Electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method and electron beam additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, in particular to an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method and electron beam additive manufacturing equipment. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method comprises the following steps that a vacuum forming chamber is filled with mixed cooling gas, the mixed cooling gas comprises helium and balance gas, and the balance gas comprises argon and / or neon; after the mixed cooling gas fully exchanges heat in the vacuum forming chamber, the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber is detected and obtained; when the obtained temperature in the vacuum forming chamber is higher than a preset temperature; and if yes, the mixed cooling gas filled in the vacuum forming chamber is pumped out, and the mixed cooling gas is filled in the vacuum forming chamber again. According to the electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method provided by the invention, the mixed cooling gas is circularly filled into the vacuum forming chamber, so that the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber is effectively improved. In addition, mixed cooling gas is filled into the vacuum forming chamber, so that the cooling cost is reduced, and the cooling efficiency is also ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular to an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method and electron beam additive manufacturing equipment. Background Art

[0002] After the electron beam additive manufacturing equipment completes the forming process of the three-dimensional parts, it is necessary to cool down the vacuum forming chamber in the electron beam additive manufacturing equipment so as to open the vacuum forming chamber and take out the three-dimensional parts in the vacuum forming chamber. In the related art, process gases such as neon or argon are usually introduced into the vacuum forming chamber to cool down the vacuum forming chamber. However, the cooling time required for this cooling method is very long. In order to improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber, the introduced process gas is usually replaced with high-cost helium. Although the cooling efficiency of helium is higher than that of neon and argon, the cooling method of directly passing helium into the vacuum forming chamber at one time not only greatly increases the cooling cost, but also fails to effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method and an electron beam additive manufacturing device to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method and an electron beam additive manufacturing device, so as to effectively improve the cooling efficiency of a vacuum forming chamber and reduce the cooling cost.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method, the electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method comprising the following steps:

[0007] Filling a mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber, wherein the mixed cooling gas includes helium and a balance gas, wherein the balance gas includes argon and / or neon;

[0008] After the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber, detecting and obtaining the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber;

[0009] When the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber is higher than a preset temperature;

[0010] The mixed cooling gas filled in the vacuum forming chamber is extracted, and the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber.

[0011] As an optional solution, when the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber, the proportion of the helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased.

[0012] As an optional solution, when the mixed cooling gas is first charged into the vacuum forming chamber, the proportion of the helium in the mixed cooling gas is 20% to 30%.

[0013] As an optional solution, when it is detected that the temperature change rate in the vacuum forming chamber is lower than a preset rate, it is proved that the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber.

[0014] As an optional solution, when the mixed cooling gas is filled into the vacuum forming chamber, various types of gases in the mixed cooling gas are filled in sequence.

[0015] As an optional solution, when the mixed cooling gas is filled into the vacuum forming chamber, various types of gases in the mixed cooling gas are filled in at the same time.

[0016] As an optional solution, the volume of the mixed cooling gas filled into the vacuum forming chamber each time is a fixed value.

[0017] An electron beam additive manufacturing device is provided, wherein the electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method as described above is used to cool the electron beam additive manufacturing device, and the electron beam additive manufacturing device comprises:

[0018] Vacuum forming chamber;

[0019] A temperature detection component is disposed in the vacuum forming chamber, and the temperature detection component is configured to detect the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber;

[0020] an inflatable component, the inflatable component being in communication with the vacuum forming chamber, the inflatable component being configured to inflate a mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber; and

[0021] The vacuum assembly is connected to the vacuum forming chamber and is configured to extract gas from the vacuum forming chamber.

[0022] As an optional solution, the inflatable component includes:

[0023] a helium inflatable member, connected to the vacuum forming chamber, and configured to inflate helium into the vacuum forming chamber;

[0024] an argon gas filling member, connected to the vacuum forming chamber, and configured to fill argon gas into the vacuum forming chamber; and

[0025] A neon gas filling piece is communicated with the vacuum forming chamber, and the neon gas filling piece is configured to fill neon gas into the vacuum forming chamber.

[0026] As an optional solution, the helium inflatable member includes:

[0027] A helium gas filling pipeline connected to the vacuum forming chamber;

[0028] A helium switch valve, the helium switch valve is arranged on the helium filling pipeline;

[0029] a helium pressure detection component, disposed in the helium inflation pipeline and configured to detect the air pressure in the helium inflation pipeline; and

[0030] The helium flow control valve is disposed in the helium inflation pipeline and is configured to adjust the flow of helium in the helium inflation pipeline.

[0031] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0032] The present invention provides an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method, which includes the following steps: filling a mixed cooling gas into a vacuum forming chamber, the mixed cooling gas includes helium and a balance gas, and the balance gas includes argon and / or neon; after the mixed cooling gas is fully heat-exchanged in the vacuum forming chamber, detecting and obtaining the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber; when the obtained temperature in the vacuum forming chamber is higher than a preset temperature; extracting the filled mixed cooling gas in the vacuum forming chamber, and refilling the mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method provided by the present invention effectively improves the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber by cyclically filling the mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber. In addition, by filling the mixed cooling gas mixed with helium and the balance gas into the vacuum forming chamber, the use of helium, which is relatively expensive, is reduced, and the cooling cost is reduced on the basis of ensuring the cooling efficiency.

[0033] The present invention also provides an electron beam additive manufacturing device, which uses the above-mentioned electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method to cool the electron beam additive manufacturing device, effectively improving the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber and reducing the cooling cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a flow chart of an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electron beam additive manufacturing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] In the figure:

[0037] 1. Vacuum forming chamber; 11. Vacuuming interface; 12. Inflation interface; 2. Temperature detection component; 3. Inflation component; 31. Helium inflatable parts; 311. Helium inflatable pipeline; 312. Helium switch valve; 313. Helium pressure detection part; 314. Helium flow control valve; 32. Argon inflatable parts; 321. Argon inflatable pipeline; 322. Argon switch valve; 323. Argon pressure detection part; 324. Argon flow control valve; 33. Neon inflatable parts; 331. Neon inflatable pipeline; 332. Neon switch valve; 333. Neon pressure detection part; 334. Neon flow control valve; 4. Pressure detection component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the technical problem solved by the present invention, the technical solution adopted and the technical effect achieved more clearly, the technical solution of the present invention is further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0040] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0041] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and other directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description and have no special meaning.

[0042] In the prior art, a process gas such as neon or argon is usually introduced into the vacuum forming chamber to cool the vacuum forming chamber. However, the cooling time required for this cooling method is very long. In order to improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber, the introduced process gas is usually replaced with high-cost helium. Although the cooling efficiency of helium is higher than that of neon and argon, the cooling method of directly passing helium into the vacuum forming chamber at one time not only greatly increases the cooling cost, but also fails to effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber.

[0043] In order to solve the above problems, Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method comprises the following steps:

[0044] Filling the vacuum forming chamber 1 with a mixed cooling gas, the mixed cooling gas comprising helium and a balance gas, the balance gas comprising argon and / or neon;

[0045] After the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber 1, the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 is detected and obtained;

[0046] When the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 is higher than the preset temperature;

[0047] The mixed cooling gas filled in the vacuum forming chamber 1 is then extracted, and the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber 1 .

[0048] The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method provided in this embodiment effectively improves the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber 1 by cyclically filling the mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber 1. In addition, by filling the vacuum forming chamber 1 with a mixed cooling gas mixed with helium and a balance gas, the use of relatively high-cost helium is reduced, and the cooling cost is reduced while ensuring the cooling efficiency.

[0049] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, when the obtained temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 is not higher than the preset temperature, the cooling of the vacuum forming chamber 1 is completed.

[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the balance gas includes argon and neon, that is, the mixed cooling gas includes three gases: helium, argon and neon. In other embodiments, the balance gas may also include only argon or only neon.

[0051] Optionally, in the present embodiment, when the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased. In the later stage of cooling the vacuum forming chamber 1, the mixed cooling gas with the same ratio has a poor cooling effect on the vacuum forming chamber 1, and the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 cannot be efficiently reduced to the preset temperature. By increasing the proportion of helium with a good cooling effect in the mixed cooling gas when the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the cooling efficiency of the mixed cooling gas is improved, thereby efficiently reducing the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 to the preset temperature. In addition, increasing the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas when the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber 1 also facilitates ensuring the cooling cost.

[0052] It should be noted that “increasing the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas when refilling the vacuum forming chamber 1 with mixed cooling gas” means “in the process of cooling the vacuum forming chamber 1, each time the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is greater than the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas when the mixed cooling gas was last filled into the vacuum forming chamber 1”.

[0053] Optionally, in this embodiment, when the mixed cooling gas is first charged into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is 20% to 30%. Specifically, when the mixed cooling gas is first charged into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas can be 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29% or 30%. The above numerical value limitation reduces the cooling cost on the basis of ensuring the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber 1 when the mixed cooling gas is first charged.

[0054] Optionally, in this embodiment, each time the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased by 10% to 20%. Specifically, in this embodiment, each time the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased, the proportion of helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased by 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19% or 20%. The above setting limits reduce the cooling cost on the basis of ensuring the cooling efficiency of the refilled mixed cooling gas on the vacuum forming chamber 1.

[0055] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the temperature change rate in the vacuum forming chamber 1 is lower than the preset rate, it is proved that the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber 1 .

[0056] Optionally, in this embodiment, when the mixed cooling gas is charged into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the various gases in the mixed cooling gas are charged sequentially, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the charging amount of the various gases in the mixed cooling gas, and facilitating the adjustment of the charging amount of the various gases. In other embodiments, when the mixed cooling gas is charged into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the various gases in the mixed cooling gas are charged simultaneously to ensure the uniformity of the mixing of the various gases in the mixed cooling gas, and also improve the efficiency of the charging.

[0057] Optionally, in this embodiment, the volume of the mixed cooling gas filled into the vacuum forming chamber 1 each time is a fixed value. The above arrangement facilitates monitoring the volume of the mixed cooling gas and effectively avoids excessive gas pressure in the vacuum forming chamber 1.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the present embodiment further provides an electron beam additive manufacturing device, which adopts the above-mentioned electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method to cool the electron beam additive manufacturing device, and the electron beam additive manufacturing device includes a vacuum forming chamber 1, a temperature detection component 2, an inflation component 3 and an exhaust component (not shown in the figure), wherein the temperature detection component 2 is arranged in the vacuum forming chamber 1, the temperature detection component 2 is used to detect the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1, the inflation component 3 is connected to the vacuum forming chamber 1, the inflation component 3 is used to fill the vacuum forming chamber 1 with mixed cooling gas, the exhaust component is connected to the vacuum forming chamber 1, and the exhaust component is used to extract the gas in the vacuum forming chamber 1.

[0059] The electron beam additive manufacturing equipment provided in this embodiment adopts the above-mentioned electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method to cool the electron beam additive manufacturing equipment, which effectively improves the cooling efficiency of the vacuum forming chamber 1 and reduces the cooling cost.

[0060] Optionally, in this embodiment, the temperature detection component 2 may be a temperature sensor, which can detect not only the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber 1 , but also the temperature change rate in the vacuum forming chamber 1 .

[0061] In this embodiment, the vacuum forming chamber 1 is provided with an exhaust interface 11 and an inflation interface 12, the exhaust component is docked with the exhaust interface 11, so that the exhaust component is connected with the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the exhaust interface 11, and the inflation component 3 is docked with the inflation interface 12, so that the inflation component 3 is connected with the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the inflation interface 12. Optionally, in this embodiment, the exhaust component can be a vacuum generator.

[0062] In this embodiment, if Figure 2As shown, the inflation component 3 includes a helium inflation piece 31, an argon inflation piece 32 and a neon inflation piece 33, wherein the helium inflation piece 31 is connected to the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the inflation interface 12, and the helium inflation piece 31 is used to fill helium into the vacuum forming chamber 1, the argon inflation piece 32 is connected to the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the inflation interface 12, and the argon inflation piece 32 is used to fill argon into the vacuum forming chamber 1, and the neon inflation piece 33 is connected to the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the inflation interface 12, and the neon inflation piece 33 is used to fill neon into the vacuum forming chamber 1.

[0063] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, the helium inflation component 31 includes a helium inflation pipeline 311, a helium switch valve 312 and a helium pressure detection component 313, wherein the helium inflation pipeline 311 is connected to the inflation interface 12, and the helium at the helium gas source is filled into the vacuum molding chamber 1 through the helium inflation pipeline 311 and the inflation interface 12 in turn, the helium switch valve 312 is arranged on the helium inflation pipeline 311, and the helium switch valve 312 is used to adjust the on-off of the helium inflation pipeline 311, the helium pressure detection component 313 is arranged on the helium inflation pipeline 311, and the helium pressure detection component 313 is used to detect the air pressure in the helium inflation pipeline 311, so as to ensure sufficient supply of helium gas source, and the helium flow control valve 314 is arranged on the helium inflation pipeline 311, and the helium flow control valve 314 is used to adjust the flow of helium in the helium inflation pipeline 311, so as to facilitate monitoring the volume of helium introduced.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, the argon filling component 32 includes an argon filling pipeline 321, an argon switch valve 322 and an argon pressure detection component 323, wherein the argon filling pipeline 321 is connected to the charging interface 12, and the argon at the argon gas source is filled into the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the argon filling pipeline 321 and the charging interface 12 in turn, the argon gas switch valve 322 is arranged on the argon filling pipeline 321, and the argon gas switch valve 322 is used to adjust the on-off of the argon filling pipeline 321, the argon gas pressure detection component 323 is arranged on the argon filling pipeline 321, and the argon gas pressure detection component 323 is used to detect the gas pressure in the argon filling pipeline 321, so as to ensure sufficient gas supply from the argon gas source, and the argon gas flow control valve 324 is arranged on the argon filling pipeline 321, and the argon gas flow control valve 324 is used to adjust the flow of argon in the argon filling pipeline 321, so as to facilitate the monitoring of the volume of argon gas introduced.

[0065] like Figure 2As shown, the neon gas filling member 33 includes a neon gas filling pipeline 331, a neon gas switch valve 332 and a neon gas pressure detection member 333, wherein the neon gas filling pipeline 331 is connected to the charging interface 12, and the neon gas at the neon gas source is filled into the vacuum forming chamber 1 through the neon gas filling pipeline 331 and the charging interface 12 in turn, the neon gas switch valve 332 is arranged on the neon gas filling pipeline 331, and the neon gas switch valve 332 is used to adjust the on-off of the neon gas filling pipeline 331, the neon gas pressure detection member 333 is arranged on the neon gas filling pipeline 331, and the neon gas pressure detection member 333 is used to detect the air pressure in the neon gas filling pipeline 331, so as to ensure sufficient gas supply from the neon gas source, and the neon gas flow control valve 334 is arranged on the neon gas filling pipeline 331, and the neon gas flow control valve 334 is used to adjust the flow of neon gas in the neon gas filling pipeline 331, so as to facilitate monitoring of the volume of neon gas introduced.

[0066] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the electron beam additive manufacturing device further includes a pressure detection component 4, which is disposed in the vacuum forming chamber 1 and is used to detect the pressure in the vacuum forming chamber 1. Optionally, the pressure detection component 4 may be a pressure transmitter.

[0067] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method, characterized in that: The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method comprises the following steps: Filling a mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber (1), the mixed cooling gas comprising helium and a balance gas, the balance gas comprising argon and / or neon; After the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber (1), detecting and obtaining the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber (1); When the temperature inside the vacuum forming chamber (1) is higher than a preset temperature; The mixed cooling gas filled in the vacuum forming chamber (1) is then extracted, and the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber (1).

2. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the mixed cooling gas is refilled into the vacuum forming chamber (1), the proportion of the helium in the mixed cooling gas is increased.

3. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the mixed cooling gas is first charged into the vacuum forming chamber (1), the proportion of the helium in the mixed cooling gas is 20% to 30%.

4. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When it is detected that the temperature change rate in the vacuum forming chamber (1) is lower than a preset rate, it is proved that the mixed cooling gas has fully exchanged heat in the vacuum forming chamber (1).

5. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the mixed cooling gas is filled into the vacuum forming chamber (1), various types of gases in the mixed cooling gas are filled in sequence.

6. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the mixed cooling gas is filled into the vacuum forming chamber (1), various types of gases in the mixed cooling gas are filled in at the same time.

7. The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The volume of the mixed cooling gas filled into the vacuum forming chamber (1) each time is a fixed value.

8. An electron beam additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: The electron beam additive manufacturing cooling method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used to cool the electron beam additive manufacturing equipment, wherein the electron beam additive manufacturing equipment comprises: Vacuum forming chamber (1); A temperature detection component (2) is arranged in the vacuum forming chamber (1), and the temperature detection component (2) is configured to detect the temperature in the vacuum forming chamber (1); an inflatable component (3), the inflatable component (3) being in communication with the vacuum forming chamber (1), the inflatable component (3) being configured to inflate a mixed cooling gas into the vacuum forming chamber (1); and A vacuum assembly is connected to the vacuum forming chamber (1), and is configured to extract gas from the vacuum forming chamber (1).

9. The electron beam additive manufacturing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inflatable component (3) comprises: A helium filling piece (31) is connected to the vacuum forming chamber (1), and the helium filling piece (31) is configured to fill the vacuum forming chamber (1) with helium; an argon gas filling member (32) connected to the vacuum forming chamber (1), the argon gas filling member (32) being configured to fill argon gas into the vacuum forming chamber (1); and A neon gas filling piece (33) is connected to the vacuum forming chamber (1), and the neon gas filling piece (33) is configured to fill neon gas into the vacuum forming chamber (1).

10. The electron beam additive manufacturing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The helium inflatable member (31) comprises: A helium gas filling pipeline (311) is connected to the vacuum forming chamber (1); A helium switch valve (312), wherein the helium switch valve (312) is arranged on the helium filling pipeline (311); a helium pressure detection element (313), disposed in the helium inflation pipeline (311), configured to detect the air pressure in the helium inflation pipeline (311); and A helium flow control valve (314) is provided in the helium inflation pipeline (311) and is configured to adjust the flow of helium in the helium inflation pipeline (311).

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