Scraper of 3D printer for printing low-fluidity materials and 3D printer

Abstract

The invention provides a 3D printer scraper suitable for printing low-fluidity materials, the scraper is used for moving in the moving direction so as to slick the low-fluidity materials in a material groove of the 3D printer, the scraper comprises a base part, the base part is provided with a containing groove, the lower end of the containing groove is provided with an outflow opening, and the outflow opening is communicated with the containing groove. The side wall of the containing groove is provided with a backflow opening allowing the low-fluidity material to flow back into the containing groove, the lowest position of the backflow opening is higher than the bottom of the side wall, and the side wall is located on the side, relative to the moving direction, of the base part. According to the invention, redundant materials can be quickly and repeatedly utilized, and the waste of the materials is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printers, and in particular to a scraper of a 3D printer for printing low-fluidity materials and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printers use light curing to cure light-curable resin materials layer by layer to obtain three-dimensional objects. 3D printers mostly use immersion printing, that is, the molding platform is immersed in the flowing resin and close to the curing light source below. After curing one layer, the molding platform is lifted a certain distance and then continues to cure. This printing method is suitable for resins with good fluidity.

[0003] The strength of the three-dimensional objects printed by resins with good fluidity is generally low, so it is necessary to add some solid particles to the resin to improve the strength, such as ceramic particles, metal particles, etc. The addition of solid particles will reduce the fluidity of the resin. When the fluidity of the resin becomes poor, immersion printing cannot be used. For this, it is necessary to use a scraper to flatten the resin layer and then solidify it.

[0004] CN219338598U discloses a 3D printing device for paste materials, wherein a feed trough is arranged on one side of the printing platform, and a collection trough is arranged on the other side of the printing platform. When the scraper moves, the excess paste material is scraped into the collection trough. The excess paste material cannot be reused, resulting in material waste. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a scraper for a 3D printer and a 3D printer for printing low-fluidity materials, which can quickly reuse excess materials and reduce material waste.

[0006] The present invention provides a scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials. The scraper is used to move along a moving direction to flatten the low-fluidity material in a material tank of the 3D printer. The scraper comprises a base, a receiving groove is provided on the base, a flow outlet is provided at the lower end of the receiving groove, a reflux port is provided on the side wall of the receiving groove for the low-fluidity material to flow back into the receiving groove, the lowest point of the reflux port is higher than the bottom of the side wall, and the side wall is on the side of the base relative to the moving direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the accommodating groove has two side walls arranged opposite to each other, and the return port is provided on both side walls. The return port on one side wall is staggered with the return port on the other side wall in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

[0008] Furthermore, a filter screen is provided in the receiving tank, and the position of the filter screen corresponds to the reflux port.

[0009] Furthermore, the filter screen is parallel to the bottom of the side wall, and the filter screen is located between the lowest point of the reflux port and the bottom of the side wall.

[0010] Furthermore, the filter screen can be heated.

[0011] Furthermore, the side wall is provided with a scraper, and the scraper includes a curved portion whose end is gradually bent downward and outward, and the curved portion bends upward when in contact with the inner wall of the trough.

[0012] Furthermore, the lowest point of the scraper blade is higher than the bottom of the side wall by a predetermined distance.

[0013] The present invention also provides a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials, comprising a material trough. The 3D printer also includes the scraper, which is arranged in the material trough and can move along a moving direction so that the side wall approaches or moves away from the inner wall of the material trough. When the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough, a collection space for excess material is formed between the side wall and the inner wall.

[0014] Furthermore, the side wall is provided with a scraper, and the scraper includes a curved portion whose end gradually bends downward and outward. A guide bevel is provided below the inner wall of the material trough, and the guide bevel is used to guide the curved portion to bend upward when the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough.

[0015] Furthermore, an opening is provided above the scraper, and the 3D printer further comprises a material supply mechanism, and when the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough, the discharge port of the material supply mechanism is located above the opening and supplies material into the containing trough.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: when material is added to the receiving groove of the scraper, the material will flow out from the outflow port at the lower end of the receiving groove; when the scraper moves in the material groove of the 3D printer, the scraper will flatten the material, and the accumulated excess material will flow back into the receiving groove from the reflux port on the side wall, so that the excess material can be quickly reused and the waste of material can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a specific implementation mode of the 3D printer of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a scraper from one side according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the scraper from another side according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a scraper according to a specific embodiment of the present invention when it moves in a material trough.

[0021] The following specific implementation manner will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work belong to the protection scope of the present invention. It is understood that the drawings are only provided for reference and illustration, and are not used to limit the present invention. The connection relationship shown in the drawings is only for the convenience of clear description and does not limit the connection method.

[0023] It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to another component, or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meaning as those generally understood by technicians in the technical field of the present invention. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" 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, an electrical connection, or the internal connection of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] It should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] See also Figure 1 As shown, a specific embodiment of the present invention provides a 3D printer 100 suitable for printing low-fluidity materials, and the 3D printer 100 includes a light source (not shown), a material trough 10, a scraper 20, a moving mechanism 30, a molding platform 40 and a lifting mechanism 50.

[0026] The light source is used to perform photocuring on the material in the material trough 10 . The light source is disposed below the material trough 10 to emit light into the material trough 10 .

[0027] The scraper 20 is mounted on the moving mechanism 30 and is spaced apart from the bottom surface 11 of the trough 10 . The moving mechanism 30 drives the scraper 20 to move along a moving direction in the trough 10 to scrape the low-fluidity material in the trough 10 flat.

[0028] The molding platform 40 is lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism 50 to approach or move away from the material trough 10. After the scraper 20 flattens the material, the molding platform 40 is closely attached to the material. Then, the light source irradiates the material so that a solidified layer obtained after the material is solidified is attached to the molding platform 40. Then, the molding platform 40 is driven to rise by the lifting mechanism 50. Then, the scraper 20 is moved to flatten a layer of material and then the solidified layer is closely attached to the material and irradiated again. This process is repeated continuously to finally obtain a printed three-dimensional object.

[0029] Among them, see Figure 2-4 As shown, the scraper 20 includes a base 21, on which a receiving groove 22 is provided, and a flow outlet 23 is provided at the lower end of the receiving groove 22. The receiving groove 22 is used to receive low-fluidity materials, and the low-fluidity materials will flow out of the receiving groove 22 from the flow outlet 23 and be scraped flat by the scraper 20.

[0030] A reflux port 222 is provided on the side wall 221 of the receiving groove 22 for the low-fluidity material to flow back into the receiving groove 22 . The lowest point of the reflux port 222 is higher than the bottom of the side wall 221 . The side wall 221 is on the side of the base 21 relative to the moving direction.

[0031] See also Figure 4 As shown, when the scraper 20 moves in the material trough 10 of the 3D printer 100, the accumulated excess material is pushed to one side by the scraper 20, and then flows back into the receiving trough 22 from the reflux port 222 on the side wall 221, so that the excess material can be quickly reused and the waste of material can be reduced.

[0032] The base 21 may be substantially flat, and the accommodating groove 22 has two side walls 221 arranged opposite to each other, and the two side walls 221 are both provided with the return port 222, and the return port 222 on one side wall 221 is staggered with the return port 222 on the other side wall 221 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

[0033] When the scraper 20 moves back and forth in the material trough 10 to scrape the material, excess material will accumulate on both sides. The excess material on both sides will flow back into the receiving trough 22 from the return ports 222 of the two side walls 221 respectively. Since the fluidity of the material is relatively low, the return ports 222 on the two side walls 221 are staggered, allowing the material to flow evenly from the two side walls 221 into the receiving trough 22, thereby avoiding the accumulation of material at the same position of the receiving trough 22 and affecting the scraping of the material.

[0034] A filter screen 24 is provided in the receiving groove 22 , and the position of the filter screen 24 corresponds to the reflux port 222 . Some solid residues left after light curing will be mixed into the excess material. The solid residues can be filtered through the filter screen 24 to prevent the residues from affecting the printing effect.

[0035] Specifically, the filter screen 24 is parallel to the bottom of the side wall 221, and is located between the lowest point of the reflux port 222 and the bottom of the side wall 221. The filter screen 24 can be heated, and the filter screen 24 can not only filter the residue, but also, during the movement of the scraper 20, can evenly heat the material stored in the receiving tank 22, and can heat the scraped material to improve the printing accuracy.

[0036] Furthermore, the side wall 221 is provided with a scraper 25, and the scraper 25 can be installed on the side walls 221 on both sides. The scraper 25 is arranged along the side wall 221, and the scraper 25 can include a mounting portion 251 and a bending portion 252, the mounting portion 251 is mounted on the side wall 221, and the end of the bending portion 252 is gradually bent downward to the outside, and the bending portion 252 bends upward when it contacts the inner side wall 12 of the trough 10.

[0037] When the scraper 20 approaches the inner wall 12 of the material trough 10, a collection space S1 for excess material will be formed between the scraper 20 and the inner wall 12 of the material trough 10, and the excess material will be squeezed and flow back from the reflux port 222 into the receiving trough 22, and the bent portion 252 will gradually bend upward, and the bent portion 252 will further lift the material to bring the material closer to the reflux port 222, so that more of the material can flow back from the reflux port 222 into the receiving trough 22, further reducing material waste.

[0038] The lowest point of the scraper 25 can be higher than the bottom of the side wall 221 by a predetermined distance, and a chamber S2 is formed between the scraper 25 and the side wall 221. When the scraper 20 moves, the scraper 25 on the front side of the moving direction will pre-scrape the excess material outside the scraper 20. This process causes part of the excess material outside to go above the curved portion 252. This part of the material will be lifted by the curved portion 252 to flow back to the receiving groove 22 from the reflux port 222, and the other part of the excess material will be lifted by the curved portion 252 to flow back to the receiving groove 22 from the reflux port 222. The material will enter the chamber S2 from the gap S3 between the curved portion 252 and the bottom surface 11 of the material trough 10 and be pre-stored in the chamber S2. The material pre-stored in the chamber S2 can be used as a compensating material, and when the external material enters the gap S3, the originally uneven material will be dispersed to both ends of the gap S3. The material entering the chamber S2 will be scraped flat by the side wall 221, so that the material can be scraped more smoothly by the scraper 20.

[0039] A guide slope 13 may be provided below the inner side wall 12 of the material trough 10 , and the guide slope 13 is used to guide the curved portion 252 to bend upward when the scraper 20 approaches the inner side wall 12 of the material trough 10 .

[0040] See also Figure 1 As shown, an open port 27 can be set above the scraper 20, and a material supply mechanism 60 is set on the 3D printer 100. When the scraper 20 is close to the inner wall 12 of the material trough 10, the discharge port of the material supply mechanism 60 is located above the open port 27 and supplies material into the containing trough 22, so that material can be continuously supplied to the scraper 20.

[0041] In the specification and claims of the present application, the words "include / comprise" and the words "have / include" and their variations are used to specify the existence of stated features, values, steps or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, components or combinations thereof.

[0042] Some features of the present invention are described in different embodiments for clarity of description, however, these features may also be described in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, some features of the present invention are described in only a single embodiment for brevity, however, these features may also be described in different embodiments alone or in any suitable combination.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. 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 present invention.

Claims

1. A scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials, the scraper being used to move along a moving direction to flatten the low-fluidity material in a material tank of the 3D printer, characterized in that: The scraper includes a base, a receiving groove is provided on the base, a flow outlet is provided at the lower end of the receiving groove, and a reflux port is provided on the side wall of the receiving groove for the low-fluidity material to flow back into the receiving groove, the lowest point of the reflux port is higher than the bottom of the side wall, and the side wall is on the side of the base relative to the moving direction.

2. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The accommodating groove has two side walls arranged opposite to each other, and the two side walls are both provided with the return opening. The return opening on one side wall is staggered with the return opening on the other side wall in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

3. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: A filter screen is arranged in the containing tank, and the position of the filter screen corresponds to the reflux port.

4. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The filter screen is parallel to the bottom of the side wall, and is located between the lowest point of the reflux port and the bottom of the side wall.

5. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 4, characterized in that: The filter can be heated.

6. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall is provided with a scraper, and the scraper includes a curved portion whose end is gradually curved downward and outward, and the curved portion bends upward when in contact with the inner side wall of the trough.

7. The scraper for a 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lowest point of the scraper blade is higher than the bottom of the side wall by a predetermined distance.

8. A 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials, comprising a material tank, characterized in that: The 3D printer also includes a scraper as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the scraper is arranged in the material trough and can move along a moving direction so that the side wall approaches or moves away from the inner wall of the material trough, and when the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough, a collection space for excess material is formed between the side wall and the inner wall.

9. The 3D printer suitable for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 8, characterized in that: The side wall is provided with a scraper, and the scraper includes a curved portion whose end is gradually bent downward and outward. A guide slope is provided below the inner wall of the material trough, and the guide slope is used to guide the curved portion to bend upward when the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough.

10. The 3D printer for printing low-fluidity materials according to claim 8, characterized in that: An open opening is provided above the scraper, and the 3D printer further comprises a material supply mechanism. When the scraper approaches the inner wall of the material trough, the discharge port of the material supply mechanism is located above the open opening and supplies material into the containing trough.

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