A double-spring layerboard buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device and method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and particularly discloses a double-spring-layer-plate buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device and method, which comprises a slide rail base, double slide rails, a single slide rail, a base plate, a laser powder feeding system, a motor and a double-spring-layer plate, wherein the double slide rails and the single slide rail are vertically fixed on the slide rail base; the base plate is installed on the two slide rails of the double slide rails through sliding blocks on the two sides of the base plate, and a forming base plate is fixed on the base plate; the laser powder feeding system is installed on the single slide rail through a sliding block; the motor is used to drive the sliding block to move; the double-spring-layer plate is installed on the slide rail base, and the double slide rails penetrate through the double-spring-layer plate; and the double-spring-layer plate comprises an upper spring layer, a clamping plate and a lower spring layer which are sequentially and fixedly connected from top to bottom. The application realizes weightlessness 3D printing through free fall of a forming platform and laser, and the double-layer spring plate is combined to buffer and rebound, and then the motor is used to return to the initial position, so that the weightlessness 3D printing process can be continuously and stably simulated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and more particularly to a double-spring layerboard buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Space manufacturing technology is the current focus of research, among which additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology has the advantages of fast speed, integrated formation, complex structure parts, convenient operation, and easy replenishment of raw materials. In addition, the oxygen-free characteristics in space also overcome the need for oxygen reduction step before printing in additive manufacturing technology. Therefore, using additive manufacturing technology to process parts in space has great prospects. In order to conduct faster and deeper research on space additive manufacturing, it is necessary to simulate the special environment in space on Earth, such as weightlessness, large temperature difference, and strong radiation.

[0003] Among the various special space environments simulated on Earth, the most difficult to achieve is the weightlessness environment. Currently recognized methods for weightlessness research include water-based counterweight and parabolic flight of an airplane, but it is difficult to combine the above methods with 3D printing technology, and the implementation cost is high. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a 3D printing device that can simulate weightlessness to promote the research and development of space additive manufacturing. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present application provides a double-spring layerboard buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device and method, which aims to continuously and stably simulate the 3D printing process in weightlessness.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the present application, a double-spring layerboard buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device is provided, comprising a slide rail base, double slide rails, a single slide rail, a substrate base, a laser powder feeding system, a motor, and a double-spring layerboard, wherein:

[0006] The double slide rails and the single slide rail are both vertically fixed on the slide rail base; the substrate base is installed on the two slide rails of the double slide rails through a sliding block on both sides, and a forming substrate is fixed on the substrate base; the laser powder feeding system is installed on the single slide rail through a sliding block; and the motor is used to drive the sliding block to move.

[0007] The double-spring layerboard is installed on the slide rail base, and the double slide rails penetrate through the double-spring layerboard; the double-spring layerboard comprises an upper spring layer, a clamping plate, and a lower spring layer fixedly connected in sequence from top to bottom.

[0008] As a further preferred, the ratio of the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the upper spring layer to the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the lower spring layer is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2.

[0009] As a further preferred, the upper spring layer comprises two spring groups, each spring group corresponding to one of the double slide rails, each spring group comprising three springs arranged in a triangle with the corresponding slide rail as the center; the lower spring layer comprises four springs arranged in a parallelogram.

[0010] As a further preferred, the upper end of the upper spring layer is fixed with a mounting plate, and the mounting plate is provided with a lower elastic cushion.

[0011] As a further preferred, vertical reinforcing plates are fixed around the slide rail base, which are used to prevent the movement of the clamping plate and the mounting plate in a non-vertical direction.

[0012] As a further preferred, the base plate base comprises an upper base and a lower base, which are fixedly connected by an X-shaped cross fixing rod; the shaped base plate is fixed on the upper base, and the lower side of the lower base is covered with an upper elastic cushion.

[0013] As a further preferred, a control platform is further included, which controls the movement of the sliding block through a motor; the motor has three in total, which are respectively fixed at the top end of the single slide rail and the two slide rails of the double slide rail.

[0014] As a further preferred, the upper end of the double slide rail and the single slide rail is provided with a limit checkpoint, and the lower side of the limit checkpoint is fixed with an elastic gasket.

[0015] As a further preferred, the length of the double slide rail and the single slide rail is 2000mm-4500mm.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present application, a double spring layer plate buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing method is provided, which is realized by using the above-mentioned device, comprising the following steps:

[0017] S1, initially, the base plate base is located at the top of the double slide rail by controlling the sliding block through the motor, and the laser powder feeding system is located above the shaped base plate;

[0018] S2, the base plate base and the laser powder feeding system perform free fall, and the shaped base plate and the laser powder feeding system remain relatively stationary during the free fall, so that the laser powder feeding system performs printing on the shaped base plate;

[0019] S3, the base plate base falls to contact the double spring layer plate, the double spring layer plate buffers and rebounds the base plate base, and when the base plate base is about to lose kinetic energy, the base plate base and the laser powder feeding system return to the initial position by controlling the sliding block through the motor;

[0020] S4, repeat steps S2 and S3 until the entire printing process is completed.

[0021] Overall, compared with the prior art, the above technical solutions conceived by the present application mainly have the following technical advantages:

[0022] 1、The present application can realize the synchronous free fall of the laser powder feeding system and the forming substrate by the design of the two groups of sliding rail sliders, thereby simulating the weightlessness 3D printing process; meanwhile, the double-layer spring plate is designed, when the double-layer spring plate is impacted from above, the upper spring layer is first contracted to absorb energy and buffer, and then the lower spring layer is contracted to absorb energy, after the spring is contracted to the limit, the substrate base is vertically popped up, through the cooperation, the forming substrate is stably decelerated and the energy consumption of the motor returning to the initial position is reduced, and the continuous and stable simulation of the weightlessness 3D printing process can be realized.

[0023] 2、The double-layer spring plate of the present application can realize the step-by-step conversion of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy, avoiding excessive instantaneous impact to reduce the service life of the equipment. Specifically, the elastic coefficient ratio of the upper spring and the lower spring is designed, the main function of the upper spring is to absorb impact energy and provide a longer time buffer when the object falls, a relatively soft spring is selected to allow a larger deformation to store more energy; and a relatively hard spring is selected for the lower spring to ensure that after the upper spring is compressed to the maximum deformation, the lower spring can quickly release the stored energy to provide a stronger rebound force.

[0024] 3、The present application designs the arrangement of the springs in the upper spring layer and the lower spring layer, so that the best stress arrangement is presented. Specifically, the triangular arrangement is a very stable geometric shape, and this stability enables the upper spring of the triangular arrangement to better withstand and disperse impact force, thereby enhancing the upper layer buffering effect in the entire double-layer spring plate; the lower spring adopts a parallelogram, and the shape change and the reduction of the number of springs make the stress feedback more rapid and concentrated, thereby enhancing the rebound effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structure schematic diagram of the double-spring layer plate buffer type simulation weightlessness 3D printing equipment of the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the combined slider and related structure of the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a structure schematic diagram of the double-spring layer plate of the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the spring arrangement in the upper spring layer and the lower spring layer of the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 5 It is a printing stroke schematic diagram of the simulation weightlessness 3D printing equipment of the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] In all the drawings, the same reference signs are used to indicate the same elements or structures, wherein: 1 - double slide block, 2 - double spring layer plate, 3 - laser powder feeding system, 4 - single slide block, 5 - motor, 6 - forming base plate, 7 - base plate pedestal, 8 - upper elastic buffer pad, 9 - lower elastic buffer pad, 10 - slide rail, 11 - slide rail pedestal, 12 - control platform, 101 - upper slide block, 102 - lower slide block, 103 - limit stage, 104 - elastic gasket, 105 - connecting plate, 106 - X-shaped cross fixation rod, 201 - upper spring layer, 202 - clamping plate, 203 - lower spring layer, 204 - positive reinforcement plate, 205 - side reinforcement plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and do not limit the present application. In addition, the technical features involved in each embodiment of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0032] The double spring layer plate buffering type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device provided by the embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 1 , comprises a slide rail pedestal 11, double slide rails, single slide rails, a base plate pedestal 7, a laser powder feeding system 3, a control platform 12, a motor 5 and a double spring layer plate 2, wherein:

[0033] The slide rail pedestal 11 is firmly fixed to the ground, and the double slide rails and the single slide rails are both vertically fixed on the slide rail pedestal 11. The double slide rails comprise two symmetrical slide rails 10, i.e. a total of three vertical slide rails.

[0034] The double slide rails are provided with a double slide block 1 for controlling the movement of the forming base plate 6. The double slide block 1 can move linearly along the slide rails in the Z-axis (for the sake of description, the vertical direction is the Z-axis to construct a space orthogonal coordinate system). The base plate pedestal 7 is installed on the two slide rails of the double slide rails through the double slide block 1 on both sides, and the whole is an axisymmetric structure; the forming base plate 6 is fixed on the base plate pedestal 7 and firmly fixed by screws to avoid shaking when falling.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2As shown, the combined slider 1 specifically includes an upper slider 101 and a lower slider 102, which are coupled with the slide rail through their own structures, are locked in the XY plane and are freely movable in the Z axis, and are fixed into a rigid body through the connecting plate 105 under the fixation of the M8 screw, and remain relatively static. The slide rail upper end is provided with a limit stop 103, and the limit stop 103 is provided with an elastic gasket 104 below, which controls the maximum stroke range and the printing starting point, and reduces the impact of the return stroke.

[0036] Further, the substrate base 7 includes an upper base and a lower base, the upper base is fixed on the upper slider 101, and the lower base is fixed on the lower slider 102, and the upper base and the lower base are fixedly connected through the X-shaped cross fixation rod 106, so as to improve the stability of the overall structure; the shaped substrate 6 is fixed on the upper base, and the lower side of the lower base is covered with the upper elastic buffer pad 8.

[0037] The single slide rail is provided with a single slider 4 for controlling the movement of the laser powder feeding system, and the single slider is movable in a straight line along the Z axis. The laser powder feeding system 3 is used for laying and forming the metal powder, and is installed on the single slide rail through the single slider 4, and the horizontal height is adjusted through the single slider 4, so that the laser powder feeding system 3 is located above the shaped substrate 6, and there is a certain distance between the powder feeding nozzle and the laser, so as not to affect each other. The relative position of the laser powder feeding system 3 and the shaped substrate 6 in the horizontal plane is adjustable, and remains relatively static in the free fall in the Z axis direction, so as to realize precise forming.

[0038] Specifically, the length of the slide rail is preferably 2000-4500mm, according to the function h=1 / 2gt 2 So that the printing time of each cycle can be guaranteed to be 2-3s; the size of the shaped substrate 6 is preferably 150mmx150mmx25mm; the powder feeding nozzle of the laser powder feeding system 3 can provide a flow rate of 20L / min at most, and the maximum power of the laser is 1500W, mainly through the 3D printing of the metal powder melting mode.

[0039] The motor 5 is used for rebounding the subsequent starting point homing, and the control platform 12 drives the slider to move through the motor 5. The motor 5 is a servo motor, and there are three motors respectively fixed on the top ends of the three slide rails; the control platform 12 is arranged outside and keeps a certain distance from the printing part, is used for controlling the driving of the motor, and then makes the slider move in a straight line along the Z axis upward, and the motor only works in the stroke of the slider in the Z axis upward, so as to increase the service life of the motor.

[0040] The double-spring layer plate 2 is installed on the slide rail base 11, and the double slide rail penetrates through the double-spring layer plate 2. As shown in Figure 3As shown, the double-spring layer plate 2 includes an installation plate, an upper spring layer 201, a clamping plate 202 and a lower spring layer 203 fixedly connected in sequence from top to bottom. When the double-spring layer plate is impacted from above, the upper spring layer 201 first absorbs energy, and then the lower spring layer 203 shrinks to absorb energy. When the spring shrinks to the limit, the base plate pedestal is vertically bounced up.

[0041] Further, the installation plate is provided with a lower elastic buffer pad 9, and the upper elastic buffer pad 8 and the lower elastic buffer pad 9 cover the entire impact area. When the upper elastic buffer pad 8 and the lower elastic buffer pad 9 are impacted and contacted, they are extruded to form a buffer, thereby reducing the impact. The four sides of the slide rail base 11 are fixedly provided with vertical reinforcing plates, i.e. two front reinforcing plates 204 and two side reinforcing plates 205, which can avoid the deviation of the double-spring layer plate in the XY plane during the pressure process.

[0042] Further, the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the upper spring layer 201 is less than the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the lower spring layer 203, so as to realize the step-by-step conversion of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy and avoid excessive instantaneous impact to reduce the service life of the equipment. Preferably, the ratio of the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the upper spring layer 201 to the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the lower spring layer 203 is 1 / 3-1 / 2.

[0043] Further, the springs in the upper spring layer 201 and the springs in the lower spring layer 203 are arranged in a triangular shape (in the projection of the XY plane); preferably, as shown in Figure 4 As shown, the upper spring layer 201 includes two spring groups, each spring group corresponding to one of the double slide rails, and each spring group including three springs arranged in a triangular shape around the corresponding slide rail. The lower spring layer 203 includes four springs arranged in a parallelogram shape, i.e. two adjacent triangles, as the best stress arrangement for the best buffer of free fall.

[0044] When the above equipment is used for simulating weightlessness 3D printing, the weightlessness 3D printing is realized by the free fall of the forming base plate and the laser powder feeding system. The relative positions of the two in space are adjusted to accurately control the laser scanning on the metal powder. The forming base plate is bounced back by the double-spring layer plate and then returns to the initial position by the motor, and the next layer printing is started again and circulates.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5As shown, (a) ~ (f) is a cycle process. With the initial starting point (a) of the limit of the slider near the top of the slide rail, after the laser powder feeding system completes the powder laying operation, the forming substrate performs free fall from the initial speed of 0, gradually accelerates under the action of gravity acceleration, and realizes the weightlessness state (b), while the laser emits high-energy laser to melt and rapidly solidify the metal powder on the forming substrate. During the whole process, the laser and the forming substrate are free falling and keep relatively static in the Z-axis direction. When the free falling contacts the upper and lower elastic buffers, the double-layer spring plate is compressed and starts to absorb kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy (c). The upper spring contracts first, and the lower spring further contracts until the kinetic energy of the forming substrate is 0 and it is in a transient static state (d). The double-layer spring plate releases the absorbed kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy as the initial kinetic energy of the returning forming substrate, which moves linearly in the opposite direction of the Z-axis (e). When the kinetic energy provided by the double-layer spring plate is almost consumed, the servo motor controls the slider to drive the forming substrate, and the control single slider drives the laser powder feeding system to continue the returning process until the upper end of the slider recontacts the limit switch, and the whole movement stops (f). The above process is repeated to complete the whole printing.

[0046] The following illustrates the printing process with a specific implementation. The control platform is powered on in advance, all power supplies are turned on, and it is checked whether each hardware and software is working normally; the gas cylinder is opened, and the 316 stainless steel spherical powder with a particle size of 53-150 μm is added to the powder storage tank; the stl format model generated in advance in the three-dimensional modeling software is input into the control platform, the three-dimensional slicing is performed according to the layer thickness of 0.2 mm, the laser power is set to 1200 W, the scanning speed is set to 700 mm / min, and the flow is set to 3 L / min. Then the printing is started, including the following steps:

[0047] S1, the printing position is initialized, the substrate base is located at the top of the slide rail, the first layer of 316L powder is pre-laid, the red light pre-scanning is performed to determine the printing range, and the laser height is adjusted to accurately focus on the laid powder layer;

[0048] S2, the forming substrate and the laser are made to perform free fall by the control platform, both of which keep relatively static in the Z-axis direction during the whole process, and the printing is performed in the process;

[0049] S3, when the forming substrate is bounced by the double-layer spring plate and is about to lose kinetic energy, the servo motor is started to make the forming substrate return to the starting position, and the position of the laser powder feeding system is adjusted;

[0050] S4, steps S2 and S3 are repeated, and the automatic printing is completed for the remaining cycles until the part is formed.

[0051] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device, characterized in that: It includes a slide rail base (11), a double slide rail, a single slide rail, a substrate base (7), a laser powder feeding system (3), a motor (5) and a double spring layer (2), wherein: The double slide rail and the single slide rail are both vertically fixed on the slide rail base (11); both sides of the substrate base (7) are respectively mounted on the two slide rails of the double slide rail via sliders, and a forming substrate (6) is fixed on the substrate base (7); the laser powder feeding system (3) is mounted on the single slide rail via sliders; the motor (5) is used to drive the slider to move; The double spring layer plate (2) is mounted on the slide rail base (11), and the double slide rail passes through the double spring layer plate (2); the double spring layer plate (2) comprises an upper spring layer (201), a clamping plate (202), and a lower spring layer (203) which are fixedly connected in sequence from top to bottom; The ratio of the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the upper spring layer (201) to the total elastic coefficient of the springs in the lower spring layer (203) is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2; The upper spring layer (201) includes two spring groups, each spring group corresponds to one of the double slide rails, and each spring group includes three springs, which are arranged in a triangle with the corresponding slide rail as the center; the lower spring layer (203) includes four springs, which are arranged in a parallelogram.

2. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mounting plate is fixed to the upper end of the upper spring layer (201), and a lower elastic buffer pad (9) is provided on the mounting plate.

3. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Vertical reinforcement plates are fixed around the slide rail base (11), and the reinforcement plates are used to prevent the clamping plate (202) and the mounting plate from moving in a non-vertical direction.

4. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate base (7) comprises an upper base and a lower base, wherein the upper base and the lower base are fixedly connected via an X-shaped cross fixing rod (106); the forming substrate (6) is fixed on the upper base, and the lower side of the lower base is covered with an upper elastic buffer pad (8).

5. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control platform (12), which controls the movement of the slider through a motor (5); there are three motors (5), which are respectively fixed on the top of the two slide rails of the single slide rail and the double slide rail.

6. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limit checkpoint (103) is provided at the upper ends of the double slide rail and the single slide rail, and an elastic gasket (104) is fixed on the lower side of the limit checkpoint (103).

7. The double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The lengths of the double slide rails and the single slide rail are both 2000mm to 4500mm.

8. A double-spring layer buffer type simulated weightlessness 3D printing method, implemented using the device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The steps include: S1. Initially, the motor (5) controls the slider so that the substrate base (7) is located on the top of the double slide rails, and the laser powder feeding system (3) is correspondingly located above the forming substrate (6); S2, the substrate base (7) and the laser powder feeding system (3) are in free fall, and during the free fall, the forming substrate (6) and the laser powder feeding system (3) remain relatively stationary, so that the laser powder feeding system (3) prints on the forming substrate (6); S3, the substrate base (7) falls down and contacts the double spring layer plate (2), the double spring layer plate (2) cushions and rebounds the substrate base (7), and when the substrate base (7) is about to lose kinetic energy, the motor (5) controls the slider to return the substrate base (7) and the laser powder feeding system (3) to their initial positions; S4. Repeat steps S2 and S3 until the entire printing process is completed.

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