High-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head and reset method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head and a reset method thereof. The printing head comprises: a printing platform, a centrifugal motor, a reset device and a positioning device, wherein the printing platform is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor; the printing head is configured to have a printing state, a centrifugal state and a reset state; in the printing state, the printing platform is in an initial position, and the positioning device works in a clamping mode to clamp the printing platform; in the centrifugal state, the positioning device is switched from the clamping mode to a semi-open mode to release the printing platform; in the reset state, the positioning device is switched from the semi-open mode to the fully open mode to squeeze the reset device, and the reset device is in tight contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor under the squeezing action, so that the reset driving force of the reset device can act on the output end of the centrifugal motor and the printing platform through tight contact, so that the printing platform can be reset to the initial position from the position after centrifugation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head, belonging to the technical field of 3D printing. Background Art

[0002] Centrifugal multi-material light-curing 3D printing technology has been proposed. When the printing of the previous material is completed and the next material needs to be entered, the residual resin remaining on the printing platform and the printed part is removed by centrifugation. Although centrifugation can remove residual resin very efficiently, the position of the printing platform after centrifugation is random, which is not applicable to the layer-by-layer printing method of 3D printing. Therefore, a magnetic reset solution was proposed. By adopting a dual-output shaft motor, a permanent magnet positioning block is added to the other end of the printing platform, which is reset under the action of the magnetic field and positioned by a clamping cylinder. In this way, no matter where the printing platform is rotated to, it can always return to its initial state.

[0003] However, magnetic repositioning solutions also have drawbacks. Because the magnetic fields on the left and right sides repel the rotor while attracting it, the repositioning process must wait until friction dissipates all of this force before it stops, resulting in a relatively long repositioning time. Furthermore, the permanent magnets must be free of magnetic force loss. If they do, the attraction is insufficient, preventing proper repositioning, causing misalignment and printing failure. This is clearly insufficient for the high-frequency centrifugal repositioning required for multi-material 3D printing. Therefore, a device that combines efficient centrifugation and repositioning is urgently needed to accommodate the high-frequency centrifugation and repositioning required for multi-material, stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to propose a high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head to solve the technical problems of the existing magnetic reset method, such as long reset time and failure to correctly reset and dislocation due to magnetic loss.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention proposes the following technical solutions:

[0006] A high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head, comprising: a printing platform, a centrifugal motor, a reset device and a positioning device, wherein the printing platform is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor; the print head is configured to have a printing state, a centrifugal state and a reset state; in the printing state, the printing platform is in an initial position, and the positioning device works in a clamping mode to clamp the printing platform; in the centrifugal state, the positioning device is switched from the clamping mode to a semi-open mode to release the printing platform; in the reset state, the positioning device is switched from the semi-open mode to a fully open mode to squeeze the reset device, and the reset device is in close contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor under the action of the squeezing, so that the reset driving force of the reset device can act on the output end of the centrifugal motor and the printing platform through the close contact, so that the printing platform can be reset to the initial position from the position after centrifugation.

[0007] The technical solution provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the print head of the present invention is configured to have three states. In the printing state, the printing platform is in the correct position and can be printed; in the centrifugal state, the printing platform is not clamped and limited by the positioning device, and the centrifugal motor can rotate the printing platform to perform centrifugal operation; after centrifugation, since the printing platform is in a random position, the mutual cooperation and linkage between the positioning device and the reset device can generate mutual friction between the reset device and the output end of the centrifugal motor due to close contact. In this case, the reset driving force of the reset device can drive the output end of the centrifugal motor to rotate based on this mutual friction, and since the printing platform is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor, the printing platform can rotate accordingly to reset. This reset method overcomes the defects of the existing magnetic reset method, can achieve fast and accurate reset, and will not cause the reset accuracy to decrease or even misalignment due to high-frequency centrifugal reset such as multi-material printing.

[0008] Furthermore, the reset device includes: a reset motor, a reset plate, a reset sensor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a friction belt. The reset plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor. The reset sensor is used to detect the position of the reset plate to determine whether the printing platform has reset to the initial position. The output end of the reset motor is connected to the driving wheel. The friction belt is mounted on the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The output end of the centrifugal motor is located between the driving wheel and the driven wheel and on the inner side of the friction belt. Furthermore, the reset plate is mounted on the output end of the centrifugal motor to achieve a fixed connection.

[0009] Furthermore, the positioning device includes: a clamping unit and a tensioning column, the tensioning column is arranged on the clamping unit and located outside the friction belt; in the printing state, the clamping unit clamps the printing platform, the tensioning column does not contact the friction belt, and the friction belt does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor; in the centrifugal state, the clamping unit is half-opened to release the printing platform, and the tensioning column is translated toward the driving wheel as the clamping unit is opened to contact but not squeeze the friction belt, and the friction belt does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor; in the reset state, the clamping unit is fully opened, the tensioning column continues to translate to squeeze the friction belt, and the friction belt is in tight contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor under the action of the squeezing, so that the output end of the centrifugal motor can rotate driven by the friction belt to drive the printing platform to reset. In this further technical solution, the relationship between the tensioning column and the friction belt is cleverly utilized to control the relationship between the friction belt and the output end of the centrifugal motor, so that in the printing state and the centrifugal state, no friction is generated between the output end of the centrifugal motor and the friction belt to prevent unnecessary wear. In the reset state, the friction belt drives the output end of the centrifugal motor to rotate through friction to reset the printing platform.

[0010] Furthermore, the diameter of the driving wheel is larger than that of the driven wheel; the clamping unit includes a left clamping jaw and a right clamping jaw disposed on opposite sides of the printing platform, with the left clamping jaw located on one side of the driven wheel and the right clamping jaw located on the other side of the driving wheel, and the tensioning post disposed on the right clamping jaw; and two opposing end surfaces for the left and right clamping jaws to clamp onto are disposed on the upper portion of the printing platform. In this further technical solution, the left and right clamping jaws clamp the printing platform, preventing it from deflecting during printing.

[0011] Furthermore, a fixing block is fixed on the upper portion of the printing platform, and the two opposite end surfaces are arranged on the fixing block.

[0012] Furthermore, the left clamping jaw and the right clamping jaw are both connected to a clamping jaw motor, and the clamping jaw motor is fixed on a clamping jaw mounting seat.

[0013] Furthermore, a detection mark is provided on the reset plate; while the reset motor is operating in the reset state, the output end of the centrifugal motor rotates driven by the friction belt, thereby driving the reset plate to rotate synchronously. When the reset plate rotates until the detection mark is within the detection area of ​​the reset sensor, reset is complete, and the printing platform returns to the initial position. In this further technical solution, whether the printing platform has been reset to the correct initial position is determined based on whether the reset sensor detects the mark on the reset plate, making reset more accurate and rapid.

[0014] Furthermore, the centrifugal motor is an AC brushless spindle motor. The present invention uses an AC brushless spindle motor, which can achieve higher rotational speeds and stops immediately upon removal of AC power, thus achieving efficient centrifugation. In contrast, the dual-shaft motors used in the prior art are DC brushed motors, which have significant inertia due to their heavy ends, requiring tens of seconds to stop and resulting in low centrifugal efficiency.

[0015] The present invention also proposes the aforementioned high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head reset method, comprising: during printing, the printing platform is in the initial position, and the positioning device is controlled to work in the clamping mode to clamp the printing platform; during centrifugation, the positioning device is controlled to switch from the clamping mode to the semi-open mode to release the printing platform, and the centrifugal motor is started at this time to perform the centrifugal operation; during resetting, the positioning device is controlled to switch from the semi-open mode to the fully open mode to squeeze the reset device, and the reset device is in close contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor under the action of the squeezing; at this time, the reset device is started, and the reset driving force of the reset device acts on the output end of the centrifugal motor and the printing platform through the close contact, so that the printing platform is reset from the position after centrifugation to the initial position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the connection between the printing platform and the centrifugal motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a reset sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the right clamping jaw of the positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6-1 、 Figure 6-2 、 Figure 6-3 Schematic diagrams of the high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to an embodiment of the present invention in the printing state, centrifugal state, and reset state respectively.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of a method for resetting a multi-material 3D printing head using high-efficiency centrifugal resetting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1-printing platform, 11-end face; 2-centrifugal motor, 21-output end of the centrifugal motor; 31-reset motor, 32-reset plate, 321-notch, 33-reset sensor, 34-driving wheel, 35-driven wheel, 36-friction belt; 41-clamp mounting seat, 42-clamp motor, 43-left clamp, 44-right clamp, 45-tensioning column, 46-clamping part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods and examples. The purpose of providing the examples is for illustration only and does not impose any limitation. In addition, the spatial orientation words such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "top", and "bottom" used in the description of the technical solution of the present invention are for the convenience of describing the relative position relationship between the components of the product, and do not mean that the product has only the orientation shown in the figure. In actual use, as the product orientation changes, the orientation description of the relative position relationship between the components should also be adaptively changed.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 The embodiment of the present invention proposes a high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head, comprising: a printing platform 1, a centrifugal motor 2, a reset device and a positioning device, wherein the printing platform 1 is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor 2 and can rotate with the rotation of the output end of the centrifugal motor 2. Preferably, the centrifugal motor adopts an AC brushless spindle motor. The reset device includes a reset motor 31, a reset plate 32, a reset sensor 33, a driving wheel 34, a driven wheel 35 and a friction belt 36. The reset plate 32 is sleeved on the output end of the centrifugal motor 2 and the two are relatively fixed. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The reset plate 32 is provided with a detection mark (e.g., a notch 321) for detection by the reset sensor; the output end of the reset motor 31 is connected to the driving wheel 34, and the friction belt 36 is mounted on the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 35; the output end of the centrifugal motor 2 is located between the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 35 and on the inner side of the friction belt 36. Figure 4 The positioning device includes a clamping jaw mounting base 41, a clamping jaw motor 42 mounted on the clamping jaw mounting base, a left clamping jaw 43, a right clamping jaw 44 and a tensioning column 45 provided on the right clamping jaw 44, wherein the left and right clamping jaws are respectively located on both sides of the printing platform 1, that is, the left clamping jaw 43 is located on the side of the driven wheel and the right clamping jaw 44 is located on the side of the driving wheel; the left and right clamping jaws are closed and opened under the drive of the clamping jaw motor 42; the upper part of the printing platform 1 is provided with a fixed block, which is provided with two opposite end surfaces 11 for the left and right clamping jaws to clamp the two end surfaces to achieve clamping of the printing platform; the combined reference Figure 5The tensioning column 45 is arranged on a protruding portion of the right clamping jaw 44, and the front end of the right clamping jaw is a clamping portion 46 for clamping the printing platform. Similarly, the front end of the left clamping jaw also has the same clamping portion.

[0026] The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head of the embodiment of the present invention is configured to have three states, namely printing state, centrifugal state and reset state. Figure 6-1 , where (a) is a bottom view (the printing platform and left and right clamps are not shown), and (b) is a three-dimensional schematic diagram. When the printing platform 1 is in the initial position (i.e., the correct printing position), the reset detection mark on the reset plate 32, such as the notch, is also exactly located in the detection area of ​​the reset sensor 33. The left clamp 43 and the right clamp 44 clamp the printing platform 1 together. The tensioning column 45 on the right clamp is outside the friction belt 36 but does not contact the friction belt 36. The friction belt 36 does not contact the centrifugal motor output end 21. The centrifugal motor and reset motor are on standby. This state can be defined as the "printing state" and the print head can print. Please refer to Figure 6-2 , where (a) is a bottom view (the printing platform and left and right clamps are not shown), and (b) is a three-dimensional schematic diagram. When the print head completes printing of one material, it needs to be centrifuged before switching to the next material. Therefore, the left and right clamps are opened to the specified position to release the printing platform 1. During the opening process, the tensioning column 45 located on the right clamp translates toward the driving wheel. Since the driving wheel is larger than the driven wheel, the tensioning column 45 will gradually approach the friction belt during the translation process and eventually contact the friction belt. However, when the left and right clamps are half-opened to the specified position, the tensioning column only just contacts the friction belt without squeezing. Therefore, the friction belt has not yet contacted the output end of the centrifugal motor. At this time, the reset motor is on standby, which can be defined as a "centrifugal state". In this state, starting the centrifugal motor can drive the printing platform to rotate together with the reset plate to perform centrifugal operation. After centrifugation is completed, the printing platform is in a random position and needs to be reset to its initial position. Please refer to Figure 6-3 , where (a) is a bottom view (the printing platform and left and right clamps are not shown), and (b) is a three-dimensional schematic diagram. When the printing platform is reset after centrifugation, the left and right clamps are fully opened, so that the tensioning column 45 located on the right clamp is translated to a position where it squeezes the friction belt. The friction belt is deformed after being squeezed, thereby pressing the output end of the centrifugal motor. In this way, when the reset motor drives the active wheel to move the friction belt, it will drive the output end of the centrifugal motor to rotate, thereby driving the printing platform and the reset plate to rotate together for reset, which can be defined as the "reset state". During the reset process, when the notch of the reset plate is aligned with the reset sensor, the printing platform is reset to the initial position and the reset is completed. Then the left and right clamps clamp the printing platform, re-enter the printing state, and continue printing the next material.

[0027] Another embodiment of the present invention further proposes a method for resetting the aforementioned high-efficiency centrifugal resetting multi-material 3D printing head, referring to Figure 7 , the reset method includes:

[0028] During printing, the printing platform is in the initial position, and the detection mark of the reset plate is exactly within the detection area of ​​the reset sensor. The positioning device is controlled to work in the clamping mode so that its left and right clamps clamp the printing platform. On the one hand, this ensures that the printing platform does not deflect during the printing process, and on the other hand, it ensures that the tensioning column does not contact the friction belt, and the friction belt does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor.

[0029] During centrifugation, the positioning device is controlled to switch from the clamping mode to the semi-opening mode, that is, the left and right clamps are opened to the specified position. On the one hand, this releases the printing platform to facilitate its centrifugal rotation, and on the other hand, the tensioning column is translated to the position just contacting the friction belt. At this time, the centrifugal motor is started to centrifuge the printing platform. Since the friction belt still does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor, it can avoid wear of the friction belt in the centrifugal state.

[0030] During reset, the control positioning device switches from a semi-open mode to a fully open mode. The left and right jaws continue to open until they reach their maximum open position, causing the tensioning column to translate to a position that compresses the friction belt. The friction belt deforms under compression, thereby pressing the output end of the centrifugal motor. The reset motor is then activated, and its driving force is transmitted via the drive pulley and friction belt to the output end of the centrifugal motor, causing it to rotate, thereby driving the print platform and the reset plate to rotate and reset. During rotation, when the reset plate's detection mark, such as a notch, faces the reset sensor and is detected, the print platform returns to its initial position, completing the reset. The left and right jaws re-clamp the print platform, and the print head proceeds to print the next material.

[0031] The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present invention should not be considered to be limited to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that several equivalent substitutions or obvious variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that any equivalent performance or application should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head, characterized in that: include: A printing platform, a centrifugal motor, a resetting device and a positioning device, wherein the printing platform is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor; The print head is configured to have a printing state, a centrifugal state, and a reset state; In the printing state, the printing platform is in an initial position, and the positioning device works in a clamping mode to clamp the printing platform; In the centrifugal state, the positioning device switches from the clamping mode to the semi-open mode to release the printing platform; In the reset state, the positioning device switches from the semi-open mode to the fully open mode to squeeze the reset device. Under the action of the squeezing, the reset device is in tight contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor, so that the reset driving force of the reset device can act on the output end of the centrifugal motor and the printing platform through the tight contact, so that the printing platform can be reset from the position after centrifugation to the initial position; The reset device includes: a reset motor, a reset plate, a reset sensor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a friction belt, wherein the reset plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the centrifugal motor, and the reset sensor is used to detect the position of the reset plate to determine whether the printing platform has reset to the initial position; the output end of the reset motor is connected to the driving wheel, and the friction belt is sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the output end of the centrifugal motor is located between the driving wheel and the driven wheel and on the inner side of the friction belt; The positioning device includes: a clamping jaw unit and a tensioning column, wherein the tensioning column is provided on the clamping jaw unit and is located outside the friction belt; In the printing state, the clamping unit clamps the printing platform, the tensioning column does not contact the friction belt, and the friction belt does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor; In the centrifugal state, the clamping unit is half-opened to release the printing platform, and the tensioning column moves toward the driving wheel as the clamping unit opens until it contacts but does not squeeze the friction belt, and the friction belt does not contact the output end of the centrifugal motor; In the reset state, the clamping jaw unit is fully opened, and the tensioning column continues to translate to squeeze the friction belt. Under the action of the squeezing, the friction belt is in tight contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor, so that the output end of the centrifugal motor can rotate under the drive of the friction belt to drive the printing platform to reset.

2. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reset piece is sleeved on the output end of the centrifugal motor to achieve fixed connection.

3. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the driving wheel is larger than the diameter of the driven wheel; the clamping unit includes a left clamping jaw and a right clamping jaw respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the printing platform, wherein the left clamping jaw is located on one side of the driven wheel, and the right clamping jaw is located on one side of the driving wheel, and the tensioning column is arranged on the right clamping jaw; the upper part of the printing platform is provided with two opposite end surfaces for clamping by the left clamping jaw and the right clamping jaw.

4. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 3, characterized in that: A fixing block is fixed on the upper portion of the printing platform, and the two opposite end surfaces are arranged on the fixing block.

5. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 3, characterized in that: The left clamping jaw and the right clamping jaw are both connected to a clamping jaw motor, and the clamping jaw motor is fixed on a clamping jaw mounting seat.

6. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: A detection mark is provided on the reset plate; when the reset motor is working in the reset state, the output end of the centrifugal motor rotates driven by the friction belt, thereby driving the reset plate to rotate synchronously. When the reset plate rotates until the detection mark is within the detection area of ​​the reset sensor, the reset is completed and the printing platform returns to the initial position.

7. The high-efficiency centrifugal reset multi-material 3D printing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The centrifugal motor is an AC brushless spindle motor.

8. The high-efficiency centrifugal resetting multi-material 3D printing head resetting method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: During printing, the printing platform is in an initial position, and the positioning device is controlled to work in a clamping mode to clamp the printing platform; During centrifugation, the positioning device is controlled to switch from the clamping mode to the semi-open mode to release the printing platform, and the centrifugal motor is started to perform the centrifugal operation; During resetting, the positioning device is controlled to switch from the semi-open mode to the fully-open mode to squeeze the resetting device, and the resetting device is in tight contact with the output end of the centrifugal motor under the action of the squeezing; At this time, the reset device is started, and the reset driving force of the reset device acts on the output end of the centrifugal motor and the printing platform through the tight contact, so that the printing platform is reset from the position after centrifugation to the initial position.

Images