Ultrasonic atomization flour mill

Abstract

The invention provides an ultrasonic atomization powder making machine which comprises a heating module and a working module, the heating module is connected with the working module, metal particles in a solid state are converted into liquid metal in the heating module and then flow into the working module, and metal powder is formed in the working module; a vacuum induction melting mode in a crucible vacuum induction melting atomization (VIGA) powder making technology is combined with an ultrasonic vibration mode, and molten metal liquid is crushed into fine particles through high-frequency vibration. The particle size of the obtained metal powder is controlled through the ultrasonic generators with different frequencies, and the whole set of equipment is small in occupied space, simple, low in energy consumption, high in yield, low in base metal requirement and low in manufacturing cost. The method is especially suitable for metal powder testing and multi-element new material research and development in laboratories and production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of powder metallurgy, and specifically relates to an ultrasonic atomization powder making machine. Background Art

[0002] Metal powder is the most important link in the additive manufacturing industry chain of metal parts. 3D printing metal powder refers to a group of metal particles with a size less than 1 mm, including single metal powder, alloy powder, and certain refractory compound powders with metallic properties. Currently, the commonly used metal powders in additive technology include cobalt and alloys, stainless steel, titanium alloy, and nickel-aluminum alloy, etc. The metal powders used in additive technology not only need to have good plasticity, but also need to meet the requirements of small powder particles, narrow particle size distribution, high sphericity, good fluidity, and high loose density, etc.

[0003] Due to different subsequent forming processes, the preparation methods of metal powders vary. The metal powders for additive manufacturing mainly focus on materials such as titanium alloys, superalloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, etc. Therefore, among the preparation processes commonly used in metallurgical powder processes, such as electrolysis, reduction, and atomization methods, both the electrolysis method and the reduction method have certain limitations and are not suitable for the preparation of alloy powders. Currently, the commonly used metal powder preparation methods include plasma rotating electrode process (PREP), plasma atomization method (PA), gas atomization method (GA), and plasma spheroidization method (PS). For the above-listed commonly used metal powder preparation methods, their common feature is to first melt the metal raw material and then break the formed metal liquid into small particles through different methods. Among them, the metal powder obtained by the rotating electrode process (PREP) mainly depends on the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the metal rod driven by the motor speed, the size of the rod, and the melting speed of the rod. This powder preparation method has high requirements for the sealing and vibration of the equipment, especially for high-speed rotating parts, the vibration stability is extremely high. The plasma atomization method (PA) is to form a high-temperature plasma focus through a plasma torch to quickly melt or vaporize the metal wire. It is dispersed and atomized into ultra-fine droplets or aerosol by the impact of the plasma and forms ultra-fine powder during heat exchange with the cooling argon gas during deposition in the atomization tower. In this powder preparation method, the powder yield below 45um is extremely high. However, the requirement for filamentous raw materials limits the preparation of many difficult-to-deform alloy materials. The gas atomization method (GA) includes crucible vacuum induction melting atomization (VIGA) and non-crucible electrode induction melting gas atomization (EIGA). Compared with the powder preparation method of VIGA, in EIGA powder preparation, since the metal raw material does not contact any other objects, the cleanliness of the metal powder is higher. Both methods use supersonic gas to break up the alloy solution, and the entire set of preparation equipment occupies a large area and has high energy consumption. Compared with these several powder preparation methods, the (VIGA) powder preparation in the atomization method has the advantages of low energy consumption, high fine powder yield, low requirement for the base material, and low manufacturing cost. The present invention is mainly used for metal powder testing and the research and development of new multi-component materials in laboratories and production. It requires low energy consumption, high yield, low requirement for the base material, and low manufacturing cost of the equipment. The metal melting method of VIGA perfectly meets the requirements of laboratory and production equipment. However, the powder preparation of VIGA requires the metal solution to be broken up by high-speed gas. This high-speed gas generator occupies a large area and does not meet the requirements of laboratory and production equipment for meeting space limitations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to address the deficiencies existing in the above-mentioned existing metal powder preparation methods, and provide an ultrasonic atomization powder-making machine, which combines the vacuum induction melting method in the crucible vacuum induction melting atomization (VIGA) powder-making technology with the ultrasonic vibration method, and uses high-frequency vibration to break the molten metal liquid into fine particles. By using ultrasonic generators with different frequencies to control the particle size of the obtained metal powder, the whole set of equipment occupies less space, is simple in structure, has low energy consumption, high yield, low requirements for the base material, and low manufacturing cost. It is particularly suitable for metal powder testing and the research and development of new multi-component materials in laboratories and production.

[0005] Technical solution

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic atomization powder-making machine, which is characterized in that it includes a heating module and a working module, the heating module and the working module are connected to each other, and metal particles in a solid state are converted into liquid metal in the heating module and then flow into the working module, and metal powder is formed in the working module;

[0007] The heating module includes a heating cavity, a crucible is placed at the bottom of the heating cavity, the crucible is surrounded by an induction coil assembly, the cavity cover closes the heating cavity, and a locking rod is arranged in the heating cavity closed by the cavity cover. One end of the locking rod is located at a through hole of the bottom of the crucible and can close or open the through hole one. The locking rod is connected to a link mechanism, and the link mechanism can drive the locking rod to act to close or open the through hole one. The crucible is fixed on the heating cavity through a graphite adapter;

[0008] The working module includes a working cavity, the inlet of the working cavity is connected to the outlet of the heating cavity, an ultrasonic vibrator is installed on the working cavity, one end is located in the working cavity, and the other end extends out of the working cavity. A graphite pot is arranged at a corresponding position below the ultrasonic vibrator for collecting the leaked metal liquid.

[0009] In one embodiment, the crucible and the induction coil assembly are separated by an asbestos heat insulation pad one.

[0010] In one embodiment, the locking rod is vertically placed in the heating cavity 101 closed by the cavity cover.

[0011] In one embodiment, a heat insulation plate is installed at the mouth of the crucible.

[0012] In one embodiment, the crucible is placed on an asbestos heat insulation pad two.

[0013] In one embodiment, a through hole is provided in the middle of the asbestos heat insulation pad II. One end of the graphite adapter is corresponding to the through hole I at the bottom of the crucible, and the other end passes through the through hole and extends into the working module.

[0014] In one embodiment, a nozzle is provided between the crucible and the graphite adapter. One end of the through hole II in the nozzle is connected to the through hole I at the bottom of the crucible, and the other end is connected to the through hole III in the graphite adapter.

[0015] In one embodiment, one end of the through hole III in the graphite adapter is connected to the other end of the through hole II in the nozzle, and the other end of the through hole III in the graphite adapter communicates with the working module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrator includes an ultrasonic generator, a transducer, a horn, a shrapnel and a locking nut.

[0017] In one embodiment, the graphite pot is placed on the crucible support.

[0018] In one embodiment, the heating cavity and the working cavity are tightly locked together.

[0019] In one embodiment, a feed bin is installed at the entrance of the heating cavity, and a control valve I is provided on the connecting pipeline between the feed bin and the heating cavity.

[0020] In one embodiment, a collection bottle is provided at the outlet of the working cavity.

[0021] In one embodiment, a discharge valve is provided at the outlet of the working cavity.

[0022] In one embodiment, the heating cavity and the working cavity are filled with inert gas.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] An ultrasonic atomization powder making machine provided by the present invention includes a heating module and a working module, the heating module and the working module are connected to each other. Metal particles in a solid state are converted into liquid metal in the heating module and then flow into the working module, and metal powder is formed in the working module. The vacuum induction melting method in the crucible vacuum induction melting atomization (VIGA) powder making technology is combined with the ultrasonic vibration method, and the melted metal liquid is broken into fine particles by high-frequency vibration. By using ultrasonic generators with different frequencies to control the particle size of the obtained metal powder, the whole set of equipment occupies less space, the equipment is simple, the energy consumption is low, the yield is high, the requirements for the base material are low, and the manufacturing cost is low. It is especially suitable for metal powder testing and research and development of new multi-component materials in laboratories and production. Description of the drawings

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following accompanying drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other related accompanying drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0026] Attached Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic atomization powder making machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Attached Figure 2 is a front view of the ultrasonic atomization powder making machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Attached Figure 3 is a top view of the ultrasonic atomization powder making machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Attached Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the ultrasonic atomization powder making machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Attached Figure 5 is attached Figure 4 the enlarged view at position A in Detailed implementation manners

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may also be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and similar expressions used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0033] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature may be in direct contact with the second feature or in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium when the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature. Moreover, when the first feature is "above", "over" or "on top of" the second feature, it may be directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. When the first feature is "below", "beneath" or "underneath" the second feature, it may be directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the specification of this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application pertains. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in the specification of this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0036] Embodiment

[0037] As shown in Figure 1 , Figures 2 and 3, an ultrasonic atomization powder making machine includes a heating module 100 and a working module 200. The heating module 100 and the working module 200 are installed in a housing a. The heating module 100 and the working module 200 are connected to each other. Metal particles in a solid state are converted into liquid metal in the heating module 100 and then flow into the working module 200, and metal powder is formed in the working module 200.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4 and 5As shown, the heating module 100 includes a heating cavity 101. A crucible 102 is placed at the bottom of the heating cavity 101. The crucible 102 is surrounded by an induction coil assembly 103. The crucible 102 and the induction coil assembly 103 are separated by an asbestos heat insulation pad 109. The cavity cover 104 closes the heating cavity 101. A locking rod 105 is arranged in the heating cavity 101 closed by the cavity cover 104. In this embodiment, the locking rod 105 is vertically placed in the heating cavity 101 closed by the cavity cover 104. One end of the locking rod 105 is located at a through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 102 and can close or open the through hole 106. The locking rod 105 is connected to a link mechanism 107. The link mechanism 107 can drive the locking rod 105 to act so as to close or open the through hole 106. The crucible 102 is fixed to the heating cavity 101 through a graphite adapter 108. A heat insulation plate 110 is installed at the mouth of the crucible 102. The crucible 102 is placed on an asbestos heat insulation pad 111. A through hole 112 is provided in the middle of the asbestos heat insulation pad 111. One end of the graphite adapter 108 corresponds to the through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 102, and the other end passes through the through hole 112 and extends into the working module 200. A nozzle 113 is provided between the crucible 102 and the graphite adapter 108. One end of a through hole 114 in the nozzle 113 is connected to the through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 102, and the other end is connected to a through hole 115 in the graphite adapter 108. One end of the through hole 115 in the graphite adapter 108 is connected to the other end of the through hole 114 in the nozzle 113, and the other end of the through hole 115 in the graphite adapter 108 communicates with the working module 200.

[0039] The working module 200 includes a working cavity 201. The heating cavity 101 and the working cavity 201 are tightly locked together. The inlet of the working cavity 201 is connected to the outlet of the heating cavity 101. An ultrasonic vibrator 202 is installed on the working cavity 201. One end is located inside the working cavity 201, and the other end extends out of the working cavity 201. A graphite pot 203 is arranged at a corresponding position below the ultrasonic vibrator 202 for collecting the leaked molten metal. The ultrasonic vibrator 202 includes an ultrasonic generator 204, a transducer 205, a horn 206, a shim 207, and a locking nut 208. The graphite pot 203 is placed on the crucible support 209.

[0040] As attached Figure 1 and 4As shown, a feed bin 210 is installed at the inlet of the heating cavity 101, and a control valve 211 is provided on the pipeline connecting the feed bin 210 and the heating cavity 101. A collection bottle 212 is provided at the outlet of the working cavity 201. A discharge valve 213 is provided at the outlet of the working cavity 201.

[0041] In the working state, the heating cavity 101 and the working cavity 201 are filled with inert gas. The heating module 100 and the working module 200 are hermetically connected. In the initial state, the required working parameters are set, and no manual setting is required until the powder making is completed. In the powder making preparation stage, metal particles of a certain shape are placed in the crucible 102 through the feed bin 210, and the solid metal is converted into liquid metal by heating with the induction coil assembly 103. When the solid metal is fully melted, the operating link mechanism 107 drives the locking rod 105 to open the through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 102, and the metal solution flows into the working cavity 201 filled with inert gas through the through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 102. Specifically, the metal liquid flows into the working cavity 201 through the channel composed of the through hole 106 at the bottom of the crucible 2, the through hole 114 of the nozzle 113, and the through hole 115 in the graphite adapter 108. The ultrasonic vibrator 13 in the working cavity 201 generates different vibration amplitudes by using ultrasonic generators with different frequencies. The larger the vibration amplitude, the greater the impact on the metal liquid, and the smaller the distribution range of the powder particles. Because the metal liquid flowing down from the heating cavity 101 may not always act on the elastic piece 207 during the adjustment of the ultrasonic vibrator 13, the high-temperature metal liquid will burn through the cavity wall of the working cavity 201, resulting in equipment damage. Therefore, a crucible support 14 is configured below the ultrasonic vibrator 13, and a graphite pot 15 is placed on the crucible support 14 to receive the flowing metal liquid. Finally, the formed metal powder is stored in the collection bottle 212.

[0042] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope recorded in this specification.

[0043] The above embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises a heating module (100) and a working module (200), wherein the heating module (100) and the working module (200) are connected to each other, and metal particles in a solid state are converted into liquid metal in the heating module (100) and then flow into the working module (200), and metal powder is formed in the working module (200); The heating module (100) comprises a heating chamber (101), a crucible (102) is placed at the bottom of the heating chamber (101), the crucible (102) is surrounded by an induction coil assembly (103), a chamber cover (104) closes the heating chamber (101), a locking rod (105) is arranged in the heating chamber (101) closed by the chamber cover (104), one end of the locking rod (105) is located at a through hole 1 (106) at the bottom of the crucible (102), and can close or open the through hole 1 (106), the locking rod (105) is connected to a connecting rod mechanism (107), and the connecting rod mechanism (107) can drive the locking rod (105) to move so as to close or open the through hole 1 (106), and the crucible (102) is fixed to the heating chamber (101) via a graphite adapter (108); The working module (200) comprises a working cavity (201), the inlet of the working cavity (201) is connected to the outlet of the heating cavity (101), an ultrasonic vibrator (202) is mounted on the working cavity (201), one end of the ultrasonic vibrator is located in the working cavity (201), and the other end extends out of the working cavity (201), and a graphite pot (203) is arranged at a corresponding position below the ultrasonic vibrator (202) for collecting leaked metal liquid.

2. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The crucible (102) and the induction coil assembly (103) are separated by an asbestos thermal insulation pad (109).

3. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The locking rod (105) is vertically placed in the heating cavity (101) closed by the cavity cover (104).

4. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A heat insulation plate (110) is installed at the mouth of the crucible (102).

5. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The crucible (102) is placed on an asbestos thermal insulation pad (111).

6. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: A through hole (112) is provided in the middle of the second asbestos insulation pad (111); one end of the graphite adapter (108) corresponds to the through hole (106) at the bottom of the crucible (102), and the other end passes through the through hole (112) and extends into the working module (200).

7. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A nozzle (113) is provided between the crucible (102) and the graphite adapter (108); one end of the second through hole (114) in the nozzle (113) is connected to the first through hole (106) at the bottom of the crucible (102), and the other end is connected to the third through hole (115) in the graphite adapter (108).

8. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: One end of the through hole three (115) in the graphite adapter (108) is connected to the other end of the through hole two (114) in the nozzle (113), and the other end of the through hole three (115) in the graphite adapter (108) is connected to the working module (200).

9. An ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration body (202) comprises an ultrasonic generator (204), a transducer (205), a horn (206), a spring (207) and a locking nut (208).

10. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The graphite pot (203) is placed on the crucible support (209).

11. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating chamber (101) and the working chamber (201) are pressed and locked together.

12. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A material bin (210) is provided at the entrance of the heating chamber (101), and a control valve 1 (211) is provided on the pipeline connecting the material bin (210) and the heating chamber (101).

13. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A collecting bottle (212) is provided at the outlet of the working chamber (201).

14. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A discharge valve (213) is provided at the outlet of the working chamber (201).

15. The ultrasonic atomizing powder making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating chamber (101) and the working chamber (201) are filled with inert gas.

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