A 3D printing device for cross-scale droplet generation

Abstract

The application discloses a 3D printing device for cross-scale droplet generation. The application improves the printing nozzle module in the 3D printing device, designs a nozzle with adjustable nozzle hole diameter, can actively adjust the droplet size, can generate droplets adjustable in the range from microns to millimeters, realizes the generation of cross-scale droplets, flexibly adjusts the printing resolution from microns to millimeters in the printing process, adapts to different printing requirements, reduces the printing time, and has a wide application prospect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology and relates to a droplet-adjustable 3D printing device, specifically a 3D printing device for cross-scale droplet generation. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a new type of molding technology that uses three-dimensional model data as a basis and the principle of discrete stacking to achieve manufacturing by accumulating materials layer by layer. It has a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, aerospace, automobiles, and food.

[0003] Microdroplet 3D printing is one such method. Currently, it mainly uses single-point feeding, generates droplets with a specific tube diameter, and performs printing by moving the droplets from point to line to surface from the print head. This printing method faces a trade-off between printing resolution and printing time. Due to the droplet generation method, higher printing resolution means using smaller nozzles, but if small nozzles are used, the printing time is longer when printing larger objects or cross-sections.

[0004] In existing literature, in order to increase printing speed while ensuring printing accuracy, multiple printheads are set up to print simultaneously. However, this method tends to result in a large and cumbersome internal structure of the printer. Furthermore, since the number of printhead components that can be accommodated in the printer is limited, the speed-up effect is not significant. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to address the problems and needs existing in the background art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a 3D printing device for generating droplets across scales, which can generate droplets of adjustable size for 3D printing.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0007] This invention includes a precision liquid injection pump, a conduit, a printer housing, a printing substrate, a three-axis motion system, and a printhead module. The printing substrate is installed inside the printer housing, and the printhead module is installed in the printer housing via the three-axis motion system. The printhead module is positioned above the printing substrate, and the precision liquid injection pump is connected to the printhead module via a conduit. The printhead module includes a support slide and an adjustable nozzle. The adjustable nozzle is connected to the three-axis motion system via the support slide and is used to generate droplets that are adjustable in the range of micrometers to millimeters.

[0008] The adjustable nozzle diameter includes a first nozzle support, a U-shaped slider, a U-shaped slider guide rail, and a flexible tube. The first nozzle support is fixedly connected to a support slide. A flexible tube is fixedly installed inside the first nozzle support. Multiple U-shaped slider guide rails are installed on the circumferential side of the flexible tube at circumferential intervals. Each U-shaped slider guide rail is arranged radially along the flexible tube. The inner end of each U-shaped slider guide rail is fixedly connected to the circumferential side of the flexible tube. Each U-shaped slider is slidably installed outside the corresponding U-shaped slider guide rail. The U-shaped opening of each U-shaped slider faces the flexible tube. As each U-shaped slider slides from the outside to the inside, the inner end of the U-shaped slider guide rail is located in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped slider and gradually approaches the bottom of the U-shaped groove. At the same time, each U-shaped slider squeezes the flexible tube, causing the flexible tube to deform and be drawn into the U-shaped groove by the corresponding U-shaped slider guide rail, thereby changing the actual diameter of the flexible tube.

[0009] At least three U-shaped sliders and U-shaped slider guide rails are provided.

[0010] The nozzle with adjustable nozzle diameter includes a nozzle body, a second nozzle support, and electro-deformable blocks. The nozzle body is fixedly connected to the support slide via the second nozzle support. Multiple electro-deformable blocks are installed inside the nozzle body in a clockwise or counterclockwise sequence. The axial internal cavity formed between the multiple electro-deformable blocks serves as the actual nozzle channel.

[0011] Two sides of each electro-deformable block are in close contact with the inner wall of the nozzle body, and the two sides are adjacent to each other. The other two sides of each electro-deformable block are in close contact with the sides of the two adjacent electro-deformable blocks respectively.

[0012] The electro-deformation blocks are at least three.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0014] The 3D printing device provided by this invention can realize the generation of droplets across scales and flexibly adjust the printing resolution from micrometer to millimeter level during the printing process to adapt to different printing needs, thereby reducing printing time and having broad application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the 3D printing device;

[0016] Figure 2 A three-dimensional isometric view of the first printhead module in its minimum pipe diameter state;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a 3D isometric view of the first printing nozzle module in a small pipe diameter configuration.

[0018] Figure 4A three-dimensional isometric view of the first printhead module in its maximum pipe diameter state;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first printhead module.

[0020] Figure 6 A three-dimensional isometric view of the second printing nozzle module in its maximum pipe diameter state;

[0021] Figure 7 A three-dimensional isometric view of the second printhead module in its minimum pipe diameter state;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second printhead module.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Precision injection pump, 2. Conduit, 3. Printer housing, 4. Printing substrate, 5. Three-axis moving system, 6. Printing nozzle module, 7. Support slide, 8. First nozzle bracket, 9. U-shaped slider, 10. U-shaped slider guide rail, 11. Flexible tube sheet, 12. Second nozzle bracket, 13. Electro-deformable block. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The embodiments described in the drawings are only one embodiment of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a precision liquid injection pump 1, a conduit 2, a printer housing 3, a printing substrate 4, a three-axis motion system 5, and a print head module 6. The printing substrate 4 is installed inside the printer housing 3. The print head module 6 is installed in the printer housing 3 via the three-axis motion system 5 and is positioned above the printing substrate 4. The precision liquid injection pump 1 is connected to the print head module 6 via the conduit 2, and injects specific liquid printing material into the print head module 6 via the conduit 2. The print head module 6 includes a support slide 7 and an adjustable nozzle. The adjustable nozzle is connected to the three-axis motion system 5 via the support slide 7. The three-axis motion system 5 is used to achieve movement in the planar and vertical directions. The adjustable nozzle is used to generate droplets that are adjustable in the range of micrometers to millimeters to adapt to different printing needs.

[0026] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the nozzle with adjustable nozzle diameter includes a first nozzle support 8, a U-shaped slider 9, a U-shaped slider guide rail 10, and a flexible tube; the flexible tube is connected to the guide tube 2, and the flexible tube is composed of four flexible tube pieces 11 spliced ​​together. The first nozzle bracket 8 is fixedly connected to the support slide 7. A flexible tube is fixedly installed inside the first nozzle bracket 8. Four U-shaped slider guide rails 10 are installed on the circumferential side of the flexible tube at equal intervals along the circumference. Each U-shaped slider guide rail 10 is arranged radially along the flexible tube, and the inner end of each U-shaped slider guide rail 10 is fixedly connected to the circumferential side of the flexible tube. Each U-shaped slider 9 is slidably installed outside the corresponding U-shaped slider guide rail 10, with the U-shaped opening of each U-shaped slider 9 facing the flexible tube. As each U-shaped slider 9 slides from the outside to the inside, the inner end of the U-shaped slider guide rail 10 is positioned in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped slider 10 and gradually approaches the bottom of the U-shaped groove. At the same time, each U-shaped slider 10 squeezes the flexible tube, causing the flexible tube to deform and be drawn into the U-shaped groove by the corresponding U-shaped slider guide rail, thereby changing the actual diameter of the flexible tube and adjusting the size of the ejected droplets. Figure 5 (a)- Figure 5 As shown in (c), Figure 5 of (a), Figure 5 (b) Figure 5 (c) represents the states when the effective pipe diameter is at its minimum, smaller, and maximum, respectively. Figure 5 (c) indicates that the U-shaped sliding platform 10 is located on the outermost side, and the four flexible tube segments 11 are all in a natural arc state, maintaining the maximum effective tube diameter. Figure 5 (a) and Figure 8 (b) indicates that the U-shaped slides 10 slide inward, causing the flexible tube 11 to be squeezed and deformed. The flexible tube 11 partially slides into the groove of the U-shaped slide 9, and the effective tube diameter is reduced.

[0027] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the nozzle with adjustable nozzle diameter includes a nozzle body, a second nozzle support 12, and four electro-deformable blocks 13. The nozzle body is connected to the conduit 2, and the nozzle body is fixedly connected to the support slide 7 via the second nozzle support 12. Four electro-deformable blocks 13 are installed inside the nozzle body, arranged in a clockwise or counterclockwise sequence. The four electro-deformable blocks 13 are staggered, and the axial internal cavity formed between the four electro-deformable blocks 13 serves as the actual nozzle conduit. Two sides of each electro-deformable block 13 are in close contact with the inner wall of the nozzle body; these two sides are adjacent. The other two sides of each electro-deformable block 13 are in close contact with the sides of the two adjacent electro-deformable blocks 13. Under the action of a specific electric field, the electro-deformable material 13 deforms, and its cross-section changes from an initial rectangle to a square, resulting in a reduction in the central gap, thereby adjusting the size of the ejected droplets. Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 As shown in (b), Figure 8 (a) indicates that the electrodeformable material 13 is in its initial rectangular state, with the central voids remaining at their maximum. Figure 8 (b) indicates that under the action of a specific electric field, the cross-section of the electrodeformable material 13 changes from a rectangle to a square, resulting in a reduction in the gap in the middle.

[0028] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments and descriptions are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing apparatus for multi-scale droplet generation, characterized in that, The system includes a precision injection pump (1), a conduit (2), a printer housing (3), a printing substrate (4), a three-axis moving system (5), and a print head module (6). The printing substrate (4) is installed inside the printer housing (3), and the print head module (6) is installed in the printer housing (3) via the three-axis moving system (5). The print head module (6) is positioned above the printing substrate (4), and the precision injection pump (1) is connected to the print head module (6) via the conduit (2). The print head module (6) includes a support slide (7) and an adjustable nozzle. The adjustable nozzle is connected to the three-axis moving system (5) via the support slide (7). The adjustable nozzle is used to generate droplets that are adjustable in the range of micrometers to millimeters. The adjustable nozzle includes a first nozzle support (8), a U-shaped slider (9), a U-shaped slider guide rail (10), and a flexible tube. The first nozzle support (8) is fixedly connected to the support slide (7). A flexible tube is fixedly installed inside the first nozzle support (8). Multiple U-shaped slider guide rails (10) are installed on the circumferential side of the flexible tube at intervals along the circumference. Each U-shaped slider guide rail (10) is arranged radially along the flexible tube, and the inner end of each U-shaped slider guide rail (10) is fixedly connected to the circumferential side of the flexible tube. Each U-shaped slider (9) is slidably mounted outside the corresponding U-shaped slider guide (10), and the U-shaped opening of each U-shaped slider (9) is set towards the flexible tube. During the process of each U-shaped slider (9) sliding from the outside to the inside, the inner end of the U-shaped slider guide (10) is set in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped slider (9) and gradually approaches the bottom of the U-shaped groove. At the same time, each U-shaped slider (9) squeezes the flexible tube, causing the flexible tube to deform and the flexible tube to be carried into the U-shaped groove by the corresponding U-shaped slider guide, thereby changing the actual diameter of the flexible tube.

2. The 3D printing apparatus for multi-scale droplet generation according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least three of the U-shaped sliders (9) and U-shaped slider rails (10) are provided.

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