A light-curing 3D printing and post-processing all-in-one machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a light-curing 3D printing and post-processing integrated machine, belonging to the technical field of 3D printers. It includes a frame, an ultraviolet light source is installed inside the frame, a lifting mechanism and a material box are installed on the top of the frame, the bottom of the lifting mechanism is fixedly connected with a printing platform, and the printing platform is used to print the substances in the material box. On both sides of the top surface of the frame, a drying device and a curing device are respectively arranged from low to high. The material box is provided with photosensitive resin, isolation liquid and cleaning agent. The present invention enables the light-curing 3D printing and post-processing to be synchronously implemented in one device, changing from the original serial operation to a parallel operation. After the printing is completed, the post-processing is also completed, thus greatly improving the production efficiency. At the same time, there is no need for manual handling of parts between various devices in sequence during the whole process, thus getting rid of the dependence on manual labor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to an integrated machine for stereolithography 3D printing and post-processing. Background Art

[0002] Stereolithography 3D printing is a 3D printing technology for additive manufacturing based on photosensitive resin materials. Its principle is to build three-dimensional objects layer by layer by irradiating photosensitive resin with ultraviolet light. The printing process is usually carried out layer by layer: each layer of photosensitive resin is cured after being irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the printing platform moves a specific distance, and so on until the entire model is printed. Stereolithography 3D printer technology has the characteristics of high resolution and accuracy, smooth surface, and diverse material selection, and has outstanding advantages in the production of jewelry, dentistry, and engineering components.

[0003] There are usually two ways for the existing stereolithography 3D printing and post-processing processes. Way 1 (such as Figure 1 ) is that the 3D printer and the post-processing equipment are independent of each other. It is necessary for workers to manually transport the parts between various equipment in sequence and manually operate each equipment. Way 2 (such as Figure 2 ) is to integrate 3D printing and post-processing in one equipment, and there are multiple workstations to perform different operations respectively. The equipment automatically transports the parts between multiple workstations in sequence, and the whole process does not require manual operation. The main disadvantage of Way 1 is dependence on manual labor and long total time consumption. Way 2 has made great progress compared with Way 1, getting rid of the dependence on manual labor, but 3D printing and post-processing are still carried out in sequence, and the proportion of post-processing in the whole printing cycle is relatively large. Especially for large or complex printed objects, the post-processing time may be as long as several hours, which not only affects production efficiency but also increases production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated machine for stereolithography 3D printing and post-processing to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides an integrated machine for stereolithography 3D printing and post-processing, including a frame. An ultraviolet light source is installed inside the frame. A lifting mechanism and a material box are installed on the top of the frame. The bottom of the lifting mechanism is fixedly connected with a printing platform, and the printing platform is used for printing the substances in the material box. On both sides of the top surface of the frame, a drying device and a curing device are respectively arranged from low to high. The material box is provided with photosensitive resin, isolation liquid, and cleaning agent.

[0006] Preferably, connecting plates are respectively fixedly connected to both sides of the frame, and the drying device and the curing device are fixedly connected to the connecting plates. The drying device includes a fan fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0007] Preferably, the curing device includes a curing lamp fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the curing lamp is located above the fan.

[0008] Preferably, the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet point light source or an ultraviolet surface light source.

[0009] Preferably, the curing lamp is a light source in the 365nm band, 395nm band, 405nm band or a mixed band.

[0010] Preferably, the isolating liquid is a liquid that is immiscible with the cleaning agent and the photosensitive resin respectively.

[0011] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: At the beginning of printing, the lifting mechanism controls the printing platform to descend to the bottom position of the material box, and the ultraviolet light source irradiates an ultraviolet light pattern onto the material in the material box, causing its bottom to cure into a solid and connect to the printing platform. Subsequently, the lifting mechanism controls the printing platform to rise a certain distance. This process will be alternately repeated to build the printed part layer by layer; during the above process, as the printed part rises and contacts the cleaning agent, the residual uncured resin on its surface will be removed by the cleaning agent, thereby realizing synchronous cleaning during the printing process; as the printed part rises, the air drying device and the curing device respectively air dry and cure the printed part. As the printed part is completed, printing and post-processing are ended.

[0012] The present invention enables the synchronous implementation of photocuring 3D printing and post-processing in one device, changing from the original serial operation to a parallel operation. The post-processing is completed immediately after printing, thereby greatly improving production efficiency. At the same time, the entire process does not require manual handling of parts between various devices in sequence, thus getting rid of the dependence on manual labor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings constituting a part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The schematic embodiments of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute an improper limitation to this application. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the first method of existing photocuring 3D printing and post-processing;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the second method of existing photocuring 3D printing and post-processing;

[0016] Figure 3 is a front view of the integrated photocuring 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention at the beginning of printing;

[0017] Figure 4 is a side view of the integrated photocuring 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention at the beginning of printing;

[0018] Figure 5 This is the front view of the integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention during the cleaning process;

[0019] Figure 6 This is the partially enlarged view of the integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention during the cleaning process;

[0020] Figure 7 This is the front view of the integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention during the air-drying process;

[0021] Figure 8 This is the front view of the integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine of the present invention during the curing process.

[0022] In the figure: 1. Frame; 2. Ultraviolet light source; 3. Lifting mechanism; 4. Material box; 5. Printing platform; 6. Fan; 7. Curing lamp; 8. Printed part; 9. Photosensitive resin; 10. Isolation liquid; 11. Cleaning agent. Specific embodiments

[0023] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] Refer to Figures 3 - 8 As shown, this embodiment provides an integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine, including a frame 1, an ultraviolet light source 2 is installed inside the frame 1, a lifting mechanism 3 and a material box 4 are installed on the top of the frame 1, the bottom of the lifting mechanism 3 is fixedly connected to a printing platform 5, the printing platform 5 is used to print the substances in the material box 4, an air-drying device and a curing device are respectively arranged on both sides of the top surface of the frame 1 from low to high, and a photosensitive resin 9, an isolation liquid 10, and a cleaning agent 11 are arranged in the material box 4.

[0026] At the beginning of printing, the lifting mechanism 3 controls the printing platform 5 to descend to the bottom position of the material box 4. The ultraviolet light source 2 irradiates an ultraviolet light pattern onto the material in the material box 4, causing its bottom to solidify into a solid and connect to the printing platform 5. Subsequently, the lifting mechanism 3 controls the printing platform 5 to rise a certain distance. This process is alternately repeated to build the printed part 8 layer by layer; during the above process, as the printed part 8 rises and contacts the cleaning agent 11, the residual uncured resin on its surface is removed by the cleaning agent 11, thereby realizing synchronous cleaning during the printing process; as the printed part 8 rises, the air drying device and the curing device start to air dry and cure the printed part 8; when the printed part 8 is built, printing and post-processing are completed.

[0027] The present invention enables the synchronous implementation of photocuring 3D printing and post-processing in one device, changing from the original serial operation to a parallel operation. The post-processing is completed immediately after printing, thereby greatly improving production efficiency. At the same time, the entire process does not require manual handling of parts between various devices in sequence, thus getting rid of the dependence on manual labor.

[0028] In a further optimized solution, a photosensitive resin 9 is provided at the bottom inside the material box 4, an isolation liquid 10 is provided on the top of the photosensitive resin 9, and a cleaning agent 11 is provided on the top of the isolation liquid 10.

[0029] In a further optimized solution, connecting plates are fixedly connected to both sides of the frame 1, and an air drying device and a curing device are fixedly connected to the connecting plates. The air drying device includes a fan 6 fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0030] The curing device includes a curing lamp 7 fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the curing lamp 7 is located above the fan 6.

[0031] As the printed part 8 rises to the height where the fan 6 is located, the fan 6 starts to work to air dry the surface of the printed part 8, causing the residual cleaning agent 11 to volatilize sufficiently; as the printed part 8 rises to the height where the curing lamp 7 is located, the curing lamp 7 starts to work to perform light curing on the surface of the printed part 8, enabling the part to achieve the best mechanical properties.

[0032] In a further optimized solution, the ultraviolet light source 2 is an ultraviolet point light source or an ultraviolet surface light source.

[0033] In a further optimized solution, the curing lamp 7 is a light source in the 365nm band, 395nm band, 405nm band, or a mixed band.

[0034] In a further optimized solution, the isolation liquid 10 is a liquid that is immiscible with the cleaning agent 11 and the photosensitive resin 9 respectively.

[0035] The cleaning agent 11 can be a chemical solvent such as industrial alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. The isolation liquid 10 can be liquid paraffin, vegetable oil, etc.

[0036] When the device is working, its general working process is as follows:

[0037] (1) At the start of printing, the lifting mechanism 3 controls the printing platform 5 to descend to the bottom position of the material box 4 (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 );

[0038] (2) The ultraviolet light source 2 irradiates an ultraviolet light pattern onto the photosensitive resin 9, causing its bottom to cure into a solid and attach to the printing platform 5. Subsequently, the lifting mechanism 3 controls the printing platform 5 to rise a certain distance. This process is alternately repeated to build the printed part 8 layer by layer (such as Figure 5 );

[0039] (3) During the above process, as the printed part 8 rises and contacts the cleaning agent 11, the residual uncured resin on its surface is removed by the cleaning agent 11, thereby realizing synchronous cleaning during the printing process (such as Figure 6 );

[0040] (4) During the above process, as the printed part 8 rises to the height where the fan 6 is located, the fan 6 starts to work to air-dry the surface of the printed part 8, enabling the residual cleaning agent to fully volatilize (such as Figure 7 );

[0041] (5) During the above process, as the printed part 8 rises to the height where the curing lamp 7 is located, the curing lamp 7 starts to work to perform light curing on the surface of the printed part 8, enabling the part to achieve the best mechanical properties (such as Figure 8 );

[0042] (6) As the printed part 8 is completed, printing and post-processing end.

[0043] As can be seen from the above steps, the present invention enables synchronous implementation of photocuring 3D printing and post-processing in one device, changing from the original serial operation to a parallel operation. Post-processing is completed immediately after printing, thus greatly improving production efficiency. At the same time, the entire process does not require manual handling of parts between various devices in sequence, thereby getting rid of the dependence on manual labor.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0045] The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various deformations and improvements made by those of ordinary skill in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A light-curing 3D printing and post-processing all-in-one machine, characterized by: The invention comprises a frame (1), wherein an ultraviolet light source (2) is installed in the frame (1), a lifting mechanism (3) and a material box (4) are installed on the top of the frame (1), a printing platform (5) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lifting mechanism (3), and the printing platform (5) is used to print the material in the material box (4), and a drying device and a curing device are respectively arranged on both sides of the top surface of the frame (1) from the bottom to the top, and a photosensitive resin (9), an isolation liquid (10) and a cleaning agent (11) are arranged in the material box (4); The frame (1) is respectively fixedly connected to connecting plates on both sides, the air drying device and the curing device are fixedly connected to the connecting plates, and the air drying device includes a fan (6) fixedly connected to the connecting plates; The curing device comprises a curing lamp (7) fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the curing lamp (7) is located above the fan (6); The photosensitive resin (9) is provided at the bottom of the material box (4), an isolation liquid (10) is provided on the top of the photosensitive resin (9), and the cleaning agent (11) is provided on the top of the isolation liquid (10).

2. The light-curing 3D printing and post-processing all-in-one machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultraviolet light source (2) is an ultraviolet point light source or an ultraviolet surface light source.

3. The light-curing 3D printing and post-processing integrated machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curing lamp (7) is a light source of 365nm waveband, 395nm waveband, 405nm waveband or mixed waveband.

4. The integrated light-curing 3D printing and post-processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The isolation liquid (10) is a liquid that is incompatible with the cleaning agent (11) and the photosensitive resin (9).

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