An additive manufacturing device for triangular trusses for aerospace

Abstract

The present invention provides a truss additive manufacturing device for aerospace, comprising three parts: a multi-axis motion module, a multi-material printing nozzle, and a truss traction and support module. The multi-axis motion module consists of a linear motion guide rail capable of moving in the X and Y directions within a plane and its drive motor. At the same time, a rotating platform capable of swinging the A and B axes is fixed on a mounting plate driven by the drive motor and capable of moving in the X and Y directions. A multi-material printing nozzle is installed on the optional platform. Driven by the multi-axis drive motor, the printing nozzle can achieve movement in the X and Y directions within a plane and rotation around the A and B axes. The device of the present invention realizes the continuous forming of truss rods of unlimited length by using a truss traction and support module instead of a Z-axis hot bed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing devices, and in particular to an additive manufacturing device for aerospace triangular trusses. Background Art

[0002] In space additive manufacturing, polymer filaments are melt-extruded using FDM technology, then stacked layer by layer to form the structure. Currently, composite truss structures for long-baseline space structures are typically manufactured using a mold, mechanically processing the truss components, and then gluing them together. This process is cumbersome and prevents the truss structure from being formed in one go. Truss structures formed using a layer-by-layer method require manual preparation, resulting in long processing cycles, poor product consistency, and inconsistent resin and fiber conditions within the truss. The technology for forming trusses using additive manufacturing is still under development, and the relevant equipment is not yet mature. There is no additive manufacturing equipment for aerospace trusses.

[0003] The aerospace triangular truss additive manufacturing device can form truss rods of unlimited length through 3D printing in a space environment, enabling the on-orbit construction of future large-scale aerospace equipment. Traditional 3D printing equipment is limited by the Z-axis printing plane and cannot form truss structures of unlimited length. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address these issues, the present invention discloses an additive manufacturing device for aerospace triangular trusses. This device utilizes a truss traction and support module in place of a Z-axis heated bed, enabling the continuous formation of truss rods of unlimited length. Furthermore, through a multi-axis motion structure and multi-material printhead, the device enhances the structural rigidity and interlaminar bonding strength of the composite truss body, effectively preventing the low interlaminar strength and cracking along the X and Y planes common to traditional 3D-printed and short-fiber-printed trusses.

[0005] A truss additive manufacturing device for aerospace use comprises three parts: a multi-axis motion module, a multi-material printing nozzle, and a truss traction and support module.

[0006] The multi-axis motion module consists of linear guides capable of in-plane motion in the X and Y directions and their drive motors. A rotating platform capable of swinging along the A and B axes is affixed to a mounting plate driven by the drive motors, which also moves in the X and Y directions. A multi-material printhead is mounted on the optional platform. Driven by the multi-axis drive motors, the printhead can achieve in-plane motion in the X and Y directions and rotation about the A and B axes.

[0007] The multi-material printing nozzle includes a short fiber composite material print head and a continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head. The continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head is equipped with a continuous fiber cutting device, which drives a connecting rod through a servo, and then the connecting rod drives a blade to cut the continuous fiber filament; at the same time, the cutting device is equipped with a pneumatic connector for connecting to a Teflon wire feeding tube; a plurality of threaded holes are opened on the part, through which the print head is connected to the printer motion device.

[0008] The truss traction and support module includes an integral mounting frame, a driving roller, a plurality of supporting rollers located on the opposite side of the driving roller, a synchronous wheel, a synchronous belt and a traction stepping motor.

[0009] The cross-section of the integral mounting frame is a triangle, with the included angles of the three sides all being 60 degrees. There are mounting positioning holes on the edge of the mounting frame, and a number of supporting rollers are provided on both sides of the integral mounting frame; a number of driving rollers are provided at the bottom of the integral mounting frame in sequence; they are used to support and transport the triangular truss, and the extended end of the driving shaft on the driving roller is connected to a synchronous wheel; the driving shaft of the traction motor is connected to the synchronous wheel at one end; and the synchronous wheels are connected by a synchronous belt.

[0010] Furthermore, the driving rollers are driven by a stepper motor, and multiple groups of driving rollers are connected by synchronous belts to ensure movement consistency and enhance friction through the multiple groups of driving rollers.

[0011] The supporting roller is a rigid wheel, which is rigidly connected to the overall mounting frame; the driving roller uses a flexible rubber wheel to ensure that the friction with the triangular truss can drive the truss to move along the Z direction, so that the driving roller can fully contact the truss and ensure the stability of the truss movement along the Z direction.

[0012] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0013] 1. While the truss is being pulled by the driving roller, the print head module moves at the same time, and the printing module on the moving module works, completing the printing of the short fiber reinforced composite material truss body layer by layer. After the short fiber composite material truss body is printed, the continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head prints continuous fibers perpendicular to the short fiber printing direction on the outside of the composite material truss to enhance the overall structural strength of the truss and prevent cracking between truss layers.

[0014] 2. Simultaneously, through the traction motion of the drive roller, the build length is not restricted by the height of traditional printers, enabling the continuous formation of truss rods of unlimited length. Compared to treadmill-style unlimited-length printing devices, this design directly drives the truss members in the Z direction through the drive roller, eliminating the bonding and separation process between the printed components and the substrate, effectively improving printing accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 Shown is the overall structural design of a triangular truss additive manufacturing device for aerospace use.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the print head mounting plate.

[0017] Figure 3 This is the structural diagram of the truss traction and support module.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a detailed view of the interior of the truss traction and support module.

[0019] Figure 5 The truss member 5 is finally formed.

[0020] List of reference numerals: 1-multi-axis motion module; 2-print nozzle mounting plate; 3-multi-material print nozzle; 4-truss traction and support module; 5-truss; 41-integral mounting frame; 42-drive roller; 43-support roller; 44-synchronizing wheel; 45-synchronizing belt; 46-traction stepper motor; 51-short fiber reinforced composite material truss body; 52-continuous fiber reinforced composite material outer layer, 21-rotating platform, 22-servo. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" used in the following description refer to directions in the accompanying drawings, and the terms "inward" and "outward" refer to directions toward or away from the geometric center of a particular component, respectively.

[0022] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the overall structure of an aerospace triangular truss additive manufacturing device in this embodiment includes a multi-axis motion module 1, a print head mounting plate 2, a multi-material print head 3, a truss traction and support module 4 and a printed truss 5.

[0023] In this embodiment, the multi-axis motion module 1 can move in the X and Y directions within a plane, with linear motion guides and drive motors installed along the motion direction. Simultaneously, a rotating platform driven by a servo is attached to the printhead mounting plate 2, which can move in the X and Y directions, and a rotating platform capable of swinging along the A and B axes.

[0024] In this embodiment, the multi-material printing head 3 is installed on the printing head mounting plate 2, including a short fiber composite material print head and a continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head. The continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head is equipped with a continuous fiber cutting device, which drives the connecting rod through the servo, and then the connecting rod drives the blade to cut the continuous fiber filament; at the same time, the cutting device is equipped with a pneumatic connector for connecting to the Teflon wire feeding tube; a plurality of threaded holes are opened on the part, and the connection between the print head and the printer motion device is realized through the part.

[0025] In this embodiment, the truss traction and support module 4 includes an integral mounting frame 41, a driving roller 42, a plurality of supporting rollers 43 located on the opposite side of the driving roller, a synchronous wheel 44, a synchronous belt 45, and a traction stepper motor 46. The angles of the three sides of the integral mounting frame are all 60 degrees. There are mounting positioning holes on the edge of the mounting frame, and limited rollers are installed on the three sides of the mounting frame to support and transport the triangular truss. The supporting rollers 43 are rigid wheels, and there are two groups of them, which are rigidly connected to the integral mounting frame; one group of driving rollers 42 uses flexible rubber wheels to ensure that the friction with the triangular truss can drive the truss 5 to move along the Z direction. At the same time, the driving rollers 42 and the integral mounting frame are connected by springs and positioning pins so that the driving rollers can fully contact the truss to ensure the stability of the truss movement along the Z direction. Multiple groups of driving rollers are connected by synchronous wheels 44 and synchronous belts 45 to ensure the consistency of movement. The friction is enhanced by multiple groups of driving rollers. The drive is a mechanism for pulling the truss movement, such as Figure 4 As shown, the driving roller 42 is driven by a stepper motor to rotate. If only one driving roller 42 is retained, it will slip and fail to drive the truss to move. Therefore, multiple sets of driving rollers 42 are connected by synchronous wheels 44 and synchronous belts 45 to ensure movement consistency and enhance friction through multiple sets of driving rollers.

[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the final formed truss member 5 is composed of two parts of materials, including a short fiber reinforced composite material truss body 51 parallel to the X and Y planes and a continuous fiber reinforced composite material outer layer 52 perpendicular to the X and Y planes. By combining two different materials, the structural rigidity and interlayer bonding strength of the composite material truss body are enhanced, which can effectively prevent the interlayer cracking problem along the X and Y planes that occurs in traditional short fiber printed trusses.

[0027] The technical means disclosed in the solution of the present invention are not limited to the technical means disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features.

Claims

1. An aerospace triangular truss additive manufacturing device, characterized by: The invention comprises a frame, wherein the frame is provided with a multi-axis motion module (1), a print head mounting plate (2), a multi-material print head (3), a truss traction and support module (4), and a printed truss (5); wherein the multi-axis motion module (1) moves in the X and Y directions in a plane, and a linear motion guide rail and a drive motor are installed along the direction of its movement; wherein the multi-material print head (3) is installed on the print head mounting plate (2); the multi-material print head includes a short fiber composite material print head and a continuous fiber reinforced composite material print head; wherein the print head mounting plate (2) that can move in the X and Y directions is fixed with a rotating platform (21) that can realize A and B axis swing; the rotating platform (21) is driven to rotate by a steering gear (22); wherein the printed truss (5) includes a short fiber reinforced composite material truss main body (51) parallel to the X and Y planes and a continuous fiber reinforced composite material outer layer (52) perpendicular to the X and Y planes; wherein the truss traction and support module (4) includes an integral mounting frame (41), a drive roller (42), A plurality of supporting rollers (43), a synchronous wheel (44), a synchronous belt (45) and a traction stepping motor (46) are located on the opposite side of the driving roller (42); the cross section of the integral mounting frame (41) is triangular, and the angles of the three sides are all 60 degrees. A mounting positioning hole is opened on the edge of the mounting frame, wherein a plurality of supporting rollers (43) are provided on both sides of the integral mounting frame (41); a plurality of driving rollers (42) are provided at the bottom of the integral mounting frame (41); used for supporting and conveying the triangular truss, the driving roller (42) drives the upper The extended end of the moving shaft is connected to a synchronous wheel (44); wherein the driving shaft of the traction motor (46) is connected to the synchronous wheel (44) at one end thereof; wherein the synchronous wheels (44) are connected to each other via a synchronous belt (45); wherein the supporting roller (43) is a rigid wheel, rigidly connected to the integral mounting frame (41); wherein the driving roller (42) uses a flexible rubber wheel, ensuring that the friction force with the triangular truss can drive the truss (5) to move along the Z direction, so that the driving roller (42) can fully contact the truss, thereby ensuring the stability of the truss movement along the Z direction.

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