Metal 3D printing equipment heating device, metal 3D printing equipment and printing method
By using a retractable heating module in metal 3D printing equipment to heat the side of the print piece, the problem of high stress in the SLM metal 3D printing equipment is solved, and the molding quality and accuracy of the print piece are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311305213.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
AI Technical Summary
Prints produced by existing SLM metal 3D printing equipment will retain large stress, affecting the deformation amount and accuracy of the print, and thus affecting the molding quality of the print.
A metal 3D printing equipment heating device is provided, including a retractable heating module, which heats the side of the print member through a plurality of heating elements distributed on the peripheral wall of the molding cylinder, heats the bottom surface and surface of the print member in combination with a substrate heating member, and adjusts the protrusion length and temperature detection of the heating element to control the temperature gradient.
By uniform heating of the side of the print piece, the thermal stress of the print piece in the height direction is reduced, and the quality and molding accuracy of the print piece are improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN119794389A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, and more specifically, to a heating device for metal 3D printing equipment, a metal 3D printing equipment and a printing method. Background Art
[0002] The prints produced by the existing mainstream SLM metal laser 3D printing equipment at home and abroad will retain large stress, which will affect the deformation and accuracy of the prints, and thus affect the molding quality of the prints. Summary of the invention
[0003] The present application provides a metal 3D printing device heating device, a metal 3D printing device and a printing method to solve the problem that the stress of SLM metal 3D printed parts is large and affects the quality of the printed parts.
[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a heating device for a metal 3D printing device, which is used to heat a printed part formed in a forming cylinder, and the heating device for the metal 3D printing device includes a heating module. The heating module includes a plurality of heating elements distributed on the peripheral wall of the forming cylinder, each of which is movably connected to the peripheral wall of the forming cylinder in the lateral direction, and can be controlled to extend laterally into the forming cylinder to a certain depth.
[0005] In one possible implementation:
[0006] The heating module further comprises a plurality of temperature detection elements, wherein the plurality of temperature detection elements are respectively connected to the plurality of heating elements and can move with the heating elements;
[0007] The temperature detection element is communicatively connected to the heating element and is used to detect temperature information at the heating element, and the temperature information is used to control the lateral displacement of the heating element.
[0008] In one possible implementation:
[0009] The forming cylinder is a rectangular cylindrical structure surrounded by four side walls, and a plurality of heating elements are distributed on each of the side walls.
[0010] In one possible implementation:
[0011] The multiple heating elements on each of the side walls are distributed in a matrix.
[0012] In one possible implementation:
[0013] The plurality of heating elements are distributed in multiple layers in the height direction of the printed piece, and the multiple layers of heating elements are used to heat different heights of the side surface of the printed piece.
[0014] In the second aspect, the present application provides a metal 3D printing device, which includes a laser component, a forming cylinder, a printing substrate, a substrate heating element, and the aforementioned metal 3D printing device heating device. The laser component is used to emit a laser to scan the printing surface of the printed part; the forming cylinder is used to contain metal powder and the printed part; the printing substrate can be lifted and matched with the forming cylinder, and can be driven to lift and lower the metal powder and the printed part carried thereon; the substrate heating element is thermally coupled to the printing substrate; the aforementioned metal 3D printing device heating device is used to heat the side of the printed part.
[0015] In one possible implementation:
[0016] The metal 3D printing device also includes a studio, which is arranged above the forming cylinder and connected to the forming cylinder; the laser emitted by the laser component irradiates downward onto the printing surface through the studio.
[0017] In a third aspect, the present application provides a metal 3D printing method, which is based on the aforementioned metal 3D printing device: the metal 3D printing method includes, during the printing process:
[0018] The laser emitted by the laser component of the metal 3D printing device scans the printing surface along a set scanning path;
[0019] The substrate heating element heats the printing substrate, thereby heating the printing element to adhere to the bottom surface of the printing substrate;
[0020] Each heating element of the heating module extends laterally into the forming cylinder and approaches the side of the printed part to a set distance to heat the side of the printed part between the bottom surface and the printing surface, and the extension length of the heating element is automatically adjusted as the printed part descends along with the printing substrate, so that each heating element always extends to a position at a set distance from the side of the printed part.
[0021] In one possible implementation:
[0022] Each heating element of the heating module is laterally close to the printed part until the lateral distances between each heating element and the printed part are equal.
[0023] In one possible implementation:
[0024] A temperature detection element is respectively provided at each heating element of the heating module, and the temperature detection element is used to detect the temperature at the location of the heating element;
[0025] The temperature detection element is communicatively connected to the heating element. During printing, the lateral distance from the corresponding heating element to the printed piece is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection element to ensure that the temperature gradient of the printed piece along the height direction is within a set allowable range.
[0026] The metal 3D printing equipment heating device in the present application heats the side of the printed part through a retractable heating element, thereby reducing the thermal stress of the printed part in the height direction and improving the quality of the printed part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.
[0028] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the metal 3D printing device of this embodiment;
[0029] Figure 2 It is a rear view of the metal 3D printing device of this embodiment;
[0030] Figure 3 This is an internal view of a partial structure of the metal 3D printing device of this embodiment.
[0031] Description of main component symbols:
[0032] Metal 3D printing equipment 100
[0033] Laser Components 101
[0034] Forming cylinder 102
[0035] Printing substrate 103
[0036] Substrate heating element 104
[0037] Studio 105
[0038] Peripheral wall 106
[0039] Side wall 107
[0040] Lifting drive shaft 108
[0041] Metal 3D printing equipment heating device 10
[0042] Heating module 11
[0043] Heating element 12
[0044] Temperature detection element 13
[0045] Print 200
[0046] Metal powder 201
[0047] Printing surface P1
[0048] Bottom P2
[0049] Side P3
[0050] Laser L1
[0051] Height direction Y1
[0052] Lateral Y2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.
[0054] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "set on" another element, it may be directly set on the other element or there may also be a centered element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.
[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present application. The terms used herein in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.
[0056] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0057] Example
[0058] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 This embodiment provides a metal 3D printing device 100, which can be a 3D printing device based on selective laser melting (SLM), which uses laser to melt and cool metal powder 201 layer by layer into a printed part 200.
[0059] In this embodiment, the metal 3D printing device 100 includes a laser assembly 101, a forming cylinder 102, a printing substrate 103, a substrate heating element 104, a working room 105 and a metal 3D printing device heating device 10.
[0060] The laser assembly 101 is used to emit laser light L1 to scan the printing surface P1 of the printed part 200. The laser assembly 101 can be composed of a common laser and an optical module. The laser emitted by the laser assembly 101 heats and melts the metal powder 201 on the printing path at the printing surface P1, so that the metal powder 201 is melted and cooled to form. The printing surface P1 of the printed part 200 has a higher temperature due to receiving more laser energy.
[0061] The forming cylinder 102 is used to contain the metal powder 201 and the printed part 200. The printed substrate 103 can be lifted and lowered in coordination with the forming cylinder 102, and can be driven to lift the metal powder 201 and the printed part 200 carried thereon, and the lifting direction is the height direction Y1 in the figure. For example, the lower side of the printed substrate 103 is connected to the lifting drive shaft 108, and the lifting drive shaft 108 drives the printed substrate 103 to lift and lower.
[0062] The substrate heating element 104 is thermally coupled to the printing substrate 103. Before and / or during printing, the substrate heating element 104 can heat the printing substrate 103 as needed, thereby heating the bottom surface P2 of the print 200 formed on the printing substrate 103, so that the bottom surface P2 of the print 200 has a higher temperature.
[0063] The studio 105 is disposed above the molding cylinder 102 and is connected to the molding cylinder 102. The laser L1 emitted by the laser assembly 101 is irradiated downward onto the printing surface P1 through the studio 105. The studio 105 can be filled with a protective atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the metal powder 201 or the printed part 200 during the printing process. After the printed part 200 is printed, the printed part 200 can be driven by the printing substrate 103 to rise into the studio 105 for easy removal.
[0064] Continue to see Figure 1-Figure 3 In this embodiment, the metal 3D printing device heating device 10 is used to heat the printed part 200 formed in the forming cylinder 102. The metal 3D printing device heating device 10 includes a heating module 11, and the heating module 11 includes a plurality of heating elements 12 distributed on the peripheral wall 106 of the forming cylinder 102. Each heating element 12 is movably connected to the peripheral wall 106 of the forming cylinder 102 along the lateral direction Y2, and can be controlled to extend into the forming cylinder 102 to a certain depth in the lateral direction Y2 to heat the side P3 of the printed part 200.
[0065] In this embodiment, optionally, the peripheral wall 106 of the forming cylinder 102 is a rectangular cylindrical structure surrounded by four side walls 107, and defines a containing space therein for containing the metal powder 201 and the printed part 200. For the peripheral wall 106 of this shape, the aforementioned lateral direction Y2 may be a direction perpendicular to each side wall of the peripheral wall 106, which is represented in the figure by a lateral direction Y2 along the transverse direction and a lateral direction Y2 perpendicular to the paper surface direction.
[0066] A plurality of heating elements 12 are respectively distributed on each side wall 107. For example, a through hole is respectively opened on each side wall 107, and the heating element 12 can be telescopically matched with the through hole and pass through a certain thickness of metal powder 201 in the accommodating space to a position at a certain distance from the side P3 of the printed part 200.
[0067] The heating element 12 can be a heating rod, and its extension and retraction mode can be adjusted manually or by a driving member (such as a linear cylinder).
[0068] In other embodiments, the forming cylinder 102 may also be cylindrical or in other shapes, which are not limited herein.
[0069] Optionally, the plurality of heating elements 12 on each side wall 107 are distributed in a matrix. Of course, in other embodiments, the heating elements 12 may also be distributed in other forms.
[0070] In this embodiment, the plurality of heating elements 12 are distributed in multiple layers in the height direction Y1 of the printed part 200, and the multiple layers of heating elements 12 are used to heat different heights of the side surface P3 of the printed part 200. The plurality of heating elements 12 in each layer are distributed circumferentially, and are used to heat different circumferential positions of the layer.
[0071] In this embodiment, the heating module 11 further includes a plurality of temperature detection elements 13, such as thermocouples. The plurality of temperature detection elements 13 are respectively connected to the plurality of heating elements 12 and can move with the heating elements 12. The temperature detection element 13 can extend from the front end of the heating element 12, and when the heating element 12 extends to the side P3 close to the printed part 200, the temperature detection element 13 can be closer to the side P3 of the printed part 200, or even directly contact the side P3 of the printed part 200, so as to more directly obtain the temperature at the corresponding contact point of the side P3 of the printed part 200. Optionally, the temperature detection element 13 is retractably connected to the heating element 12 along the lateral direction Y2, so that when the heating element 12 extends to a certain range in the lateral direction Y2, the spring can be retracted to ensure that the heating element 12 contacts the side P3 of the printed part 200.
[0072] After printing a layer, before the printing substrate 103 and the printed workpiece 200 need to be vertically lowered, each heating element 12 can be retracted first, so that each heating element 12 and the temperature detection element 13 thereon are away from the side surface P3 of the printed workpiece 200. After the lowering is completed, the extension length of each heating element 12 is readjusted according to the current distance between each heating element 12 and the corresponding point on the side surface P3 of the printed workpiece 200 to adapt to the current state of the side surface P3 of the printed workpiece 200.
[0073] For the heating element 12 currently under the printing substrate 103, there is no printing part 200 at the corresponding side Y2, so it remains in a position away from the space in the forming cylinder 102 to avoid affecting the descent of the printing substrate 103.
[0074] In this embodiment, the temperature detection element 13 is connected to the heating element 12 in communication, and is used to detect the temperature information at the heating element 12, and the temperature information is used to control the displacement of the heating element 12 extending in the lateral direction Y2. The communication connection here can be a communication connection through a processor. After receiving the temperature information of each temperature detection element 13, the processor calculates the temperature gradient of the print 200 in the height direction Y1. If the temperature gradient height is set to an allowable value, the heating amount of the print 200 in the lateral direction Y2 is adjusted by adjusting the extension length of the heating element 12.
[0075] In this embodiment, in the height direction Y1, the print 200 receives laser energy at the print surface P1, and its temperature is relatively high; the bottom surface P2 of the print 200 where it is attached to the print substrate 103 is heated by the substrate heating element 104, and its temperature is also relatively high; the side surface P3 of the print 200 is heated by the heating element 12 that can extend or retract a controlled distance, and the side surface P3 and the middle part of the print 200 can be heated, thereby reducing the temperature gradient between the middle part of the print 200 and the print surface P1 or the bottom surface P2, thereby reducing the thermal stress during the printing process.
[0076] In order to adapt to different shapes of the printed part 200 in different printing layers, multiple heating elements 12 are distributed circumferentially in each layer, so that the heating amount can be controlled by controlling a certain number of heating elements 12 to work or not work. For example, for a position with a larger printing layer area, more heating elements 12 are in a heating state; and for a position with a smaller printing layer area, fewer heating elements 12 are in a heating state.
[0077] This embodiment also provides a metal 3D printing method, which is based on the aforementioned metal 3D printing device 100. The metal 3D printing method includes:
[0078] Before printing, the size data of the print part 200 to be printed is adjusted and the printing parameters are designed; the appropriate material and printing parameters are selected, and the printing parameters include laser power, scanning speed, laser point density, etc.;
[0079] During printing:
[0080] The laser L1 emitted by the laser assembly 101 of the metal 3D printing device 100 scans the printing surface P1 along a set scanning path;
[0081] The substrate heating element 104 heats the printed substrate 103, thereby heating the printed part 200 to be attached to the bottom surface P2 of the printed substrate 103; (before printing, the printed substrate 103 may also be preheated by the substrate heating element 104);
[0082] Each heating element 12 of the heating module 11 extends into the forming cylinder 102 along the lateral direction Y2 to a set distance close to the side P3 of the print part 200 to heat the side P3 of the print part 200 between the bottom surface P2 and the printing surface P1, and the extension length of the heating element 12 is automatically adjusted as the print part 200 descends along the printing substrate 103, so that each heating element 12 always extends to a position at a set distance from the side P3 of the print part 200.
[0083] In one embodiment, each heating element 12 of the heating module 11 approaches the printed part 200 along the lateral direction Y2 until the distance between each heating element 12 and the side surface P3 of the printed part 200 is equal. In this way, each heating element 12 can apply a uniform heating effect to each side surface P3 of the printed part 200, ensuring that the temperature of each side surface P3 of the printed part 200 is uniform, greatly reducing the temperature gradient of the surface part near the side surface P3 of the printed part 200, and effectively avoiding the occurrence of defects such as stress cracks in the surface part near the side surface P3 of the printed part 200. Compared with the bottom surface P2 attached to the printing substrate 103 and the printing surface P1 being printed, which are not the final surfaces of the printed part 200 (the bottom surface P2 needs to be scraped off from the printing substrate 103 and processed, or there is support; the current printing surface P1 will be covered by the next printing layer), the uniform temperature heating of the side surface P3 of the printed part 200 is very beneficial to the improvement of the outer contour quality of the printed part 200, which is crucial for some components with very high surface quality requirements (such as aviation components).
[0084] Optionally, each heating element 12 of the heating module 11 is respectively provided with a temperature detection element 13, and the temperature detection element 13 is used to detect the temperature of the position where the heating element 12 is located. For example, when the heating element 12 is directly in contact with the printed material 200, the heating element 12 can directly detect the temperature of the corresponding position of the printed material 200; the temperature detection element 13 is communicatively connected to the heating element 12, and during the printing process, the lateral distance from the corresponding heating element 12 to the printed material 200 is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 13 to ensure that the temperature gradient of the printed material 200 along the height direction Y1 is within the set allowable range.
[0085] Based on the above description, the metal 3D printing equipment heating device 10, the metal 3D printing equipment 100 and the metal 3D printing method in the embodiment of the present application heat the side P3 of the printed part 200 through the retractable heating element 12, thereby reducing the thermal stress of the printed part 200 in the height direction Y1 and improving the quality of the printed part 200.
[0086] The above implementation modes are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred implementation modes, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.
Claims
1. A heating device for metal 3D printing equipment, characterized in that: Used to heat the printed parts formed in the forming cylinder, the metal 3D printing equipment heating device includes: The heating module comprises a plurality of heating elements distributed on the peripheral wall of the forming cylinder. Each of the heating elements is movably connected to the peripheral wall of the forming cylinder laterally and can be controlled to extend laterally into the forming cylinder to a certain depth.
2. The metal 3D printing equipment heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating module further comprises a plurality of temperature detection elements, wherein the plurality of temperature detection elements are respectively connected to the plurality of heating elements and can move with the heating elements; The temperature detection element is communicatively connected to the heating element and is used to detect temperature information at the heating element, and the temperature information is used to control the lateral displacement of the heating element.
3. The metal 3D printing equipment heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The forming cylinder is a rectangular cylindrical structure surrounded by four side walls, and a plurality of heating elements are distributed on each of the side walls.
4. The metal 3D printing equipment heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The multiple heating elements on each of the side walls are distributed in a matrix.
5. The metal 3D printing equipment heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of heating elements are distributed in multiple layers in the height direction of the printed piece, and the multiple layers of heating elements are used to heat different heights of the side surface of the printed piece.
6. A metal 3D printing device, characterized in that: include: A laser assembly, used for emitting laser light to scan a printing surface of a printed piece; A build cylinder, used to contain metal powder and printed parts; The printing substrate can be lifted and lowered in cooperation with the molding cylinder, and can be driven to lift and lower the metal powder and the printed part carried thereon; a substrate heating element thermally coupled to the printing substrate; The metal 3D printing equipment heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The metal 3D printing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The metal 3D printing device also includes a studio, which is arranged above the forming cylinder and connected to the forming cylinder; the laser emitted by the laser component irradiates downward onto the printing surface through the studio.
8. A metal 3D printing method, characterized in that: Based on the metal 3D printing device according to any one of claims 6-7: the metal 3D printing method comprises, during the printing process: The laser emitted by the laser component of the metal 3D printing device scans the printing surface along a set scanning path; The substrate heating element heats the printing substrate, thereby heating the printing element to adhere to the bottom surface of the printing substrate; Each heating element of the heating module extends laterally into the forming cylinder and approaches the side of the printed part to a set distance to heat the side of the printed part between the bottom surface and the printing surface, and the extension length of the heating element is automatically adjusted as the printed part descends along with the printing substrate, so that each heating element always extends to a position at a set distance from the side of the printed part.
9. The metal 3D printing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each heating element of the heating module is laterally close to the printed part until the lateral distances between each heating element and the printed part are equal.
10. The metal 3D printing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: A temperature detection element is respectively provided at each heating element of the heating module, and the temperature detection element is used to detect the temperature at the location of the heating element; The temperature detection element is communicatively connected to the heating element. During printing, the lateral distance from the corresponding heating element to the printed piece is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection element to ensure that the temperature gradient of the printed piece along the height direction is within a set allowable range.