Powder feeding device and powder feeding method for directional energy deposition additive manufacturing

Abstract

The invention provides a powder feeding device and method for directional energy deposition additive manufacturing, the powder feeding device comprises a sealing box body, an upper powder pushing mechanism, a powder taking mechanism, a powder collecting box, an air inlet pipe and a powder outlet pipe, and the upper powder pushing mechanism, the powder taking mechanism and the powder collecting box are all arranged in the sealing box body; the upper powder pushing mechanism comprises a powder bin, a powder pushing plate and a first driving device, the powder bin is fixedly arranged, the upper portion of the powder bin is open, the powder pushing plate is arranged in the powder bin in a sleeved mode and connected with the first driving device, the powder taking mechanism comprises a second driving device and a roller, and the roller is arranged at the upper opening of the powder bin and densely provided with powder collecting cilia. The second driving device is connected with the roller, the powder collecting box is fixed above the powder bin, comb teeth corresponding to the powder collecting cilia are arranged on the powder collecting box, and the air inlet pipe and the powder outlet pipe are both connected with the sealing box body. According to the powder feeding device and method for directional energy deposition additive manufacturing, continuous, uniform and stable output of powder can be achieved, powder extrusion can be avoided, and the situation that the powder feeder is blocked is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of deposition additive manufacturing, and in particular to a powder feeding device and a powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. Background Art

[0002] In the process of directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, a powder feeder is used to continuously input metal powder materials. Under the protective atmosphere of inert gas, the metal powder is quickly heated and melted, and then quickly solidified, and stacked layer by layer into components of a certain geometric shape. Among them, the powder feeder is a device that can evenly and accurately transport powder to the processing part according to the process requirements during the directed energy deposition additive manufacturing process. It is an important factor that directly affects the stability, precision and final product quality of directed energy deposition additive manufacturing.

[0003] In the prior art, powder feeders are mainly of the following types: screw type, scraper type, and wheel type. Screw type and scraper type powder feeders have friction and extrusion between powder and powder feeding elements, and powder is easily blocked, which affects the continuity and stability of powder feeding. The powder feeding process of the wheel type powder feeder is intermittent and discontinuous, with low powder feeding accuracy and poor continuous powder feeding stability.

[0004] Therefore, it has become an urgent problem to develop a new type of powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing to avoid the extrusion of powder during the powder feeding process, reduce the occurrence of blockage, and achieve continuous, uniform and stable transportation of powder. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a powder feeding device and a powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing to solve the problems existing in the existing powder feeders.

[0006] On the one hand, the present invention provides a powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, comprising: a sealed box, a powder pushing mechanism, a powder taking mechanism, a powder collecting box, an air inlet pipe and a powder outlet pipe, wherein the powder pushing mechanism, the powder taking mechanism and the powder collecting unit are all arranged in the sealed box, the powder pushing mechanism comprises a powder bin, a powder pushing plate and a first driving device, the powder bin is fixedly arranged and has an upper opening, the powder pushing plate is sleeved in the powder bin and connected to the first driving device, and is used to push the powder in the powder bin to move upward under the drive of the first driving device, the powder taking mechanism comprises a second driving device and a roller, the roller is arranged at the upper opening of the powder bin and is densely provided with powder collecting cilia, the second driving device is connected to the roller, and is used to drive the roller to rotate, the powder collecting box is fixed above the powder bin and is provided with comb teeth corresponding to the powder collecting cilia, the air inlet pipe and the powder outlet pipe are both connected to the sealed box, and the air intake of the air inlet pipe is used to send the powder scraped off by the comb teeth through the powder outlet pipe.

[0007] Preferably, the cross-sections of the powder bin and the powder pushing plate are both rectangular, and the top of the powder pushing plate is a semicircular groove structure.

[0008] Further preferably, the first driving device includes a first motor, a screw, a screw nut and a first coupling, wherein the first motor is fixedly arranged, the screw is connected to the first motor through the first coupling, and the screw nut is fixedly connected to the powder pushing plate and cooperatively connected to the screw.

[0009] Further preferably, the first motor is fixedly connected to the powder bin via a screw mounting plate.

[0010] Further preferably, the second driving device includes a second motor and a second coupling, and the second motor is connected to the rotating shaft of the roller via the second coupling.

[0011] Further preferably, the air outlet of the air inlet pipe is located above the powder collecting box, and the air inlet of the powder outlet pipe is connected to the side wall or the bottom of the powder collecting box.

[0012] Further preferably, the powder bin, powder pushing plate, roller, powder collecting box and powder outlet pipe are all multiple and arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

[0013] Further preferably, the rotating shafts of the rollers are fixedly connected in sequence and then connected to the second driving device, or there are multiple second driving devices and they are connected to the rollers in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0014] Further preferably, the powder pushing plate is connected to the first driving device after being fixedly connected, or the first driving device is multiple and connected to the powder pushing plates in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0015] The present invention also provides a powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, using the above-mentioned powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, and the powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing comprises:

[0016] Opening the powder outlet pipe and continuously blowing compressed gas into the sealed box through the air inlet pipe, wherein the compressed gas flows through the powder collecting box;

[0017] The powder pushing mechanism is used to push the powder in the powder bin to continuously move upward, and the powder taking mechanism is used to continuously transfer the powder in the powder bin to the powder collecting box through the cooperation between the powder collecting cilia and the comb teeth, wherein the powder transferred to the powder collecting box is continuously output through the powder outlet pipe along with the compressed air flow.

[0018] The powder feeding device and powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing provided by the present invention can achieve continuous, uniform and stable output of powder, avoid powder extrusion and reduce clogging of the powder feeder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the connection between the powder pushing mechanism, the powder taking mechanism, the powder collecting box and the powder outlet pipe;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view of

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA section view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, on one hand, the present invention provides a powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, comprising: a sealed box 1, a powder pushing mechanism, a powder taking mechanism, a powder collecting box 4, an air inlet pipe 5 and a powder outlet pipe 6, wherein the powder pushing mechanism, the powder taking mechanism and the powder collecting unit 4 are all arranged in the sealed box 1, the powder pushing mechanism comprises a powder bin 21, a powder pushing plate 22 and a first driving device, the powder bin 21 is fixedly arranged and has an upper opening, the powder pushing plate 22 is sleeved in the powder bin 21 and connected to the first driving device, and is used for pushing the powder 10 in the powder bin 21 to move upward under the drive of the first driving device, the powder taking mechanism comprises a second driving device and a roller 32, the roller 32 is arranged at the upper opening of the powder bin 21 and is densely provided with powder collecting cilia 321, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the roller can be installed at the upper opening of the powder bin through the ear piece 9, the second driving device is connected to the roller 32, and is used to drive the roller 32 to rotate, the powder collecting box 4 is fixed above the powder bin 21 and is provided with comb teeth 41 corresponding to the powder collecting cilia 321, the powder collecting box is preferably a plastic powder collecting box, the air inlet pipe 5 and the powder outlet pipe 6 are both connected to the sealed box body 1, and the air intake of the air inlet pipe 5 is used to send the powder scraped off by the comb teeth 41 through the powder outlet pipe 6.

[0025] The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing can continuously absorb the powder in the powder bin through the powder collecting cilia in the powder taking mechanism, and the powder absorbed on the powder collecting cilia will be continuously transferred to the powder collecting box under the action of the comb teeth; the powder in the powder bin is continuously pushed upward by the powder pushing mechanism, so that the powder can be continuously replenished, and the powder extrusion can be avoided, and the blockage of the powder feeder can be reduced; the powder transferred to the powder collecting box can be continuously, evenly and stably output through the powder outlet pipe along with the compressed gas that continuously enters the sealed box through the air inlet pipe, and the powder accumulation will not occur.

[0026] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the cross-sections of the powder bin 21 and the powder pushing plate 22 are both rectangular, and the top of the powder pushing plate 22 is a semicircular groove structure, which cooperates with the roller to achieve full utilization of the powder in the powder bin.

[0027] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the first driving device includes a first motor 231, a lead screw 232, a lead screw nut 233 and a first coupling 234, wherein the first motor 231 is fixedly arranged, the lead screw 232 is connected to the first motor 231 through the first coupling 234, the lead screw nut 233 is fixedly connected to the powder pushing plate 22 and is connected in cooperation with the lead screw 232, and the first motor can control the powder pushing plate to continuously rise through the lead screw.

[0028] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the first motor 231 is fixedly connected to the powder bin 21 via a screw mounting plate 24 .

[0029] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the second driving device includes a second motor 311 and a second coupling 312 , and the second motor 311 is connected to the rotating shaft of the roller 32 via the second coupling 312 .

[0030] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the air outlet of the air inlet pipe 5 is located above the powder collecting box 4 , and the air inlet of the powder outlet pipe 6 is connected to the side wall or the bottom of the powder collecting box 4 .

[0031] The powder feeder is not limited to one-way powder discharge, but can also realize multi-way powder discharge, as an improvement of the technical solution, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the powder bin 21, the powder pushing plate 22, the roller 32, the powder collecting box 4 and the powder outlet pipe 6 are all multiple and arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

[0032] As an improvement of the technical solution, the rotating shaft 322 of the roller 32 is fixedly connected in sequence and then connected to the second driving device (such as Figure 2 As shown), to achieve synchronous control of multiple rollers, or the second driving device is multiple and connected to the rollers 32 one by one to achieve individual control of multiple rollers.

[0033] As an improvement of the technical solution, the powder pushing plate 22 is connected to the first driving device after being fixedly connected by the second fixing plate 8 (such as Figure 2As shown), to achieve the synchronous rise of multiple powder pushing plates, or the first driving device is multiple and connected to the powder pushing plates 22 one by one to achieve separate control of multiple powder pushing plates.

[0034] In actual applications, multiple powder bins may contain the same powder or different powders, and the powder output of each powder outlet pipe may be achieved by, but not limited to, adjusting the roller speed / powder collecting hair material, diameter, length, distribution density, etc. / rising speed of the powder pushing plate.

[0035] As an improvement of the technical solution, Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the powder bin 21 is fixedly connected via a first fixing plate 7 .

[0036] The present invention also provides a powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, using the above-mentioned powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, and the powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing comprises:

[0037] Open the powder outlet pipe 6, and continuously blow compressed gas into the sealed box 1 through the air inlet pipe 5, wherein the compressed gas flows through the powder collecting box;

[0038] The powder pushing mechanism is used to push the powder 10 in the powder bin to continuously move upward, and the powder taking mechanism is used to continuously transfer the powder in the powder bin 21 to the powder collecting box 4 through the cooperation between the powder collecting cilia 321 and the comb teeth 41, wherein the powder 10 transferred to the powder collecting box 4 is continuously output through the powder outlet pipe 6 along with the compressed air flow.

[0039] 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, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, characterized in that: include: A sealed box (1), a powder pushing mechanism, a powder taking mechanism, a powder collecting box (4), an air inlet pipe (5) and a powder outlet pipe (6), wherein the powder pushing mechanism, the powder taking mechanism and the powder collecting unit (4) are all arranged in the sealed box (1), the powder pushing mechanism comprises a powder bin (21), a powder pushing plate (22) and a first driving device, the powder bin (21) is fixedly arranged and has an upper opening, the powder pushing plate (22) is sleeved in the powder bin (21) and connected to the first driving device, and is used for pushing the powder in the powder bin (21) upward under the drive of the first driving device, and the powder taking mechanism comprises a second driving device. The invention relates to a powder collecting box (21) and a powder collecting box (32). The powder collecting box (21) comprises a driving device and a roller (32), wherein the roller (32) is arranged at the upper opening of the powder bin (21) and is densely provided with powder collecting hairs (321). The second driving device is connected to the roller (32) and is used to drive the roller (32) to rotate. The powder collecting box (4) is fixed above the powder bin (21) and is provided with comb teeth (41) corresponding to the powder collecting hairs (321). The air inlet pipe (5) and the powder outlet pipe (6) are both connected to the sealed box (1). The air intake of the air inlet pipe (5) is used to send the powder scraped off by the comb teeth (41) out through the powder outlet pipe (6).

2. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross sections of the powder bin (21) and the powder pushing plate (22) are both rectangular, and the top of the powder pushing plate (22) is a semicircular groove structure.

3. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first driving device comprises a first motor (231), a lead screw (232), a lead screw nut (233) and a first coupling (234), wherein the first motor (231) is fixedly arranged, the lead screw (232) is connected to the first motor (231) via the first coupling (234), and the lead screw nut (233) is fixedly connected to the powder pushing plate (22) and is cooperatively connected to the lead screw (232).

4. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first motor (231) is fixedly connected to the powder bin (21) via a screw mounting plate (24).

5. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second driving device comprises a second motor (311) and a second coupling (312), and the second motor (311) is connected to the rotating shaft of the roller (32) via the second coupling (312).

6. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air outlet of the air inlet pipe (5) is located above the powder collecting box (4), and the air inlet of the powder outlet pipe (6) is connected to the side wall or the bottom of the powder collecting box (4).

7. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder bin (21), the powder pushing plate (22), the roller (32), the powder collecting box (4) and the powder outlet pipe (6) are all multiple and arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

8. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rotating shafts of the rollers (32) are sequentially fixedly connected and then connected to the second driving device, or the second driving device is multiple and connected to the rollers (32) in a one-to-one correspondence.

9. The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The powder pushing plate (22) is connected to the first driving device after being fixedly connected, or the first driving device is multiple and connected to the powder pushing plates (22) in a one-to-one correspondence.

10. A powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing, characterized in that: The powder feeding device for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used, and the powder feeding method for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing comprises: Open the powder outlet pipe (6), and continuously blow compressed gas into the sealed box 1 through the air inlet pipe (5), wherein the compressed gas flows through the powder collecting box; The powder pushing mechanism is used to push the powder (10) in the powder bin to continuously move upward, and the powder taking mechanism is used to continuously transfer the powder in the powder bin (21) to the powder collecting box (4) through the cooperation between the powder collecting cilia (321) and the comb teeth (41), wherein the powder (10) transferred to the powder collecting box (4) is continuously output through the powder outlet pipe (6) along with the compressed air flow.

Images