Device for matrix powder spreading and 3D printer

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of 3D metal printing, in particular to a device for matrix powder laying and a 3D printer, the device for matrix powder laying comprises a device body, the device body comprises a matrix box, a powder laying valve, a rotating motor, a worm gear, a worm and a scraper, and the matrix box is provided with a plurality of cells in an array mode; a unit through groove is formed in the bottom wall of each cell; the powder spreading valves are arranged at the unit through grooves and used for blocking or opening the unit through grooves, and the rotating motor, the worm gear and the worm are used in cooperation and used for driving all the powder spreading valves to be opened or closed synchronously. The powder spreading device has the effects of integrating powder spreading and powder scraping functions, being simple in structure and convenient to operate, facilitating powder spreading and improving the powder spreading efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D metal printing, and in particular to a device for matrix powder spreading and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] A 3D metal printer is a scientific instrument used in the fields of physics, basic engineering and technological sciences, and mechanical engineering. It uses laser melting technology to melt metal powder to form functional solid parts. It can be used to print high-throughput metal materials. It is a fully digital rapid prototyping manufacturing process that directly produces high-density metal parts based on the interface data of the three-dimensional CAD layer. The thickness of the molten metal layer ranges from 20 microns to 100 microns, and metal is rapidly formed.

[0003] When manufacturing parts, 3D printers need to spread powder first, that is, spread different metal powders in the matrix cylinder of the molding chamber, and the laser melting device is set on the molding chamber and aligns the metal powders in the matrix cylinder for laser melting, and then the metals in different matrix grids are solidified and formed. Before spreading the metal powders, different metal powders need to be transported to the molding chamber through different transport bottles, and then the transport bottles need to be opened, the metal powders in the transport bottles need to be poured out, and the different metal powders need to be spread one by one into the corresponding grids of the matrix cylinder manually to complete the powder spreading operation.

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned related technologies, the inventors believe that manually transferring different metal powders one by one into the corresponding grids of the matrix cylinder is cumbersome, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the powder spreading efficiency needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to facilitate powder spreading and improve powder spreading efficiency, the present application provides a device for matrix powder spreading and a 3D printer.

[0006] In the first aspect, the present application provides a device for matrix powder spreading using the following technical solution: A device for matrix powder spreading comprises a device body, wherein the device body comprises a matrix box, a powder spreading valve and a driving mechanism, wherein the matrix box array comprises a plurality of cells, and a cell through groove is provided on the bottom wall of each cell; the powder spreading valve is arranged at the cell through groove for blocking or opening the cell through groove, and the driving mechanism is used for driving all the powder spreading valves to open or close synchronously.

[0007] Through the above technical scheme, when the device of the present application is used, the device of the present application is set directly above the matrix cylinder, and each cell is made to correspond one by one to the grid of the matrix cylinder. After the transfer bottle is transported to the molding chamber, the transfer bottle is opened, and the metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cell for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder in the matrix cylinder, all the powder spreading valves are opened synchronously through the driving mechanism, and the metal powder in the cell falls into the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder through the unit slot. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency.

[0008] Optionally, the powder spreading valve comprises a mounting rod and a powder spreading round rod, wherein the mounting rod is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the matrix box and a plurality of mounting rods are arranged in parallel, each mounting rod corresponds to each column of cells, and a mounting groove is provided in the mounting rod, and the mounting groove runs through the top surface and the bottom surface of the mounting rod; The powder-laying round rod is rotatably arranged in the installation groove, and the driving mechanism is used to drive all the powder-laying round rods to rotate synchronously; the powder-laying round rod is provided with a plurality of lower powder sections along its own length direction, and the number of the lower powder sections is arranged corresponding to the number of cells in each column, and a plurality of lower powder grooves are opened on the circumferential side wall of each lower powder section, and the lower powder grooves can be rotated with the powder-laying round rod to be connected with the corresponding unit through groove, and the lower powder grooves can also be rotated to be staggered with the unit through groove.

[0009] Through the above technical solution, when the powder spreading valve needs to be opened, all the powder spreading round rods are driven to rotate synchronously through the driving mechanism, and when the lower powder groove on the powder spreading round rod rotates to the bottom of the corresponding unit through groove, the unit through groove and the lower powder groove are connected correspondingly, and the metal powder in the unit cell falls into the lower powder groove, and falls into the matrix cylinder below as the lower powder groove rotates, so as to achieve powder spreading. When the powder spreading valve needs to be closed, the lower powder groove is rotated to be misaligned with the unit through groove.

[0010] Optionally, a docking groove is provided on the top surface of the mounting rod, the docking groove is connected with the mounting groove, a docking plate is fixedly installed in the docking groove, the top surface of the docking plate abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box, an arc groove is provided on the bottom surface of the docking plate, and the upper side of the powder-laying round rod is located in the arc groove and matched with the arc groove; A plurality of transition grooves are provided on the top surface of the docking plate, the openings at the tops of the transition grooves are communicated with the unit grooves, and the openings at the bottoms of the transition grooves are communicated with the lower powder grooves.

[0011] Through the above technical solution, the docking plate plays a role of docking transition. After the metal powder falls from the unit groove, it enters the lower powder groove through the transition groove, so that the unit groove and the lower powder groove are tightly docked, which helps the metal powder to flow in the designated channel and is not easy to leak to other positions.

[0012] Optionally, a lower material bin is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the mounting rod, the lower material bin is connected to the mounting groove, the lower material bin is gradually tapered from top to bottom, a plurality of lower material ports are provided at the smallest end of the lower material bin, and the lower material ports are arranged corresponding to the unit through grooves.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the metal powder falls from the lower powder chute, enters the lower material bin, and then falls from the discharge port at the smallest end of the lower material bin, which helps the metal powder to concentrate into the corresponding grids of the matrix cylinder.

[0014] Optionally, a plurality of powder-blocking rings are fixedly installed in the installation groove, and an arc-shaped ring groove for embedding the top of the powder-blocking ring is opened on the top wall of the arc-shaped groove; every two lower powder sections are fixedly connected by a cake column, the diameter of the cake column is smaller than the diameter of the lower powder section, and the powder-blocking ring is sleeved on the cake column.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the powder retaining ring can separate adjacent lower powder sections, thereby forming independent powder receiving slots, each of which can receive different metal powders for printing, and can prevent the powders in adjacent powder receiving slots from mixing. In addition, the powder retaining ring can limit each lower powder section, thereby facilitating the improvement of the stability of the rotation of the powder spreading rod, and further improving the alignment accuracy between the unit through slot and the lower powder slot.

[0016] Optionally, the driving mechanism includes a rotating motor, a worm and a plurality of worm wheels, wherein the worm is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor, and the worm wheels are fixedly connected to the ends of the corresponding powder-laying round rods and are all meshed with the worm.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, when the powder spreading round rod needs to be rotated, the rotating motor is started to drive the worm to rotate around its own axis, and then the worm gear drives multiple powder spreading round rods to rotate synchronously, thereby realizing the synchronous opening and closing of all powder spreading valves.

[0018] Optionally, the bottom of the cell is tapered, and the unit through groove is arranged at the smallest end of the cell.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to guide the metal powder in the cells to fall in a concentrated manner.

[0020] Optionally, one end of the matrix box is fixedly connected to a mounting cover, and the worm wheel and the worm are located inside the mounting cover.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, on the one hand, it can play a protective role, and on the other hand, it helps to improve the overall neatness and aesthetics.

[0022] Optionally, the device body is connected to a sliding device, and the sliding direction of the device body is opposite to and parallel to the powder spreading direction; a fixed plate is provided at one end of the matrix box parallel to the powder spreading direction, and a scraper is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the fixed plate, and the scraper is used to scrape the powder spread in the matrix cylinder.

[0023] Through the above technical solution, the device body can be moved to the top of the matrix cylinder through an external sliding device, and then stopped. After the powder spreading is completed, the device body can continue to be moved to drive the scraper to move and scrape the powder to flatten the metal powder in the matrix cylinder. It integrates the powder spreading and scraping functions, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0024] In the second aspect, the present application provides a 3D printer that adopts the following technical solution: A 3D printer comprises the above-mentioned device for matrix powder spreading.

[0025] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cells for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder into the matrix cylinder, all the powder spreading valves are opened synchronously through the driving mechanism, and the metal powder in the cells falls into the corresponding grids of the matrix cylinder through the unit slots. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency. 2. Start the rotating motor to drive the worm to rotate around its own axis, and then drive multiple powder-spreading round rods to rotate synchronously through the worm gear. When the powder-spreading valve needs to be opened, all the powder-spreading round rods are driven to rotate synchronously through the driving mechanism. When the lower powder trough on the powder-spreading round rod rotates to the bottom of the corresponding unit through-groove, the unit through-groove and the lower powder trough are connected correspondingly, and the metal powder in the unit cell passes through the lower powder trough and falls into the matrix cylinder below to achieve powder spreading; when the powder-spreading valve needs to be closed, the lower powder trough is rotated to be misaligned with the unit through-groove; 3. The powder-blocking ring can separate adjacent lower powder sections to form independent powder receiving slots. Each powder receiving slot can receive different metal powders for printing, thus preventing the powders in adjacent powder receiving slots from mixing. In addition, the powder-blocking ring can limit the position of each lower powder section, thereby facilitating the improvement of the rotation stability of the powder-laying round rod, and thereby improving the alignment accuracy between the unit through slot and the lower powder slot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a device for matrix powder spreading according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure used to show the interior of the installation cover in the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a bottom view of the lower silo in the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram used to show the top surface of the mounting rod in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram used to display the docking plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram used to illustrate the arc-shaped annular groove in the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder-laying round rod used to illustrate the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. Matrix box; 11. Cell; 12. Cell through groove; 2. Powder spreading valve; 21. Mounting rod; 211. Mounting groove; 212. Docking groove; 22. Powder spreading round rod; 221. Powder lowering section; 222. Powder lowering groove; 223. Cake column; 3. Driving mechanism; 31. Rotating motor; 32. Worm; 33. Worm wheel; 4. Docking plate; 41. Arc groove; 42. Transition through groove; 5. Powder retaining ring; 51. Arc ring groove; 52. Powder receiving groove; 6. Discharge bin; 61. Discharge port; 7. Mounting cover; 8. Fixing plate; 9. Scraper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is combined with Figure 1-7 This application is described in further detail.

[0035] The embodiments of the present application disclose a device for matrix powder spreading and a 3D printer.

[0036] In a first aspect, the present application discloses a device for matrix powder spreading: Reference Figure 1-4 The device for matrix powder spreading includes a device body, which includes a matrix box 1, a powder spreading valve 2 and a driving mechanism 3. The matrix box 1 has 25 cells 11 in a 5-row 5-column array, and each cell 11 has a cell through groove 12 on its bottom wall; the powder spreading valve 2 is arranged at the cell through groove 12 to block or open the cell through groove 12, and the driving mechanism 3 is used to drive all the powder spreading valves 2 to open or close synchronously. The bottom of the cell 11 is gradually reduced, and the cell through groove 12 is arranged at the smallest end of the cell 11, so as to guide the metal powder in the cell 11 to fall down in a concentrated manner.

[0037] When the device of the present application is used, the device of the present application is set directly above the matrix cylinder, and each cell 11 is made to correspond one-to-one with the grid of the matrix cylinder. After the transfer bottle is transported to the molding chamber, the transfer bottle is opened, and the metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cell 11 for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder in the matrix cylinder, all the powder spreading valves 2 are opened synchronously through the driving mechanism 3, and the metal powder in the cell 11 falls into the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder through the unit through groove 12. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency.

[0038] Reference Figure 4-7 The powder spreading valve 2 includes a mounting rod 21 and a powder spreading round rod 22. The mounting rod 21 is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the matrix box 1 and 5 of them are arranged in parallel. Each mounting rod 21 corresponds to each column of cells 11. A mounting groove 211 is provided in the mounting rod 21, and the mounting groove 211 runs through the top and bottom surfaces of the mounting rod 21. The powder spreading round rod 22 is rotatably arranged in the mounting groove 211 through a bearing, and the driving mechanism 3 is used to drive all the powder spreading round rods 22 to rotate synchronously; the powder spreading round rod 22 is provided with 5 lower powder sections 221 along its length direction, and the number of the lower powder sections 221 is set corresponding to the number of cells 11 in each column, and a plurality of lower powder grooves 222 are provided on the peripheral side wall of each lower powder section 221. The lower powder grooves 222 can rotate with the powder spreading round rod 22 to be connected with the corresponding unit through groove 12, and the lower powder grooves 222 can also rotate to be staggered with the unit through groove 12.

[0039] When the powder spreading valve 2 needs to be opened, all the powder spreading round rods 22 are driven to rotate synchronously through the driving mechanism 3. When the lower powder groove 222 on the powder spreading round rod 22 rotates to the bottom of the corresponding unit through groove 12, the unit through groove 12 and the lower powder groove 222 are connected correspondingly, and the metal powder in the unit cell 11 falls into the lower powder groove 222, and falls into the matrix cylinder below as the lower powder groove 222 rotates, so as to achieve powder spreading. When the powder spreading valve 2 needs to be closed, the lower powder groove 222 is rotated to be staggered with the unit through groove 12.

[0040] Reference Figure 5-7 A docking groove 212 is provided on the top surface of the mounting rod 21, and the docking groove 212 is connected with the mounting groove 211. A docking plate 4 is fixedly installed in the docking groove 212, and the top surface of the docking plate 4 abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box 1. An arc groove 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the docking plate 4. The upper side of the powder-laying round rod 22 is located in the arc groove 41 and is adapted to the arc groove 41; a plurality of transition grooves 42 are provided on the top surface of the docking plate 4, and the openings at the top of the transition grooves 42 are connected with the unit grooves 12, and the openings at the bottom of the transition grooves 42 are connected with the lower powder groove 222. The docking plate 4 plays a docking transition role. After the metal powder falls from the unit groove 12, it enters the lower powder groove 222 through the transition grooves 42, so that the unit groove 12 and the lower powder groove 222 are closely docked, thereby helping the metal powder to flow in the designated channel and not easily leak to other positions.

[0041] Reference Figure 5-7 , a plurality of powder retaining rings 5 ​​are fixedly installed in the installation groove 211, and an arcuate ring groove 51 is provided on the top wall of the arcuate groove 41 for embedding the top of the powder retaining ring 5; every two lower powder sections 221 are fixedly connected by a cake column 223, the diameter of the cake column 223 is smaller than the diameter of the lower powder section 221, and the powder retaining ring 5 is sleeved on the cake column 223. The powder retaining ring 5 can separate the adjacent lower powder sections 221, thereby forming each independent powder receiving groove 52, each powder receiving groove 52 can receive different metal powders for printing, and can prevent the powders in the adjacent powder receiving grooves 52 from mixing. In addition, the powder retaining ring 5 can limit each lower powder section 221, so as to improve the stability of the rotation of the powder spreading round rod 22, and then improve the alignment accuracy between the unit through groove 12 and the lower powder groove 222.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6-7 A lower material bin 6 is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting rod 21, and the lower material bin 6 is correspondingly connected to the mounting groove 211. The lower material bin 6 is gradually reduced from top to bottom, and a plurality of lower material ports 61 are provided at the smallest end of the lower material bin 6, and the lower material ports 61 are correspondingly arranged with the unit through groove 12. After the metal powder falls from the lower powder groove 222, it enters the lower material bin 6, and then falls from the discharge port at the smallest end of the lower material bin 6, which helps the metal powder to concentrate into the grid corresponding to the matrix cylinder.

[0043] Reference Figure 1-2 The driving mechanism 3 includes a rotating motor 31, a worm 32 and five worm wheels 33. The worm 32 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor 31. The worm wheels 33 are fixedly connected to the ends of the corresponding powder-laying rods 22 and are all meshed with the worm 32. When the powder-laying rods 22 need to rotate, the rotating motor 31 is started to drive the worm 32 to rotate around its own axis, and then the worm wheels 33 drive multiple powder-laying rods 22 to rotate synchronously, so as to realize the synchronous opening and closing of all powder-laying valves 2. One end of the matrix box 1 is fixedly connected with a mounting cover 7, and the worm wheel 33 and the worm 32 are located in the mounting cover 7. The mounting cover 7 can play a protective role on the one hand, and on the other hand, it helps to improve the overall neatness and aesthetics.

[0044] Reference Figure 2The device body is connected to a sliding device, and the sliding direction of the device body is parallel to the powder spreading direction; a fixed plate 8 is provided at one end of the matrix box 1 parallel to the powder spreading direction, and a scraper 9 is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the fixed plate 8, and the scraper 9 is used to scrape the powder laid in the matrix cylinder. Through an external sliding device, the sliding device can be selected and installed according to actual conditions, such as using a cylinder or a screw structure, etc., which will not be described in detail in this application. Move the device body to the top of the matrix cylinder through the sliding device, stop, and continue to move the device body after the powder is spread, drive the scraper 9 to move, and scrape the powder to flatten the metal powder in the matrix cylinder. It integrates the powder spreading and scraping functions, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0045] In a second aspect, the present application discloses a 3D printer: A 3D printer comprises the above-mentioned device for matrix powder spreading.

[0046] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A device for matrix powder spreading, characterized in that: The invention comprises a device body, wherein the device body comprises a matrix box (1), a powder spreading valve (2) and a driving mechanism (3); the matrix box (1) has a plurality of cells (11) in an array, and each cell (11) is provided with a cell through groove (12) on its bottom wall; the powder spreading valve (2) is arranged at the cell through groove (12) for blocking or opening the cell through groove (12), and the driving mechanism (3) is used for driving all the powder spreading valves (2) to open or close synchronously.

2. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder spreading valve (2) comprises a mounting rod (21) and a powder spreading round rod (22), wherein the mounting rod (21) is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the matrix box (1) and a plurality of mounting rods (21) are arranged in parallel, each mounting rod (21) corresponds to each column of cells (11), and a mounting groove (211) is formed in the mounting rod (21), and the mounting groove (211) passes through the top surface and the bottom surface of the mounting rod (21); The powder-laying round rod (22) is rotatably arranged in the installation groove (211), and the driving mechanism (3) is used to drive all the powder-laying round rods (22) to rotate synchronously; the powder-laying round rod (22) is provided with a plurality of lower powder sections (221) along its length direction, and the number of the lower powder sections (221) is arranged corresponding to the number of cells (11) in each column; a plurality of lower powder grooves (222) are provided on the peripheral side wall of each lower powder section (221); the lower powder grooves (222) can rotate with the powder-laying round rod (22) to be correspondingly connected with the unit through groove (12), and the lower powder grooves (222) can also rotate to be staggered with the unit through groove (12).

3. A device for matrix powdering according to claim 2, characterized in that: A docking groove (212) is provided on the top surface of the installation rod (21), the docking groove (212) is communicated with the installation groove (211), a docking plate (4) is fixedly installed in the docking groove (212), the top surface of the docking plate (4) abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box (1), an arc-shaped groove (41) is provided on the bottom surface of the docking plate (4), and the upper side of the powder-laying round rod (22) is located in the arc-shaped groove (41) and is matched with the arc-shaped groove (41); A plurality of transition grooves (42) are provided on the top surface of the docking plate (4), the openings at the tops of the transition grooves (42) are connected to the unit grooves (12), and the openings at the bottoms of the transition grooves (42) are connected to the lower powder grooves (222).

4. A device for matrix powdering according to claim 2, characterized in that: A material lowering bin (6) is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting rod (21), the material lowering bin (6) is correspondingly connected to the mounting groove (211), the material lowering bin (6) is arranged to be gradually tapered from top to bottom, a plurality of material lowering ports (61) are arranged at the smallest end of the material lowering bin (6), and the material lowering ports (61) are arranged corresponding to the unit through grooves (12).

5. The device for matrix powdering according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of powder-blocking rings (5) are fixedly installed in the installation groove (211), and an arc-shaped ring groove (51) for embedding the top of the powder-blocking ring (5) is provided on the top wall of the arc-shaped groove (41); each two lower powder sections (221) are fixedly connected via a cake column (223), the diameter of the cake column (223) is smaller than the diameter of the lower powder section (221), and the powder-blocking ring (5) is sleeved on the cake column (223).

6. The device for matrix powdering according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (3) comprises a rotating motor (31), a worm (32) and a plurality of worm wheels (33); the worm (32) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor (31); and the worm wheels (33) are fixedly connected to the ends of the corresponding powder spreading rods (22) and are all meshed with the worm (32).

7. The device for matrix powdering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the cell (11) is arranged to be tapered, and the cell through groove (12) is arranged at the smallest end of the cell (11).

8. The device for matrix powdering according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the matrix box (1) is fixedly connected to a mounting cover (7), and the worm wheel (33) and the worm (32) are located inside the mounting cover (7).

9. The device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device body is connected to a sliding device, and the sliding direction of the device body is opposite to and parallel to the powder spreading direction; a fixed plate (8) is provided at one end of the matrix box (1) parallel to the powder spreading direction, and a scraper (9) is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the fixed plate (8), and the scraper (9) is used to scrape and level the powder spread in the matrix cylinder.

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that: A device for matrix powdering comprising the device described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images