Electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device and method

Abstract

The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device comprises an exchange chamber, a melting chamber, an atomizing chamber, a titanium rod clamping device and a rotary lifting mechanism, a partition plate is arranged between the exchange chamber and the melting chamber so that the exchange chamber and the melting chamber can be communicated or separated, and a conveying mechanism for conveying titanium rods to the melting chamber is arranged in the exchange chamber; an induction coil, a feeding roller and a laser welding gun are arranged in the melting chamber, titanium rods which are supplemented from the exchange chamber and enter the melting chamber move downwards to the feeding roller under the action of the titanium rod clamping device and the rotary lifting mechanism, the titanium rods are clamped by the feeding roller and continue to move downwards, and the titanium rod clamping device moves upwards to clamp the second titanium rod and then continues to move downwards. The two titanium rods are welded and fixed by the laser welding gun after being in contact and then move downwards to enter the induction coil to be melted. The continuous feeding device is reasonable in structural design, continuous feeding of the titanium rods can be achieved, continuous melting gas atomization powder making of the titanium rods is achieved without opening a bin door, the production efficiency is greatly improved, meanwhile, the utilization rate of inert gas and materials is increased, and the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a feeding device, in particular to an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device and method. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the additive manufacturing industry, the demand for high-quality spherical titanium alloy powder is also increasing. At present, the methods for preparing metal powder mainly include electrode induction atomization process, plasma rotary motor centrifugal atomization process, plasma spheroidization powder making process and plasma atomization powder making process. Among them, the electrode induction atomization process uses titanium alloy rods as raw materials, and adopts a conical non-contact induction coil to melt the head of the titanium alloy rod to form free-falling droplets. The droplets enter the atomization nozzle under the action of gravity, and are atomized under the action of high-speed argon gas to form titanium alloy powder with high sphericity and high purity.

[0003] At present, the electrode induction atomization process has become the mainstream preparation method of high-quality spherical titanium alloy powder, but in the process of powder mass production, the process has the problem of not being able to produce continuously. After a single titanium rod is melted, a new titanium rod must be put back in. Such operation not only increases production time and reduces production efficiency, but also frequently opens the loading bin door, resulting in waste of inert gas and increased costs. At present, there are related patents that propose several continuous feeding devices to improve the production efficiency of the electrode induction atomization process. For example, Chinese patents (CN111515407B) and (CN112974818B) both disclose a gas atomization powder making system. Both patents use a rotating disk feeding device. When a bar is melted, another bar is transported to a specified position by rotation, and then dropped into the induction coil for melting. However, the feeding method of the above patents does not realize continuous material replacement between different bars, and there is still a head of material, resulting in low material utilization.

[0004] In view of the above problems, it is urgent to develop an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device and method to solve the problem that the rod material is difficult to melt continuously during the gas atomization process, and at the same time improve the production efficiency, improve the utilization rate of inert gas and materials, and reduce production costs. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrode induction atomization continuous feeding device with reasonable structural design and low production cost, which can realize continuous feeding and improve production efficiency.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding method, which can not only realize the continuous feeding of titanium alloy bars, but also improve the utilization rate of inert gas and materials and reduce production costs.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned first technical problem is: an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device, characterized in that: it includes an exchange chamber, a melting chamber, an atomization chamber, a titanium rod clamping device and a rotating lifting mechanism, wherein the exchange chamber is located on one side of the upper end of the melting chamber, the atomization chamber is located below the melting chamber, and a movable partition is provided between the exchange chamber and the melting chamber to realize the connection or separation between the two, a titanium rod and a transmission mechanism for conveying the titanium rod to the melting chamber are provided in the exchange chamber, an induction coil for melting the titanium rod is provided in the melting chamber, and a feed roller and a laser welding gun are provided in the melting chamber and above the induction coil. The titanium rod replenished from the exchange chamber into the melting chamber moves downward to the feed roller through the action of the titanium rod clamping device and the rotating lifting mechanism, the titanium rod is clamped by the feed roller and continues to move downward, and the titanium rod clamping device moves up to clamp the second titanium rod and then continues to move downward. After the two titanium rods are in contact, they are welded and fixed by the laser welding gun and then move downward into the induction coil for melting.

[0008] As an improvement, the transmission mechanism in the exchange chamber adopts a transmission chain, and the transmission chain is provided with a clamping member for clamping and fixing the titanium rod. The exchange chamber is located on the upper right side of the melting chamber, and an exchange chamber door is provided on the right side of the exchange chamber. The exchange chamber is provided with an air release valve and a vacuum system.

[0009] Furthermore, the titanium rod clamping device is arranged in the melting chamber, on the left side of the transmission chain of the exchange chamber. When the titanium rod on the transmission chain is transmitted to the titanium rod clamping device, the titanium rod clamping device clamps the top of the titanium rod, and the clamping piece on the transmission chain is disengaged, completing a replenishment of the molten rod material.

[0010] Furthermore, the rotary lifting mechanism is arranged outside the melting chamber and above the titanium rod clamping device. The rotary lifting mechanism includes a rotary lifting shaft, a rotary motor for driving the rotary lifting shaft to rotate, and a lifting motor for driving the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down. The lower end of the rotary lifting shaft extends into the melting chamber and is connected to the upper end of the titanium rod clamping device. A guide rail and a lead screw are vertically provided above the melting chamber and on the left side of the rotary lifting shaft. The lifting motor is installed on a fixed frame above the guide rail. The output end of the lifting motor is connected to the lead screw for transmission. The lead screw is provided with a slider that can drive the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down synchronously. The slider moves up and down along the guide rail through the rotation of the lead screw, driving the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down.

[0011] Furthermore, the feed roller is installed in the melting chamber through a feed roller telescopic bracket. When the titanium rod descends to the feed roller, the feed roller clamps the titanium rod and descends the titanium rod at a speed of 10-100mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device releases the titanium rod and returns to the top. The next titanium rod in the exchange chamber is transported to the titanium rod clamping device by the transmission chain and clamped and fixed.

[0012] Furthermore, the laser welding gun is fixed in the melting chamber and above the feed roller by a welding gun fixing frame. When the titanium rod clamped by the feed roller moves downward, the second titanium rod clamped by the titanium rod clamping device above it rotates and descends at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, the laser welding gun performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods together.

[0013] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is installed at the feed roller. When the pressure of the titanium rod on the feed roller is detected, the pressure is fed back to the titanium rod clamping device to control the titanium rod to release the titanium rod.

[0014] Furthermore, a weld tracking sensor is provided at the laser welding gun. When the two titanium rods contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, they are captured by the weld tracking sensor, and the laser welding gun is controlled to perform spot welding.

[0015] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above second technical problem is: an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding method, characterized in that: the above electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device is used for feeding, and the specific steps are:

[0016] 1) The exchange chamber is filled with titanium rods: lower the partition to separate the exchange chamber from the melting chamber, open the vent valve, fill the exchange chamber with air, open the exchange chamber door, add titanium rods to the exchange chamber, fix the titanium rods on the transmission chain with a clamp, close the exchange chamber door, and evacuate to the specified vacuum degree;

[0017] 2) The partition is raised, the exchange chamber is connected with the melting chamber, and the titanium rod moves to the titanium rod clamping device on the left side driven by the transmission chain. When the titanium rod moves to the titanium rod clamping device, the titanium rod clamping device clamps the top of the titanium rod, and the clamping piece is disengaged, completing the replenishment of the melted rod;

[0018] 3) The rotating motor and the lifting motor are running, and the titanium rod clamping device clamps the titanium rod and rotates and descends;

[0019] 4) When the titanium rod descends to the feed roller, the feed roller clamps the titanium rod and lowers it at a speed of 10-100mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device releases the titanium rod and returns to the top. The next titanium rod in the exchange chamber will continue to be transported by the transmission chain to the titanium rod clamping device for clamping;

[0020] 5) The titanium rod clamped by the feed roller moves downward, and the second titanium rod above it is clamped and rotates downward at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, the laser welding gun performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods together;

[0021] 6) After the two titanium rods are welded together, they move downward into the induction coil at a certain rotation speed and movement speed under the control of the rotating lifting shaft to achieve melting of the titanium rods;

[0022] 7) When the two titanium rods are almost melted, the titanium rod clamping device returns to the top, and the titanium rods in the exchange chamber will replenish them, and then repeat the above movement, thereby realizing continuous feeding of aerosol powder making.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: an exchange chamber is added to realize continuous feeding of titanium alloy bars without destroying the melting atmosphere; before melting, two titanium alloy bars are welded by laser welding, so that no waste material is generated, and the utilization rate of titanium alloy bar raw materials is improved. The present invention has a reasonable structural design, can realize continuous feeding of titanium bars, and realize continuous melting and gas atomization powdering of titanium bars without opening the warehouse door, which greatly improves production efficiency, while improving the utilization rate of inert gas and materials, and reducing production costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a continuous feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, an electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device comprises an exchange chamber 8, a melting chamber 11 and an atomizing chamber 14, wherein the exchange chamber 8 is located at the upper right side of the melting chamber 11, the atomizing chamber 14 is located below the melting chamber 11, a movable partition 2 is provided between the exchange chamber 8 and the melting chamber 11 to achieve the connection or separation between the two, a titanium rod 8 and a transmission mechanism for conveying the titanium rod 7 to the melting chamber 11 are provided in the exchange chamber 8, an induction coil 16 for melting the titanium rod 7 is provided in the melting chamber 11, the induction coil 16 is connected to the induction power supply 17, and the melting chamber 1 1 is provided with a titanium rod clamping device 21 and a rotating lifting mechanism at the upper end, and a feed roller 10 and a laser welding gun 18 are provided in the melting chamber 11 and above the induction coil 16. The titanium rod 7 replenished from the exchange chamber 8 into the melting chamber 11 moves downward to the feed roller 10 through the titanium rod clamping device 21 and the rotating lifting mechanism. The titanium rod 7 is clamped by the feed roller 10 and continues to move downward, while the titanium rod clamping device 21 moves upward to clamp the second titanium rod 7 and then continues to move downward. After the two titanium rods 7 are in contact, they are welded and fixed by the laser welding gun 18 and then move downward into the induction coil 16 for melting.

[0027] The specific structure is as follows: the transmission mechanism in the exchange chamber 8 adopts a transmission chain 4, and a clamping member 6 for clamping and fixing the titanium rod 7 is provided on the transmission chain 4. An exchange chamber door 5 is provided on the right side of the exchange chamber 8, and the exchange chamber 8 is provided with a venting valve 3 and a vacuum system. The titanium rod clamping device 21 is arranged in the melting chamber 11, on the left side of the transmission chain 4 of the exchange chamber 8. When the titanium rod 7 on the transmission chain 4 is transmitted to the titanium rod clamping device 21, the titanium rod clamping device 21 clamps the top of the titanium rod 7, and the clamping member 6 on the transmission chain 4 is disengaged, completing the replenishment of the melted rod material. The rotary lifting mechanism is arranged outside the melting chamber 11, corresponding to the top of the titanium rod clamping device 21. The rotary lifting mechanism includes a rotary lifting shaft 22, a rotary motor 1 that drives the rotary lifting shaft 22 to rotate, and a lifting motor 26 that drives the rotary lifting shaft 22 to move up and down. The lower end of the rotary lifting shaft 22 extends into the melting chamber 11 and is connected to the upper end of the titanium rod clamping device 21. A guide rail 23 and a lead screw 24 are vertically arranged above the melting chamber 11 and on the left side of the rotary lifting shaft 22. The lifting motor 26 is installed on a fixed frame above the guide rail 23. The output end of the lifting motor 26 is transmission-connected to the lead screw 24. The lead screw 24 is provided with a slider 25 that can drive the rotary lifting shaft 22 to move up and down synchronously. The slider 25 moves up and down along the guide rail 23 through the rotation of the lead screw 24, driving the rotary lifting shaft 22 to move up and down. The feed roller 10 is installed in the melting chamber 11 through the feed roller telescopic bracket 9. When the titanium rod 7 descends to the feed roller 10, the feed roller 10 clamps the titanium rod 7 and descends the titanium rod 7 at a speed of 10-100mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device 21 releases the titanium rod 7 and returns to the top. The next titanium rod 7 in the exchange chamber 8 is transported to the titanium rod clamping device 21 by the transmission chain 4 and clamped and fixed. The laser welding gun 18 is fixed in the melting chamber 11 and located above the feed roller 10 through the welding gun fixing frame 19. When the titanium rod 7 clamped by the feed roller 10 moves downward, the second titanium rod 7 clamped by the titanium rod clamping device 21 above it rotates and descends at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods 7 contact each other and move to the laser welding gun 18, the laser welding gun 18 performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods 7 together.

[0028] A pressure sensor is installed at the feed roller 10. When the pressure of the titanium rod 7 on the feed roller 10 is detected, it is fed back to the titanium rod clamping device 21 to control it to release the titanium rod 7. A weld tracking sensor 20 is provided at the laser welding gun 18. When the two titanium rods 7 contact each other and move to the laser welding gun 18, they are captured by the weld tracking sensor 20, and the laser welding gun 18 is controlled to perform spot welding.

[0029] An atomizing spray disc 13 is provided in the atomizing chamber 14. The titanium rod 7 is melted by the induction coil 16 to form free-falling titanium alloy droplets 12. The titanium alloy droplets 12 enter and drip onto the atomizing spray disc 13 under the action of gravity, and are atomized by high-speed argon gas to form titanium alloy powder with high sphericity and purity.

[0030] An electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding method adopts the above-mentioned electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device for feeding, and the specific feeding steps are:

[0031] 1) The exchange chamber 8 is filled with titanium rods 7: the partition 2 is lowered to separate the exchange chamber 8 from the melting chamber 11, the air release valve 3 is opened, the exchange chamber 8 is filled with air, the exchange chamber door 5 is opened, the titanium rods 7 are added to the exchange chamber 8, the titanium rods 7 are fixed on the transmission chain 4 by the clamping member 6, the exchange chamber door 5 is closed, and the vacuum is evacuated to the specified vacuum degree;

[0032] 2) The partition 2 is raised, the exchange chamber 8 is connected with the melting chamber 11, and the titanium rod 7 moves to the titanium rod clamping device 21 on the left side driven by the transmission chain 4. When the titanium rod 7 moves to the titanium rod clamping device 21, the titanium rod clamping device 21 clamps the top of the titanium rod 7, and the clamping piece 6 is disengaged, completing the replenishment of the melted rod material;

[0033] 3) The rotating motor 1 and the lifting motor 26 are running, and the titanium rod clamping device 21 clamps the titanium rod 7 and rotates and descends;

[0034] 4) When the titanium rod 7 descends to the feed roller 10, the feed roller 10 clamps the titanium rod and descends the titanium rod 7 at a speed of 10-100 mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device 21 releases the titanium rod 7 and returns to the top. The next titanium rod 7 in the exchange chamber 8 will continue to be transported by the transmission chain 4 to the titanium rod clamping device 21 for clamping;

[0035] 5) The titanium rod 7 clamped by the feed roller 10 moves downward, and the second titanium rod 7 above it is clamped and rotates and descends at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods 7 contact each other and move to the laser welding gun 18, the laser welding gun 18 performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods 7 together;

[0036] 6) After the two titanium rods 7 are welded together, they are moved downward into the induction coil 16 at a certain rotation speed and movement speed under the control of the rotating lifting shaft 22 to achieve melting of the titanium rods 7;

[0037] 7) When the two titanium rods 7 are almost melted, the titanium rod clamping device 21 returns to the top, and the titanium rods 7 in the exchange chamber 8 will replenish them, and then repeat the above movement, thereby realizing continuous feeding of aerosol powder making.

[0038] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device, characterized in that: It includes an exchange chamber, a melting chamber, an atomizing chamber, a titanium rod clamping device and a rotating lifting mechanism, wherein the exchange chamber is located on one side of the upper end of the melting chamber, the atomizing chamber is located below the melting chamber, a movable partition is provided between the exchange chamber and the melting chamber to achieve connection or separation between the two, a titanium rod and a transmission mechanism for conveying the titanium rod to the melting chamber are provided in the exchange chamber, an induction coil for melting the titanium rod is provided in the melting chamber, a feed roller and a laser welding gun are provided in the melting chamber and above the induction coil, the titanium rod replenished from the exchange chamber into the melting chamber moves downward to the feed roller through the titanium rod clamping device and the rotating lifting mechanism, the titanium rod is clamped by the feed roller and continues to move downward, and the titanium rod clamping device moves upward to clamp the second titanium rod and then continues to move downward, after the two titanium rods are in contact, they are welded and fixed by the laser welding gun and then move downward into the induction coil for melting.

2. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The transmission mechanism in the exchange chamber adopts a transmission chain, and a clamping piece for clamping and fixing the titanium rod is provided on the transmission chain. The exchange chamber is located on the upper right side of the melting chamber, and an exchange chamber door is provided on the right side of the exchange chamber. The exchange chamber is provided with an air release valve and a vacuum pumping system.

3. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The titanium rod clamping device is arranged in the melting chamber, on the left side of the transmission chain of the exchange chamber. When the titanium rod on the transmission chain is transmitted to the titanium rod clamping device, the titanium rod clamping device clamps the top of the titanium rod, and the clamping piece on the transmission chain is disengaged, completing a replenishment of the molten rod material.

4. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The rotary lifting mechanism is arranged outside the melting chamber and above the titanium rod clamping device. The rotary lifting mechanism includes a rotary lifting shaft, a rotary motor for driving the rotary lifting shaft to rotate, and a lifting motor for driving the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down. The lower end of the rotary lifting shaft extends into the melting chamber and is connected to the upper end of the titanium rod clamping device. A guide rail and a lead screw are vertically arranged above the melting chamber and on the left side of the rotary lifting shaft. The lifting motor is installed on a fixed frame above the guide rail. The output end of the lifting motor is connected to the lead screw for transmission. The lead screw is provided with a slider that can drive the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down synchronously. The slider moves up and down along the guide rail through the rotation of the lead screw, driving the rotary lifting shaft to move up and down.

5. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The feed roller is installed in the melting chamber through a feed roller telescopic bracket. When the titanium rod descends to the feed roller, the feed roller clamps the titanium rod and descends the titanium rod at a speed of 10-100mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device releases the titanium rod and returns to the top. The next titanium rod in the exchange chamber is transported to the titanium rod clamping device by the transmission chain and clamped and fixed.

6. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The laser welding gun is fixed in the melting chamber and above the feed roller by a welding gun fixing frame. When the titanium rod clamped by the feed roller moves downward, the second titanium rod clamped by the titanium rod clamping device above it rotates and descends at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, the laser welding gun performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods together.

7. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A pressure sensor is installed at the feed roller. When the pressure of the titanium rod on the feed roller is detected, the pressure is fed back to the titanium rod clamping device to control the titanium rod to release the titanium rod.

8. The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A weld tracking sensor is provided at the laser welding gun. When two titanium bars contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, they are captured by the weld tracking sensor, and the laser welding gun is controlled to perform spot welding.

9. An electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding method, characterized in that: The electrode induction gas atomization continuous feeding device according to claim 8 is used for feeding, and the specific steps are as follows: 1) The exchange chamber is filled with titanium rods: lower the partition to separate the exchange chamber from the melting chamber, open the vent valve, fill the exchange chamber with air, open the exchange chamber door, add titanium rods to the exchange chamber, fix the titanium rods on the transmission chain with a clamp, close the exchange chamber door, and evacuate to the specified vacuum degree; 2) The partition is raised, the exchange chamber is connected with the melting chamber, and the titanium rod moves to the titanium rod clamping device on the left side driven by the transmission chain. When the titanium rod moves to the titanium rod clamping device, the titanium rod clamping device clamps the top of the titanium rod, and the clamping piece is disengaged, completing the replenishment of the melted rod; 3) The rotating motor and the lifting motor are running, and the titanium rod clamping device clamps the titanium rod and rotates and descends; 4) When the titanium rod descends to the feed roller, the feed roller clamps the titanium rod and lowers it at a speed of 10-100mm / min. At the same time, the titanium rod clamping device releases the titanium rod and returns to the top. The next titanium rod in the exchange chamber will continue to be transported by the transmission chain to the titanium rod clamping device for clamping; 5) The titanium rod clamped by the feed roller moves downward, and the second titanium rod above it is clamped and rotates downward at a certain speed. When the two titanium rods contact each other and move to the laser welding gun, the laser welding gun performs spot welding to weld the two titanium rods together; 6) After the two titanium rods are welded together, they move downward into the induction coil at a certain rotation speed and movement speed under the control of the rotating lifting shaft to achieve melting of the titanium rods; 7) When the two titanium rods are almost melted, the titanium rod clamping device returns to the top, and the titanium rods in the exchange chamber will replenish them, and then repeat the above movement, thereby realizing continuous feeding of aerosol powder making.

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