower table grating ruler.

[0033] 2 is the molding die assembly, 2-1 is the bolt, 2-2 is the upper pressure block, 2-3 is the middle molding cavity die, and 2-4 is the lower pressure block.

[0034] 3 is the powder placement system, 3-1 is the X-direction module, 3-2 is the Y-direction module, 3-3 is the Z-direction module, 3-4 is the X-direction servo motor, 3-5 is the multi-material partitioned placement structure, 3-6 is the Y-direction servo motor, and 3-7 is the Z-direction servo motor.

[0035] 4 is the nozzle, 5 is the forming surface, 6 is the powder addition port, and 7 is the mixing device. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are merely illustrative and explanatory of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All technologies implemented based on the above content of the present invention are covered within the scope of protection intended by the present invention.

[0037] Addressing the limitations of traditional single-crystal growth equipment and mechanisms, this embodiment provides an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming device. This device enables the composite forming of different substrate materials, different doped materials, or different doping concentrations, overcoming the limitations of gain medium configuration or size. It allows for free and controllable distribution of doped materials and concentrations in laser ceramics, leveraging the designable structure and function of laser ceramics and providing a new method for the development of laser gain media. Under high-energy pumping, it effectively suppresses thermal effects and improves the output capability of a single gain medium module.

[0038] This embodiment provides an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, including a ceramic forming device, a forming mold assembly, and a powder placement system. After determining the maximum size of the required composite laser ceramic, the size and pressure of the ceramic forming device can be designed. Similarly, after determining the required composite laser ceramic configuration, the operating mode and accuracy of the ceramic forming device can be designed. The forming mold assembly is assembled within the ceramic forming device, and the powder placement system is also assembled within the ceramic forming device. The powder placement system is located within the forming mold assembly. The forming mold assembly consists of an upper pressure block, a lower pressure block, and a central forming cavity mold. The powder placement system consists of a three-dimensional motion module platform and a multi-material partitioned placement structure. The nozzles in the multi-material partitioned placement structure can inject ceramic powders with different substrates, concentrations, or ion doping levels, achieving gradient or progressively doped rare-earth ion ceramic powder placement.

[0039] See Figures 1-4 In some embodiments, the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment includes: a ceramic forming device 1, a forming mold assembly 2, and a powder placement system 3; the forming mold assembly 2 is assembled in the ceramic forming device 1, and the powder placement system 3 is assembled in the ceramic forming device 1; the forming mold assembly 2 is used to form composite laser ceramics, and the forming mold assembly 2 includes an upper pressure block 2-2, a lower pressure block 2-4, and a middle forming cavity mold 2-3; the powder placement system 3 includes a three-dimensional motion module platform and a multi-material partitioned placement structure 3-5; the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment adjusts the size and pressure of the ceramic forming device, the operating mode, and the operating accuracy according to the maximum size of the composite laser ceramic.

[0040] The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment described in the above embodiments has the following advantages: it breaks through the limitations of traditional single crystal preparation size and configuration, and can realize composite forming of different substrate materials, different doped materials or different doping concentrations. It breaks through the limitations of gain medium configuration or size, and realizes the free and controllable distribution of laser ceramic doped materials and concentrations, giving full play to the advantages of laser ceramic structure and function design. Under high-energy pumping, it effectively suppresses thermal effects and improves the single-module output capability of gain medium.

[0041] Specifically, the ceramic forming device 1 provides power for the laser ceramic forming of composite configurations, see [reference]. Figure 2 The ceramic forming device 1 includes a control cabinet 1-1, a hydraulic device 1-2, an upper cylinder 1-7, a lower cylinder 1-3, an upper table 1-6, a lower table 1-4, a worktable 1-5, and a grating ruler; the grating ruler includes an upper table grating ruler 1-8 and a lower table grating ruler 1-9. The hydraulic device 1-2 is connected to both the upper cylinder 1-3 and the lower cylinder 1-4. The upper cylinder 1-3 is connected to the upper table 1-6, and the lower cylinder 1-4 is connected to the lower table 1-4. The worktable 1-5 is located between the upper table 1-6 and the lower table 1-4. The control cabinet 1-1 controls the start and stop of the ceramic forming device and controls the pumping of hydraulic oil into and out of the upper and lower cylinders by the hydraulic device, thereby driving the upper and lower tables to move.

[0042] The dimensions of the upper pressure block 2-2 and the lower pressure block 2-4 are designed and processed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic. The dimensions of the middle forming cavity mold are designed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic, and the form and position tolerances of the upper and lower pressure blocks are designed. The structure of the middle forming cavity mold is designed according to the required configuration of the composite laser ceramic to ensure that the powder placement system can place powder in the middle forming cavity mold according to the configuration of the composite laser ceramic.

[0043] In some embodiments, the hydraulic device 1-2 is a bidirectional servo hydraulic press; the running speed and distance of the upper table 1-6 and the lower table 1-4 are read by a grating ruler, and the positional accuracy of the upper and lower tables is controlled by closed-loop feedback. The accuracy of the ceramic forming device is improved by setting the grating ruler with closed-loop feedback.

[0044] In some embodiments, the worktable 1-5 is fixed and provides an installation platform for the molding die assembly and the powder placement system; the powder placement system 3 is installed on the worktable 1-5 to place ceramic powders doped with different concentrations of rare earth ions.

[0045] Furthermore, the upper pressure block 2-2 is installed on the upper table surface 1-6, the lower pressure block 2-4 is installed on the lower table surface 1-4, and the middle forming cavity mold 2-3 is installed on the worktable surface 1-5; the forming mold assembly is installed by means of pin positioning and bolt fastening to meet the requirements of forming composite laser ceramics with different structures and sizes.

[0046] In some embodiments, the operation control cabinet 1-1 controls the lower platform 1-4 to drive the lower end pressure block 2-4 to move downward. The lower end pressure block 2-4 and the middle forming cavity mold 2-3 form a composite laser ceramic forming cavity of a predetermined height for the powder placement system to place powder. After the composite laser ceramic pressing and forming work is completed, the lower platform is controlled to drive the lower end pressure block to move upward, completing the demolding work of the composite laser ceramic.

[0047] In some embodiments, the three-dimensional motion module platform includes two parallel X-direction modules 3-1, one Y-direction module 3-2, and one Z-direction module 3-3. The X-direction module 3-1 is mounted on the worktable 1-5, the Y-direction module 3-2 is mounted on the X-direction module 3-1, and the Z-direction module 3-3 is mounted on the Y-direction module 3-2. The stroke of the X-direction module 3-1, the Y-direction module 3-2, and the Z-direction module 3-3 is determined according to the maximum size of the required composite configuration laser ceramic.

[0048] Furthermore, the movements of the X-direction module 3-1, Y-direction module 3-2, and Z-direction module 3-3 are all controlled by servo motors; the controllers of the servo motors are integrated in the control cabinet, and the movement control of the three-dimensional motion module platform can be achieved by operating the control cabinet. The multi-material partitioned placement structure is installed on the Z-direction module, and the three-dimensional motion module platform moves the multi-material partitioned placement structure to the position of the composite configuration laser ceramic forming cavity for powder placement.

[0049] In some embodiments, see Figure 5 The multi-material partitioned placement structure 3-5 includes one or more nozzles 4. Each nozzle 4 stores rare-earth ion ceramic powder with a predetermined doping concentration. Multiple nozzles 4 are used to achieve gradient doping of rare-earth ion ceramic powder with different concentrations. Specifically, the multiple nozzles are designed to be movable, allowing for free selection of nozzles according to the configuration requirements of the laser ceramic. One or more nozzles can be selected to complete the placement of the ceramic powder, thus achieving free and controllable distribution of the doped material and concentration in the laser ceramic.

[0050] See Figure 6 The nozzle has at least two powder inlets 6, and the nozzle 4 has a mixing device 7. It can inject ceramic powders with different substrates, different concentrations or different ion doping according to the requirements and achieve online uniform mixing, so as to realize the laying of rare earth ion ceramic powders with gradually varying doping concentrations.

[0051] According to any of the above embodiments of the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, this embodiment also provides a forming method of the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, including the following steps: after the powder placement system completes the predetermined powder placement, the control cabinet is operated to control the movement of the upper platform. When the upper platform moves downward, the upper pressure block and the lower pressure block press the composite laser ceramic powder placed in the middle forming cavity mold cavity to perform composite laser ceramic pressing forming work. When the forming work is completed, the upper platform moves upward, and the upper pressure block is separated from the middle forming cavity mold.

[0052] In some embodiments, the pressing pressure application methods for composite configuration laser ceramic pressing include the following three methods: applying pressure from the upper pressing block, applying pressure from the lower pressing block, and applying pressure from both the upper and lower pressing blocks.

[0053] See Figure 1 This embodiment provides an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, mainly including a ceramic forming device 1, a forming mold assembly 2, and a powder placement system 3. (See reference...) Figure 2 The ceramic forming device 1 mainly includes: a control cabinet 1-1, a hydraulic device 1-2, a lower oil cylinder 1-3, a lower table 1-4, a worktable 1-5, an upper table 1-6, an upper oil cylinder 1-7, an upper table grating ruler 1-8, and a lower table grating ruler 1-9. The designed ceramic forming device is a universal device, applicable to laser ceramics of different configurations and sizes. After determining the required size and configuration of the composite laser ceramic for each actual need, the forming mold assembly 2 and the powder placement system 3 are designed by reverse reasoning based on the forming characteristics and shrinkage ratio of the laser ceramic powder.

[0054] See Figure 3 The molding die assembly 2 mainly includes: bolt 2-1, upper pressure block 2-2, middle molding cavity mold 2-3, and lower pressure block 2-4; see reference. Figure 4 The powder placement system 3 includes an X-direction module 3-1, a Y-direction module 3-2, a Z-direction module 3-3, an X-direction servo motor 3-4, a multi-material partitioned placement structure 3-5, a Y-direction servo motor 3-6, and a Z-direction servo motor 3-7. Based on the designed nozzle structure, it achieves the placement of composite laser ceramic powder on the forming surface 5 and realizes the laser ceramic pressing and forming process. It can perform multiple placements and single-press forming, or place one layer, press once, and finally press under high pressure. The pressing pressure application methods include: pressure application from the upper pressure block, pressure application from the lower pressure block, and bidirectional linkage pressure application.

[0055] The nozzle design of the multi-material partitioned laying structure in the above embodiment is a single internal structure that stores rare earth ion ceramic powder with a predetermined doping concentration, which can realize the laying of rare earth ion ceramic powder with different concentrations of gradient doping.

[0056] The installation of each component of the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment in this embodiment is as follows: The upper pressure block 2-2, the middle forming cavity mold 2-3, and the lower pressure block 2-4 are fixed to the lower table surface 1-4, the worktable surface 1-5, and the upper table surface 1-6 respectively using pin positioning and bolt fastening 2-1. The X-direction servo motor 3-4 is assembled with the X-direction module 3-1 on the worktable surface 1-5; the Y-direction servo motor 3-6 is assembled with the Y-direction module 3-2 on the X-direction module 3-1; and the Z-direction servo motor 3-7 is assembled with the Z-direction module 3-3 on the Y-direction module 3-2. The multi-material partitioned laying structure 3-5, composed of one or more nozzles, is assembled on the Z-direction module 3-3.

[0057] The operation mode of the additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment in this embodiment is as follows: The control cabinet 1-1 is started, and the control cabinet 1-1 sends a command to the hydraulic device 1-2. The lower cylinder 1-3 is reset to the lowest position, and the upper cylinder 1-7 is reset to the highest position. Oil is pumped to the lower cylinder 1-3, which drives the lower end pressure block 2-4 mounted on the lower table 1-4 to move upward. The lower end pressure block 2-4 enters the middle forming cavity mold 2-3 mounted on the worktable 1-5. The upper surface of the lower end pressure block 2-4 and the middle forming cavity mold 2-3 form a composite laser ceramic forming cavity of a predetermined height. The grating ruler 1-9 on the lower table reads and feeds back the real-time position of the lower end pressure block 2-4, and controls the height and accuracy of the forming cavity through the control cabinet 1-1. Control cabinet 1-1 sends commands to the X-direction servo motor 3-4 and the Y-direction servo motor 3-6, controlling the X-direction module 3-1 to transfer the multi-material partitioned laying structure 3-5 assembled on the Z-direction module 3-3 to the position above the composite laser ceramic forming cavity. Commands are sent to the Z-direction servo motor 3-7 to control the movement of the Z-direction module 3-3, transferring the multi-material partitioned laying structure 3-5 to the designated position. Commands are then sent from control cabinet 1-1 to the multi-material partitioned laying structure 3-5 to control the nozzle for powder placement. After the laser ceramic powder placement is completed, control cabinet 1-1 sends commands to the hydraulic device 1-2 to pump oil into the upper cylinder 1-7, causing the upper pressure block 2-2, assembled on the upper platform 1-6, to move downwards. The upper pressure block 2-2 enters the central forming cavity mold 2-3, beginning the pressing of the placed laser ceramic powder. The pressure application method can be selected according to the forming quality of the laser ceramic. After pressing is completed, control cabinet 1-1 sends a command to hydraulic device 1-2, the upper platform 1-6 returns to the highest point, the upper pressure block 2-2 also returns to the highest point, control cabinet 1-1 controls the lower platform 1-4 to rise, and pushes the pressed composite laser ceramic out of the middle forming cavity mold 2-3. Thus, the forming of the composite laser ceramic is completed.

[0058] The nozzle of this invention, with its multi-material placement structure, can also be designed internally as a structure for uniform online mixing of ceramic powder, for example... Figure 6 As shown, there are at least two powder addition ports. The nozzle structure, doped rare-earth material, weight, and concentration are designed according to the required composite laser ceramic structure. The corresponding powder addition port is selected, and the injected ceramic material can be selected from: 1. low concentration & high concentration, 2. undoped & doped, 3. different doped rare-earth materials, etc. The injected high and low concentration ceramic powders are mixed uniformly using a mixing device, enabling the placement of gradually varying doped rare-earth ion ceramic powders. The multi-nozzle design of this invention's multi-material placement structure is movable, allowing for free selection of nozzles as needed. One or more nozzles are moved to the forming surface 5 to place the ceramic powder, achieving free and controllable distribution of the laser ceramic doping material and concentration.

[0059] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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.

[0060] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0061] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0062] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0063] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment, characterized in that, include: Ceramic forming apparatus, forming mold assembly and powder placement system; The molding die assembly is assembled in the ceramic molding device, and the powder placement system is assembled in the ceramic molding device; The molding die assembly is used to mold composite laser ceramics, and the molding die assembly includes an upper pressure block, a lower pressure block and a middle molding cavity mold; The powder placement system includes a three-dimensional motion module platform and a multi-material partitioned placement structure; The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment adjusts the size, pressure, operating mode, and operating accuracy of the ceramic forming device according to the maximum size of the composite laser ceramic. The ceramic forming device provides power for composite configuration laser ceramic forming. The ceramic forming device includes a control cabinet, a hydraulic device, an upper oil cylinder, a lower oil cylinder, an upper table, a lower table, a worktable, and a grating ruler. The hydraulic device is connected to both the upper and lower cylinders. The upper cylinder is connected to the upper platform, and the lower cylinder is connected to the lower platform. The worktable is located between the upper and lower platforms. The control cabinet controls the start and stop of the ceramic forming device and controls the pumping of hydraulic oil into and out of the upper and lower cylinders by the hydraulic device, thereby driving the upper and lower platforms to move. The dimensions of the upper and lower pressure blocks are designed and processed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic. The dimensions of the middle forming cavity mold are designed according to the required dimensions of the composite laser ceramic, and the form and position tolerances are designed with the upper and lower pressure blocks. The structure of the middle forming cavity mold is designed according to the required configuration of the composite laser ceramic to meet the requirements of the powder placement system in the middle forming cavity mold to place powder according to the configuration of the composite laser ceramic. The upper pressure block is installed on the upper platform, the lower pressure block is installed on the lower platform, and the middle forming cavity mold is installed on the worktable; the forming mold assembly is installed by pin positioning and bolt fastening to meet the requirements of forming composite laser ceramics with different structures and sizes; The multi-material partitioned placement structure includes one or more nozzles. Each nozzle stores rare earth ion ceramic powder with a predetermined doping concentration. Multiple nozzles are used to place rare earth ion ceramic powder with different concentrations of doping in a gradient. The multiple nozzles are designed to be movable, and nozzles can be freely selected according to the configuration requirements of the laser ceramic. One or more nozzles can be selected to complete the placement of ceramic powder, so as to achieve free and controllable distribution of doped materials and concentration in the laser ceramic. The nozzle has at least two powder inlets and a mixing device inside. It can inject ceramic powders with different substrates, concentrations, or ion doping as needed and achieve online uniform mixing, thereby realizing the laying of rare earth ion ceramic powders with gradually varying doping concentrations.

2. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydraulic device is a bidirectional servo hydraulic press; the running speed and distance of the upper and lower platforms are read by the grating ruler, and the positional accuracy of the upper and lower platforms is controlled through closed-loop feedback.

3. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The worktable is fixed in place, providing an installation platform for the molding die assembly and the powder placement system; the powder placement system is installed on the worktable and is used to place ceramic powders doped with different concentrations of rare earth ions.

4. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The upward movement of the lower pressure block can form a composite laser ceramic forming cavity of a predetermined height with the middle forming cavity mold, so that the powder placement system can place powder.

5. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The three-dimensional motion module platform includes two parallel X-direction modules, one Y-direction module, and one Z-direction module. The X-direction module is mounted on the worktable, the Y-direction module is mounted on the X-direction module, and the Z-direction module is mounted on the Y-direction module. The stroke of the X-direction module, Y-direction module, and Z-direction module is determined according to the maximum size of the required composite laser ceramic.

6. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The movements of the X-direction module, Y-direction module, and Z-direction module are all controlled by servo motors; the controllers of the servo motors are integrated in the control cabinet.

7. The additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The multi-material partitioned placement structure is installed on the Z-direction module, and the three-dimensional motion module platform moves the multi-material partitioned placement structure to the position of the composite configuration laser ceramic forming cavity for powder placement.

8. A forming method for an additive manufacturing composite laser ceramic forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: After the powder placement system completes the predetermined powder placement, the control cabinet is operated to control the movement of the upper platform. When the upper platform moves downward, the upper and lower pressure blocks press the composite laser ceramic powder placed in the middle forming cavity mold to perform composite laser ceramic pressing and forming. When the forming work is completed, the upper platform moves upward, and the upper pressure block disengages from the middle forming cavity mold.

9. The molding method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pressure application methods for the composite configuration laser ceramic pressing and forming process include the following three methods: applying pressure from the upper pressure block, applying pressure from the lower pressure block, and applying pressure from both the upper and lower pressure blocks together.

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