Automatic cleaning device and cleaning method for a binder jetting powder spreading roller

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic cleaning device and method for a binder jetting powder laying roller. The automatic cleaning device comprises a rack, a roller pressing mechanism, a powder scraping mechanism, an adjusting mechanism and a collecting mechanism. The rack is the main structure of the automatic cleaning device and is used for supporting other components. The roller pressing mechanism is used for roller laying powder on a powder layer. The adjusting mechanism is used for adjusting the position of a powder scraping box in the powder scraping mechanism. The collecting mechanism is used for absorbing the powder scraped from the powder laying roller. Different powder scraping plates are switched by the adjusting mechanism to contact the powder laying roller, so that the powder laying roller has corresponding powder scraping plates to scrape the bonded powder no matter the powder laying roller rotates forward or reversely. The powder is absorbed and collected by the collecting mechanism, and the smoothness of the surface of the powder laying roller is improved. The application relates to the field of binder jetting additive manufacturing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of binder jetting additive manufacturing, in particular to an automatic cleaning device and method for a binder jetting powder spreading roller. BACKGROUND

[0002] Binder jetting (BJ) is an additive manufacturing technology based on the idea of discrete stacking and micro-droplet jetting. The basic principle is as follows: first, a three-dimensional part model is established, and the contour information data of each layer is obtained after slicing processing. The data is imported into the printing equipment. Then, a powder layer with a certain thickness is laid, and the rotating powder spreading roller spreads and compacts the powder. The inkjet nozzle selectively sprays liquid binder to connect the powder particles according to the part layer contour information data. Then, the powder bed is lowered by a certain layer thickness, and the above process of powder spreading and binder spraying is repeated until the part is printed and formed. Binder jetting technology is a leading additive manufacturing technology with batch and cost advantages in the field of part manufacturing, and has been widely used in mechanical manufacturing, aerospace, biomedical, electronic equipment and construction fields.

[0003] During the powder spreading process of the binder jetting technology, powder sticking phenomenon often occurs on the powder spreading roller. The liquid binder mixed with the powder sticks to the powder spreading roller. When the powder spreading roller compacts the powder layer, the powder sticking to the surface of the powder spreading roller will seriously reduce the flatness and density of the powder layer, resulting in reduced green density and strength and deteriorated part forming effect. At present, there are some cleaning auxiliary devices for the powder spreading roller on the market. Generally, a brush is used to scrape off the powder sticking to the powder spreading roller, and then other components are used to scrape off the powder remaining on the brush into a dust collection tank for powder collection.

[0004] However, it is found in actual work that the powder remaining on the brush is difficult to be completely removed, which leads to more and more powder sticking to the brush during long-term use, affecting the cleaning effect of the powder spreading roller, and thus the brush needs to be frequently checked and replaced. At the same time, in an open environment, the scraped powder with binder components easily returns to the powder layer, resulting in powder agglomeration and sticking. For the powder spreading roller that needs to reciprocally roll, the friction direction of the powder spreading roller to the brush is different when the powder spreading roller rotates forward and reversely, so that the falling positions of the powder are different, and it is also difficult to collect the powder. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems in the prior art, and provides an automatic cleaning device and method for a binder jetting powder spreading roller, which can reduce the frequency of subsequent cleaning and maintenance, and can collect dust for both forward and reverse powder spreading rollers.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, an automatic cleaning device for a binder jetting powder spreading roller is provided, comprising:

[0007] a frame;

[0008] a rolling mechanism, the rolling mechanism comprising a powder spreading roller and a motor, the powder spreading roller being rotatably connected to the frame, the motor driving the powder spreading roller to rotate;

[0009] a powder scraping mechanism, the powder scraping mechanism comprising a powder scraping box, a first powder scraping plate and a second powder scraping plate, the powder scraping box being slidably connected to the frame along a front-rear direction, the powder scraping box being invertedly arranged above the powder spreading roller, the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate being both arranged inside the powder scraping box, the first powder scraping plate being arranged at a front side and the second powder scraping plate being arranged at a rear side, only one of the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate being able to contact the powder spreading roller during movement of the powder scraping box;

[0010] an adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism being connected to the frame and being configured to drive the powder scraping box to slide and limit a position of the powder scraping box;

[0011] a collecting mechanism, the collecting mechanism comprising a fan, a dust suction box, a first air inlet pipe and a second air inlet pipe, the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe both being connected to the dust suction box, the fan being connected to the dust suction box and being configured to drive air flow to the dust suction box, the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe both being inserted into the powder scraping box, the first air inlet pipe being arranged above the first powder scraping plate and the second air inlet pipe being arranged above the second powder scraping plate.

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, the motor drives the powder spreading roller through a belt transmission mode.

[0013] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate are both elastic members.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate are both arc-shaped plates, the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate being attached to a surface of the powder spreading roller.

[0015] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, an angle of the arc of the first powder scraping plate and the second powder scraping plate is 45 to 60 degrees.

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, a height of the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe is lower than a top end of the powder spreading roller.

[0017] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are provided with slopes, the bottom end of the slope of the first air inlet pipe is connected with the top of the first powder scraping plate, and the bottom end of the slope of the second air inlet pipe is connected with the top of the second powder scraping plate.

[0018] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, a valve is installed in the dust collection box, the valve is used to control the opening and closing of the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe, so that the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are in communication with the dust collection box alternatively.

[0019] According to the first aspect of the present application, further, the adjusting mechanism comprises an adjusting screw and a spring, the adjusting screw is threadedly connected with the rack, the end of the adjusting screw can abut against the powder scraping box, and the two ends of the spring are connected with the rack and the powder scraping box respectively, the spring applies a force to the powder scraping box to make the powder scraping box close to the adjusting screw.

[0020] According to the second aspect of the present application, a cleaning method is provided, which is performed by the automatic cleaning device of the binder jetting powder laying roller, and comprises the following steps:

[0021] According to the rotation direction of the powder laying roller, the corresponding powder scraping plate is selected by the adjusting mechanism to abut against the powder laying roller: when the powder laying roller moves forward and rotates clockwise, the first powder scraping plate abuts against the powder laying roller; when the powder laying roller moves backward and rotates counterclockwise, the second powder scraping plate abuts against the powder laying roller.

[0022] The fan is turned on and the binder jetting equipment is started, and the powder laying roller starts to rotate.

[0023] The powder adhered on the powder laying roller is scraped off by the first powder scraping plate or the second powder scraping plate, and the first air inlet pipe and / or the second air inlet pipe absorbs the powder in the powder scraping box.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application at least include: the adjusting mechanism is used to switch different powder scraping plates to contact the powder laying roller, so that no matter the powder laying roller rotates forward or reversely, the corresponding powder scraping plate can scrape off the adhered powder, and the collecting mechanism is used to absorb and collect the powder, thereby improving the smoothness of the surface of the powder laying roller. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly described below. Obviously, the described drawings are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other design schemes and drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0026] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the automatic cleaning device of the binder jetting powder roller according to the first aspect of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is a front view of the automatic cleaning device of the binder jetting powder roller according to the first aspect of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 is a sectional view of A-A in Figure 2

[0029] Figure 4 is a sectional view of B-B in Figure 3

[0030] is a schematic view of the powder roller 210 rotating clockwise in the cleaning method according to the second aspect of the present application; Figure 5

[0031] is a schematic view of the powder roller 210 rotating counterclockwise in the cleaning method according to the second aspect of the present application; Figure 6

[0032] is a flowchart of the cleaning method according to the second aspect of the present application. Figure 7 Reference signs: 100-chassis, 200-roller pressing mechanism, 210-powder roller, 220-motor, 300-powder scraping mechanism, 310-powder scraping box, 320-first powder scraping plate, 330-second powder scraping plate, 400-adjusting mechanism, 410-adjusting screw, 420-spring, 500-collecting mechanism, 510-fan, 520-dust collection box, 530-first air inlet pipe, 540-second air inlet pipe, 550-inclined slope.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] This part will describe the specific embodiments of the present application in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, the role of the drawings is to supplement the description of the text part with figures, so that people can intuitively and visually understand each technical feature and the overall technical scheme of the present application, but it cannot be understood as a limitation on the protection scope of the present application.

[0035] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation description, such as the orientation or position relationship indicated by up, down, front, back, left, right, etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0036] ​​In the description of the present application, the meaning of one or more is one or more, the meaning of multiple is more than two, greater than, less than, more than, etc. are understood as not including the number, above, below, within, etc. are understood as including the number. If the first, second is described for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, it cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the sequence of indicated technical features.

[0037] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly limited, the words such as setting, installation, connection, etc. should be broadly understood, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above words in the present application in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0038] In the powder laying process of the binder jetting technology, powder sticking phenomenon often occurs on the powder laying roller, and the powder mixed with liquid binder is bonded on the powder laying roller. When the powder laying roller compacts the powder layer, the powder laying roller with powder bonded on the surface will seriously reduce the flatness and density of the powder layer, resulting in reduced green density and strength, and deteriorated part forming effect. At present, there are also cleaning auxiliary devices for powder laying rollers on the market, which generally use a brush to scrape off the powder bonded on the powder laying roller, and then use other components to scrape off the powder remaining on the brush into a dust collection tank for powder collection.

[0039] However, it is found in actual work that the powder remaining on the brush is difficult to be completely removed, which leads to more and more powder bonded on the brush over a long period of use, affecting the cleaning effect of the powder laying roller, and thus the brush needs to be frequently checked and replaced. At the same time, in an open environment, the scraped powder with binder components easily returns to the powder layer, resulting in powder agglomeration and bonding. For the powder laying roller that reciprocally rolls, the friction direction of the powder laying roller on the brush is different when the powder laying roller rotates forward and reversely, so that the falling positions of the powder are different, and it is also difficult to achieve powder collection.

[0040] To this end, the present application provides an automatic cleaning device and cleaning method for a binder jetting powder laying roller, which switches different powder scraping plates in contact with the powder laying roller 210 through the adjusting mechanism 400, so that the powder laying roller 210 has corresponding powder scraping plates to scrape off the bonded powder whether it rotates forward or reversely, and the collecting mechanism 500 absorbs and collects the powder, improving the smoothness of the surface of the powder laying roller 210.

[0041] Reference Figures 1-2The automatic cleaning device of the binder jetting powder laying roller in the first aspect embodiment of the application comprises a rack 100, a roller pressing mechanism 200, a powder scraping mechanism 300, an adjusting mechanism 400, and a collecting mechanism 500. The rack 100 is the main structure of the automatic cleaning device of the binder jetting powder laying roller and is used to support other components; the roller pressing mechanism 200 is used to roll and lay the powder layer; the adjusting mechanism 400 is used to adjust the position of the powder scraping box 310 in the powder scraping mechanism 300; and the collecting mechanism 500 is used to absorb the powder scraped off from the powder laying roller 210.

[0042] Specifically, the roller pressing mechanism 200 comprises a powder laying roller 210 and a motor 220. The powder laying roller 210 is rotationally connected to the rack 100, and the motor 220 drives the powder laying roller 210 to rotate, so that the powder laying roller 210 rolls and compacts the binder jetting powder layer. Further, the motor 220 can drive the powder laying roller 210 to rotate in a direct driving or indirect driving manner. The indirect driving manner includes gear transmission, belt transmission, and chain transmission. The belt transmission is adopted in this embodiment to realize power transmission.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3 The powder scraping mechanism 300 comprises a powder scraping box 310, a first powder scraping plate 320, and a second powder scraping plate 330. The powder scraping box 310 is slidably connected to the rack 100 in the front-rear direction and is invertedly arranged above the powder laying roller 210. The first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 are both arranged inside the powder scraping box 310. The first powder scraping plate 320 is located at the front side, and the second powder scraping plate 330 is located at the rear side. The gap between the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 is greater than the diameter of the powder laying roller 210, so that when the powder scraping box 310 moves, only one of the first powder scraping plate 320 or the second powder scraping plate 330 can contact the powder laying roller 210.

[0044] Further, the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 are both elastic members and are made of flexible high-molecular materials resistant to wear and heat, so that when the powder laying roller 210 contacts the elastic first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330, the elastic first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 can fully contact the surface of the powder laying roller 210, so that the powder scraping is more complete and the effect is better.

[0045] Further, the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 are both arc-shaped plates, and the arc radius of the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 is consistent with the outer surface radius of the powder laying roller 210, so that the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 can be attached to the surface of the powder laying roller 210 to better complete the powder scraping work.

[0046] Further, the circular arc angle of the first powder scraping plate 320 and the second powder scraping plate 330 is 45 to 60 degrees.

[0047] The adjusting mechanism 400 is connected with the frame 100, and is used to drive the powder scraping box 310 to slide and limit the position of the powder scraping box 310. Specifically, referring to Figure 4 The adjusting mechanism 400 in the embodiment includes an adjusting screw 410 and a spring 420. The adjusting screw 410 is threadedly connected with the frame 100, and an end of the adjusting screw 410 can abut against the powder scraping box 310. When the adjusting screw 410 is screwed, the adjusting screw 410 can apply a pushing force to the powder scraping box 310. The spring 420 has two ends connected to the frame 100 and the powder scraping box 310, respectively. The spring 420 applies a force to the powder scraping box 310 to make the powder scraping box 310 close to the adjusting screw 410, so that the powder scraping box 310 can keep in contact with the adjusting screw 410.

[0048] The collecting mechanism 500 includes a fan 510, a dust collection box 520, a first air inlet pipe 530 and a second air inlet pipe 540. The first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540 are both connected to the dust collection box 520, and the fan 510 is connected to the dust collection box 520 and is used to drive air flow to the dust collection box 520. The dust collection box 520 is used to store collected dust, and is detachably connected to the frame 100 to facilitate subsequent cleaning of the dust collection box 520. The first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540 are both inserted into the interior of the powder scraping box 310. The first air inlet pipe 530 is arranged above the first powder scraping plate 320 and is used to absorb dust scraped off by the first powder scraping plate 320. The second air inlet pipe 540 is arranged above the second powder scraping plate 330 and is used to absorb dust scraped off by the second powder scraping plate 330.

[0049] Further, the heights of the first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540 are lower than the top end of the powder spreading roller 210, so that when one side of the air inlet pipe is used to suck air, the air flow on the other side is difficult to be sucked due to the blockage of the powder spreading roller 210, so that the air inlet pipe focuses on dust absorption on the corresponding side and reduces the waste of suction force.

[0050] Further, a valve is installed in the dust collection box 520, and the valve is used to control the opening and closing of the first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540, so that the first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540 are selectively connected to the dust collection box 520. When one side of the air inlet pipe is used, the air inlet pipe on the other side is closed, so as to reduce the waste of suction force.

[0051] Further, the pipe openings of the first air inlet pipe 530 and the second air inlet pipe 540 are both provided with slopes 550. The bottom end of the slope 550 of the first air inlet pipe 530 is connected to the top of the first powder scraping plate 320, and the bottom end of the slope 550 of the second air inlet pipe 540 is connected to the top of the second powder scraping plate 330, which are used to guide dust into the air inlet pipe.

[0052] The cleaning method in the second aspect of the present application is performed by using the automatic cleaning device for the powder spreading roller with the adhesive, and the cleaning method includes the following steps. Figure 7, comprising the following steps:

[0053] S100. According to the rotating direction of the powder spreading roller 210, the corresponding powder scraping plate is selected by the adjusting mechanism 400 to be in contact with the powder spreading roller 210. Referring to Figure 5 When the powder spreading roller 210 moves forward and rotates clockwise, the first powder scraping plate 320 is in contact with the powder spreading roller 210, and at this time the first powder scraping plate 320 performs the powder scraping work; referring to Figure 6 When the powder spreading roller 210 moves backward and rotates counterclockwise, the second powder scraping plate 330 is in contact with the powder spreading roller 210, and at this time the second powder scraping plate 330 performs the powder scraping work;

[0054] S200. Turn on the motor 220 and the fan 510 and start the binder spraying device, the rack 100 is driven by the external binder spraying device to move, and the powder spreading roller 210 also starts to rotate synchronously.

[0055] S300. The powder adhered on the powder spreading roller 210 is scraped off by the first powder scraping plate 320 or the second powder scraping plate 330, and the first air inlet pipe 530 and / or the second air inlet pipe 540 absorbs the powder scraped off in the powder scraping box 310.

[0056] The above is a specific description of the preferred embodiment of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the described embodiment, and those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or replacements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these equivalent modifications or replacements are all included in the scope defined by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning device for an adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller, characterized in that, include: Rack (100); A roller pressing mechanism (200) includes a powder spreading roller (210) and a motor (220). The powder spreading roller (210) is rotatably connected to the frame (100), and the motor (220) drives the powder spreading roller (210) to rotate. The powder scraping mechanism (300) includes a powder scraping box (310), a first powder scraping plate (320), and a second powder scraping plate (330). The powder scraping box (310) is slidably connected to the frame (100) in the front-back direction. The powder scraping box (310) is upside down above the powder spreading roller (210). The first powder scraping plate (320) and the second powder scraping plate (330) are both installed inside the powder scraping box (310). The first powder scraping plate (320) is located on the front side, and the second powder scraping plate (330) is located on the rear side. During the movement of the powder scraping box (310), only one of the first powder scraping plate (320) or the second powder scraping plate (330) can contact the powder spreading roller (210). An adjustment mechanism (400) is connected to the frame (100) and is used to drive the powder scraper box (310) to slide and limit its position; A collection mechanism (500) includes a fan (510), a dust collection box (520), a first air inlet pipe (530), and a second air inlet pipe (540). The first air inlet pipe (530) and the second air inlet pipe (540) are both connected to the dust collection box (520). The fan (510) is connected to the dust collection box (520) and is used to drive airflow to the dust collection box (520). The first air inlet pipe (530) and the second air inlet pipe (540) are both inserted into the dust scraper box (310). The first air inlet pipe (530) is located above the first dust scraper plate (320), and the second air inlet pipe (540) is located above the second dust scraper plate (330).

2. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor (220) drives the powder spreading roller (210) via belt drive.

3. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first powder scraper (320) and the second powder scraper (330) are elastic elements.

4. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first scraper plate (320) and the second scraper plate (330) are arc-shaped plates, and the first scraper plate (320) and the second scraper plate (330) are attached to the surface of the powder spreading roller (210).

5. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 4, characterized in that: The arc angle of the first scraper (320) and the second scraper (330) is 45 to 60 degrees.

6. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the first air inlet pipe (530) and the second air inlet pipe (540) is lower than the top of the powder spreading roller (210).

7. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first air intake pipe (530) and the second air intake pipe (540) have ramps (550) at their openings. The bottom end of the ramp (550) of the first air intake pipe (530) is connected to the top of the first powder scraper (320), and the bottom end of the ramp (550) of the second air intake pipe (540) is connected to the top of the second powder scraper (330).

8. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dust collection box (520) is equipped with a valve, which is used to control the opening and closing of the first air inlet pipe (530) and the second air inlet pipe (540), so that one of the first air inlet pipe (530) and the second air inlet pipe (540) can be connected to the dust collection box (520).

9. The automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and powder spreading roller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustment mechanism (400) includes an adjustment screw (410) and a spring (420). The adjustment screw (410) is threadedly connected to the frame (100), and the end of the adjustment screw (410) can abut against the powder scraper box (310). The two ends of the spring (420) are respectively connected to the frame (100) and the powder scraper box (310), and the spring (420) applies a force to the powder scraper box (310) close to the adjustment screw (410).

10. A cleaning method, performed using an automatic cleaning device for the adhesive spraying and spreading roller as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. Its features are, include: According to the rotation direction of the powder spreading roller (210), the adjustment mechanism (400) selects the corresponding scraper to contact the powder spreading roller (210): when the powder spreading roller (210) moves forward and rotates clockwise, the first scraper (320) contacts the powder spreading roller (210); when the powder spreading roller (210) moves backward and rotates counterclockwise, the second scraper (330) contacts the powder spreading roller (210). Turn on the motor (220), fan (510) and start the adhesive spraying equipment, and the powder spreading roller (210) will start to rotate; The powder adhering to the powder spreading roller (210) is scraped off by the first powder scraper (320) or the second powder scraper (330), and the first air inlet pipe (530) and / or the second air inlet pipe (540) absorb the powder in the powder scraper box (310).

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