Electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp and using method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp and a using method thereof, and relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing. The electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp comprises a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate which are oppositely arranged, cooling plates are arranged on the sides, close to each other, of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, the cooling plates can be attached to the surface of a substrate, flow channels are formed in the cooling plates, and the closer to a deposition area of the substrate, the higher the density degree of the flow channels is. The cooling plate attached to the substrate can improve the cooling effect on the substrate, the flow channels in the cooling plate are not conventionally and evenly distributed and are reasonably arranged according to the distance from the deposition area, for the area with the high cooling requirement, the flow channels in the cooling plate are high in density degree, cooling media in the flow channels can take away much heat, and therefore the cooling effect of the substrate is improved. And for the part which is far away from the deposition area and has a lower cooling requirement, sparse flow channels are arranged, so that the area with a high heat dissipation requirement is fully cooled, and the gradient cooling requirement of the high-depth substrate is met.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, in particular to an arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp and a method of using the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] The arc additive manufacturing technology is an advanced manufacturing process from bottom to top, which uses an electric arc as a heat source to deposit molten wire layer by layer, and directly forms a metal part from line to surface to body according to a three-dimensional digital model. In the arc additive manufacturing, a high-depth metal plate is often used as a substrate to prepare an additive component. However, in the manufacturing process, different parts of the high-length and narrow substrate usually have different cooling requirements. The area close to the deposition layer needs strong cooling to prevent overheating, and the area away from the deposition layer only needs appropriate cooling, so a matching cooling mechanism needs to be designed to meet the cooling requirements of the high-depth substrate. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides an arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp and a method of using the same, which uses a cooling plate with cooling channels of different densities to cool the substrate, thereby meeting the cooling requirements of the high-depth substrate.

[0004] In one aspect, the present application provides an arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp, which comprises a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate arranged oppositely, and a cooling plate arranged on the side of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate close to each other, wherein the cooling plate can be attached to the surface of the substrate, the cooling plate has a flow channel inside, and the density of the flow channel on the side close to the substrate deposition area is greater than the density of the flow channel on the opposite side of the substrate deposition area.

[0005] In one embodiment, the flow channel comprises an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a branch channel, the two ends of the branch channel are in communication with the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively, and the branch channel comprises a multi-stage dendritic branch structure.

[0006] In one embodiment, the cooling plate is provided with an inlet joint on the top of each side, the inlet joint is in communication with the inlet channel, and the cooling plate is provided with an outlet joint on the bottom of one side, the outlet joint is in communication with the outlet channel.

[0007] In one embodiment, the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a limiting mechanism, the limiting mechanism comprises a bearing table, a clamping assembly and a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly is connected with the bottom surface of the bearing table, the clamping assembly is arranged on the surface of the bearing table, the clamping assembly comprises a limiting support, a first driving element, a second driving element, a first clamping block and a second clamping block, the first driving element is connected with one side of the limiting support, the opposite side of the limiting support can abut against the end surface and the bottom surface of the substrate, the first clamping block and the second clamping block are arranged on the limiting support, the second driving element is connected with the first clamping block or the second clamping block, and the first clamping block and the second clamping block can jointly clamp the substrate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a base, the base is internally provided with a cavity, the lifting assembly is arranged in the cavity, and the lifting assembly comprises a third driving element, a connecting shaft and a lifting machine, both ends of the connecting shaft are respectively connected with the third driving element and the lifting machine, and the top of the lifting machine is connected with the bottom of the bearing table.

[0009] In one embodiment, the limiting support is further provided with a lead screw, the second clamping block is fixedly connected with the limiting support, the first clamping block is threadedly connected with the lead screw, and the second driving element is connected with one end of the lead screw.

[0010] In one embodiment, the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a support frame, the support frame comprises a stand and a support frame, the stand is arranged on the top surface of the base, the support frame is connected with the stand, and the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are respectively connected with one support frame.

[0011] In one embodiment, at least one of the support frames is provided with a fourth driving element, the fourth driving element moves the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate towards each other so that the cooling plate clamps the substrate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a temperature measuring mechanism, the temperature measuring mechanism comprises a rotating frame and a temperature sensor, the rotating frame is arranged on the top surface of the first clamping plate and the top surface of the second clamping plate, and the temperature sensor is arranged at the end of the rotating frame to contact the top surface of the substrate.

[0013] In another aspect, the present application further provides a use method of the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp, comprising the following steps: S1, placing the substrate between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, starting the first driving element, making the limiting support abut against the substrate, and then starting the second driving element to clamp the substrate by the first clamping block and the second clamping block; S2, according to the actual height of the substrate, starting the third driving element, driving the bearing table to lift through the elevator, so that the top surface of the first clamping plate and the top surface of the second clamping plate are flush with the top surface of the substrate; S3, starting the fourth driving element, driving the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate to approach each other, so that the substrate is attached to the side surface of the cooling plate, and rotating the rotating frame to make the temperature sensor contact the top surface of the substrate; S4, in the electric arc additive manufacturing process, the cooling medium is supplied to the flow channel of the cooling plate to accelerate the cooling speed of the substrate in the form of heat conduction, and the supply speed of the cooling medium is adjusted according to the actual temperature of the substrate. Compared with the prior art, the cooling plate attached to the substrate can improve the cooling effect of the substrate, and the flow channel in the cooling plate is not designed to be regularly and uniformly distributed, but is reasonably arranged according to the distance from the deposition area. For the area with higher cooling demand, the flow channel in the cooling plate is dense, and the cooling medium in the flow channel can take away more heat. For the part far away from the deposition area with lower cooling demand, the flow channel is sparsely arranged, so that the area with high heat dissipation demand is sufficiently cooled, and the gradient cooling demand of the high-depth substrate is met. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following, the application will be described in more detail on the basis of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp in the embodiment of the application; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the flow channel structure inside the cooling plate in the embodiment of the application; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp after removing the support frame in the embodiment of the application; Figure 4 is a top view of the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp in the embodiment of the application; Figure 5 is Figure 4 A-A sectional view of; Figure 6 is a front view of the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp in the embodiment of the application; Figure 7 is Figure 6 B-B sectional view of; Figure 8 is Figure 6 C-C sectional view of; Figure 9 is Figure 6 D-D sectional view of; Figure 10is a flow chart of a method for using the arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp in the embodiments of the present application.

[0016] Reference signs: 11, first clamping plate; 12, second clamping plate; 13, cooling plate; 131, flow channel; 1131, liquid inlet channel; 1312, liquid outlet channel; 1313, branch channel; 14, liquid inlet connector; 15, liquid outlet connector; 16, first screw; 17, second screw; 18, third screw; 2, limiting mechanism; 21, bearing table; 22, clamping assembly; 221, limiting support; 222, first driving member; 223, second driving member; 224, first clamping block; 225, second clamping block; 226, screw rod; 227, first sliding rail; 228, first sliding block; 23, lifting assembly; 231, third driving member; 232, connecting shaft; 233, elevator; 234, speed reducer; 235, connecting sleeve; 24, backing plate; 3, base; 4, support frame; 41, stand column; 42, support frame; 43, fourth driving member; 44, first connecting member; 45, second connecting member; 46, second sliding rail; 47, second sliding block; 49, mounting frame; 5, temperature measuring mechanism; 51, rotating frame; 52, temperature sensor; 100, substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present application will be further described below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As Figure 1 shown, the arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp of an embodiment includes oppositely arranged first clamping plate 11 and second clamping plate 12, and the side of the first clamping plate 11 and the second clamping plate 12 close to each other is provided with a cooling plate 13, which can be attached to the surface of the substrate 100. As Figure 2 shown, the inside of the cooling plate 13 is provided with a flow channel 131, and the density of the flow channel 131 on the side close to the deposition area of the substrate 100 is greater than that on the opposite side of the deposition area of the substrate 100, that is, the closer to the deposition area of the substrate 100, the higher the density of the flow channel 131.

[0019] The cooling plate 13 attached to the substrate 100 can improve the cooling effect on the substrate 100, and the flow channel 131 in the cooling plate 13 is designed and not uniformly distributed in a regular manner, but is reasonably arranged according to the distance from the deposition area. For the area with higher cooling demand, the flow channel 131 in the cooling plate 13 has high density, and the cooling medium in the flow channel 131 can carry away more heat. For the part far away from the deposition area with lower cooling demand, the flow channel 131 is arranged to be relatively sparse, so that the area with high heat dissipation demand is fully cooled, and the gradient cooling demand of the high-depth substrate 100 is met.

[0020] As Figure 2As shown, further, the flow channel 131 includes an inlet passage 1131, an outlet passage 1312, and a branch passage 1313, two ends of the branch passage 1313 being communicated with the inlet passage 1131 and the outlet passage 1312 respectively, and the branch passage 1313 including a three-level dendritic branch structure. In the branch passage 1313, the number of vertical flow channels in the first-level branch structure is eight, the number of horizontal flow channels is four, the number of vertical flow channels in the second-level branch structure is four, the number of horizontal flow channels is two, the number of vertical flow channels in the third-level branch structure is two, the number of horizontal flow channels is one, and there is only one vertical flow channel in the fourth-level branch structure.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the top region of the substrate 100 is a deposition region, and the top region of the cooling plate 13 is attached to the top region of the substrate 100, so the top region of the cooling plate 13 needs to have a strong cooling capacity. Here, the branch passage 1313 is a first-level branch structure, and the first-level branch structure has the largest dispersion area, so that the cooling performance of the cooling plate 13 is the strongest at this position. It is worth noting that the closer to the deposition region of the substrate 100, the higher the density of the flow channel 131, and in order to ensure the consistency of the cooling medium flow, the closer to the deposition region of the substrate 100, the smaller the cross-sectional area of the branch passage 1313.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 2 The cooling plate 13 is provided with an inlet joint 14 at the top of each side, the inlet joint 14 being communicated with the inlet passage 1131, and the cooling plate 13 is provided with an outlet joint 15 at the bottom of one side, the outlet joint 15 being communicated with the outlet passage 1312. In the present embodiment, the inlet passage 1131 is provided with two, each inlet passage 1131 having a separate inlet joint 14, so as to provide greater cooling medium input flow and improve the cooling effect. Since the first-level branch structure is closest to the inlet passage 1131, the cooling medium flowing into the inlet passage 1131 will first enter the first-level branch structure at a lower temperature, so as to ensure better cooling effect. The heated cooling medium continues to flow into the second-level branch structure, and then into the third-level branch structure, and then converges into the outlet passage 1312 and is discharged to the outside of the cooling plate 13, so as to realize the gradient cooling of the substrate 100.

[0023] Of course, the structure of the flow channel 131 of the present application is not limited to the structure shown in the present embodiment, and any flow channel 131 having a similar dendritic branch structure and capable of realizing the gradient cooling of the substrate 100 can be applied to the cooling plate 13.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp of the embodiment further comprises a limiting mechanism 2, which comprises a bearing table 21, a clamping assembly 22 and a lifting assembly 23, the lifting assembly 23 is connected with the bottom surface of the bearing table 21, the clamping assembly 22 is arranged on the surface of the bearing table 21, the clamping assembly 22 comprises a limiting support 221, a first driving member 222, a second driving member 223, a first clamping block 224 and a second clamping block 225, the first driving member 222 is connected with one side of the limiting support 221, the opposite side of the limiting support 221 can abut against the end surface and the bottom surface of the substrate 100, the first clamping block 224 and the second clamping block 225 are both arranged on the limiting support 221, the second driving member 223 is connected with the first clamping block 224, and the second clamping block 225 is fixedly connected with the limiting support 221, and the first clamping block 224 and the second clamping block 225 can jointly clamp the substrate 100.

[0025] As shown in the figure, Figure 9 The bearing table 21 is internally provided with a first sliding rail 227, the first sliding rail 227 is provided with a first sliding block 228, and the limiting support 221 is connected with the top of the first sliding block 228. Since the size of the substrate 100 is not the same, the limiting mechanism 2 needs to be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the substrate 100, and the top surface of the substrate 100 is ensured to be flush with the top surface of the cooling plate 13 while the substrate 100 is fixed.

[0026] The first driving member 222 is used to drive the limiting support 221 to move along the first sliding rail 227, the limiting support 221 abuts against the end of the substrate 100, so as to limit the length direction of the substrate 100. Then, the second driving member 223 is used to drive the first clamping block 224 to move, so that the first clamping block 224 moves to the second clamping block 225 and clamps the substrate 100, and then the lifting assembly 23 drives the bearing table 21 to rise or fall, so that the top surface of the substrate 100 is flush with the top surface of the cooling plate 13 (also flush with the top surface of the first clamping plate 11 and the second clamping plate 12), and the limiting of the substrate 100 is completed.

[0027] As shown in the figure, Figure 4 Further, the limiting support 221 is further provided with a lead screw 226, the second clamping block 225 is fixedly connected with the limiting support 221, the first clamping block 224 is threadedly connected with the lead screw 226, the second driving member 223 drives the lead screw 226 to rotate, so that the first clamping block 224 reciprocally moves along the lead screw 226, and the clamping of the substrate 100 is realized.

[0028] As shown in the figure, Figure 1 The arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a base 3, the base 3 is internally provided with a cavity, and the lifting assembly 23 is arranged in the cavity. Figure 3As shown, the lifting assembly 23 comprises a third driving member 231, a connecting shaft 232, a lifting machine 233, a speed reducer 234 and a connecting sleeve 235. The speed reducer 234 is connected with the output end of the third driving member 231 to increase the torque. The two ends of the connecting shaft 232 are connected with the speed reducer 234 and the lifting machine 233 respectively through the connecting sleeve 235. The top of the lifting machine 233 is connected with the bottom of the bearing table 21. The top surface of the base 3 is further provided with a backing plate 24 for supporting the bearing table 21. The lifting machine 233 in the embodiment is a lead screw lifting machine, which can accurately control the height of the bearing table 21.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1 , the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a support frame 4, and the support frame 4 comprises a column 41 and a support frame 42. The column 41 is arranged on the top surface of the base 3, and the support frame 42 is connected with the column 41. Figure 5 As shown in Figure 6 , the second clamping plate 12 is connected with one support frame 42 through a second connecting member 45. The second clamping plate 12 remains stationary, and the first clamping plate 11 can move towards the second clamping plate 12 along the second sliding rail 46, so that the cooling plate 13 is attached to the side surface of the substrate 100.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5 , the second sliding rail 46 is arranged on the top of the base 3, and the second sliding rail 46 is provided with a second sliding block 47. The bottom of the first clamping plate 11 is connected with the second sliding block 47.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7 , in order to make the cooling plate 13 and the first clamping plate 11 or the second clamping plate 12 connect closely, one side of the cooling plate 13 is provided with a toothed structure, and one side of the first clamping plate 11 and the second clamping plate 12 is also provided with a matching toothed structure for combination, and the fixing effect is further improved through the first screw 16.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8 , the fourth driving member 43 is arranged on a mounting frame 49, and the mounting frame 49 is fixed to the surface of the support frame 42 through the third screw 18.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1 , the electric arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp further comprises a temperature measuring mechanism 5, and the temperature measuring mechanism 5 comprises a rotating frame 51 and a temperature sensor 52. The rotating frame 51 is arranged on the top surface of the first clamping plate 11 and the top surface of the second clamping plate 12, and the temperature sensor 52 is arranged at the end of the rotating frame 51 to contact the top surface of the substrate 100. The temperature sensor 52 can be flexibly rotated to keep good contact with the top surface of the substrate 100.

[0034] The various driving members mentioned above are electric motors or electric push rods.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10 The embodiment of the present application also provides a use method of the arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp, which comprises the following steps: S1, placing the substrate 100 between the first clamping plate 11 and the second clamping plate 12, starting the first driving member 222 to make the limiting support 221 abut against the substrate 100, and then starting the second driving member 223 to clamp the substrate 100 by the first clamping block 224 and the second clamping block 225; S2, according to the actual height of the substrate 100, starting the third driving member 231 to drive the carrier table 21 to rise and fall by the elevator 233, so that the top surface of the first clamping plate 11 and the top surface of the second clamping plate 12 are flush with the top surface of the substrate 100; S3, starting the fourth driving member 43 to drive the first clamping plate 11 and the second clamping plate 12 to approach each other, so that the substrate 100 is attached to the side surface of the cooling plate 13, and rotating the rotating frame 51 to make the temperature sensor 52 contact the top surface of the substrate 100; S4, in the arc additive manufacturing process, the cooling medium is supplied to the flow channel 131 of the cooling plate 13, so as to accelerate the cooling speed of the substrate 100 in the mode of heat conduction, and the supply speed of the cooling medium is adjusted in combination with the actual temperature of the substrate 100.

[0036] The use method of the arc additive manufacturing substrate clamp of the embodiment can not only realize the adjustment of the substrate 100 in the height direction, but also meet the cooling demand of the high-depth substrate 100, and effectively control the temperature of the substrate 100.

[0037] Although the present application has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope of the present application, and equivalent substitutions can be made to the components thereof. In particular, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture, characterized in that: It includes a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate arranged opposite to each other, a cooling plate is provided on the side where the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are close to each other, the cooling plate can fit with the surface of the substrate, a flow channel is opened inside the cooling plate, and the flow channel is denser on the side close to the substrate deposition area than on the side opposite to the substrate deposition area.

2. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that The flow channel includes a liquid inlet channel, a liquid outlet channel and a branch channel. Both ends of the branch channel are respectively connected to the liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel. The branch channel includes a multi-level dendritic branch structure.

3. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: A liquid inlet joint is provided on the top of both sides of the cooling plate, and the liquid inlet joint is communicated with the liquid inlet channel. A liquid outlet joint is provided on the bottom of one side of the cooling plate, and the liquid outlet joint is communicated with the liquid outlet channel.

4. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly is connected to the bottom surface of the carrying platform, and the clamping assembly is arranged on the surface of the carrying platform. The clamping assembly includes a limiting bracket, a first driving member, a second driving member, a first clamping block and a second clamping block. The first driving member is connected to one side of the limiting bracket, and the other side opposite to the limiting bracket can abut against the end surface and the bottom surface of the substrate. The first clamping block and the second clamping block are both arranged on the limiting bracket. The second driving member is connected to the first clamping block or the second clamping block. The first clamping block and the second clamping block can clamp the substrate together.

5. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a base, a cavity is provided inside the base, the lifting assembly is arranged in the cavity, the lifting assembly includes a third driving member, a connecting shaft and an elevator, the two ends of the connecting shaft are respectively connected to the third driving member and the elevator, and the top of the elevator is connected to the bottom of the supporting platform.

6. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting bracket is also provided with a screw rod, the second clamping block is fixedly connected to the limiting bracket, the first clamping block is threadedly connected to the screw rod, and the second driving member is connected to one end of the screw rod.

7. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a support frame, which includes a column and a support frame. The column is set on the top surface of the base, the support frame is connected to the column, and the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are respectively connected to one of the support frames.

8. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 7, characterized in that: A fourth driving member is provided on at least one of the support frames, and the fourth driving member causes the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate to move toward each other so that the cooling plate clamps the substrate.

9. The arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature measuring mechanism, which includes a rotating frame and a temperature sensor. The rotating frame is set on the top surface of the first clamping plate and the top surface of the second clamping plate. The temperature sensor is set at the end of the rotating frame to contact the top surface of the substrate.

10. A method for using an arc additive manufacturing substrate fixture, characterized in that: The steps include: S1. Place the substrate between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, activate the first driving member to make the limiting bracket contact the substrate, and then activate the second driving member to make the first clamping block and the second clamping block clamp the substrate; S2. According to the actual height of the substrate, start the third driving member to drive the supporting platform to move up and down through the elevator so that the top surface of the first clamping plate and the top surface of the second clamping plate are flush with the top surface of the substrate; S3, starting the fourth driving member to drive the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate closer to each other so that the substrate and the side of the cooling plate are in contact, and rotating the rotating frame so that the temperature sensor contacts the top surface of the substrate; S4. During the arc additive manufacturing process, a cooling medium is supplied to the flow channel of the cooling plate to accelerate the cooling rate of the substrate by heat conduction, and the supply rate of the cooling medium is adjusted according to the actual temperature of the substrate.

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