Titanium alloy high-precision 3D printer feeding system for aviation

Abstract

The application relates to a feeding system of a high-precision 3D printer for titanium alloy used in aviation, and the printer comprises a base, a feeding system, a feeding movement system, a workpiece movement system, a scanning system and a control system; the feeding movement system is used for realizing three-axis movement of the feeding system in a three-dimensional space; the feeding system is installed on the feeding movement system; the scanning system is used for transmitting movement track information to the control system; the control system is electrically connected with the feeding system, the feeding movement system, the workpiece movement system and the scanning system; the workpiece movement system has a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft which are perpendicular to each other; the feeding system comprises a laser device, a powder feeding head and a plurality of powder deflection devices; the powder feeding head is provided with a laser outlet, an airflow restriction channel and a powder feeding channel; each powder deflection device extends into each airflow restriction channel, each powder deflection device changes the diameter of each powder feeding channel, and the feeding system can be applicable to precision printing of all metal powders, including titanium alloy.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application entitled "A high-precision 3D printer for aerospace titanium alloy and its printing method". The original application was filed on September 23, 2022, and the application number is CN202211161197.8. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a feeding system for a high-precision titanium alloy 3D printer for aerospace applications. Background Technology

[0003] 3D printing is a rapidly developing emerging technology in the manufacturing industry. It generates objects of any shape by adding materials, which can effectively shorten product development cycles, improve product quality, and reduce production costs.

[0004] Existing 3D metal printing technologies cannot directly form parts that meet the requirements because a molten pool must be formed on the surface of the metal powder. The molten pool will stick to unwanted powder, reducing the accuracy. Currently, the accuracy of parts produced by 3D metal printing is between 0.1mm and 5mm, and it cannot be improved further.

[0005] Existing technologies have made some attempts to improve printing accuracy, such as using magnetic field deflection to change the orientation of metal powder, as described in CN 105364073 B. However, this method is ineffective for metals that cannot be attracted by magnetic force, such as titanium alloys used in aerospace, which cannot be attracted by magnetic force in this way. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the technical defects of existing technologies, this invention provides a feeding system for a high-precision 3D printer for aerospace titanium alloys, which is applicable to all metal powders, including aerospace titanium alloys, for precision printing.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0008] A feeding system for a high-precision titanium alloy 3D printer for aerospace applications includes a laser device, a powder feeding head, and several powder deflection devices. The powder feeding head is equipped with a laser outlet, an airflow constraint channel, and a powder feeding channel. Each powder deflection device is mounted on the powder feeding head and extends into each airflow constraint channel. Each powder deflection device changes the diameter of each powder feeding channel. Each powder deflection device includes a deflecting electromagnet, an attraction block, a slide rod, and a flow stabilization control component. The deflecting electromagnet is mounted outside the powder feeding head, the attraction block is fixed on the slide rod, and the flow stabilization control component is mounted on the side wall of the airflow constraint channel. The slide rod slides along the powder feeding head and presses against the flow stabilization control component, thereby changing the diameter of the airflow constraint channel. The flow stabilization control component includes an elastic plate and several fasteners. The elastic plate is mounted on the airflow constraint channel by the fasteners, and the top surface of the elastic plate is flush with the airflow constraint channel.

[0009] Preferably, the input end of the laser device is connected to a laser fiber.

[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0011] The feeding system includes a laser device, a powder feeding head, and several powder deflection devices. The powder feeding head is equipped with a laser outlet, an airflow constraint channel, and a powder feeding channel. Each powder deflection device is installed on the powder feeding head and extends into each airflow constraint channel. Each powder deflection device changes the diameter of each powder feeding channel, thereby causing the powder to deflect under the action of Bernoulli's principle. This system is suitable for printing all metal powders, including titanium alloys, with high precision. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation location structure of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0016] 1. Base;

[0017] 2. Feeding system; 21. Laser device; 211. Laser outlet; 22. Powder feeder; 222. Powder feeding channel; 223. Airflow confinement channel; 23. Powder deflection device;

[0018] 3. Material feeding motion system; 31. First servo module; 32. Second servo module; 33. Third servo module; 231. Deflection electromagnet; 232. Suction block; 233. Slide bar; 234. Current stabilization control component; 2341. Elastic plate; 2342. Fastener;

[0019] 4. Workpiece motion system; 41. First substrate motor; 42. Second substrate motor; 43. Swing arm; 44. Turntable;

[0020] 5. Scanning system; 51. Camera; 52. Adjustment bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0022] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides a feeding system for a high-precision titanium alloy 3D printer for aerospace applications. The printer includes a base 1, a feeding system 2, a feeding motion system 3, a workpiece motion system 4, a scanning system 5, and a control system.

[0023] The feeding motion system 3 is mounted on the base 1 and is used to realize the three-axis motion of the feeding system 2 in three-dimensional space. The feeding system 2 is mounted on the feeding motion system 3.

[0024] The scanning system 5 is installed on the base 1 and is used to scan and capture the movement trajectory of the molten pool and transmit the movement trajectory information to the control system. The scanning system 5 scans the trajectory of the molten pool and then transmits the signal to the control system. The control system controls the powder deflection device 23 to deflect the powder.

[0025] The control system is electrically connected to the feeding system 2, the feeding motion system 3, the workpiece motion system 4 and the scanning system 5 respectively. The scanning system 5 transmits the scanned molten pool trajectory information to the control system. The control system controls the direction of the powder ejected by the feeding system 2. The control system controls the actions of the feeding motion system 3 and the workpiece motion system 4 to achieve printing.

[0026] The workpiece motion system 4 is mounted on the base 1 and has a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis whose rotation axes are perpendicular to each other. The workpiece motion system 4 and the feeding motion system 3 enable the feeding system 2 to approach the workpiece from any position and in any direction.

[0027] The feeding system 2 includes a laser device 21, a powder feeding head 22, and several powder deflection devices 23. The powder feeding head 22 is equipped with a laser outlet 211, an airflow constraint channel 223, and a powder feeding channel 222. The powder feeding channel 222 is connected to a powder box, which pumps metal powder into the powder feeding channel 222. Each powder deflection device 23 is installed on the powder feeding head 22 and extends into each airflow constraint channel 223. Each powder deflection device 23 changes the diameter of each powder feeding channel 222, thereby causing the powder to deflect under the action of Bernoulli's principle. This system is suitable for printing all metal powders, including titanium alloys, with high precision.

[0028] The laser device 21 has a laser fiber connected to its input end, and the laser fiber is connected to the laser generator.

[0029] The workpiece motion system 4 includes a swing arm 43, a first base material motor 41, a second base material motor 42, and a turntable 44. The two ends of the swing arm 43 are rotatably mounted on the base 1. The first base material motor 41 is fixedly mounted on the swing arm 43. The turntable 44 is mounted on the output end of the first base material motor 41. The second base material motor 42 is connected to one end of the swing arm 43 and drives the swing arm 43 to rotate. The first base material motor 41 constitutes the first rotating shaft, and the second base material motor 42 constitutes the second rotating shaft. The first base material motor 41 and the second base material motor 42 are harmonic reducers. The first base material motor 41 and the second base material motor 42 enable the feeding system 2 to approach the workpiece at any angle.

[0030] The feeding motion system 3 includes a first servo module 31, a second servo module 32, and a third servo module 33. The first servo module 31 is mounted on the base 1. The second servo module 32 is slidably connected to the first servo module 31, and the driving direction of the first servo module 31 is perpendicular to the driving direction of the second servo module 32. The slide of the second servo module 32 is slidably connected to the third servo module 33, and the driving direction of the third servo module 33 is perpendicular to both the driving direction of the first servo module 31 and the driving direction of the second servo module 32. The feeding system 2 is fixedly mounted on the third servo module 33. The first servo module 31, the second servo module 32, and the third servo module 33 enable the feeding system 2 to approach any position of the workpiece.

[0031] The scanning system 5 includes a camera 51 and an adjustment bracket 52. The adjustment bracket 52 is fixedly installed on the base 1. The camera 51 is fixedly connected to one end of the adjustment bracket 52. The adjustment bracket 52 can adjust the distance between the camera 51 and the base 1. The scanning camera is a CCD camera. The CCD camera is a prior art technology for monitoring workpiece defects during the printing process. It can monitor the printed trajectory and then compare the trajectory signal with the size information in the printed model to obtain the deviation amount. The deviation amount is then transmitted to the control system. The control system controls the powder deflection device 23 to change the outflow direction of the powder.

[0032] The powder deflection device 23 includes a deflection electromagnet 231, an attraction block 232, a slide bar 233, and a flow control component 234. The deflection electromagnet 231 is installed outside the powder feeding head 22, the attraction block 232 is fixed on the slide bar 233, and the flow control component 234 is installed on the side wall of the airflow constraint channel 223. The slide bar 233 slides along the powder feeding head 22 and squeezes the flow control component 234. The slide bar 233 squeezes the flow control component 234 and changes the diameter of the airflow constraint channel 223, thus reducing the airflow velocity of the airflow constraint channel 223. The flow velocity of other airflow constraint channels 223 does not change, so the powder will deflect to the side with lower air pressure, that is, deflect away from the side of the airflow constraint channel 223 with reduced diameter.

[0033] The flow control component 234 includes an elastic plate 2341 and several fasteners 2342. The elastic plate 2341 is installed in the airflow constraint channel 223 by the fasteners 2342. The top surface of the elastic plate 2341 is flush with the airflow constraint channel 223, so that the airflow will not generate turbulence when passing through the airflow constraint channel 223. The elastic plate 2341 is made of silicone.

[0034] The operation of this 3D printer includes the following steps:

[0035] S1: Design the model to be printed, send it into the printing system, use 3D software on the computer to design the required model structure, generate a file describing the model structure, download it to the control system, install the worktable on the workpiece motion system 4, and scan the worktable at the output end of the workpiece motion system 4.

[0036] S2: Powder feeding channel 222 feeds powder, and airflow is introduced into airflow constraint channel 223 to constrain powder flow;

[0037] S3: Laser device 21 turns on the laser;

[0038] S4: The control system controls the movement of the feeding system 2 and the feeding motion system 3 respectively, thereby printing on the worktable;

[0039] S5: Scanning system 5 scans the printing trajectory on the worktable. After detecting that the printing trajectory is deviated, scanning system 5 transmits a signal to the control system.

[0040] S6: The control system controls the distance that the corresponding powder deflection device 23 extends into the airflow constraint channel 223, calculates the three-dimensional coordinates and deflection distance of each metal particle, decomposes the model into a combination of microdroplets according to the structural parameters described in the model file, calculates the three-dimensional coordinates and deflection distance of each microdroplet, calibrates, calculates the ratio coefficient between the airflow velocity and the deflection distance in the airflow constraint channel 223, and records the current of the deflection electromagnet 231. Under the action of Bernoulli's principle, the powder is deflected.

[0041] Specifically, the current controlling a single deflection electromagnet 231 is recorded. The larger the current, the greater the stroke of the slide bar 233. This causes the slide bar 233 to press against the elastic plate 2341, deforming the elastic plate 2341 and reducing the diameter of the airflow constraint channel 223. This reduces the airflow velocity in the airflow constraint channel 223, while the velocity in other airflow constraint channels 223 remains unchanged. This causes the powder to deflect away from the side of the airflow constraint channel 223 with a reduced diameter. The relationship between the deflection distance and the current of the deflection electromagnet 231 is recorded. This relationship is entered into the control system. The trajectory error value scanned by the scanning system 5 corresponds to the deflection distance. The control system then connects the deflection electromagnet 231 with the current corresponding to the deflection distance.

[0042] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles and main features of the present invention, as well as its advantages. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. All such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A feeding system for a high-precision titanium alloy 3D printer for aerospace applications, characterized in that, The device includes a laser unit, a powder feeding head, and several powder deflection devices. The powder feeding head is provided with a laser outlet, an airflow constraint channel, and a powder feeding channel. Each powder deflection device is installed on the powder feeding head and extends into each airflow constraint channel. Each powder deflection device changes the diameter of each powder feeding channel. Each powder deflection device includes a deflecting electromagnet, an attraction block, a slide rod, and a flow stabilization control component. The deflecting electromagnet is installed outside the powder feeding head, the attraction block is fixed on the slide rod, and the flow stabilization control component is installed on the side wall of the airflow constraint channel. The slide rod slides along the powder feeding head and squeezes the flow stabilization control component, thereby changing the diameter of the airflow constraint channel. The flow stabilization control component includes an elastic plate and several fasteners. The elastic plate is installed in the airflow constraint channel by the fasteners, and the top surface of the elastic plate is flush with the airflow constraint channel.

2. The feeding system for the high-precision titanium alloy 3D printer for aerospace applications according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser device has a laser fiber connected to its input end.

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