Continuous fiber reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

This invention discloses a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a support frame installed inside a processing chamber; two Y-axis sliding table mechanisms, respectively installed on the left and right sides of the support frame, with a support plate fixed to the first sliding module of each Y-axis sliding table mechanism; an X-axis sliding table mechanism connected between the two support plates; and an additive manufacturing mechanism installed on the second sliding module of the X-axis sliding table mechanism. In this apparatus, when powder is input into the preheating chamber, an electric cylinder drives a sliding plug to press down, increasing the powder's movement speed. As the sliding plug travels a certain distance, the distance between the powder particles gradually decreases, thereby rapidly increasing heat transfer between the powder particles and reducing the temperature difference between the powder and the workpiece, which is beneficial for achieving continuous and stable ceramic additive manufacturing operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention specifically relates to the field of ceramic additive manufacturing technology, and more specifically to a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Ceramic additive manufacturing equipment is based on laser-based digital photopolymerization molding technology. It constructs three-dimensional objects by accumulating ceramic materials layer by layer. Specifically, under laser irradiation, short molecular chains of photosensitive resin form long molecular chains, which surround the ceramic powder to form a network, thus firmly encapsulating the ceramic powder and stacking it to form a set shape. The photopolymerization effect of layer by layer can produce an object of the set shape, thereby producing a ceramic workpiece. However, since the overall temperature of the ceramic powder is close to the temperature at room temperature, in low-temperature environments (such as winter or refrigeration environments), there is a large temperature difference between the powder and the heat-cured workpiece at a higher temperature. If the workpiece is not heated and the powder is continuously stacked on top of the workpiece, it is easy to cause droplets due to excessive temperature change, which poses certain risks and increases the cleaning frequency of the manufacturing equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention proposes an apparatus suitable for continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

[0005] The support frame is installed inside the processing chamber;

[0006] There are two Y-axis sliding table mechanisms, which are respectively installed on the left and right sides of the bracket, and each Y-axis sliding table mechanism has a support plate fixed on its first sliding module.

[0007] An X-axis sliding mechanism is connected between the two trays;

[0008] An additive manufacturing mechanism, which is mounted on the second sliding module of the X-axis slide mechanism;

[0009] The Z-axis slide mechanism is installed on the bottom of the bracket, and a base is fixed on the third sliding module of the Z-axis slide mechanism.

[0010] The control box is fixed to the side of the bracket and is capable of controlling and adjusting the X-axis slide mechanism, the Y-axis slide mechanism and the Z-axis slide mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the platform surface of the base is coated with a heat-resistant metal layer.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the additive manufacturing mechanism includes

[0013] A slide block, which is fixed on the second sliding module of the X-axis slide mechanism;

[0014] A laser, which is fixed to the top of the slide;

[0015] A powder feeder, which is fixed to the bottom of the slide;

[0016] A printhead is mounted on the bottom surface of the toner feeder, and the printhead is connected to the laser and the toner feeder;

[0017] And a powder preheating mechanism, which is installed at the rear of the slide, and the powder preheating mechanism is connected to the powder feeder via a powder feeding pipe.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the powder preheating mechanism includes

[0019] A cylindrical shell, which is fixed on the slide block, has a cap installed at the top end of the cylindrical shell;

[0020] A preheating shell is disposed in the inner cavity of the cylindrical shell, and a sliding plug is adapted to be slidably disposed in the preheating shell, and the sliding plug is driven by an electric cylinder fixed to the top of the cylindrical shell;

[0021] The powder conveying pipe has one end connected to the powder conveying equipment and the other end inserted into the cylinder shell and connected to the inner cavity of the preheating shell.

[0022] And a connecting pipe, which is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylinder shell, and the connecting pipe is connected between the cylinder shell and the powder feeding pipe.

[0023] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, a micro motor is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylindrical shell, and the micro motor is located in the inner cavity of the connecting pipe.

[0024] Furthermore, preferably, the preheating shell includes

[0025] The upper end cap has an inner cylinder fixed to its bottom surface, and the inner cylinder has protruding strips on its side wall, and multiple bayonets are arranged in a circular array on the side wall at the bottom of the inner cylinder.

[0026] Multiple heating coils are provided and are equidistantly embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder;

[0027] The lower end cap is driven by a micro motor to rotate slightly forward and backward. The top surface of the lower end cap is fixed with the same number of locking blocks as the number of locking slots, and each locking block can be matched with a locking buckle to its corresponding locking slot.

[0028] The outer cylinder is fitted onto the inner cylinder and pressed between the upper and lower end caps;

[0029] And a positioning ring, which slides on the side wall of the inner cylinder, the positioning ring is matched and pressed into the annular groove at the bottom of the outer cylinder, the inner wall of the positioning ring is provided with a vertical groove, and the vertical groove of the positioning ring is matched and slidably connected with the protrusion on the inner cylinder.

[0030] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the top surface of the positioning ring has a circumferential array of multiple toothed grooves, each of which is fitted with a locking tooth, and each locking tooth is fixed on the inner top of the annular groove of the outer cylinder.

[0031] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the outer cylinder has powder outlets on its side wall in the same number as the number of the bayonets, and the powder outlets correspond one-to-one with the bayonets.

[0032] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the printhead comprises a mounting base, a laser head, and multiple powder spraying heads, wherein the mounting base is fixed on the powder feeder, the laser head is mounted at the center of the bottom surface of the mounting base, and the laser head is connected to the laser.

[0033] The bottom edge of the fixed seat has a circumferential array of multiple powder spraying heads, each of which is connected to a powder feeder. The multiple powder spraying heads are all inclined inward, so that the powder sprayed by each powder spraying head can intersect with the high-concentration laser generated by the laser head.

[0034] The present invention adopts the above technology and has the following beneficial effects compared with the existing technology: In the device of the present invention, when the powder is input into the preheating shell, the electric cylinder drives the sliding block to press down to increase the movement speed of the powder, and when the sliding block slides to a certain distance, the distance between the powders will gradually decrease, thereby rapidly increasing the heat transfer between the powders.

[0035] Furthermore, the preheated shell powder and gas will be compressed. After the slide plug continues to slide to the designated position, the micro motor drives the lower end head to rotate clockwise, which releases the latching state between the latch and the slot. The latching part of the slot then connects with the powder outlet. At this time, the pressure inside the inner cylinder is released. Simultaneously, the slide plug slides down, pushing the gas and powder out of the powder outlet and into the connecting pipe. Then, the slide plug and the lower end head return to their original positions. This cycle is repeated to complete the rapid heating operation of the powder, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the powder and the processed part, which is conducive to achieving continuous and stable ceramic additive manufacturing operations. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the additive manufacturing mechanism in a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus.

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the powder preheating mechanism in a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing device;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the preheating shell in a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus;

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the positioning ring and the outer cylinder in a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the printhead structure in a continuous fiber reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing device.

[0042] In the diagram: 1. Y-axis slide mechanism; 2. Base; 3. Additive manufacturing mechanism; 4. X-axis slide mechanism; 5. Support; 6. Support plate; 7. Control box; 8. Z-axis slide mechanism; 31. Laser; 32. Slide; 33. Powder feeder; 34. Print head; 35. Powder delivery pipe; 36. Powder preheating mechanism; 341. Fixed seat; 342. Powder spray head; 343. Laser head; 361. Electric cylinder; 362. Preheating shell; 363. Connecting pipe; 364. Micro motor; 365. Powder delivery pipe; 366. Sliding plug; 367. Upper end cap; 368. Inner cylinder; 369. Clamping block; 370. Lower end cap; 371. Clamping slot; 372. Positioning ring; 373. Protrusion; 374. Powder outlet; 375. Outer cylinder; 376. Clamping tooth; 377. Tooth groove. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] Example: Please refer to the appendix. Figure 1-6 This invention provides a technical solution: a continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

[0045] Support 5 is installed inside the processing chamber;

[0046] There are two Y-axis slide mechanisms 1, which are installed on the left and right sides of the bracket 5 respectively, and each Y-axis slide mechanism 1 has a support plate 6 fixed on its first sliding module.

[0047] X-axis sliding mechanism 4, which is connected between two support plates 6;

[0048] Additive manufacturing mechanism 3 is mounted on the second sliding module of X-axis slide mechanism 4;

[0049] Z-axis slide mechanism 8 is installed on the bottom of bracket 5. The base 2 is fixed on the third sliding module of Z-axis slide mechanism 8, that is, the base can be directly moved and adjusted in the Z-axis direction through Z-axis slide mechanism.

[0050] And control box 7, which is fixed on the side of bracket 5, and control box 7 can control and adjust X-axis slide mechanism 4, Y-axis slide mechanism 1 and Z-axis slide mechanism 8.

[0051] In this embodiment, the surface of the base 2 is coated with a heat-resistant metal layer, such as titanium, aluminum or other metal materials.

[0052] In this embodiment, the additive manufacturing mechanism 3 includes

[0053] Slide 32 is fixed on the second sliding module of the X-axis slide mechanism 4;

[0054] Laser 31, which is fixed to the top of slide 32;

[0055] The powder feeder 33 is fixed to the bottom of the slide 32;

[0056] Print head 34 is mounted on the bottom surface of toner feeder 33 and is connected to laser 31 and toner feeder 33;

[0057] And a powder preheating mechanism 36, which is installed at the rear of the slide 32, and the powder preheating mechanism 36 is connected to the powder feeder 33 via a powder feeding pipe 35.

[0058] In this embodiment, the powder preheating mechanism 36 includes

[0059] The cylindrical shell is fixed on the slide block 32, and a cover is installed at the top end of the cylindrical shell;

[0060] A preheating shell 362 is disposed in the inner cavity of the cylindrical shell. A sliding plug 366 is adapted to slide inside the preheating shell 362, and the sliding plug 366 is driven by an electric cylinder 1 fixed to the top of the cylindrical shell.

[0061] The powder conveying pipe 365 has one end connected to the powder conveying equipment and the other end inserted into the cylinder shell and connected to the inner cavity of the preheating shell 362.

[0062] And pipe 363, which is fixed on the bottom surface of the cylinder shell, and pipe 363 is connected between the cylinder shell and the powder feeding pipe 35.

[0063] In this embodiment, a micro motor 364 is fixed on the bottom surface of the cylindrical shell, and the micro motor 364 is located in the inner cavity of the connecting pipe 363.

[0064] In this embodiment, the preheating shell 362 includes

[0065] The upper end cap 367 has an inner cylinder 368 fixed to its bottom surface, and a protruding strip 373 is raised on the side wall of the inner cylinder 368. Multiple bayonets 371 are arranged in a circular array on the side wall at the bottom of the inner cylinder 368.

[0066] Multiple heating coils are provided and are equidistantly embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder 368;

[0067] The lower end cap 370 is driven by a micro motor 364 to rotate slightly forward and backward. The top surface of the lower end cap 370 is fixed with the same number of locking blocks 369 as the number of locking slots 371, and each locking block 369 can be matched with a locking buckle to its corresponding locking slot 371.

[0068] Specifically, the lower end cap 370 is controlled by a micro motor 364 to rotate slightly forward and backward, causing the locking block to move out and lock in.

[0069] The outer cylinder 375 is sleeved on the inner cylinder 368 and pressed between the upper end cap 367 and the lower end cap 370;

[0070] And a positioning ring 372, which slides on the side wall of the inner cylinder 368. The positioning ring 372 is matched and pressed into the annular groove at the bottom of the outer cylinder 375. A vertical groove is provided on the inner wall of the positioning ring 372, and the vertical groove of the positioning ring 372 is matched and slidably connected with the protrusion 373 on the inner cylinder 368.

[0071] In this embodiment, the top surface of the positioning ring 372 has a circumferential array of multiple toothed grooves 377, each toothed groove 377 is matched with a locking tooth 376, and each locking tooth 376 is fixed on the inner top of the annular groove of the outer cylinder 375.

[0072] In this embodiment, the side wall of the outer cylinder 375 is provided with the same number of powder outlets 374 as the number of bayonets 371, and the powder outlets 374 correspond one-to-one with the bayonets 371.

[0073] It should be added that when the locking block 369 and the locking port 371 are released from the locking state, the space left by the locking port 371 is connected to the powder outlet 374.

[0074] In other words, when the powder is fed into the preheating shell 362, the electric cylinder 1 drives the sliding block to press down, thereby increasing the movement speed of the powder. When the sliding block slides to a certain distance, the distance between the powder particles will gradually decrease, thereby rapidly increasing the heat transfer between the powder particles.

[0075] Furthermore, the powder and gas in the preheating shell 362 will be compressed. After the slide plug continues to slide to the designated position, the micro motor drives the lower end head to rotate clockwise, which releases the latching state between the latch block 369 and the latch 371. The latching part of the latch 371 is then connected to the powder outlet 374. At this time, the pressure inside the inner cylinder 368 is released. Simultaneously, the slide plug slides down, pushing the gas and powder out of the powder outlet 374 and into the pipe 363. This cycle is repeated to complete the rapid heating operation of the powder.

[0076] In this embodiment, the print head 34 is composed of a fixed base 341, a laser head 343 and multiple powder spraying heads 342. The fixed base 341 is fixed on the powder feeder 33, and the laser head 343 is installed at the center of the bottom surface of the fixed base 341 and is connected to the laser 31.

[0077] Multiple powder spraying heads 342 are arranged in a circular array at the edge of the bottom surface of the base 341. Each powder spraying head 342 is connected to the powder feeder 33, and the multiple powder spraying heads 342 are all tilted inward so that the powder sprayed by each powder spraying head 342 can intersect with the high-concentration laser generated by the laser head 343.

[0078] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, It includes: The bracket (5) is installed inside the processing chamber; There are two Y-axis sliding table mechanisms (1), which are respectively installed on the left and right sides of the bracket (5), and each of the first sliding modules of the Y-axis sliding table mechanism (1) is fixed with a support plate (6). X-axis sliding mechanism (4), which is connected between the two trays (6); An additive manufacturing mechanism (3) is mounted on the second sliding module of the X-axis slide mechanism (4); Z-axis slide mechanism (8) is installed on the bottom of the bracket (5), and a base (2) is fixed on the third sliding module of the Z-axis slide mechanism (8). And a control box (7), which is fixed to the side of the bracket (5), and the control box (7) can control and adjust the X-axis slide mechanism (4), the Y-axis slide mechanism (1) and the Z-axis slide mechanism (8); The base (2) is plated with a heat-resistant metal layer; The additive manufacturing mechanism (3) includes: The slide (32) is fixed on the second sliding module of the X-axis slide mechanism (4); A laser (31) is fixed to the top of the slide (32); Powder feeder (33), which is fixed to the bottom of the slide (32); A printhead (34) is mounted on the bottom surface of the powder feeder (33), and the printhead (34) is connected to the laser (31) and the powder feeder (33). A powder preheating mechanism (36) is installed at the rear of the slide (32), and the powder preheating mechanism (36) is connected to the powder feeder (33) by a powder feeding pipe (35); The powder preheating mechanism (36) includes: A cylindrical shell, which is fixed on the slide (32), and a cap is installed at the top end of the cylindrical shell; A preheating shell (362) is disposed in the inner cavity of the cylindrical shell. A sliding plug (366) is adapted to slide inside the preheating shell (362), and the sliding plug (366) is driven by an electric cylinder fixed to the top of the cylindrical shell. The powder conveying pipe (365) has one end connected to the powder conveying equipment and the other end inserted into the cylinder shell and connected to the inner cavity of the preheating shell (362). A connecting pipe (363) is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylinder shell, and the connecting pipe (363) is connected between the cylinder shell and the powder feeding pipe (35).

2. The continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A micro motor (364) is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylindrical shell, and the micro motor (364) is located in the inner cavity of the connecting pipe (363).

3. The continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The preheating shell (362) includes: The upper end cap (367) has an inner cylinder (368) fixed on its bottom surface, and the inner cylinder (368) has a raised strip (373) on its side wall, and the inner cylinder (368) has multiple bayonets (371) arranged in a circular array on the side wall at the bottom of its bottom. Multiple heating coils are provided and are equidistantly embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder (368); The lower end cap (370) is driven by a micro motor (364) to rotate slightly forward and backward. The top surface of the lower end cap (370) is fixed with the same number of locking blocks (369) as the locking slots (371), and each locking block (369) can be matched and snapped to its corresponding locking slot (371). The outer cylinder (375) is fitted onto the inner cylinder (368) and pressed between the upper end cap (367) and the lower end cap (370); A positioning ring (372) is slidably attached to the side wall of the inner cylinder (368). The positioning ring (372) is matched and pressed into the annular groove at the bottom of the outer cylinder (375). A vertical groove is provided on the inner wall of the positioning ring (372), and the vertical groove of the positioning ring (372) is matched and slidably attached to the protrusion (373) on the inner cylinder (368).

4. The continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The positioning ring (372) has a plurality of toothed grooves (377) arranged in a circular array on the edge of the top surface. Each toothed groove (377) is matched with a locking tooth (376), and each locking tooth (376) is fixed on the inner top of the annular groove of the outer cylinder (375).

5. The continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer cylinder (375) has powder outlets (374) on its side wall, which are the same number as the bayonet (371), and the powder outlets (374) correspond one-to-one with the bayonet (371).

6. The continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printhead (34) consists of a mounting base (341), a laser head (343), and multiple powder spraying heads (342). The mounting base (341) is fixed on the powder feeder (33). The laser head (343) is installed at the center of the bottom surface of the mounting base (341), and the laser head (343) is connected to the laser (31). The bottom edge of the fixed seat (341) has a circumferential array of multiple powder spraying heads (342), each of which is connected to the powder feeder (33), and the multiple powder spraying heads (342) are all inclined inward, so that the powder sprayed by each powder spraying head (342) can intersect with the high-concentration laser emitted by the laser head (343).

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