Isolation device for 3D printing and 3D printer

Abstract

The invention discloses an isolation device for 3D printing and a 3D printer, a flexible belt is laid on a motion path of a sliding frame, the flexible belt is matched with a moving device and the sliding frame to form a movable containing space, and a control element and the like of the sliding frame can be placed in the movable containing space to move along with the sliding frame. Therefore, the working area and the protection area are isolated, dust and high temperature in the working area are prevented from transferring to the protection area along the advancing path of the sliding frame, normal operation of components such as control elements in the protection area is not affected, the protection area is made to be at a relatively clean and low temperature, the service life of the protection area is prolonged, and the precision of the protection area is improved. In addition, compared with the prior art, the isolation device has the advantages of being small in occupied space, low in cost and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular to an isolation device of a 3D printer for isolating granular materials. Background Art

[0002] High-speed sintering (HSS) uses an inkjet print head to distribute special ink reagents on the polymer powder layer according to a specific slicing pattern, and uses infrared heating technology to sinter the polymer powder layer by layer to achieve 3D printing. Due to the use of granular building materials and infrared heating technology, the dust concentration in the working area is high and the temperature is high, which causes damage to electronic components and moving parts such as guide bearings. Therefore, an isolation device is needed to isolate dust and high temperature to protect electronic components and guide bearings. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an isolation device for 3D printing, which can effectively prevent dust and high temperature from entering the protection area and affecting the use of electronic components and guide rail bearings in the protection area.

[0004] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] An isolation device for 3D printing, comprising:

[0006] The carriage moves back and forth in the protection area and working area of ​​the 3D printer along the set direction;

[0007] A flexible belt is laid along the moving direction of the slide and covers the moving path of the slide; both ends of the flexible belt are fixed;

[0008] The mobile device, part of the flexible belt is wound around the mobile device, the flexible belt cooperates with the mobile device and the slide to form a movable accommodating space, and the movable accommodating space moves synchronously with the slide to prevent particulate contaminants from entering the protection area.

[0009] A 3D printer comprises a building material dispenser for dispensing granular building materials, a slide system and a printing platform, wherein the printing platform is arranged in a working area, the building material dispenser is used to dispense the granular building materials layer by layer on the printing platform, the slide system comprises a slide and the above-mentioned isolation device, the slide moves back and forth in a set direction between a protection area and a working area of ​​the 3D printer; the slide carries a dispensing unit for dispensing reagents and an energy source; the dispensing unit is used to selectively dispense the reagents layer by layer on the granular building materials in a pattern corresponding to object slices, the energy source is used to irradiate the granular building materials to melt them, thereby solidifying the shape of each layer to form a 3D object; the isolation device is used to prevent particle contaminants from entering the protection area.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: by laying a flexible belt on the moving path of the slide, and the flexible belt cooperates with the moving device and the slide to form a movable accommodation space, the control elements of the slide and the like can be placed in the movable accommodation space and move with the slide, thereby realizing the isolation of the working area and the protection area, preventing the dust and high temperature in the working area from being transmitted to the protection area along the travel path of the slide, thereby affecting the normal operation of the control elements and other components in the protection area, making the protection area relatively clean and at a lower temperature, and extending its service life and accuracy. In addition, compared with other prior arts, the isolation device of the present invention also has the advantages of small space occupation and low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic plan view of an embodiment of an isolation device for 3D printing;

[0012] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an isolation device for 3D printing;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the isolation device for 3D printing from another angle; Figure 2 The upper and lower fixing plates and the top plate of the outer slide are hidden;

[0014] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the movement of the carriage system.

[0015] In the figure, 10-isolating device, 1-flexible belt, 2-flexible belt fixing device, 3-moving device, 31-first roller, 32-second roller, 33-third roller, 34-fourth roller, 4-slide, 41-inner slide, 42-outer slide, 43-distribution unit, 44-control element, 5-slide partition, 51-heat dissipation air duct hole, 52-cleaner, 61-protection area, 62-working area, 7-movable accommodating space, 8-tensioning device, 91-upper fixed plate, 92-lower fixed plate, 93-upper cover plate, 94-lower cover plate, 95-tensioning roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, a detailed description is given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0017] See also Figure 1-4 , is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an isolation device 10 for 3D printing of the present invention. The isolation device 10 includes a flexible belt 1, a flexible belt fixing device 2, a moving device 3 and a carriage 4. The carriage 4 includes an inner carriage 41 and an outer carriage 42, the inner and outer carriages 41, 42 are separated by a carriage partition 5, the outer carriage 42 carries a dispensing unit 43 for dispensing reagents (such as special inks), the inner carriage 41 carries a control element 44, and the inner carriage 41 and the outer carriage 42 can move synchronously back and forth in the protection area 61 and the working area 62 of the 3D printer along a set direction. The control element 44 includes, for example, a drive motor, a transmission mechanism, a control circuit and wiring for controlling the carriage 4 moving through the working area 62, etc.

[0018] The two ends of the flexible belt 1 are fixed by a flexible belt fixing device 2 respectively. The flexible belt 1 is laid along the moving direction of the slide 4 and covers the moving path of the slide 4. The middle part of the flexible belt 1 is wound around a moving device 3 composed of multiple rollers or smooth arc surfaces. The flexible belt 1 and the moving device 3 slide or roll together to form a circumferential semi-enclosed movable accommodation space 7 that is recessed away from the outer slide 42. The slide partition 5 cooperates with the flexible belt 1 at both ends of the opening of the circumferential semi-enclosed movable accommodation space 7 to form an annular closed movable accommodation space 7. The circumferential direction here refers to the area around the movable accommodating space 7. Figure 1The top view angle direction is shown. The inner slide 41 is located in the movable accommodation space 7, and the outer slide 42 is located outside the movable accommodation space 7. The moving device 3 is fixed to the inner slide 41, and the moving device 3 can move back and forth with the slide 4. The two ends of the flexible belt 1 are fixed, so that the accommodation space 7 formed by the moving device 3, the flexible belt 1, and the slide partition 5 also moves back and forth synchronously with the slide 4 to prevent particulate contaminants and heat from being transferred to the protection area 61 along the travel path of the slide 4. The flexible belt 1 can be made of any appropriately tough flexible material, especially a smooth material with heat insulation properties, which reduces friction and can effectively insulate. It is more preferred that the surface of the flexible belt is not easy to adhere to particles and is not easy for particles to pass through, so as to prevent particulate contaminants from accumulating on the surface of the flexible belt or passing through the flexible belt into the protection area.

[0019] The flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt that forms the movable accommodating space 7) cooperates with the slide partition 5 to separate the protection area 61 and the working area 62 of the 3D printer. The portion outside the flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt that forms the movable accommodating space 7) and the slide partition 5 is the working area 62. The flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt that forms the movable accommodating space) and the slide partition 5 are divided into the protection area 61 internally. The aforementioned movable accommodating space 7 is also a part of the protection area 61. In addition to the control elements of the movable accommodating space, the protection area can usually also be provided with some other electronic components and guide bearings.

[0020] In the working area 62, the granular building material is distributed layer by layer on the printing platform. By moving the carriage 4 back and forth in the working area 62, the corresponding ink reagent is selectively distributed layer by layer on the granular building material in a pattern corresponding to the 3D object slice. By applying a certain amount of energy (such as infrared radiation), the granular building material is melted, thereby solidifying the shape of each layer to form a 3D object. Due to the use of granular building materials and energy, the dust concentration in the working area 62 is high and the temperature is high. Through the isolation device 10 of the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust and high temperature in the working area 62 from being transmitted along the travel path of the carriage 4 to the protection area 61, thereby affecting the normal operation of components such as control elements in the protection area 61, so that the protection area 61 is in a relatively clean and low temperature state, thereby extending its service life and accuracy.

[0021] See attached Figure 1, an embodiment in which the moving device 3 is 4 rollers is given. The flexible belt 1 includes an inner side and an outer side, the side facing the working area 62 is defined as the outer side, and the other opposite side is the inner side. The first roller 31 is located on the inner side of the flexible belt 1, and the first roller 31 is arranged close to the carriage partition 5, the second roller 32 is located on the outer side of the flexible belt 1, and the second roller 32 is located on the inner side of the carriage partition 5 and is spaced a certain distance apart, the third roller 33 is located on the outer side of the flexible belt, and the third roller 33 is substantially flush with the second roller 32, the fourth roller 34 is located on the inner side of the flexible belt 1, and the fourth roller 34 is arranged close to the carriage partition 5, the rotation directions of the first roller 31, the second roller 32, the third roller 33, and the fourth roller 34 are as shown in the figure, the first roller 31 and the fourth roller 34 rotate in the same direction, the second roller 32 and the third roller 33 rotate in the same direction, and the first roller 31 and the second roller 32 rotate in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the flexible belt 1 is rolled into a movable containing space 7 with an opening and a rectangular shape by means of the first roller 31, the second roller 32, the third roller 33, and the fourth roller 34. Of course, by adjusting the number and position of the rollers, movable containing spaces of other shapes such as triangles, trapezoids, polygons, etc. can also be formed.

[0022] In order to keep the flexible belt 1 at the desired tension, a tensioning device 8 and a tensioning roller 95 may be provided. In addition, in order to facilitate wiring and heat dissipation, the carriage partition 5 is provided with a plurality of heat dissipation duct holes 51. Cleaners 52 are also provided at both ends of the carriage partition 5 to remove particles and residues from the flexible belt 1. The cleaner 52 may be a mechanical brush or an electrostatic dust remover.

[0023] See also Figure 2 , Figure 4 The isolation device 1 further includes an upper fixing plate 91 and a lower fixing plate 92. The top of the flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt forming the movable accommodation space 7) is close to and overlaps at least a portion with the upper fixing plate 91. The bottom of the flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt forming the movable accommodation space) is close to and overlaps at least a portion with the lower fixing plate 92. In the overlapping portion, the upper fixing plate 91 and the lower fixing plate 92 are both located outside the flexible belt 1 (excluding the portion of the flexible belt forming the movable accommodation space). The upper fixing plate 91 and the lower fixing plate 92 are respectively fixed to the 3D printer body. The top of the carriage partition 5 is close to and overlaps at least a portion with the upper fixing plate 91. The bottom 5 of the carriage partition is close to and overlaps at least a portion with the lower fixing plate 92. In the overlapping portion, the carriage partition 5 is located outside the upper fixing plate 91 and the lower fixing plate 92. Here, close proximity means that the two are closely attached to each other but not fixed by other means such as adhesion, so as to facilitate the movement of the mobile device 3 and facilitate sealing, thereby preventing particulate contaminants from entering the protection area 61 from other positions.

[0024] In addition, the inner slide 41 also includes an upper cover plate 93 and a lower cover plate 94. The upper cover plate 93 is arranged at the upper end of the movable accommodating space 7, and the lower cover plate 94 is arranged at the lower end of the movable accommodating space 7. The upper cover plate 93 and the lower cover plate 94 are used to install and fix control components.

[0025] A 3D printer includes a building material dispenser for dispensing granular building materials, a slide system and a printing platform. The slide system includes the aforementioned isolation device 10 and the slide 4 and an energy source. The printing platform is arranged in a working area 62. The granular building material is dispensed layer by layer on the printing platform by the building material dispenser. By moving the slide 4 back and forth in the working area 62, the corresponding reagent is selectively dispensed layer by layer on the granular building material in a pattern corresponding to the object slice. The granular building material is melted by irradiation with the energy source, thereby solidifying the shape of each layer to form a 3D object.

[0026] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined by the claims. Several improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An isolation device for 3D printing, characterized in that include: The carriage moves back and forth in the protection area and working area of ​​the 3D printer along the set direction; A flexible belt is laid along the moving direction of the slide and covers the moving path of the slide; both ends of the flexible belt are fixed; The mobile device, part of the flexible belt is wound around the mobile device, the flexible belt cooperates with the mobile device and the slide to form a movable accommodating space, and the movable accommodating space moves synchronously with the slide to prevent particulate contaminants from entering the protection area.

2. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slide comprises an inner slide and an outer slide, the inner slide and the outer slide are separated by a slide partition, the inner slide moves synchronously with the outer slide, the flexible belt cooperates with the moving device and the slide partition to form the movable accommodating space, the inner slide is located in the movable accommodating space; the movable accommodating space moves synchronously with the slide to prevent heat from being transferred to the protection area.

3. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer carriage carries a dispensing unit for dispensing reagents, the inner carriage carries a control element, and the moving device is fixed to the inner carriage.

4. The isolation device for 3D printing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The moving device comprises a plurality of rollers or a smooth curved surface, and the flexible belt is in sliding or rolling cooperation with the moving device.

5. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The flexible belt and the movable device form a circumferentially semi-enclosed movable accommodation space recessed away from the outer slide side, and the slide partition cooperates and seals with the flexible belt located at both ends of the opening of the circumferentially semi-enclosed movable accommodation space to form an annular closed movable accommodation space.

6. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The working area is located on the outer side of the portion where the slide partition and the flexible belt are not wrapped around the moving device, the protective area is located on the inner side of the portion where the slide partition and the flexible belt are not wrapped around the moving device, and the movable accommodating space is located within the protective area.

7. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving device includes a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. The first roller is located on the inner side of the flexible belt and is arranged close to the slide partition. The second roller is located on the outer side of the flexible belt and is located on the inner side of the slide partition and is spaced a certain distance apart. The third roller is located on the outer side of the flexible belt and is flush with the second roller. The fourth roller is located on the inner side of the flexible belt and is arranged close to the slide partition. The first roller and the fourth roller have the same rotation direction, the second roller and the third roller have the same rotation direction, and the first roller and the second roller have opposite rotation directions.

8. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible belt is provided with a tensioning device for adjusting the tensioning force; the slide partition is provided with a plurality of heat dissipation air duct holes for wiring; cleaners are also provided at both ends of the slide partition for removing particles and residues from the flexible belt, and the cleaners are mechanical brushes or electrostatic dust collectors.

9. The isolation device for 3D printing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The isolation device also includes an upper fixed plate and a lower fixed plate, the top of the portion of the flexible belt that does not form a movable accommodating space is close to and at least partially overlaps with the upper fixed plate, the bottom of the flexible belt that does not form a movable accommodating space is close to and at least partially overlaps with the lower fixed plate, and in the overlapping portion, the upper fixed plate and the lower fixed plate are both located on the outside of the flexible belt, and the upper fixed plate and the lower fixed plate are respectively fixed to the 3D printer body; the top of the slide partition is close to and at least partially overlaps with the upper fixed plate, the bottom of the slide partition is close to and at least partially overlaps with the lower fixed plate, and in the overlapping portion, the slide partition is located on the outside of the upper fixed plate and the lower fixed plate.

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that: The invention comprises a building material dispenser for dispensing granular building materials, a slide system and a printing platform, wherein the printing platform is arranged in a working area, the building material dispenser is used for dispensing the granular building materials layer by layer on the printing platform, the slide system comprises a slide and an isolation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the slide moves back and forth in a protection area and a working area of ​​a 3D printer along a set direction; the slide carries a dispensing unit for dispensing reagents and an energy source; the dispensing unit is used for selectively dispensing the reagents layer by layer on the granular building materials in a pattern corresponding to object slices, the energy source is used for irradiating the granular building materials to melt them, thereby solidifying the shape of each layer to form a 3D object; the isolation device is used to prevent particle contaminants from entering the protection area.

Images