3D printer with raw material processing structure

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of 3D printers, in particular to a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure. The powder box is arranged in the cabin body; the raw material processing module is arranged on the cabin body and is connected with the powder box; the raw material processing module comprises a shell, a feeding port is formed in the shell, a heating cavity connected with the feeding port is formed in the shell, a side cavity is further formed in the shell and beside the heating cavity, air in the side cavity can be heated through a heating mechanism, and when an air pump works, the air pump can be used for heating the air in the side cavity. Air in the side cavity enters the inner side of the moving cabin through the first air inlet, and heated air is conveyed to the inner side of the heating cavity through the exhaust port and makes contact with raw materials in the heating cavity, so that the effect of preheating the raw materials is achieved, meanwhile, water in the raw materials can be evaporated, and the water content of the raw materials is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printers, and particularly to a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing technology is a rapid prototyping manufacturing technology that constructs three-dimensional objects by adding materials layer by layer. Currently, according to different principles and materials used, 3D printers can be divided into fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and digital light processing (DLP).

[0003] Among them, selective laser sintering 3D printers sinter powdered raw materials (such as nylon or metal) layer by layer with a laser, can manufacture complex geometric shapes, have high strength, and are suitable for the production of functional components. Laser sintering requires heating the raw materials to the melting point with a laser. However, the temperature of the powdered raw materials is low before sintering, so a longer heating time is required, which affects production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problem of low initial temperature of raw materials in the above-mentioned existing technology, the present invention is proposed.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A 3D printer with a raw material processing structure, comprising, A cabin; A powder box, disposed inside the cabin; and, A raw material processing module, which is disposed on the cabin and connected to the powder box; the raw material processing module includes, A housing, an inlet is provided on the housing, a heating chamber connected to the inlet is provided inside the housing, a side chamber is further provided beside the heating chamber inside the housing, and an outlet communicating with the powder box is provided at the end of the housing; A heating mechanism, which is disposed inside the side chamber; An air circulation mechanism, including a moving cabin disposed inside the heating chamber and an air pump disposed inside the moving cabin; A first air inlet capable of communicating with the side chamber is opened on the moving cabin, and an exhaust port communicating with the heating chamber is provided at the end of the moving cabin. The air pump can suck the gas inside the side chamber into the moving cabin from the first air inlet and can transport the gas inside the moving cabin to the heating chamber through the exhaust port.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a through side groove is provided in the housing between the side cavity and the heating cavity, and a first filter screen is installed in the side groove; The side cavity is further provided with a first communication hole. When the first communication hole corresponds to the position of the first air inlet, the side cavity is communicated with the moving chamber.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a second air inlet is further provided on the moving chamber, and a second communication hole is further provided on the housing; The moving chamber can move inside the heating cavity. When the second air inlet corresponds to the second communication hole, the air pump can suck the air outside the housing into the moving chamber.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a transition port is provided in the heating cavity; The 3D printer with a raw material processing structure further includes a closing mechanism, which includes a first closing body capable of closing the transition port, and a buckling body connecting the first closing body and the moving chamber.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a dehumidification cavity is further provided inside the housing, a dehumidification groove is provided in the housing in the dehumidification cavity, and a second filter screen is installed inside the dehumidification groove.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a third communication hole is further provided on the housing; The closing mechanism further includes an extension column connected to the first closing body, and a second closing body connected to the extension column; The second closing body can close the discharge port.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: the number of the side cavities is at least two, and the side cavities are arranged around the heating cavity; The side groove and the first communication hole are respectively located at two ends of the side cavity.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a limiting plate is provided at the end of the moving chamber, and a buckling opening is provided at the end of the buckling body far from the first closing body; The buckling body is buckled with the limiting plate through the buckling opening.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, wherein: a limiting groove is provided on the limiting plate, and the buckling body penetrates through the limiting groove.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention, further comprising: a pushing mechanism; The pushing mechanism is connected to the moving chamber, and the pushing mechanism can drive the moving chamber to move linearly back and forth.

[0016] Advantages of the present invention: Through the heating mechanism, the air inside the side chamber can be heated. When the air pump works, the air inside the side chamber enters the inner side of the moving chamber through the first air inlet, and through the exhaust port, the heated gas is transported to the inner side of the heating chamber to contact the raw materials inside the heating chamber, thereby achieving the effect of preheating the raw materials, and at the same time, the moisture in the raw materials can be evaporated to reduce the water content of the raw materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 Front view of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the raw material processing module according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the structure of the raw material processing module according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the air circulation mechanism and the side chamber according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the moving chamber and the heating chamber according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the closing mechanism and the dehumidification chamber according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the moving chamber and the closing mechanism according to the present invention.

[0026] Reference numerals: 100, cabin body; 200, powder box; 300, housing; 301, feed inlet; 302, heating chamber; 303, side chamber; 304, side groove; 305, first filter screen; 306, first communication hole; 307, second communication hole; 308, transition port; 309, dehumidification chamber; 310, second filter screen; 311, third communication hole; 312, discharge port; 313, dehumidification groove; 400, heating mechanism; 500, air circulation mechanism; 501, moving cabin; 502, air pump; 503, first air inlet; 504, exhaust port; 505, second air inlet; 506, limiting plate; 507, limiting groove; 600, closing mechanism; 601, first closing body; 602, buckling body; 603, extension column; 604, second closing body; 605, buckling opening; 700, pushing mechanism. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following will describe in detail the specific implementation manners of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification.

[0028] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0029] Secondly, the so-called "one embodiment" or "embodiment" herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that can be included in at least one implementation manner of the present invention. The "in one embodiment" that appears in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an embodiment that is separate from or mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the schematic diagrams. When describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail, for the convenience of explanation, the cross-sectional views showing the device structure will be enlarged locally in a non-general proportion, and the schematic diagrams are only examples and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention herein. In addition, in actual production, three-dimensional spatial dimensions including length, width, and depth should be included.

[0031] Embodiment 1, refer to Figure 1 And Figure 2 , a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure is provided, including a cabin body 100; a substrate and a 3D printing execution structure are further provided inside the cabin body 100, and the execution structure can adopt laser sintering technology.

[0032] The device further includes a powder cartridge 200, which is arranged inside the chamber body 100; it is used to load powder raw materials, and through the powder feeding structure arranged inside the chamber body 100, the powder raw materials can be laid on the substrate layer by layer.

[0033] The device further includes a raw material processing module, which is arranged on the chamber body 100 and is connected to the powder cartridge 200; through the raw material processing module, the powder raw materials can be preheated and dewatered. After the processing is completed, the powder raw materials are transported to the inside of the powder cartridge 200, so as to reduce the moisture inside the powder raw materials and also increase the initial temperature of the powder raw materials, which is convenient for later laser sintering forming.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the raw material processing module includes a housing 300, on which there is a feed inlet 301, inside the housing 300 there is a heating chamber 302 connected to the feed inlet 301, a side chamber 303 is also arranged beside the heating chamber 302 inside the housing 300, and an end of the housing 300 is also provided with a discharge outlet 312 communicating with the powder cartridge 200; Such as Figure 4 , the raw material processing module includes a heating mechanism 400, which is arranged inside the side chamber 303. The heating mechanism 400 can adopt a resistor-type heater, such as a heating rod. Through the heating mechanism 400, the air inside the side chamber 303 can be heated.

[0035] Such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the raw material processing module further includes an air circulation mechanism 500, which includes a moving chamber 501 arranged inside the heating chamber 302 and an air pump 502 arranged inside the moving chamber 501.

[0036] The moving chamber 501 is provided with a first air inlet 503 that can communicate with the side chamber 303, and an end of the moving chamber 501 is also provided with an exhaust outlet 504 communicating with the heating chamber 302. The air pump 502 can suck the gas inside the side chamber 303 from the first air inlet 503 into the moving chamber 501, and can transport the gas inside the moving chamber 501 to the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust outlet 504.

[0037] The raw materials enter the inside of the heating chamber 302 through the feed inlet 301. Through the heating mechanism 400, the air inside the side chamber 303 can be heated. When the air pump 502 works, the air inside the side chamber 303 enters the inside of the moving chamber 501 through the first air inlet 503, and through the exhaust outlet 504, the heated gas is transported to the inside of the heating chamber 302 to contact the raw materials inside the heating chamber 302, so as to achieve the effect of preheating the raw materials and at the same time can evaporate the moisture in the raw materials and reduce the water content of the raw materials.

[0038] Refer to Figure 5, Specifically, a through side groove 304 is formed in the housing 300 between the side cavity 303 and the heating cavity 302, and a first filter screen 305 is installed in the side groove 304; a first communication hole 306 is further formed in the side cavity 303. When the first communication hole 306 corresponds to the position of the first air inlet 503, the side cavity 303 communicates with the mobile cabin 501.

[0039] Through the side groove 304 and the first communication hole 306, air can circulate continuously between the heating cavity 302 and the side cavity 303. When the air pump 502 works, the heated gas inside the side cavity 303 enters the inside of the mobile cabin 501 through the first communication hole 306 and the first air inlet 503, and the air pump 502 transports the gas inside the mobile cabin 501 to the inside of the heating cavity 302 through the exhaust port 504. The air pressure inside the heating cavity 302 increases, and the gas returns to the inside of the side cavity 303 through the side groove 304.

[0040] In this way, after the gas exchanges heat with the raw material, it can be continuously heated by the heating mechanism 400, improving the heating effect on the raw material and enabling the raw material to reach a good preheating temperature.

[0041] Such as Figure 4 And Figure 5 , the number of side cavities 303 is at least two, and the side cavities 303 are arranged around the heating cavity 302; the side groove 304 and the first communication hole 306 are respectively located at two ends of the side cavity 303. In this embodiment, the number of side cavities 303 is two, and heating mechanisms 400 are installed inside both side cavities 303. Among them, the heating cavity 302 is a cylindrical cavity, and the side cavity 303 is a fan-shaped cavity. By respectively arranging the side groove 304 and the first communication hole 306 at two ends of the side cavity 303, the contact time between the gas and the heating mechanism 400 can be effectively increased when the gas flows from the side groove 304 to the first communication hole 306.

[0042] Embodiment 2, referring to Figure 6 , what is different from the first embodiment in this embodiment is that: a second air inlet 505 is further formed on the mobile cabin 501, and a second communication hole 307 is further formed on the housing 300; the mobile cabin 501 can move inside the heating cavity 302. When the second air inlet 505 corresponds to the second communication hole 307, the air pump 502 can suck the air outside the housing 300 into the mobile cabin 501.

[0043] Such as Figure 6 , when the mobile cabin 501 moves in the X direction, the first air inlet 503 is misaligned with the first communication hole 306. At this time, when the air pump 502 works, it no longer sucks the air inside the side cavity 303. At the same time, the second air inlet 505 can correspond to the position of the second communication hole 307, and the air pump 502 works to pump the external air in, blowing the raw material that has been dewatered inside the heating cavity 302 towards the powder box 200.

[0044] Specifically, a transition port 308 is provided in the heating chamber 302; the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure further includes a closing mechanism 600, and the closing mechanism 600 includes a first closing body 601 capable of closing the transition port 308, and a fastening body 602 connecting the first closing body 601 and the moving chamber 501.

[0045] When heating the raw material, the first air inlet 503 corresponds to the position of the first communication hole 306. At this time, the first closing body 601 closes the transition port 308 under the limit of the moving chamber 501, which can prevent gas and raw material from being discharged from the transition port 308 out of the heating chamber 302, ensuring that the gas circulates between the side chamber 303 and the heating chamber 302. After the heating is completed, the moving chamber 501 moves in the X direction. At this time, the first air inlet 503 is misaligned with the first communication hole 306, and the second air inlet 505 can correspond to the position of the second communication hole 307. The air pump 502 operates to pump external air in and deliver it to the inner side of the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust port 504. At the same time, due to the movement of the moving chamber 501, the first closing body 601 is no longer limited by the moving chamber 501, and the increased air pressure inside the heating chamber 302 can push open the first closing body 601, causing the transition port 308 to open, and the preheated gas and raw material are discharged from the transition port 308.

[0046] Reference Figure 6 And Figure 7 Inside the housing 300, a dehumidifying chamber 309 is further provided. The housing 300 is provided with a dehumidifying groove 313 for the dehumidifying chamber 309, and a second filter screen 310 is installed inside the dehumidifying groove 313.

[0047] The transition port 308 communicates with the dehumidifying chamber 309. After the raw material and gas are discharged from the transition port 308, they enter the inside of the dehumidifying chamber 309. When heating the raw material, the moisture in the raw material evaporates to form water vapor in the gas. When the gas and raw material enter the inside of the dehumidifying chamber 309, the gas can discharge the water vapor from the dehumidifying groove 313, and the second filter screen 310 can prevent the raw material from being discharged, thereby effectively removing water from the raw material.

[0048] This device further includes a pushing mechanism 700; the pushing mechanism 700 is connected to the moving chamber 501, and the pushing mechanism 700 can drive the moving chamber 501 to move linearly back and forth. Among them, the pushing mechanism 700 can be a pneumatic push-pull structure or an electric push-pull structure. The main function of the pushing mechanism 700 is to push the moving chamber 501 in the X direction or pull the moving chamber 501 in the opposite direction of the X direction.

[0049] A limiting plate 506 is provided at the end of the mobile cabin 501, and a buckle 605 is provided at the end of the buckling body 602 away from the first closed body 601; the buckle 605 is buckled on the limiting plate 506, and the limiting plate 506 can prevent the first closed body 601 from moving in the X direction.

[0050] The buckling body 602 is buckled with the limiting plate 506 through the buckle 605. A limiting groove 507 is opened on the limiting plate 506, and the buckling body 602 penetrates through the limiting groove 507. Six limiting grooves 507 are opened on the limiting plate 506, and the number of buckling bodies 602 is also six. Therefore, the closing mechanism 600 can slide relative to the mobile cabin 501, and when the buckle 605 is buckled with the limiting plate 506, the limiting plate 506 on the mobile cabin 501 can prevent the closing mechanism 600 from moving in the X direction.

[0051] Specifically, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the movement of the mobile cabin 501 is realized by the pushing mechanism 700. When the pushing mechanism 700 does not push the mobile cabin 501, the position of the mobile cabin 501 will not change. Therefore, when the buckle 605 of the closing mechanism 600 is buckled with the limiting plate 506 and the position of the mobile cabin 501 does not change, the closing mechanism 600 cannot move in the X direction because the buckle 605 and the limiting plate 506 are buckled. When the pushing mechanism 700 pushes the mobile cabin 501 to move a certain distance in the X direction, the limiting plate 506 moves a certain distance in the X direction relative to the buckle 605. Therefore, a gap is generated between the limiting plate 506 and the buckle 605. At this time, as the air pressure in the heating chamber 302 increases, it can push the closing mechanism 600 to move in the X direction.

[0052] Therefore, when the first air inlet 503 corresponds to the position of the first communication hole 306, under the action of the limiting plate 506, the first closed body 601 can maintain the state of closing the transition port 308, avoiding the raw material from detaching from the inside of the heating chamber 302.

[0053] All other structures are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0054] Embodiment 3, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiments is that: a third communication hole 311 is further opened on the housing 300; the closing mechanism 600 further includes an extension column 603 connected to the first closed body 601, and a second closed body 604 connected to the extension column 603; the second closed body 604 can close the discharge port 312.

[0055] After discharging the gas containing water vapor from the dehumidification tank 313, through the pushing mechanism 700, the moving cabin 501 can be pushed to continue moving in the X direction until the position of the second air inlet 505 corresponds to that of the third communication hole 311. At this time, because the moving cabin 501 has moved a certain distance in the X direction, the closing mechanism 600 can also move a certain distance in the X direction. Under the push of the air flow, the second closing body 604 disengages from the discharge port 312, and the air flow pushes the processed raw materials into the inside of the powder box 200.

[0056] In this embodiment, the length of the second closing body 604 is greater than that of the first closing body 601. Therefore, when the first closing body 601 disengages from the transition port 308, the second closing body 604 can still close the discharge port 312. When the moving cabin 501 moves again until the second air inlet 505 corresponds to the third communication hole 311, the second closing body 604 can then disengage from the discharge port 312, so that the discharge port 312 is no longer closed. Such a setting can allow the air containing water vapor to be discharged from the dehumidification tank 313 and not enter the inside of the powder box 200.

[0057] All other structures are the same as those in Embodiment 2.

[0058] It should be understood that in the development process of any actual implementation, in any engineering or design project, a large number of specific implementation decisions can be made. Such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but for those ordinary technicians who benefit from this disclosure, without excessive experimentation, the development efforts will be a routine task of design, manufacturing, and production.

[0059] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printer with a material processing structure, characterized in that: include, Cabin (100); A powder box (200), arranged inside the cabin (100); as well as, A raw material processing module is arranged on the cabin (100) and is connected to the powder box (200); the raw material processing module comprises: A shell (300), wherein a feed port (301) is provided on the shell (300), a heating chamber (302) connected to the feed port (301) is provided in the shell (300), a side chamber (303) is provided next to the heating chamber (302) in the shell (300), and a discharge port (312) connected to the powder box (200) is provided at the end of the shell (300); A heating mechanism (400) disposed inside the side cavity (303); An air circulation mechanism (500) comprising a movable cabin (501) disposed inside the heating chamber (302), and an air pump (502) disposed inside the movable cabin (501); The movable cabin (501) is provided with a first air inlet (503) capable of communicating with the side chamber (303); an exhaust port (504) capable of communicating with the heating chamber (302) is also provided at the end of the movable cabin (501); the air pump (502) is capable of sucking gas inside the side chamber (303) into the movable cabin (501) from the first air inlet (503), and is capable of transporting gas inside the movable cabin (501) to the heating chamber (302) through the exhaust port (504).

2. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (300) is provided with a through side groove (304) between the side cavity (303) and the heating cavity (302), and a first filter screen (305) is installed in the side groove (304); The side cavity (303) is further provided with a first communication hole (306); when the first communication hole (306) corresponds to the position of the first air inlet (503), the side cavity (303) is connected to the movable cabin (501).

3. The 3D printer with a material processing structure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The movable cabin (501) is also provided with a second air inlet (505), and the shell (300) is also provided with a second communication hole (307); The movable cabin (501) is capable of moving inside the heating chamber (302), and when the second air inlet (505) corresponds to the second connecting hole (307), the air pump (502) is capable of sucking air outside the shell (300) into the movable cabin (501).

4. The 3D printer with a material processing structure as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The heating chamber (302) is provided with a transition opening (308); The 3D printer with a raw material processing structure further comprises a closing mechanism (600), wherein the closing mechanism (600) comprises a first closing body (601) capable of closing the transition port (308), and a buckling body (602) connecting the first closing body (601) and the movable cabin (501).

5. The 3D printer with a material processing structure as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: A dehumidification chamber (309) is also provided inside the shell (300), a dehumidification groove (313) is provided in the shell (300) in the dehumidification chamber (309), and a second filter screen (310) is installed inside the dehumidification groove (313).

6. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The housing (300) is also provided with a third communication hole (311); The closing mechanism (600) further comprises an extension column (603) connected to the first closing body (601), and a second closing body (604) connected to the extension column (603); The second closing body (604) is capable of closing the discharge port (312).

7. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the side chambers (303) is at least two, and the side chambers (303) are arranged around the heating chamber (302); The side groove (304) and the first communication hole (306) are respectively located at two ends of the side cavity (303).

8. The 3D printer with a material processing structure as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 7, characterized in that: A limiting plate (506) is provided at the end of the movable cabin (501), and a buckle opening (605) is provided at the end of the buckle body (602) away from the first closed body (601); The buckle body (602) is buckled with the limiting plate (506) via a buckle opening (605).

9. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The limiting plate (506) is provided with a limiting groove (507), and the buckling body (602) passes through the limiting groove (507).

10. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also included is a propulsion mechanism (700); The pushing mechanism (700) is connected to the moving cabin (501), and the pushing mechanism (700) can drive the moving cabin (501) to move back and forth in a straight line.

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