Additive manufacturing equipment
The powder conveying mechanism uses the optical tweezer effect to preheat the metal powder during the additive manufacturing process, solving the problem of large size and high cost in the prior art, and achieving efficient and high-quality additive manufacturing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510593153.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-12
AI Technical Summary
In the existing additive manufacturing technology, additional preheating mechanisms lead to problems such as large size and high cost.
The powder conveying mechanism is used to utilize the optical tweezers effect to allow the laser beam to capture metal powder at the light hole and gradually transport it to the processing platform to realize preheating treatment and avoid additional preheating mechanisms.
Improves the processing efficiency and quality of additive manufacturing, and reduces equipment volume and cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN120460746A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to an additive manufacturing device. Background Art
[0002] Metal additive manufacturing (AM), also known as metal 3D printing technology, is based on three-dimensional model data and uses powdered metal materials to directly manufacture entities or parts that are completely consistent with the corresponding digital model by stacking materials layer by layer.
[0003] To achieve better additive manufacturing results, current AM technologies typically use an additional preheating mechanism to preheat raw materials, such as metal powder, before using a laser beam to process the metal powder. This additional preheating mechanism requires additional space and increases the overall cost of the equipment. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, the present application provides an additive manufacturing device to solve or partially solve the technical problem in the existing additive manufacturing technology that adding an additional preheating mechanism requires occupying a certain volume and increasing the equipment cost.
[0005] The technical solutions proposed in this application are as follows:
[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a light source, a shaping component, a galvanometer, a field mirror, and a powder conveying mechanism.
[0007] The light source is used to output a laser beam, the shaping component is used to shape the laser beam, the galvanometer is used to adjust the focusing coordinates of the laser beam, and the field lens is used to converge and focus the laser beam. After passing through the powder conveying mechanism, the laser beam will be focused on the processing platform, where the energy density is the highest.
[0008] The special feature of the additive manufacturing equipment of the present application is that the powder conveying mechanism of the additive manufacturing equipment is located between the field mirror and the processing platform, including a light hole, a powder feeding component and a powder collecting component, and the light hole is located between the powder feeding component and the powder collecting component.
[0009] The specific process of the powder conveying mechanism is as follows: the metal powder to be processed is transported from the powder feeding component of the powder conveying mechanism to the light-through hole by a blowing air flow; the laser beam output by the light source captures the metal powder to be processed delivered to the light-through hole through the action of the optical tweezers effect, and then transports it to the processing platform; the remaining metal powder that is not captured is collected by the powder collecting component of the powder conveying mechanism.
[0010] Because the laser beam's energy density at the aperture is lower than its energy density at the processing platform, the laser beam captures the metal powder and gradually transports it toward the processing platform due to the optical tweezers effect. Furthermore, because the laser beam's energy density at the aperture is lower than its energy density at the processing platform, the laser beam can preheat the metal powder during transport, facilitating rapid solidification of the metal powder on the additive manufacturing platform and improving processing results.
[0011] The optical tweezers effect utilizes the combined effects of the gradient and scattering forces of a laser beam on particles, enabling their capture and manipulation. Specifically, due to the uneven intensity distribution of the laser beam, particles are subject to a gradient force within the beam, causing them to move toward the location of maximum beam intensity (i.e., the beam waist). Simultaneously, as particles move within the beam, the change in momentum generates a scattering force, which also pulls the particles toward the beam waist. The combination of these two forces ultimately stabilizes the particle near the beam waist.
[0012] This application has the following beneficial effects:
[0013] The present application provides an additive manufacturing device, which uses a new metal powder conveying method to preheat the metal powder during the metal powder conveying process, thereby solving the technical problem that the existing additive manufacturing technology requires an additional preheating mechanism, which makes the additive manufacturing equipment large in size and high in cost, improves the processing efficiency, and realizes high-quality additive manufacturing processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In order to more clearly express the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.
[0015] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the additive manufacturing equipment of this application;
[0016] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the powder conveying mechanism of the first embodiment of the present application;
[0017] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a powder conveying mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present application;
[0018] Figure 4 For this application Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding and recycling system of this application.
[0019] Reference numerals:
[0020] 1. Light source; 2. Shaping component; 3. Galvanometer; 4. Field mirror; 5. Powder conveying mechanism; 6. Processing platform; 7. Powder diversion mechanism; 8. Powder inlet pipe; 9. Pressurizing mechanism; 10. Feeding mechanism; 11. Recovery pipe; 12. Powder collection mechanism; 51. Light hole; 52. Powder feeding component; 53. Powder collecting component; 54. Isolation component; 12. Laser beam control unit; 521. Powder feeding hole; 531. Powder collecting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solution of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0022] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean internal communication between two components; it can mean a wireless connection or a wired connection. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0024] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0025] In order to address the technical problem in related additive manufacturing technologies that preheating mechanisms need to be added to preheat raw materials such as metal powder, resulting in larger size and increased costs of additive manufacturing equipment, an embodiment of the present application proposes an additive manufacturing device.
[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the additive manufacturing equipment of the present application, including: a light source 1, a shaping component 2, a galvanometer 3, a field lens 4 and a powder conveying mechanism 5.
[0027] The light source 1 is used to output a laser beam, and the shaping component 2 is used to shape the laser beam. Specifically, the shaping component 2 includes a DOE lens and a beam expander lens. The galvanometer 3 is used to adjust the focal coordinates of the laser beam, and the field lens 4 is used to converge and focus the laser beam. Typically, after passing through the powder conveying mechanism 5, the laser beam is focused onto the processing platform 6, where the energy density is the highest.
[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the powder conveying mechanism of the first embodiment of the present application. The powder conveying mechanism 5 is located between the field lens 4 and the processing platform 6, and includes a light hole 51, a powder feeding component 52 and a powder collecting component 53. The powder feeding component 52 and the powder collecting component 53 are combined into an annular structure, and the light hole 51 is located in the middle of the annular structure composed of the powder feeding component 52 and the powder collecting component 53. The specific process involved in the powder conveying mechanism 5 is as follows: the metal powder to be processed is transported from the powder feeding component 52 of the powder conveying mechanism 5 to the light hole 51 by a blowing air flow (not shown in the figure), the laser beam output by the light source 1 captures the metal powder to be processed transported to the light hole 51 through the action of the optical tweezers effect, and then transports it to the processing platform 6. The remaining metal powder that is not captured is collected by the powder collecting component 53 of the powder conveying mechanism 5.
[0029] Because the energy density of the laser beam at the light hole 51 is lower than that at the processing platform 6, the laser beam captures the metal powder and gradually transports it to the processing platform 6 due to the optical tweezers effect. Furthermore, because the energy density of the laser beam at the light hole 51 is lower than that at the processing platform 6, the laser beam can preheat the metal powder to be processed during the transport process, facilitating rapid laser beam processing of the metal powder on the processing platform 6 of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving the processing effect.
[0030] Specifically, in the additive manufacturing equipment, the laser beam output by the light source 1 passes through the shaping lens 2, the galvanometer 3, the field lens 4, and the powder conveying mechanism 5 and reaches the processing platform 6. The light hole 51 is a through hole set in the middle of the powder conveying mechanism 5, and the laser beam is transmitted to the processing platform 6 through the through hole.
[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the powder conveying mechanism of the second embodiment of the present application. The light hole 51 is located between the powder feeding component 52 and the powder collecting component 53. The powder feeding component 52 and the powder collecting component 53 are both elongated. As can be seen, the present application does not impose any strict restrictions on the structural shapes of the light hole 51, the powder feeding component 52, and the powder collecting component 53, as long as they can convey the metal powder to the predetermined location and collect the remaining metal powder.
[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in an optional scheme, the powder feeding component 52 of the powder conveying mechanism 5 is provided with several powder feeding holes 521 on the side close to the light-through hole 51, and the blowing air flow conveys the metal powder to the light-through hole 51 through the powder feeding holes 521, so that the powder feeding component 52 can convey the metal powder to the preset position on the light-through hole 51.
[0033] In a preferred solution, the powder feeding holes 521 are evenly arranged and highly integrated on the powder feeding component 52, thereby increasing the additive manufacturing rate of the additive manufacturing equipment.
[0034] In an optional solution, the powder collecting component 53 is also provided with a plurality of powder collecting holes 531 on a side close to the light-through hole 51 , and the remaining metal powder that has not been captured is collected through the powder collecting holes 531 .
[0035] In a preferred solution, the diameter of the powder collecting hole 531 is larger than the diameter of the powder feeding hole 521 , so as to collect the remaining metal powder and reduce the possibility of the remaining metal powder flowing back to the powder feeding component 52 .
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, an isolation component 54 is further provided between the powder feeding component 52 and the powder receiving component 53 to avoid mixing of metal powder between the powder feeding component 52 and the powder receiving component 53 and to prevent the metal powder from not being transported to the preset position on the light hole 51 according to the preset path.
[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding and recycling system of the present application. The additive manufacturing equipment of the present application also includes a feeding and recycling system, which includes: a powder conveying mechanism 5, a powder feeding pipe 8, a pressurizing mechanism 9, a feeding mechanism 10, and a recycling pipe 11. The powder conveying mechanism 5 can evenly provide the additive manufacturing equipment with metal powder to be processed. The powder feeding pipe 8 is mainly used to convey metal powder and air pressure into the additive manufacturing equipment. The pressurizing mechanism 9 mainly provides pressure and airflow for the feeding and recycling system, so that the metal powder can be conveyed according to the established design. The feeding mechanism 10 provides a continuous supply of metal powder to the additive manufacturing equipment. The recycling pipe 11 recycles the collected metal powder so that it can be reused.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the feeding recovery system also includes: a diverter powder feeding mechanism 7 and a powder output collecting mechanism 12. The diverter powder feeding mechanism 7 is mainly used to evenly divert the metal powder transported by the pressurized airflow through the powder feeding pipe 8, and the powder output collecting mechanism 12 collects and outputs the residual metal powder output by the powder collecting component 53 of the powder conveying mechanism 5.
[0039] The specific working process is as follows: the powder conveying mechanism 5 will continuously blow out uniform metal powder, most of which passes through the laser beam, among which part of the metal powder passing through the laser beam is captured by the laser and transported to the focal plane in a direction, and part of the metal powder not captured will be recovered through the powder collecting component 53 of the powder conveying mechanism 5; during the transportation of the captured metal powder to the focal plane, it will continuously absorb the laser energy at this time, which is equivalent to a preheating effect to achieve efficient additive manufacturing. The closer to the focal plane, the higher the energy density. When it reaches the processing platform 6, the metal powder is no longer transported, and the metal powder on the processing platform 6 is solidified and formed.
[0040] In an alternative solution, the galvanometer 3 is combined with a precision motor to control the output laser beam parameters and the laser beam's focus coordinates. By driving the field lens 4, the focal plane position can be controlled, and the laser beam's path can be controlled according to control instructions. The action of the galvanometer 3 and field lens 4 concentrates the laser beam's energy, enabling it to more effectively act on the metal powder being processed, achieving precise transportation of the metal powder being processed.
[0041] In a specific embodiment, the metal powder for additive manufacturing can be copper powder, gold powder, silver powder, aluminum powder, or alloy powder containing two or more of gold, silver, copper, and aluminum materials.
[0042] Furthermore, the laser beam preheats the metal powder at the light hole 51 of the powder conveying mechanism 5. The energy density per unit area of the laser beam is 5×10 4 W / cm 2 to 5×10 5 W / cm 2 For example, the energy density per unit area of a laser beam is 2×10 5 W / cm 2 or 1×10 5 W / cm 2 The laser beam within this range can simultaneously preheat and transport raw materials such as copper powder. This preheating process improves the overall processing efficiency of the additive manufacturing equipment without the need for additional preheating mechanisms, and also improves the processing quality of additive manufacturing of metal powders.
[0043] Furthermore, the energy density per unit area of the laser beam at the focal plane position on the processing platform 6 is generally greater than 1×10 6 W / cm 2 , which can melt metal powder raw materials such as copper powder.
[0044] Although example embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail, those skilled in the art may make various changes, substitutions and modifications to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and defined scope of protection of this application, and such modifications and variations are all within the defined scope.
Claims
1. An additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: include: A light source (1), a shaping component (2), a galvanometer (3), a field lens (4), and a powder conveying mechanism (5); The light source (1) is used to output a laser beam, the shaping component (2) is used to shape the laser beam, the galvanometer (3) is used to adjust the focusing coordinates of the laser beam, and the field lens (4) is used to converge and focus the laser beam. After passing through the powder conveying mechanism (5), the laser beam is focused onto a processing platform (6) for additive manufacturing. The powder material conveying mechanism (5) is located between the field lens (4) and the processing platform (6), and includes a light hole (51), a powder feeding component (52) and a powder collecting component (53), wherein the light hole (51) is located between the powder feeding component (52) and the powder collecting component (53); The metal powder to be processed is transported from the powder feeding component (52) to the light hole (51) by the air blowing air flow, the laser beam captures the metal powder to be processed transported to the light hole (51) through the action of the optical tweezers effect, and then transports it to the processing platform (6), and the remaining metal powder not captured is collected by the powder collecting component (53) of the powder conveying mechanism (5); The energy density of the laser beam at the light through hole (51) is lower than the energy density at the processing platform (6).
2. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The powder feeding component (52) and the powder collecting component (53) are combined into an annular structure, and the light hole (51) is located in the middle of the annular structure formed by the powder feeding component (52) and the powder collecting component (53).
3. The additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that The powder delivery component (52) of the powder material delivery mechanism (5) is provided with a plurality of powder delivery holes (521) on a side close to the light-through hole (51), and the blowing airflow passes through the powder delivery holes (521) to deliver the metal powder to the light-through hole (51).
4. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 3, characterized in that The powder feeding holes (521) are evenly arranged on the powder feeding component (52) and are highly integrated.
5. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 3, characterized in that The powder collecting component (53) is also provided with a plurality of powder collecting holes (531) on a side close to the light-through hole (51).
6. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 5, characterized in that The diameter of the powder collecting hole (531) is larger than the diameter of the powder feeding hole (521).
7. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 2, characterized in that An isolation component (54) is further provided between the powder delivery component (52) and the powder collection component (53).
8. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The invention also includes a feeding and recycling system, wherein the feeding and recycling system includes the powder conveying mechanism (5), a powder feeding pipeline (8), a pressurizing mechanism (9), a feeding mechanism (10), and a recycling pipeline (11); The powder conveying mechanism (5) uniformly provides metal powder to be processed, the powder feeding pipe (8) conveys metal powder and air pressure into the additive manufacturing equipment, the pressurizing mechanism (9) provides pressure and airflow for the feeding and recycling system, the feeding mechanism (10) provides a continuous supply of metal powder, and the recycling pipe (11) recycles the collected metal powder.
9. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 8, characterized in that The feeding and recycling system further comprises: a diverting powder feeding mechanism (7) and a powder discharging and collecting mechanism (12), wherein the diverting powder feeding mechanism (7) is mainly used to uniformly divert the metal powder conveyed by the pressurized airflow through the powder feeding pipe (8), and the powder discharging and collecting mechanism (12) collects and outputs the residual metal powder output by the powder collecting component (53) of the powder conveying mechanism (5).
10. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy density per unit area of the laser beam at the light hole (51) of the powder conveying mechanism (5) is 5×104 W / cm2 to 5×105 W / cm2, and the energy density per unit area of the laser beam at the focal plane position on the processing platform (6) is greater than 1×106 W / cm2.