All-round light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light curing 3D printing

Abstract

The invention relates to an all-round light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light curing 3D printing, and relates to the field of additive manufacturing. Different from a near-infrared single-side point light source, the light source is an annular aperture, so that in the printing process, no matter how the movement angle changes, extruded ink filaments are always irradiated by near-infrared light, and the phenomenon of non-uniform curing caused by movement in the reverse direction due to the single-side point light source can be solved; the vertical position of the needle head at the bottom of the material extruding needle cylinder can be adjusted by arranging the material extruding needle cylinder capable of moving up and down, then matching adjustment of the positions of the near-infrared light beams and the needle head is achieved, and compared with a complex single-light-source XYZ-axis adjustment method, the printing efficiency is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to an all-around light source device for direct-write near-infrared light-curing 3D printing. Background Art

[0002] At present, 3D printing technology is mainly aimed at metal materials, ceramic materials and polymer materials; among them, the 3D printing molding method of polymer materials is usually carried out through thermal assistance or light assistance. Direct writing technology (DIW) is often used in the implementation method of 3D printing. It can use thermosetting or light-curing 3D printing inks to achieve additive manufacturing. It has been widely used in the fields of microstructure molding and intelligent device preparation.

[0003] The ink used in DIW-based 3D printing is usually heat-curable or ultraviolet (UV) curable. For heat-curable inks, when forming lines with large diameter features or large volume shapes, the structure is prone to defects or collapse due to the influence of the ink's own gravity, so heat-curable inks are limited to small-scale 3D printing.

[0004] Near-infrared light-curing 3D printing is based on near-infrared photopolymerization (UCAP) of upconversion materials. Upconversion materials can convert near-infrared light into ultraviolet / visible light, excite free radical photoinitiators to produce active species, and induce polymerization of materials. UCAP realizes the application of high-penetration near-infrared light in photopolymerization reactions, thus breaking through the direct photopolymerization of complex photosensitive material systems (colored, high filler content) and ultra-thick photosensitive materials.

[0005] Related technologies:

[0006] Patent CN111590877B discloses a method of direct-writing three-dimensional printing of ink based on near-infrared photopolymerization. The direct-writing nozzle moves or remains stationary in three-dimensional space, and the ink is squeezed out of the direct-writing nozzle. After being irradiated with near-infrared light and cured, the three-dimensional object is formed. The method of near-infrared light curing solves the problem of structural defects and collapse that are prone to occur during direct-writing printing. However, because the above method uses a single-point light source, the power of the near-infrared light used is relatively large. In addition, because the light source is positioned to avoid irradiating the needle, it needs to irradiate below the needle. Therefore, during the printing process, there is a phenomenon that the curing is better in one direction and worse in the opposite direction.

[0007] Patent CN218171415U discloses a light-curing direct-write print head with adjustable light source position, which can adjust the fixed position of the light source. However, the light source is a straight line, and can only achieve solidification of the extruded material from one angle. When the material is extruded in the opposite direction of the light source, it is easy to cause the material to not solidify in real time, affecting printing; in addition, the device adjustment process is relatively cumbersome, and it is necessary to adjust the light source irradiation angle and irradiate at a specified position under the needle, which seriously affects the printing efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0008] The purpose of this application is to provide a ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0009] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in this application is:

[0010] A ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing, comprising:

[0011] Gantry type three-axis mobile platform;

[0012] An all-around light source assembly, comprising an all-around light platform mounted on the gantry-type three-axis mobile platform, the all-around light platform having a first central hole and a plurality of groups of inclined holes located on the periphery of the first central hole, wherein the plurality of groups of inclined holes are correspondingly plugged with light source emitting lamp heads;

[0013] An adjustable fixing ring, which is mounted on the gantry-type three-axis moving platform and is located above the ring-type light source assembly, and has a second center hole and an adjusting member located on the side wall;

[0014] An extrusion syringe is movably disposed in the first center hole and the second center hole and fixed by the adjusting member, and has a needle at the bottom thereof, and the needle is used to guide the ink in the extrusion syringe in the form of ink filaments.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first center hole is coaxial with the second center hole and is adapted to the diameter of the extrusion syringe.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the plurality of groups of inclined holes are evenly spaced and distributed along the central axis of the first central hole.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the light source emitting lamp head is used to emit a near-infrared light beam.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the adjusting member is an adjusting bolt, and the side wall of the adjustable fixing ring has a threaded hole adapted to the adjusting bolt.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the number of the inclined holes and the light source emitting lamp heads is at least three groups.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the ink is a near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink is as follows:

[0021] Photoinitiator 0.5-2%;

[0022] Photosensitive resin 30-80%;

[0023] Thixotropic agent 5-20%;

[0024] Up conversion material 0.5-3%.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the photosensitive resin is one or more of a resin with acrylate double bonds, a resin containing vinyl ether double bonds, and a resin containing epoxy groups; the photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolphenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; the up-conversion material is one or more of NaYF4, BaYF5, NaGdF4, LiYF4, NaYbF4, Na3ScF6, YF3, and GdOF; and the thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silica, and talc.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the ink is a near-infrared light-heat synergistic curing system ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocuring ink is as follows:

[0027] Photoinitiator 0.5-2%;

[0028] Thermal initiator 0.5-20%;

[0029] Photosensitive resin 30-80%;

[0030] Thixotropic agent 5-20%;

[0031] Up conversion material 0.5-3%.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the thermal initiator is one or more of an organic peroxide initiator, an azo initiator, an inorganic peroxide initiator, and a redox initiator; the photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolphenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; the photosensitive resin is one or more of a resin with acrylate double bonds, a resin containing vinyl ether double bonds, and a resin containing epoxy groups; the up-conversion material is one or more of NaYF4, BaYF5, NaGdF4, LiYF4, NaYbF4, Na3ScF6, YF3, and GdOF; the thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silica, and talc.

[0033] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include at least:

[0034] The present application is different from a near-infrared single-sided point light source. The light source is an annular aperture, so that during the printing process, no matter how the movement angle changes, the extruded ink filaments are always irradiated with near-infrared light, which can solve the problem of uneven curing in the reverse direction caused by the single-sided point light source; by providing an extrusion syringe that can move up and down, the up and down position of the needle at the bottom of the extrusion syringe can be adjusted, thereby achieving matching adjustment of the near-infrared light beam and the needle position, which greatly improves the printing efficiency compared to the complex single light source XYZ axis adjustment method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a ring-illuminated light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an annular light source assembly, an adjustable fixing ring, and an extrusion syringe of an annular light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the relative positions of a near-infrared light beam and a needle of an all-around illumination light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0039] In the figure:

[0040] 1. Gantry type three-axis mobile platform; 2. Ring-type light source assembly; 3. Adjustable fixed ring; 4. Extrusion syringe;

[0041] 21. Ambient light platform; 22. First center hole; 23. Inclined hole; 24. Light source emitting lamp head; 25. Near infrared light beam;

[0042] 31. second center hole; 32. adjusting member;

[0043] 41. Needle; 42. Ink filament. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] Among them, the same parts are represented by the same figure marks. It should be noted that the words "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up" and "down" used in the following description refer to the directions in the drawings of the present application specification, and the words "bottom surface" and "top surface", "inside" and "outside" refer to the direction towards or away from a specific component, respectively. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more groups of such features. In the description of the present application specification, "multiple groups" means two or more.

[0046] The present application is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a ring-illuminated light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the surrounding light source assembly, adjustable fixing ring, and extrusion syringe of the surrounding light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. The surrounding light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing includes a gantry-type three-axis mobile platform 1, a surrounding light source assembly 2, an adjustable fixing ring 3, and an extrusion syringe 4.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present application, the gantry-type three-axis mobile platform is a commonly used industrial automation equipment, which is widely used in the fields of precision machining, robot operation, measurement and handling. This platform is usually composed of three mutually perpendicular axes, X, Y, and Z, and can achieve precise movement in three-dimensional space. The gantry-type three-axis mobile platform usually includes: a gantry frame, which is usually made of high-strength steel or aluminum alloy to ensure the stability and rigidity of the structure; guide rails and sliders, each axis has guide rails and sliders to ensure the stability and accuracy of the platform during movement; a drive system, which includes a motor (such as a servo motor or a stepper motor) and a transmission mechanism (such as a ball screw, a belt, etc.) for driving the movement of each axis; a control system, which controls the operation of the motor through a numerical control system (CNC) to achieve precise position control.

[0049] In detail, the all-around light source assembly 2 includes an all-around light platform 21 installed on a gantry-type three-axis mobile platform 1. The all-around light platform 21 has a first center hole 22 and multiple groups of inclined holes 23 located on the periphery of the first center hole 22. Light source emitting lamp heads 24 are correspondingly plugged into the multiple groups of inclined holes 23.

[0050] In the present embodiment of the application, the plurality of groups of inclined holes 23 are evenly spaced and distributed along the central axis of the first central hole 22. The light source emitting lamp head 24 is used to emit a near-infrared light beam 25. The number of the inclined holes 23 and the light source emitting lamp head 24 is at least three groups. In one example, the number of the inclined holes 23 and the light source emitting lamp head 24 is six groups.

[0051] Specifically, the adjustable fixing ring 3 is mounted on the gantry-type three-axis mobile platform 1 and is located above the all-around light source assembly 2 . The adjustable fixing ring 3 has a second central hole 31 and an adjusting member 32 located on the side wall.

[0052] In the present embodiment of the application, the adjusting member 32 is an adjusting bolt, and the side wall of the adjustable fixing ring 3 has a threaded hole adapted to the adjusting bolt.

[0053] Furthermore, the extrusion syringe 4 can be moved up and down through the first center hole 22 and the second center hole 31 and fixed by an adjustment member 32, and has a needle 41 at the bottom, which is used to guide the ink in the extrusion syringe 4 in the form of ink filaments 42.

[0054] In the present embodiment of the application, the first center hole 22 is coaxial with the second center hole 31 and is adapted to the diameter of the extrusion syringe 4 .

[0055] In some embodiments, the ink is a near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink is as follows:

[0056] Photoinitiator 0.5-2%;

[0057] Photosensitive resin 30-80%;

[0058] Thixotropic agent 5-20%;

[0059] Upconversion material 0.5-3%;

[0060] Among them, the photosensitive resin is one or more of a resin with acrylate double bonds, a resin containing vinyl ether double bonds, and a resin containing epoxy groups; the photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolphenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; the up-conversion material is one or more of NaYF4, BaYF5, NaGdF4, LiYF4, NaYbF4, Na3ScF6, YF3, and GdOF; the thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silica, and talc.

[0061] In some embodiments, the ink is a near-infrared light-heat synergistic curing system ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocuring ink is as follows:

[0062] Photoinitiator 0.5-2%;

[0063] Thermal initiator 0.5-20%;

[0064] Photosensitive resin 30-80%;

[0065] Thixotropic agent 5-20%;

[0066] Upconversion material 0.5-3%;

[0067] The thermal initiator is one or more of an organic peroxide initiator, an azo initiator, an inorganic peroxide initiator, and a redox initiator; the photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolephenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; the photosensitive resin is a resin having a double bond of an acrylate, a resin containing a vinyl group, or a photosensitive resin having a double bond of an acrylate. One or more of the resins with ether double bonds and the resins containing epoxy groups; the up-conversion materials are one or more of NaYF4 (sodium yttrium tetrafluoride), BaYF5 (barium yttrium pentafluoride), NaGdF4 (sodium gadolinium tetrafluoride), LiYF4 (lithium yttrium tetrafluoride), NaYbF4 (sodium ytterbium tetrafluoride), Na3ScF6 (sodium scandium hexafluoride), YF3 (yttrium trifluoride), GdOF (gadolinium oxide fluoride); the thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and talc. Because the printing workpiece is repeatedly irradiated by the annular light source, the heat rises, and the heat triggers the decomposition of the thermal initiator to promote the photothermal synergistic curing of the resin.

[0068] Next, the working principle of the ring-illuminated light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing involved in the embodiments of the present application is described.

[0069] When the direct-write near-infrared light-curing 3D printing ring-type light source device needs to print, the ink configured as above is fully mixed in a high-speed disperser and a centrifuge and then added into the extrusion syringe;

[0070] According to different printing requirements, needles of different specifications are selected and installed on the extrusion syringe through threaded connection. The position of the needle and multiple groups of near-infrared light beams is adjusted based on the size of the needle. When the needle is replaced, it can be quickly moved up and down according to the size to achieve uniform light beam irradiation on the ink filament extruded by the needle.

[0071] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the near-infrared beam and the needle of a ring-illuminated light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. The multiple groups of near-infrared beams have three relative positions according to the position of the needle. Figure 3 (I) “Too small” Figure 3 (II) “moderate”, and Figure 3 (III) "Too large" three situations: by loosening the adjusting piece (adjusting bolt) to adjust the upper and lower positions of the extrusion syringe, so that the cross section of the multiple groups of near-infrared beams and the needle reaches Figure 3 (II) At the “moderate” position, tighten the adjustment piece (adjustment bolt) to ensure that the position is appropriate and the adjustment is completed;

[0072] The corresponding Gcode printing file is imported into the ring-illuminated light source device of the direct-write near-infrared light-curing 3D printing to start printing. With the coordination of the printer's moving speed and the ink filament extrusion pressure, the extruded material is irradiated by the aperture to achieve real-time curing. As the printer axis moves, the ink filaments are cured and overlapped to achieve 3D printing of the model to be printed.

[0073] To summarize, the present application is different from a near-infrared single-sided point light source. The light source is an annular aperture, so that during the printing process, no matter how the movement angle changes, the extruded ink filaments are always irradiated with near-infrared light, which can solve the problem of uneven curing in the reverse direction caused by a single-sided point light source; by setting an extrusion syringe that can move up and down, the upper and lower positions of the needle at the bottom of the extrusion syringe can be adjusted, thereby achieving the matching adjustment of the near-infrared light beam and the needle position, which greatly improves the printing efficiency compared to the complex single light source XYZ axis adjustment method.

[0074] In the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "connected" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0075] The above is only a preferred implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A ring-type light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing, characterized in that: include: Gantry type three-axis mobile platform; An all-around light source assembly, comprising an all-around light platform mounted on the gantry-type three-axis mobile platform, the all-around light platform having a first central hole and a plurality of groups of inclined holes located on the periphery of the first central hole, wherein the plurality of groups of inclined holes are correspondingly plugged with light source emitting lamp heads; An adjustable fixing ring, which is mounted on the gantry-type three-axis moving platform and is located above the ring-type light source assembly, and has a second center hole and an adjusting member located on the side wall; An extrusion syringe is movably disposed in the first center hole and the second center hole and fixed by the adjusting member, and has a needle at the bottom thereof, and the needle is used to guide the ink in the extrusion syringe in the form of ink filaments.

2. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first center hole is coaxial with the second center hole and is adapted to the diameter of the extrusion syringe.

3. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of groups of inclined holes are evenly spaced and distributed along the central axis of the first central hole.

4. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source emitting lamp head is used for emitting a near-infrared light beam.

5. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting member is an adjusting bolt, and the side wall of the adjustable fixing ring has a threaded hole adapted to the adjusting bolt.

6. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the inclined holes and the light source emitting lamp heads is at least three groups.

7. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink is a near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocurable ink is as follows: Photoinitiator 0.5-2%; Photosensitive resin 30-80%; Thixotropic agent 5-20%; Up conversion material 0.5-3%.

8. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The photosensitive resin is one or more of a resin having an acrylate double bond, a resin containing a vinyl ether double bond, and a resin containing an epoxy group; The photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolephenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; The up-conversion material is one or more of NaYF4, BaYF5, NaGdF4, LiYF4, NaYbF4, Na3ScF6, YF3, and GdOF; The thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide and talc.

9. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink is a near-infrared light-heat synergistic curing system ink, and the composition of the near-infrared light-initiating system photocuring ink is as follows: Photoinitiator 0.5-2%; Thermal initiator 0.5-20%; Photosensitive resin 30-80%; Thixotropic agent 5-20%; Up conversion material 0.5-3%.

10. The ring-irradiation light source device for direct-writing near-infrared light-curing 3D printing according to claim 9, characterized in that: The thermal initiator is one or more of an organic peroxide initiator, an azo initiator, an inorganic peroxide initiator, and a redox initiator; The photoinitiator is one or more of bis-2,6-difluoro-3-pyrrolephenyl titanocene, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, camphorquinone, and [diethyl-(4-methoxybenzoyl)germanyl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone; The photosensitive resin is one or more of a resin having an acrylate double bond, a resin containing a vinyl ether double bond, and a resin containing an epoxy group; The up-conversion material is one or more of NaYF4, BaYF5, NaGdF4, LiYF4, NaYbF4, Na3ScF6, YF3, and GdOF; The thixotropic agent is one or more of barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide and talc.

Images