Metal additive printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal additive printer which comprises a printer body with a printing cavity, a printing platform is slidably connected into the printing cavity, the metal additive printer further comprises a hammering device, the hammering device comprises a sliding frame, a plurality of hammer heads and a driving mechanism, the sliding frame is slidably connected into the printing cavity, a swing frame is rotatably connected to the sliding frame, a scraping rod is arranged on the swing frame, and the scraping rod is connected with the driving mechanism. A plurality of hammer rods are connected to the swing frame in a sliding mode, the hammer heads are arranged on the corresponding hammer rods respectively, the driving mechanism drives the sliding frame to move and the hammer rods to slide at the same time, when the sliding frame moves towards one side, the swing frame rotates till the scraping rod is right opposite to the printing platform, and when the sliding frame is reset, the swing frame rotates till the hammer heads are right opposite to the printing platform. Before single-layer printing is carried out, metal powder is scraped to be flat through a scraping rod, and the uniformity of powder laying is guaranteed; and after single-layer printing is finished, the hammer head hammers the printing layer, so that the product quality and the mechanical property of a printed piece are improved. The two functions are automatically switched along with the reciprocating motion of the sliding frame, and the printing efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of metal additive printers, and in particular to a metal additive printer. Background Art

[0002] A metal additive printer, also commonly referred to as a metal 3D printer, is a device that uses additive manufacturing technology to create metal parts. Its operating principle is based on the principle of discrete accumulation. A 3D model is discretized into multiple layers of 2D slices. Using a specific energy source, such as a laser or electron beam, metal powder or wire is melted and accumulated layer by layer, ultimately forming a 3D metal part.

[0003] Printed parts produced using existing metal additive printers rely primarily on thermal bonding during the printing process, resulting in limited bonding strength. When subjected to significant external forces or complex stresses, delamination and peeling between layers can occur, reducing the overall performance and reliability of the printed part. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to improve the product quality of printed parts, the present application provides a metal additive printer.

[0005] The metal additive printer provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A metal additive printer comprises a printer body with a printing chamber, a printing platform being slidably connected in the printing chamber, and a hammering device, wherein the hammering device comprises a sliding frame, a plurality of hammer heads and a driving mechanism, the sliding frame being slidably connected in the printing chamber, a swinging frame being rotatably connected to the sliding frame, a scraping rod being provided on one side of the swinging frame, a plurality of hammer rods being slidably connected on the other side of the swinging frame, a plurality of the hammer rods corresponding to a plurality of hammer heads respectively, and a plurality of the hammer heads being fixedly connected to the corresponding hammer rods respectively, and the driving mechanism being used to simultaneously drive the movement of the sliding frame and the sliding of the plurality of hammer rods, when the sliding frame moves toward one side, the swinging frame rotates until the scraping rod faces the printing platform, and when the sliding frame is in the process of resetting, the swinging frame rotates until the plurality of hammer heads face the printing platform.

[0006] By employing this technical solution, the scraper can flatten the metal powder before printing a single layer, ensuring uniform powder distribution. After printing a single layer, the hammer head can hammer the printed layer, effectively eliminating internal stress and refining the grain, thereby improving the product quality and mechanical properties of the printed part. These two functions can be automatically switched with the reciprocating motion of the slide frame, improving printing efficiency.

[0007] Preferably, it also includes a swing rod and an abutment wheel, the swing rod is fixedly connected to the swing frame, the abutment wheel is rotatably connected to the side of the swing rod away from the swing frame, the printer body is provided with an abutment slide rail, the abutment slide rail is located on the moving path of the swing rod, when the sliding frame moves, the swing rod rotates to the extreme position, the abutment wheel can be rolled and connected to the abutment slide rail, when the sliding frame slides to the extreme position to either side, the abutment wheel disengages from the abutment slide rail.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sliding frame moves toward the right side at the left extreme position, the abutment wheel touches the starting end of the left abutment slide rail, and as the sliding frame continues to move to the right, the abutment slide rail forces the abutment wheel to roll along the track, driving the swing rod and the swing frame to rotate, so that the swing frame rotates until the scraper rod is completely close to the printing platform, and the sliding frame continues to move, and the metal powder is scraped flat; after the sliding frame reaches the right extreme position, the abutment wheel detaches from the end of the right abutment slide rail, and after losing the track constraint, the swing frame rotates under the action of gravity or inertia; when the sliding frame resets from right to left, the abutment wheel touches the starting end of the right abutment slide rail, and the abutment slide rail forces the abutment wheel to roll, so that the swing frame rotates until the hammer head is close to the printing platform; when the sliding frame continues to move, the printed part is.

[0009] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a hammer assembly, which is used to drive the sliding of several hammer rods. The hammer assembly includes several cams, rotating shafts and several return springs. The rotating shafts are rotatably connected to the frame, and several cams are coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating shafts. Several cams correspond to several hammer rods respectively, and several cams are respectively located on the moving paths of corresponding hammer rods. Several return springs are respectively mounted on corresponding hammer rods, and several return springs always drive the corresponding hammer rods to rotate toward the cam side.

[0010] By employing this technical solution, a cam mechanism drives the hammer rod, enabling precise control of the frequency and force of the hammer strikes. A return spring ensures that the hammer rod quickly resets after each strike, ready for the next. This simple and efficient structure enables high-frequency hammering, effectively improving the quality of printed layers.

[0011] Preferably, the driving mechanism further includes a moving component, which is used to drive the sliding of the sliding frame. The moving component includes a screw and a nut seat, the screw is fixedly connected to the printer body, and the nut seat is rotatably connected to the sliding frame.

[0012] By adopting this technical solution, the moving assembly utilizes a screw and nut assembly transmission method, which features high precision and high rigidity. It smoothly converts the motor's rotational motion into the linear motion of the slide frame, accurately controlling the slide frame's position and ensuring the accurate positioning of the scraper and hammer during operation, thereby ensuring stable printing quality.

[0013] Preferably, the driving mechanism also includes a driving source, which includes a motor and two synchronous belts. The sliding frame is rotatably connected to a first synchronous wheel and a second synchronous wheel, one of the synchronous belts is respectively wound around and meshed with the first synchronous wheel and the nut seat, and the other synchronous belt is respectively wound around and meshed with the second synchronous wheel and the rotating shaft.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the drive source adopts a synchronous belt drive, which has the advantages of high transmission efficiency and low noise. Through two synchronous belts, the motor can simultaneously drive the nut seat and the rotating shaft, achieving synchronous control of the movement of the sliding frame and the sliding of the hammer rod.

[0015] Preferably, a one-way bearing is provided on the second synchronous wheel, the inner ring of the one-way bearing is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor, and the outer ring of the one-way bearing is fixedly connected to the second synchronous wheel. When the scraper rod is facing the printing platform, the motor cannot drive the rotation of the second synchronous wheel.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution and the ingenious setting of the one-way bearing, the motor has different driving effects in different strokes. When the scraper rod is performing scraping work, the motor only needs to drive the sliding frame to move without driving the rotating shaft to rotate, which can reduce energy consumption; when the hammer head is performing hammering work, the motor will drive the sliding frame and the rotating shaft at the same time.

[0017] The technical effects of the present invention are mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. Before printing a single layer, the scraper can flatten the metal powder to ensure uniform powder distribution. After printing a single layer, the hammer head can hammer the printed layer, effectively eliminating internal stress and refining the grain, thereby improving the product quality and mechanical properties of the printed part. These two functions can be automatically switched with the reciprocating motion of the sliding frame, improving printing efficiency. 2. According to the present invention, when the sliding frame moves toward the right side at the left extreme position, the abutment wheel touches the starting end of the left abutment slide rail. As the sliding frame continues to move to the right, the abutment slide rail forces the abutment wheel to roll along the track, driving the swing rod and the swing frame to rotate, so that the swing frame rotates until the scraping rod is completely close to the printing platform. As the sliding frame continues to move, the metal powder is scraped flat; after the sliding frame reaches the right extreme position, the abutment wheel disengages from the end of the right abutment slide rail, and after losing the track constraint, the swing frame rotates under the action of gravity or inertia; when the sliding frame resets from right to left, the abutment wheel touches the starting end of the right abutment slide rail, and the abutment slide rail forces the abutment wheel to roll, so that the swing frame rotates until the hammer head is close to the printing platform; as the sliding frame continues to move, the printed part is scraped flat; 3. The ingenious setting of the one-way bearing of the present invention enables the motor to have different driving effects in different strokes. When the scraper rod is performing scraping work, the motor only needs to drive the sliding frame to move without driving the rotating shaft to rotate, which can reduce energy consumption; when the hammer head is performing hammering work, the motor will drive the sliding frame and the rotating shaft at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the printing chamber structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the sliding frame structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the driving mechanism structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the hammering device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0025] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Print chamber; 2. Printer body; 3. Printing platform; 4. Hammering device; 5. Slide frame; 6. Hammer head; 7. Driving mechanism; 8. Swing frame; 9. Scraper rod; 10. Hammer rod; 11. Swing rod; 12. Abutment wheel; 13. Abutment slide rail; 14. Hammering assembly; 15. Cam; 16. Rotating shaft; 17. Return spring; 18. Moving assembly; 19. Screw; 20. Nut seat; 21. Driving source; 22. Motor; 23. Synchronous belt; 24. First synchronous wheel; 25. Second synchronous wheel; 26. First bevel gear; 27. Second bevel gear; 28. One-way bearing; 29. Third synchronous wheel; 31. Laser head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following is combined with Figure 1-7 The present application is further described in detail to make the technical solution of the present application easier to understand and grasp.

[0027] The embodiments of the present application disclose a metal additive printer.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a metal additive printer of the present embodiment includes a printer body 2 with a printing chamber 1, a printing platform 3 is slidably connected in the printing chamber 1, a laser head 31 is movably connected above the printing chamber 1, and also includes a hammering device 4, the hammering device 4 includes a sliding frame 5, a plurality of hammer heads 6 and a driving mechanism 7, the sliding frame 5 is slidably connected in the printing chamber 1, and a swing frame 8 is rotatably connected to the sliding frame 5, a scraper rod 9 is fixedly connected to one side of the swing frame 8, and a plurality of hammer rods 10 are slidably connected to the other side of the swing frame 8, and the plurality of hammer rods 10 are evenly distributed along the length direction of the swing frame 8, and the plurality of hammer rods 10 correspond to the plurality of hammer heads 6, respectively, and the plurality of hammer heads 6 are fixedly connected to the corresponding hammer rods 10, and the driving mechanism 7 is used to simultaneously drive the movement of the sliding frame 5 and the sliding of the plurality of hammer rods 10. When the sliding frame 5 moves toward one side, the swing frame 8 rotates until the scraper rod 9 faces the printing platform 3. When the sliding frame 5 is in the reset process, the swing frame 8 rotates until the plurality of hammer heads 6 face the printing platform 3.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , further comprising a swing lever 11 and an abutment wheel 12. The swing lever 11 is fixedly connected to the swing frame 8, and the abutment wheel 12 is rotatably connected to the side of the swing lever 11 away from the swing frame 8. An abutment rail 13 is fixedly connected to the printer body 2, and the abutment rail 13 is located on the movement path of the swing lever 11. When the slide frame 5 moves, the swing lever 11 rotates to the extreme position, and the abutment wheel 12 is rollably connected to the abutment rail 13. When the slide frame 5 slides to either side to the extreme position, the abutment wheel 12 disengages from the abutment rail 13.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Before printing a single layer, the scraper 9 smoothes the metal powder to ensure even distribution. After printing a single layer, the hammer head 6 hammers the printed layer, effectively eliminating internal stress and refining the grain size, thereby improving the quality and mechanical properties of the printed part. These two functions automatically switch with the reciprocating motion of the slide frame 5, improving printing efficiency.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 When the sliding frame 5 moves toward the right side at the left extreme position, the abutment wheel 12 touches the starting end of the left abutment slide rail 13. As the sliding frame 5 continues to move to the right, the abutment slide rail 13 forces the abutment wheel 12 to roll along the track, driving the swing rod 11 and the swing frame 8 to rotate, so that the swing frame 8 rotates until the scraper rod 9 is completely close to the printing platform 3. As the sliding frame 5 continues to move, the metal powder is scraped flat; after the sliding frame 5 reaches the right extreme position, the abutment wheel 12 disengages from the end of the right abutment slide rail 13. After losing the track constraint, the swing frame 8 rotates under the action of gravity or inertia; when the sliding frame 5 resets from right to left, the abutment wheel 12 touches the starting end of the right abutment slide rail 13, and the abutment slide rail 13 forces the abutment wheel 12 to roll, so that the swing frame 8 rotates until the hammer head 6 is close to the printing platform 3; as the sliding frame 5 continues to move, the printed part is

[0032] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The driving mechanism 7 includes a hammer assembly 14, which is used to drive the sliding of several hammer rods 10. The hammer assembly 14 includes several cams 15, a rotating shaft 16 and several return springs 17. The rotating shaft 16 is rotatably connected to the frame. Several cams 15 are coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 16. Several cams 15 correspond to several hammer rods 10 respectively. Several cams 15 are respectively located on the moving path of the corresponding hammer rods 10. Several return springs 17 are respectively mounted on the corresponding hammer rods 10. Several return springs 17 always drive the corresponding hammer rods 10 to rotate toward the side of the cam 15. Using the cam 15 mechanism to drive the hammer rod 10 can accurately control the frequency and strength of the hammering. The setting of the return spring 17 ensures that the hammer rod 10 can quickly reset after each hammering and prepare for the next hammering. This structure is simple and efficient, can achieve high-frequency hammering actions, and effectively improve the quality of the printed layer.

[0033] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5The drive mechanism 7 also includes a moving assembly 18, which is used to drive the sliding movement of the slide frame 5. The moving assembly 18 includes a screw 19 and a nut holder 20. The screw 19 is fixedly connected to the printer body 2, and the nut holder 20 is rotatably connected to the slide frame 5. The moving assembly 18 utilizes a transmission method that cooperates with the screw 19 and the nut holder 20, and has the characteristics of high precision and high rigidity. It can smoothly convert the rotational motion of the motor 22 into the linear motion of the slide frame 5, and can accurately control the position of the slide frame 5, ensuring the accurate positioning of the scraper bar 9 and the hammer head 6 during operation, thereby ensuring the stability of printing quality.

[0034] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The drive mechanism 7 also includes a drive source 21, which includes a motor 22 and two synchronous belts 23. A first synchronous pulley 24 and a second synchronous pulley 25 are rotatably connected to the sliding frame 5. One of the synchronous belts 23 is respectively wound around and meshed with the first synchronous pulley 24 and the nut seat 20. A first bevel gear 26 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 16. A second bevel gear 27 is rotatably connected to the sliding frame 5. A third synchronous pulley 29 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the second bevel gear 27. Another synchronous belt 23 is respectively wound around and meshed with the second synchronous pulley 25 and the third synchronous pulley 29. A one-way bearing 28 is fixedly connected to the second synchronous pulley 25. The inner ring of the one-way bearing 28 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 22, and the outer ring of the one-way bearing 28 is fixedly connected to the second synchronous pulley 25. When the scraper bar 9 is facing the printing platform 3, the motor 22 cannot drive the second synchronous pulley 25 to rotate.

[0035] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The drive source 21 is driven by a synchronous belt 23, which has the advantages of high transmission efficiency and low noise. Through the two synchronous belts 23, the motor 22 can simultaneously drive the nut holder 20 and the rotating shaft 16, achieving synchronous control of the movement of the sliding frame 5 and the sliding of the hammer rod 10. The ingenious arrangement of the one-way bearing 28 allows the motor 22 to have different driving effects in different strokes. When the scraper rod 9 is performing the leveling work, the motor 22 only needs to drive the sliding frame 5 to move, without rotating the rotating shaft 16, which can reduce energy consumption. When the hammer head 6 is hammering, the motor 22 will simultaneously drive the sliding frame 5 and the rotating shaft 16.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, powder spreading process: In the initial state, the sliding frame 5 is in the left extreme position, and the swing frame 8 causes the scraper rod 9 to approach the printing platform 3 due to gravity or inertia. The motor 22 is turned on, and the nut seat 20 is driven to rotate by the synchronous belt 23, thereby allowing the sliding frame 5 to slide to the right. When the sliding frame 5 begins to move to the right, the abutment wheel 12 contacts the starting end of the left abutment rail 13. As the sliding frame 5 continues to move to the right, the abutment rail 13 will force the abutment wheel 12 to roll along the track, driving the swing rod 11 and the swing frame 8 to rotate, and finally making the scraper rod 9 completely close to the printing platform 3. The one-way bearing 28 plays a role. At this time, the motor 22 only drives the sliding frame 5 to move, the rotating shaft 16 will not rotate, and the hammer head 6 will not perform a hammering action. In the process of the sliding frame 5 moving to the right, the scraper rod 9 will scrape the metal powder on the printing platform 3 to ensure that the metal powder is evenly distributed. When the sliding frame 5 slides to the right extreme position, the abutment wheel 12 is separated from the end of the right abutment rail 13, and the swing frame 8 loses the track constraint and starts to rotate under the action of gravity or inertia.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 ,Printing process: After the metal powder is laid, the printing system starts working, and the laser head 31 moves according to the slice data and melts and prints the current layer.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 7 Hammering process: After printing the current layer, the motor 22 reverses and drives the sliding frame 5 to reset to the left from the right extreme position. In the process of the sliding frame 5 moving to the left, the abutment wheel 12 contacts the starting end of the right abutment slide 13. The abutment slide 13 forces the abutment wheel 12 to roll, driving the swing frame 8 to rotate, so that the hammer head 6 is close to the printing platform 3. The state of the one-way bearing 28 changes, and the motor 22 drives the nut seat 20 and the rotating shaft 16 at the same time through the synchronous belt 23. The rotating shaft 16 drives several cams 15 to rotate, and the cams 15 drive the corresponding hammer rods 10 to slide back and forth, thereby realizing the hammering of the printed layer by the hammer head 6, achieving the effect of eliminating internal stress and refining grains. The reset spring 17 will allow the hammer rod 10 to quickly reset after each hammering, preparing for the next hammering. The sliding frame 5 continues to move to the left, and the hammer head 6 fully hammers the entire printed layer. When the sliding frame 5 returns to the left extreme position, the abutting wheel 12 disengages from the end of the left abutting slide rail 13, completing one hammering cycle.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Cycle process: The printer continuously cycles according to the process of "powder laying-printing-hammering" until the entire part is printed.

[0040] Of course, the above are only typical examples of the present application. In addition, the present application may have many other specific implementation methods. Any technical solutions formed by equivalent replacement or equivalent transformation fall within the scope of protection required by the present application.

Claims

1. A metal additive printer comprising a printer body (2) with a printing chamber (1), wherein a printing platform (3) is slidably connected to the printing chamber (1), characterized in that: The invention also includes a hammering device (4), which includes a sliding frame (5), a plurality of hammer heads (6) and a driving mechanism (7). The sliding frame (5) is slidably connected in the printing chamber (1). The sliding frame (5) is rotatably connected to a swing frame (8). A scraper rod (9) is provided on one side of the swing frame (8). A plurality of hammer rods (10) are slidably connected on the other side of the swing frame (8). The plurality of hammer rods (10) respectively correspond to the plurality of hammer heads (6). The plurality of hammer heads (6) are respectively fixedly connected to the corresponding hammer rods (10). The driving mechanism (7) is used to simultaneously drive the movement of the sliding frame (5) and the sliding of the plurality of hammer rods (10). When the sliding frame (5) moves toward one side, the swing frame (8) rotates until the scraper rod (9) faces the printing platform (3). When the sliding frame (5) is in the process of returning to the original position, the swing frame (8) rotates until the plurality of hammer heads (6) face the printing platform (3).

2. The metal additive printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printer further comprises a swing rod (11) and an abutting wheel (12), wherein the swing rod (11) is fixedly connected to the swing frame (8), and the abutting wheel (12) is rotatably connected to the side of the swing rod (11) away from the swing frame (8). The printer body (2) is provided with an abutting slide rail (13), and the abutting slide rail (13) is located on the moving path of the swing rod (11). When the sliding frame (5) moves, the swing rod (11) rotates to the extreme position, and the abutting wheel (12) is rollably connected to the abutting slide rail (13). When the sliding frame (5) slides to the extreme position toward both sides, the abutting wheel (12) is separated from the abutting slide rail (13).

3. The metal additive printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (7) includes a hammer assembly (14), which is used to drive the sliding of a plurality of hammer rods (10). The hammer assembly (14) includes a plurality of cams (15), a rotating shaft (16) and a plurality of return springs (17). The rotating shaft (16) is rotatably connected to the frame. The plurality of cams (15) are coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (16). The plurality of cams (15) correspond to the plurality of hammer rods (10), and the plurality of cams (15) are respectively located on the moving paths of the corresponding hammer rods (10). The plurality of return springs (17) are respectively sleeved on the corresponding hammer rods (10). The plurality of return springs (17) always drive the corresponding hammer rods (10) to rotate toward the cam (15) side.

4. The metal additive printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (7) further comprises a moving assembly (18), wherein the moving assembly (18) is used to drive the sliding of the sliding frame (5), and the moving assembly (18) comprises a screw rod (19) and a nut seat (20), wherein the screw rod (19) is fixedly connected to the printer body (2), and the nut seat (20) is rotatably connected to the sliding frame (5).

5. The metal additive printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (7) further comprises a driving source (21), the driving source (21) comprising a motor (22) and two synchronous belts (23), a first synchronous wheel (24) and a second synchronous wheel (25) being rotatably connected to the sliding frame (5), one of the synchronous belts (23) being respectively wound around and meshedly connected to the first synchronous wheel (24) and the nut seat (20), and the other synchronous belt (23) being respectively wound around and meshedly connected to the second synchronous wheel (25) and the rotating shaft (16).

6. The metal additive printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second synchronous wheel (25) is provided with a one-way bearing (28), the inner ring of the one-way bearing (28) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor (22), and the outer ring of the one-way bearing (28) is fixedly connected to the second synchronous wheel (25). When the scraper rod (9) faces the printing platform (3), the motor (22) cannot drive the second synchronous wheel (25) to rotate.

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