Fixtures for Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of stir friction welding additive manufacturing, and specifically discloses a fixed tool for additive manufacturing, which includes: a substrate fixing plate, a substrate mounting position is provided on the substrate fixing plate, the substrate mounting position includes a bottom plate and a plurality of limiting parts, the limiting parts are connected to the edge of the bottom plate and extend upward, and the plurality of limiting parts are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction to form a drainage groove between two limiting parts; a table, the substrate fixing plate is detachably mounted on the table, and a cooling nozzle is provided on the table, and the cooling nozzle faces the bottom plate. The advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that, on the one hand, it saves raw materials, improves the utilization rate of raw materials, and reduces the waste of raw materials; on the other hand, it simplifies the manufacturing process, can be formed in one step, and omits the part of cutting the excess, which saves time and reduces the probability of damaging the negative pole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of friction stir additive manufacturing, and in particular, relates to a fixed tooling for additive manufacturing. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the manufacturing process of the negative electrode column is usually to process metal materials into the negative electrode column through processes such as extrusion, stretching or cold heading. After forming, it may be necessary to remove the excess parts on the negative electrode column, such as the boss margin, etc., which can be done by cutting equipment. Figure 4 As shown, the conventional negative electrode manufacturing method requires first laying a layer of deposition (deposition includes attachment) on the substrate 01. Figure 4 The negative electrode column 02 and the cutting margin 03 in the embodiment are formed, and then the cutting margin 03 is removed by cutting or other methods to finally obtain the negative electrode column. However, this method is not only cumbersome in steps and complex in process, but also requires high cutting precision, otherwise the negative electrode column may be damaged, and the cut margin also wastes materials.

[0003] Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) is a 3D printing technology developed based on the principle of friction stir welding. It uses the stirring friction between the stirring needle, additive raw materials and connectors to generate heat, soften the materials at the connection, and then connect the materials together through axial pressure. Electrode manufacturing through the friction stir additive process can save the cutting process, simplify the steps and avoid waste, but there is no related manufacturing process in the prior art, and there is also a lack of fixed tooling suitable for the friction stir additive process in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, one object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for additive manufacturing.

[0005] The fixed tooling for additive manufacturing according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a substrate fixing plate, on which a substrate mounting position is provided, the substrate mounting position comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of limiting portions, the limiting portions are connected to the edge of the bottom plate and extend upward, and the plurality of limiting portions are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction to form a drainage groove between two of the limiting portions; a table top, on which the substrate fixing plate is detachably mounted, and a cooling nozzle is provided on the table top, and the cooling nozzle faces the bottom plate.

[0006] The advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that the present invention manufactures the negative electrode column through the process of stir friction additive, which saves raw materials, improves the utilization rate of raw materials, and reduces the waste of raw materials; on the other hand, it simplifies the manufacturing process, can be formed in one step, omitting the part of cutting the excess, saving time and reducing the probability of damaging the negative electrode column. The setting of the fixed tooling provides manufacturing space for stir friction additive.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate fixing plate further comprises a water guiding surface, which is located below the bottom plate in the vertical direction, has an extending direction with an angle with the horizontal direction, and is located on a side of the drainage groove away from the bottom plate.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are a plurality of substrate mounting positions, and the plurality of substrate mounting positions are arranged on the substrate fixing plate at intervals.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a water baffle extending upward is provided at the edge of the table top, and the water baffle is arranged around the base plate fixing plate to form a closed space around the base plate fixing plate.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lifting ring is further included. The lifting ring is connected to the table top and is located on a side of the water retaining plate away from the base plate fixing plate.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the vertical direction, the upper end of the water retaining plate is lower than the bottom plate.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gripper is provided on the substrate fixing plate, and the gripper is connected to a side wall of the substrate fixing plate.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are two grippers, and the two grippers are respectively disposed on two opposite side walls of the substrate fixing plate.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heating device is further included, and a heating surface of the heating device is in contact with the bottom plate.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mounting groove recessed toward the bottom plate is provided on a side of the substrate fixing plate away from the bottom plate, and the heating device is installed in the mounting groove.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing tool of the electrode in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a substrate mounting position of an electrode fixing tool in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode manufacturing substrate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of an electrode manufacturing substrate in the prior art.

[0022] Reference numerals:

[0023] Fixture 10; fixture base 11; water baffle 12; substrate fixing plate 13; water guide surface 131; substrate mounting position 132; substrate groove 1321; drainage groove 1322; gripper 133; fixing clamp 14; lifting ring 15; substrate 01; negative pole 02; cutting allowance 03; shaft shoulder 04; screw 05; wire 06; stirring needle 07. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0025] In the prior art, the manufacturing process of the negative electrode column is usually to process metal materials into the negative electrode column through processes such as extrusion, stretching or cold heading. After forming, it may be necessary to remove the excess parts on the negative electrode column, such as the boss margin, etc., which can be done by cutting equipment. Figure 4 As shown, the conventional negative electrode manufacturing method requires first laying a layer of deposition (deposition includes attachment) on the substrate 01. Figure 4 The negative electrode column 02 and the cutting margin 03 in the embodiment are formed, and then the cutting margin 03 is removed by cutting or other methods to finally obtain the negative electrode column. However, this method is not only cumbersome in steps and complex in process, but also requires high cutting precision, otherwise the negative electrode column may be damaged, and the cut margin also wastes materials.

[0026] In order to solve the above technical problems, the following reference Figure 1-Figure 4The fixed tool 10 for additive manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, including: a substrate fixing plate 13, on which a substrate mounting position 132 is provided, the substrate mounting position 132 includes a bottom plate and a plurality of limiting portions, the limiting portions are connected to the edge of the bottom plate and extend upward, and the plurality of limiting portions are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction to form a drainage groove 1322 between the two limiting portions; a table top, on which the substrate fixing plate 13 is detachably mounted, and a cooling nozzle is provided on the table top, the cooling nozzle facing the bottom plate. The substrate 01 used for additive manufacturing is arranged on the substrate mounting position 132, and is fixed in cooperation with the substrate fixing plate 13. The substrate mounting position 132 provides an additive space for the substrate 01, and the substrate mounting position 132 is suitable for being configured into a shape that is compatible with the structure of the substrate 01, thereby fixing the substrate 01 to prevent the substrate 01 from shifting or shaking during the process of stir friction additive manufacturing. In some embodiments, the substrate fixing plate 13 is detachably mounted on the tooling base 11, such as Figure 1 In the example shown, the substrate 01 is fixed by a stopper, and the stopper is configured to match the structure of the substrate 01. The multiple stoppers can firmly fix the substrate 01 at the substrate mounting position 132 to prevent the substrate 01 from moving or shaking during the friction stir additive process, thereby affecting the deposition quality.

[0027] The cooling nozzle is facing the bottom plate of the substrate mounting position 132, and is used to spray water to cool the substrate 01 during the friction stir additive stage. This can achieve rapid cooling and solidification. Water spray cooling can quickly reduce the temperature of the additive area, allowing the additive part to solidify quickly. This helps to maintain the stability of the additive area and avoid excessive softening or deformation of the material at high temperatures. In addition, during the friction stir additive process, residual stress may be generated inside the material due to local heating and rapid cooling. Water spray cooling can more accurately control the cooling rate, thereby reducing the size and distribution of residual stress and improving the stability and durability of the additive connection structure.

[0028] The arrangement of the drainage groove 1322 allows the water at the substrate mounting position 132 to be drained smoothly, preventing the coolant or water from remaining at the substrate mounting position 132 and affecting the friction stir additive. In the additive manufacturing process requiring high-precision positioning or operation, the water residue may cause inaccurate positioning, thereby affecting the deposition quality or manufacturing accuracy. A plurality of limiting parts define a substrate groove 1321 on the substrate mounting position 132 for accommodating the substrate.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate fixing plate 13 further includes a water guide surface 131, which is located below the bottom plate in the vertical direction, and the extension direction of the water guide surface 131 has an angle with the horizontal direction, and the water guide surface 131 is located on the side of the drainage groove 1322 away from the bottom plate. A groove is provided on the substrate fixing plate 13, and the bottom surface of the groove is formed as the water guide surface 131, and the extension direction of the water guide surface has an angle with the horizontal direction. The water guide surface 131 is constructed as an inclined inclined surface, and one side of the groove has no side wall for water discharge, and the height of the water guide surface 131 close to the side without the side wall is the lowest, and the groove can accommodate a single or multiple substrate mounting positions 132, and the substrate mounting positions 132 are arranged on the water guide surface 131. Therefore, when the cooling nozzle sprays water to cool the substrate mounting position 132, the residual water will flow out along the water guide surface 131 and will not accumulate on the substrate fixing plate 13.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple substrate mounting positions 132, and the multiple substrate mounting positions 132 are arranged at intervals on the substrate fixing plate 13. The multi-station design allows deposition to be performed on multiple substrate mounting positions 132 simultaneously during the friction stir additive process. Or when a substrate 01 on a substrate mounting position 132 is being deposited, a substrate 01 on another substrate mounting position 132 can be prepared for deposition, reducing waiting and conversion time. Therefore, the multi-station design can greatly improve production efficiency.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the table top of the tooling base 11 is provided with a water baffle 12 extending upward, and the water baffle 12 is arranged around the substrate fixing plate 13 to form a closed space around the substrate fixing plate 13. The water baffle 12 is arranged at the edge of the table top to prevent water from flowing out from the table top, and the water baffle 12 is arranged around the substrate fixing plate 13 to form a closed space around the substrate fixing plate 13. The tooling base 11 is also provided with a water outlet, so that the water sprayed by the cooling nozzle can be discharged in a centralized manner. Since a heating device is also provided under the substrate fixing plate 13, if the water sprayed by the cooling nozzle is allowed to flow freely, it is inevitable to affect the heating device or other components. By providing the water baffle 12, the water can be prevented from flowing freely, which is convenient for centralized treatment.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the vertical direction, the upper end of the water baffle 12 is lower than the bottom plate to prevent the water baffle 12 from intercepting too much water and accumulating on the tooling surface, causing the liquid level to rise above the height of the substrate mounting position 132 .

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed tool 10 further includes a lifting ring 15, which is connected to the table and is located on the side of the water retaining plate 12 away from the substrate fixing plate 13. During the friction stir additive manufacturing process, the tool may need to be moved between different working areas or equipment. As a connection point for the lifting equipment, the lifting ring 15 can easily realize the lifting and movement of the tool, avoid the difficulty and risk of manual handling, and improve work efficiency and safety.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gripper 133 is provided on the substrate fixing plate 13, and the gripper 133 is connected to the side wall of the substrate fixing plate 13. The substrate fixing plate 13 is fixed to the tooling base 11 by a fixing clamp 14. When material addition is required, the substrate fixing plate 13 can be fixed to the tooling base 11 by the fixing clamp 14. When material addition is not required, the fixing clamp 14 can be opened to remove the substrate fixing plate 13. In other words, the substrate fixing plate 13 can be disassembled, and through the gripper 133, the operator can stably control the substrate fixing plate 13 to avoid safety accidents caused by improper operation. Especially in the case where the substrate fixing plate 13 needs to be frequently moved or adjusted, the presence of the gripper 133 can greatly reduce the operation risk.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are two grippers 133, and the two grippers 133 are respectively arranged on two opposite side walls of the substrate fixing plate 13. The positions of the two grippers 133 are not symmetrical, but are roughly arranged at diagonal positions. When the grippers 133 are arranged at diagonal positions, more uniform support and tension can be provided. This layout ensures that balanced support can be obtained when the substrate fixing plate 13 is moved or adjusted, thereby avoiding deformation or damage caused by uneven force. This stability is crucial to ensuring the accuracy and quality of the stir friction additive process.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed fixture 10 also includes a heating device, and the heating surface of the heating device is attached to the bottom plate. The heating device is used to heat the substrate 01 and the deposited material during the friction stir additive process. For example, taking the substrate as a copper material and the additive as an aluminum material as an example, it can improve the generation of aluminum-copper compounds, improve the aluminum-copper connection strength, and help the material soften and reach a certain plastic state. This plastic state allows the stirring needle to easily stir and mix in the material, and helps to achieve uniform additive of the material, ensuring the quality and performance of the product. Appropriate heating temperature helps to promote the connection between materials. In friction stir additive manufacturing, the stirring needle and the additive raw material generate friction heat on the surface of the substrate material, so that the material softens and reaches the temperature required for connection. This connection method can avoid defects such as thermal cracks and pores that may occur in traditional additive methods, and improve the connection quality and stability of the product. On the other hand, by setting a heating device, the time of friction stir can be shortened, the work efficiency can be improved, and the substrate 01 and the deposited material can be plasticized and fused as quickly as possible.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting groove that is recessed toward the bottom plate is provided on the side of the substrate fixing plate 13 that is away from the bottom plate, and the heating device is installed in the mounting groove. Thus, the heating device can reduce the space occupied as much as possible, and fit the substrate fixing plate 13 as much as possible to improve the heating effect. Moreover, it is arranged below the substrate fixing plate 13 and will not be affected by the coolant or water, which is more convenient.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 3 , the additive component includes a shoulder 04, a screw 05 and a stirring pin 07. The screw 05 is arranged inside the shoulder 04 and is used to cut, rub, extrude and transport the wire 06. The wire 06 is cut into granules, and the accumulated granular material is conveyed to the surface of the substrate to stir and rub with the substrate to form a deposition. The side wall of the shoulder 04 is provided with an inlet, and the wire 06 enters the shoulder 04 through the inlet. The stirring pin 07 is arranged at the bottom of the screw 05 and is used to further stir the substrate material and the deposition material. The bottom of the screw 05 may be provided with a stirring pin 07 or may not be provided with a stirring pin 07, which is not limited here. The advantage of having a stirring pin 07 is that the stirring pin 07 generates heat by friction with the material during the stir friction additive manufacturing process, and at the same time, the material is softened by mechanical stirring, which promotes the vertical flow of the material and increases the mixing degree of the softened material. The advantage of not having a stirring pin 07 is that the risk of needle breakage is avoided during the additive process, the life of the additive component is increased, and the process cost is reduced. It can be selected according to needs.

[0039] The present invention manufactures the negative electrode column by using the process of stir friction additive, which saves raw materials, improves the utilization rate of raw materials, and reduces the waste of raw materials. On the other hand, it simplifies the manufacturing process, can be formed in one step, and omits the part of cutting the excess, which saves time and reduces the probability of damaging the negative electrode column. The setting of the fixed tool 10 provides a manufacturing space for stir friction additive.

[0040] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fixed tool for additive manufacturing, characterized in that: include: A substrate fixing plate, wherein the substrate fixing plate is provided with a substrate mounting position, wherein the substrate mounting position comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of limiting portions, wherein the limiting portions are connected to the edge of the bottom plate and extend upward, and the plurality of limiting portions are arranged at intervals in a horizontal direction to form a drainage groove between two of the limiting portions; A table top, the substrate fixing plate is detachably mounted on the table top, a cooling nozzle is arranged on the table top, and the cooling nozzle faces the bottom plate; The edge of the table top is provided with a water baffle extending upward, and the water baffle is arranged around the base plate fixing plate to form a closed space around the base plate fixing plate; In the vertical direction, the upper end of the water retaining plate is lower than the bottom plate.

2. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate fixing plate further comprises a water guide surface, which is located below the bottom plate in the vertical direction, and the extension direction of the water guide surface forms an angle with the horizontal direction, and the water guide surface is located on the side of the drainage groove away from the bottom plate.

3. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are a plurality of substrate mounting positions, and the plurality of substrate mounting positions are arranged on the substrate fixing plate at intervals.

4. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a lifting ring, which is connected to the table top and is located on a side of the water retaining plate away from the base plate fixing plate.

5. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate fixing plate is provided with a gripper, and the gripper is connected to the side wall of the substrate fixing plate.

6. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two grippers, and the two grippers are respectively arranged on the two opposite side walls of the substrate fixing plate.

7. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a heating device, and the heating surface of the heating device is in contact with the bottom plate.

8. The fixture for additive manufacturing according to claim 7, characterized in that: A mounting groove which is recessed toward the bottom plate is provided on one side of the substrate fixing plate away from the bottom plate, and the heating device is installed in the mounting groove.

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