Waste powder collecting assembly of 3D printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste powder collecting assembly of a 3D printer, and belongs to the technical field of 3D printers. The printer comprises a printer frame, a powder laying device and a printing device are arranged on the upper layer of the printer frame, a powder blowing and collecting device is fixed to the lower layer of the printer frame, and a cover plate device is hung on the top of the printer frame; a printing platform is movably arranged in the powder blowing and collecting device; the powder blowing and collecting device comprises a powder blowing box; the powder blowing box is communicated with the powder collecting box through a pipeline; swing purging devices are installed on the inner walls of the periphery of the powder purging box. Blanking hoppers are arranged on the periphery of a bottom plate of a box body of the powder blowing box; a sealing strip is installed at the junction of a box body bottom plate of the powder blowing box and the discharging hopper. Most waste powder on parts can be effectively cleaned away, the waste powder is collected, the waste powder cleaning efficiency and the waste powder recovery rate are improved, and dust pollution is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a waste powder collecting component of a 3D printer, belonging to the technical field of 3D printers. Background Art

[0002] 3D printer, the full name of which is three-dimensional printer, is a rapid prototyping process equipment that creates three-dimensional objects by adding materials layer by layer. 3D printers can directly use digital model files to create entities of complex shapes. 3D printing technology is widely used in manufacturing, medical, aerospace and other fields due to its many advantages such as cost savings, precise configuration, high design freedom and high production efficiency.

[0003] 3D printers can be divided into fused deposition modeling printers, stereolithography printers, selective laser sintering printers, and powder consolidation printers. Among them, powder consolidation printers use a nozzle to spray adhesive to bond powder materials together to form various layers of the printed object, which is suitable for color printing and metal casting.

[0004] The working process of the powder consolidation printer is as follows: the powder laying component lays a layer of powder bed on the printing platform, the printing component selectively sprays adhesive on the powder bed according to the shape of the digital model, the powder material at the adhesive spraying position is bonded together, the printing platform is lowered by a powder bed layer thickness, and the above process is repeated until the part is printed, and finally the unbonded waste powder is cleaned up.

[0005] When cleaning waste powder from existing powder consolidation printers, the printed parts need to be taken out manually, transferred to a special cleaning room, and then blown away with compressed air. The operation is cumbersome and inefficient, the waste powder recovery rate is low, and there is serious dust pollution, which is not good for the health of workers. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above deficiencies in the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a waste powder collection component for a 3D printer, which can effectively clean up most of the waste powder on the parts and collect the waste powder, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency and waste powder recovery rate and avoiding dust pollution.

[0007] The waste powder collection assembly of the 3D printer of the present invention comprises a printer frame, which is divided into two layers. A powder spreading device and a printing device are slidably arranged on the upper layer of the printer frame, and both the powder spreading device and the printing device are driven to reciprocate by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism; a powder blowing and collecting device is fixed on the lower layer of the printer frame, and a cover device is hoisted on the top of the printer frame; a printing platform is movably arranged in the powder blowing and collecting device, and the printing platform is driven up and down by an electric cylinder;

[0008] The powder purge collection device includes a powder purge box, which is connected to a powder collection box through a pipe. A high-pressure fan for conveying powder is provided on the connecting pipe between the powder purge box and the powder collection box; a swinging purge device is installed on the inner walls around the powder purge box, which can swing back and forth to achieve all-round purge of waste powder on the printing platform; a square opening is provided in the center of the bottom plate of the powder purge box to avoid the electric cylinder; a discharge hopper is provided around the bottom plate of the powder purge box to form a ring-shaped discharge area to allow waste powder to fall; a sealing strip is installed at the junction of the bottom plate of the powder purge box and the discharge hopper, and the sealing strip can cooperate with the printing platform for sealing.

[0009] The technical solution of the present invention is to provide a waste powder collection component for a 3D printer, which prints parts through a powder spreading device and a printing device. After printing is completed, the electric cylinder drives the printing platform to descend to the bottom of the powder purge box, contacts the sealing strip, and seals the square opening of the powder purge box. At the same time, the cover device seals the top of the powder purge box, and then the swing purge device is used for purge. The blown waste powder enters the powder collection box along the pipeline under the gravitational effect of the high-pressure fan.

[0010] Preferably, a guide rail mounting plate is installed on the printer frame, and the powder spreading device and the printing device are slidably connected to the guide rail mounting plate via a guide rail slider assembly; the number of the synchronous belt transmission mechanisms is two sets, and the two sets of synchronous belt transmission mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the powder spreading device and the printing device; the synchronous belt transmission mechanism includes a driving motor and a guide pulley group, the driving motor is fixed on one side of the printer frame, and the guide pulley group is fixed on the other side of the printer frame; a synchronous belt pulley is sleeved on the output shaft of the driving motor, and a synchronous belt is arranged around the synchronous belt pulley and the guide pulley group.

[0011] Preferably, the powder spreading device includes a powder spreading slide plate, on which a powder spreading element is installed, and the powder spreading element is connected to a powder storage container; a clamping cylinder A and a fixed clamping block A are fixed on both sides of the powder spreading slide plate, a clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder A, and the synchronous belt is located between the fixed clamping block A and the clamping tooth block. When the clamping cylinder A is pushed out, the fixed clamping block A and the clamping tooth block can jointly clamp the synchronous belt, thereby driving the powder spreading device.

[0012] Preferably, the printing device includes a printing slide, on which a print head element is slidably arranged, and the print head element is driven by a horizontal motor through a gear rack transmission mechanism and moves laterally along the printing slide; a clamping cylinder B and a fixed clamping block B are fixed on both sides of the printing slide, a clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder B, and the synchronous belt is located between the fixed clamping block B and the clamping tooth block. When the clamping cylinder B is pushed out, the fixed clamping block B and the clamping tooth block can jointly clamp the synchronous belt, thereby driving the printing device.

[0013] Preferably, a powder support plate is provided on the upper part of the inner wall around the powder purge box, and the powder support plate is tightly matched with the edge of the printing platform to support and position the laid powder bed; the swing purge device is installed under the powder support plate; the bottom of the lower hopper is connected to the junction box through a pipeline, and a connecting channel is provided inside the junction box. The bottom of the junction box is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure fan. The junction box is used to collect the waste powder falling from the lower hoppers around, and then transport it to the powder collection box through the high-pressure fan.

[0014] Preferably, the swinging purge device includes a swinging motor and a wind knife box, the swinging motor is fixed to the outer wall of the powder purge box through a motor seat, a sleeve is sleeved on the output shaft of the swinging motor, an eccentric hole is provided on the sleeve, and a linear bearing is installed in the eccentric hole; bearing mounting sleeves are fixed on the side walls around the powder purge box, bearings are installed in the bearing mounting sleeves, and the sleeves are rotatably connected to the bearing mounting sleeves through the bearings.

[0015] Furthermore, the two ends of the wind knife box are rotatably connected to the powder purge box through a bearing seat, the wind knife box is connected to a compressed air source, an air outlet is provided on one side of the wind knife box, and a swing shaft is provided on the other side, and the swing shaft is fixedly connected to the wind knife box through an ear seat; a connecting rod is slidably arranged on the swing shaft; the connecting rod is movably connected to the shaft sleeve through a linear bearing;

[0016] The swing motor rotates, driving the connecting rod to rotate around the motor shaft through the shaft sleeve. The connecting rod slides back and forth on the swing shaft, driving the swing shaft to swing up and down at the same time, thereby causing the wind knife box to swing up and down at a certain angle to blow all-round the printing platform.

[0017] Preferably, the cover plate device comprises a cover plate cylinder and a cover plate, the head end of the cylinder rod of the cover plate cylinder is fixedly connected to the cover plate, and the tail end of the cover plate cylinder is fixedly connected to the top plate of the printer frame.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The waste powder collection component of the 3D printer described in the present invention prints parts through a powder spreading device and a printing device. After printing is completed, the electric cylinder drives the printing platform to descend to the bottom of the powder purge box, contacts with the sealing strip, and seals the square opening of the powder purge box. At the same time, the cover device seals the top of the powder purge box, and then the swing purge device performs purge. The blown waste powder enters the powder collection box along the pipeline under the gravitational effect of the high-pressure fan. The present invention can effectively clean up most of the waste powder on the parts and collect the waste powder, thereby improving the waste powder cleaning efficiency and the waste powder recovery rate and avoiding dust pollution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the present invention after the upper frame of the printer is removed;

[0023] Figure 4 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the present invention after the upper frame of the printer is removed;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder spreading device and the printing device;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a powder purge collection device;

[0026] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a powder purge collection device;

[0027] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a powder purge box;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a powder purge box;

[0029] Fig.10 It is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the swing purge device;

[0030] Fig.11 This is the second structural diagram of the swing purge device.

[0031] In the figure: 1. printer frame; 11. guide rail mounting plate; 2. cover plate device; 21. cover plate cylinder; 22. cover plate; 3. printing device; 31. print head element; 32. horizontal motor; 33. printing slide plate; 34. fixed clamping block B; 35. clamping cylinder B; 4. powder purge collection device; 41. powder purge box; 411. powder support plate; 412. sealing strip; 413. lower hopper; 414. bearing mounting sleeve; 415. square opening; 42. junction box ; 43. High-pressure fan; 44. Swinging purge device; 441. Swinging motor; 442. Wind knife box; 443. Bushing; 444. Connecting rod; 445. Swinging shaft; 446. Bearing seat; 45. Powder collecting box; 5. Powder spreading device; 51. Powder spreading element; 52. Powder spreading slide; 53. Clamping cylinder A; 54. Fixed clamping block A; 6. Printing platform; 7. Electric cylinder; 8. Synchronous belt transmission mechanism; 81. Guide pulley set; 82. Synchronous belt; 83. Driving motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 11As shown, this embodiment is implemented by the following technical scheme: it includes a printer frame 1, the printer frame 1 is divided into two layers, the upper layer of the printer frame 1 is slidably provided with a powder spreading device 5 and a printing device 3, and the powder spreading device 5 and the printing device 3 are driven to reciprocate by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism 8; the lower layer of the printer frame 1 is fixed with a powder purge collecting device 4, and a cover device 2 is hoisted on the top of the printer frame 1; a printing platform 6 is movably provided in the powder purge collecting device 4, and the printing platform 6 is driven up and down by an electric cylinder 7;

[0034] The powder purge collection device 4 includes a powder purge box 41, which is connected to a powder collection box 45 through a pipeline. The powder collection box 45 is provided with an exhaust port, which is blocked by a filter screen to intercept waste powder. A high-pressure fan 43 for conveying powder is provided on the connecting pipeline between the powder purge box 41 and the powder collection box 45. A swing purge device 44 is installed on the inner wall around the powder purge box 41, which can swing back and forth to achieve all-round purge of waste powder on the printing platform 6. A square opening 415 is provided in the center of the box bottom plate of the powder purge box 41 to avoid the electric cylinder 7. A discharge hopper 413 is provided around the box bottom plate of the powder purge box 41 to form an annular discharge area for waste powder to fall. A sealing strip 412 is installed at the junction of the box bottom plate of the powder purge box 41 and the discharge hopper 413, and the sealing strip 412 can cooperate with the printing platform 6 for sealing.

[0035] In this embodiment, a guide rail mounting plate 11 is installed on the printer frame 1, and the powder spreading device 5 and the printing device 3 are slidably connected to the guide rail mounting plate 11 through a guide rail slider assembly; the number of the synchronous belt transmission mechanism 8 is two sets, and the two sets of synchronous belt transmission mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the powder spreading device 5 and the printing device 3; so as to pull the two sides of the powder spreading device 5 and the printing device 3 to move synchronously to avoid movement jamming due to too large a span; the synchronous belt transmission mechanism 8 includes a driving motor 83 and a guide pulley group 81, the driving motor 83 is fixed on one side of the printer frame 1, and the guide pulley group 81 is fixed on the other side of the printer frame 1; a synchronous pulley is sleeved on the output shaft of the driving motor 83, and a synchronous belt 82 is arranged around the synchronous pulley and the guide pulley group 81.

[0036] The powder spreading device 5 includes a powder spreading slide 52, on which a powder spreading element 51 is installed, and the powder spreading element 51 is connected to a powder storage container; a clamping cylinder A53 and a fixed clamping block A54 are fixed on both sides of the powder spreading slide 52, and a clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder A53, and the synchronous belt 82 is located between the fixed clamping block A54 and the clamping tooth block. The clamping cylinder A53 is pushed out, so that the fixed clamping block A54 and the clamping tooth block can jointly clamp the synchronous belt 82, thereby driving the powder spreading device 5.

[0037] The printing device 3 includes a printing slide 33, on which a printing head element 31 is slidably arranged. The printing head element 31 is driven by a horizontal motor 32 through a gear rack transmission mechanism and moves laterally along the printing slide 33. A clamping cylinder B35 and a fixed clamping block B34 are fixed on both sides of the printing slide 33. A clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder B35. The synchronous belt is located between the fixed clamping block B34 and the clamping tooth block. When the clamping cylinder B35 is pushed out, the fixed clamping block B34 and the clamping tooth block can jointly clamp the synchronous belt, thereby driving the printing device 3.

[0038] A powder support plate 411 is provided on the upper part of the inner wall around the powder purge box 41, and the powder support plate 411 is tightly matched with the edge of the printing platform 6 to support the positioned powder bed; the swing purge device 44 is installed below the powder support plate 411; the bottom of the lower hopper 413 is connected to the junction box 42 through a pipeline, and a connecting channel is provided inside the junction box 42. The bottom of the junction box 42 is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure fan 43. The junction box 42 is used to collect the waste powder falling from the lower hoppers around, and then transport it to the powder collection box 45 through the high-pressure fan 43.

[0039] The swinging purge device 44 includes a swinging motor 441 and a wind knife box 442. The swinging motor 441 is fixed to the outer wall of the powder purge box 41 through a motor seat. A sleeve 443 is sleeved on the output shaft of the swinging motor 441. An eccentric hole is provided on the sleeve 443, and a linear bearing is installed in the eccentric hole. A bearing mounting sleeve 414 is fixed on the side walls around the powder purge box 41. A bearing is installed in the bearing mounting sleeve 414. The sleeve 443 is rotatably connected to the bearing mounting sleeve 414 through the bearing.

[0040] The wind knife box 442 is rotatably connected to the powder purge box 41 at both ends through the bearing seat 446, and the wind knife box 442 is connected to the compressed air source. An air outlet is provided on one side of the wind knife box 442, and a swing shaft 445 is provided on the other side. The swing shaft 445 is fixedly connected to the wind knife box 442 through an ear seat; a connecting rod 444 is slidably arranged on the swing shaft 445; the connecting rod 444 is movably connected to the shaft sleeve 443 through a linear bearing; the swing motor 441 rotates, and drives the connecting rod 444 to rotate around the motor shaft through the shaft sleeve 443, and the connecting rod 444 slides back and forth on the swing shaft 445, and drives the swing shaft 445 to swing up and down at the same time, so that the wind knife box 442 swings up and down at a certain angle, and blows the printing platform 6 in all directions. The cover device 2 includes a cover cylinder 21 and a cover 22, the head end of the cylinder rod of the cover cylinder 21 is fixedly connected to the cover 22, and the tail end of the cover cylinder 21 is fixedly connected to the top plate of the printer frame 1.

[0041] The working process of the present invention is:

[0042] 1. The clamping cylinders A53 on both sides of the powder spreading slide 52 are actuated to clamp the synchronous belts on both sides together with the fixed clamping block A54. The driving motors 83 on both sides are actuated synchronously to drive the powder spreading device 5 to move, laying a layer of powder bed on the printing platform 6, and the powder spreading device 5 returns to the origin.

[0043] 2. The clamping cylinder A53 is released, and the clamping cylinder B35 is activated at the same time, clamping the synchronous belts on both sides together with the fixed clamping block B34. The driving motors 83 on both sides are activated synchronously to drive the printing device 3 to move, spray the adhesive at a specific position of the powder bed, bond the powder materials together, and the printing device 3 returns to the origin;

[0044] 3. The electric cylinder 7 drives the printing platform 6 to descend by one powder bed layer thickness, and steps 1 and 2 are repeated until printing is completed;

[0045] 4. After printing is completed, the electric cylinder 7 drives the printing platform 6 to descend, so that the bottom of the printing platform 6 contacts and seals with the sealing strip 412;

[0046] 5. The cover plate cylinder 21 drives the cover plate 22 to descend, sealing the top of the powder purge box 41;

[0047] 6. The swinging purge devices 44 around the powder purge box 41 operate in sequence to purge the waste powder on the printing platform 6 in all directions. At the same time, the high-pressure fan 43 is started to attract the waste powder to pass through the lower hopper 413 and the junction box 42 in sequence, and finally send the waste powder to the powder collection box 45 to complete the collection.

Claims

1. A waste powder collection component for a 3D printer, characterized in that: The printer frame (1) comprises a printer frame (1), which is divided into two layers. A powder spreading device (5) and a printing device (3) are slidably arranged on the upper layer of the printer frame (1), and the powder spreading device (5) and the printing device (3) are driven to move back and forth by a synchronous belt transmission mechanism (8); a powder blowing and collecting device (4) is fixed on the lower layer of the printer frame (1), and a cover device (2) is suspended on the top of the printer frame (1); a printing platform (6) is movably arranged in the powder blowing and collecting device (4), and the printing platform (6) is driven to move up and down by an electric cylinder (7); The powder purging and collecting device (4) comprises a powder purging box (41), the powder purging box (41) is connected to a powder collecting box (45) through a pipeline, and a high-pressure fan (43) for conveying powder is provided on the connecting pipeline between the powder purging box (41) and the powder collecting box (45); a swing purging device (44) is installed on the inner walls around the powder purging box (41); a square opening (415) is provided in the center of the bottom plate of the powder purging box (41); a lower hopper (413) is provided around the bottom plate of the powder purging box (41); and a sealing strip (412) is installed at the junction of the bottom plate of the powder purging box (41) and the lower hopper (413).

2. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printer frame (1) is provided with a guide rail mounting plate (11), and the powder spreading device (5) and the printing device (3) are slidably connected to the guide rail mounting plate (11) via a guide rail slider assembly; the number of the synchronous belt transmission mechanism (8) is two sets, and the two sets of synchronous belt transmission mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the powder spreading device (5) and the printing device (3); the synchronous belt transmission mechanism (8) comprises a driving motor (83) and a guide pulley group (81), the driving motor (83) is fixed to one side of the printer frame (1), and the guide pulley group (81) is fixed to the other side of the printer frame (1); a synchronous pulley is sleeved on the output shaft of the driving motor (83), and a synchronous belt (82) is arranged around the synchronous pulley and the guide pulley group (81).

3. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The powder spreading device (5) comprises a powder spreading slide plate (52), on which a powder spreading element (51) is mounted, and the powder spreading element (51) is connected to a powder storage container; a clamping cylinder A (53) and a fixed clamping block A (54) are fixed on both sides of the powder spreading slide plate (52), a clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder A (53), and a synchronous belt (82) is located between the fixed clamping block A (54) and the clamping tooth block.

4. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The printing device (3) comprises a printing slide (33), on which a printing head element (31) is slidably arranged, and the printing head element (31) is driven by a horizontal motor (32) through a gear rack transmission mechanism; a clamping cylinder B (35) and a fixed clamping block B (34) are fixed on both sides of the printing slide (33), a clamping tooth block is fixed on the clamping cylinder B (35), and a synchronous belt (82) is located between the fixed clamping block B (34) and the clamping tooth block.

5. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder purge box (41) is provided with a powder support plate (411) on the upper part of the inner wall around it, and the powder support plate (411) is tightly matched with the edge of the printing platform (6); the swing purge device (44) is installed below the powder support plate (411); the bottom of the lower hopper (413) is connected to the junction box (42) through a pipeline, and a connecting channel is provided inside the junction box (42), and the bottom of the junction box (42) is connected to the air inlet of the high-pressure fan (43).

6. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The swinging purge device (44) comprises a swinging motor (441) and a wind knife box (442). The swinging motor (441) is fixed to the outer wall of the powder purge box (41) through a motor seat. A shaft sleeve (443) is sleeved on the output shaft of the swinging motor (441). An eccentric hole is provided on the shaft sleeve (443), and a linear bearing is installed in the eccentric hole. A bearing mounting sleeve (414) is fixed on the side walls around the powder purge box (41), and a bearing is installed in the bearing mounting sleeve (414). The shaft sleeve (443) is rotatably connected to the bearing mounting sleeve (414) through the bearing.

7. The waste powder collection assembly of a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover plate device (2) comprises a cover plate cylinder (21) and a cover plate (22), wherein the head end of the cylinder rod of the cover plate cylinder (21) is fixedly connected to the cover plate (22), and the tail end of the cover plate cylinder (21) is fixedly connected to the top plate of the printer frame (1).

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