3D printing powder spreading quality detection method and grafting positioning method

Abstract

The invention discloses a 3D printing powder laying quality detection method and a grafting positioning method, and relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing. 3D printing equipment, a contourgraph and a scraper are included, and the contourgraph and the scraper are both located in the 3D printing equipment; according to the method, the 3D laser contourgraph is integrated on the 3D printing equipment, the characteristics of high precision, high speed, fast response, real-time output feedback and the like of the 3D laser contourgraph are utilized, firstly, the morphology of a powder layer can be fed back to a computer from the two aspects of data and images, and the computer carries out powder laying correction compensation in real time according to a set program; and when it is judged that the powder spreading quality of the current layer has the problem, the printing command is not executed until it is detected that the powder spreading quality is qualified, and then printing is started. Besides, when the mold base body is loaded into printing equipment, the mold base body can be positioned and leveled under the assistance of the 3D laser contourgraph, and the positioning precision of the mold base body reaches the micron level, so that the continuity and accuracy of mold grafting are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular to a 3D printing powder laying quality detection method and a grafting positioning method. Background Art

[0002] Powder bed fusion technology is currently one of the main directions of 3D printing technology. It is recognized and accepted by the market for its high precision, high surface quality, high controllability, and excellent internal organizational structure and mechanical properties. In addition to the high energy density energy source, another important factor for good microstructure and mechanical properties is the fewer internal organizational defects after forming. This has certain requirements for the powder bed after powdering. If the powder bed quality is not good, such as the presence of depressions, protrusions, foreign matter, etc., the printed parts will have holes and uneven organization during the forming process. In severe cases, equipment failure may even occur, resulting in the cessation of printing, which will ultimately affect the quality and pass rate of the product, causing a certain degree of time, manpower and economic losses.

[0003] On the other hand, for mold processing and manufacturing, considering the cost and feasibility, the combination of traditional processing methods and 3D printing, namely the mold grafting solution, is the best way to produce many molds. However, it is often difficult to accurately position the mold substrate made by traditional processing methods on the 3D printing equipment. The use of a 3D laser profiler can achieve high-precision positioning through accurate data feedback.

[0004] In view of this, this application is hereby filed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing powder quality detection method and a grafting positioning method to solve the problem of poor quality of existing 3D printed products mentioned in the above background technology.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a 3D printing powder quality detection method, comprising the following steps: S1: laser profiler data acquisition: use a laser profiler to collect, record and process the powder surface data; S2: powder spreading process: after the scraper takes the powder, the powder spreading operation is performed; S3: powder spreading quality judgment: the laser profiler transmits the data after powder spreading to the computer; S31: if the powder spreading quality is judged to be unqualified, repeat S2 and S3 several times until it is qualified, and enter S4; if it is unqualified after repeating S2 and S3 for a specified number of times, the equipment warns the staff to make a judgment and process; S32: if the powder spreading quality is judged to be qualified, enter S4; S4: continue printing: until printing is completed.

[0007] Furthermore, S1 includes a powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper holder located on the powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper located on the scraper holder, and a 3D laser profiler integrated on the scraper holder and moving with the scraper holder, wherein the relative position of the 3D laser profiler to the scraper holder in the vertical direction is adjustable.

[0008] Furthermore, in S1, the 3D laser profiler is installed on the top of the molding chamber through a 3D laser profiler rotating support.

[0009] Furthermore, in S2, the forming substrate of the powder bed 3D printing equipment descends one layer, the scraper takes the powder and starts to move to spread the powder, and the 3D laser profiler scans and records the powder morphology data of the powder spreading and processes it.

[0010] A 3D printing grafting positioning method comprises the following steps:

[0011] S1: Laser profiler data acquisition: Use laser profiler to collect, record and process grafting position data; S2: Mold base installation: The staff puts the mold base to be grafted on the forming area substrate and performs preliminary leveling operation; S3: Profiler scanning and checking leveling: The profiler scans and records the data of the entire scanning area, processes the data and transmits it to the computer. The computer uses the reference object on the forming focal plane as a reference to determine whether the mold base is leveled within the error range; S31: If it is not within the error range, the computer gives the position and data that need to be leveled, and the staff continues to level, repeatedly performing the above work until leveling, and enters S4 after leveling is completed; S32: If it is within the error range, enter S4; S4: Grafting model alignment: After leveling the mold base, the profiler scans the mold base contour again, generates data and images, and transmits the data to the computer. The computer compares the data image with the previously received slice information, and offsets and rotates the slice model to make the two completely overlap, or within the error range. At this time, the printing model positioning is completed and printing can be performed; S5: Continue printing.

[0012] Furthermore, the laser profiler is a 3D laser profiler, and the 3D laser profiler is installed in one of the following ways: installed on the outer wall of the scraper frame and moving with the scraper frame, or installed on the top of the molding chamber through a 3D laser profiler rotating support.

[0013] Furthermore, the S1 also includes: using a laser profilometer to collect, record and process the powdering surface data.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. Integrate the 3D laser profiler into the 3D printing equipment. It moves with the powder spreading scraper or stands still on the top of the forming chamber and follows the movement direction of the powder spreading scraper by rotating. It synchronously scans to obtain the powder spreading surface morphology data and generates an image. The powder spreading quality is judged by the computer. It can also be used for the positioning of mold grafting.

[0016] 2. During the powder spreading process, a 3D laser profiler is used to obtain data and images of the powder spreading surface morphology along with the translation of the scraper. Its accuracy can reach the micron level, and the data can be transmitted to the computer for judgment, which can greatly improve the recognition of powder spreading defects and form a closed-loop control to repair the problematic powder layer, ensuring the printing quality of each layer, thereby improving the performance of the entire part;

[0017] 3. When positioning the mold for grafting, the laser profiler can assist in leveling the mold base. After leveling, the mold grafting section can be accurately scanned and transmitted to the computer. The computer compares and matches the slice file and performs operations such as offset and rotation on the slice file to make the two overlap, thereby eliminating grafting deviations and traces as much as possible and improving the success rate of grafting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a flow chart of a 3D printing powder quality detection method;

[0019] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a 3D printing grafting positioning method;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D laser profiler that moves in the X direction along with a powder spreading scraper in a 3D printing powder spreading quality detection method;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D laser profiler that moves in the Y direction along with the powder spreading scraper in a 3D printing powder spreading quality detection method;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the position of a 3D laser profiler installed on the top of a molding chamber in a 3D printing powder quality detection method and a grafting positioning method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] See also Figure 1-5The present invention provides a technical solution: a 3D printing powder quality detection method and a grafting positioning method. By integrating a 3D laser profiler into a 3D printing device, using its high precision, high speed, fast response, real-time output feedback and other characteristics, the powder layer morphology can first be fed back to the computer from both data and image aspects. The computer performs real-time powder correction compensation according to a set program. When it is determined that there is a problem with the quality of the current layer of powder, the print command is not executed until the powder quality is detected to be qualified, and then printing is started. In addition, when the mold base is loaded into the printing device, the 3D laser profiler can be used to assist in the positioning and leveling of the mold base, and its positioning accuracy reaches the micron level, thereby ensuring the continuity and accuracy of the mold grafting.

[0025] Embodiment 1:

[0026] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 : A 3D printing powder quality detection method includes a powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper holder located on the powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper located on the scraper holder, and a 3D laser profiler integrated on the scraper holder and moving with the scraper holder, wherein the relative position of the 3D laser profiler and the scraper holder in the vertical direction is adjustable; and further includes the following steps:

[0027] S1: Laser profiler data acquisition: The laser profiler is used to collect, record and process the data of the powder spreading surface; the laser profiler moves with the scraper, and the laser profiler is integrated on the scraper mounting frame. The installation height of the profiler is adjusted according to the size of the printing format to achieve full coverage of the Y scanning range. As the powder spreading action is executed, the profiler moves along the X direction with the scraper frame until the entire X direction format range is covered. At this point, the data of the entire powder spreading surface has been collected, recorded and processed;

[0028] S2: Powder spreading process: Powder spreading operation is performed after the scraper takes the powder; including the powder bed 3D printing equipment forming substrate descending one layer, the scraper takes the powder and starts to move and spread the powder, and the 3D laser profiler scans and records the powder morphology data of the powder spreading and processes it;

[0029] S3: Powder spreading quality judgment: The laser profiler transmits the powder spreading data to the computer;

[0030] S31: If the powder spreading quality is judged to be unqualified, the formed substrate remains stationary, the scraper repeats the powder taking and spreading actions, the profiler repeats the scanning, recording, data processing, and data transmission work, and the computer repeatedly judges the powder spreading quality. If the powder spreading quality is qualified within the specified number of repetitions, the printing work continues and enters S4. If it is unqualified, the equipment warns the staff to make a judgment and process;

[0031] S32: If the powder spreading quality is determined to be qualified, proceed to S4;

[0032] S4: Continue printing: until printing is completed.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 : A 3D printing grafting positioning method, comprising a powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper holder located on the powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper located on the scraper holder, and a 3D laser profiler integrated on the scraper holder and moving with the scraper holder, wherein the relative position of the 3D laser profiler and the scraper holder in the vertical direction is adjustable; and further comprising the following steps:

[0034] S1: Laser profiler data acquisition: The laser profiler is used to collect, record and process the grafting position data; the laser profiler is used to collect, record and process the powder surface data; the 3D laser profiler moves with the scraper, and the 3D laser profiler is integrated on the scraper mounting frame. The installation height of the 3D profiler is adjusted according to the size of the printing format to achieve full coverage of the Y scanning range. The 3D profiler moves along the X direction with the scraper frame until the entire X direction format range is covered, so that the entire forming area can be covered;

[0035] S2: Mold base installation: The staff puts the mold base to be grafted on the base plate of the forming area and performs preliminary leveling operations;

[0036] S3: Contour meter scanning and leveling: The contour meter scans and records the data of the entire scanning area, processes the data and transmits it to the computer. The computer uses the reference object on the forming focal plane as a reference to determine whether the mold base is leveled within the error range;

[0037] S31: If it is not within the error range, the computer gives the position and data that need to be leveled, and the staff continues to level, repeatedly performing the above work until leveling, and enters S4 after leveling is completed;

[0038] S32: If it is within the error range, go to S4;

[0039] S4: Alignment of grafted model: After leveling the mold base, the profilometer scans the mold base contour again, generates data and images, and transmits the data to the computer. The computer compares the data image with the slice information received in advance, and offsets and rotates the slice model to make the two completely overlap (or within the error range). At this time, the printing model positioning is completed and printing can be carried out;

[0040] S5: Continue printing.

[0041] Embodiment 2:

[0042] Reference Figure 1-Figure 5: A 3D printing powder quality detection method and a 3D printing grafting positioning method. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the 3D laser profiler is installed on the top of the molding chamber through the 3D laser profiler rotating support, and the powder surface morphology data collection, recording and processing are realized by rotating the angle to follow the movement trajectory of the powder scraper. The remaining steps are consistent with the steps other than "the 3D laser profiler moves with the scraper, and the 3D laser profiler is integrated on the scraper mounting frame".

Claims

1. A 3D printing powder quality detection method, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Laser profiler data acquisition: Use laser profiler to collect, record and process the powder surface data; S2: Powder spreading process: Powder is spread after the scraper takes the powder; S3: Powder spreading quality judgment: The laser profiler transmits the powder spreading data to the computer; S31: If the powder spreading quality is judged to be unqualified, S2 and S3 are repeated several times until it is qualified, and then S4 is entered; If S2 and S3 are repeated for a specified number of times and the result is unqualified, the equipment will warn the staff to make a judgment and handle the problem; S32: If the powder spreading quality is determined to be qualified, proceed to S4; S4: Continue printing: until printing is completed.

2. A 3D printing powder quality detection method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The S1 includes a powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper holder located on the powder bed 3D printing device, a scraper located on the scraper holder, and a 3D laser profiler integrated on the scraper holder and moving with the scraper holder. The relative position of the 3D laser profiler and the scraper holder in the vertical direction is adjustable.

3. A 3D printing powder quality detection method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: In S1, the 3D laser profiler is installed on the top of the molding chamber through a 3D laser profiler rotating support.

4. A 3D printing powder quality detection method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In S2, the forming substrate of the powder bed 3D printing equipment descends one layer, the scraper takes the powder and starts to move to spread the powder, and the 3D laser profiler scans and records the powder morphology data of the powder spreading and processes it.

5. A 3D printing grafting positioning method, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Laser profiler data acquisition: Use laser profiler to collect, record and process grafting position data; S2: Mold base installation: The staff puts the mold base to be grafted on the base plate of the forming area and performs preliminary leveling operations; S3: Contour meter scanning and leveling: The contour meter scans and records the data of the entire scanning area, processes the data and transmits it to the computer. The computer uses the reference object on the forming focal plane as a reference to determine whether the mold base is leveled within the error range; S31: If it is not within the error range, the computer gives the position and data that need to be leveled, and the staff continues to level, repeatedly performing the above work until leveling, and enters S4 after leveling is completed; S32: If it is within the error range, go to S4; S4: Alignment of grafted model: After leveling the mold base, the profilometer scans the mold base contour again, generates data and images, and transmits the data to the computer. The computer compares the data image with the slice information received in advance, and offsets and rotates the slice model to make the two completely overlap or within the error range. At this time, the printing model positioning is completed and printing can be carried out; S5: Continue printing.

6. A 3D printing grafting positioning method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The laser profiler is a 3D laser profiler, and the 3D laser profiler is installed in one of the following ways: installed on the outer wall of the scraper frame and moving with the scraper frame, or installed on the top of the molding chamber through a 3D laser profiler rotating support.

7. A 3D printing grafting positioning method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The S1 also includes: using a laser profilometer to collect, record and process the powdering surface data.

Images