3D printing platform, printing equipment and printing method

Abstract

The invention provides a 3D printing platform, printing equipment and a printing method, and relates to the technical field of 3D printing. The 3D printing platform comprises a plurality of dynamic supporting assemblies used for supporting a printing model, and the end faces of the dynamic supporting assemblies can be located on the same plane or at different heights; and the driving device is used for driving the at least one dynamic supporting assembly to ascend and descend. According to the 3D printing platform, the printing equipment and the printing method, the dynamic supporting assembly is driven by the driving device to change the height of the dynamic supporting assembly, supporting is provided for a suspended part in a printing model which is being printed, or the stability of a slender columnar part in the printing model is improved, and the printing success rate is increased; material waste caused by printing of the supporting structure allowance is reduced, and meanwhile the time for printing and removing of the supporting structure allowance is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a 3D printing platform, printing equipment and printing method. Background Technology

[0002] Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing is a technology that builds three-dimensional objects by stacking molten plastic layer by layer. It works by heating a solid plastic filament to a molten state using a heater, then extruding it through a nozzle that moves along a specific path and speed to stack and shape the three-dimensional object. This technology offers advantages such as low cost, high speed, and ease of operation, and is therefore widely used in 3D printing.

[0003] However, existing FDM 3D printing equipment typically prints layer by layer from bottom to top, with the already printed entity serving as support for the current layer. If the target model has any suspended parts, additional supports need to be added during printing. These support structures are generally printed using the same or more easily removable material as the model, with pre-set support patterns and densities. This increases material usage, printing time, and production costs, and the support structures also require post-printing processing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, this application provides a 3D printing platform, printing equipment, and printing method that can dynamically change the height of local areas to provide support for suspended or slender columnar parts in the model, thereby improving the stability and success rate of printing.

[0005] This application provides a 3D printing platform, comprising:

[0006] Multiple dynamic support components are used to support the printed model. The end faces of the multiple dynamic support components can be on the same plane or at different heights.

[0007] A drive unit for driving the lifting and lowering of at least one dynamic support component.

[0008] Optionally, the dynamic support components include a scalable structure.

[0009] Optionally, the dynamic support assembly includes a drive rod and a movable support housing; wherein,

[0010] One end of the transmission rod is connected to the drive unit, and the other end is connected to the movable support housing;

[0011] The movable support housing has a cavity, and the transmission rod is connected to the cavity via a threaded connection.

[0012] Optionally, the transmission rod is a lead screw structure.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes a motion platform for moving the drive unit relative to the dynamic support assembly.

[0014] Optionally, the motion platform includes a horizontal moving mechanism, a vertical moving mechanism, and a drive mounting base; wherein,

[0015] The horizontal movement mechanism is used to drive the drive unit to move in the horizontal direction, so that the drive unit can move and drive the dynamic support components at different positions to rise and fall.

[0016] The vertical movement mechanism is used to drive the drive unit to move in the vertical direction, so that the drive unit is disengaged from or connected to the dynamic support assembly.

[0017] The drive mount is used to move relative to the dynamic support assembly under the drive of the horizontal and vertical moving mechanisms, and the drive device is disposed on the drive mount.

[0018] Optionally, the number of drive devices is at least one. When the number of drive devices is multiple, the multiple drive devices can be connected to multiple dynamic support components respectively, and simultaneously drive the multiple dynamic support components to perform lifting and lowering movements respectively.

[0019] The 3D printing equipment provided in this application includes the aforementioned 3D printing platform.

[0020] The 3D printing method using the aforementioned 3D printing platform provided in this application includes:

[0021] The filaments are melted and stacked on the end face of the dynamic support component, and then printed layer by layer in a direction away from the end face to form a printed model.

[0022] When printing to the suspended part of the printed model or when additional support is needed, the drive unit is moved to the corresponding dynamic support component and the end face of the dynamic support component is driven to rise and fall to the specified height, thereby providing support for the filament printing stack.

[0023] Peel the printed model from the end face of the dynamic support component.

[0024] Optionally, it also includes:

[0025] When peeling off the printed model, the drive unit is moved to connect with the dynamic support component at the peeling position;

[0026] The drive unit drives multiple dynamic support components to move up and down in an alternating manner, which causes vibration between the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components at the peeling point, facilitating the detachment of the printed model.

[0027] The 3D printing platform, printing equipment, and printing method provided in this application use a drive device to drive dynamic support components to change their height, providing support for suspended parts of the printed model or increasing the stability of slender columnar parts of the printed model, thereby improving the printing success rate, reducing material waste caused by excess material in the printing support structure, and saving time in printing and removing excess material. For 3D printed models with large bottom surfaces, removing the parts is generally difficult. By using a drive device 2 to drive multiple dynamic support components at the bottom surface of the printed model to rise and fall in an alternating manner, the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components together form a localized slight vibration on the 3D printing platform surface, causing the bottom surface of the printed model to separate from the end faces of the dynamic support components. This allows for quick removal of the parts without damaging the printed model. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings, without exceeding the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing platform provided in this application;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the 3D printing platform provided in this application supporting the printing of a model.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the dynamic support component in the 3D printing platform provided in this application.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Dynamic support component; 11. Transmission rod; 12. Movable support shell; 13. Cavity; 2. Drive device; 3. Motion platform; 100. Printed model. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of 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, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A 3D printing platform includes multiple dynamic support components 1 and a drive device 2. The dynamic support components 1 support the printing model 100, and the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components 1 can be on the same plane or at different heights. The drive device 2 is used to drive the lifting and lowering of at least one dynamic support component 1. The drive device 2 can be a drive motor.

[0038] During the printing process, the drive device 2 drives the dynamic support components 1 to change their height, causing a local area of ​​the 3D printing platform formed by the end faces of multiple dynamic support components 1 to dynamically change its height. This provides support for the suspended parts of the printed model 100 without interfering with the movement trajectory of the printing nozzle, or increases the stability of the slender columnar parts of the printed model 100, improving the printing success rate, reducing material waste caused by excess printing support structure, and saving time for printing and cleaning excess support structure. After printing, the 3D printing platform returns to its original state until the end faces of multiple dynamic support components 1 are on the same plane. In addition, for 3D printed models 100 with large bottom surfaces, removal is generally difficult. By driving the multiple dynamic support components 1 at the bottom of the printed model 100 to rise and fall alternately, the drive device 2 causes a slight vibration in a local area of ​​the 3D printing platform formed by the end faces of multiple dynamic support components 1, causing the bottom surface of the printed model 100 to separate from the end faces of the dynamic support components 1, allowing for quick removal without damaging the printed model 100.

[0039] refer to Figure 3 As an optional implementation, the dynamic support component 1 includes a stretchable structure.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 As an optional implementation, the dynamic support assembly 1 includes a transmission rod 11 and a movable support housing 12; wherein, one end of the transmission rod 11 is connected to the drive device 2, and the other end is connected to the movable support housing 12; the movable support housing 12 is provided with a cavity 13, and the transmission rod 11 is threadedly connected to the cavity 13.

[0041] The drive device 2 drives the dynamic support assembly 1 to extend and retract to different heights. The drive device 2 drives the transmission rod 11 to rotate. One end of the transmission rod 11 is connected to the cavity 13 of the movable support housing 12 by a thread. During the rotation of the transmission rod 11, the movable support housing 12 moves closer to or closer to the transmission rod 11 relative to the transmission rod 11 through the thread transmission according to the different directions of the transmission rod 11. When the movable support housing 12 moves closer to the transmission rod 11, the height of the dynamic support assembly 1 shortens. Conversely, when the movable support housing 12 moves away from the transmission rod 11, the height of the dynamic support assembly 1 increases.

[0042] refer to Figure 3 As an optional implementation, the transmission rod 11 is a lead screw structure.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 As an optional implementation, it also includes a motion platform 3 for driving the drive device 2 to move relative to the dynamic support component 1.

[0044] refer to Figure 1 As an optional implementation, the motion platform 3 includes a horizontal moving mechanism (not shown in the figure), a vertical moving mechanism (not shown in the figure), and a drive mounting base (not shown in the figure); wherein, the horizontal moving mechanism is used to drive the drive device to move in the horizontal direction, so that the drive device 2 can move and drive the dynamic support component 1 at different positions to rise and fall; the vertical moving mechanism is used to drive the drive device 2 to move in the vertical direction, so that the drive device 2 is disengaged from or connected to the dynamic support component 1; the drive mounting base is used to move relative to the dynamic support component 1 under the drive of the horizontal moving mechanism and the vertical moving mechanism, and the drive device 2 is disposed on the drive mounting base.

[0045] As an optional implementation, the number of drive devices 2 is at least one. When the number of drive devices 2 is multiple, the multiple drive devices 2 can be connected to multiple dynamic support components 1 respectively, and simultaneously drive the multiple dynamic support components 1 to perform lifting and lowering movements respectively.

[0046] At least one drive device 2 can be mounted on the drive mounting base of the motion platform 3. The motion platform 3 can move away from the dynamic support component 1 via a vertical moving mechanism, causing the drive device 2 to disengage from the dynamic support component 1. Then, driven by a horizontal moving mechanism, it moves horizontally to an appropriate position. Finally, the vertical moving mechanism moves it closer to the dynamic support component 1, reconnecting the drive device 2 to the dynamic support component 1. By driving the transmission rod 11 in the dynamic support component 1 to rotate via the drive device 2, each connected drive device 2 and dynamic support component 1 can work independently. This allows all dynamic support components 1 within the motion range of the motion platform 3 to be driven by the drive device 2, achieving the effect of driving more dynamic support components 1 than the number of drive devices 2, thus improving the platform's operational flexibility.

[0047] The 3D printing equipment provided in this application includes the aforementioned 3D printing platform.

[0048] refer to Figures 1-3 The 3D printing method using the aforementioned 3D printing platform provided in this application includes:

[0049] For example, in the initial position, the end faces of multiple dynamic support components 1 are made to be in the same plane;

[0050] The filaments are melted and stacked on the end face of the dynamic support component 1, and printed layer by layer in the direction away from the end face to form the printed model 100.

[0051] When printing to the suspended part of the printing model 100 or when additional support is needed, the drive device 2 is moved to the corresponding position of the dynamic support component 1, and the end face of the dynamic support component 1 is driven to move up and down to the specified height, thereby providing support for the filament printing stack.

[0052] For example, after the horizontal moving mechanism of the motion platform 3 moves the drive device 2 to the corresponding position of the dynamic support component 1, the vertical moving mechanism drives the drive device 2 to approach and dock with the dynamic support component 1. After docking, the drive device 2 drives the transmission rod 11 of the dynamic support component 1 to rotate, thereby changing the height of the end face of the dynamic support component 1, thus driving the end face of the dynamic support component 1 to move up and down to the specified height, providing support for it during filament printing and stacking.

[0053] Peel the printed model 100 from the end face of the dynamic support component 1 after printing.

[0054] After printing, the height of multiple dynamic support components 1 can be restored to the same plane as when they were initially positioned.

[0055] refer to Figure 3 As an optional implementation, it also includes:

[0056] When peeling off the printed model 100, the drive device 2 is moved to connect with the dynamic support component 1 at the peeling position;

[0057] The driving device 2 drives multiple dynamic support components 1 to perform alternating lifting and lowering movements, so that the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components 1 at the peeling point vibrate, which facilitates the detachment of the printed model 100.

[0058] For example, a portion of the dynamic support components 1 connected to the bottom surface of the printed model 100 are randomly selected, and they are driven to perform small-amplitude reciprocating motions in an alternating manner to generate vibration, thereby achieving the separation of the printed model 100 from the dynamic support platform.

[0059] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. Furthermore, any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the ideas of this application, and on the specific implementation methods and application scope of this application, are all within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A 3D printing platform, characterized in that, include: Multiple dynamic support components are used to support the printed model, and the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components may be on the same plane or at different heights; A drive device for driving the lifting and lowering of at least one of the dynamic support components.

2. The 3D printing platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dynamic support component includes a scalable structure.

3. The 3D printing platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dynamic support assembly includes a transmission rod and a movable support housing; wherein... One end of the transmission rod is connected to the driving device, and the other end is connected to the movable support housing; The movable support housing is provided with a cavity, and the transmission rod is provided in the cavity through a threaded connection.

4. The 3D printing platform and printing method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission rod is a lead screw structure.

5. The 3D printing platform and printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a motion platform for moving the drive device relative to the dynamic support assembly.

6. The 3D printing platform and printing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The motion platform includes a horizontal moving mechanism, a vertical moving mechanism, and a drive mounting base; wherein... The horizontal moving mechanism is used to drive the driving device to move in the horizontal direction, so that the driving device can move and drive the dynamic support component at different positions to rise and fall. The vertical moving mechanism is used to drive the driving device to move in a vertical direction, so that the driving device is disengaged from the dynamic support component or connected to the dynamic support component. The drive mounting base is used to move relative to the dynamic support assembly under the drive of the horizontal moving mechanism and the vertical moving mechanism, and the drive device is disposed on the drive mounting base.

7. The 3D printing platform and printing method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The number of driving devices is at least one. When the number of driving devices is multiple, the multiple driving devices can be connected to the multiple dynamic support components respectively, and simultaneously drive the multiple dynamic support components to perform lifting and lowering movements respectively.

8. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, Includes the 3D printing platform as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. A 3D printing method using a 3D printing platform as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, include: The filaments are melted and stacked on the end face of the dynamic support component, and then printed layer by layer in a direction away from the end face to form a printed model. When printing to the suspended part of the printed model or when additional support is needed, the drive device is moved to the corresponding position of the dynamic support component, and the end face of the dynamic support component is driven to rise and fall to the specified height, thereby providing support for the filament printing stack. The printed model is peeled off from the end face of the dynamic support component after printing.

10. The printing method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: When peeling off the printed model, the drive device is moved to connect with the dynamic support component at the peeling position; The driving device drives multiple dynamic support components to move up and down alternately, so that the end faces of the multiple dynamic support components at the peeling point vibrate, which facilitates the detachment of the printed model.

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