Multi-material powder supplying and laying mechanism for selective laser melting process and additive manufacturing method of multi-material powder supplying and laying mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-material powder supplying and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process, which is used for adding different powder to a forming cylinder and comprises a powder spreading module and a moving module for driving the powder spreading module to move, the powder laying module comprises a powder supply hopper arranged above the forming cylinder and a powder suction device arranged below the powder supply hopper, the powder supply hopper is used for storing powder and providing the powder for the forming cylinder, a plurality of material grooves are formed in the powder supply hopper, and a material groove switch for controlling the powder in the material grooves to enter the forming cylinder is arranged in a discharging port of each material groove. A scraper is arranged at the bottom of the powder suction device, and the powder suction device is used for sucking away redundant powder on the forming plane of the forming cylinder. According to the multi-material powder supplying and laying mechanism for the selective laser melting process and the additive manufacturing method of the multi-material powder supplying and laying mechanism, an external laser can achieve multi-material printing and powder laying through the powder supplying and laying mechanism, and metal powder of different materials cannot be subjected to cross contamination in the supplying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and particularly relates to a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process and an additive manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of 3D printing technology, its application in the manufacturing industry is becoming more and more extensive, especially in the fields of aerospace, automotive, medical, etc. However, with the increasing complexity of the items to be printed, more and more scenarios require printing with multiple materials. At present, most 3D printing devices on the market can only achieve the simultaneous forming of the same material, which greatly limits the manufacturing ability of complex structures and functional components. Although some research teams have tried to develop multi-material 3D printing technology, most of the existing methods are limited to the simultaneous forming of two different materials, and there is also the problem of cross-contamination of powders during the feeding process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process and an additive manufacturing method thereof to solve the problem that 3D printing devices in the prior art can only print single material.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the embodiments of the present invention adopt the following technical solutions: A multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process, which is used to add different powder materials into a forming cylinder, includes a powder spreading module and a moving module for driving the powder spreading module to move;

[0005] The powder spreading module includes a powder feeding funnel arranged above the forming cylinder and a powder sucking device arranged below the powder feeding funnel. The powder feeding funnel is used to store powder materials and provide powder materials for the forming cylinder. A plurality of material grooves are formed on the powder feeding funnel, and a material groove switch for controlling the powder in the material groove to enter the forming cylinder is arranged in the discharge port of each material groove. A scraper is arranged at the bottom of the powder sucking device, and the powder sucking device is used to suck away the excess powder on the forming plane of the forming cylinder.

[0006] Further, the material groove switch includes an electric control cylinder and a connecting rod. The output end of the electric control cylinder is fixedly connected to the connecting rod. A baffle is rotatably arranged at one end of the connecting rod away from the baffle, and one end of the baffle away from the connecting rod is rotatably arranged on the material groove. The electric control cylinder controls the movement of the connecting rod, and the connecting rod drives the baffle to move to open or close the discharge port of the material groove.

[0007] Further, the moving module includes a fixing frame disposed on the forming cylinder. Sliding components are arranged on both sides of the fixing frame. The sliding components are used to drive the powder supply hopper to move along the length direction of the fixing frame. The sliding components include a motor, a driving wheel, and a driven wheel disposed on the fixing frame. The output end of the motor is fixedly connected to one end of the driving wheel. The motor is used to drive the driving wheel to rotate. A belt is arranged between the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The driving wheel drives the driven wheel to rotate through the belt. The sliding components further include two guide rails disposed on the fixing frame. Sliders are arranged on the belt. Limiting frames are respectively arranged at the upper and lower ends of the slider. The two limiting frames are respectively sleeved on the two guide rails. One end of the slider away from the belt is fixedly connected to the powder supply hopper.

[0008] Further, the two guide rails are respectively arranged above and below the belt.

[0009] Further, through holes for the sliders to move are formed through the limiting frames.

[0010] An additive manufacturing method uses the multi-material powder supply and spreading mechanism for the selective laser melting process according to the foregoing claims, and has the following operating steps:

[0011] S1. Add metal powders of different materials into the respective material grooves on the powder supply hopper.

[0012] S2. The moving module drives the powder spreading module to move horizontally. At this time, the trough switch at the bottom of one of the troughs controls the opening of its discharge port, while the trough switches at the bottoms of the other troughs control the closing of their discharge ports. The powder in the trough with the open discharge port enters the forming cylinder through the discharge port, and the powder is scraped flat by a doctor blade, thereby completing the powder spreading.

[0013] S3. Guide the external laser to complete the curing of the required area.

[0014] Further, the additive manufacturing method further includes step S4. The forming cylinder descends one layer, and steps S2 to S3 are alternately repeated, so as to realize the multi-material powder supply and spreading arrangement in the vertical direction.

[0015] Further, the additive manufacturing method further includes step S4. While the powder suction device is started, it moves back to the initial position, and the uncured metal powder is adsorbed by negative pressure.

[0016] Step S5. The position of the forming cylinder remains unchanged. By alternately performing steps S2 to S4, the multi-material powder supply and spreading arrangement at any position in the horizontal direction can be realized.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] The present invention provides a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process and an additive manufacturing method thereof. By arranging a powder spreading module and a moving module, an external laser can achieve printing and powder spreading of multiple materials through the powder feeding and spreading mechanism, and metal powders of different materials will not cross-contaminate during the feeding process. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the powder spreading module;

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the moving module;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic structural view of adding metal powders of different materials to the feeding trough of the powder feeding funnel;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of adding metal powder into the forming cylinder for the first time;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic structural view of the first forming of the metal powder in the forming cylinder;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic structural view of adding metal powder into the forming cylinder for the second time;

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic structural view of the second forming of the metal powder in the forming cylinder;

[0027] Figure 9 is a schematic structural view of the vertical additive manufacturing method;

[0028] Figure 10 is a schematic structural view of the horizontal additive manufacturing method.

[0029] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0030] 1. Forming cylinder; 2. Powder spreading module; 21. Powder suction device; 22. Powder feeding funnel; 23. Feeding trough; 24. Feeding trough switch; 241. Electric control cylinder; 242. Connecting rod; 243. Baffle; 25. Doctor blade; 3. Moving module; 31. Fixed frame; 32. Motor; 33. Driving wheel; 34. Driven wheel; 35. Belt; 36. Guide rail; 37. Slide block; 38. Limiting frame; 39. Chute. Detailed Embodiments

[0031] The following will describe the specific embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining and understanding the present application, and are not used to limit the present application.

[0032] As Figure 1-3 shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process, which is used to add different powder materials to a forming cylinder 1, and includes a powder spreading module 2 and a moving module 3 for driving the movement of the powder spreading module 2.

[0033] The powder spreading module 2 includes a powder supply funnel 22 arranged above the forming cylinder 1 and a powder suction device 21 arranged below the powder supply funnel 22 (in a specific embodiment, the negative pressure air path interface of the powder suction device 21 is arranged at one end of the powder suction device 21 away from the material tank 23). The powder supply funnel 22 is used to store powder materials and provide powder materials for the forming cylinder 1. A plurality of material tanks 23 are formed on the powder supply funnel 22, and a material tank switch 24 for controlling the powder in the material tank 23 to enter the forming cylinder 1 is arranged in the discharge port of each material tank 23 (in a specific embodiment, the material tank switch 24 includes an electric control cylinder 241 and a connecting rod 242. The output end of the electric control cylinder 241 is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 242. A baffle 243 is rotatably arranged at one end of the connecting rod 242 away from the baffle. One end of the baffle 243 away from the connecting rod 242 is rotatably arranged on the material tank 23. The electric control cylinder 241 controls the movement of the connecting rod 242, and the connecting rod 242 drives the baffle 243 to move to open or close the discharge port of the material tank 23). A scraper 25 is arranged at the bottom of the powder suction device 21 (there are various embodiments in the prior art for the scraper 25 to scrape the powder on the forming plane, and the specific structure of the scraper 25 will not be described in detail here). The scraper 25 is used to scrape the powder on the forming plane flat, and the powder suction device 21 is used to suck away the excess powder on the forming plane of the forming cylinder 1 (a multi-material 3D printer and its printing method are disclosed in the patent document with the document number CN116587600A, which details the process of the powder suction device sucking away the excess powder on the forming plane (the forming plane refers to the plane formed by the layer-by-layer stacking of the model during printing) of the forming cylinder through a powder suction nozzle. Therefore, the specific structure of the powder suction device will not be described in detail here).

[0034] The moving module 3 includes a fixing frame 31 arranged on the forming cylinder 1. Sliding components are arranged on both sides of the fixing frame 31. The sliding components are used to drive the powder supply funnel 22 to move along the length direction of the fixing frame 31. The sliding components include a motor 32, a driving wheel 33 and a driven wheel 34 arranged on the fixing frame 31. The output end of the motor 32 is fixedly connected to one end of the driving wheel 33. The motor 32 is used to drive the driving wheel 33 to rotate. A belt 35 is arranged between the driving wheel 33 and the driven wheel 34. The driving wheel 33 drives the driven wheel 34 to rotate through the belt 35. The sliding components further include two guide rails 36 arranged on the fixing frame 31 (in a specific embodiment, the two guide rails 36 are respectively arranged above and below the belt 35). A slider 37 is arranged on the belt 35. Limiting frames 38 are respectively arranged at the upper and lower ends of the slider 37. The two limiting frames 38 are respectively sleeved on the two guide rails 36. The guide rails 36 bear part of the gravity of the slider 37 through the limiting frames 38. One end of the slider 37 far away from the belt 35 is fixedly connected to the powder supply funnel 22.

[0035] In order to prevent the slider 37 from falling off the limiting frame 38, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a chute 39 for the slider 37 to move is formed through the limiting frame 38.

[0036] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a vertical direction additive manufacturing method, which has the following operation steps:

[0037] S1, as Figure 4 shown, different material metal powders are respectively added into a plurality of material grooves 23 on the powder supply funnel 22;

[0038] S2, as Figure 5 shown, the moving module 3 drives the powder spreading module 2 to move in the horizontal direction. At this time, the material groove switch 24 at the bottom of one of the material grooves 23 controls the opening of its discharge port, while the material groove switches 24 at the bottoms of the other material grooves 23 control the closing of their discharge ports. The powder in the material groove 23 with the open discharge port enters the forming cylinder 1 through the discharge port, and the powder is scraped flat by the scraper 25, thereby completing the powder laying;

[0039] S3, as Figure 6 shown, guide the external laser to complete the curing of the required area;

[0040] S4, as Figures 7-9 shown, the forming cylinder descends one layer, and by repeating the alternation of steps S2 to S3, the multi-material powder supply and spreading arrangement in the vertical direction can be realized.

[0041] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a horizontal direction additive manufacturing method, which has the following operation steps:

[0042] S1, as Figure 4As shown, different metal powders of different materials are respectively added into a plurality of material grooves 23 on the powder supply hopper 22;

[0043] S2. The moving module 3 drives the powder spreading module 2 to move horizontally. At this time, the material groove switch 24 at the bottom of one of the material grooves 23 controls the opening of its discharge port, while the material groove switches 24 at the bottoms of the other material grooves 23 control the closing of their discharge ports. The powder in the material groove 23 with the open discharge port enters the forming cylinder 1 through the discharge port, and the powder is leveled by the doctor blade 25, thereby completing the powder spreading;

[0044] S3. After guiding the external laser to complete the curing of the required area;

[0045] S4. While the powder suction device 21 is started, it moves back to the initial position, and uses negative pressure to adsorb the uncured metal powder;

[0046] S5. As Figure 10 shown, with the position of the forming cylinder 1 unchanged, by alternately performing steps S2 to S4, the multi-material powder supply and spreading arrangement at any position in the horizontal direction can be realized.

[0047] The multi-material powder supply and spreading mechanism for the selective laser melting process and its additive manufacturing method, through the provided powder spreading module 2 and moving module 3, enable the external laser to realize multi-material printing and powder spreading through the powder supply and spreading mechanism, and different metal powders will not cross-contaminate during the feeding process.

[0048] The above embodiments only express the implementation manners of the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. 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 belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process, which is used to add different powder materials to a forming cylinder (1), and is characterized in that, It includes a powder spreading module (2) and a moving module (3) for driving the powder spreading module (2) to move. The powder spreading module (2) includes a powder supply hopper (22) arranged above the forming cylinder (1) and a powder suction device (21) arranged below the powder supply hopper (22). The powder supply hopper (22) is used to store powder and provide powder for the forming cylinder (1). A plurality of material grooves (23) are formed on the powder supply hopper (22), and a material groove switch (24) for controlling the powder in the material groove (23) to enter the forming cylinder (1) is arranged at the discharge port of each material groove (23). A scraper (25) is arranged at the bottom of the powder suction device (21), and the powder suction device (21) is used to suck away the excess powder on the forming plane of the forming cylinder (1).

2. The multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for the selective laser melting process according to claim 1, wherein The material groove switch (24) includes an electric control cylinder (241) and a connecting rod (242). The output end of the electric control cylinder (241) is fixedly connected to the connecting rod (242). A baffle (243) is rotatably arranged at one end of the connecting rod (242) away from the baffle. One end of the baffle (243) away from the connecting rod (242) is rotatably arranged on the material groove (23). The electric control cylinder (241) controls the movement of the connecting rod (242), and the connecting rod (242) drives the baffle (243) to move and opens or closes the discharge port of the material groove (23).

3. The multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process according to claim 1, wherein, The moving module (3) includes a fixing frame (31) arranged on the forming cylinder (1). Sliding components are arranged on both sides of the fixing frame (31). The sliding components are used to drive the powder supply hopper (22) to move along the length direction of the fixing frame (31). The sliding components include a motor (32), a driving wheel (33) and a driven wheel (34) arranged on the fixing frame (31). The output end of the motor (32) is fixedly connected to one end of the driving wheel (33). The motor (32) is used to drive the driving wheel (33) to rotate. A belt (35) is arranged between the driving wheel (33) and the driven wheel (34). The driving wheel (33) drives the driven wheel (34) to rotate through the belt (35). The sliding components also include two guide rails (36) arranged on the fixing frame (31). A slider (37) is arranged on the belt (35). Limiting frames (38) are arranged at the upper and lower ends of the slider (37) respectively. The two limiting frames (38) are respectively sleeved on the two guide rails (36). One end of the slider (37) away from the belt (35) is fixedly connected to the powder supply hopper (22).

4. The multi-material powder supply and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two guide rails (36) are respectively arranged above and below the belt (35).

5. The multi-material powder supply and spreading mechanism for selective laser melting process according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sliding groove (39) for the slider (37) to move is formed through the limiting frame (38).

6. An additive manufacturing method, which uses the multi-material powder supply and spreading mechanism for the selective laser melting process according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It has the following operating steps: S1. Different material metal powders are respectively added into a plurality of material grooves (23) on the powder supply hopper (22). S2. The moving module (3) drives the powder spreading module (2) to move in the horizontal direction. At this time, the material groove switch (24) at the bottom of one of the material grooves (23) controls its discharge port to open, while the material groove switches (24) at the bottoms of the other material grooves (23) control their discharge ports to close. The powder in the material groove (23) with the open discharge port enters the forming cylinder (1) through the discharge port, and the powder is scraped flat by the scraper (25), thus completing the powder laying. S3. Guide the external laser to complete the curing of the required area.

7. An additive manufacturing method for a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism used in a selective laser melting process, characterized in that, The additive manufacturing method further includes step S4. The forming cylinder descends one layer, and by repeating the alternating execution of steps S2 to S3, the multi-material powder feeding and spreading arrangement in the vertical direction can be achieved.

8. The additive manufacturing method of a multi-material powder feeding and spreading mechanism for a selective laser melting process according to claim 6, characterized in that, The additive manufacturing method further includes step S4. While the powder suction device (21) is started, it moves back to the initial position, and the uncured metal powder is adsorbed by negative pressure. Step S5. With the position of the forming cylinder (1) unchanged, by alternately performing steps S2 to S4, the multi-material powder feeding and spreading arrangement at any position in the horizontal direction can be achieved.

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