Cooling Device and Method for an Additive Manufacturing Equipment

Abstract

This application relates to a cooling device and method for an additive manufacturing equipment. The plug-in cooling structure of the upper plug cooling block and the lower plug cooling block is adopted in this application, which can not only increase the contact area between the first plugging part of the upper plug cooling block and the second plugging part of the lower plug cooling block, but also avoid the direct contact between the material plate and the second cooling block, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of mechanical collision when contacting and moving with the formed part. At the same time, through the bending part, the first plugging part and the second plugging part can be fully plugged together, further ensuring the contact area between the first plugging part and the second plugging part, and thus ensuring the cooling efficiency. The lower plug cooling block and the bottom of the forming chamber can be fully contacted through the heat conduction pad. In addition, the first cooling block is arranged outside the forming chamber in this application, so that the first cooling block is isolated from the high-temperature and dust environment, avoiding potential safety hazards caused by the damage of the internal flow channel and pipe joint of the first cooling block, and improving the safety performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular, to a cooling device and method for an additive manufacturing equipment. Background Art

[0002] Selective electron beam melting forming is an additive manufacturing technology that, in a high-vacuum environment, uses a changing magnetic field generated by a magnetic deflection coil to drive an electron gun to emit a high-energy electron beam current, which rapidly moves and scans on a powder layer, melts the powder material, and deposits layer by layer to manufacture three-dimensional metal parts. Due to the high power of the electron beam and the high absorption rate of the material for the electron beam energy, the selective electron beam melting technology is particularly suitable for the forming and manufacturing of refractory and high-performance metal materials such as titanium alloys and titanium aluminide-based alloys, and has broad application prospects in the fields of aerospace, biomedicine, automobiles, and molds.

[0003] During the printing process of the selective electron beam melting forming technology, since the inside of the equipment is in a high-vacuum (1.0×10 -3 Pa to 1.0×10 -1 Pa) and high-temperature (substrate temperature 700 - 1100°C) environment, and during the printing process, it is necessary to continuously preheat and heat the powder bed layer by layer to maintain a high-temperature (powder bed temperature 600 - 1000°C) environment. Therefore, when the printing is completed, the formed part is wrapped in a high-temperature pre-sintered powder block. The high-temperature pre-sintered powder block is surrounded by loose powder, and the loose powder is surrounded by a forming cylinder with a wall thickness of 10 - 20 mm. Because the loose powder has a good heat insulation and heat preservation effect, it can effectively prevent the formed part and the high-temperature pre-sintered powder from dissipating heat and cooling to the surroundings during the printing process. However, after the printing is completed, it also brings difficulties to the cooling; after the printing is completed, in order to prevent the high-temperature metal powder from being oxidized, the inside of the equipment will maintain a vacuum degree of 1.0×10 -3 Pa - 1.0×10 -1 Pa, which will also bring difficulties to the cooling and temperature reduction of the formed part.

[0004] In the related art, when solving the cooling and temperature reduction of the formed part in the selective electron beam melting technology and equipment, mainly inert gas cooling, cooling block cooling, cooling plate cooling, or a combination of inert gas cooling and cooling block cooling, or a combination of inert gas cooling and cooling plate cooling is used to cool and reduce the temperature of the formed part. Among them, when using inert gas to cool the formed part, after the printing is completed, the inert gas is introduced into the forming chamber. By virtue of the characteristic that the inert gas does not react with the metal powder, the heat exchange between the formed part and the vacuum chamber wall is accelerated in a low-vacuum environment to achieve the purpose of rapid cooling. However, when using the inert gas cooling method for cooling, helium is mostly used. After the printing is completed, helium is filled into the forming chamber once or in multiple times. The cost of helium is high and the cooling efficiency improvement is not obvious. At the same time, if the low vacuum is maintained multiple times for helium circulation, it will also cause damage to the vacuum system.

[0005] When cooling the formed part using a cooling plate, a cooling plate that can pass air or water is provided on the side wall of the forming cylinder. After printing is completed, air or water is passed through to cool down the powder, pre-sintered powder, and formed part in the forming cylinder. Since the loose powder has a good heat insulation effect, the cooling effect of the cooling plate is limited. At the same time, after setting the side wall of the forming cylinder as the cooling plate, the cooling pipe will inevitably be exposed to a high-temperature and high-vacuum environment. If the cooling pipe is damaged, it will pose a certain safety hazard. If the cooling pipe is passed through the forming chamber and set outside, the forming cylinder cannot move, resulting in difficulties in maintenance, especially in the working conditions where the forming cylinder needs to be frequently moved in large-size equipment and cannot be used. When cooling the formed part using a cooling block, a cooling block with a cooling flow channel is provided inside the forming cylinder. The cooling block is fixed on the inner wall of the vacuum chamber at the bottom of the forming cylinder. When printing is completed, the forming cylinder descends to contact the cooling block to achieve the purpose of cooling the forming cylinder platen, substrate, and formed part. During the contact process between the cooling block and the forming cylinder platen, due to the limited contact area, the cooling effect is limited, and mechanical collision component damage may occur during the contact process.

[0006] In the above process of cooling the formed part, there are disadvantages such as unobvious cooling effect and high cost, and there are also safety hazards when using a cooling plate for cooling.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to improve one or more problems existing in the above related technical solutions.

[0008] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background art section is only used to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a cooling device and method for additive manufacturing equipment, which overcome one or more problems caused by the limitations and defects of the related technology to a certain extent.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment is provided, including:

[0011] A plurality of lifting rods are uniformly passed through the forming chamber; wherein, the lifting rods can reciprocate in the vertical direction;

[0012] A platen is arranged at the top of the lifting rods;

[0013] The material plate is arranged on the pallet through a plurality of support members, and the material plate is connected to the substrate in the forming chamber; wherein, when the lifting rod reciprocates in the vertical direction, it can drive the pallet, the material plate and the substrate to reciprocate in the vertical direction together;

[0014] The cooling assembly includes:

[0015] The first cooling block is arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the forming chamber;

[0016] The second cooling block is arranged in the forming chamber, and the second cooling block includes:

[0017] The upper plug plate cooling block includes a first horizontal portion and a first plugging portion, the first plugging portion is vertically connected to the first horizontal portion, the first plugging portion penetrates through the pallet, and the first horizontal portion is clamped on the pallet; wherein, when the lifting rod drives the pallet to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the upper plug plate cooling block can reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the pallet;

[0018] The lower plug plate cooling block includes a second horizontal portion and a second plugging portion, the second horizontal portion is arranged at the bottom of the forming chamber, the second plugging portion is vertically connected to the second horizontal portion, the position of the second plugging portion is opposite to the position of the first plugging portion, and the position of the second horizontal portion is opposite to the position of the first cooling block; wherein, after the forming part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the pallet and the substrate to move downward in the vertical direction, so that the first plugging portion of the upper plug plate cooling block can be plugged together with the second plugging portion of the lower plug plate cooling block, and the first horizontal portion of the upper plug plate cooling block can be in contact with the material plate;

[0019] The bending part is arranged on the second plugging portion, so that the first plugging portion and the second plugging portion can be fully plugged together;

[0020] The heat conducting pad is arranged at the bottom of the second horizontal portion, so that the second horizontal portion and the bottom of the forming chamber can be fully contacted.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present application, a plurality of insertion teeth are arranged on the first plugging portion, and a plurality of slots are arranged on the second plugging portion; wherein, the slots are matched with the insertion teeth.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the bending part is sleeved on the groove wall of the slot; wherein, the shape of the bending part is matched with the shape of the groove wall of the slot, and when the insertion teeth are inserted into the slot, the bending part can offset the clearance fit between the insertion teeth and the slot.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present application, the bent part is a bent copper plate.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the heat-conducting pad is 1-2 mm.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present application, mounting holes are provided on the pallet, and the upper plug-in board cooling block is mounted on the pallet through the mounting holes.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present application, the first plug-in part penetrates through the mounting hole, and the first horizontal part is clamped at the mounting hole.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present application, a plurality of card slots are provided at the end of the material plate close to the upper plug-in board cooling block, and a plurality of protrusions are provided on the first horizontal part; wherein, the protrusions are matched with the card slots.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present application, a flow channel is provided in the first cooling block, a medium inlet and a medium outlet are provided on the first cooling block, the medium inlet is connected to the inlet end of the flow channel, and the medium outlet is connected to the outlet end of the flow channel.

[0029] According to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a cooling method for an additive manufacturing equipment is provided, and the method includes:

[0030] After the forming part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the pallet and the substrate to move downward together in the vertical direction, so that the first plug-in part of the upper plug-in board cooling block and the second plug-in part of the lower plug-in board cooling block can be fully plugged together through the bent part, and the first horizontal part of the upper plug-in board cooling block is in contact with the material plate. When the first plug-in part of the upper plug-in board cooling block and the second plug-in part of the lower plug-in board cooling block are fully plugged together, and the first horizontal part of the upper plug-in board cooling block is in contact with the material plate, the first cooling block transfers its own heat to the bottom of the forming chamber, the heat-conducting pad, the second horizontal part of the lower plug-in board cooling block, the second plug-in part of the lower plug-in board cooling block, the first plug-in part of the upper plug-in board cooling block, the first horizontal part of the upper plug-in board cooling block, the material plate and the substrate in sequence, so as to cool the forming part on the substrate;

[0031] After cooling is completed, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the pallet and the substrate to move upward together in the vertical direction, so that the material plate is not in contact with the first horizontal part of the upper plug-in board cooling block, and the first plug-in part of the upper plug-in board cooling block is separated from the second plug-in part of the lower plug-in board cooling block.

[0032] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application may include the following beneficial effects:

[0033] In the embodiments of the present application, through the above device, when cooling the formed part, the plug-in cooling structure of the upper plug cooling block and the lower plug cooling block is adopted, which can not only increase the contact area between the first plug-in part of the upper plug cooling block and the second plug-in part of the lower plug cooling block, but also avoid the direct contact between the material plate and the formed part, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of mechanical collision during the contact movement with the formed part. At the same time, through the bending part, the first plug-in part and the second plug-in part can be fully plugged together, further ensuring the contact area between the first plug-in part and the second plug-in part, and thus ensuring the cooling efficiency. In addition, the first cooling block is arranged outside the forming chamber, so that the first cooling block is isolated from the high-temperature and dust environment, avoiding potential safety hazards caused by the internal circulation of the first cooling block and the breakage of the pipe joint, and improving the safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0035] Figure 1 Showing a schematic structural diagram of a cooling device of an additive manufacturing equipment in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 Showing a schematic structural diagram of an upper plug cooling block, a lower plug cooling block and a first cooling block in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3 Showing a schematic structural diagram of an upper plug cooling block in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 4 Showing a schematic structural diagram of a lower plug cooling block in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 5 Showing a schematic structural diagram of a bending part in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6 Showing a step flowchart of a cooling method of an additive manufacturing equipment in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0041] In the figure: 100, lifting rod; 200, material plate; 210, card slot; 300, support plate; 400, first cooling block; 500, second cooling block; 510, upper insertion plate cooling block; 511, first horizontal part; 5111, protrusion; 512, first insertion part; 5121, insertion teeth; 51211, heat dissipation groove; 520, lower insertion plate cooling block; 521, second horizontal part; 522, second insertion part; 5221, slot; 600, bending part; 700, heat conducting pad. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be more complete and comprehensive, and will fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0043] In addition, the accompanying drawings are only schematic illustrations of the embodiments of the present application and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0044] In the related art, after a formed part is printed by an additive manufacturing device, it is necessary to cool down the formed part. However, since the surface of the formed part includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and four side surfaces. The four side surfaces of the formed part are wrapped by loose powder, and the loose powder is a natural heat insulating material. Therefore, if the formed part is cooled from the side of the formed part, it will be difficult to achieve the cooling target.

[0045] Based on this, in this example embodiment, a cooling device for an additive manufacturing device is first provided. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the figure, the device may include: a plurality of lifting rods 100, a material plate 200, a support plate 300, a cooling assembly, a bending member 600, and a heat conducting pad 700. Among them, a plurality of lifting rods 100 are uniformly arranged through the forming chamber, and the lifting rods 100 can reciprocate in the vertical direction; a support plate 300 is arranged at the top of the lifting rods 100; a material plate 200 is arranged on the support plate 300 through a plurality of support members, and the material plate 200 is connected to the substrate in the forming chamber; when the lifting rods 100 reciprocate in the vertical direction, they can drive the support plate 300, the material plate 200, and the substrate to reciprocate in the vertical direction together; the cooling assembly includes: a first cooling block 400 and a second cooling block 500. The first cooling block 400 is arranged outside the bottom of the forming chamber; the second cooling block 500 is arranged in the forming chamber, and the second cooling block 500 includes: an upper insertion plate cooling block 510 and a lower insertion plate cooling block 520. The upper insertion plate cooling block 510 includes a first horizontal portion 511 and a first insertion portion 512, the first insertion portion 512 is perpendicularly connected to the first horizontal portion 511, the first insertion portion 512 penetrates through the support plate 300, and the first horizontal portion 511 is clamped on the support plate 300; when the lifting rods 100 drive the support plate 300 to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 can reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the support plate 300; the lower insertion plate cooling block 520 includes a second horizontal portion 521 and a second insertion portion 522, the second horizontal portion 521 is arranged at the bottom of the forming chamber, the second insertion portion 522 is perpendicularly connected to the second horizontal portion 521, the position of the second insertion portion 522 is opposite to the position of the first insertion portion 512, and the position of the second horizontal portion 521 is opposite to the position of the first cooling block 400; when the forming part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rods 100 drive the material plate 200, the support plate 300, and the substrate to move downward in the vertical direction, so that the first insertion portion 512 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 can be inserted together with the second insertion portion 522 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520, and the first horizontal portion 511 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 can be in contact with the material plate 200; a bending member 600 is arranged on the second insertion portion 522 to enable the first insertion portion 512 and the second insertion portion 522 to be fully inserted together; a heat conducting pad 700 is arranged at the bottom of the second horizontal portion 521 to enable the second horizontal portion 521 to be in full contact with the bottom of the forming chamber.

[0046] It can be understood that when the forming part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, except that the four side surfaces of the forming part are wrapped by loose powder, there will be sintered powder between the lower surface of the forming part and the substrate in the forming chamber, and the sintered powder has a higher heat conduction efficiency than the loose powder. Therefore, the present application is designed to cool the forming part from the bottom of the forming part to achieve rapid cooling of the forming part and achieve the cooling target.

[0047] It should be understood that in this application, the lifting rod 100 is used to drive the material plate 200 and the support plate 300 to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The material plate 200 is connected to the substrate in the forming chamber. When the lifting rod 100 drives the material plate 200 to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the substrate can reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the material plate 200. The number of lifting rods 100 in this application can be 2, 4, etc., which can be specifically set according to the actual situation and will not be elaborated in this application. Among them, the lifting rod 100 is a smooth rod. In this application, the driving mechanism can be used to drive the lifting rod 100 to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The driving mechanism can be specifically understood with reference to the prior art and will not be elaborated in this application.

[0048] Since the first cooling block 400 is provided with a flow channel inside, the flow channel has an inlet end and an outlet end, and a medium inlet and a medium outlet are also provided on the first cooling block 400. The medium inlet is connected to the inlet end of the flow channel, and the medium outlet is connected to the outlet end of the flow channel.

[0049] Generally, a pipe joint will be connected to the medium inlet to connect to an external pipeline. Similarly, a pipe joint will also be connected to the medium outlet to connect to an external pipeline. Therefore, if the flow channel and the pipe joint inside the first cooling block 400 are damaged, there will be a risk of water leakage or air leakage, which will lead to potential safety hazards. Therefore, in this application, the first cooling block 400 is placed outside the bottom of the forming chamber to avoid the risk of water leakage or air leakage in the forming chamber, thereby avoiding potential safety hazard problems in the forming chamber and improving the safety of the additive manufacturing equipment.

[0050] It can be understood that the flow channel is used for the circulation of the cooling medium. When it is necessary to cool the formed part on the substrate through the first cooling block 400, the lower insert cooling block 520, and the upper insert cooling block 510, this application injects a cooling medium into the flow channel inside the first cooling block 400 to achieve cooling of the formed part on the substrate through the first cooling block 400, the lower insert cooling block 520, and the upper insert cooling block 510. The specific process of injecting the cooling medium is as follows: The cooling medium flows into the flow channel through the medium inlet and the inlet end of the flow channel, then circulates in the flow channel, and finally flows out from the outlet end of the flow channel and the medium outlet. It should be noted that in the process of continuously injecting the cooling medium into the flow channel inside the first cooling block 400 in this application, heat exchange between the cooling medium and the first cooling block 400 is achieved. Among them, the cooling medium can be a cooling liquid or a cooling gas, and this application does not limit this.

[0051] In this application, the second cooling block 500 is placed at the bottom of the forming chamber, and the position of the second cooling block 500 is opposite to the position of the first cooling block 400. When cooling the formed part on the substrate, it can better cool and lower the temperature of the formed part.

[0052] Further, the second cooling block 500 includes an upper plug board cooling block 510 and a lower plug board cooling block 520. The upper plug board cooling block 510 includes a first horizontal portion 511 and a first plugging portion 512 vertically connected to the first horizontal portion 511. The first plugging portion 512 penetrates through the pallet 300, and the first horizontal portion 511 is clamped on the pallet 300, enabling the cooperative installation of the upper plug board cooling block 510 and the pallet 300. When the lifting rod 100 drives the pallet 300 to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the upper plug board cooling block 510 can reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the pallet 300.

[0053] The lower plug board cooling block 520 includes a second horizontal portion 521 and a second plugging portion 522 vertically connected to the second horizontal portion 521. The position of the second plugging portion 522 is opposite to the position of the first plugging portion 512. When the upper plug board cooling block 510 moves downward in the vertical direction along with the pallet 300, the first plugging portion 512 and the second plugging portion 522 can be plugged together.

[0054] In order to enable the first plugging portion 512 and the second plugging portion 522 to be fully plugged together, the present application provides a bending member 600 on the second plugging portion 522, so that the bending member 600 can offset the clearance fit between the first plugging portion 512 and the second plugging portion 522, ensuring the contact area between the first plugging portion 512 and the second plugging portion 522, and thus ensuring the cooling efficiency.

[0055] It should be noted that since the contact surface between the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber is uneven, resulting in insufficient contact during contact and affecting the cooling efficiency. Therefore, a heat conducting pad 700 is provided at the bottom of the second horizontal portion 521 of the lower plug board cooling block 520, so that the lower plug board cooling block 520 can fully contact the bottom of the forming chamber through the heat conducting pad 700, realizing better heat transfer between the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber, and ensuring the cooling efficiency between the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber.

[0056] Further, the heat conducting pad 700 is a silicone heat conducting pad. Since the silicone heat conducting pad has elasticity and a high heat conductivity, the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber can be fully contacted through the silicone heat conducting pad, improving the heat exchange efficiency and thus the cooling efficiency.

[0057] In one embodiment, the thickness of the heat conducting pad 700 is 1 - 2 mm. Within this thickness range, the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber can be fully contacted, enabling a high heat transfer efficiency between the second horizontal portion 521 of the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber, and further ensuring the cooling efficiency between the lower plug board cooling block 520 and the bottom of the forming chamber.

[0058] It should be noted that when the lifting rod 100 drives the pallet 300 to move downward in the vertical direction, the material plate 200 also moves downward in the vertical direction. This can not only ensure that the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are fully inserted together, but also enable the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 to contact the material plate 200, that is, to realize the contact between the material plate 200 and the upper plug cooling block 510.

[0059] Since the first insertion part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510 passes through the pallet 300 and the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 is clamped on the pallet 300, the pallet 300 limits the upper plug cooling block 510 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the upper plug cooling block 510 cannot move in the horizontal direction, but can move in the vertical direction. Thus, when the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are fully inserted together, the upward force exerted by the lower plug cooling block 520 on the upper plug cooling block 510 will cause the upper plug cooling block 510 to move upward in the vertical direction. Therefore, the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 can contact the material plate 200.

[0060] When the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are fully inserted together and the material plate 200 contacts the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the first cooling block 400 transfers its own heat to the second horizontal part 521 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the second insertion part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the first insertion part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the material plate 200, and the substrate in sequence, so as to cool down the formed part on the substrate.

[0061] Since there is sintered powder between the lower surface of the formed part and the substrate, and the sintered powder has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, when cooling the formed part through the first cooling block 400, the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520, first, the first cooling block 400 transfers its own heat to the bottom of the forming chamber and the sintered powder on the bottom of the forming chamber in sequence, and then, the heat is transferred to the heat conducting pad 700, the second horizontal part 521 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the second plug-in part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the first plug-in part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the material plate 200 and the substrate through the sintered powder in sequence; meanwhile, the formed part transfers its own heat to the substrate, the material plate 200, the first horizontal part 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the first plug-in part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510, the second plug-in part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the second horizontal part 521 of the lower plug cooling block 520, the heat conducting pad 700, the sintered powder and the bottom of the forming chamber, so as to exchange heat during the process of the first cooling block 400 transferring its own heat to the formed part and the process of the formed part transferring its own heat to the first cooling block 400, thereby realizing the cooling of the formed part on the substrate.

[0062] When the cooling of the formed part is completed, it is necessary to separate the upper plug cooling block 510 from the lower plug cooling block 520, and separate the material plate 200 from the upper plug cooling block 510. The specific implementation process is as follows: the lifting rod 100 drives the material plate 200, the support plate 300 and the substrate to move upward in the vertical direction. During this process, the upper plug cooling block 510 is automatically separated from the material plate 200 at the support plate 300, and then the material plate 200 continues to move upward in the vertical direction to separate the upper plug cooling block 510 from the lower plug cooling block 520 and separate the material plate 200 from the upper plug cooling block 510.

[0063] It should be noted that when the present application is printing through an additive manufacturing equipment, the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are completely separated, and the material plate 200 is also completely separated from the upper plug cooling block 510. When the printing is completed and the formed part on the substrate is cooled, the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 need to be fully plugged together, and the material plate 200 also needs to be in full contact with the upper plug cooling block 510. Among them, the process of plugging between the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520, the process of contact between the material plate 200 and the upper plug cooling block 510, the process of separation between the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520, and the process of separation between the material plate 200 and the upper plug cooling block 510 have been described in the above embodiments, and the present application will not elaborate on this.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present application, when cooling the formed part by the above device, the plug-in cooling structure of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 is adopted. This can not only increase the contact area when the first plugging part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510 is plugged into the second plugging part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520, but also avoid the direct contact between the material plate 200 and the formed part, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of mechanical collision during the contact movement with the formed part. At the same time, through the bending part 600, the first plugging part 512 and the second plugging part 522 can be fully plugged together, further ensuring the contact area between the first plugging part 512 and the second plugging part 522, and thus ensuring the cooling efficiency. In addition, the first cooling block 400 is arranged outside the forming chamber, isolating the first cooling block 400 from the high-temperature and dust environment, avoiding potential safety hazards caused by the internal circulation and pipe joint breakage of the first cooling block 400, and improving the safety performance.

[0065] Next, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5 to describe each part of the cooling device of the above additive manufacturing equipment in the present exemplary embodiment in more detail.

[0066] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 a plurality of inserted teeth 5121 are arranged on the first plugging part 512, and a plurality of slots 5221 are arranged on the second plugging part 522; among them, the slots 5221 match the inserted teeth 5121.

[0067] It can be understood that the inserted teeth 5121 arranged on the first plugging part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510 match the slots 5221 on the second plugging part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520, enabling the first plugging part 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the second plugging part 522 of the lower plug cooling block 520 to be plugged together.

[0068] It should be noted that the plugging method of inserting the inserted teeth 5121 into the slots 5221 further increases the contact area when the first plugging part 512 and the second plugging part 522 are fully plugged together, improves the heat exchange efficiency between the first plugging part 512 and the second plugging part 522, and thus improves the cooling efficiency of the formed part. The number of the inserted teeth 5121 on the first plugging part 512 and the number of the slots 5221 on the second plugging part 522 can both be set according to actual situations, and the present application will not elaborate on this.

[0069] In this application, by installing the upper plug cooling block 510 on the pallet 300, during the cooling process, it automatically contacts the material plate 200. The upper plug cooling block 510 can automatically contact or separate from the material plate 200 according to process requirements, avoiding the phenomenon that it is difficult to maintain the temperature reduction process of the formed part during printing due to the installation of the cooling device.

[0070] Furthermore, as Figure 3 shown, heat dissipation grooves 51211 are provided on the spline 5121 to achieve better heat exchange between the first plug-in part 512 and the second plug-in part 522, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency of the formed part.

[0071] In one embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, the bending part 600 is sleeved on the inner wall of the slot 5221; wherein, the shape of the bending part 600 matches the shape of the inner wall of the slot 5221. When the spline 5121 is inserted into the slot 5221, the bending part 600 can offset the clearance fit between the spline 5121 and the slot 5221.

[0072] It can be understood that in this application, by sleeving the bending part 600 on the inner wall of the slot 5221, the bending part 600 can be installed between the spline 5121 of the first plug-in part 512 and the slot 5221 of the second plug-in part 522. Thus, when the spline 5121 is inserted into the slot 5221, the bending part 600 can offset the clearance fit between the spline 5121 and the slot 5221 to ensure close contact between the first plug-in part 512, the bending part 600, and the second plug-in part 522, so as to better achieve heat exchange between the first plug-in part 512 and the second plug-in part 522.

[0073] Furthermore, since copper has excellent thermal conductivity and can effectively transfer heat, in this application, the bending part 600 is set as a bent copper plate, so that heat can be effectively transferred between the first plug-in part 512 and the second plug-in part 522, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the formed part. The materials of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are generally aluminum alloy, and the hardness of aluminum alloy is greater than that of copper. Therefore, setting the bent copper plate between the first plug-in part 512 and the second plug-in part 522 can make the first plug-in part 512 and the second plug-in part 522 fully contact.

[0074] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, mounting holes are provided on the pallet 300, and the upper plug cooling block 510 is installed on the pallet 300 through the mounting holes.

[0075] It can be understood that the upper plug cooling block 510 of the present application is installed on the pallet 300 through the mounting holes. Specifically, the first plugging portion 512 of the upper plug cooling block 510 is passed through the mounting holes, and the first horizontal portion 511 is clamped at the mounting holes to install the upper plug cooling block 510 on the pallet 300, so as to facilitate the upper plug cooling block 510 to reciprocate vertically with the pallet 300.

[0076] It should be noted that the mounting holes are used to limit the upper plug cooling block 510 in the horizontal direction and not in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the upper plug cooling block 510 receives an upward force from the lower plug cooling block 520, the upper plug cooling block 510 can move vertically on the pallet 300.

[0077] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a plurality of card slots 210 are provided at the end of the material plate 200 close to the upper plug cooling block 510, and a plurality of protrusions 5111 are provided on the first horizontal portion 511; wherein, the protrusions 5111 are matched with the card slots 210.

[0078] It can be understood that by engaging the protrusions 5111 on the first horizontal portion 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 into the corresponding card slots 210 on the bottom of the material plate 200, not only the contact area between the first horizontal portion 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower surface of the material plate 200 is increased, but also the full contact between the first horizontal portion 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower surface of the material plate 200 is achieved. Thus, better heat exchange can be realized between the upper plug cooling block 510 and the material plate 200.

[0079] Furthermore, since the pallet 300 limits the upper plug cooling block 510 in the horizontal direction, the upper plug cooling block 510 cannot move in the horizontal direction, but can move in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower plug cooling block 520 are fully plugged together, the upper plug cooling block 510 receives an upward force from the lower plug cooling block 520, which will cause the upper plug cooling block 510 to move upward in the vertical direction. Therefore, the protrusions 5111 on the first horizontal portion 511 can be engaged into the corresponding card slots 210 on the material plate 200, increasing the contact area between the first horizontal portion 511 of the upper plug cooling block 510 and the lower surface of the material plate 200, thereby realizing better heat exchange between the upper plug cooling block 510 and the material plate 200.

[0080] It should be noted that the cooling device of the additive manufacturing equipment provided in this application does not damage the overall and local structures of the forming chamber, and is convenient for disassembly. It can be quickly transplanted into additive manufacturing equipment with different printing sizes and different printing schemes. Therefore, the cooling device of the additive manufacturing equipment in this application has good compatibility.

[0081] In this exemplary embodiment, a cooling method for an additive manufacturing equipment is also provided. The cooling is performed by using the cooling device of the additive manufacturing equipment in any of the above embodiments. Refer to Figures 1 to 6 , and this method includes: step S101 and step S102.

[0082] Among them, step S101: When the forming part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rod 100 drives the material plate 200, the support plate 300 and the substrate to move downward in the vertical direction, so that the first insertion part 512 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 and the second insertion part 522 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520 can be fully inserted together through the bending part 600, and the first horizontal part 511 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 contacts the material plate 200. When the first insertion part 512 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 and the second insertion part 522 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520 are fully inserted together, and the first horizontal part 511 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 contacts the material plate 200, the first cooling block 400 transfers its own heat to the bottom of the forming chamber, the heat conduction pad 700, the second horizontal part 521 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520, the second insertion part 522 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520, the first insertion part 512 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510, the first horizontal part 511 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510, the material plate 200 and the substrate in sequence to cool the forming part on the substrate.

[0083] Step S102: After the cooling is completed, the lifting rod 100 drives the material plate 200, the support plate 300 and the substrate to move upward in the vertical direction together, so that the material plate 200 does not contact the first horizontal part 511 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510, and the first insertion part 512 of the upper insertion plate cooling block 510 is separated from the second insertion part 522 of the lower insertion plate cooling block 520.

[0084] It should be noted that the cooling method of the additive manufacturing equipment in this application has been described in the above cooling device of the additive manufacturing equipment, and this application will not elaborate on it.

[0085] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0086] After considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the present application. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present application, which follow the general principles of the present application and include the common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that: include: A plurality of lifting rods are evenly arranged in the forming chamber; wherein the lifting rods can reciprocate in the vertical direction; A support plate, arranged on the top of the lifting rod; A material plate is arranged on the support plate through a plurality of supporting members, and the material plate is connected to the base plate in the forming chamber; wherein when the lifting rod reciprocates in the vertical direction, the support plate, the material plate and the base plate can be driven to reciprocate in the vertical direction together; Cooling assembly, including: A first cooling block is arranged outside the bottom of the forming chamber; A second cooling block is disposed in the forming chamber, wherein the second cooling block comprises: The upper plug-in board cooling block comprises a first horizontal portion and a first plug-in portion, wherein the first plug-in portion is vertically connected to the first horizontal portion, the first plug-in portion passes through the support plate, and the first horizontal portion is clamped on the support plate; wherein when the lifting rod drives the support plate to reciprocate in the vertical direction, the upper plug-in board cooling block can reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the support plate; The lower plug-in plate cooling block comprises a second horizontal portion and a second plug-in portion, wherein the second horizontal portion is arranged at the bottom of the forming chamber, the second plug-in portion is vertically connected to the second horizontal portion, the position of the second plug-in portion is opposite to the position of the first plug-in portion, and the position of the second horizontal portion is opposite to the position of the first cooling block; wherein, when the formed part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the support plate and the base plate to move downward in the vertical direction, so that the first plug-in portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block and the second plug-in portion of the lower plug-in plate cooling block can be plugged together, and the first horizontal portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block can contact the material plate; A bending piece, arranged on the second plug-in portion, so that the first plug-in portion and the second plug-in portion can be fully plugged together; A thermal pad is disposed at the bottom of the second horizontal portion so that the second horizontal portion can fully contact the bottom of the forming chamber.

2. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of inserting teeth are arranged on the first inserting portion, and a plurality of slots are arranged on the second inserting portion; wherein the slots match the inserting teeth.

3. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bending piece is sleeved on the slot wall of the slot; wherein the shape of the bending piece matches the shape of the slot wall of the slot, and when the insert tooth is inserted into the slot, the bending piece can offset the clearance fit between the insert tooth and the slot.

4. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bending piece is a bent copper plate.

5. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the thermal pad is 1-2 mm.

6. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support plate is provided with a mounting hole, and the upper insert plate cooling block is mounted on the support plate through the mounting hole.

7. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first plug-in portion passes through the mounting hole, and the first horizontal portion is clamped at the mounting hole.

8. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of slots are arranged at the end of the material plate close to the upper insert plate cooling block, and a plurality of protrusions are arranged at the first horizontal portion; wherein the protrusions match the slots.

9. The cooling device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flow channel is arranged in the first cooling block, and a medium inlet and a medium outlet are arranged on the first cooling block. The medium inlet is connected to the inlet end of the flow channel, and the medium outlet is connected to the outlet end of the flow channel.

10. A cooling method for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that: Cooling is performed using the cooling device of the additive manufacturing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: When the formed part is printed by the additive manufacturing equipment, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the support plate and the substrate to move downward in the vertical direction, so that the first plug-in portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block and the second plug-in portion of the lower plug-in plate cooling block can be fully plugged together through the bending piece, and the first horizontal portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block is in contact with the material plate. When the first plug-in portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block and the second plug-in portion of the lower plug-in plate cooling block are fully plugged together, and the first horizontal portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block is in contact with the material plate, the first cooling block sequentially transfers its own heat to the bottom of the forming chamber, the thermal pad, the second horizontal portion of the lower plug-in plate cooling block, the second plug-in portion of the lower plug-in plate cooling block, the first plug-in portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block, the first horizontal portion of the upper plug-in plate cooling block, the material plate and the substrate, so as to cool the formed part on the substrate; When cooling is completed, the lifting rod drives the material plate, the support plate and the base plate to move upward in the vertical direction, so that the material plate is not in contact with the first horizontal part of the upper plug-in plate cooling block, and the first plug-in part of the upper plug-in plate cooling block is separated from the second plug-in part of the lower plug-in plate cooling block.

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