Independent powder discharging, mixing and supplying device and 3D printer

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of metal 3D printers, in particular to an independent powder discharging, mixing and supplying device and a 3D printer, on one hand, the independent powder discharging, mixing and supplying device comprises a mounting frame, a powder discharging mechanism, a powder mixing mechanism and a powder supplying mechanism, and the powder discharging mechanism, the powder mixing mechanism and the powder supplying mechanism are arranged on the mounting frame; the powder discharging mechanism is used for feeding different metal powder, the powder mixing mechanism is used for mixing the different metal powder, and the powder supply mechanism is used for conveying the mixed metal powder to a laser melting area; the powder supply mechanism comprises a conveying chain, mounting plates and transfer bottles, the conveying chain is arranged on the mounting frame, the mounting plates are fixedly arranged on the conveying chain, and the multiple mounting plates are arranged in the conveying direction of the conveying chain at intervals; the transfer bottle is in threaded connection with the mounting plate and located below the mounting plate, and an opening of the transfer bottle penetrates through the mounting plate. Secondly, the 3D printer comprises the independent powder feeding, mixing and supplying device. The mixed metal powder conveying device has the effect of improving the stability of the container containing the mixed metal powder in the conveying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of metal 3D printers, and more particularly to an independent powder feeding device and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] A 3D metal printer is a scientific instrument used in the fields of physics, basic engineering and technological sciences, and mechanical engineering. It uses laser melting technology to melt metal powder to form functional solid parts. It is a fully digital rapid prototyping manufacturing process that directly produces high-density metal parts based on the interface data of the three-dimensional CAD layer. The thickness of the molten metal layer ranges from 20 microns to 100 microns, and metal is rapidly formed.

[0003] When performing 3D metal printing, metal powders need to be first fed and mixed, and then filled into a container and transported to the laser melting area via a conveyor belt to supply powder, melt the metal powders, and form functional physical parts. However, in the related art, the container containing the mixed metal powders is prone to movement or tipping during transportation, and the stability during transportation needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to improve the stability of a container containing mixed metal powder during transportation, the present application provides an independent powder mixing and powder supplying device and a 3D printer.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application provides an independent powder feeding device that uses the following technical solution: An independent powder discharging, mixing and supplying device comprises a mounting frame and a powder discharging mechanism, a powder mixing mechanism and a powder supplying mechanism arranged on the mounting frame; The powder feeding mechanism is used for feeding different metal powders, the powder mixing mechanism is used for mixing different metal powders, and the powder supply mechanism is used for transporting the mixed metal powders to the laser melting area; The powder supply mechanism includes a conveyor chain, a mounting plate and a transfer bottle. The conveyor chain is arranged on a mounting frame. The mounting plate is fixedly arranged on the conveyor chain and a plurality of plates are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the conveyor chain. The transfer bottle is threadedly connected to the mounting plate and is located below the mounting plate. The opening of the transfer bottle passes through the mounting plate. The transfer bottle is used to dock with the discharge port of the powder mixing mechanism and hold the mixed metal powder.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, different metal powders are fed through the powder feeding mechanism, and then mixed through the powder mixing mechanism. The mixed metal powders enter the transfer bottle. After the transfer bottle on each mounting plate is completed, it is transported to the laser melting area through the conveyor chain in turn, and the cycle is carried out. The powder feeding mechanism, powder mixing mechanism and powder feeding mechanism are all arranged on the mounting frame and each mechanism works independently, and the process is progressive. The container for holding the mixed metal powder, that is, the transfer bottle, is threadedly connected to the mounting plate. It has high stability and is easy to disassemble and assemble during transportation, so that the container containing the mixed metal powder is easy to move or tip over during transportation.

[0007] Optionally, the conveyor chain includes a first chain body and a second chain body arranged in parallel, and both ends of the mounting plate are respectively fixed to the first chain body and the second chain body; The conveyor chain is bent to sequentially form a material receiving section, a middle section and a powder supply section, wherein the material receiving section is located at the bottom end of the middle section and butts with the end of the powder mixing mechanism, and the powder supply section is located at the top end of the middle section and butts with the laser melting area.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the arrangement of the first chain body and the second chain body facilitates the installation of the mounting plate, and the installation methods of both ends of the mounting plate are consistent, with high stability and reliable transportation. In addition, the conveyor chain bending arrangement sequentially forms a material receiving section, an intermediate section and a powder supply section, which is convenient for adapting to the position of the powder mixing mechanism and the laser melting area in actual conditions, so as to achieve corresponding docking.

[0009] Optionally, the mounting plate includes a corner plate, a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, the corner plate is fixedly connected to a side where the first chain body and the second chain body are close to each other, the vertical plate is correspondingly connected to the outer surface of the corner plate, the two ends of the horizontal plate are respectively connected to the vertical plates on both sides, the transfer bottle is threadedly connected to the horizontal plate, and a plurality of transfer bottles are arranged on each horizontal plate.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the installation plate is divided into independent angle plates, vertical plates and horizontal plates, which is convenient for independent processing and transportation of each part. It can be assembled on site when used, and the installation is simple and convenient.

[0011] Optionally, a guide support assembly is fixedly mounted on the mounting frame, and the guide support assembly includes a guide rod and a guide pad fixedly mounted in the guide rod, the cross-sections of the guide rod and the guide pad are both concave-shaped, and the conveying chain passes through the concave-shaped portion of the guide pad.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, since the conveyor chain is actually long in use, when the conveyor chain is long, the middle part is prone to collapse, affecting the use of the conveyor chain. The setting of the guide rod and the guide pad can guide and support the middle part of the conveyor chain, improving the stability and reliability of the conveyor chain when in use. In addition, the guide pad can also reduce noise and reduce the wear of the conveyor chain.

[0013] Optionally, the guide support assembly is at least arranged in the material receiving section and the middle section of the conveyor chain, and the guide support assembly also includes a mounting rod, and guide rods are arranged on both sides of the same conveyor chain, and the guide rods on both sides of the same conveyor chain are fixedly connected to the mounting frame through a common mounting rod.

[0014] Through the above technical solution, the guide support assembly is at least arranged in the material receiving section and the middle section of the conveyor chain, and guide rods are arranged on both sides of the same conveyor chain, which can improve the comprehensiveness of the conveyor chain guidance and support. The installation rod can simultaneously realize the fixing and installation of multiple guide rods, which plays a role in simplifying the structure and saving materials.

[0015] Optionally, the connection between the material receiving section, the middle section and the powder supply section is bent by a steering gear, and the steering gear is rotatably connected to the mounting frame and meshes with the conveying chain.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution and setting the steering gear, the conveyor chain can be bent without easily affecting the normal conveying of the conveyor chain. It can also play a role in fixed-point positioning and guiding the conveyor chain, further improving the stability of the conveyor chain.

[0017] Optionally, the powder feeding mechanism further includes a tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly includes a fixed plate, a first adjusting plate, a fixing bolt and a first tensioning gear, the fixed plate is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame, the first tensioning gear and the first adjusting plate are respectively located on both sides of the thickness direction of the fixed plate, a first rotating shaft is coaxially arranged on the first tensioning gear and rotatably connected, a sliding groove for the first rotating shaft to pass through is provided on the fixed plate, and the first rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the first adjusting plate after passing through the sliding groove; The first adjustment plate is provided with an adjustment slot, the fixing bolt passes through the adjustment slot and is threadedly connected to the fixing plate; the first tensioning gear is meshed with the conveying chain of the middle section.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, when the conveyor chain becomes loose, the fixing bolts are loosened and the adjustment plate is pushed, and then the first tensioning gear is pushed to a suitable position and the fixing bolts are tightened to achieve tensioning of the conveyor chain.

[0019] Optionally, the tensioning assembly also includes an adjusting bolt, a mounting block and a mating block, the mounting block is fixedly connected to the fixing plate, the mating block is fixedly connected to the first adjusting plate, the adjusting bolt passes through the mounting block and is threadedly connected to the mounting block, and the end of the adjusting bolt away from the nut can be rotated to abut against the mating block and push the mating block to move.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, when the first adjustment plate needs to be pushed, the adjusting bolt is turned to push the matching block to move, thereby achieving fine-tuning of the movement of the first adjustment plate and improving the tensioning accuracy. This can effectively avoid the large pushing error caused by directly pushing the first adjustment plate, thereby reducing the number of repeated adjustments.

[0021] Optionally, the tensioning assembly also includes a second tensioning gear, and the steering gear located at the lower side at the connection between the middle section and the powder supply section is the second tensioning gear. The second tensioning gear is coaxially arranged and rotatably connected with a second rotating shaft; a second adjustment plate is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame, and a waist-shaped hole is opened on the second adjustment plate. The second rotating shaft passes through the waist-shaped hole and is fixed to the second adjustment plate by a nut.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, on the one hand, the second tensioning gear can adjust the transmission direction of the conveyor chain, and the second adjustment plate and the waist-shaped hole are arranged to facilitate the installation of the second tensioning gear; on the other hand, the second tensioning gear can perform tensioning adjustment on the connection between the middle section and the powder supply section, and multi-point tensioning adjustment helps to improve the uniformity and reliability of tensioning of different parts of the conveyor chain.

[0023] In the second aspect, the present application provides a 3D printer adopting the following technical solution: A 3D printer comprises the above-mentioned independent powder lowering, powder mixing and powder supplying device.

[0024] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The powder feeding mechanism, powder mixing mechanism and powder supply mechanism are all arranged on the mounting frame and each mechanism works independently, and the processes are carried out in sequence; and the container for holding the mixed metal powder, i.e. the transport bottle, is threadedly connected to the mounting plate, which has high stability and is easy to disassemble and assemble during transportation, so that the container containing the mixed metal powder is easy to move or tip over during transportation; 2. The setting of guide rods and guide pads can guide and support the middle part of the conveyor chain, improving the stability and reliability of the conveyor chain during use; in addition, the guide pads can also reduce noise and reduce the wear of the conveyor chain; 3. The setting of the steering gear realizes the bending of the conveyor chain without easily affecting the normal conveying of the conveyor chain. It can also play a role in fixed-point positioning and guiding the conveyor chain, further improving the stability of the conveyor chain. When the conveyor chain becomes loose, loosen the fixing bolts, and push the adjusting plate through the adjusting bolts, and then push the first tensioning gear to the appropriate position and tighten the fixing bolts to achieve the tensioning of the conveyor chain. The second tensioning gear can also adjust the tension of the connection between the middle section and the powder supply section. Multi-point tensioning adjustment helps to improve the uniformity and reliability of tensioning of different parts of the conveyor chain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an independent powder lowering, mixing and supplying device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram used to demonstrate the bending shape of the conveyor chain in the embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the transfer bottle and sealing structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the sealing structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the sealing plug in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram used to show the interior of the sealing plug in the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 8 Yes Yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0033] Fig. 9 Yes Yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0034] Description of the accompanying drawings: 1. powder discharging mechanism; 2. powder mixing mechanism; 3. powder supply mechanism; 31. conveying chain; 311. first chain body; 312. second chain body; 313. material receiving section; 314. middle section; 315. powder supply section; 32. mounting plate; 321. angle plate; 322. vertical plate; 323. horizontal plate; 33. transport bottle; 4. sealing structure; 41. discharging bin; 411. support plate; 42. sealing plug; 421. lifting hole; 43. reset spring; 44. limiting cylinder; 45. lifting rod; 451. thick rod; 452. thin rod; 46 , movable plug; 47, first sealing ring; 48, second sealing ring; 49, third sealing ring; 5, guide rod; 51, guide pad; 6, mounting rod; 7, steering gear; 8, tensioning assembly; 81, fixed plate; 811, slide groove; 82, first adjustment plate; 821, adjustment groove; 83, fixing bolt; 84, first tensioning gear; 841, first rotating shaft; 85, second tensioning gear; 851, second rotating shaft; 86, second adjustment plate; 861, waist-shaped hole; 87, adjusting bolt; 88, mounting block; 89, matching block; 9, mounting frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following is combined with Figure 1-9 This application is described in further detail.

[0036] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses an independent powder lowering, powder mixing and powder supplying device.

[0037] Reference Figure 1-2 The independent powder lowering, powder mixing and powder supplying device includes a mounting frame 9 and a powder lowering mechanism 1, a powder mixing mechanism 2 and a powder supplying mechanism 3 arranged on the mounting frame 9. The powder mixing mechanism 2 is located directly below the powder lowering mechanism 1. The powder lowering mechanism 1 is used for feeding different metal powders, and the powder mixing mechanism 2 is used for mixing different metal powders. The powder lowering mechanism 1 and the powder mixing mechanism 2 are not the focus of this application and can be selected or set according to actual conditions, as long as they can achieve the above-mentioned corresponding functions. The laser melting area is arranged side by side and flush with the powder lowering mechanism 1 in the horizontal direction, and the powder supplying mechanism 3 is used to transport the mixed metal powder to the laser melting area.

[0038] Reference Figure 2-4 The powder supply mechanism 3 includes a conveyor chain 31, a mounting plate 32 and a transfer bottle 33. The conveyor chain 31 is arranged on the mounting frame 9. The mounting plate 32 is fixedly arranged on the conveyor chain 31 and a plurality of plates are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the conveyor chain 31. The transfer bottle 33 is threadedly connected to the mounting plate 32 and is located below the mounting plate 32. The opening of the transfer bottle 33 passes through the mounting plate 32. The transfer bottle 33 is used to dock with the discharge port of the powder mixing mechanism 2 and hold the mixed metal powder.

[0039] Different metal powders are fed through the powder feeding mechanism 1, and then mixed through the powder mixing mechanism 2. The mixed metal powders enter the transport bottle 33. After the transport bottle 33 on each mounting plate 32 receives the powder, it is transported to the laser melting area through the conveyor chain 31 in turn, and the cycle is carried out. The powder feeding mechanism 1, the powder mixing mechanism 2 and the powder feeding mechanism 3 are all arranged on the mounting frame 9, and each mechanism works independently, and the process is carried out in sequence. The container for holding the mixed metal powder, that is, the transport bottle 33, is threadedly connected to the mounting plate 32. It has high stability and is easy to disassemble and assemble during transportation, so that the container containing the mixed metal powder is easy to move or tip over during transportation.

[0040] Reference Figure 3-7 A sealing structure 4 is fixedly installed above the mounting plate 32, and the sealing structure 4 is arranged corresponding to the transport bottle 33. After the metal powder is evenly mixed by the powder mixing mechanism 2, the metal powder enters the transport bottle 33 through the sealing structure 4. The sealing structure 4 includes a lower bin 41, a sealing plug 42 and a return spring 43. The lower bin 41 is fixedly arranged above the mounting plate 32, and the transport bottle 33 is threadedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate 32. The opening at the top of the transport bottle 33 passes through the mounting plate 32 and is connected to the opening at the bottom of the lower bin 41.

[0041] The top of the lower material bin 41 is used to dock with the powder mixing mechanism 2. The top of the lower material bin 41 is fixedly connected with a limiting cylinder 44 through four support plates 411. The sealing plug 42 is arranged in the lower material bin 41. The bottom of the sealing plug 42 is arranged in a conical shape. The top of the sealing plug 42 is provided with a lifting hole 421 for inserting the limiting cylinder 44. The first sealing ring 47 is fixedly connected to the position of the lifting hole 421 near the top of the lifting hole 421. The middle of the sealing plug 42 is abutted against the inner side of the bottom end of the lower material bin 41 through the second sealing ring 48, and the middle of the sealing plug 42 and the inner side of the bottom end of the lower material bin 41 are provided with mutually matching inclined surfaces.

[0042] The sealing plug 42 is fixedly connected with a lifting rod 45, which is divided into a thick rod 451 and a thin rod 452 fixedly connected from top to bottom. The bottom end of the thin rod 452 is inserted into the sealing plug 42 and fixedly connected to the sealing plug 42, and the top end of the thin rod 452 is located in the limiting cylinder 44; the top end of the lifting rod 45, that is, the top end of the thick rod 451, is fixedly connected with a movable plug 46, which is located in the limiting cylinder 44 and matches the inner diameter of the limiting cylinder 44, and the bottom of the movable plug 46 is fixedly connected with a third sealing ring 49, the peripheral side wall of the third sealing ring 49 abuts against the inner wall of the limiting cylinder 44, and the first sealing ring 47, the second sealing ring 48 and the third sealing ring 49 all play a sealing role. The reset spring 43 is sleeved on the lifting rod 45, the bottom end of the reset spring 43 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall in the limiting cylinder 44, and the top end of the reset spring 43 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the movable plug 46.

[0043] When the metal powder mixed by the powder mixing mechanism 2 needs to enter the transfer bottle 33, the movable plug 46 is pushed downward. At this time, the inner wall of the lifting hole 421 moves downward compared to the outer wall of the limiting cylinder 44, forming a channel connecting the lower bin 41 and the transfer bottle 33, and the mixed metal powder enters the transfer bottle 33 along the channel; after the transfer is completed, the driving force on the movable plug 46 is removed, and under the action of the reset spring 43, the movable plug 46, the lifting rod 45 and the sealing plug 42 rise together to reset, and the sealing structure 4 is restored from the open state to the sealed state to achieve the sealing of the metal powder in the transfer bottle 33. At this time, the sealing plug 42 re-blocks the opening at the bottom of the lower bin 41. The transfer bottle 33 is sealed during transportation to reduce the harm caused by metal powder dust. When docking with the powder supply at the laser melting area, as the transfer bottle 33 is transported, the opening of the transfer bottle 33 repeats the above-mentioned operation of opening the sealing structure 4 to achieve powder supply.

[0044] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The conveying chain 31 includes a first chain body 311 and a second chain body 312 arranged in parallel, and the two ends of the mounting plate 32 are respectively fixed on the first chain body 311 and the second chain body 312. The conveying chain 31 is bent to form a material receiving section 313, a middle section 314 and a powder supply section 315 in sequence. The material receiving section 313 is located at the bottom end of the middle section 314 and docked with the end of the powder mixing mechanism 2, and the powder supply section 315 is located at the top of the middle section 314 and docked with the laser melting area. The arrangement of the first chain body 311 and the second chain body 312 facilitates the installation of the mounting plate 32, and the installation methods of the two ends of the mounting plate 32 are consistent, with high stability and reliable transportation. In addition, the conveying chain 31 is bent to form a material receiving section 313, a middle section 314 and a powder supply section 315 in sequence, which is convenient for adapting to the position of the powder mixing mechanism 2 and the laser melting area in actual conditions, so as to facilitate the corresponding docking. In the embodiment of the present application, the middle section 314 is arranged vertically, and the material receiving section 313 and the powder supply section 315 are arranged horizontally.

[0045] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The mounting plate 32 includes an angle plate 321, a vertical plate 322 and a horizontal plate 323. The angle plate 321 is fixedly connected to the side where the first chain body 311 and the second chain body 312 are close to each other. The vertical plate 322 is correspondingly connected to the outer surface of the angle plate 321. The two ends of the horizontal plate 323 are respectively connected to the vertical plates 322 on both sides. The transport bottle 33 is threadedly connected to the horizontal plate 323, and a plurality of transport bottles 33 are arranged on each horizontal plate 323. The mounting plate 32 is divided into mutually independent angle plates 321, vertical plates 322 and horizontal plates 323, which is convenient for independent processing and transportation of each part. It can be assembled on site when in use, and the installation is simple and convenient.

[0046] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9A guide support assembly is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame 9, and the guide support assembly includes a guide rod 5 and a guide pad 51 fixedly arranged in the guide rod 5. The cross-sections of the guide rod 5 and the guide pad 51 are both arranged in a concave shape, and the conveyor chain 31 passes through the concave portion of the guide pad 51. Since the conveyor chain 31 is relatively long in actual use, when the conveyor chain 31 is relatively long, the middle portion is prone to collapse, which affects the use of the conveyor chain 31. The arrangement of the guide rod 5 and the guide pad 51 can guide and support the middle portion of the conveyor chain 31, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the conveyor chain 31 when in use. In addition, the guide pad 51 can also reduce noise and reduce the wear of the conveyor chain 31.

[0047] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The guide support assembly is arranged at the material receiving section 313 and the middle section 314 of the conveyor chain 31, and the guide support assembly also includes a mounting rod 6. Guide rods 5 are arranged on both sides of the same conveyor chain 31, and the guide rods 5 on both sides of the same conveyor chain 31 are fixedly connected to the mounting frame 9 through the common mounting rod 6. The guide support assembly is at least arranged at the material receiving section 313 and the middle section 314 of the conveyor chain 31, and guide rods 5 are arranged on both sides of the same conveyor chain 31, which can improve the comprehensiveness of guiding and supporting the conveyor chain 31. The arrangement of the mounting rod 6 can realize the fixing and installation of multiple guide rods 5 at the same time, which plays a role in simplifying the structure and saving materials.

[0048] Reference Figure 1-9 The connection between the material receiving section 313, the middle section 314 and the powder supply section 315 is bent by the steering gear 7, and the steering gear 7 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 9 and meshes with the conveying chain 31. The setting of the steering gear 7 realizes the bending of the conveying chain 31 without easily affecting the normal conveying of the conveying chain 31, and can also play a role in fixed-point positioning and guiding the conveying chain 31, further improving the stability of the conveying chain 31.

[0049] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The powder supply mechanism 3 further includes a tensioning assembly 8, which includes a fixed plate 81, a first adjustment plate 82, a fixing bolt 83 and a first tensioning gear 84. The fixed plate 81 is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame 9. The first tensioning gear 84 and the first adjustment plate 82 are respectively located on both sides of the thickness direction of the fixed plate 81. A first rotating shaft 841 is coaxially arranged and rotatably connected on the first tensioning gear 84. A sliding groove 811 for the first rotating shaft 841 to pass through is provided on the fixed plate 81. After passing through the sliding groove 811, the first rotating shaft 841 is fixedly connected to the first adjustment plate 82. An adjusting groove 821 is provided on the first adjustment plate 82. The fixing bolt 83 passes through the adjusting groove 821 and is threadedly connected to the fixed plate 81. The first tensioning gear 84 meshes with the conveying chain 31 of the middle section 314.

[0050] When the conveying chain 31 becomes loose, the fixing bolts 83 are loosened, and the adjusting plate is pushed, and then the first tensioning gear 84 is pushed to a suitable position and the fixing bolts 83 are tightened to achieve tensioning of the conveying chain 31 .

[0051] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The tensioning assembly 8 also includes an adjusting bolt 87, a mounting block 88 and a matching block 89. The mounting block 88 is fixedly connected to the fixing plate 81, and the matching block 89 is fixedly connected to the first adjusting plate 82. The adjusting bolt 87 passes through the mounting block 88 and is threadedly connected to the mounting block 88. The end of the adjusting bolt 87 away from the nut can be rotated to abut against the matching block 89 and push the matching block 89 to move. When the first adjusting plate 82 needs to be pushed, the adjusting bolt 87 is screwed to push the matching block 89 to move, so as to achieve fine adjustment of the movement of the first adjusting plate 82, improve the tensioning accuracy, and effectively avoid the large pushing error caused by directly pushing the first adjusting plate 82, thereby reducing the number of repeated adjustments caused.

[0052] Reference Figure 1-3 and Figure 8-9 The tensioning assembly 8 also includes a second tensioning gear 85. The steering gear 7 located at the connection between the middle section 314 and the powder supply section 315 and at the lower side is the second tensioning gear 85. The second tensioning gear 85 is coaxially arranged and rotatably connected with a second rotating shaft 851. The mounting frame 9 is fixedly provided with a second adjusting plate 86. The second adjusting plate 86 is provided with a waist-shaped hole 861. The second rotating shaft 851 passes through the waist-shaped hole 861 and is fixed to the second adjusting plate 86 by a nut. On the one hand, the second tensioning gear 85 can adjust the transmission direction of the conveying chain 31, and the second adjustment plate 86 and the waist-shaped hole 861 are provided to facilitate the installation of the second tensioning gear 85. On the other hand, the second tensioning gear 85 can adjust the tension at the connection between the middle section 314 and the powder supply section 315. The multi-point tensioning adjustment helps to improve the uniformity and reliability of the tensioning of different parts of the conveying chain 31.

[0053] In a second aspect, the present application also discloses a 3D printer, which includes the above-mentioned independent powder lowering, powder mixing and powder supplying device.

[0054] The implementation principle of an independent powder discharging, mixing and powder supplying device in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: different metal powders are fed through the powder discharging mechanism 1, and then mixed through the powder mixing mechanism 2, and the mixed metal powders enter the transfer bottle 33. After the transfer bottles 33 on each mounting plate 32 are completed, they are transported to the laser melting area through the conveyor chain 31 in turn, and the cycle is carried out. The powder discharging mechanism 1, the powder mixing mechanism 2 and the powder supply mechanism 3 are all arranged on the mounting frame 9, and each mechanism works independently, and the process is carried out in sequence. The container for holding the mixed metal powder, that is, the transfer bottle 33, is threadedly connected to the mounting plate 32, has high stability during transportation and is easy to disassemble and assemble, so that the container containing the mixed metal powder is easy to move or tip over during transportation.

[0055] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An independent powder feeding device, characterized in that: It comprises a mounting frame (9) and a powder discharging mechanism (1), a powder mixing mechanism (2) and a powder supply mechanism (3) which are arranged on the mounting frame (9); The powder feeding mechanism (1) is used for feeding different metal powders, the powder mixing mechanism (2) is used for mixing different metal powders, and the powder supply mechanism (3) is used for transporting the mixed metal powders to the laser melting area; The powder supply mechanism (3) comprises a conveyor chain (31), a mounting plate (32) and a transfer bottle (33); the conveyor chain (31) is arranged on a mounting frame (9); the mounting plate (32) is fixedly arranged on the conveyor chain (31) and a plurality of the mounting plates (32) are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the conveyor chain (31); the transfer bottle (33) is threadedly connected to the mounting plate (32) and is located below the mounting plate (32); the opening of the transfer bottle (33) passes through the mounting plate (32); the transfer bottle (33) is used to dock with the discharge port of the powder mixing mechanism (2) and contain the mixed metal powder.

2. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The conveying chain (31) comprises a first chain body (311) and a second chain body (312) arranged in parallel, and two ends of the mounting plate (32) are respectively fixed on the first chain body (311) and the second chain body (312); The conveyor chain (31) is bent and arranged to sequentially form a material receiving section (313), a middle section (314) and a powder supply section (315); the material receiving section (313) is located at the bottom end of the middle section (314) and is butted against the end of the powder mixing mechanism (2); and the powder supply section (315) is located at the top end of the middle section (314) and is butted against the laser melting area.

3. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The mounting plate (32) comprises an angle plate (321), a vertical plate (322) and a horizontal plate (323); the angle plate (321) is fixedly connected to a side where the first chain body (311) and the second chain body (312) are close to each other; the vertical plate (322) is correspondingly connected to the outer surface of the angle plate (321); the two ends of the horizontal plate (323) are respectively correspondingly connected to the vertical plates (322) on both sides; the transport bottle (33) is threadedly connected to the horizontal plate (323), and a plurality of transport bottles (33) are arranged on each horizontal plate (323).

4. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 2 is characterized in that: A guide support assembly is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame (9), the guide support assembly comprising a guide rod (5) and a guide pad (51) fixedly arranged in the guide rod (5), the cross sections of the guide rod (5) and the guide pad (51) are both arranged in a concave shape, and the conveying chain (31) passes through the concave portion of the guide pad (51).

5. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide support assembly is at least arranged at the material receiving section (313) and the middle section (314) of the conveying chain (31), and the guide support assembly also includes a mounting rod (6). Guide rods (5) are arranged on both sides of the same conveying chain (31), and the guide rods (5) on both sides of the same conveying chain (31) are fixedly connected to the mounting frame (9) through a common mounting rod (6).

6. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connection between the material receiving section (313), the middle section (314) and the powder supply section (315) is bent through a steering gear (7), and the steering gear (7) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (9) and meshes with the conveying chain (31).

7. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The powder supply mechanism (3) also includes a tensioning assembly (8), the tensioning assembly (8) includes a fixed plate (81), a first adjustment plate (82), a fixing bolt (83) and a first tensioning gear (84), the fixed plate (81) is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame (9), the first tensioning gear (84) and the first adjustment plate (82) are respectively located on both sides of the thickness direction of the fixed plate (81), the first tensioning gear (84) is coaxially arranged on the first tensioning gear (84) and is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft (841), the fixed plate (81) is provided with a sliding groove (811) for the first rotating shaft (841) to pass through, and the first rotating shaft (841) is fixedly connected to the first adjustment plate (82) after passing through the sliding groove (811); The first adjustment plate (82) is provided with an adjustment slot (821), and the fixing bolt (83) passes through the adjustment slot (821) and is threadedly connected to the fixing plate (81); the first tensioning gear (84) is meshed with the conveying chain (31) of the middle section (314).

8. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The tensioning assembly (8) further comprises an adjusting bolt (87), a mounting block (88) and a matching block (89); the mounting block (88) is fixedly connected to the fixing plate (81); the matching block (89) is fixedly connected to the first adjusting plate (82); the adjusting bolt (87) passes through the mounting block (88) and is threadedly connected to the mounting block (88); an end of the adjusting bolt (87) away from the nut can be rotated to abut against the matching block (89) and push the matching block (89) to move.

9. The independent powder mixing and powder supplying device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The tensioning assembly (8) further comprises a second tensioning gear (85); the steering gear (7) located at the connection between the middle section (314) and the powder supply section (315) and on the lower side is the second tensioning gear (85); a second rotating shaft (851) is coaxially arranged on the second tensioning gear (85) and rotatably connected thereto; a second adjusting plate (86) is fixedly arranged on the mounting frame (9); a waist-shaped hole (861) is provided on the second adjusting plate (86); the second rotating shaft (851) passes through the waist-shaped hole (861) and is fixed to the second adjusting plate (86) by a nut.

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that: It comprises the independent powder lowering, mixing and supplying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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