Pre-wetting system for printing and 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a pre-wetting system for printing, which comprises a liquid supply device and a wetting device (100), the liquid supply device is communicated with the wetting device (100), the wetting device (100) is movably arranged on a printing work box, the wetting end of the wetting device (100) faces a powder laying surface, and the wetting end of the wetting device (100) faces the powder laying surface. And the wetting device (100) is used for wetting the powder spreading surface after powder spreading and before printing. The invention further relates to 3D printing equipment. According to the scheme, the problem that in the current 3D printing process, the powder splashing phenomenon is generated when binder liquid drops impact a powder bed can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printing devices, and particularly to a pre-wetting system for printing and a 3D printing device Background Art

[0002] In 3D printing technology, especially in the binder jet printing process, the stability and uniformity of the powder bed are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and quality of the printed parts. However, there is a significant problem in the prior art: when binder droplets impact the powder bed at a relatively high speed, a large amount of kinetic energy is transferred to the powder particles, resulting in intense collisions between the particles. This kind of collision causes some powder particles to obtain sufficient kinetic energy and fly out from the powder bed. This splashing phenomenon not only changes the local thickness of the powder bed but also seriously affects the dimensional accuracy of the printed parts

[0003] High-speed X-ray imaging studies have revealed the detailed process of binder droplets impacting the powder bed. When a droplet impacts, an impact crater is formed on the surface of the powder bed, causing rearrangement of the particles. In some extreme cases, this particle rearrangement even causes particles to be ejected from the bed. The studies also found that the formation of the impact crater and the intensity of particle splashing are significantly affected by the size and shape of the powder particles. This means that powders with different particle characteristics may exhibit different splashing behaviors during the printing process

[0004] As new layers are continuously printed, the pore problems caused by particle rearrangement and splashing become particularly prominent. These pores not only reduce the mechanical properties of the printed parts but may also form defects between layers, thus affecting the integrity and stability of the overall structure. Therefore, how to effectively reduce or eliminate the powder splashing phenomenon and maintain the stability and uniformity of the powder bed has become a key challenge for improving 3D printing accuracy and quality Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a pre-wetting system for printing and a 3D printing device to address the problem of powder splashing during the current 3D printing process when binder droplets impact the powder bed

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a pre-wetting system for printing, including a liquid supply device and a wetting device. The liquid supply device is connected to the wetting device. The wetting device is movably arranged on a printing workbox, and the wetting end of the wetting device faces the powder spreading surface. The wetting device is used to perform a wetting operation on the powder spreading surface after powder spreading and before printing

[0008] In one embodiment, the wetting device includes a device body, a liquid storage chamber, a first wetting member, and an atomization mechanism. The liquid storage chamber and the atomization mechanism are both disposed in the device body, and the liquid storage chamber is connected to the atomization mechanism through the first wetting member. The atomization mechanism is provided with a wetting end.

[0009] In one embodiment, the atomization mechanism includes a second wetting member and an atomization member. The atomization member is disposed at the wetting end. One end of the second wetting member is connected to the first wetting member, and the second end of the second wetting member is connected to the atomization member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the atomization mechanism further includes an elastic member. The end of the first end of the second wetting member is elastically connected to the elastic member.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first wetting member and the second wetting member are sponge blocks, and the water absorption of the first wetting member is greater than that of the second wetting member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the atomization mechanism further includes a control mechanism and a humidity monitoring module. The control mechanism is connected to the humidity monitoring module and the atomization member. The humidity monitoring module is used to monitor the humidity of the powder laying surface, and the control mechanism controls the atomization amount of the atomization member according to the humidity of the powder laying surface.

[0013] In one embodiment, one side of the first wetting member covers the liquid storage chamber, and a wave-proof partition is provided between the first wetting member and the liquid storage chamber.

[0014] In one embodiment, the wetting device is disposed on a print head or a powder laying device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the wetting device is movably disposed on a printing work box through a driving device.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a 3D printing device, including the pre-wetting system for printing described above.

[0017] The technical solution adopted by the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0018] In the pre-wetting system for printing of the present invention, through the pre-wetting treatment of the powder bed, a tiny liquid film is formed between the powder particles. This film effectively hinders the splashing of the powder under rapid heating by laser or electron beam, thus ensuring the stability and controllability of the printing process. Secondly, the wetted powder bed is more stable, and the gaps between the powder particles are filled with liquid, significantly improving the bonding effect between the binder and the powder during the printing process. This not only enhances the strength and hardness of the printed part, but also makes the surface of the printed part smoother and more delicate, meeting the requirements of high-precision printing. In addition, the pre-wetting system of the present invention also has the advantages of simple operation and easy maintenance. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the wetting device disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram from another perspective;

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view from one perspective.

[0022] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0023] 100 - wetting device, 110 - device body, 120 - liquid storage bin, 130 - first wetting member, 140 - atomization mechanism, 141 - second wetting member, 142 - atomizing member, 143 - elastic member, 150 - anti-wave partition. Detailed Embodiments

[0024] For ease of understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more comprehensively below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0025] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "bottom end", "top end" and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only embodiments.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this invention belongs. The terms used in the specification of this invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0027] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a pre-wetting system for printing, and the disclosed pre-wetting device for printing includes a liquid supply device and a wetting device 100.

[0028] The liquid supply device is used to provide the required wetting liquid for the wetting device 100. This liquid can be water or other wetting agents suitable for 3D printing powder. Specifically, the liquid supply device may include a water tank, a filter, and a water pump. The water tank is used to store the wetting liquid; the filter is used to filter out impurities in the liquid to ensure that the liquid supplied to the wetting device is pure and free of impurities; and the water pump is used to pump the liquid out of the water tank and transport it to the wetting device 100.

[0029] The liquid supply device is connected to the wetting device 100. The wetting device 100 is movably arranged on the printing work box, and the wetting end of the wetting device 100 faces the powder spreading surface. The wetting device 100 is used to perform a wetting operation on the powder spreading surface after powder spreading and before printing. Specifically, before the printing work starts, that is, after a layer of powder is laid, the wetting device 100 will perform a uniform wetting operation on the surface of the powder bed. The wetting operation can be achieved by spraying, dripping, or other suitable methods to ensure that the powder bed is fully wetted but not overly wet. During the 3D printing process, when a layer of powder is laid, the liquid supply device is started, and the wetting liquid is transported to the wetting device 100 through the water pump. Then, the wetting device 100 is controlled to move on the printing work box to perform a uniform wetting operation on the powder spreading surface. After wetting is completed, the next layer of printing operation can be carried out.

[0030] As can be seen from the above, in the pre-wetting system for printing of the present invention, through pre-wetting treatment of the powder bed, a tiny liquid film is formed between the powder particles, and this film effectively hinders the splashing of the powder under rapid heating by laser or electron beam, thereby ensuring the stability and controllability of the printing process. Secondly, the wetted powder bed is more stable, and the gaps between the powder particles are filled with liquid, significantly improving the bonding effect between the binder and the powder during the printing process. This not only enhances the strength and hardness of the printed part but also makes the surface of the printed part smoother and more delicate, meeting the requirements of high-precision printing. In addition, the pre-wetting system of the present invention also has the advantages of simple operation and easy maintenance.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wetting device 100 may include a device body 110, a liquid storage chamber 120, a first wetting member 130, and an atomization mechanism 140. The device body 110 serves as the basic support structure for the entire pre-wetting device, ensuring the stable installation and coordinated operation of each component. The liquid storage chamber 120 and the atomization mechanism 140 may both be disposed on the device body 110. The liquid storage chamber 120 is used to store the liquid required for wetting, ensuring a continuous and stable liquid supply. The design of the liquid storage chamber takes into account factors such as the liquid storage capacity, sealing performance, and ease of replacement.

[0032] Moreover, the liquid storage chamber 120 and the atomization mechanism 140 may be connected through the first wetting member 130. The first wetting member 130 serves as a bridge connecting the liquid storage chamber 120 and the atomization mechanism 140, and is responsible for transporting the liquid from the liquid storage chamber to the atomization mechanism for atomization. The design of the first wetting member takes into account factors such as the fluidity of the liquid, transmission efficiency, and durability. The atomization mechanism 140 may be provided with the wetting end described above. As one of the core components, the atomization mechanism 140 is responsible for atomizing the liquid into fine particles and uniformly spraying them onto the powder bed. The design of the atomization mechanism 140 takes into account factors such as the atomization effect, spraying uniformity, and controllability. At the same time, a wetting end is provided on the atomization mechanism 140 for directly contacting and wetting the powder bed.

[0033] Furthermore, the atomization mechanism 140 may include a second wetting member 141 and an atomizing member 142. The atomizing member 142 may be disposed at the wetting end. One end of the second wetting member 141 may be connected to the first wetting member 130, and the second end of the second wetting member 141 may be connected to the atomizing member 142. Specifically, the second wetting member 141 serves as a bridge connecting the first wetting member 130 and the atomizing member 142, ensuring the stable transmission of the liquid from the liquid storage chamber 120 to the atomization end. Its design optimizes the liquid flow path, reduces losses and fluctuations during transmission, so that the atomizing member 142 can atomize the liquid more uniformly and spray it onto the powder bed. This helps to form a more uniform and dense liquid film.

[0034] At the same time, the atomizing member 142 is disposed at the wetting end and is directly responsible for atomizing the liquid into fine particles. The atomizing member 142 can generate finer and more uniform droplets, and these droplets can more effectively penetrate between the powder particles to form a stable liquid film. This design not only improves the atomization efficiency but also reduces liquid waste. The coordinated work of the second wetting member 141 and the atomizing member 142 makes the entire pre-wetting process more controllable. The operator can precisely control the liquid spraying amount and atomization effect by adjusting the flow rate of the second wetting member and the atomization parameters of the atomizing member, so as to meet different printing requirements and material characteristics.

[0035] Furthermore, the atomization mechanism 140 may further include an elastic member 143. The end of the first end of the second wetting member 141 may be elastically connected to the elastic member 143. At this time, through the introduction of the elastic member 143, it is ensured that the atomization member 142 can better elastically contact the second wetting member 141. This design not only improves the contact tightness between the atomization member and the wetting member, but also makes the atomization process more uniform and stable, thereby producing a better atomization effect. The elastic connection characteristic of the elastic member 143 enables the atomization mechanism to quickly adapt to and adjust in the face of various changes during the printing process, ensuring the continuity and stability of atomization. Moreover, since the elastic member 143 can buffer and absorb the impact caused by external factors such as liquid pressure fluctuations or powder bed height changes, the mechanical stress inside the atomization mechanism is reduced, and the overall reliability of the system is improved. In one embodiment, the first wetting member 130 and the second wetting member 141 are sponge blocks, and the water absorption of the first wetting member 130 is greater than that of the second wetting member 141.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the atomization mechanism 140 may further include a control mechanism and a humidity monitoring module. The control mechanism may be connected to the humidity monitoring module and the atomization member 142. The humidity monitoring module may be used to monitor the humidity of the powder spreading surface. The control mechanism may control the atomization amount of the atomization member 142 according to the humidity of the powder spreading surface. At this time, through the real-time monitoring of the humidity of the powder spreading surface by the humidity monitoring module, the control mechanism can accurately adjust the atomization amount of the atomization member 142 according to the current humidity. This precise control not only ensures the stability of the humidity during the printing process, but also effectively avoids printing quality problems caused by too high or too low humidity.

[0037] At the same time, humidity is one of the key factors affecting 3D printing quality. By real-time monitoring and adjusting the humidity of the powder spreading surface, this design can always maintain an optimal printing environment, ensuring good adhesion and curing effects of the powder material. Moreover, the introduction of the automatic control mechanism makes the adjustment of the atomization amount faster and more accurate. The addition of the control mechanism and the humidity monitoring module endows the atomization mechanism 140 with certain intelligent functions. Through data analysis and processing, the system can independently judge and optimize the printing conditions.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present invention, one side of the first wetting member 130 may cover the liquid storage chamber 120, and a wave-proof partition 150 may be provided between the first wetting member 130 and the liquid storage chamber 120. The setting of the wave-proof partition 150 effectively prevents the direct contact between the first wetting member 130 and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 120. This design avoids the out-of-control of the liquid volume caused by excessive contact between the liquid and the wetting member, thereby preventing the accidental leakage of the liquid from the atomization end and ensuring the stability of the 3D printing process and the high quality of the printing.

[0039] Of course, the wave baffle can be a perforated plate or other structural components, and the embodiments of the present invention do not limit this.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the wetting device 100 can be disposed on the print head or the powder spreading device. Specifically, first, it greatly improves the efficiency of the 3D printing process. Since the wetting device 100 is directly integrated with the print head or the powder spreading device, there is no need for an additional moving mechanism to control the position of the wetting device 100, so that the wetting operation can be quickly carried out after a layer of powder is laid, reducing the waiting time and accelerating the overall printing speed.

[0041] Secondly, the close cooperation between the wetting device 100 and the print head or the powder spreading device ensures the precise synchronization of the wetting operation and the printing operation, avoiding printing quality problems caused by uneven wetting or improper timing. At the same time, since the wetting device 100 directly acts on the newly laid powder layer, it can effectively control the wetting degree of the powder, further improving the strength and hardness of the printed part.

[0042] In addition, disposing the wetting device 100 on the print head or the powder spreading device also simplifies the structure of the device and reduces the maintenance cost. Since the independent moving mechanism of the wetting device is reduced, the overall structure of the device is more compact, reducing the failure points and making the maintenance and repair of the device more convenient.

[0043] In another alternative embodiment, the wetting device 100 is movably disposed on the printing workbox through a driving device. At this time, the wetting device 100 can move to different positions within the printing workbox as needed to adapt to printed parts of different shapes and sizes, thus ensuring the wide applicability and accuracy of the printing process. Secondly, the wetting device 100 can be accurately positioned to the area that needs to be wetted, avoiding unnecessary wetting operations, thereby saving materials and energy. At the same time, this precise control also helps to reduce errors during the printing process and improve the quality of the printed part. In addition, although this setting method may add an additional moving mechanism compared with the wetting device directly integrated on the print head or the powder spreading device, in some application scenarios, it may provide a greater operating space and convenience. For example, when dealing with large or complex-shaped printed parts, the movable wetting device can more easily adapt to these needs.

[0044] Based on the pre-wetting system for printing disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention also disclose a 3D printing device, including the pre-wetting system for printing described in any of the above embodiments.

[0045] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pre-moistening system for printing, characterized in that: The invention comprises a liquid supply device and a wetting device (100), wherein the liquid supply device is connected to the wetting device (100), the wetting device (100) is movably arranged on a printing work box, and the wetting end of the wetting device (100) faces a powder-laying surface, and the wetting device (100) is used to wet the powder-laying surface after powder-laying and before printing.

2. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wetting device (100) comprises a device body (110), a liquid tank (120), a first wetting component (130) and an atomizing mechanism (140); the liquid tank (120) and the atomizing mechanism (140) are both arranged on the device body (110), and the liquid tank (120) and the atomizing mechanism (140) are connected via the first wetting component (130); and the atomizing mechanism (140) is provided with the wetting end.

3. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The atomizing mechanism (140) comprises a second wetting element (141) and an atomizing element (142), wherein the atomizing element (142) is arranged at the wetting end, one end of the second wetting element (141) is connected to the first wetting element (130), and the second end of the second wetting element (141) is connected to the atomizing element (142).

4. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The atomizing mechanism (140) further comprises an elastic member (143), and the end portion of the first end of the second wetting member (141) is elastically connected to the elastic member (143).

5. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first wetting element (130) and the second wetting element (141) are sponge blocks, and the water absorption of the first wetting element (130) is greater than the water absorption of the second wetting element (141).

6. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The atomizing mechanism (140) further comprises a control mechanism and a humidity monitoring module, wherein the control mechanism is connected to the humidity monitoring module and the atomizing element (142), the humidity monitoring module is used to monitor the humidity of the powdering surface, and the control mechanism controls the atomization amount of the atomizing element (142) according to the humidity of the powdering surface.

7. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: One side cover of the first wetted component (130) is disposed on the liquid bin (120), and a wave-proof baffle (150) is disposed between the first wetted component (130) and the liquid bin (120).

8. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wetting device (100) is arranged on a printing head or a powder spreader.

9. The pre-moistening system for printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wetting device (100) is movably arranged on the printing working box via a driving device.

10. A 3D printing device, characterized in that: A pre-moistening system for printing comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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