Automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment. The automatic tool changing structure comprises a scraper frame mechanism, a tool changing frame mechanism and a driving mechanism, the scraper holder mechanism comprises a scraper holder, a scraper and a scraper spring jaw, and the scraper is fixed on the scraper holder through the scraper spring jaw; the tool changing frame mechanism comprises a tool changing frame, a standby scraper spring clamping jaw, a standby scraper and a motor, the standby scraper is fixed to the tool changing frame through the standby scraper spring clamping jaw, and the tool changing frame is driven by the motor to rotate. The driving mechanism comprises a linear motion assembly, a sliding block, a scraper conveying support, a scraper spring clamping jaw motion cylinder body and a scraper motion cylinder body, the linear motion assembly drives the sliding block to move in the same direction as the motion direction of the scraper frame, the scraper conveying support is installed on the sliding block, and the scraper spring clamping jaw motion cylinder body and the scraper motion cylinder body are arranged on the scraper conveying support. The scraper is installed through the spring clamping jaw, the scraper replacement frame mechanism and the driving mechanism are matched to achieve scraper replacement, and manual influence is removed in the scraper replacement and leveling process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular relates to an automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing (also known as laser selective melting or metal 3D printing) technology is a new processing method that has emerged in recent years. The raw materials used in this technology are all powders of tens to hundreds of microns. During the forming process, the powder is evenly spread on the forming substrate through the powder supply mechanism and the powder spreading mechanism, and then the powder in the specific geometric shape area of ​​the surface is melted by energy sources such as laser to produce metallurgical bonding, and finally the parts are grown layer by layer to achieve the three-dimensional forming process.

[0003] At present, during the operation of the selective laser melting equipment, the scraper holder is an important component of the equipment forming process. The scraper is installed and leveled to evenly spread the powder of the equipment powder supply system to the forming area, ensuring the single-layer printing thickness and Z-axis forming accuracy of the equipment. Before starting printing, the scraper needs to be replaced and leveled manually. During the printing process that lasts for several days or even dozens of days, the scraper may be damaged. It is necessary to pause printing and open the forming chamber for replacement, which will destroy the inert gas environment in the forming chamber and cause oxidation of the parts, affecting the performance of the parts. Or it can be replaced manually through the glove port, which is inconvenient to operate and difficult to maintain consistency. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention proposes an automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment, which eliminates the influence of human intervention during the process of scraper replacement and leveling, and avoids the problem of part performance being affected by scraper damage during the printing process.

[0005] The present invention is implemented as follows: an automatic tool changing structure applied to a selective laser melting device comprises three parts: a scraper holder mechanism, a tool changing holder mechanism, and a driving mechanism;

[0006] The scraper frame mechanism comprises a scraper frame, a scraper and a scraper spring claw, wherein the scraper and the scraper spring claw are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame, and the scraper is fixed to the scraper frame through the scraper spring claw;

[0007] The tool changing frame mechanism comprises a tool changing frame, a spare scraper spring claw, a spare scraper and a motor. A plurality of spare scrapers are mounted on the tool changing frame. The spare scrapers are fixed on the tool changing frame by the spare scraper spring claw. The tool changing frame is driven to rotate by the motor.

[0008] The driving mechanism includes a linear motion component, a slider, a scraper conveying bracket, a scraper spring claw motion cylinder, and a scraper motion cylinder. The slider is installed on the linear motion component. The linear motion component drives the slider to move in the same direction as the scraper frame movement direction. The scraper conveying bracket is installed on the slider. The scraper conveying bracket is used to convey the scraper. A scraper spring claw motion cylinder and a scraper motion cylinder are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket. The scraper spring claw motion cylinder is used to push open the scraper spring claw. The scraper motion cylinder is used to lift the scraper on the scraper conveying bracket to the scraper frame installation position.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the scraper conveying bracket is provided with a V-shaped groove for supporting the scraper.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, at least two scraper spring claws are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame, and correspondingly, at least two scraper spring claw moving cylinders are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket, and at least two spare scraper spring claws are arranged correspondingly at each spare scraper; the number of scraper spring claws, scraper spring claw moving cylinders and spare scraper spring claws corresponding to the disassembly and assembly of a scraper is the same.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, a positioning pin for positioning the scraper is provided at the bottom of the scraper holder.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, at least two scraper movement cylinders are provided.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the spare scraper spring claws and the spare scraper are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tool changing frame.

[0014] The advantages and positive effects of the present invention are:

[0015] 1. The automatic tool changing structure applied to the selective laser melting equipment of the present invention adopts a spring clamping claw to install the scraper, and the scraper is replaced by the cooperation of the tool changing frame mechanism and the driving mechanism.

[0016] 2. The automatic tool changing structure applied to the selective laser melting equipment of the present invention is fully automatic, eliminating the influence of human errors during the scraper replacement and leveling process. When the scraper is damaged, there is no need to open the forming chamber to destroy the inert gas environment, and the scraper can be replaced within a few minutes, which can ensure the continuity of part forming and avoid the destruction of the inert gas and long-term interruption of printing that affects the part quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic tool changing structure applied to a selective laser melting device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2is a schematic diagram of a combination of a scraper holder mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of a scraper holder mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a tool changer mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a driving mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1. scraper frame mechanism; 11. scraper frame; 12. scraper; 13. scraper spring claw; 14. positioning pin; 2. tool change frame mechanism; 21. tool change frame; 22. spare scraper spring claw; 23. spare scraper; 24. motor; 3. driving mechanism; 31. linear motion component; 32. slider; 33. scraper transport bracket; 331. V-shaped groove; 34. scraper spring claw motion cylinder; 35. scraper motion cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to further understand the content, features and effects of the present invention, the following embodiments are given as examples and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0026] See also Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic tool changing structure applied to a selective laser melting device, comprising a scraper holder mechanism 1, a tool changing holder mechanism 2, and a driving mechanism 3.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the scraper frame mechanism 1 includes a scraper frame 11, a scraper 12 and a scraper spring claw 13. The scraper frame 11 is an important component of the equipment forming process. The scraper 12 and the scraper spring claw 13 are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame 11 to evenly spread the powder of the equipment powder supply system to the forming area, thereby ensuring the single-layer printing thickness and Z-axis forming accuracy of the equipment. The scraper 12 is fixed to the scraper frame 11 by the scraper spring claw 13; this scraper frame 11 changes the fixing method of the scraper 12 to a form fixed by a spring claw, which facilitates the automatic tool changing action.

[0028] Specifically, a positioning pin 14 for installing and positioning the scraper 12 is provided at the bottom of the scraper holder 11 . The scraper 12 is positioned by the positioning pin 14 during installation to ensure the installation accuracy of the scraper 12 .

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the tool changing frame mechanism 2 includes a tool changing frame 21, a spare scraper spring claw 22, a spare scraper 23 and a motor 24. Several spare scrapers 23 are installed on the tool changing frame 21. The spare scrapers 23 are fixed on the tool changing frame 21 through the spare scraper spring claw 22. The tool changing frame 21 is driven to rotate by the motor 24.

[0030] Specifically, the spare scraper spring claws 22 and the spare scraper 23 are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tool changing frame 21 to ensure fast tool changing.

[0031] The tool changer mechanism 2 is a spare tool magazine, on which several spare scrapers 23 are installed for replacement. In this embodiment, the tool changer 21 is a Y-shaped structure, which can be installed with three spare scrapers 23 to meet the printing needs of one time. The tool changer 21 is a rotating mechanism with several spare scraper spring claws 22 installed, which is directly driven to rotate by a motor 24, and each spare scraper 23 is fixed by at least one spare scraper spring claw 22.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, the driving mechanism 3 includes a linear motion component 31, a slider 32, a scraper conveying bracket 33, a scraper spring claw motion cylinder 34, and a scraper motion cylinder 35. The slider 32 is installed on the linear motion component 31. The linear motion component 31 drives the slider 32 to move in the same direction as the movement direction of the scraper frame 11. The scraper conveying bracket 33 is installed on the slider 32. The scraper conveying bracket 33 is used to convey the scraper 12. A scraper spring claw motion cylinder 34 and a scraper motion cylinder 35 are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket 33. The scraper spring claw motion cylinder 34 is used to push open the scraper spring claw 13. The scraper motion cylinder 35 is used to lift the scraper 12 on the scraper conveying bracket 33 to the installation position of the scraper frame 11.

[0033] In this embodiment, the linear motion component 31 is arranged along the X direction, the scraper spring claw motion cylinder 34 and the scraper motion cylinder 35 are arranged along the Z direction, and the linear motion component 31 adopts a linear guide rail, and the slider 32 thereon is in the same direction as the movement direction of the scraper frame 11. The scraper conveying bracket 33 has 2 groups on the left and right, totaling 4 Z-direction cylinders, one group of which is used to push open the scraper spring claw 13, and the other group is used to lift the scraper 12 on the scraper conveying bracket 33 to the installation position of the scraper frame 11.

[0034] Specifically, the scraper conveying bracket 33 is provided with a V-shaped groove 331 for supporting the scraper 12. The scraper conveying bracket 33 in the form of the V-shaped groove 331 facilitates the scraper 12 to fall on the scraper conveying bracket 33 and move when the scraper 12 is replaced.

[0035] At least two scraper spring claws 13 are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame 11, and correspondingly, at least two scraper spring claw moving cylinders 34 are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket 33, and at least two spare scraper spring claws 22 are arranged correspondingly at each spare scraper 23; the number of scraper spring claws 13, scraper spring claw moving cylinders 34 and spare scraper spring claws 22 corresponding to the disassembly and assembly of a scraper 12 is the same, so as to maintain the consistency between the various mechanisms.

[0036] At least two scraper movement cylinders 35 are provided to ensure the smooth movement of the scraper 12 .

[0037] The working process of the present invention is as follows:

[0038] When the scraper 12 needs to be replaced, the scraper frame 11 and the slider 32 of the driving mechanism 3 move to the tool changing position, at which time the slider 32 is located below the scraper frame 11, and the left Z-direction scraper spring claw movement cylinder 34 lifts up the scraper spring claw 13, and the scraper 12 falls freely into the V-shaped groove 331 of the scraper conveying bracket 33; then the slider 32 moves to the bottom of the tool changing frame 21, the tool changing frame 21 rotates to the empty tool position, the left Z-direction scraper spring claw movement cylinder 34 lifts up the spare scraper spring claw 22, and the right Z-direction scraper movement cylinder 35 lifts the scraper 12 into place , then the Z-direction scraper spring claw moving cylinder 34 releases the spare scraper spring claw 22, and fixes the replaced scraper 12 on the empty blade position of the tool changing frame 21; the Z-direction scraper spring claw moving cylinder 34 and the Z-direction scraper moving cylinder 35 are all restored, and the tool changing frame 21 rotates the spare scraper 23 to the bottom, and in the same way, the spare scraper 23 falls into the V-shaped groove 331 of the scraper transport bracket 33; then the slider 32 moves to the tool changing position, and installs the spare scraper 23 on the scraper frame 11, the tool changing is completed, and the scraper frame 11 moves to the forming room to continue printing.

[0039] The automatic tool changing structure applied to the selective laser melting equipment of the present invention adopts a spring claw form to install the scraper 12, and the scraper 12 is replaced by the tool changing frame mechanism 2 and the driving mechanism 3. The whole process is automatic, and the influence of human error is eliminated during the replacement and leveling of the scraper 12. When the scraper 12 is damaged, there is no need to open the forming chamber to destroy the inert gas environment, and the scraper 12 can be replaced within a few minutes, which can ensure the continuity of part forming and avoid the destruction of the inert gas and the long-term interruption of printing to affect the quality of the part.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Any simple modification, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic tool changing structure for selective laser melting equipment, characterized in that: It includes three parts: scraper frame mechanism, blade changing frame mechanism and driving mechanism; The scraper frame mechanism comprises a scraper frame, a scraper and a scraper spring claw, wherein the scraper and the scraper spring claw are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame, and the scraper is fixed to the scraper frame through the scraper spring claw; The tool changing frame mechanism comprises a tool changing frame, a spare scraper spring claw, a spare scraper and a motor. A plurality of spare scrapers are mounted on the tool changing frame. The spare scrapers are fixed on the tool changing frame by the spare scraper spring claw. The tool changing frame is driven to rotate by the motor. The driving mechanism includes a linear motion component, a slider, a scraper conveying bracket, a scraper spring claw motion cylinder, and a scraper motion cylinder. The slider is installed on the linear motion component. The linear motion component drives the slider to move in the same direction as the scraper frame movement direction. The scraper conveying bracket is installed on the slider. The scraper conveying bracket is used to convey the scraper. A scraper spring claw motion cylinder and a scraper motion cylinder are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket. The scraper spring claw motion cylinder is used to push open the scraper spring claw. The scraper motion cylinder is used to lift the scraper on the scraper conveying bracket to the scraper frame installation position.

2. The automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scraper conveying bracket is provided with a V-shaped groove for supporting the scraper.

3. The automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two scraper spring claws are arranged at the bottom of the scraper frame, and correspondingly, at least two scraper spring claw moving cylinders are arranged on the scraper conveying bracket, and at least two spare scraper spring claws are arranged correspondingly at each spare scraper; the number of scraper spring claws, scraper spring claw moving cylinders and spare scraper spring claws corresponding to the disassembly and assembly of one scraper is the same.

4. The automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning pin for installing and positioning the scraper is arranged at the bottom of the scraper holder.

5. The automatic tool changing structure for selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two scraper movement cylinders are provided.

6. The automatic tool changing structure applied to selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spare scraper spring claws and spare scrapers are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tool changing frame.

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