Powder supply method for 3D printing device, powder supply system and 3D printing device

Abstract

The application provides a powder supply method, a powder supply system and a 3D printing device. The powder supply method for the 3D printing device comprises the following steps: providing powder of the Nth printing layer to a printing platform; laying the provided powder on the printing platform and scraping surplus powder from the printing platform; recycling the surplus powder; weighing the weight of the surplus powder and comparing the weight of the surplus powder with a preset value; and adjusting the powder supply amount of the (N+1)th printing layer according to the weighing detection result. The powder supply amount of different printing layers in the printing process is automatically adjusted, the powder supply amount is adapted to the printing area, the utilization rate of the powder is improved, the use time of the full-load powder amount is prolonged, the frequency of human intervention is reduced, and the printing efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and more specifically, to a powder supply method for 3D printing equipment, a powder supply system for 3D printing equipment, and 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Selective laser melting (SLM) forming technology can directly form complex parts without the use of molds, demonstrating strong technical advantages in the manufacturing of complex structural parts. In recent years, this technology has been widely used in various fields.

[0003] Currently, most metal SLM printers rely on operators' on-site experience to assess layer thickness and the area printed per layer, adjusting the toner supply for each layer accordingly. During printing, the toner supply for each layer is fixed. However, SLM-printed parts are complex, and after slicing the printed model, the area of ​​each layer may vary, leading to abrupt changes in area. For example, layer N might have a large area requiring a large toner supply, but layer N+1 might have a suddenly smaller area. Continuing to supply the same amount of toner as the previous layer would result in low toner utilization. The printer's capacity for a single print run is limited. If the print job is too long, manual intervention is needed to add more toner, reducing printing efficiency. If the toner supply for each layer is too high, the frequency and intervals requiring manual intervention increase, sometimes even requiring toner replenishment late at night, significantly increasing labor costs and the risk of error.

[0004] Therefore, how to automatically adjust the powder supply of the printing layer during the printing process to improve powder utilization and printing efficiency has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a powder supply system for 3D printing equipment, a powder supply method for 3D printing equipment, and 3D printing equipment to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] The embodiments of this application are implemented as follows: A powder supply method for a 3D printing device, comprising: Provide the powder for the Nth printing layer to the printing platform; Spread the provided powder onto the printing platform and scrape off any excess powder from the printing platform; Recycle surplus powder; Weigh the surplus powder and compare the weight of the surplus powder with the preset value; Adjust the powder supply amount for the N+1th printing layer based on the weighing test results.

[0007] In this way, during the printing process, the area of ​​the printed layer can be determined based on the weight of the surplus toner, and the toner supply of the next printed layer can be adjusted accordingly based on the relationship between the weight of the surplus toner and the preset value. This achieves automatic adjustment of the toner supply for different printed layers during the printing process, ensuring that the toner supply matches the printing area, fully improving the utilization rate of the toner, extending the usage time of the full toner load, reducing the frequency of human intervention, and thus improving printing efficiency.

[0008] In one possible implementation: the step "adjusting the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer based on the weighing detection result" includes: The preset value is a, and the weight of the excess powder recovered after the initial powder application of the Nth printing layer is b. If b > a, then reduce the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer according to the value of ba; If b < a, then add powder to the Nth printing layer, spread the added powder on the printing platform, and scrape and recover the excess powder from the printing platform, so that the weight B of the accumulated recovered excess powder of the Nth printing layer is greater than or equal to the preset value a. According to the value of Ba, the powder supply of the N+1th printing layer is increased accordingly.

[0009] In one possible implementation: The initial toner supply amount for the Nth printing layer is x, and the toner supply coefficient for each printing layer is k. When b > a, the toner supply amount f(x) for the (N+1)th printing layer satisfies: f(x) = k·(x-(ba)).

[0010] In one possible implementation, the process of adjusting the powder supply amount for the N+1th printing layer further includes: When b < a, the amount of powder to be replenished in a single operation for the Nth printing layer is y; After replenishing the powder, if the accumulated surplus powder weight B is greater than or equal to a, then replenishing the powder stops; if the accumulated surplus powder weight B is less than a, then the powder y of the Nth printing layer is replenished quantitatively again. After each replenishment, the accumulated surplus powder weight B is weighed until B≥a, then replenishing the powder of the Nth printing layer stops. Count the number of times the powder is replenished, n, where n≥1, and B=b+(n·y).

[0011] In one possible implementation: The initial toner supply amount for the Nth printing layer is x, and the toner supply coefficient for each printing layer is k. When b < a, the toner supply amount f(x) for the (N+1)th printing layer satisfies: f(x) = k·((x+n·y)-(Ba)).

[0012] In one possible implementation: the powder supply method further includes: Adjust the height of the powder plane in the powder supply device relative to the printing platform according to the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer.

[0013] Embodiments of this application also provide a powder supply system for a 3D printing device, used in the powder supply method for a 3D printing device described in the above embodiments, comprising: Printing platform; A powder supply device is used to supply powder for each printing layer to the printing platform; The powder spreading device is movable relative to the printing platform and is used to spread the powder for each printing layer provided by the powder supply device onto the printing platform and scrape off the excess powder from the printing platform. A recycling device is used to recover excess powder from each printed layer scraped off the printing platform; A weighing device is installed at the bottom of the recycling device to weigh the excess powder of each printing layer and compare the weight of the excess powder of each printing layer with a preset value; the powder supply device is communicatively connected to the weighing device, and the powder supply device adjusts the amount of powder supplied to the printing platform according to the detection result of the weighing device.

[0014] In one possible implementation: the powder supply device includes a powder hopper and a supply platform. The powder hopper is disposed on one side of the printing platform, and the supply platform is movably disposed within the powder hopper. The supply platform is used to adjust the height of the powder plane in the powder hopper relative to the printing platform according to the adjusted powder supply amount.

[0015] In one possible implementation: it also includes a control unit, which is signal-connected to the powder supply device, the powder spreading device, and the weighing device.

[0016] An embodiment of this application also provides a 3D printing device, including a powder supply system and a printing chamber as described in the above embodiments, wherein the powder supply system is disposed in the printing chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a powder supply method for a 3D printing device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the powder supply system for a 3D printing equipment according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading device and powder supply device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of powder recycling according to an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the printing layer area variation according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another powder spreading state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Explanation of key component symbols: Powder supply system 100 Printing Platform 10 Powder supply device 20 Powder compartment 21 Material supply platform 22 Powder spreading device 30 scraper 31 Recycling device 40 Recycling tank 41 Collection Container 42 Weighing device 50 Control Unit 60 Powder 70 3D printing equipment 200 Printing Room 201 Laser System 202 The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0028] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or there may be an intervening component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] Some embodiments of this application are described in detail. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0031] See Figure 1 This embodiment provides a powder supply method for 3D printing equipment, including: Provide the powder for the Nth printing layer to the printing platform; Spread the provided powder onto the printing platform and scrape off any excess powder from the printing platform; Recycle surplus powder; Weigh the surplus powder and compare the weight of the surplus powder with the preset value; Adjust the powder supply amount for the N+1th printing layer based on the weighing test results.

[0032] N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1, meaning that excess toner can be weighed after each printing layer is laid. During printing, the weight of the excess toner can be used to determine whether the area of ​​the printing layer has changed. Based on the relationship between the weight of the excess toner and a preset value, the toner supply for the next printing layer can be adjusted accordingly. This achieves automatic adjustment of the toner supply for different printing layers during the printing process, ensuring that the toner supply matches the printing area, maximizing toner utilization, extending the usage time of a full toner load, reducing the frequency of human intervention, and thus improving printing efficiency.

[0033] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 2 to 8The embodiments of this application also provide a powder supply system 100 for a 3D printing device 200, used in the powder supply method for the 3D printing device 200 described in the above embodiments. The powder supply system 100 includes: a printing platform 10; a powder supply device 20 for supplying powder 70 for each printing layer to the printing platform 10; and a powder spreading device 30, movable relative to the printing platform 10, for spreading the powder 70 for each printing layer provided by the powder supply device 20 onto the printing platform 10 and scraping off excess powder 70. The printing platform 10; the recycling device 40, used to recycle the excess powder 70 scraped from each printing layer from the printing platform 10; the weighing device 50, located at the bottom of the recycling device 40, used to weigh the weight of the excess powder 70 of each printing layer and compare the weight of the excess powder 70 of each printing layer with a preset value; the powder supply device 20 is communicatively connected to the weighing device 50, and the powder supply device 20 adjusts the amount of powder 70 supplied to the printing platform 10 according to the detection result of the weighing device 50.

[0034] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the scraper 31 of the powder spreading device 30 can move relative to the printing platform 10 to spread the powder 70 evenly on the printing platform 10. When the powder 70 of the Nth printing layer is spread on the printing platform 10, the powder supply amount is generally slightly greater than the actual powder spreading amount. This ensures that each layer of powder 70 can be evenly spread on the substrate of the printing platform 10 by the scraper 31 of the powder spreading device 30, and there is no powder shortage. Because the actual powder supply amount is greater than the powder spreading amount, the excess powder 70 will be scraped into the recycling device 40 by the scraper 31. The powder 70 collected by the recycling device 40 can be reused after post-processing such as sieving and drying.

[0035] In some embodiments, the step "adjusting the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer 70 according to the weighing detection result" includes: The preset value is a, and the weight of the surplus powder 70 recovered after the initial powder application of the Nth printing layer is b. If b > a, then reduce the powder supply of the N+1th printing layer by 70 according to the value of ba. If b < a, then add powder 70 to the Nth printing layer, lay the added powder 70 on the printing platform 10, and scrape and recycle the excess powder 70 from the printing platform 10, so that the weight B of the accumulated recycled excess powder 70 of the Nth printing layer is greater than or equal to the preset value a, and increase the powder supply of the N+1th printing layer according to the value of Ba.

[0036] Specifically, the preset value 'a' is the weight of excess powder 70 recovered from the printing platform 10 when the powder 70 fully covers the substrate of the printing platform 10 under standard printing area, in grams. This value can be set according to the actual printing situation to meet printing requirements. The actual weight 'b' of the excess powder 70 recovered after the initial powder application of the Nth printing layer, in grams, is measured by the weighing device 50.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the printing area 101 of the Nth printing layer is a solid circular structure. The printing area 102 of the N+1th printing layer is a ring structure. Compared with the Nth printing layer, the printing area is significantly reduced. Since the material density of the printing area and the non-printing area is different (for example, the material density of the printing area is high and the porosity is small, while the material density of the non-printing area is low and the porosity is large), when spreading the powder in the N+1th printing layer, a relatively smaller amount of powder is needed to cover the substrate of the printing platform 10. At this time, the amount of powder supplied for the N+1th printing layer can be reduced.

[0038] Conversely, if the printing area of ​​the N+1th printing layer increases, due to the difference in material density between the printing area and the non-printing area, if the same amount of powder is used when spreading powder in the N+1th printing layer as in the Nth layer, the powder 70 may not be able to cover the substrate of the printing platform 10, thus failing to meet the printing requirements of the N+1th printing layer. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the amount of powder supplied to the N+1th printing layer.

[0039] When b > a, it indicates that the actual weight of the surplus toner 70 recovered after the initial toner application of the Nth printing layer is greater than the preset value. The printing area of ​​the Nth printing layer is reduced compared to the standard printing area, and the actual toner supply of the Nth printing layer exceeds the required supply. The toner supply of the N+1th printing layer needs to be reduced accordingly based on the value of ba. This avoids wasting toner 70 when the printing area of ​​the N+1th printing layer remains unchanged or continues to decrease.

[0040] When b < a, it indicates that the actual weight of the surplus powder 70 recovered after the initial powder application of the Nth printing layer is less than the preset value, the printing area of ​​the Nth printing layer is increased compared to the standard printing area, and the actual powder supply of the Nth printing layer is less than the required powder supply. There may be a situation where the powder 70 of the Nth printing layer cannot fully cover the substrate of the printing platform 10. To ensure that the powder supply of the Nth printing layer fully covers the substrate of the printing platform 10, and to determine the powder supply amount that needs to be adjusted for the N+1th layer, the Nth printing layer will be replenished with powder. This ensures that the accumulated surplus powder 70B after the initial powder application and replenishment is greater than a, guaranteeing that the final powder supply of the Nth printing layer can fully cover the substrate of the printing platform 10. The powder supply amount required for the N+1th layer is then adjusted according to the value of Ba to reduce the waste of powder 70.

[0041] In some embodiments, the initial powder supply amount of the Nth printing layer is x, the powder supply coefficient of each printing layer 70 is k, and when b > a, the powder supply amount f(x) of the N+1th printing layer 70 satisfies: f(x) = k·(x-(ba)).

[0042] Specifically, the units of x, b, and a are all grams. The powder supply coefficient k is a constant value, which is an adjustment coefficient set according to factors such as powder loss during actual application, preferably 1.05-1.2. In other embodiments, the powder supply coefficient k can also be set to other values ​​to meet actual needs, and this application is not limited to this. When b > a, it means that the actual powder supply amount is ba grams more than the amount supplied. Based on the powder supply amount x of the Nth printing layer, the amount of ba needs to be reduced, and then multiplied by the powder supply coefficient k to obtain the theoretical powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer. The powder supply device 20 adjusts the powder supply amount according to the calculation result.

[0043] In some embodiments, the process of adjusting the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer 70 further includes: When b < a, the amount of powder 70 replenished in a single operation for the Nth printing layer is y; After replenishing powder 70, if the accumulated weight B of the recovered surplus powder 70 is greater than or equal to a, then replenishing powder 70 is stopped; if the accumulated weight B of the recovered surplus powder 70 is less than a, then the powder 70y is replenished quantitatively to the Nth printing layer repeatedly. After each replenishment of powder 70, the accumulated weight B of the recovered surplus powder 70 is weighed until B≥a, then replenishing powder 70 to the Nth printing layer is stopped. Count the number of times powder is replenished (n), where n≥1, and B=b+(n·y).

[0044] Specifically, the unit of y is also grams. To avoid overfilling in a single toner replenishment, y < a. When a single toner replenishment is insufficient to meet the toner distribution requirements of the Nth printing layer, multiple toner replenishments are required until the accumulated surplus toner weight B ≥ a, at which point the actual toner supply for the Nth printing layer meets the toner distribution requirements.

[0045] In some embodiments, the initial powder supply amount of the Nth printing layer is x, the powder supply coefficient of each printing layer 70 is k, and when b < a, the powder supply amount f(x) of the N+1th printing layer 70 satisfies: f(x) = k·((x+n·y)-(Ba)).

[0046] Specifically, after the Nth printing layer is replenished with toner, the actual toner supply of the Nth printing layer is x + n·y. To avoid excessive adjustment of the toner supply of the (N+1)th printing layer, excess toner 70B-a needs to be removed from the actual toner supply x + n·y of the Nth printing layer. Then, the theoretical toner supply of the (N+1)th printing layer is calculated based on the toner supply coefficient k. The toner supply device 20 adjusts the toner supply based on this calculation result.

[0047] After the N+1th printing layer has been actually coated with toner, the weighing and testing process can be repeated to further adjust the toner supply for subsequent printing layers. This will not be elaborated further here.

[0048] In one specific implementation, the powder amount for the current layer is x = 100g, which means the powder amount for the Nth layer is x = 100g. The target weight increment for a single layer is a = 30g. After the powder is applied to the current printing layer, the weighing device 50 measures that the actual weight increment of the surplus powder 70 is b = 50g. Since b > a, which is greater than the target value, it indicates that the powder is applied to the current printing layer too much, and the powder supply for the next printing layer needs to be reduced.

[0049] The powder supply coefficient k = 1.05. According to the above formula, f(x) = 1.05·(100-(50-30)) = 84g. Therefore, the powder supply for the next layer is adjusted to 84g.

[0050] In another specific embodiment, the powder amount for the current layer is x = 200g, which means the powder amount for the Nth layer is x = 200g. The target weight increment for a single layer is a = 30g. After the powder is applied to the current printing layer, the weighing device 50 measures that the actual weight increment of the surplus powder 70 is b = 80g, which is greater than the target value. This indicates that the powder is applied too much to the current printing layer, and the powder supply for the next printing layer needs to be reduced.

[0051] The powder supply coefficient k=1.05. According to the above formula, f(x)=1.05·(200-(80-30))=147.5g. Therefore, the powder supply for the next layer is adjusted to 147.5g.

[0052] In another specific implementation, the amount of powder applied to the current layer is x = 50g, which means the amount of powder applied to the Nth layer is x = 50g. The target weight increment for a single layer is a = 30g. After the initial powder application, there is no surplus powder 70, meaning the surplus powder 70b measured in a single application is < a, requiring additional powder. According to the powder replenishment rules in the aforementioned powder supply method, after three replenishments, n = 3, and the cumulative surplus powder 70 weight increment B = 45g.

[0053] The powder supply coefficient k = 1.05, and the amount of powder replenished at one time y = 20g.

[0054] According to the provided formula, f(x) = 1.05·((50+3·20)-(45-30)) = 94.25g.

[0055] The powder supply for the next layer should be increased to 94.75g.

[0056] In some embodiments, the powder supply method further includes: Adjust the height of the powder 70 plane in the powder supply device 20 relative to the printing platform 10 according to the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer.

[0057] Specifically, the powder supply device 20 can adjust the powder supply amount by adjusting the height of the powder 70 plane inside the device. That is, when the shape and cross-sectional area of ​​the hopper in the powder supply device 20 are constant, the more the height of the powder 70 plane relative to the printing surface on the printing platform 10 is adjusted, the more powder is supplied, and vice versa.

[0058] Please see Figure 8 In some embodiments, the powder supply device 20 includes a powder chamber 21 and a supply platform 22. The powder chamber 21 is disposed on one side of the printing platform 10, and the supply platform 22 is movably disposed within the powder chamber 21. The supply platform 22 is used to adjust the height of the powder 70 plane in the powder chamber 21 relative to the printing surface on the printing platform 10 according to the adjusted powder supply amount.

[0059] Specifically, when b < a, and the powder supply of the (N+1)th printing layer needs to be increased, the feeding platform 22 can increase the lifting height of the powder plane in the powder chamber 21 according to the calculation results of the above embodiment, thereby increasing the powder supply. The powder spreading device 30 can scrape the powder 70 that exceeds the printing platform 10 back onto the printing platform 10 to complete the spreading of the powder 70.

[0060] When b > a, and the powder supply of the N+1th printing layer 70 needs to be reduced, the feeding platform 22 can reduce the lifting height of the powder plane in the powder chamber 21 according to the calculation results of the above embodiment, thereby reducing the powder supply.

[0061] In some embodiments, the powder hopper 21 is generally cylindrical or cuboid in shape, with a consistent upper and lower cross-section. The cross-sectional area of ​​the powder hopper 21 is s, and the adjustment height of the feeding platform 22 is t, where t = f(x) / (ρ·s).

[0062] Please refer to it again. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the powder supply device 20 can also be configured as a powder dropping structure, supplying powder from above the printing platform 10 to the powder spreading device 30, which then spreads the powder 70 onto the substrate of the printing platform 10. The powder supply device 20 can adjust the powder supply amount by adjusting the descent height of the powder 70 plane in the powder storage chamber.

[0063] In other embodiments, the powder supply device 20 may also be equipped with a weighing module to adjust the powder supply in real time by weighing.

[0064] In some embodiments, the powder supply system 100 further includes a control unit 60, which is signal-connected to the powder supply device 20, the powder spreading device 30, and the weighing device 50 to achieve communication between the devices. Based on the detection results of excess powder 70, the control unit 60 adjusts the operation of each device to achieve automatic adjustment of the powder supply amount for different printing layers. Preset values ​​such as preset value 'a' and powder supply coefficient 'k' can also be input and adjusted through the control unit 60.

[0065] In some embodiments, the recycling device 40 includes a recycling cylinder 41 disposed on one side of the printing platform 10 for receiving excess powder 70 scraped off from the printing platform 10. A weighing device 50 may be disposed at the bottom of the recycling cylinder 41 for timely weighing and detection of the recycled powder 70. In other embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the recycling device 40 also includes a collection chamber 42, which is connected to the recycling cylinder 41 to collect excess powder 70 within the recycling cylinder 41. A weighing device 50 is located at the bottom of the collection chamber 42 to weigh and detect the recycled powder 70. The collection chamber 42 can be located outside the printing chamber for convenient equipment maintenance and replacement. In other embodiments, the collection chamber 42 can also be located inside the printing chamber, as long as the design requirements are met; this application is not limited to this.

[0066] In some embodiments, the powder supply system 100 may further include an image recognition device, including but not limited to software image recognition and camera image recognition, for identifying the printing area of ​​each printing layer. The powder supply device 20 can calculate and adjust the powder supply amount based on the identified printing area—if the area is large, the operating software will correspondingly increase the powder supply amount. However, the software cannot consider another dimension—that is, the size ratio along the powder spreading direction. When the placement of the printed model changes, or when there are multiple scattered printed models, the image recognition device may not be able to accurately determine the change in printing area. In the powder supply system 100, the powder supply device 20, the powder spreading device 30, the recycling device 40, and the weighing device 50 work together to weigh and detect the excess powder spread of each printing layer, enabling timely and accurate determination of changes in the printing area of ​​different printing layers, and timely adjustment of the powder supply amount based on the changes in printing area, thereby improving the utilization rate of the powder. In other embodiments, the image recognition device can be omitted, saving equipment modification costs.

[0067] Please see Figure 8This application also provides a 3D printing device 200, including the powder supply system 100 and printing chamber 201 described in the above embodiments, wherein the powder supply system 100 is disposed in the printing chamber 201. Further, the 3D printing device 200 may also include a laser system 202 for providing a scanning laser to the printing platform 10 to melt the powder 70 on the printing platform 10, thereby performing 3D printing. The laser system 202 may be located outside or inside the printing chamber 201, depending on the design requirements; this application is not limited thereto.

[0068] The powder supply method, powder supply device 20, and 3D printing equipment 200 of this application utilize a weighing module to collect actual data and achieve real-time modification of the powder supply amount through a reasonable detection and judgment method. It eliminates the need to consider information such as the area or layout of the printed model; the powder supply amount adjustment is based on real data and provides real-time feedback, resulting in extremely high reliability. It enables the maximum printing time without human intervention after a single powder supply system reaches 100% full capacity, reducing labor costs and the possibility of errors.

[0069] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of this application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A powder supply method for 3D printing equipment, characterized in that, include: Provide the powder for the Nth printing layer to the printing platform; Spread the provided powder onto the printing platform and scrape off any excess powder from the printing platform; Recycle surplus powder; Weigh the surplus powder and compare the weight of the surplus powder with the preset value; Adjusting the powder supply amount for the N+1th printing layer based on the weighing test results, the step "Adjusting the powder supply amount for the N+1th printing layer based on the weighing test results" includes: The default value is a, and the weight of the excess powder recovered after the initial powder application of the Nth printing layer is b. If b > a, then reduce the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer according to the value of ba. The initial powder supply amount of the Nth printing layer is x, and the powder supply coefficient of each printing layer is k. When b > a, the powder supply amount f(x) of the N+1th printing layer satisfies: f(x) = k·(x-(ba)); If b < a, then add powder to the Nth printing layer, spread the added powder on the printing platform, and scrape and recycle the excess powder from the printing platform so that the weight B of the accumulated excess powder recycled in the Nth printing layer is greater than or equal to the preset value a. According to the value of Ba, the powder supply of the N+1th printing layer is increased accordingly. When b < a, the amount of powder to be replenished in a single operation for the Nth printing layer is y; After replenishing the powder, if the accumulated surplus powder weight B is greater than or equal to a, then replenishing the powder stops; if the accumulated surplus powder weight B is less than a, then the powder y of the Nth printing layer is replenished quantitatively again. After each replenishment, the accumulated surplus powder weight B is weighed until B≥a, then replenishing the powder of the Nth printing layer stops. Count the number of times powder is replenished, n, where n≥1, B=b+(n·y); The initial toner supply of the Nth printing layer is x, and the toner supply coefficient of each printing layer is k. When b < a, the toner supply f(x) of the N+1th printing layer satisfies: f(x) = k·((x+n·y)-(Ba)).

2. The powder supply method for 3D printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Adjust the height of the powder plane in the powder supply device relative to the printing platform according to the powder supply amount of the N+1th printing layer.

3. A powder supply system for a 3D printing equipment, used to implement the powder supply method for a 3D printing equipment according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, include: Printing platform; A powder supply device is used to supply powder for each printing layer to the printing platform; The powder spreading device is movable relative to the printing platform and is used to spread the powder for each printing layer provided by the powder supply device onto the printing platform and scrape off the excess powder from the printing platform. A recycling device is used to recover excess powder from each printed layer scraped off the printing platform; A weighing device is installed at the bottom of the recycling device to weigh the weight of the excess powder in each printing layer and compare the weight of the excess powder in each printing layer with a preset value. The powder supply device is communicatively connected to the weighing device, and the powder supply device adjusts the amount of powder supplied to the printing platform according to the detection result of the weighing device. The control unit is signal-connected to the powder supply device, the powder spreading device, and the weighing device.

4. The powder supply system for 3D printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The powder supply device includes a powder chamber and a supply platform. The powder chamber is located on one side of the printing platform, and the supply platform is movably located inside the powder chamber. The supply platform is used to adjust the height of the powder plane in the powder chamber relative to the printing platform according to the adjusted powder supply amount.

5. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, include: The powder supply system for 3D printing equipment as described in any one of claims 3-4; The printing chamber, wherein the toner supply system is located in the printing chamber.

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