Pre-processing machine tools for rapid prototyping parts

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of metal processing machine tools, and specifically relates to a pre-processing machine tool for rapid prototyping parts, comprising an outer frame, a roller and a rotating platform, wherein both ends of the roller are respectively mounted in the frame through a slewing support mechanism, the roller is driven to rotate by a flipping power system, the rotating platform is mounted in the roller, the rotating platform is used to fix the workpiece, and the rotating platform is driven to rotate by a rotating power system. The overall structure of the present invention is more compact, the internal space is maximized, the floor space is small, and the sealing performance is good. The roller and the rotating platform can be controlled to flip and rotate at an angle according to the direction of the internal flow channel of the workpiece, so that the internal powder can flow out in order, and it has a certain degree of intelligence. The overall energy consumption of the equipment is low, the structure is simple, stable and firm, and the failure rate is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of metal processing machine tools and equipment, and in particular relates to a pre-processing machine tool for rapid prototyping parts. Background Art

[0002] Selective laser melting (SLM) is a popular technology in metal 3D printing. A layer of metal powder is first applied to the build platform. The laser beam then sinters the powder layer according to the cross-sectional contours of that layer. Once one layer is sintered, the build platform descends one layer, and another layer of powder is evenly applied, beginning the sintering of a new layer. This process is repeated until the workpiece is fully formed. During the forming process, the unsintered powder supports the model's cavities and cantilevers. This process offers the advantage of eliminating the need for a support structure, but the attendant problem is that the powder within the structure is difficult to remove, especially with more complex structures. Post-processing often requires manual or tooling to remove the powder bit by bit: smaller printed workpieces can basically remove the internal powder by hanging and knocking at various angles, but manual work is time-consuming and inefficient; medium-sized printed workpieces require the use of large tooling for powder cleaning. Currently, most of the methods on the market use cradle-structured tooling similar to the principle of a positioner to vibrate and impact to clean the powder. There is a certain degree of automation, but the efficiency is still low, the overall structure is unreasonable, and it is basically in an era of customized tooling.

[0003] Due to advances in printing technology, printed parts are now being printed as a single piece to avoid defects caused by manual welding. This results in larger and heavier parts, increasing their added value. The internal structures of these parts are often complex, filled with various flow channels and pipes. This makes it very difficult to clean the powder inside the printed part. This requires tilting and rotating the workpiece to a certain angle to first pour out the powder at the flow channel openings; then tilting and rotating it again to a certain angle to gradually pour the powder from the inner part of the flow channel to the openings; and repeating this process.

[0004] Using cradle-like fixtures for powder cleaning of large, bulky workpieces, such as those measuring 1.5 meters or even larger, frequently exposes several problems. Because the cradle structure of the positioner is eccentric, during flipping or rotation, one position bears several times the force of the others. To ensure stable and reliable operation at all working positions, the cradle structure must be larger and stronger to withstand the weight of the large workpiece. Furthermore, the powder cleaning process is subject to constant impact and vibration, and damage or detachment of the fixture connections can cause immeasurable losses. Furthermore, power consumption increases exponentially. Positioning at various angles is performed in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation sequence, which does not conform to the directional characteristics of the workpiece's internal flow channels. This results in a highly random and time-consuming process. Furthermore, there's a risk that powder discharge will not occur if the workpiece is flipped or rotated in the wrong order. The large internal space also significantly compromises overall pressure resistance and airtightness. Furthermore, 3D printing materials typically consist of explosive metal powders such as iron, titanium, and aluminum. Therefore, the associated equipment must be explosion-proof—no electrical appliances must be installed or explosion-proof appliances must be used; and the chamber must be filled with inert gas during operation. However, because traditional powder cleaning tooling typically has a square interior with numerous internal joints, its overall sealing and pressure resistance are questionable. Therefore, this tooling structure is not suitable for large printed workpieces. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pre-processing machine tool for rapid prototyping parts to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pre-processing machine tool for rapid prototyping parts, comprising an outer frame, a drum and a rotating platform, wherein both ends of the drum are respectively installed in the frame through a slewing support mechanism, the drum is driven to rotate by a flipping power system, the rotating platform is installed in the drum, the rotating platform is used to fix the workpiece, and the rotating platform is driven to rotate by the rotating power system.

[0007] Preferably, the slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support mechanism and a rear slewing support mechanism, the front slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support outer ring gear and a front slewing support inner ring, the front slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame, the front slewing support outer ring gear is fixed on the roller and slidingly cooperates with the front slewing support inner ring, the rear slewing support mechanism includes a rear slewing support outer ring gear, a rear slewing support inner ring and a rear slewing support middle ring, the rear slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame, the rear slewing support middle ring is fixedly connected to the roller, and the rear slewing support outer ring gear is slidingly cooperated with the rear slewing support middle ring.

[0008] Preferably, the drum is composed of a plurality of keels and a stainless steel shell, the two ends of the keel are respectively connected to the front slewing support outer ring gear and the rear slewing support middle ring and fixedly connected, and the cylindrical stainless steel shell is enclosed on the outside of the keel.

[0009] Preferably, the rotating platform includes a platform body, a driven gear, a transition gear and a gear bracket, the gear bracket is fixed on the keel, a rotating shaft is fixed at the lower part of the platform body, the driven gear is fixed on the rotating shaft, the lower part of the rotating shaft is connected to the gear bracket through a bearing, the transition gear is installed on the gear bracket, one side of the transition gear is engaged with the driven gear, and the other side of the transition gear is engaged with the outer ring gear of the rear slewing support.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating platform is an all-round vibration isolation structure with a vibration block installed inside. The workpiece is connected to the rotating platform through a quick interface. The impact force of the vibration block acts on the workpiece. The vibration isolation structure isolates the impact force within the rotating platform, and other external structures are not damaged by the impact force.

[0011] Preferably, the platform body is composed of a shell, a vibration isolation block and a support plate, the middle portion of the support plate is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the upper and lower sides of the support plate are installed inside the shell through the vibration isolation block.

[0012] Preferably, sealing doors are slidably connected to both sides of the outer frame.

[0013] Preferably, a loading and unloading platform mechanism is provided on one side of the outer frame, and the loading and unloading platform mechanism includes a loading and unloading platform, a loading and unloading platform bracket, and a loading and unloading platform guide rail. The loading and unloading platform is slidably connected to the loading and unloading platform bracket through the loading and unloading platform guide rail.

[0014] Preferably, the flipping power system and the rotation power system are respectively composed of a driving motor and a driving gear connected thereto.

[0015] Preferably, the rear slewing support outer ring gear is composed of flat teeth and helical teeth, the flat teeth are engaged with the rotary power system, and the helical teeth are engaged with the transition gear.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the overall structure of the present invention is more compact, the internal space is maximized, the floor space is small, and the sealing performance is good. There are no electrical connections in the workspace, and the circular door and cylindrical drum shell have good pressure resistance and sealing properties, which largely eliminate the possibility of powder dust storms. The roller and rotating platform can be controlled to flip and rotate at different angles according to the direction of the flow channel inside the workpiece, so that the internal powder can flow out in an orderly manner, and it has a certain degree of intelligence. The overall energy consumption of the equipment is low, the structure is simple, stable and strong, and the failure rate is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a directional stereogram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a partial enlarged view of the front rotary support mechanism of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 A perspective view of another direction of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 It is a partial enlarged view of the rear rotary support mechanism of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 It is a bottom-view stereogram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 A partially enlarged view of the rotating platform of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 It is a position diagram of the loading and unloading platform mechanism in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 It is a side schematic diagram of the loading and unloading platform of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a substrate of a workpiece fixed on a rotating platform in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a diagram of the installation position of the powder storage bin in the present invention;

[0027] Figure: 1. Outer frame; 11. Sealed door; 2. Drum; 21. Keel; 22. Stainless steel housing; 3. Rotating platform; 31. Platform body; 311. Housing; 312. Vibration isolation block; 313. Support plate; 32. Driven gear; 33. Transition gear; 34. Gear bracket; 4. Flipping power system; 41. Drive motor; 42. Drive gear; 5. Workpiece; 51. Base plate; 6. Rotating power system; 7. Front slewing support Mechanism; 71. Front rotary support outer ring gear; 72. Front rotary support inner ring; 8. Rear rotary support mechanism; 81. Rear rotary support outer ring gear; 82. Rear rotary support inner ring; 83. Rear rotary support middle ring; 9. Loading and unloading platform mechanism; 91. Loading and unloading platform; 92. Loading and unloading platform bracket; 93. Loading and unloading platform guide rail; 94. Push rod; 95. Lower fork arm; 96. Slot; 97. Rotating screw; 10. Powder storage bin; 101. Slit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined as "first", "second" and the like may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connected," "fixedly connected," and "fixed connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0031] The specific implementation of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0032] like Figure 1 The figure shows a machine tool for pre-processing rapid prototyping parts, comprising an outer frame 1, a drum 2, and a rotating platform 3. The drum is mounted within the frame at both ends via slewing support mechanisms. The drum is driven by a turning power system 4, which rotates the drum as a whole. The rotating platform is mounted within the drum and is used to secure a workpiece 5. The rotating platform is driven by a rotary power system 6, which rotates the rotating platform within the drum.

[0033] like Figure 1-4As shown, the slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support mechanism 7 and a rear slewing support mechanism 8. The front slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support outer ring gear 71 and a front slewing support inner ring 72. The front slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame. The front slewing support outer ring gear is fixed to the drum and slides with the front slewing support inner ring. The rear slewing support mechanism includes a rear slewing support outer ring gear 81, a rear slewing support inner ring 82, and a rear slewing support middle ring 83. The rear slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame. The rear slewing support middle ring is fixed to the drum. The rear slewing support outer ring gear slides with the rear slewing support middle ring. Specifically, the rear slewing support outer ring gear is composed of flat teeth and helical teeth. The flat teeth mesh with the rotary power system, and the helical teeth mesh with the transition gear.

[0034] Specifically, the drum 2 is composed of a plurality of keels 21 and a stainless steel shell 22. The two ends of the keels are respectively connected to the front rotary support outer ring gear 71 and the rear rotary support middle ring 83, and the cylindrical stainless steel shell is enclosed on the outside of the keels.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the rotating platform 3 includes a platform body 31, a driven gear 32, a transition gear 33 and a gear bracket 34. The gear bracket is fixed on the keel. A rotating shaft 35 is fixed to the lower part of the platform body. The driven gear is fixed on the rotating shaft. The lower part of the rotating shaft is connected to the gear bracket through a bearing. The transition gear is installed on the gear bracket. One side of the transition gear is engaged with the driven gear, and the other side of the transition gear is engaged with the outer ring gear of the rear slewing support.

[0036] like Figure 6As shown, the rotating platform is an all-round vibration isolation structure with a vibration block installed inside. The workpiece is connected to the rotating platform through a quick interface. The impact force of the vibration block acts on the workpiece. The vibration isolation structure isolates the impact force within the rotating platform, and other external structures are not damaged by the impact force. Specifically, the platform body is composed of a shell 311, a vibration isolation block 312 and a support plate 313. The middle part of the support plate is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the upper and lower sides of the support plate are installed inside the shell through the vibration isolation block. A vibration source is fixed inside or outside the shell of the rotating platform, so that the vibration source drives the shell and the workpiece to vibrate together to clean the powder on the surface and inside. At the same time, the support plate isolated by the vibration isolation block is not affected by the vibration and can work stably for a long time. On the one hand, the shell wraps the support plate and the vibration isolation block as a whole, and a quick interface can be installed. The vibration isolation block is composed of rubber screws. The support plate is inside and the shell is outside. The upper and lower layers of the support plate and the shell are connected by rubber screws according to a certain distribution. When the rotating platform is horizontal, tilted, or inverted, some of the rubber screws are in compression and some in tension. This allows the rubber screws to support a certain weight while also providing vibration isolation. Properly adjusting the number and size of the isolation blocks can meet the vibration isolation requirements of workpieces of varying weights.

[0037] Specifically, sealed doors 11 are slidably connected to each side of the outer frame 1. Doors can be opened on both the front and rear sides of the drum, with the fixed inner rings of the front and rear slewing supports serving as door frames. The front sealed door can be installed, while the rear sealed door can be equipped with various sensors, air vents, air inlets, and other devices.

[0038] like Figure 7 As shown, a loading and unloading platform mechanism 9 is provided on one side of the outer frame. The loading and unloading platform mechanism includes a loading and unloading platform 91, a loading and unloading platform bracket 92, and a loading and unloading platform guide rail 93. The loading and unloading platform is slidably connected to the loading and unloading platform bracket via the loading and unloading platform guide rail. In front of the entire main rotating structure, there is a low loading and unloading platform for placing workpieces. When the workpiece is in place, the top layer of the loading and unloading platform can be moved horizontally to dock with the rotating platform inside the drum. After docking, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the workpiece is pushed onto the rotating platform by a push rod 94 located below the loading and unloading platform. This push rod is typically a multi-section telescopic structure and can be either hydraulic or electric. The rear end of the push rod is fixed to the loading and unloading platform, while its top end is connected to a fork arm 95, which rests on the base plate of the 3D-printed workpiece. After the loading and unloading platform docks with the rotating platform, the push rod is activated, and the fork arm 95 drives the workpiece 5 onto the rotating platform. A pair of slots 96 are mounted above the rotating platform. These slots are concave, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, fitting snugly within the base plate 51 of the workpiece 5. The slots have screw holes, through which a rotating screw 97 secures the slots to the base plate. The sealed door closes, and the workpiece begins automated powder cleaning. Once the workpiece completes automated powder cleaning, the sealed door opens, the loading and unloading platform moves laterally to dock with the rotating platform, and the rotating screw unlocks, pulling the workpiece back onto the loading and unloading platform for the next processing step.

[0039] The smooth stainless steel inner wall of the drum keeps the powder at the bottom when the drum rotates. When the drum turns to the initial position, the powder flows from the root of the rotating platform into the powder storage bin 10, and the powder can be recycled. Figure 10 Specifically, a slit 101 is formed on any edge of the drum (optionally near the rotating platform), and a powder storage bin is sealed on the outside of the slit. When powder passes through the slit, it leaks into the powder storage bin. Because the slit is very narrow, the probability of powder in the powder storage bin returning to the drum is very low, thus serving as a storage device. Multiple powder storage bins can also be provided on the drum.

[0040] In the present invention, the flipping power system and the rotation power system are respectively composed of a drive motor 41 and a drive gear 42 connected thereto. By adjusting the speed of the two power systems respectively, different flipping and rotation speeds can be achieved.

[0041] Assuming the workpiece's flow channel is spring-shaped, first, with the powder outlet as the zero point, flip and rotate the workpiece so that the tangent direction of the powder outlet is vertically downward. This will remove the powder initially at the powder outlet. Next, flip and rotate the workpiece so that the tangent direction of the flow channel at the rear end of the powder outlet is vertically downward, and this portion of the powder is discharged to the powder outlet. The workpiece then returns to the position of the first step, and the powder just discharged to the outlet is discharged out of the outlet. Similarly, the entire flow channel is divided into several sections, and the previous steps are repeated in each section to discharge the powder in sequence. The program can set the length of each section of the flow channel and the number of repetitions, making it easy to tailor the flow channel of different workpieces for effective powder cleaning.

[0042] The above program can be pre-edited offline based on the 3D workpiece geometry, determining the angular positions of the roller and rotating platform for each step. The machine then automatically executes each step according to the trajectory. Alternatively, the program can be manually taught step by step, with the angular positions of each section of the flow channel manually saved and executed in the order saved during runtime.

[0043] It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pre-processing machine tool for rapid prototyping parts, characterized by: It includes an outer frame, a roller and a rotating platform. Both ends of the roller are respectively installed in the outer frame through a slewing support mechanism. The roller is driven to rotate by a turning power system. The rotating platform is installed in the roller. The rotating platform is used to fix the workpiece and is driven to rotate by the rotating power system. The slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support mechanism and a rear slewing support mechanism, the front slewing support mechanism includes a front slewing support outer ring gear and a front slewing support inner ring, the front slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame, the front slewing support outer ring gear is fixed on the roller and slidably cooperates with the front slewing support inner ring, the rear slewing support mechanism includes a rear slewing support outer ring gear, a rear slewing support inner ring and a rear slewing support middle ring, the rear slewing support inner ring is fixedly connected to the outer frame, the rear slewing support middle ring is fixedly connected to the roller, and the rear slewing support outer ring gear is slewingly cooperated with the rear slewing support middle ring; The drum is composed of a plurality of keels and a stainless steel shell. The two ends of the keel are respectively connected to the front slewing support outer ring gear and the rear slewing support middle ring. The cylindrical stainless steel shell is enclosed on the outside of the keel. The rotating platform includes a platform body, a driven gear, a transition gear and a gear bracket, the gear bracket is fixed to the keel, a rotating shaft is fixed to the lower part of the platform body, the driven gear is fixed to the rotating shaft, the lower part of the rotating shaft is connected to the gear bracket through a bearing, the transition gear is installed on the gear bracket, one side of the transition gear is meshed with the driven gear, and the other side of the transition gear is meshed with the outer ring gear of the rear slewing support; The outer ring gear of the rear slewing support is composed of flat teeth and helical teeth. The flat teeth are engaged with the rotary power system, and the helical teeth are engaged with the transition gear. The inner ring of the front slewing support is used as a door frame to install a front sealing door for the entry and exit of workpieces. The inner ring of the rear slewing support is used as a door frame to install a rear sealing door to assist the entry and exit of workpieces, or to install a number of sensors, air ports and air inlet devices to provide parameters based on automation and intelligence.

2. The rapid prototyping part pre-processing machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating platform is an all-round vibration isolation structure with a vibration block installed inside. The workpiece is connected to the rotating platform through a quick interface. The impact force of the vibration block acts on the workpiece. The vibration isolation structure isolates the impact force within the rotating platform, and other external structures are not damaged by the impact force.

3. The rapid prototyping part pre-processing machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform body is composed of a shell, a vibration isolation block and a support plate. The middle portion of the support plate is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the upper and lower sides of the support plate are installed inside the shell through the vibration isolation block.

4. The rapid prototyping part pre-processing machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sealing doors are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the outer frame.

5. The rapid prototyping part pre-processing machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: A loading and unloading platform mechanism is provided on one side of the outer frame. The loading and unloading platform mechanism includes a loading and unloading platform, a loading and unloading platform bracket, and a loading and unloading platform guide rail. The loading and unloading platform is slidably connected to the loading and unloading platform bracket through the loading and unloading platform guide rail.

6. The rapid prototyping part pre-processing machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The turning power system and the rotating power system are respectively composed of a driving motor and a driving gear connected thereto.

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