Light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming device and method
By designing a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device, combining the vacuum chamber system and the light energy focusing system, the combination of high-energy beam 3D printing and vacuum 3D printing is realized, which solves the problem of light energy focusing 3D printing forming and manufacturing under high vacuum conditions and improves the printing quality and material density.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411912352.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-12-24
AI Technical Summary
At present, high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming and vacuum 3D printing technologies have not been effectively combined, and it is impossible to carry out light energy focusing 3D printing forming and manufacturing experiments under high vacuum conditions under ground conditions, which limits the in-situ resource utilization and printing quality on the lunar surface.
A light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming device was designed, which includes a vacuum chamber system, a light energy focusing system and a powder laying printing system. The vacuum chamber provides a vacuum environment, and light energy is used to form a high-temperature light spot in the vacuum. Powder is then laid layer by layer under vacuum for 3D printing.
It has achieved the combination of high-energy beam 3D printing and vacuum 3D printing, and can complete vacuum light sintering 3D printing under ground conditions, improving the printing quality and material density, and avoiding damage to the internal structure and heat loss caused by opening the hatch.
Smart Images
Figure CN119773234B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of 3D printing and forming manufacturing, and specifically relates to a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device and method. Background Art
[0002] High-energy beam 3D printing melt forming includes technologies such as laser beam melting, electron beam melting, and plasma beam melting. These technologies all use a high-energy beam to melt powdered materials, then build up the materials layer by layer, resulting in high manufacturing precision and material density. Vacuum 3D printing is performed in an oxygen-free or low-gas environment. This reduces oxidation and other gaseous contamination during the printing process, ensuring material purity and performance. The vacuum environment can significantly reduce porosity and internal defects in printed parts, improving print quality and material density.
[0003] At present, high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming and vacuum 3D printing are both independent technical solutions and are not organically combined. The advantages of the two cannot be superimposed, and there is a gap in application: for example, with the resurgence of lunar exploration and development, the utilization of in-situ resources on the lunar surface has become the key to long-term residence on the lunar surface. For future deep development of the moon, solar energy is the most widely available energy on the lunar surface. Focusing it to form a high-energy beam for utilization is a low-cost way to obtain it. Therefore, high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming is considered to be one of the important technologies for in-situ manufacturing on the lunar surface. Therefore, creating light energy focusing 3D printing forming and manufacturing experimental conditions in a vacuum environment on the ground is a prerequisite for conducting research on light energy focusing 3D printing forming technology in a simulated lunar environment. However, there is currently no solution to combine high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming and vacuum 3D printing, and it is impossible to carry out light energy focusing 3D printing forming and manufacturing experiments under high vacuum conditions. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device, and a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming method based on the above device. The device realizes the combination of high-energy beam 3D printing melt forming and vacuum 3D printing, and can complete the vacuum light energy sintering 3D printing process under ground conditions.
[0005] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is:
[0006] A light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device includes a vacuum chamber system for providing a vacuum environment, a light energy focusing system for forming a fixed high-temperature light spot in the vacuum environment using external light energy, a powder laying printing system for laying powder layer by layer in the vacuum environment and performing 3D printing using the high-temperature light spot, and a control system for realizing automatic operation of the entire device; the vacuum chamber system includes a chamber body and a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber body, the chamber body is provided with a chamber door that can be opened and closed sealably, a lens mounting seat, a vacuum detection member for detecting the internal hollowness, and a vacuum valve for gradually balancing the internal and external air pressures after operation; the light energy focusing system includes a focusing lens mounted on the lens mounting seat, a light source facing the focusing lens, and a light shield for shielding the light source in the powder laying gap during operation, and the focusing lens and the light source can be replaced with different specifications. The light emitted by the light source will form a high-temperature light spot with a fixed focus in the cabin after being focused by the focusing lens; the powder spreading and printing system is arranged in the cabin, which includes a powder pool mechanism for forming a powder pool, a powder spreading mechanism for storing powder and spreading powder layer by layer into the powder pool, and a planar motion mechanism for driving the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism to move two-dimensionally in the horizontal plane. The powder pool mechanism includes a powder spreading plate with an opening and a movable plate that slides vertically in the opening of the powder spreading plate. The four walls of the powder spreading plate opening and the movable plate form a powder pool. The area where the movable plate is located is the printing area. Every time the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool, the planar motion mechanism first drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot, and then the movable plate moves down a distance of the thickness of one layer of powder; the control system is electrically connected to the vacuum cabin system, the light energy focusing system and the powder spreading and printing system respectively.
[0007] Preferably, an observation window is provided on the cabin for observing the 3D printing melt forming process inside the cabin, which can observe and record the 3D printing melt forming process inside the cabin, making it convenient to control the operation.
[0008] Preferably, three sealing interfaces are provided on the cabin, which serve as a vacuum pipeline interface, an electrical cable interface and a spare interface respectively. The vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum pipeline interface through the vacuum pipeline, and the electrical cable of the control system is sealed and extended into the cabin through the electrical cable interface. The sealing interface ensures the sealing performance when the cabin is connected to the outside.
[0009] Preferably, the focusing lens is a quartz focusing lens and the light source is a xenon lamp light source, which has good use effect and good durability.
[0010] Preferably, the light shield is movably installed. During operation, the light shield covers the light source during the powder laying interval to block the optical fiber from passing through the focusing lens. During other times during operation, the light shield is away from the light source.
[0011] Preferably, the powder spreading mechanism includes a powder box for storing powder, a feeding port that can be closed on the powder box, a powder outlet assembly for realizing the opening and closing of the linear powder outlet at the lower end of the powder box, a powder spreading roller, a powder spreading electric push rod and a residual powder trough. The powder box and the powder spreading roller are located at one end of the powder spreading plate, and the residual powder trough is located at the other end of the powder spreading plate. The powder spreading roller is attached to the powder spreading plate, and the working length of the powder spreading roller can cover the length of the powder outlet and the opening of the powder spreading plate. The powder outlet assembly can make the amount of material discharged each time consistent and appropriate by controlling the opening time of the powder outlet. The powder spreading electric push rod is used to push the powder spreading roller to move along the powder spreading plate to fill the newly discharged powder into the powder pool and push the excess powder into the residual powder trough. The overall structure of the powder spreading mechanism is relatively simple, using the powder box to store powder, the powder outlet assembly to control the powder output, the powder spreading roller and the powder spreading electric push rod to spread powder evenly, and the residual powder trough to collect excess powder.
[0012] Preferably, the four walls of the powder box are hollow and breathable and the inner wall is covered with a PTFE membrane, and an eccentric vibration motor is installed on the outer wall of the powder box. The eccentric vibration motor can allow the powder box to discharge powder evenly and smoothly. The four walls of the powder box are hollow and breathable and the inner wall is covered with a PTFE membrane, which can allow air to enter and prevent powder from escaping, making the powder discharge smoother.
[0013] Preferably, the powder discharge assembly includes a powder discharge roller and a powder discharge electric push rod. The powder discharge roller is used to seal the powder discharge port, and the powder discharge electric push rod is used to drive the powder discharge roller away from the powder discharge port. The powder discharge assembly has a simple structure and can be opened and closed by switching the position of the powder discharge roller.
[0014] Preferably, the planar motion mechanism includes a base, a support plate supported on the base in a longitudinally sliding manner, a longitudinal movement servo motor for driving the longitudinal movement of the support plate, a mounting plate supported on the support plate in a transversely sliding manner, and a transverse movement servo motor for driving the transverse movement of the mounting plate. The powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism are installed on the mounting plate. The planar motion mechanism realizes reliable and precise transverse and longitudinal movement on the plane.
[0015] A light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming method is based on the above-mentioned light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming device: first, the powder is loaded into the powder spreading mechanism, then the hatch is closed, and then the plane motion mechanism is controlled to move the printing area to the working range of the high-temperature light spot; then the vacuum pump is turned on, and the feedback of the vacuum detection part is used to turn off the vacuum pump when the required vacuum degree is reached; then the light source is started and waits for the temperature to rise, and at the same time, the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool; when the light source reaches the required temperature, the light shield moves away from the light source, the high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area, and the plane motion mechanism drives the printing All the powder in the printing area passes through the high-temperature light spot; then the light shield covers the light source, the movable plate moves down a distance of the thickness of one layer of powder, and the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool; then the light shield leaves the light source, a high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area, and the planar motion mechanism drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot; in this way, the powder is laid layer by layer and 3D printing is performed using the high-temperature light spot; after 3D printing is completed, the light source is turned off, and the vacuum valve is opened to gradually balance the air pressure inside and outside the cabin; when the air pressure inside and outside the cabin is balanced, the cabin door is opened, the printed product is taken out, the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism are cleaned and returned to their positions.
[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0017] The device provides a vacuum environment through a vacuum chamber system, uses external light to form a fixed high-temperature light spot within the vacuum environment through a light energy focusing system, and uses the powder laying system to lay powder layer by layer within the vacuum environment and perform 3D printing using the high-temperature light spot. This achieves a combination of high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming and vacuum 3D printing, and can complete the vacuum light energy sintering 3D printing process under ground conditions. In the vacuum chamber system of the device, a vacuum valve can gradually balance the internal and external air pressures after operation, preventing damage to the internal structure caused by the hatch being unable to open or opening suddenly. In the light energy focusing system of the device, a focusing lens and a light source can form a fixed-focus high-temperature light spot within the cabin, eliminating the need to locate the focusing lens within the cabin. A light shield is used to shield the light source between powder laying operations to avoid heat loss caused by frequent opening and closing of the light source. In the powder laying system of the device, each time the powder laying mechanism lays a layer of powder into the powder pool, the planar motion mechanism first drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot, and then the movable plate moves down a distance equal to the thickness of a powder layer, thus achieving 3D printing with a fixed high-temperature light spot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Figure 1 3D printing is a schematic structural diagram of a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the powder spreading and printing system in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of the powder box and powder discharge assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing the principle of light focusing in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] In the figure: 1-cabin; 2-vacuum pump; 3-vacuum pipeline; 4-sealing interface; 5-cable; 6-control cabinet; 7-cabin door; 8-vacuum valve; 9-vacuum gauge; 10-observation window; 11-quartz condenser lens; 12-xenon lamp light source; 13-support plate; 14-lateral movement servo motor; 15-base; 16-longitudinal movement servo motor; 17-drag chain; 18-powder spreading plate; 19-movable plate; 20-support column; 21-top plate; 22-mounting plate; 23-servo lifting cylinder; 24-powder box; 25-powder spreading roller; 26-powder spreading electric push rod; 27-residual powder trough; 28-hollow; 29-powder discharging roller; 30-powder discharging electric push rod; 31-eccentric vibration motor; 32-cover plate; 33-sealing ring; 34-PTFE membrane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.
[0024] Example 1
[0025] This embodiment discloses a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming device, which includes a vacuum chamber system, a light energy focusing system, a powder spreading printing system and a control system.
[0026] Vacuum chamber system, used to provide vacuum environment, such as Figure 1As shown: it includes a cabin 1, a vacuum pump 2 and a vacuum pipeline 3, and the cabin 1 is provided with a cabin door 7, a lens mounting seat, an observation window 10, a vacuum gauge 9, a vacuum valve 8 and a sealing interface 4; in this embodiment, the cabin 1 is mainly made of 316 stainless steel, and its overall shape is a horizontal cylinder, the lower part of which is elevated and installed by a support frame, and its tail end is sealed by a sealing spherical shell, and the sealing spherical shell is sealed by bolts fastening a multi-layer rubber sealing ring; in this embodiment, the cabin door 7 is installed at the head end of the cabin 1, and the cabin door 7 is sealed by a toothed flange combined with a rubber sealing ring, and the cabin 1 is opened and closed by opening and closing the cabin door 7. In this embodiment, the lens mounting seat is provided In the middle position of the top of the cabin 1, a lens mounting seat is used for detachably mounting a quartz focusing lens 11; in the present embodiment, an observation window 10 is provided in the middle and upper part of the front side of the cabin 1, for observing the 3D printing melt forming process inside the cabin 1; a vacuum gauge 9 is used to measure the vacuum degree during vacuuming and 3D printing melt forming; a vacuum valve 8 is used to gradually balance the air pressure inside the cabin 1 with the outside air pressure after 3D printing melt forming; in the present embodiment, a sealing interface 4 is provided in the middle and lower part of the cabin 1, with three locations opened, serving as a vacuum pipeline interface, an electrical cable interface and a spare interface respectively; a vacuum pump 2 is connected to the cabin 1 through a vacuum pipeline 3, for vacuuming the cabin 1.
[0027] Light energy focusing system is used to use external light energy to form a fixed high temperature light spot in a vacuum environment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown: it includes a quartz condensing lens 11, a xenon lamp light source 12 and a light shield; the quartz condensing lens 11 is detachably mounted on a lens mounting seat and has various specifications; the xenon lamp light source 12 is located directly above the quartz condensing lens 11 and has various specifications; the light emitted by the xenon lamp light source 12 is focused by the quartz condensing lens 11 and forms a high-temperature light spot with a fixed focus in the cabin 1, and the high-temperature light spot is a high-energy beam that can melt the powder material; the light shield is provided between the quartz condensing lens 11 and the xenon lamp light source 12, and is used to close and shield the xenon lamp light source 12 during the printing and powder laying intervals.
[0028] The powder printing system is used to lay powder layer by layer in a vacuum environment and use high-temperature light spots for 3D printing, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown: it includes a powder pool mechanism for forming a powder pool, a powder spreading mechanism for storing powder and spreading the powder layer by layer into the powder pool, and a planar motion mechanism for driving the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism to move two-dimensionally in a horizontal plane.
[0029] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown: the powder pool mechanism includes a powder spreading plate 18 with an opening, a movable plate 19 that slides vertically in the opening of the powder spreading plate 18, and a servo lifting cylinder 23 for driving the movable plate 19 to rise and fall. The four walls of the opening of the powder spreading plate 18 and the movable plate 19 form a powder pool for processing powder. The area where the movable plate 19 is located is the printing area. Every time the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool, the servo lifting cylinder 23 drives the movable plate 19 to move down a distance the thickness of one layer of powder.
[0030] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown: the powder spreading mechanism includes a powder box 24 for storing powder, a feeding port that can be closed on the powder box 24, a powder outlet assembly for realizing the opening and closing of the linear powder outlet at the lower end of the powder box 24, a powder spreading roller 25, a powder spreading electric push rod 26 and a residual powder groove 27; in this embodiment, the feeding port is closed by a cover plate 32 cooperating with a sealing ring 33, and the powder box 24 can be replenished with powder by opening the cover plate 32, and the powder can be prevented from escaping from the powder box 24 by closing the cover plate 32. The powder box 24 is installed in the cabin body 1 on the side facing the cabin door 7; in this embodiment, the four walls of the powder box 24 are made of hollow and breathable steel plates, the inner wall of the powder box 24 is attached with a PTFE membrane 34, and the outer wall of the powder box 24 is installed with an eccentric vibration motor 31, which is used to The powder discharging assembly includes a powder discharging roller 29 and a powder discharging electric push rod 30. The powder discharging roller 29 is used to seal the powder outlet, and the powder discharging electric push rod 30 is used to drive the powder discharging roller 29 away from the powder outlet; the powder box 24 and the powder spreading roller 25 are located at one end of the powder spreading plate 18, and the residual powder groove 27 is located at the other end of the powder spreading plate 18. The powder spreading roller 25 is attached to the powder spreading plate 18. The working length of the powder spreading roller 25 can cover the length of the powder outlet and the opening of the powder spreading plate 18. The powder discharging assembly can control the opening time of the powder outlet so that each discharge is consistent and appropriate. The powder spreading electric push rod 26 is used to push the powder spreading roller 25 to move along the powder spreading plate 18 to fill the newly discharged powder into the powder pool and push the excess powder into the residual powder groove 27.
[0031] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown: the planar motion mechanism includes a base 15, a support plate 13 supported on the base 15 in a longitudinally sliding manner, a longitudinal movement servo motor 16 for driving the longitudinal movement of the support plate 13, a mounting plate 22 supported on the support plate 13 in a transversely sliding manner, and a transverse movement servo motor 14 for driving the transverse movement of the mounting plate 22. The cables of the longitudinal movement servo motor 16 and the transverse movement servo motor 14 are both installed on the drag chain 17; the servo lifting electric cylinder 23 is supported and connected to the mounting plate 22, and the powder spreading plate 18 is supported and connected to the mounting plate 22 through support columns 20 at the four corners. The top ends of the support columns 20 are connected together through a top plate 21. The top plate 21 is provided with an opening for passing the high-temperature light spot, and the powder spreading mechanism is arranged between the top plate 21 and the powder spreading plate 18.
[0032] Control system, used to realize the automatic operation of the entire device, such as Figure 1 As shown: it includes a control cabinet 6 and a cable 5. The control cabinet 6 is electrically connected to the vacuum chamber system, the light energy focusing system and the powder printing system through the cable 5. It controls the vacuum chamber system, the light energy focusing system and the powder printing system to operate automatically according to the built-in software.
[0033] The device provides a vacuum environment through a vacuum chamber system, uses external light to form a fixed high-temperature light spot in the vacuum environment through a light energy focusing system, and uses the powder laying system to lay powder layer by layer in the vacuum environment and perform 3D printing using the high-temperature light spot. Therefore, it realizes the combination of high-energy beam 3D printing fusion forming and vacuum 3D printing, and can complete the vacuum light energy sintering 3D printing process under ground conditions. In the vacuum chamber system of the device, the vacuum valve 8 can gradually balance the internal and external air pressures after operation, avoiding damage to the internal structure caused by the inability to open the cabin door 7 or instantaneous opening. In the light energy focusing system of the device, the focusing lens and the light source can form a fixed-focus high-temperature light spot in the cabin body 1, eliminating the need to install the focusing lens in the cabin body 1. The light shield is used to shield the light source between powder laying operations to avoid heat loss caused by frequent opening and closing of the light source. In the powder laying system of the device, each time the powder laying mechanism lays a layer of powder into the powder pool, the planar motion mechanism first drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot, and the movable plate 19 then moves down a distance of the thickness of a powder layer, so that 3D printing can be achieved with the high-temperature light spot fixed.
[0034] The workflow of the above-mentioned light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device is:
[0035] S1) Powder is loaded into the powder box 24 outside the cabin 1 (the powder can be made of a variety of materials such as polymers, metals, inorganic non-metals, etc.), and then the powder box 24 is installed back into the powder spreading and printing system inside the cabin 1. The cabin door 7 is then closed, and the planar motion mechanism is controlled by the control cabinet 6 to move the printing area into the working range of the high-temperature light spot.
[0036] S2) Turn on the vacuum pump 2 and read the feedback from the vacuum gauge 9. When the required vacuum degree is reached, turn off the vacuum pump 2.
[0037] S3) Start the xenon lamp light source 12 and wait for it to heat up (at this time, the light shield is covering the xenon lamp light source 12). At the same time, the control cabinet 6 is used to control the powder spreading mechanism to spread a layer of powder into the powder pool: the powder discharging electric push rod 30 drives the powder discharging roller 29 to leave the powder outlet, and the eccentric vibration motor 31 causes the powder to fall evenly from the powder outlet. By controlling the opening time of the powder outlet, the powder is discharged slightly higher than the laying amount of one layer. Then, the powder discharging electric push rod 30 drives the powder discharging roller 29 to block the powder outlet. Then, the powder spreading electric push rod 26 pushes the powder spreading roller 25 to move along the powder spreading plate 18 to fill the newly discharged powder into the powder pool and push the excess powder into the residual powder trough 27.
[0038] S4) When the xenon lamp light source 12 reaches the required temperature, the control cabinet 6 controls the light shield to move away from the xenon lamp light source 12, and a high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area. The control cabinet 12 then controls the planar motion mechanism to drive all the powder in the printing area through the high-temperature light spot, achieving the melting and forming of the first layer.
[0039] S5) The control cabinet 12 controls the light shield to cover the xenon lamp 12, controls the servo lift cylinder 23 to move the movable plate 19 downward by a distance equal to the thickness of one layer of powder, and controls the powder spreading mechanism to spread a layer of powder into the powder pool.
[0040] S5) The control cabinet 12 controls the light shield to move away from the xenon lamp light source 12, and a high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area. The control cabinet 12 then controls the plane motion mechanism to drive all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot, thereby achieving the melting and forming of the second layer.
[0041] S6) In this way, the powder is laid layer by layer and 3D printing is performed using a high-temperature light spot.
[0042] S7) After 3D printing is completed, the xenon lamp light source 12 is turned off, and the vacuum valve 8 is gradually opened to gradually balance the air pressure inside and outside the chamber 1.
[0043] S8) When the air pressure inside and outside the cabin 1 is balanced, the cabin door 7 is opened, the printed product is taken out, the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism are cleaned and returned to their original positions.
[0044] The power of the xenon lamp light source 12 selected in this embodiment is 250W; the volume that the powder pool can accommodate is 25cm×25cm×15cm=9375cm 3 The volume of powder dropped by powder box 24 each time is 62.5cm 3 , enough to meet the thickness of 1mm powder.
[0045] The first set of experiments:
[0046] A quartz condenser lens 11 with a focal length of 40 cm and a curvature radius of 183.4 mm was selected.
[0047] Following the above steps, we conducted a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming experiment, and the valid data obtained are as follows:
[0048] Table 1 Distance (object distance) from xenon lamp light source 12 to quartz condenser lens 11 and focal point temperature in the first group of experiments
[0049]
[0050] The second set of experiments:
[0051] A quartz condenser lens 11 with a focal length of 50 cm and a curvature radius of 230 mm was selected.
[0052] Following the above steps, we conducted a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming experiment, and the valid data obtained are as follows:
[0053] Table 2 Distance (object distance) from xenon lamp light source 12 to quartz condenser lens 11 and focal point temperature in the first group of experiments
[0054]
[0055] The third group of experiments:
[0056] A quartz condenser lens 11 with a focal length of 60 cm and a curvature radius of 275.1 mm was selected.
[0057] Following the above steps, we conducted a light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming experiment, and the valid data obtained are as follows:
[0058] Table 3 Distance (object distance) from xenon lamp light source 12 to quartz condenser lens 11 and focal point temperature in the third group of experiments
[0059]
[0060] It can be seen that this embodiment can provide a stable high-temperature light spot to melt the powder material.
[0061] The embodiments described above are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. The detailed description of the embodiments of the present application is not intended to limit the scope of the present application for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device, characterized by: It includes a vacuum chamber system for providing a vacuum environment, a light energy focusing system for using external light energy to form a fixed high-temperature light spot in the vacuum environment, a powder-laying and printing system for laying powder layer by layer in the vacuum environment and performing 3D printing using the high-temperature light spot, and a control system for realizing automatic operation of the entire device. The vacuum chamber system includes a chamber body and a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber body. The chamber body is equipped with a chamber door that can be opened and closed tightly, a lens mounting seat, a vacuum detection component for detecting the internal hollowness, and a vacuum valve for gradually balancing the internal and external air pressures after operation. The light energy focusing system includes a focusing lens installed on a lens mounting seat, a light source facing the focusing lens, and a light shield for shielding the light source in the powder spreading gap during operation. The focusing lens and the light source can be replaced with different specifications. The light emitted by the light source will form a high-temperature light spot with a fixed focus in the cabin after being focused by the focusing lens; the powder spreading and printing system is arranged in the cabin, and includes a powder pool mechanism for forming a powder pool, a powder spreading mechanism for storing powder and spreading powder layer by layer into the powder pool, and a planar motion mechanism for driving the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism to move two-dimensionally in the horizontal plane. The powder pool mechanism includes a powder spreading plate with an opening and a movable plate that slides vertically in the opening of the powder spreading plate. The four walls of the powder spreading plate opening and the movable plate form a powder pool. The area where the movable plate is located is the printing area. Every time the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool, the planar motion mechanism first drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot, and then the movable plate moves down a distance of the thickness of one layer of powder; the control system is electrically connected to the vacuum cabin system, the light energy focusing system and the powder spreading and printing system respectively.
2. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An observation window is provided on the cabin for observing the 3D printing melt forming process inside the cabin.
3. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are three sealed interfaces on the cabin, which serve as the vacuum pipeline interface, electrical cable interface and spare interface respectively. The vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum pipeline interface through the vacuum pipeline, and the electrical cable of the control system is sealed and extended into the cabin through the electrical cable interface.
4. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The focusing lens adopts a quartz focusing lens, and the light source adopts a xenon lamp light source.
5. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light shield is movably installed. During operation, the light shield covers the light source to block the optical fiber from passing through the focusing lens during the powder laying interval. During other times during operation, the light shield is away from the light source.
6. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melting forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder spreading mechanism includes a powder box for storing powder, a feeding port that can be closed on the powder box, a powder outlet assembly for realizing the opening and closing of the linear powder outlet at the lower end of the powder box, a powder spreading roller, a powder spreading electric push rod and a residual powder trough. The powder box and the powder spreading roller are located at one end of the powder spreading plate, and the residual powder trough is located at the other end of the powder spreading plate. The powder spreading roller is attached to the powder spreading plate, and the working length of the powder spreading roller can cover the length of the powder outlet and the opening of the powder spreading plate. The powder outlet assembly can control the opening time of the powder outlet so that the amount of material discharged each time is consistent and appropriate. The powder spreading electric push rod is used to push the powder spreading roller to move along the powder spreading plate to fill the newly discharged powder into the powder pool and push the excess powder into the residual powder trough.
7. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The four walls of the powder box are hollow and breathable, and the inner wall is covered with a PTFE film. An eccentric vibration motor is installed on the outer wall of the powder box.
8. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The powder discharging assembly includes a powder discharging roller and a powder discharging electric push rod. The powder discharging roller is used to seal the powder discharging port, and the powder discharging electric push rod is used to drive the powder discharging roller to leave the powder discharging port.
9. The light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The planar motion mechanism includes a base, a support plate supported on the base in a longitudinally sliding manner, a longitudinal movement servo motor for driving the longitudinal movement of the support plate, a mounting plate supported on the support plate in a transversely sliding manner, and a transverse movement servo motor for driving the transverse movement of the mounting plate. The powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism are installed on the mounting plate.
10. A light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing melt forming method, characterized in that: Based on the light energy focusing vacuum 3D printing fusion forming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9: first load the powder into the powder spreading mechanism, then close the hatch, and then control the plane motion mechanism to move the printing area to the working range of the high-temperature light spot; then turn on the vacuum pump, and use the feedback of the vacuum detection part to turn off the vacuum pump when the required vacuum degree is reached; then start the light source and wait for the temperature to rise, and at the same time, the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool; when the light source reaches the required temperature, the light shield leaves the light source, and the high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area, and the plane motion mechanism drives the printing area All the powder passes through the high-temperature light spot; then the light shield covers the light source, the movable plate moves down a distance of the thickness of one layer of powder, and the powder spreading mechanism spreads a layer of powder into the powder pool; then the light shield moves away from the light source, a high-temperature light spot is formed in the printing area, and the planar motion mechanism drives all the powder in the printing area to pass through the high-temperature light spot; in this way, the powder is laid layer by layer and 3D printing is performed using the high-temperature light spot; after 3D printing is completed, the light source is turned off, and the vacuum valve is opened to gradually balance the air pressure inside and outside the cabin; when the air pressure inside and outside the cabin is balanced, the cabin door is opened, the printed product is taken out, the powder pool mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism are cleaned and returned to their positions.