Multi-material LOM process 3D printing system and printing method

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-material LOM process 3D printing system and printing method, and belongs to the technical field of 3D printing. The system comprises a feeding and cutting device, a printing platform device and a gluing and hot-pressing device. The feeding and cutting device comprises a rotating tower, a feeding module and a cutting module; the multiple feeding modules are arranged on the periphery of the rotating tower in a sliding mode and used for conveying set sheets to the printing platform device, and the cutting module is used for cutting the sheets located on the feeding modules on the printing platform device; the height of the printing platform device can be adjusted; the gluing and hot-pressing device comprises a gluing module and a hot-pressing module; the gluing module is used for coating a set binder; the hot-pressing module is used for conducting hot-pressing curing treatment on the sheets on the printing platform device. Through the rotating tower device, rapid conversion of printing materials can be achieved, more sheet conveying mechanisms can be additionally arranged according to needs, various mechanical properties are obtained through combination of various sheet materials and binders, and various set mechanical properties are obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular relates to a multi-material LOM process 3D printing system and a printing method. Background Art

[0002] The information disclosed in this background technology section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention, and should not necessarily be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that the information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0003] Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) technology is a 3D printing technology. Its basic principle is to build a three-dimensional object by superimposing and bonding a series of thin slices of materials (such as paper, plastic film, etc.). The core advantage of LOM technology is that it uses low-cost materials to manufacture three-dimensional entities layer by layer through laser or tool cutting and hot pressing. It is particularly suitable for initial concept verification and appearance evaluation of product design. The advantages of this technology also include fast molding speed, no need to design and build support structures, high prototype accuracy and small warping deformation. In addition, because the material cost of LOM technology is low and no chemical reaction is involved, it can meet the production of large objects.

[0004] Compared with other 3D printing technologies, LOM technology has much fewer mature materials. The most mature and commonly used material is fiber paper coated with heat-sensitive adhesive. Due to the limitation of raw materials, the mechanical strength of molded parts is poor. In recent years, LOM technology is developing in the direction of diversified material selection. LOM technology with diversified material selection still shows potential and development prospects in specific application fields. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the current technical status, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-material LOM process 3D printing system and printing method. The system adopts a modular structure. The rotary sheet feeding and cutting module can use different materials or sheets of different thicknesses to form parts in a set up and down order; the online gluing and hot pressing module can use different types of adhesives in a set order to meet the bonding requirements of different materials; it can achieve rapid prototyping of multi-material and complex structures.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is:

[0007] In a first aspect, a multi-material LOM process 3D printing system includes a feeding and cutting device, a printing platform device and a glue coating and hot pressing device;

[0008] The feeding and cutting device comprises a rotating tower, a feeding module and a cutting module; a plurality of the feeding modules are slidably arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating tower, and are used to convey set sheets to the printing platform device, and the cutting module is used to cut the sheets of the feeding modules located on the printing platform device;

[0009] The height of the printing platform device can be adjusted for layer-by-layer molding of multi-material LOM process;

[0010] The gluing and hot pressing device includes a gluing module and a hot pressing module; the gluing module is used to apply a set adhesive to the sheet on the printing platform device; the hot pressing module is used to perform hot pressing and curing treatment on the sheet on the printing platform device; the gluing and hot pressing device can move along a set track, approaching or moving away from the printing platform device.

[0011] Optionally, each of the feeding modules includes two active rollers for supplying sheet consumables and recovering sheet waste, and the distance between the two active rollers is greater than the length of the printing platform device.

[0012] Optionally, the feeding module can rotate around the rotating tower and perform lifting movement along the longitudinal direction of the rotating tower.

[0013] Optionally, the cutting module is slidably disposed on the rotating tower and can be lifted and lowered along the rotating tower.

[0014] Optionally, the cutting module includes a cutting head, and the cutting head can move on a two-dimensional plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device.

[0015] Optionally, the cutting module includes an X-axis moving axis and two Y-axis moving axes, and the two Y-axis moving axes are respectively provided with a laser cutting head and a milling cutter cutting head.

[0016] Optionally, the printing platform device can rise or fall along the Z axis, and the distance between the printing platform device and the rotating tower is equal to the distance between the feeding module and the rotating tower.

[0017] Optionally, the gluing module includes multiple groups of gluing mechanisms, each group of gluing mechanisms includes an adhesive nozzle and a gluing roller, and each group of gluing mechanisms can be raised and lowered independently; the gluing roller can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device.

[0018] Optionally, the adhesive spray heads of each group of glue coating mechanisms are respectively connected to a set adhesive pumping device.

[0019] Optionally, the heat pressing module includes a heat pressing roller, and the heat pressing roller can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device.

[0020] In a second aspect, a printing method based on the above-mentioned multi-material LOM process 3D printing system comprises the following steps:

[0021] S1, the glue coating module moves to the top of the printing platform device, rolls the set adhesive on the top surface of the print and then leaves the printing platform device;

[0022] S2, the set feeding module rotates along the rotating tower and moves to the top of the printing platform device and descends, so that the sheet of the feeding module contacts the printing top surface;

[0023] S3, the heat pressing module moves to the top of the printing platform device, heat presses the sheet of the feeding module and the printing top surface into one, and then leaves the printing platform device;

[0024] S4, the cutting module moves to a set distance above the printing platform device, and cuts the sheet on the feeding module according to the set path through the cutting head, so that the sheet hot-pressed with the printing top surface is separated from the feeding module and leaves the printing platform device; the feeding module collects the waste sheet after cutting and releases new sheet;

[0025] S5. The printing platform device descends a set distance, so that the upper surface of the newly heat-pressed sheet becomes the new printing top surface, and the printing process is repeated.

[0026] Optionally, in S1, after the gluing module moves along the track to above the printing platform device, the set gluing mechanism descends, the adhesive nozzle releases a set type of adhesive onto the gluing roller, and the gluing roller rolls the adhesive onto the top surface of the print, and then the gluing mechanism rises and leaves the top surface of the print, and the gluing module moves away from the printing platform device along the track.

[0027] Optionally, in S2, when the feeding module 13 descends, the printing platform device 2 penetrates into the gap between the two active rolls, so that the printing top surface contacts the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet.

[0028] Optionally, in S3, the heat source of the hot pressing module is a hot pressing roller, and the pressure during the hot pressing process is set by fine-tuning the lifting and lowering amplitude of the platform lifting piston of the printing platform device.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0030] 1. In the multi-material 3D printing system based on the LOM process of the present invention, the rotating tower device can realize the rapid conversion of printing materials, thereby realizing multi-material LOM process 3D printing, breaking through the raw material limitations of LOM technology, and using the excellent properties of composite materials to improve the mechanical strength of molded parts and give them certain functionality. The rotating tower can also add more sheet conveying mechanisms as needed to achieve printing of more materials, and then use a combination of multiple sheet materials and adhesives to obtain multiple mechanical properties, and obtain a set of multiple mechanical properties.

[0031] 2. Since the present invention is provided with a plurality of feeding modules, the same material of different thicknesses can be loaded on the feeding and cutting device. During actual printing, according to the geometric shape of the printed parts, the thicker material is applied to the position where the structure is uniform and does not require high precision, and the thinner material is applied to the position where the shape accuracy is high, which can further improve the printing speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0033] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the multi-material LOM process 3D printing system in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding and cutting device in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the printing platform device in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gluing hot pressing device in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0037] Among them: 1. Feeding and cutting device; 11. Rotating tower; 12. Cutting module; 121. Laser cutting head; 122. Milling cutter cutting head; 13. Feeding module; 131. First active reel; 132. Second active reel; 133. Tensioning plane; 2. Printing platform device; 21. Platform lifting piston; 22. Printing platform; 23. Printing semi-finished product; 3. Gluing and hot pressing device; 31. Hot pressing module; 32. Gluing roller; 33. Adhesive nozzle; 34. Track; 35. Gluing module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0040] A multi-material LOM process 3D printing system, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a feeding and cutting device 1, a printing platform device 2 and a gluing and hot pressing device 3; the figure adopts a right-hand rectangular coordinate system, the vertical direction is the Z direction, and the track direction of the gluing and hot pressing device 3 is the X direction.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeding and cutting device 1 includes a rotating tower 11, a feeding module 13 and a cutting module 12; a plurality of feeding modules 13 are slidably arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating tower 11, and are used to convey set sheets to the printing platform device 2, and the cutting module 12 is used to cut the sheets of the feeding modules 13 located on the printing platform device 2;

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, in the printing platform device 2, the height of the printing platform 22 can be adjusted by the platform lifting piston 21 below, which is used for layer-by-layer molding of the multi-material LOM process. The upper surface of the printed semi-finished product 23 carried on the printing platform 22 is the printing top surface. When printing starts and the printed semi-finished product 23 has not yet been generated, the upper surface of the printing platform 22 is the printing top surface;

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, the gluing and hot pressing device 3 includes a gluing module 35 and a hot pressing module 31; the gluing module 35 is used to apply a set adhesive to the sheet on the printing platform device 2; the hot pressing module 31 is used to perform hot pressing and curing treatment on the sheet on the printing platform device 2; the gluing and hot pressing device 3 can move along a set track 34, approaching or moving away from the printing platform device 2.

[0044] Through the above settings, the rotating tower 11 can be used to achieve rapid switching of printing materials, thereby breaking through the limitations of conventional LOM process 3D printing methods, and can also use the combination of different adhesives and sheets to obtain the set mechanical properties.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, each feeding module 13 includes two active rolls, namely a first active roll 131 and a second active roll 132: the first active roll 131 is mounted with a roll-shaped printing sheet material, and releases the sheet consumables for printing by rotation; the second active roll 132 is a recycling roll, and recycles the remaining sheet frame after cutting into a cylindrical shape by rotation; the sheet between the two active rolls is in a taut state due to the tension provided by the two rolls, and the taut plane 133 is parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device 2; the distance between the two active rolls is greater than the length of the printing platform device 2; as shown Figure 1As shown, when the feeding module 13 descends, the printing platform device 2 can penetrate into the gap between the two active rolls, and the upper surface of the printing platform device 2 can contact the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet, thereby cutting the sheet with a set contour from the tensioned sheet plane and bonding it to the printing top surface on the printing platform device 2.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeding module 13 can rotate around the rotating tower 11 and move up and down along the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the rotating tower 11. The feeding module 13 located above the printing platform device 2 can be switched through the rotational movement, and the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet can be moved closer to or away from the printing platform device 2 in a direction perpendicular to the printing top surface through the lifting movement.

[0047] The cutting module 12 is slidably disposed on the rotating tower 11 and can be raised and lowered (in the Z direction) along the rotating tower 11. When the cutting module 12 is lowered, the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet is separated from the cutting device by a set distance, which facilitates the operation of the cutting device. When the cutting module 12 is raised, it can avoid interference with other devices.

[0048] The cutting module 12 includes a cutting head, which can move on a two-dimensional plane (XY plane) parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device 2. Since the LOM process uses sheets for processing, the moving plane of the cutting head only needs to be parallel to the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet.

[0049] The cutting module 12 includes an X-axis frame, on which are disposed two Y-axis movable rods, namely, an X-axis movable axis and two Y-axis movable axes. A laser cutting head 121 and a milling cutter cutting head 122 are respectively disposed on the two Y-axis movable axes, and the milling cutter cutting head 122 can select a set milling cutter in the tool library, and select a suitable cutting head for cutting according to different sheets.

[0050] The printing platform device 2 can rise or fall along the Z axis. The distance between the printing platform device 2 and the rotating tower 11 is equal to the distance between the feeding module 13 and the rotating tower 11. The feeding module 13 can be moved to the top of the printing platform device 2 by rotation, avoiding the need to add an extension length adjustment device between the feeding module 13 and the rotating tower 11.

[0051] The gluing module 35 includes multiple groups of gluing mechanisms, each group of gluing mechanisms includes an adhesive nozzle 33 and a gluing roller 32, and each group of gluing mechanisms can be raised and lowered independently; the gluing roller 32 can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device 2, and multiple gluing mechanisms move as a whole, but only a set gluing mechanism descends to a height that contacts the top surface of the print to release the adhesive and roller coating.

[0052] The adhesive nozzle 33 is arranged above the glue coating roller 32 along a straight line parallel to the axis of the glue coating roller 32, and is used to evenly arrange the adhesive on the glue coating roller 32. The adhesive nozzles of each group of glue coating mechanisms are respectively connected to a set adhesive pumping device, and are used to apply a set type of adhesive according to performance requirements.

[0053] The hot pressing module 31 includes a hot pressing roller, which can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device 2 to hot press the new sheet layer, causing the adhesive under the new sheet layer to solidify, and bond the new sheet layer to the printed semi-finished product 23 to form a new printed top surface.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, the hot pressing module 31 and the glue coating module 35 move on different X-direction tracks respectively to avoid mutual interference.

[0055] The printing method using the multi-material LOM process 3D printing system of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0056] S1, the glue coating module 35 moves to the top of the printing platform device 2, rolls the set adhesive on the top surface of the print and then leaves the printing platform device 2;

[0057] S2, the set feeding module 13 rotates along the rotating tower 11 to move above the printing platform device 2 and descends, so that the sheet of the feeding module 13 contacts the top surface of the printing;

[0058] S3, the heat pressing module 31 moves to the top of the printing platform device 2, heat presses the sheet of the feeding module 13 and the printing top surface into one, and then leaves the printing platform device 2;

[0059] S4, the cutting module 12 moves to a set distance above the printing platform device 2, and cuts the sheet on the feeding module 13 according to the set path through the cutting head, so that the sheet hot-pressed with the printing top surface is separated from the feeding module 13, and then the cutting module 12 leaves the printing platform device 2; after the feeding module 13 leaves the printing platform device 2, the cut sheet waste is collected and a new sheet is released;

[0060] S5. The printing platform device 2 descends a set distance, so that the upper surface of the newly heat-pressed sheet becomes the new printing top surface, and the printing process is repeated.

[0061] In S1, after the glue coating module 35 moves along the track to the top of the printing platform device 2, the set glue coating mechanism descends, and the adhesive nozzle releases the set type of adhesive to the glue coating roller 32, and the glue coating roller 32 rolls the adhesive on the top surface of the printing, and then the glue coating mechanism rises and leaves the top surface of the printing, and the glue coating module 35 moves away from the printing platform device 2 along the track 34.

[0062] In S2, since the distance between the two active rolls of the feeding module 13 is greater than the length of the printing platform device 2, when the feeding module 13 descends, the printing platform device 2 penetrates into the gap between the two active rolls, so that the top surface of the print contacts the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet.

[0063] In S3 , the heat source of the hot pressing module 31 is a hot pressing roller, and the pressure during the hot pressing process is set by fine-tuning the lifting range of the platform lifting piston 21 of the printing platform device 2 .

[0064] In order to avoid the friction between the printing top surface and the sheet waste of the feeding module 13 affecting the waste recovery, in S4, after the cutting module 12 leaves the printing platform device 2, the platform lifting piston 21 of the printing platform device 2 descends by a distance twice the thickness of the sheet layer, and after the gluing module 35 in S1 rolls the set adhesive on the printing top surface and a new sheet is released from the feeding module 13 in S2 to form a new tensioning plane 133, the platform lifting piston 21 rises by a distance twice the thickness of the sheet layer, so that the tensioning plane 133 is bonded to the printing top surface.

[0065] Since a plurality of feeding modules 13 are provided, the same material of different thicknesses can be loaded on the feeding and cutting device 1. During actual printing, according to the geometric shape of the printed parts, thicker materials are used in locations where the structure is uniform and high precision is not required, and thinner materials are used in locations where shape precision is high. At this time, when different feeding modules 13 are switched, sheet materials of different thicknesses are switched, which can further improve the printing speed.

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-material LOM process 3D printing system, characterized in that: It includes a feeding and cutting device, a printing platform device and a gluing and hot pressing device; The feeding and cutting device comprises a rotating tower, a feeding module and a cutting module; A plurality of the feeding modules are slidably arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating tower, and are used to convey set sheets to the printing platform device, and the cutting module is used to cut the sheets of the feeding modules located on the printing platform device; The height of the printing platform device can be adjusted for layer-by-layer molding of multi-material LOM process; The gluing and hot pressing device includes a gluing module and a hot pressing module; the gluing module is used to apply a set adhesive to the sheet on the printing platform device; the hot pressing module is used to perform hot pressing and curing treatment on the sheet on the printing platform device; the gluing and hot pressing device can move along a set track, approaching or moving away from the printing platform device.

2. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the feeding modules includes two active rollers for supplying sheet consumables and recovering sheet waste, and the distance between the two active rollers is greater than the length of the printing platform device.

3. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding module can rotate around the rotating tower and can lift and lower along the longitudinal direction of the rotating tower.

4. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that The cutting module is slidably disposed on the rotating tower and can be lifted and lowered along the rotating tower.

5. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cutting module comprises a cutting head, and the cutting head can move on a two-dimensional plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device; Optionally, the cutting module includes an X-axis moving axis and two Y-axis moving axes, and the two Y-axis moving axes are respectively provided with a laser cutting head and a milling cutter cutting head.

6. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printing platform device can rise or fall along the Z axis, and the distance between the printing platform device and the rotating tower is equal to the distance between the feeding module and the rotating tower.

7. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gluing module comprises a plurality of gluing mechanisms, each of which comprises an adhesive nozzle and a gluing roller, and each of which can be raised and lowered independently; the gluing roller can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device; Optionally, the adhesive spray heads of each group of glue coating mechanisms are respectively connected to a set adhesive pumping device.

8. The multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat pressing module comprises a heat pressing roller, and the heat pressing roller can move along a plane parallel to the upper surface of the printing platform device.

9. A printing method based on the multi-material LOM process 3D printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1, the glue coating module moves to the top of the printing platform device, rolls the set adhesive on the top surface of the print and then leaves the printing platform device; S2, the set feeding module rotates along the rotating tower and moves to the top of the printing platform device and descends, so that the sheet of the feeding module contacts the printing top surface; S3, the heat pressing module moves to the top of the printing platform device, heat presses the sheet of the feeding module and the printing top surface into one, and then leaves the printing platform device; S4, the cutting module moves to a set distance above the printing platform device, and cuts the sheet on the feeding module according to the set path through the cutting head, so that the sheet hot-pressed with the printing top surface is separated from the feeding module and leaves the printing platform device; the feeding module collects the waste sheet after cutting and releases new sheet; S5. The printing platform device descends a set distance, so that the upper surface of the newly heat-pressed sheet becomes the new printing top surface, and the printing process is repeated.

10. The printing method according to claim 9, characterized in that: In S1, after the glue coating module moves along the track to the top of the printing platform device, the set glue coating mechanism descends, and the adhesive nozzle releases the set type of adhesive to the glue coating roller, and the glue coating roller rolls the adhesive on the top surface of the print, and then the glue coating mechanism rises and leaves the top surface of the print, and the glue coating module moves away from the printing platform device along the track; Optionally, in S2, during the descending process of the feeding module 13, the printing platform device 2 penetrates into the gap between the two active rolls, so that the top surface of the print contacts the tensioning plane 133 of the sheet; Optionally, in S3, the heat source of the hot pressing module is a hot pressing roller, and the pressure during the hot pressing process is set by fine-tuning the lifting and lowering amplitude of the platform lifting piston of the printing platform device.

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