Metal mold 3D printing equipment with sealed printing cavity

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of metal 3D printers, and discloses metal mold 3D printing equipment with a sealed printing cavity, the metal mold 3D printing equipment comprises a printer main body, a stock bin and a printing plate are mounted in the printer main body, double-shaft motors are fixedly connected to the two ends of the interior of the printer main body, and screw rods are fixedly connected to output shafts of the two ends of each double-shaft motor; each lead screw is in threaded connection with a threaded block, and a limiting plate is arranged between the two threaded blocks located on the same side of the double-shaft motor. According to the metal mold 3D printing equipment with the sealed printing cavity, the top and the bottom of the edge area of the printing plate are shielded through the limiting plates, so that when metal powder is laid on the printer main body, only the middle area of the printing plate needs to be flatly laid, and the printing efficiency is improved; compared with a traditional paving mode (namely, the whole printing plate is fully paved with the metal powder), the paving mode has the advantages that the amount of the required metal powder is smaller, the amount of the unused powder in the edge area of the printing plate is reduced, the recovery time is shortened, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of metal 3D printers, in particular to a metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity. Background Art

[0002] Metal mold 3D printing equipment (i.e. metal 3D printer) is an advanced equipment specially used for the production of high-precision metal parts. This type of equipment is equipped with a sealed printing chamber to ensure environmental control during the printing process. For metal 3D printing, good sealing performance can not only prevent the invasion of external pollutants, but also maintain the concentration of inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) in the chamber, which is crucial to ensuring printing quality and material properties.

[0003] As in the prior art, the patent with the patent authorization announcement number CN109226762B discloses a metal 3D printing device, including a working cabin, a processing table, a powder spreading system, a sintering system and a gas circulation system. The powder spreading system includes a powder spreading head and a powder replenishing mechanism. The powder spreading head includes a shell, a vibration motor, a screen and a power mechanism. A track is provided on the processing table, and a starting point and an end point are provided on the track. A storage space is provided in the shell. A powder replenishing port and a powder outlet provided downward are provided on the shell. When the shell is located at the starting point, the powder replenishing mechanism conveys powder into the storage space through the powder replenishing port. An opening and closing device is provided on the powder outlet. The opening and closing device includes an opening and closing motor, a baffle and a transmission mechanism. The opening and closing motor is fixed on the shell. The baffle is slidably provided on the shell. The transmission mechanism connects the opening and closing motor and the baffle to drive the baffle to move when the opening and closing motor rotates, thereby closing or opening the powder outlet. The metal powder is conveyed and laid in batches to reduce the amount of metal powder transported in a single time, thereby reducing the energy required for transporting the metal powder and saving energy.

[0004] Although the metal 3D printer in the above patent transports and lays the metal powder in batches, reducing the amount of metal powder transported in a single time, thereby reducing the energy required to transport the metal powder and saving energy, it still has certain defects: The printing plate of a metal 3D printer cannot always carry a full load of printed parts, especially when processing small batch orders, the printing plate is often not fully filled. In order to optimize the distribution of thermal stress on the printing plate and prevent deformation and cracking caused by uneven distribution of thermal stress, parts are usually arranged in a centered manner for printing. This practice is particularly common in the aerospace field, because the parts in these fields have extremely strict requirements for the control of thermal stress and deformation, and they tend to choose a centered printing layout to ensure quality. However, when the parts are arranged in a centered manner, the metal powder in the edge area of ​​the printing plate (including the top and bottom) is difficult to participate in the forming process. After the metal 3D printing operation is completed, these unused powders will be collected and recycled. Recycling these metal powders that are not involved in forming is not easy. It requires a series of additional equipment and steps, such as screening, cleaning and testing. These additional processes not only extend the recycling time and increase the recycling cost, but also reduce the overall production efficiency to a certain extent. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber to solve the problems raised by the background technology, reduce the amount of unused powder, shorten the recycling time, and improve production efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber, comprising a printer body, a material bin and a printing plate are installed inside the printer body, two ends of the printer body are fixedly connected to a dual-axis motor, the output shafts at both ends of the dual-axis motor are fixedly connected to a screw, each of the screws is threadedly connected to a threaded block, a limit plate is provided between two threaded blocks located on the same side of the dual-axis motor, and the two ends of the limit plate are respectively fixed to the two threaded blocks, a scraper frame is installed at one end of the printer body, a fixed scraper is fixedly connected to the middle position of the scraper frame, and end scrapers are slidably connected to both ends of the scraper frame, a plurality of connecting scrapers are provided between the fixed scraper and the end scraper, and the plurality of connecting scrapers are slidably connected to the scraper frame, and elastic scraper strips are installed at the bottom of the fixed scraper, the connecting scraper and the end scraper.

[0007] Furthermore, a cavity is provided on one side of the connecting scraper and the end scraper close to the scraper frame, a positioning column is fixed in the cavity, the upper end of the positioning column is sleeved with a positioning plate slidably connected to the positioning column, the positioning plate is fixed to the scraper frame, the lower end of the positioning column is sleeved with a reset elastic member, one end of the reset elastic member is fixed to the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the reset elastic member is fixed to the bottom of the positioning plate.

[0008] Furthermore, dustproof folded cloths are fixedly connected to the top and bottom of the positioning plate, and the other ends of the two dustproof folded cloths are respectively fixedly connected to the top or bottom of the cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, both ends of the fixed scraper and the end of the connecting scraper away from the fixed scraper are provided with connecting grooves, and the connecting scraper and the end of the end scraper close to the fixed scraper are fixedly connected with connecting blocks, and the connecting blocks match the connecting grooves.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottoms of the fixed scraper, connecting scraper and end scraper are all provided with a slot, the inside of the slot is clamped with a block, the middle position of the block is slidably connected with a fixing bolt, the end of the fixing bolt passes through the block and is threadedly connected to the end of the slot, the bottom of the block is fixedly connected with a lower end scraper, and the lower end scraper is slidably connected to the elastic scraper strip.

[0011] Furthermore, sliders are fixedly connected to both sides of the lower scraper, a slide groove matching the slider is provided on the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip, and a rounded corner is provided on the side of the bottom of the lower scraper away from the fixed scraper.

[0012] Furthermore, elastic sealing blocks are provided at the tops of both ends of the elastic scraper strip, and one end of the elastic sealing block away from the fixed scraper is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip.

[0013] Furthermore, the opposing surfaces of the two limit plates are fixedly connected with push-up guide blocks, the upper end of the limit plate away from the fixed scraper is fixedly connected with an elastic protective cloth, and the other side of the elastic protective cloth is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the printer body.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. In this metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber, when the parts are arranged in a centered manner on the printing plate for printing, the dual-axis motor will drive the lead screw to rotate, allowing the limit plate to move to the middle position of the printing plate, thereby blocking the top (the top refers to the end of the printing plate close to the printer main operating table) and the bottom (the bottom refers to the end of the printing plate away from the printer main operating table) of the printing plate. In this way, when paving the metal powder, only the middle area of ​​the printing plate needs to be paved. Compared with paving the entire printing plate with metal powder, the amount of metal powder required will be less, which not only reduces the amount of unused powder in the edge area of ​​the printing plate, reduces the recycling time, but also improves production efficiency.

[0015] 2. In this metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber, the elastic scraper strip is located at the bottom of all scrapers, and the elastic scraper strip is a whole, so that the bottom of the entire scraper will always be in a flat state, making it easier to flatten the metal powder.

[0016] 3. This type of metal mold 3D printing equipment with a sealed printing cavity covers the cavity of the connecting scraper and the end scraper with a dust-proof folding cloth to prevent a large amount of metal powder from entering the cavity, making it difficult for the connecting scraper and the end scraper to move up and down. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the present invention as a whole; Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the local enlarged structure at point A in the middle; Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the limiting plate of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the scraper frame, the connecting scraper and the end scraper of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the scraper frame, the connecting scraper and the end scraper of the present invention when they are unfolded; Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the local enlarged structure at B in the middle; Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of the scraper holder of the present invention; Fig. 9 For the present invention Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the local enlarged structure at C in the middle; Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the connecting scraper and the lower scraper of the present invention; Fig.11 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the elastic scraper strip of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: 1. Printer body; 2. Material bin; 3. Printing plate; 4. Dual-axis motor; 5. Screw; 6. Threaded block; 7. Limiting plate; 8. Elastic protective cloth; 9. Push-up guide block; 10. Scraper holder; 11. Fixed scraper; 12. Connecting scraper; 13. End scraper; 14. Connecting groove; 15. Connecting block; 16. Positioning plate; 17. Positioning column; 18. Reset elastic part; 19. Dustproof folding cloth; 20. Card slot; 21. Card block; 22. Lower end scraper; 23. Fixing bolt; 24. Slider; 25. Elastic scraper strip; 26. Slide; 27. Elastic blocking block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0020] See also Figures 1 to 11 A metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber comprises a printer body 1, a silo 2 and a printing plate 3 are installed inside the printer body 1, two ends of the printer body 1 are fixedly connected with a double-axis motor 4, the output shafts at both ends of the double-axis motor 4 are fixedly connected with a screw 5, each screw 5 is threadedly connected with a threaded block 6, a limit plate 7 is provided between the two threaded blocks 6 on the same side of the double-axis motor 4, and the two ends of the limit plate 7 are respectively fixedly connected to the two threaded blocks 6, a scraper frame 10 is installed at one end of the printer body 1, a fixed scraper 11 is fixedly connected to the middle position of the scraper frame 10, and end scrapers 13 are slidably connected at both ends of the scraper frame 10, a plurality of connecting scrapers 12 are provided between the fixed scraper 11 and the end scraper 13, and the plurality of connecting scrapers 12 are slidably connected to the scraper frame 10, and elastic scraper strips 25 are installed at the bottom of the fixed scraper 11, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13.

[0021] In the metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber of the present invention, when parts need to be arranged in a centered manner on the printing plate 3 for printing, the printer body 1 will start the dual-axis motor 4, and the dual-axis motor 4 will drive the screw rod 5 to rotate, and the threaded block 6 threadedly connected to the screw rod 5 will move to the middle position inside the printer body 1, and then drive the limit plate 7 to move to the middle position of the printing plate 3, so that the limit plate 7 will block the top (the top refers to the end of the printing plate 3 close to the operating table of the printer body 1) and the bottom (the bottom refers to the end of the printing plate 3 away from the operating table of the printer body 1) of the edge area of ​​the printing plate 3, so that when the printer body 1 spreads metal powder on the printing plate 3 for printing, it only needs to spread metal powder on the middle area of ​​the printing plate 3. Compared with the traditional paving method (i.e., the entire printing plate 3 is covered with metal powder), the amount of metal powder required for this paving method is less, which reduces the top and bottom of the edge area of ​​the printing plate 3. The amount of unused metal powder at the bottom reduces the time for other equipment to recycle the unused metal powder, and improves the production efficiency of the printer body 1. At the same time, since the entire scraper of the device is composed of a fixed scraper 11, multiple connecting scrapers 12 and an end scraper 13, a certain gap may be generated at the bottom of the scraper, which causes the scraper to easily bulge when scraping the metal powder. In order to avoid this situation, an integrally formed elastic scraper strip 25 is installed at the bottom of the fixed scraper 11, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 to keep the bottom of the scraper flat, which is convenient for scraping the metal powder. The elastic scraper strip 25 is made of silicone or nitrile rubber. In addition, the structure of the printer body 1, the silo 2 and the printing plate 3 in the present invention is similar to the prior art, and the patent authorization announcement number is CN109226762B, which discloses a metal 3D printing device structure, so no further elaboration is made here.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a cavity is opened on the side of the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 close to the scraper frame 10, and a positioning column 17 is fixed in the cavity. The upper end of the positioning column 17 is sleeved with a positioning plate 16 slidably connected to the positioning column 17, and the positioning plate 16 is fixed to the scraper frame 10. The lower end of the positioning column 17 is sleeved with a reset elastic member 18, one end of the reset elastic member 18 is fixed to the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the reset elastic member 18 is fixed to the bottom of the positioning plate 16.

[0023] Specifically, when the limit plate 7 moves to the middle position of the printing plate 3, the limit plate 7 will lift the end scraper 13 and part of the connecting scraper 12 upward, thereby changing the width of the entire scraper of the printer body 1, while the connecting scraper 12 and the fixed scraper 11 that are not lifted by the limit plate 7 will remain in their original positions, thereby continuing to play the role of scraping the metal powder flat. At the same time, when the limit plate 7 returns to its original position, under the action of the reset elastic member 18, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 will return to their original positions.

[0024] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, dustproof folded cloths 19 are fixed to the top and bottom of the positioning plate 16, and the other ends of the two dustproof folded cloths 19 are respectively fixed to the top or bottom of the cavity.

[0025] Specifically, the cavity between the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 is shielded by the dustproof folding cloth 19 to prevent a large amount of metal powder from entering the cavity, which would make it difficult for the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 to move up and down.

[0026] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, connecting grooves 14 are provided at both ends of the fixed scraper 11 and at the end of the connecting scraper 12 away from the fixed scraper 11, and connecting blocks 15 are fixedly connected to the connecting scraper 12 and the end of the end scraper 13 close to the fixed scraper 11, and the connecting block 15 matches the connecting groove 14.

[0027] Specifically, adjacent scrapers are connected via the connecting block 15 and the connecting groove 14, so that the connection of the scrapers can be more stable.

[0028] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a slot 20 is provided at the bottom of the fixed scraper 11, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13, a block 21 is clamped inside the slot 20, a fixing bolt 23 is slidably connected to the middle position of the block 21, the end of the fixing bolt 23 passes through the block 21 and is threadedly connected to the end of the slot 20, a lower scraper 22 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the block 21, and the lower scraper 22 is slidably connected to the elastic scraper strip 25.

[0029] Specifically, the fixed scraper 11, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13 are all connected to the elastic scraper strip 25 through the lower scraper 22. When the bottom of the elastic scraper strip 25 becomes uneven due to friction, the fixing bolt 23 can be removed, and then the block 21 on the top of the lower scraper 22 can be pulled out of the card slot 20, and then separated from the fixed scraper 11, the connecting scraper 12 and the end scraper 13, so that the elastic scraper strip 25 can be removed, which is convenient for replacing the damaged elastic scraper strip 25.

[0030] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, sliders 24 are fixedly connected to both sides of the lower scraper 22, the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip 25 is provided with a slide groove 26 matching the sliders 24, and the bottom of the lower scraper 22 is provided with a rounded corner on the side away from the fixed scraper 11.

[0031] Specifically, when the end scraper 13 or the connecting scraper 12 is squeezed and moved upward by the limiting plate 7, the slider 24 will slide in the slide groove 26, and at the same time the slider 24 will pull the elastic scraper strip 25, so that the end of the elastic scraper strip 25 bends upward, making it easier for the limiting plate 7 to enter the bottom of the end scraper 13 or the connecting scraper 12. In addition, a rounded corner is provided on the side of the bottom of the lower scraper 22 away from the fixed scraper 11 to prevent the end of the elastic scraper strip 25 from being scratched against the side of the bottom of the lower scraper 22 away from the fixed scraper 11 when it bends upward, causing damage to the elastic scraper strip 25. It is worth noting that the overall length of the elastic scraper strip 25 is greater than the total length of the scraper, and it will not be difficult to pull the elastic scraper strip 25 to bend upward when the end scraper 13 moves upward.

[0032] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, elastic sealing blocks 27 are provided at the tops of both ends of the elastic scraper strip 25 , and one end of the elastic sealing block 27 away from the fixed scraper 11 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip 25 .

[0033] Specifically, the outer wall of the elastic sealing block 27 is made of silicone and is filled with sponge blocks inside. In this way, when the elastic scraper 25 is pulled upward by the slider 24 of the end scraper 13, the elastic sealing block 27 will be compressed, thereby sealing the gap between the elastic scraper 25 and the end scraper 13. When the end scraper 13 does not move upward, the elastic sealing block 27 will also seal the gap between the elastic scraper 25 and the end scraper 13. In this way, it is not easy for metal powder to enter the elastic scraper 25, thereby extending the maintenance interval of the equipment and reducing the maintenance frequency.

[0034] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the opposite surfaces of the two limit plates 7 are fixedly connected with an upward push guide block 9, the upper end of the limit plate 7 away from the fixed scraper 11 is fixedly connected with an elastic protective cloth 8, and the other side of the elastic protective cloth 8 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the printer body 1.

[0035] Specifically, when the limit plate 7 moves, the upward push guide block 9 will push the end scraper 13 and the connecting scraper 12 to move upward, so that the limit plate 7 can move to the middle area of ​​the printing plate 3. At the same time, an elastic protective cloth 8 is provided to block the gap between the limit plate 7 and the inner wall of the printer body 1 to prevent a large amount of metal powder from entering the gap, which would shorten the maintenance interval of the equipment. It is worth noting that when the limit plate 7 blocks the top and bottom of the printing plate 3, it will also cover the two ends above the silo 2 to prevent metal powder from entering between the limit plate 7 and the printer body 1 from the bottom of the limit plate 7 during the loading process of the silo 2.

[0036] While the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing chamber, comprising a printer body (1), wherein a material bin (2) and a printing plate (3) are installed inside the printer body (1), characterized in that: Both ends of the printer body (1) are fixedly connected to a double-axis motor (4), and the output shafts at both ends of the double-axis motor (4) are fixedly connected to a screw rod (5). Each screw rod (5) is threadedly connected to a threaded block (6). A limit plate (7) is provided between two threaded blocks (6) located on the same side of the double-axis motor (4), and both ends of the limit plate (7) are respectively fixedly connected to the two threaded blocks (6). A scraper frame (10) is installed at one end of the printer body (1), and a fixed scraper (11) is fixedly connected to the middle position of the scraper frame (10). Both ends of the scraper frame (10) are slidably connected to an end scraper (13). A plurality of connecting scrapers (12) are provided between the fixed scraper (11) and the end scraper (13), and the plurality of connecting scrapers (12) are slidably connected to the scraper frame (10). Elastic scraper strips (25) are installed at the bottom of the fixed scraper (11), the connecting scraper (12) and the end scraper (13).

2. A metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting scraper (12) and the end scraper (13) are both provided with a cavity on one side close to the scraper frame (10), a positioning column (17) is fixedly connected in the cavity, the upper end of the positioning column (17) is sleeved with a positioning plate (16) slidably connected to the positioning column (17), the positioning plate (16) is fixedly connected to the scraper frame (10), the lower end of the positioning column (17) is sleeved with a reset elastic member (18), one end of the reset elastic member (18) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the reset elastic member (18) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the positioning plate (16).

3. A metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top and bottom of the positioning plate (16) are both fixedly connected with dustproof folded cloths (19), and the other ends of the two dustproof folded cloths (19) are respectively fixedly connected to the top or bottom of the cavity.

4. The metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both ends of the fixed scraper (11) and the end of the connecting scraper (12) away from the fixed scraper (11) are provided with connecting grooves (14), and the ends of the connecting scraper (12) and the end scraper (13) close to the fixed scraper (11) are fixedly connected with connecting blocks (15), and the connecting blocks (15) match the connecting grooves (14).

5. The metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottoms of the fixed scraper (11), the connecting scraper (12) and the end scraper (13) are all provided with a slot (20), the interior of the slot (20) is clamped with a clamping block (21), a fixing bolt (23) is slidably connected to the middle of the clamping block (21), the end of the fixing bolt (23) passes through the clamping block (21) and is threadedly connected to the end of the slot (20), a lower end scraper (22) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the clamping block (21), and the lower end scraper (22) is slidably connected to the elastic scraper strip (25).

6. The metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 5, characterized in that: Slide blocks (24) are fixedly connected to both sides of the lower scraper (22); a slide groove (26) matching the slide blocks (24) is provided on the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip (25); and a rounded corner is provided on the side of the bottom of the lower scraper (22) away from the fixed scraper (11).

7. The metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: Elastic sealing blocks (27) are provided at the tops of both ends of the elastic scraper strip (25), and one end of the elastic sealing block (27) away from the fixed scraper (11) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the elastic scraper strip (25).

8. The metal mold 3D printing device with a sealed printing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opposing surfaces of the two limit plates (7) are fixedly connected with an upward push guide block (9), the upper end of the limit plate (7) away from the fixed scraper (11) is fixedly connected with an elastic protective cloth (8), and the other side of the elastic protective cloth (8) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the printer body (1).

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