Aluminum alloy powder preparation device and method for additive manufacturing

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of aluminum alloy powder preparation, and discloses an aluminum alloy powder preparation device and method for additive manufacturing. The device comprises an outer box, a material taking door is arranged on the outer side of the outer box, a top cover is arranged at the top of the outer box, a machining pipe is arranged on the inner side of the top cover, and one end of the machining pipe is connected with external feeding equipment; an atomizing nozzle is arranged at the other end of the machining pipe, an assembling mechanism is arranged on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle and comprises a combination assembly and a sealing assembly, the sealing assembly comprises a sealing ring, an annular groove is formed in the outer side of the atomizing nozzle, and the sealing ring is arranged on the inner side of the annular groove in a sleeving mode; and a combined sleeve is arranged outside the atomizing nozzle in a sleeving manner. According to the assembly mechanism at the atomization nozzle, through cooperation of the sealing ring, the combined sleeve, the sealing sleeve and the hoop, aluminum alloy liquid is effectively prevented from leaking in the atomization process, the sealing performance of the device is ensured, and a guarantee is provided for stable powder preparation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aluminum alloy powder preparation, and in particular to an aluminum alloy powder preparation device and method for additive manufacturing. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of additive manufacturing technology, aluminum alloy powder, as an important raw material, its quality and performance play a key role in the quality of additive manufacturing products. In modern industrial fields, such as aerospace, automobile manufacturing, etc., the demand for high-performance aluminum alloy parts is growing, which requires efficient and high-quality aluminum alloy powder preparation devices and methods. At present, the existing aluminum alloy powder preparation devices and methods for additive manufacturing on the market have met some of the needs to a certain extent, but with the continuous expansion of application scenarios and the continuous improvement of technical requirements, the existing preparation devices and methods have gradually exposed some shortcomings.

[0003] Existing aluminum alloy powder preparation devices for additive manufacturing usually use traditional atomizing nozzles to atomize aluminum alloy liquid into powder, and then screen it through a simple screen. In terms of cooling, external cooling is generally used, such as setting a cooling jacket on the outside of the processing tube. This structural principle can prepare aluminum alloy powder to a certain extent, but there are problems such as low cooling efficiency, unstable atomization effect, and poor screening effect.

[0004] In actual production scenarios, there are some problems with the existing devices and methods for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing. For example, in the manufacture of aerospace parts, the quality requirements for aluminum alloy powder are very high. Due to the poor sealing effect of the existing devices, the aluminum alloy liquid is prone to leakage during the atomization process, affecting the quality and output of the powder. The reason is that the traditional assembly structure is not tight enough and cannot effectively prevent leakage. In addition, the low cooling efficiency makes the temperature of the aluminum alloy liquid not low enough before atomization, affecting the atomization effect. This is because the traditional cooling method has a small contact area and cannot quickly reduce the temperature of the aluminum alloy liquid. The poor screening effect causes powders of different particle sizes to mix together, which is difficult to meet the needs of high-precision additive manufacturing. This is because the simple screen structure cannot achieve efficient grading and screening. Therefore, the present invention provides a device and method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing to solve the shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing, which improves the problem in the prior art that the sealing structure of the atomizing nozzle is monotonous, which leads to easy leakage and thus affects the atomization when preparing aluminum alloy powder.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions: an aluminum alloy powder preparation device for additive manufacturing, comprising an outer box, a material taking door is arranged on the outer side of the outer box, a top cover is arranged on the top of the outer box, a processing tube is arranged on the inner side of the top cover, one end of the processing tube is connected to an external feeding device, and an atomizing nozzle is arranged on the other end of the processing tube. An assembly mechanism is arranged on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle, and the assembly mechanism includes a combination component and a sealing component. The sealing component includes a sealing ring, an annular groove is opened on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle, and the sealing ring is sleeved on the inner side of the annular groove. The outer sleeve of the atomizing nozzle is provided with a combination sleeve, and the inner side of the combination sleeve and the inner side of the port of the processing tube close to the atomizing nozzle are both provided with a combination groove.

[0007] Preferably, the outer side of the atomizing nozzle is slidably connected to the inner side of the processing tube, the outer side of the sealing ring is fitted to the inner sides of the two combined grooves, and the inner side of the combined sleeve is slidably connected to the outer side of the atomizing nozzle.

[0008] Preferably, the combination assembly includes a sealing sleeve, which is arranged on the outside of the processing tube, the outer side of the combination groove is in contact with the port of the processing tube, the inner side of the sealing sleeve is in contact with the outer sides of the processing tube and the combination sleeve at the same time, and a clamp is arranged on the outer side of the sealing sleeve.

[0009] Preferably, a cooling assembly is provided on the inner side of the top cover, and the cooling assembly includes a condenser, and the condenser is provided inside the processing tube, and refrigeration equipment is installed at two ports of the condenser, and the refrigeration equipment is fixedly connected to the top of the top cover.

[0010] Preferably, valves are installed on the outside of the processing tube and the outside of the condensing tube, and the direction of the pipeline of the part of the condensing tube located inside the processing tube is the same as the pipeline direction of the processing tube.

[0011] Preferably, a screening mechanism is provided inside the outer box, the screening mechanism includes a reciprocating assembly and a screening assembly, the reciprocating assembly includes a mounting cover and a motor, the mounting cover is fixedly connected to the outside of the outer box, the motor is mounted on the outside of the mounting cover, a half gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor, a U-shaped rack plate is slidably connected to the inside of the mounting cover, and the half gear is meshed with the inner side of the U-shaped rack plate.

[0012] Preferably, the screening assembly comprises two screens with different mesh sizes, the two screens are slidably connected to the inner side of the outer box, the mesh size of the screen close to the atomizing nozzle is larger than the mesh size of the other screen, the tops of the two screens are fixedly connected with baffles, the baffle in the middle of the two screens is connected to the two screens, the outer sides of the screens are fixedly connected with two sliders, the outer sides of the four sliders are fixedly connected with the outer side of the U-shaped rack plate, two slide grooves are provided on the outer side of the outer box, the inside of the slide grooves is fixedly connected with guide rods, and the internal through holes of the screens are slidably connected with the outer sides of the guide rods.

[0013] A method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing comprises the following steps: S1, starting the refrigeration equipment (12) to refrigerate the interior of the processing tube (2) and then introducing the liquid raw material from one end of the processing tube (2); S2, spraying the raw material through the atomizing nozzle (3); S3, starting the motor (14) to allow the screen (18) to shake and screen; S4, open the material taking door (23) to take out the finished product.

[0014] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing. The apparatus and method have the following beneficial effects: 1. The assembly mechanism at the atomizing nozzle in the present invention effectively prevents leakage of aluminum alloy liquid during atomization through the cooperation of a sealing ring, a combination sleeve, a sealing sleeve and a clamp, ensures the sealing of the device, and provides a guarantee for stable powder preparation.

[0015] 2. The condenser tube in the cooling assembly of the present invention is S-shaped and the direction of the part of the pipeline located inside the processing tube is the same as that of the processing tube, which increases the contact area with the aluminum alloy liquid. The cooling liquid can be accurately controlled in conjunction with the refrigeration equipment and valves, thereby improving the cooling efficiency and creating good conditions for atomization.

[0016] 3. In the screening mechanism of the present invention, the motor drives the half gear to drive the U-shaped rack plate to move up and down reciprocatingly, so that the slider together with the two screens swing up and down, and the aluminum alloy powder is graded and screened, which can efficiently separate powders of different particle sizes to meet different production needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the condenser structure of the present invention; Figure 3 An exploded view of the device of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the cooling mechanism structure of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4The enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 6 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0018] Among them, 1. outer box; 2. processing tube; 3. atomizing nozzle; 4. annular groove; 5. sealing ring; 6. combination sleeve; 7. combination groove; 8. sealing sleeve; 9. clamp; 10. valve; 11. condenser; 12. refrigeration equipment; 13. installation cover; 14. motor; 15. half gear; 16. U-shaped rack plate; 17. slide groove; 18. screen; 19. baffle; 20. guide rod; 21. slider; 22. top cover; 23. material taking door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the drawings in the specification 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, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Embodiment 1: Please see attached Figure 1-6 The embodiment of the present invention provides an aluminum alloy powder preparation device for additive manufacturing, comprising an outer box 1, a material taking door 23 is arranged on the outer side of the outer box 1, a top cover 22 is arranged on the top of the outer box 1, a processing tube 2 is arranged on the inner side of the top cover 22, one end of the processing tube 2 is connected to an external feeding device, an atomizing nozzle 3 is arranged on the other end of the processing tube 2, an assembly mechanism is arranged on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3, the assembly mechanism includes a combination component and a sealing component, the sealing component includes a sealing ring 5, an annular groove 4 is opened on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3, the sealing ring 5 is sleeved on the inner side of the annular groove 4, and the atomizing nozzle 3 is provided with a sealing ring 5. The outer sleeve is provided with a combination sleeve 6, and the inner side of the combination sleeve 6 and the inner side of the port of the processing tube 2 close to the atomizing nozzle 3 are provided with combination grooves 7, the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3 is slidably connected to the inner side of the processing tube 2, the outer side of the sealing ring 5 is fitted with the inner sides of the two combination grooves 7, the inner side of the combination sleeve 6 is slidably connected to the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3, and the combination component includes a sealing sleeve 8, which is sleeved on the outside of the processing tube 2, the outer side of the combination groove 7 is fitted with the port of the processing tube 2, the inner side of the sealing sleeve 8 is fitted with the outer sides of the processing tube 2 and the combination sleeve 6 at the same time, and a clamp 9 is provided on the outer side of the sealing sleeve 8.

[0021] Specifically, the outer box 1 serves as the outer frame of the entire device, providing a stable installation and protection space for each component inside. The material taking door 23 arranged on the outside is convenient for the operator to take out the finer powder after the screening is completed. The design of the material taking door 23 should have good sealing performance to prevent external impurities from entering the inner part of the outer box 1 and affecting the quality of the powder. A top cover 22 is arranged on the top of the outer box 1, and the top cover 22 can be easily opened and closed, which is convenient for maintenance and cleaning of the inside of the device. A processing tube 2 is arranged on the inner side of the top cover 22, and one end of the processing tube 2 is connected to the external feeding equipment to ensure that the aluminum alloy liquid can smoothly enter the inside of the device. During the feeding process, the stability and continuity of the feeding should be guaranteed to improve the production efficiency. An atomizing nozzle 3 is arranged on the other end of the processing tube 2, and the atomizing nozzle 3 is a key component for atomizing the aluminum alloy liquid into powder. An assembly mechanism is arranged on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3, and the assembly mechanism includes a combination component and a sealing component. The sealing assembly includes a sealing ring 5. An annular groove 4 is provided on the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3. The sealing ring 5 is sleeved on the inner side of the annular groove 4. The sealing ring 5 can effectively prevent the aluminum alloy liquid from leaking during the atomization process, thereby ensuring the sealing performance of the device. The outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3 is sleeved with a combination sleeve 6. The inner side of the combination sleeve 6 and the inner side of the port of the processing tube 2 close to the atomizing nozzle 3 are both provided with a combination groove 7. The outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3 is slidably connected to the inner side of the processing tube 2. This sliding connection method allows the atomizing nozzle 3 to be easily installed and disassembled, and is convenient for maintenance and replacement. The outer side of the sealing ring 5 fits with the inner side of the two combination grooves 7, further enhancing the sealing effect. The inner side of the combined sleeve 6 is slidably connected to the outer side of the atomizing nozzle 3. The combined assembly includes a sealing sleeve 8, which is sleeved on the outside of the processing tube 2. The outer side of the combined groove 7 is in contact with the port of the processing tube 2. The inner side of the sealing sleeve 8 is in contact with the outer sides of the processing tube 2 and the combined sleeve 6 at the same time. The sealing sleeve 8 and the combined sleeve 6 work together to ensure that the connection between the atomizing nozzle 3 and the processing tube 2 is tight and reliable. A clamp 9 is provided on the outer side of the sealing sleeve 8, which can further strengthen the fastening effect of the sealing sleeve 8 to prevent loosening during operation.

[0022] Please see attached Figure 1-6 A cooling assembly is arranged on the inner side of the top cover 22, and the cooling assembly includes a condenser 11. The condenser 11 is arranged inside the processing tube 2. Refrigeration equipment 12 is installed at the two ends of the condenser 11. The refrigeration equipment 12 is fixedly connected to the top of the top cover 22. Valves 10 are installed on the outside of the processing tube 2 and the outside of the condenser 11. The direction of the part of the pipeline of the condenser 11 located inside the processing tube 2 is the same as the direction of the pipeline of the processing tube 2.

[0023] Specifically, a cooling assembly is provided on the inner side of the top cover 22, and the cooling assembly includes a condenser 11, and the condenser 11 is arranged inside the processing tube 2. A refrigeration device 12 is installed at the two ports of the condenser 11, and the refrigeration device 12 is fixedly connected to the top of the top cover 22. The refrigeration device 12 can provide a strong refrigeration effect, ensuring that the coolant circulates in the condenser 11, and the aluminum alloy liquid in the processing tube 2 is quickly cooled. Valves 10 are installed on the outside of the processing tube 2 and the outside of the condenser 11. The valve 10 can control the flow rate and flow rate of the coolant and adjust the cooling effect according to actual needs. The section of the condenser 11 located inside the processing tube 2 is S-shaped. This design can increase the contact area between the condenser 11 and the aluminum alloy liquid and improve the cooling efficiency. The direction of the part of the pipeline of the condenser 11 located inside the processing tube 2 is the same as the direction of the pipeline of the processing tube 2, ensuring that the coolant can evenly cool the aluminum alloy liquid.

[0024] Please see attached Figure 1-6 The outer box 1 is provided with a screening mechanism inside, the screening mechanism includes a reciprocating assembly and a screening assembly, the reciprocating assembly includes a mounting cover 13 and a motor 14, the mounting cover 13 is fixedly connected to the outside of the outer box 1, the motor 14 is mounted on the outside of the mounting cover 13, the output end of the motor 14 is fixedly connected to a half gear 15, the inside of the mounting cover 13 is slidably connected to a U-shaped rack plate 16, the half gear 15 is meshed with the inner side of the U-shaped rack plate 16, the screening assembly includes two screens 18 with different mesh sizes, the two screens 18 are slidably connected to the outer box 1 On the inner side, the mesh size of the screen 18 close to the atomizing nozzle 3 is larger than the mesh size of the other screen 18. The tops of the two screens 18 are fixedly connected with baffles 19. The baffle 19 in the middle of the two screens 18 is connected to the two screens 18. The outer sides of the screens 18 are fixedly connected with two sliders 21. The outer sides of the four sliders 21 are fixedly connected with the outer sides of the U-shaped rack plate 16. Two slide grooves 17 are provided on the outer side of the outer box 1. The inside of the slide groove 17 is fixedly connected with a guide rod 20. The internal through hole of the screen 18 is slidably connected with the outer side of the guide rod 20.

[0025] Specifically, a screening mechanism is provided inside the outer box 1, and the screening mechanism includes a reciprocating assembly and a screening assembly. The reciprocating assembly includes a mounting cover 13 and a motor 14, and the mounting cover 13 is fixedly connected to the outside of the outer box 1, providing a stable mounting position for the motor 14. The motor 14 is installed on the outside of the mounting cover 13, and a half gear 15 is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor 14. When the motor 14 is started, it can drive the half gear 15 to rotate at a high speed. A U-shaped rack plate 16 is slidably connected inside the mounting cover 13, and the half gear 15 is meshed with the inner side of the U-shaped rack plate 16. The rotation of the half gear 15 drives the U-shaped rack plate 16 to reciprocate up and down. The screening assembly includes two screens 18, and both screens 18 are slidably connected to the inner side of the outer box 1. The mesh of the screen 18 close to the atomizing nozzle 3 is larger than the mesh of the other screen 18. This grading screening method can separate aluminum alloy powders of different particle sizes to meet different production needs. The tops of the two screens 18 are fixedly connected with baffles 19, which can prevent powder from splashing during the screening process and ensure the cleanliness of the working environment. The baffle 19 between the two screens 18 is connected to the two screens 18, which enhances the structural stability of the screens 18. Two sliders 21 are fixedly connected to the outside of the screen 18, and the outsides of the four sliders 21 are fixedly connected to the outside of the U-shaped rack plate 16. When the U-shaped rack plate 16 moves up and down, it can drive the sliders 21 together with the two screens 18 to shake up and down, so as to better screen the aluminum alloy powder. Two chutes 17 are provided on the outside of the outer box 1, and the inside of the chutes 17 is fixedly connected with guide rods 20. The internal through holes of the screen 18 are slidably connected to the outside of the guide rods 20. The guide rods 20 can ensure the stability and directionality of the screen 18 during the up and down shaking process, and prevent the screen 18 from being offset or tilted.

[0026] Embodiment 2: Please see attached Figure 1-6 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing, comprising the following steps: S1, starting the refrigeration device 12 to refrigerate the interior of the processing tube 2, and then introducing liquid raw materials from one end of the processing tube 2; S2, spraying the raw material through the atomizing nozzle 3; S3, start the motor 14 to make the screen 18 shake and screen; S4, open the material taking door 23 to take out the finished product.

[0027] Working principle: First, start the refrigeration equipment 12 and the two valves 10 to allow the coolant to flow into the interior of the condenser 11, and introduce liquid aluminum alloy liquid from one end of the processing tube 2. When the raw material enters the processing tube 2 and is cooled, a strong air pressure is used from one end of the processing tube 2 to atomize and spray the raw material from the atomizing nozzle 3, and the powder particles fall onto the screen 18. At this time, start the motor 14 to drive the half gear 15 to rotate, so that the U-shaped rack plate 16 moves back and forth up and down, and drives the slider 21 together with the two screens 18 to shake up and down, so that the aluminum alloy powder can be better screened. Finally, the finer powder is taken out from the material taking door 23, and the remaining larger particles can be taken out after removing the top cover 22.

[0028] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An aluminum alloy powder preparation device for additive manufacturing, comprising an outer box (1), characterized in that: The outer side of the outer box (1) is provided with a material taking door (23), the top of the outer box (1) is provided with a top cover (22), the inner side of the top cover (22) is provided with a processing tube (2), one end of the processing tube (2) is connected to an external feeding device, the other end of the processing tube (2) is provided with an atomizing nozzle (3), the outer side of the atomizing nozzle (3) is provided with an assembly mechanism, the assembly mechanism includes a combination component and a sealing component, the sealing component includes a sealing ring (5), the outer side of the atomizing nozzle (3) is provided with an annular groove (4), the sealing ring (5) is sleeved on the inner side of the annular groove (4), the outer side of the atomizing nozzle (3) is sleeved with a combination sleeve (6), the inner side of the combination sleeve (6) and the inner side of the port of the processing tube (2) close to the atomizing nozzle (3) are both provided with a combination groove (7).

2. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the atomizing nozzle (3) is slidably connected to the inner side of the processing tube (2), the outer side of the sealing ring (5) is fitted to the inner sides of the two combination grooves (7), and the inner side of the combination sleeve (6) is slidably connected to the outer side of the atomizing nozzle (3).

3. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The combined component comprises a sealing sleeve (8), wherein the sealing sleeve (8) is sleeved on the outside of the processing tube (2), the outer side of the combined groove (7) is in contact with the end of the processing tube (2), the inner side of the sealing sleeve (8) is in contact with the outer sides of the processing tube (2) and the combined sleeve (6), and a clamp (9) is provided on the outer side of the sealing sleeve (8).

4. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cooling assembly is arranged on the inner side of the top cover (22), the cooling assembly comprising a condenser (11), the condenser (11) being arranged inside the processing tube (2), refrigeration equipment (12) being installed at two ends of the condenser (11), the refrigeration equipment (12) being fixedly connected to the top of the top cover (22).

5. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 4, characterized in that: Valves (10) are installed on the outside of the processing tube (2) and the outside of the condensing tube (11); the direction of the pipeline portion of the condensing tube (11) located inside the processing tube (2) is the same as the direction of the pipeline of the processing tube (2).

6. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A screening mechanism is arranged inside the outer box (1), the screening mechanism comprising a reciprocating assembly and a screening assembly, the reciprocating assembly comprising a mounting cover (13) and a motor (14), the mounting cover (13) being fixedly connected to the outside of the outer box (1), the motor (14) being mounted on the outside of the mounting cover (13), a half gear (15) being fixedly connected to the output end of the motor (14), a U-shaped rack plate (16) being slidably connected to the inside of the mounting cover (13), and the half gear (15) being meshed with the inner side of the U-shaped rack plate (16).

7. The device for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The screening assembly comprises two screens (18) with different mesh sizes, the two screens (18) are slidably connected to the inner side of the outer box (1), the mesh of the screen (18) close to the atomizing nozzle (3) is larger than the mesh of the other screen (18), the tops of the two screens (18) are fixedly connected with a baffle (19), the baffle (19) between the two screens (18) is connected to the two screens (18), the outer side of the screen (18) is fixedly connected with two sliders (21), the outer sides of the four sliders (21) are fixedly connected with the outer side of the U-shaped rack plate (16), the outer side of the outer box (1) is provided with two slide grooves (17), the inside of the slide groove (17) is fixedly connected with a guide rod (20), and the internal through hole of the screen (18) is slidably connected with the outer side of the guide rod (20).

8. A method for preparing aluminum alloy powder for additive manufacturing, characterized in that: An aluminum alloy powder preparation device for additive manufacturing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 comprises the following steps: S1, starting the refrigeration equipment (12) to refrigerate the interior of the processing tube (2) and then introducing the liquid raw material from one end of the processing tube (2); S2, spraying the raw material through the atomizing nozzle (3); S3, starting the motor (14) to allow the screen (18) to shake and screen; S4, open the material taking door (23) to take out the finished product.

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