Method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency by using different light sources

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency by using different light sources, which comprises the following steps: S1, equipment selection: adopting selective laser melting equipment to provide different light sources and reasonably configure power according to an optimal process window of a printing material, and the different light sources comprise a Gaussian beam and a flat-topped beam; s2, region division: dividing the whole part into different regions according to different forming precision requirements and different surface quality requirements, wherein the different regions are a region 1 and a region 2; s3, area processing; and S4, real-time monitoring and feedback are carried out. Different light sources are adopted for different areas of the part, different process strategies are adopted for different light sources, and therefore the purpose of improving the forming quality and efficiency is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular relates to a method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency by using different light sources. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing technology uses a 3D data model as input, divides the 3D model into layer-by-layer sections, uses metals, ceramics, plastics, etc. as raw materials, relies on professional manufacturing equipment to scan and manufacture layer by layer, and stacks layers to form parts. Laser selective melting technology is an important branch of additive manufacturing technology. It uses a laser focused beam to quickly melt the preset metal powder material, and can directly form a variety of complex structures and functional parts with complete metallurgical bonding. The range of materials that can be formed and the application fields are wide.

[0003] The laser selective melting equipment uses the same laser source, which is a fiber laser. The output laser is a Gaussian beam. The irradiation cross-section of the Gaussian beam will gradually decrease with the increase of the distance from the center, and the energy non-uniform distribution is more obvious. In contrast, the flat-top beam maintains a constant irradiation intensity on the beam cross-section, which can make up for the shortcomings of the former.

[0004] Traditionally, when using melting equipment for 3D printing, the characteristics of the two light beams are generally used. When printing the same part, one of the light sources can be selected according to demand. Although 3D printing can be completed using one light source, the scanning strategy cannot be determined by setting laser light sources in different areas when printing parts, resulting in low quality and efficiency of 3D printing. For this reason, we propose a method to use different light sources to improve the quality and efficiency of 3D printing. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for improving the quality and efficiency of 3D printing by using different light sources, so as to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency using different light sources, comprising the following steps: S1. Equipment selection: Selective laser melting equipment is used to provide different light sources and reasonably configure power according to the optimal process window of the printing material. Different light sources include Gaussian beam and flat top beam; S2. Area division: The whole part is divided into different areas according to the requirements of forming accuracy and surface quality. The different areas are area 1 and area 2. Area 1 requires high forming accuracy and no requirements for efficiency, while area 2 requires no requirements for surface quality. S3. Regional processing: Control the selective laser melting device, first use a Gaussian beam, and print region 1 through a fine processing procedure, then control the selective laser melting device to switch the light source to a flat-top beam, and print region 2 through a speed-up processing procedure; S4. Real-time monitoring and feedback: Built-in light intensity sensor and temperature sensor monitor the light intensity and temperature changes during the printing process in real time, and dynamically adjust the light source power and irradiation mode through the feedback control system to ensure the stability and controllability of the printing process.

[0007] Preferably, the selective laser melting equipment in S1 includes an intelligent light source switching system, which is used to intelligently switch different light sources according to real-time feedback during the printing process to adapt to printing requirements in different areas and stages, and the real-time feedback includes temperature, oxygen content, and pressure.

[0008] Preferably, the intelligent light source switching system is also used to combine different light sources, adopt different scanning strategies, optimize the movement path of the print head and the use order of the light sources, increase the printing speed and reduce the internal stress of the material.

[0009] Preferably, S3 also includes controlling the light emission time of different light sources through a program to achieve accurate melting of each layer of material during the printing process, and at the same time ensuring uniform melting and bonding of different areas by adjusting the scanning speed and scanning power of the light source.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The present invention achieves the goal of improving forming quality and efficiency by setting different light sources for different areas of the part and adopting different process strategies for different light sources; (2) The present invention can ensure uniform melting of printing materials and improve the precision and surface quality of printed products through real-time monitoring and feedback. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example

[0013] See also Figure 1The present invention provides a technical solution: a method for improving the quality and efficiency of 3D printing using different light sources, comprising the following steps: S1. Equipment selection: Selective laser melting equipment is used to provide different light sources and reasonably configure power according to the optimal process window of the printing material. Different light sources include Gaussian beam and flat top beam; S2. Area division: The whole part is divided into different areas according to the requirements of forming accuracy and surface quality. The different areas are area 1 and area 2. Area 1 requires high forming accuracy and no requirements for efficiency, while area 2 requires no requirements for surface quality. S3. Regional processing: Control the selective laser melting device, first use a Gaussian beam, and print region 1 through a fine processing procedure, then control the selective laser melting device to switch the light source to a flat-top beam, and print region 2 through a speed-up processing procedure; S4. Real-time monitoring and feedback: Built-in light intensity sensor and temperature sensor monitor the light intensity and temperature changes during the printing process in real time, and dynamically adjust the light source power and irradiation mode through the feedback control system to ensure the stability and controllability of the printing process.

[0014] In this embodiment, preferably, the selective laser melting equipment in S2 includes an intelligent light source switching system, and the intelligent light source switching system is used to intelligently switch different light sources according to real-time feedback during the printing process to adapt to the printing requirements of different areas and different stages, and the real-time feedback includes temperature, oxygen content, and pressure.

[0015] In this embodiment, preferably, the intelligent light source switching system is also used to combine different light sources, adopt different scanning strategies, optimize the movement path of the print head and the use order of the light sources, increase the printing speed and reduce the internal stress of the material.

[0016] In this embodiment, preferably, in order to further improve the printing quality and efficiency, S3 also includes controlling the light emission time of different light sources through a program to achieve accurate melting of each layer of material during the printing process, and at the same time ensuring uniform melting and bonding of different areas by adjusting the scanning speed and scanning power of the light source.

[0017] Principles and advantages of the present invention: By setting different light sources for different areas of the part and adopting different process strategies for different light sources, the goal of improving forming quality and efficiency can be achieved; through real-time monitoring and feedback, the uniform melting of the printing material can be ensured, and the accuracy and surface quality of the printed products can be improved.

[0018] Although 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 appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency using different light sources, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. Equipment selection: Selective laser melting equipment is used to provide different light sources and reasonably configure power according to the optimal process window of the printing material. Different light sources include Gaussian beam and flat top beam; S2. Area division: The whole part is divided into different areas according to the requirements of forming accuracy and surface quality. The different areas are area 1 and area 2. Area 1 requires high forming accuracy and no requirements for efficiency, while area 2 requires no requirements for surface quality. S3. Regional processing: Control the selective laser melting equipment, first use Gaussian beam, print area 1 through fine processing process program, control the selective laser melting equipment to switch the light source, switch to flat top beam, and print area 2 through speeding up processing parameters; S4. Real-time monitoring and feedback: Built-in light intensity sensor and temperature sensor monitor the light intensity and temperature changes during the printing process in real time, and dynamically adjust the light source power and irradiation mode through the feedback control system to ensure the stability and controllability of the printing process.

2. A method for improving 3D printing quality and efficiency using different light sources according to claim 1, characterized in that: The selective laser melting equipment in S1 includes an intelligent light source switching system, which is used to intelligently switch different light sources according to real-time feedback during the printing process to adapt to the printing needs of different areas and different stages. The real-time feedback includes temperature, oxygen content in the cabin, and pressure in the cabin.

3. The method of using different light sources to improve 3D printing quality and efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent light source switching system is also used to combine different light sources, adopt a dynamic scanning strategy, optimize the movement path of the print head and the use order of the light sources, increase the printing speed and reduce the internal stress of the material.

4. The method of improving 3D printing quality and efficiency using different light sources according to claim 1, characterized in that: The S3 also includes controlling the light emission time of different light sources through a program to achieve accurate melting of each layer of material during the printing process, and at the same time ensuring uniform melting and bonding of different areas by adjusting the scanning speed and scanning power of the light source.

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