Metal 3D printing device and using method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of selective laser melting, and discloses a metal 3D printing device and a using method.The metal 3D printing device comprises selective laser melting equipment and a shielding gas supply module, a powder recycling bin is formed below a forming bin, and the forming bin communicates with the powder recycling bin; the forming driving module is installed at the bottom of the powder recycling bin, and the top of the forming driving module is rotationally connected with a machining base plate through an elastic rotating piece. According to the selective laser melting device, the motion mode of a forming bin of existing selective laser melting equipment is utilized, the air injection interval control module controls high-speed air flow to be blown into the area on one side of the matrix type shielding gas conveying plate, the inclination angle of a machining base plate is gradually increased, and in the motion process of the machining base plate, the angle of wind acting on the surface of a workpiece is continuously changed; and in the inclination process of the machining base plate, the powder can be influenced by gravity, and therefore the powder can more rapidly fall into the powder recycling bin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of selective laser melting, and in particular to a metal 3D printing device and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Selective laser melting is to slice the CAD model into a series of cross sections, and then the laser beam selectively melts the metal powder according to these cross-sectional data, and accumulates layer by layer until a complete part is formed. The equipment contains two processing pools and a powder pool. The powder pool rises in equal amounts one by one, and a powder distributor is used to move a thin layer of powder on the surface to the processing pool. The laser above the processing pool selectively melts the powder below. The processing pool continues to settle during the processing process, so that the surface continues to form a flat sand surface. After the workpiece is completed, the top of the workpiece is buried in the area filled with powder. After the workpiece is lifted, the powder on the surface can be removed.

[0003] At present, the cleaning and collection are divided into primary treatment and fine treatment. After the processing pool descends, other areas except the solidified components will be filled with powder. When the workpiece rises, the powder is dispersed to the surroundings and collected by manual cleaning or negative pressure suction. However, the amount of residual powder in the processing pool is large, and cleaning is often done manually due to the influence of components. Negative pressure suction mainly uses attraction to overcome gravity to adsorb powder, and the adsorption effect is good on the basis of small volume powder. When the workpiece in the processing pool is high in the vertical direction and narrow in the horizontal direction, there is too much powder in the processing pool, and the adsorption efficiency will be reduced. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a metal 3D printing device and a method of use to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A metal 3D printing device, comprising a selective laser melting device and a shielding gas supply module, wherein a shielding gas is supplied to a processing cavity inside the selective laser melting device through the shielding gas supply module, wherein a molding bin and a powder bin are provided inside the selective laser melting device, wherein a molding drive module and a powder lifting module are installed in the molding bin and the powder bin, wherein a powder recovery bin is provided below the molding bin, wherein the molding bin is communicated with the powder recovery bin, wherein the molding drive module is installed at the bottom of the powder recovery bin, wherein the top of the molding drive module is rotatably connected to a processing substrate through an elastic rotating member, wherein a side wall of the processing substrate is slidably and sealedly connected to a side wall of the molding bin;

[0007] A matrix shielding gas delivery plate is installed in the operating chamber of the selective laser melting equipment through a robotic arm. The shielding gas delivery module adjusts the air intake pressure through an airflow adjustment module and delivers the gas to the interior of the selective laser melting equipment through the matrix shielding gas delivery plate. The nozzles on the surface of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate are divided into two areas by the axis of the elastic rotating part, and the nozzles in the two areas of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate are controlled by the jet interval control module to alternately spray on the surface of the processed substrate.

[0008] As a further solution of the present invention: the vertical projection area of ​​the powder recovery bin is larger than the vertical projection area of ​​the molding bin, and the molding bin and the powder recovery bin are transitioned through an inclined surface or an arc.

[0009] As a further solution of the present invention: the processing substrate rotates around the axis of the elastic rotating member, and the rotation angle is less than 90°.

[0010] As a further solution of the present invention: the robot arm controls the matrix type protective gas conveying plate to penetrate into the interior of the molding chamber, and the nozzle of the matrix type protective gas conveying plate is perpendicular to the processing substrate.

[0011] As a further solution of the present invention: the jet interval control module controls the two zone nozzles of the matrix type protective gas conveying plate to alternately and intermittently jet on the surface of the processed substrate.

[0012] As a further solution of the present invention: an angle sensor is arranged inside the elastic rotating member, and the angle sensor records the time when the elastic rotating member returns to a static angle after the kinetic energy of the gas on the processed substrate disappears.

[0013] As a further solution of the present invention: the side wall of the matrix type protective gas conveying plate is slidably and sealedly connected to the side wall of the molding bin.

[0014] As a further solution of the present invention, a metal 3D printing device includes:

[0015] S1: The shielding gas is delivered through the shielding gas delivery module, the jet interval control module controls the two areas of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate to be opened simultaneously, the robot arm controls the matrix shielding gas delivery plate to make the nozzle not perpendicular to the molten pool surface, and the gas replacement cycle is performed by means of the gas reflux pipeline inside the selective laser melting equipment to replace the air inside the selective laser melting equipment;

[0016] S2: During the processing, the powder bin rises continuously, forming a thin powder layer on the operating table, and pushes the thin powder layer to the surface of the processing substrate through the powder layer. The thin powder layer on the surface of the processing substrate is selectively welded through laser welding, and the forming drive module descends, and the powder lifting module continues to rise, and the S operation is repeated;

[0017] S3: After the workpiece is processed, the forming drive module descends to the maximum value, the processing substrate is located at the bottom of the forming bin but is not separated from the processing substrate, a large amount of non-component powder is accumulated above the processing substrate and located inside the forming bin, and the processing substrate is controlled by the forming drive module to continue to descend into the powder recovery bin, and the powder located on the side of the component breaks away from the restriction of the forming bin and falls into the inside of the powder recovery bin;

[0018] S4: The matrix protective gas conveying plate is controlled to descend by a mechanical arm so that the matrix protective gas conveying plate enters the interior of the molding chamber. The nozzle of the matrix protective gas conveying plate is perpendicular to the processing substrate. The airflow adjustment module is used to increase the air intake pressure of the protective gas supply module. The jet interval control module is used to control the start of a single-side area on the surface of the matrix protective gas conveying plate. At this time, the high-speed airflow acts on the surface of the processing substrate. The processing substrate is affected by the deflection of the airflow and tilted around the axis of the elastic rotating part, so that a large amount of non-component powder quickly falls into the interior of the powder recovery chamber, and the powder is quickly separated under the dual effects of the airflow and gravity.

[0019] S5: Close the jet interval control module so that the matrix protective gas conveying plate cannot spray air. The elastic force of the elastic rotating part drives the processed substrate to reset and shake left and right to promote powder separation. Then, the other side of the matrix protective gas conveying plate is opened through the jet interval control module so that the movement direction of the processed substrate is opposite to S4, and steps S4 and S5 are repeated.

[0020] S6: After completion, the robot arm drives the matrix protective gas conveying plate to reset, and the molding drive module drives the processed substrate to be ejected from the surface of the molding chamber, and the workpiece is taken out for fine dust removal and wire cutting operation to obtain the workpiece.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The present invention utilizes the movement mode of the molding bin of the existing selective laser melting equipment. When the workpiece processing is completed, the processing substrate continues to descend, so that the processing substrate enters the powder recovery bin. The airflow adjustment module pressurizes the shielding gas, and the jet interval control module controls the high-speed airflow to be blown into the area on one side of the matrix shielding gas conveying plate. The airflow acts vertically on one side of the processing substrate surface. Under the action of the lever, the elastic rotating part undergoes elastic deformation, and the inclination angle of the processing substrate gradually increases. During the movement of the processing substrate, the angle of the wind acting on the workpiece surface continues to change, thereby improving the cleaning effect. During the tilting process of the processing substrate, the powder will be affected by gravity, so that the powder falls into the inside of the powder recovery bin more quickly. The jet interval control module controls the processing substrate to swing left and right to fully clean. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a metal 3D printing device;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the use process of a metal 3D printing device;

[0026] In the figure: 100, forming drive module; 200, powder lifting module; 300, protective gas supply module; 400, air flow adjustment module; 500, jet interval control module; 1, selective laser melting equipment; 2, matrix protective gas delivery plate; 3, robotic arm; 4, forming bin; 5, powder recovery bin; 6, powder bin; 7, processing substrate; 8, elastic rotating part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] See also Figure 1-Figure 2 : In this embodiment: it includes a selective laser melting device 1 and a shielding gas supply module 300, the internal processing cavity of the selective laser melting device 1 is supplied with shielding gas through the shielding gas supply module 300, the selective laser melting device 1 has a molding bin 4 and a powder bin 6, the molding bin 4 and the powder bin 6 are installed with a molding drive module 100 and a powder lifting module 200, a powder recovery bin 5 is opened below the molding bin 4, the molding bin 4 is connected with the powder recovery bin 5, the molding drive module 100 is installed at the bottom of the powder recovery bin 5, the top of the molding drive module 100 is rotatably connected with a processing substrate 7 through an elastic rotating member 8, and the side wall of the processing substrate 7 is slidingly sealed with the side wall of the molding bin 4.

[0028] In this embodiment: the shielding gas supply module 300 mainly stores shielding gas and delivers the gas to the operating chamber of the selective laser melting equipment 1. The forming chamber 4 and the powder chamber 6 are controlled by the forming drive module 100 and the powder lifting module 200 respectively. The forming drive module 100 continuously descends during the sintering process to process the surface of the workpiece, while the powder lifting module 200 continuously pushes the powder chamber 6 to rise, so that the powder inside the powder chamber 6 is pushed upward, and a thin powder layer is formed on the surface of the forming chamber 4 through the powder distributor. The above content is the existing processing method. It can be seen from the above that the final formed workpiece is located inside the forming chamber 4, and the descending depth of the processing substrate 7 is consistent with the height of the workpiece. The larger the ratio of the volume of the workpiece to the volume of the processing cavity inside the forming chamber 4 at the height of the workpiece, the less powder, and the smaller the ratio, the more powder. During the processing, a base seat will be installed on the surface of the processing substrate 7, and the base seat is fixed on the surface of the base seat when the first layer at the bottom is formed. When the workpiece is fully formed, the workpiece is cut off by wire cutting.

[0029] In this embodiment: the vertical projection area of ​​the powder recovery bin 5 is larger than the vertical projection area of ​​the molding bin 4, the molding bin 4 and the powder recovery bin 5 are transitioned by an inclined plane or an arc, and a powder recovery bin 5 is opened below the molding bin 4. The width and length of the powder recovery bin 5 must be larger than the molding bin 4, and the vertical projection area of ​​the processing substrate 7 must be close to the vertical projection area of ​​the molding bin 4 to achieve sealed sliding. Therefore, when the processing substrate 7 is located in the powder recovery bin 5, the side wall of the processing substrate 7 will not be restricted by the side wall of the molding bin 4, so the processing substrate 7 can only move vertically in the molding bin 4, while the processing substrate 7 can shake left and right in the powder recovery bin 5. Utilizing this feature and the characteristics of equipment operation, when the workpiece is processed, the processing substrate 7 continues to descend, so that the processing substrate 7 enters the powder recovery bin 5. At this time, the excess powder is not affected by the molding bin 4 and falls into the powder recovery bin 5 through the two sides of the processing substrate 7, but there is still a large amount of powder on the surface of the component.

[0030] In this embodiment: a matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 is installed in the operating chamber of the selective laser melting equipment 1 through a robot arm 3, the shielding gas delivery module 300 adjusts the intake pressure through the airflow adjustment module 400 and delivers the gas to the interior of the selective laser melting equipment 1 through the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2, the nozzles on the surface of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 are divided into two areas by the axis of the elastic rotating part 8, and the nozzles in the two areas of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 are controlled by the jet interval control module 500 to alternately spray on the surface of the processing substrate 7.

[0031] In this embodiment: First, in order to avoid oxidation of metal powder, a shielding gas is set inside the warehouse of the selective laser melting equipment 1, and the shielding gas is delivered through the shielding gas delivery module 300. On the basis of the existing, an airflow adjustment module 400 and an air jet interval control module 500 are added. The airflow adjustment module 400 pressurizes the shielding gas for the second time, and the air jet interval control module 500 cooperates with the controller and the solenoid valve to deliver the gas through two sets of pipelines to the two regional nozzles on the surface of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2. The nozzles distributed in the matrix on the surface of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 are distinguished by the central axis of the elastic rotating member 8 as the boundary. When the mechanical arm 3 drives the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 to descend through the molding bin 4, the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 and the molding bin 4 slide and cooperate to close, and at the same time, the airflow adjustment module 400 pressurizes the protective gas, and the jet interval control module 500 controls the high-speed airflow to be blown into the area on one side of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2. The airflow acts vertically on one side of the surface of the processing substrate 7. Under the action of the lever, the elastic rotating member 8 undergoes elastic deformation, and the inclination angle of the processing substrate 7 gradually increases. During the movement of the processing substrate 7, the angle of the wind acting on the workpiece surface continues to change, thereby improving the cleaning effect. During the tilting process of the processing substrate 7, the powder will be affected by gravity, so that the powder will fall more quickly into the inside of the powder recovery bin 5. The processing substrate 7 can be fully cleaned by controlling the left and right swings of the jet interval control module 500.

[0032] In this embodiment: the processing substrate 7 rotates around the axis of the elastic rotating member 8, and the rotation angle is less than 90 degrees; when the processing substrate 7 rotates more than 90 degrees, the wind cannot act on the surface of the workpiece, so it is of little significance.

[0033] In this embodiment: the robotic arm 3 controls the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 to penetrate into the interior of the molding bin 4, the nozzle of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 is perpendicular to the processing substrate 7, and the side wall of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 is slidingly and sealedly connected to the side wall of the molding bin 4; during the blowing process, in order to avoid potholes in the center of the workpiece, under the action of high-speed airflow, the powder is lifted upward through the molding bin 4, causing the powder in the working area to fly.

[0034] In this embodiment: the jet interval control module 500 controls the two area nozzles of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 to alternately and intermittently jet on the surface of the processing substrate 7, and an angle sensor is arranged inside the elastic rotating part 8. The angle sensor records the time when the elastic rotating part 8 returns to the static angle after the kinetic energy of the gas disappears.

[0035] In this embodiment: the advantage of alternating intervals is that when the processing substrate 7 rotates to the maximum angle, the jet interval control module 500 stops supplying air. At this time, the torsion spring of the elastic rotating part 8 quickly resets, and the processing substrate 7 swings left and right until it becomes horizontally still. During the swinging process, the powder on the gap is shaken off or the powder in the gap is loosened, which is more convenient to handle.

[0036] Directions:

[0037] S1: The shielding gas is delivered through the shielding gas delivery module 300, the jet interval control module 500 controls the two areas of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 to be opened simultaneously, the robot arm 3 controls the matrix shielding gas delivery plate 2 so that the nozzle is not perpendicular to the molten pool surface, and the gas replacement cycle is performed by means of the gas reflux pipeline inside the selective laser melting device 1 to replace the air inside the selective laser melting device 1;

[0038] S2: During the processing, the powder bin 6 continuously rises, so that a thin powder layer is formed on the operating table, and the thin powder layer is pushed to the surface of the processing substrate 7 through the powder layer, and the thin powder layer on the surface of the processing substrate 7 is selectively welded by laser welding, and the forming drive module 100 is lowered, and the powder lifting module 200 continues to rise, and the S2 operation is repeated;

[0039] S3: After the workpiece is processed, the forming drive module 100 descends to the maximum value, the processing substrate 7 is located at the bottom of the forming bin 4 but is not separated from the processing substrate 7, a large amount of non-component powder is accumulated above the processing substrate 7 and located inside the forming bin 4, and the processing substrate 7 is controlled by the forming drive module 100 to continue to descend into the powder recovery bin 5, and the powder located on the side of the component is freed from the restriction of the forming bin 4 and falls into the inside of the powder recovery bin 5;

[0040] S4: The matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 is controlled to descend by the mechanical arm 3, so that the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 enters the interior of the molding bin 4, the nozzle of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 is perpendicular to the processing substrate 7, the air flow adjustment module 400 increases the air intake pressure of the protective gas supply module 300, and the injection interval control module 500 controls the start of the single-side area on the surface of the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2. At this time, the high-speed airflow acts on the surface of the processing substrate 7, and the processing substrate 7 is tilted around the axis of the elastic rotating member 8 under the influence of the airflow deflection, so that a large amount of non-component powder quickly falls into the interior of the powder recovery bin 5, and the powder is quickly separated under the dual effects of the airflow and gravity.

[0041] S5: Close the jet interval control module 500 to prevent the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 from spraying air. The elastic force of the elastic rotating part 8 drives the processing substrate 7 to reset and shake left and right to promote powder separation. Then, the other side area of ​​the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 is opened through the jet interval control module 500 to make the movement direction of the processing substrate 7 opposite to S4, and repeat steps S5 and S4.

[0042] S6: After completion, the robot arm 3 drives the matrix protective gas conveying plate 2 to reset, and the molding drive module 100 drives the processing substrate 7 to be ejected from the surface of the molding chamber 4, and the workpiece is taken out for fine dust removal and wire cutting operation to obtain the workpiece.

[0043] What is described above is only a preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can make equivalent replacements or changes according to the technical scheme and inventive concept of the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal 3D printing device, comprising a selective laser melting device (1) and a protective gas supply module (300), wherein a processing cavity inside the selective laser melting device (1) is supplied with protective gas through the protective gas supply module (300), wherein the selective laser melting device (1) has a molding bin (4) and a powder bin (6), wherein a molding drive module (100) and a powder lifting module (200) are installed in the molding bin (4) and the powder bin (6), and wherein: A powder recovery bin (5) is provided below the molding bin (4), the molding bin (4) is in communication with the powder recovery bin (5), the molding drive module (100) is mounted at the bottom of the powder recovery bin (5), the top of the molding drive module (100) is rotatably connected to a processing substrate (7) via an elastic rotating member (8), and the side wall of the processing substrate (7) is slidably sealedly connected to the side wall of the molding bin (4); A matrix protective gas delivery plate (2) is installed in the operating chamber of the selective laser melting device (1) via a mechanical arm (3); the protective gas delivery module (300) adjusts the air intake pressure via an air flow adjustment module (400) and delivers the gas to the interior of the selective laser melting device (1) via the matrix protective gas delivery plate (2); the nozzles on the surface of the matrix protective gas delivery plate (2) are divided into two areas by the axis of the elastic rotating member (8), and the nozzles in the two areas of the matrix protective gas delivery plate (2) are controlled by an injection interval control module (500) to alternately spray on the surface of the processing substrate (7).

2. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical projection area of ​​the powder recovery bin (5) is larger than the vertical projection area of ​​the molding bin (4), and the molding bin (4) and the powder recovery bin (5) are transitioned via an inclined surface or an arc.

3. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing substrate (7) rotates around the axis of the elastic rotating member (8), and the rotation angle is less than 90°.

4. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mechanical arm (3) controls the matrix-type protective gas conveying plate (2) to penetrate into the interior of the molding chamber (4), and the nozzle of the matrix-type protective gas conveying plate (2) is perpendicular to the processing substrate (7).

5. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The jet interval control module (500) controls the two regional nozzles of the matrix type protective gas conveying plate (2) to alternately and intermittently jet on the surface of the processing substrate (7).

6. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: An angle sensor is arranged inside the elastic rotating member (8), and the angle sensor records the time when the elastic rotating member (8) returns to a static angle after the kinetic energy of the gas on the processing substrate (7) disappears.

7. A metal 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the matrix-type protective gas conveying plate (2) is slidably and sealingly connected to the side wall of the molding bin (4).

8. A method for using a metal 3D printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: S1: Shielding gas is delivered through the shielding gas delivery module (300), the jet interval control module (500) controls the two areas of the matrix shielding gas delivery plate (2) to be opened simultaneously, the robot arm (3) controls the matrix shielding gas delivery plate (2) so that the nozzle is not perpendicular to the molten pool surface, and a gas replacement cycle is performed with the help of a gas return pipe inside the selective laser melting device (1), so as to replace the air inside the selective laser melting device (1); S2: During the processing, the powder bin (6) continuously rises, so that a thin powder layer is formed on the operating table, and the thin powder layer is pushed to the surface of the processing substrate (7) through the powder layer, and the thin powder layer on the surface of the processing substrate (7) is selectively welded by laser welding, and the forming drive module (100) is lowered, and the powder lifting module (200) continues to rise, and the S2 operation is repeated; S3: After the workpiece is processed, the forming drive module (100) descends to the maximum value, the processing substrate (7) is located at the bottom of the forming bin (4) but is not separated from the processing substrate (7), a large amount of non-component powder is accumulated above the processing substrate (7) and located inside the forming bin (4), and the processing substrate (7) is controlled by the forming drive module (100) to continue to descend into the powder recovery bin (5), and the powder located on the side of the component is freed from the restriction of the forming bin (4) and falls into the inside of the powder recovery bin (5); S4: The matrix protective gas conveying plate (2) is controlled to descend by the mechanical arm (3) so that the matrix protective gas conveying plate (2) enters the interior of the molding bin (4). The nozzle of the matrix protective gas conveying plate (2) is perpendicular to the processing substrate (7). The airflow adjustment module (400) increases the air intake pressure of the protective gas supply module (300). The jet interval control module (500) controls the start of the single-side area of ​​the surface of the matrix protective gas conveying plate (2). At this time, the high-speed airflow acts on the surface of the processing substrate (7). The processing substrate (7) is affected by the deflection of the airflow and tilts around the axis of the elastic rotating member (8), so that a large amount of non-component powder quickly falls into the interior of the powder recovery bin (5), and the powder is quickly separated under the dual effects of the airflow and gravity. S5: closing the jet interval control module (500) so that the matrix type protective gas conveying plate (2) cannot eject airflow, and the elastic force of the elastic rotating member (8) drives the processing substrate (7) to reset and shake left and right, promoting the separation of powders, and then opening the other side area of ​​the matrix type protective gas conveying plate (2) through the jet interval control module (500) so that the movement direction of the processing substrate (7) is opposite to that of S4, and repeating steps S5 and S4; S6: After completion, the robot arm (3) drives the matrix protective gas conveying plate (2) to reset, and the molding drive module (100) drives the processing substrate (7) to be ejected from the surface of the molding chamber (4), and the workpiece is taken out for fine dust removal and wire cutting operation to obtain the workpiece.

Images