Light path cleaning system and cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of metal 3D printing, and aims to solve the technical problems that in the long-time printing process of SLM metal 3D printing equipment, a light path lens is polluted by smoke dust, laser energy transmission is affected, and the SLM metal 3D printing equipment is difficult to clean under the condition that a bin door is not opened. The invention discloses a light path cleaning system and cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment, the light path cleaning system comprises a forming cavity, a light path lens is arranged in the forming cavity, a lens cleaner used for blowing the light path lens through airflow is arranged below the side of the light path lens, and an air storage tank and a reverse blowing electromagnetic valve are arranged outside the forming cavity; the blowback electromagnetic valve is connected with the air storage tank through a first air pipe and is connected with the lens cleaner through a second air pipe. A lens cleaner is arranged in the forming cavity, an air storage tank and a reverse blowing electromagnetic valve are arranged outside the forming cavity, after the reverse blowing electromagnetic valve is started, high-pressure air enters the cleaner through a pipeline to uniformly blow and sweep the optical path lens, dust is effectively removed, a bin door does not need to be opened, and energy loss is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of metal 3D printing, and in particular to an optical path cleaning system and a cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development and application of SLM (Selective Laser Melting of Metal) 3D printing technology, the scale and complexity of SLM metal 3D printing equipment are also gradually increasing. Modern SLM equipment is able to print larger and larger workpieces, which provides great convenience for industrial manufacturing and the production of complex parts. However, as the equipment becomes larger, the printing cycle of a workpiece will exceed one month. This long-term continuous printing process will produce a large amount of smoke and metal powder. The diffusion and deposition of these particles during the printing process will cause pollution to multiple components inside the equipment, especially the optical path lenses.

[0003] The optical path lens plays a vital role in SLM equipment. It is responsible for transmitting and focusing the laser beam so that the laser can accurately act on the metal powder bed to achieve precise melting and molding. However, due to the continuous smoke and dust generated during the printing process, these tiny particles can easily diffuse in the air and gradually deposit on the surface of the optical path lens. Over time, pollutants on the surface of the lens will gradually accumulate, causing the lens's light transmittance to decrease, thereby affecting the transmission efficiency of the laser energy. This will not only reduce the printing quality, but may also cause instability during the printing process and even damage the equipment.

[0004] In addition, the optical path lenses of SLM equipment are usually installed in specific locations inside the molding chamber, which are often outside the wiping range of the chamber door gloves. Since the molding chamber needs to maintain strict sealing to prevent the external environment from affecting the printing process, it is difficult for operators to clean and maintain the lenses without opening the chamber door. The traditional manual wiping method is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also has the risk of inconvenient operation and secondary contamination, and cannot meet the high-frequency demand for lens cleaning during long-term printing.

[0005] During the large-scale and long-term continuous printing process of SLM metal 3D printing equipment, the contamination of light path lenses by smoke and metal powder has become a key issue. After these pollutants are deposited on the surface of the lens, they seriously affect the transmission efficiency of laser energy, resulting in reduced printing quality and unstable equipment performance. In order to ensure high-quality printing effects, the light path lenses must be cleaned regularly. However, due to the special position of the light path lenses, it is difficult to clean them by traditional manual wiping methods without opening the door.

[0006] Therefore, how to effectively clean the smoke and dust pollution of the optical path lenses without affecting the printing process and maintaining the sealing of the equipment has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical path cleaning system and cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment, so as to solve the technical problem that the optical path lens of the SLM metal 3D printing equipment is contaminated by smoke and dust during a long printing process, thereby affecting the laser energy transmission, and it is difficult to clean it without opening the chamber door.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical path cleaning system and a cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment.

[0009] As one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical path cleaning system for a metal 3D printing device, comprising a molding cavity, an optical path lens being arranged in the molding cavity, a lens cleaner for blowing the optical path lens by airflow being arranged on the lower side of the optical path lens, an air storage tank and a back-blowing solenoid valve being arranged outside the molding cavity, the back-blowing solenoid valve being connected to the air storage tank through a first air pipe, and the back-blowing solenoid valve being connected to the lens cleaner through a second air pipe.

[0010] The optical path cleaning system of the present invention can clean the optical path lens quickly and efficiently through airflow, avoiding the time-consuming and inconvenient manual wiping and greatly improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0011] By using airflow instead of mechanical contact, physical wear and damage to the surface of the optical path lens is reduced, thereby extending the service life of the lens and ensuring the stability of laser energy transmission.

[0012] Since the cleaning process does not require opening the molding cavity, the operation complexity and maintenance cost are reduced, the equipment downtime is reduced, and the equipment utilization rate is improved.

[0013] Enhance operational safety, avoid frequent opening of the molding cavity, reduce the operator's chance of exposure to high temperature and harmful dust, reduce operational risks, and enhance the safety of equipment use.

[0014] The optical path cleaning system of the present invention can be applied to various large-scale metal 3D printing equipment, and is particularly suitable for environments with long printing cycles and high levels of smoke and dust.

[0015] Furthermore, the cross-section of the lens cleaner is wedge-shaped, and an air outlet and an air inlet are respectively formed on both sides of the lens cleaner. The air inlet is connected to the second air pipe, and the width of the air outlet is not less than the diameter of the optical path lens. The lens cleaner is provided with an airflow backblowing structure, and a main air cavity and an acceleration cavity are formed inside. A pressurizing slope is formed obliquely below the air outlet for pressurizing and changing the direction of the airflow.

[0016] The lens cleaner is designed with a pressurized slope and an appropriate air outlet height to ensure that the airflow evenly covers the lens surface and the cleaning effect is thorough without leaving any dead corners.

[0017] The cross-section of the lens cleaner is wedge-shaped, and the air outlet is provided with a pressurized slope, which effectively changes the direction of the airflow and ensures that the airflow evenly covers the lens surface. The wedge-shaped design makes the airflow more concentrated and efficient, improving the cleaning effect.

[0018] Furthermore, the acceleration chamber is arranged with multiple speed-up sections, each speed-up section is connected to a parallel section, and the main air chamber is provided with multiple guide vanes arranged radially at intervals, one end of the guide vane is aligned with the air inlet, and the other end of the guide vane is toward the speed-up section, and an air outlet is formed outside the parallel section.

[0019] A guide plate is set so that after the inlet air flows into the cavity through the air inlet, the airflow is evenly distributed at the air outlet under the guiding effect of the guide plate, ensuring the consistency of the airflow at each outlet. By setting the acceleration section and the parallel section at the front stage of the air outlet, the speed-up section has a variable diameter, which is larger at the front and smaller at the back. The airflow speed is gradually accelerated in the acceleration section. The diameter of the parallel section remains unchanged to ensure the flow direction of the airflow. The air outlet is set at an upward angle to ensure that the airflow sweeps the surface of the lens.

[0020] The airflow backflush structure and main air cavity design make the airflow uniform before entering the air outlet, ensuring the uniformity and stability of the airflow. The multiple speed-up sections and parallel sections design accelerate the airflow after entering the cleaner, increase the airflow speed and enhance the cleaning effect. The guide vane design further optimizes the airflow path, making the airflow more concentrated and powerful, and improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, the speed-up section is in a truncated cone shape, the parallel section is in a cylindrical shape, and an oblique upward angle is formed between the parallel section and the horizontal plane.

[0022] The frustum-shaped acceleration section has a large entrance and then gradually narrows to pressurize the airflow; the cylindrical parallel section design makes the airflow path more stable and smooth, reducing airflow turbulence and energy loss. This shape design helps to accurately control the direction and speed of the airflow, ensuring that the airflow can effectively cover and clean the optical path lenses.

[0023] Furthermore, the air outlet height is 1 to 2 mm.

[0024] The air outlet height is designed to be 1-2mm, which not only ensures the effectiveness of the airflow, but also avoids the problem of being too high or too low affecting the cleaning effect.

[0025] As another aspect of the present invention, a light path cleaning method for a metal 3D printing device is provided. Based on the above light path cleaning system for a metal 3D printing device, the cleaning steps are as follows:

[0026] Step S1, pre-storing gas with a pressure of 0.5 MPa in a gas storage tank;

[0027] Step S2, when it is necessary to clean the optical path lens, the back-blowing solenoid valve is opened to allow the high-pressure gas to pass through the first air pipe, the back-blowing solenoid valve, the second air pipe in sequence, and enter the lens cleaner;

[0028] Step S3, after the high-pressure gas is homogenized in the cleaning chamber of the lens cleaner, it is blown through the air outlet to sweep the optical path lens to remove dust on the lens surface.

[0029] Gas with a pressure of 0.5 MPa is pre-stored in the gas tank, which ensures that there is enough high-pressure gas available when optical path cleaning is required.

[0030] When the optical path lens needs to be cleaned, the back-blowing solenoid valve is opened, and the high-pressure gas passes through the first air pipe, the back-blowing solenoid valve, the second air pipe in sequence, and finally enters the lens cleaner. This process ensures that the high-pressure gas is effectively guided to the position of the lens that needs to be cleaned.

[0031] After the high-pressure gas enters the cleaning chamber of the lens cleaner, it is evenly distributed and blows the optical path lens through the air outlet, thereby effectively removing dust from the lens surface. This step ensures the cleanliness of the optical path and helps maintain the performance and accuracy of the equipment.

[0032] Improving the cleaning efficiency of optical path lenses can reduce the degradation of optical system performance caused by dust and dirt, thus helping to maintain the stability and work quality of metal 3D printing equipment.

[0033] The optical path cleaning system and cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment provided by the present invention have the following advantages:

[0034] By setting an optical path lens in the molding cavity and installing a lens cleaner on the side and lower part of the optical path lens, an efficient cleaning process is achieved. An air tank and a back-blowing solenoid valve are provided outside the system. The back-blowing solenoid valve is connected to the air tank through the first air pipe and to the lens cleaner through the second air pipe. When the lens needs to be cleaned, the back-blowing solenoid valve is turned on to allow the high-pressure gas to pass through the first air pipe, the back-blowing solenoid valve, and the second air pipe in sequence and enter the cleaner. After the high-pressure gas in the cleaning cavity is homogenized, the optical path lens is purged through the air outlet to effectively remove dust on the surface of the lens and achieve a cleaning effect. This design avoids the need to open the door, effectively reduces the loss of laser energy, and ensures the performance and stability of the optical system of the equipment. In addition, by setting a guide plate, after the intake air flows into the cavity through the air inlet, the airflow is homogenized at the outlet under the guiding effect of the guide plate, ensuring the consistency of the airflow at each outlet. By setting the speed-up section and the parallel section in the front stage of the air outlet, the speed-up section is a variable diameter, with a large diameter at the front and a small diameter at the back. The airflow is gradually accelerated in the speed-up section. The diameter of the parallel section remains unchanged to ensure the direction of the airflow. An upward angle is set between the parallel section and the horizontal plane to ensure that the airflow flowing out of the air outlet sweeps the surface of the lens. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 A stereoscopic diagram of the optical path cleaning system provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the optical path cleaning system of the first embodiment provided by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 The present invention provides Figure 2 The enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0038] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the optical path cleaning system of the second embodiment provided by the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 The present invention provides Figure 4 The enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0040] Figure 6 A transverse cross-sectional view of the airflow backflush structure provided by the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airflow backflush structure provided by the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 A three-dimensional diagram of the airflow back-blowing structure provided by the present invention.

[0043] In the figure: 1, optical path lens; 2, back-blowing solenoid valve; 3, air storage tank; 4, first air pipe; 5, second air pipe; 6, lens cleaner; 61, air outlet; 62, pressurized ramp; 63, air cavity; 64, air inlet; 65, guide vane; 66, speed-up section; 67, parallel section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0045] See also Figures 1 to 8 The present invention provides an optical path cleaning system for a metal 3D printing device, comprising a molding cavity, an optical path lens 1 is arranged in the molding cavity, a lens cleaner 6 for blowing the optical path lens 1 through an airflow is arranged at the lower side of the optical path lens 1, an air storage tank 3 and a back-blowing solenoid valve 2 are arranged outside the molding cavity, the back-blowing solenoid valve 2 is connected to the air storage tank 3 through a first air pipe 4, and the back-blowing solenoid valve 2 is connected to the lens cleaner 6 through a second air pipe 5.

[0046] The light path lenses can be cleaned quickly and efficiently by airflow, which avoids the time-consuming and inconvenient manual wiping and greatly improves the cleaning efficiency. The use of airflow instead of mechanical contact reduces the physical wear and damage to the surface of the light path lenses, thereby extending the service life of the lenses and ensuring the stability of laser energy transmission.

[0047] Since the molding chamber does not need to be opened during the cleaning process, the operation process is simplified, the maintenance cost and downtime of the equipment are reduced, and the utilization rate of the equipment is significantly improved. This design enhances the safety of operation, avoids the need to frequently open the molding chamber, and reduces the risk of operators being exposed to high temperatures and harmful dust, thereby improving the safety of equipment use.

[0048] In general, the optical path cleaning system of the present invention is suitable for various large-scale metal 3D printing equipment, especially for those environments with long printing cycles and high smoke and dust, providing users with an efficient, safe and economical cleaning solution.

[0049] Furthermore, the cross-section of the lens cleaner 6 is wedge-shaped, and an air outlet 61 and an air inlet 64 are respectively formed on both sides of the lens cleaner 6. The air inlet 64 is connected to the second air pipe 5. The width of the air outlet 61 is not less than the diameter of the optical path lens 1. The lens cleaner 6 is provided with an airflow backblowing structure, and a main air cavity 63 and an acceleration cavity are formed inside. A pressurizing inclined surface 62 for pressurizing and changing the airflow outlet direction is formed obliquely below the air outlet 61.

[0050] The lens cleaner 6 is designed with a pressurized inclined surface 62 and an appropriate air outlet 61 height to ensure that the airflow evenly covers the lens surface and the cleaning effect is thorough without leaving dead corners.

[0051] The cross section of the lens cleaner 6 is wedge-shaped, and the air outlet 61 is provided with a pressurized slope 62, which effectively changes the direction of the airflow, ensuring that the airflow evenly covers the lens surface. The wedge-shaped design makes the airflow more concentrated and efficient, improving the cleaning effect. The width of the air outlet 61 is not less than the diameter of the optical path lens 1, ensuring that the entire optical path lens 1 is cleaned at one time.

[0052] In optical equipment, cleaning the optical path lenses is an important step to ensure stable performance and accuracy of the equipment. In order to achieve efficient cleaning, an advanced airflow backflush structure is designed. Figures 6 to 8 The acceleration chamber is arranged with a plurality of acceleration sections, each of which is connected to a parallel section 67. The main air chamber 63 is provided with a plurality of guide vanes 65 arranged radially and spaced apart, one end of the guide vane 65 is aligned with the air inlet 64, and the other end of the guide vane 65 faces the acceleration section, and the outside of the parallel section 67 forms an air outlet 61. The acceleration section is truncated cone-shaped, and the parallel section 67 is cylindrical.

[0053] Advantages of main air cavity and guide vane design

[0054] The main air cavity 63 is designed to make the airflow uniform before entering the air outlet 61. A plurality of guide vanes 65 are radially arranged in the main air cavity, with one end of the guide vanes facing the air inlet 64 and the other end facing the speed-up section 66. The arrangement of the guide vanes 65 ensures that the airflow is fully guided and dispersed before entering the speed-up section 66. Such a design can effectively reduce the vortex and unevenness of the airflow, so that the airflow remains stable and smooth during the entire cleaning process.

[0055] Advantages of the speed-up section and parallel section design

[0056] The design of the speed-up section 66 and the parallel section 67 further optimizes the acceleration and stability of the airflow. Each speed-up section 66 is truncated cone-shaped, with a large inlet and then gradually narrowed. This design compresses the airflow when passing through the speed-up section 66, thereby increasing the speed of the airflow. The compressed airflow enters the parallel section 67, which is cylindrical. Its design ensures the stability and smoothness of the airflow path, reducing the turbulence and energy loss of the airflow after entering the cleaner.

[0057] The truncated cone design of the speed-up section 66 pressurizes the airflow through a gradually narrowing structure, thereby increasing the speed and kinetic energy of the airflow, so that the airflow has a high cleaning ability before entering the parallel section 67. The cylindrical design of the parallel section 67 ensures the stability of the airflow after acceleration, reduces the turbulence and energy loss that may be generated by the airflow during the cleaning process, and thus improves the cleaning efficiency.

[0058] Airflow Path Optimization

[0059] The design of the guide vane 65 further optimizes the airflow path, making the airflow more concentrated and powerful. The guide vane 65 guides the airflow to the speed-up section 66 and ensures that the airflow remains stable and uniform when passing through the speed-up section 66 and the parallel section 67.

[0060] The overall design of the airflow backflush structure and the homogenization treatment of the main air cavity 63 before entering the air outlet 61 ensure the uniformity and stability of the airflow. The design of multiple speed-up sections 66 and parallel sections 67 accelerates the airflow after entering the cleaner, increases the speed of the airflow, and enhances the cleaning effect. The design of the guide vane 65 further optimizes the airflow path, making the airflow more concentrated and powerful, and improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0061] Advantages of shape design

[0062] The advantage of the truncated cone-shaped acceleration section 66 and the cylindrical parallel section 67 shape design is that they help to accurately control the direction and speed of the airflow. The truncated cone-shaped acceleration section 66 pressurizes the airflow through a gradually narrowing structure, so that the airflow has a high speed and kinetic energy before entering the parallel section 67. The cylindrical parallel section 67 ensures that the path of the airflow is stable and smooth, reducing airflow turbulence and energy loss. This shape design not only improves the cleaning efficiency of the airflow, but also ensures that the airflow can effectively cover and clean the optical path lens 1.

[0063] Through this optimized design, the airflow back-blowing structure can provide an efficient and stable cleaning effect without damaging the optical path lens 1, thereby extending the service life of the optical device and ensuring its accuracy and stability.

[0064] Furthermore, the height of the air outlet 61 is 1 to 2 mm.

[0065] For the best full height range, too high a height will result in low air velocity and uneven flow rate, making it difficult to achieve a purge effect. Too low a height will increase flow resistance, also affecting the flow rate.

[0066] The cleaning method is as follows:

[0067] Step S1, pre-storing gas with a pressure of 0.5 MPa in the gas storage tank 3;

[0068] Step S2, when the optical path lens 1 needs to be cleaned, the back-blowing solenoid valve 2 is opened to allow the high-pressure gas to pass through the first air pipe 4, the back-blowing solenoid valve 2, the second air pipe 5 in sequence, and enter the lens cleaner 6;

[0069] Step S3, after the high-pressure gas is homogenized in the cleaning chamber of the lens cleaner 6, it is blown through the air outlet 61 to sweep the optical path lens 1 to remove dust on the surface of the lens.

[0070] The optical path cleaning system and cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment provided by the present invention have the following advantages:

[0071] An efficient cleaning process is achieved by setting an optical path lens in the molding cavity and installing a lens cleaner on the lower side of the optical path lens. An air tank and a back-blowing solenoid valve are provided outside the system. The back-blowing solenoid valve is connected to the air tank through a first air pipe and to the lens cleaner through a second air pipe. When the lens needs to be cleaned, the back-blowing solenoid valve is turned on to allow high-pressure gas to pass through the first air pipe, the back-blowing solenoid valve, and the second air pipe in sequence and enter the cleaner. After the high-pressure gas in the cleaning cavity is homogenized, the optical path lens is purged through the air outlet to effectively remove dust on the lens surface and achieve a cleaning effect. This design avoids the need to open the door, effectively reduces laser energy loss, and at the same time ensures the optical system performance and stability of the equipment.

[0072] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment, comprising a molding cavity, wherein an optical path lens (1) is arranged in the molding cavity, characterized in that: A lens cleaner (6) for blowing the light path lens (1) through an airflow is arranged at the lower side of the light path lens (1), and an air storage tank (3) and a back-blowing electromagnetic valve (2) are arranged outside the molding cavity, wherein the back-blowing electromagnetic valve (2) is connected to the air storage tank (3) through a first air pipe (4), and the back-blowing electromagnetic valve (2) is connected to the lens cleaner (6) through a second air pipe (5).

2. The optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the lens cleaner (6) is wedge-shaped, and an air outlet (61) and an air inlet (64) are formed on both sides of the lens cleaner (6), the air inlet (64) is connected to the second air pipe (5), the width of the air outlet (61) is not less than the diameter of the optical path lens (1), and the lens cleaner (6) is provided with an airflow backflush structure, a main air cavity (63) and an acceleration cavity are formed inside, and a pressurizing inclined surface (62) for pressurizing and changing the airflow outlet direction is formed obliquely below the air outlet (61).

3. The optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The acceleration chamber is provided with a plurality of speed-up sections (66), each of which is connected to a parallel section (67). The main air chamber (63) is provided with a plurality of guide vanes (65) arranged radially and spaced apart, one end of the guide vane (65) is aligned with the air inlet (64), and the other end of the guide vane (65) faces the speed-up section (66), and the outside of the parallel section (67) forms the air outlet (61).

4. The optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The speed-up section (66) is in the shape of a truncated cone, the parallel section (67) is in the shape of a cylinder, and an oblique upward angle is formed between the parallel section (67) and the horizontal plane.

5. The optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air outlet (61) has a height of 1 to 2 mm.

6. A light path cleaning method for metal 3D printing equipment, characterized in that: Based on the optical path cleaning system for metal 3D printing equipment as claimed in claim 1, the following cleaning steps are described: Step S1, pre-storing gas with a pressure of 0.5 MPa in the gas storage tank (3); Step S2, when it is necessary to clean the optical path lens (1), the back-blowing solenoid valve (2) is opened, so that the high-pressure gas passes through the first air pipe (4), the back-blowing solenoid valve (2), the second air pipe (5) in sequence, and enters the lens cleaner (6); Step S3, after the high-pressure gas is homogenized in the cleaning chamber of the lens cleaner (6), it is blown through the air outlet (61) to sweep the optical path lens (1) to remove dust on the surface of the lens.

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