Additive manufacturing equipment and operation method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and discloses additive manufacturing equipment and an operation method. The additive manufacturing equipment comprises a vacuum chamber, a powder tank, a powder box and a vacuum isolation module. Wherein the powder tank is used for storing powder for printing, and the powder tank is arranged outside the vacuum chamber; the powder tank can be communicated with the powder box, and powder in the powder tank is conveyed to the powder box; the powder box is arranged in the vacuum chamber and used for conveying powder into the vacuum chamber. One side of the vacuum isolation module is connected with the powder tank, the other side of the vacuum isolation module is connected with the powder box, and the vacuum isolation module is used for isolating the powder tank from the interior of the vacuum chamber so that the powder tank and the vacuum chamber can be vacuumized independently. By means of the vacuum chamber, the space utilization efficiency of the vacuum chamber can be improved, the material cost of the vacuum chamber is reduced, and meanwhile the vacuumizing efficiency of the powder box and the powder tank is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, in particular to an additive manufacturing device and an operating method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) is an advanced manufacturing technology based on selective melting of metal powder by high-energy electron beams. The entire printing process needs to be carried out in a high-temperature and high-vacuum environment to ensure the mechanical properties and microstructure quality of the formed part.

[0003] The powder tank (or powder bin) in the current device is usually designed to have a large volume, aiming to load enough powder at a time to meet the powder amount requirement for full-height printing of large-size parts.

[0004] This design idea directly leads to an increase in the size of the vacuum chamber. A large-volume vacuum chamber brings a series of problems. First, the manufacturing cost of the device increases significantly, not only the amount of materials increases, but also the requirements for structural strength, sealing performance and vacuum pump set configuration are higher. Second, during the vacuumizing process, the large space needs to discharge more gas, which prolongs the vacuumizing time and significantly reduces the utilization rate and printing efficiency of the device. Since a single vacuum source is currently used for vacuumizing the vacuum chamber, the powder tank and the powder bin, the vacuumizing efficiency is further reduced. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide an additive manufacturing device and an operating method, to improve the space utilization efficiency of the vacuum chamber, reduce the material cost of the vacuum chamber, and at the same time improve the vacuumizing efficiency of the powder tank and the powder bin.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] An additive manufacturing device, comprising:

[0008] a vacuum chamber;

[0009] a powder tank for storing printing powder, the powder tank being arranged outside the vacuum chamber;

[0010] a powder bin, the powder tank being in communication with the powder bin and enabling the powder in the powder tank to be delivered to the powder bin; the powder bin being arranged inside the vacuum chamber, and the powder bin being used to deliver powder to the vacuum chamber;

[0011] a vacuum isolation module, one side of which is connected to the powder tank and the other side of which is connected to the powder bin, the vacuum isolation module being used to isolate the powder tank from the inside of the vacuum chamber, so that the powder tank and the vacuum chamber are independently vacuumized.

[0012] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the additive manufacturing device further comprises a support frame and an electron gun, the powder tank and the electron gun are arranged on the support frame, and the support frame is arranged in a gap with the vacuum chamber.

[0013] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the electron gun is connected with the vacuum chamber through a flexible assembly.

[0014] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the flexible assembly comprises a mounting flange and a bellows connected with the mounting flange, the mounting flange is connected with the outer wall of the vacuum chamber, and the bellows is connected with the electron gun.

[0015] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the additive manufacturing device further comprises a powder isolation module, the powder isolation module comprises an isolation cover, a channel for powder flow is formed in the inside of the isolation cover, the channel is communicated with the powder tank and the powder tank on both sides, and the channel can adjust the flow rate of the powder flow.

[0016] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the powder isolation module further comprises a mandrel, the mandrel is rotatably connected to the inside of the isolation cover, a through hole is arranged on the mandrel along the radial direction, the isolation cover has a powder leakage hole, the powder in the powder tank enters the channel through the powder leakage hole, the powder in the channel flows out of the channel through the through hole, and the mandrel is rotated to change the overlapping area between the through hole and the powder leakage hole.

[0017] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the powder isolation module further comprises a sealing block, the sealing block is sleeved on the mandrel, and the sealing block seals the channel in the axial direction of the mandrel.

[0018] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the powder isolation module further comprises a sliding sleeve and a driving member, the sliding sleeve is arranged in the isolation cover and sleeved on the mandrel, the driving member is located on the side of the sliding sleeve away from the channel and arranged outside the isolation cover, and the driving member is in transmission connection with the mandrel.

[0019] As an optional solution of the additive manufacturing device, the vacuum isolation module comprises a plug valve, a pipeline and two connected flanges, one of the connected flanges is connected with the isolation cover, the other connected flange is connected with one end of the pipeline, the other end of the pipeline extends into the vacuum chamber and is connected with the powder tank, and the plug valve is arranged between the two connected flanges to keep the powder tank and the vacuum chamber isolated when independently vacuumizing.

[0020] The operation method is applied to the additive manufacturing device, and the operation method comprises the following steps.

[0021] Heating powder in the powder tank and the powder box;

[0022] The vacuum isolation module isolates the powder tank from the vacuum chamber;

[0023] Starting the vacuum pumps for the powder tank and the vacuum chamber respectively to independently vacuumize the powder tank and the vacuum chamber;

[0024] After the powder tank and the vacuum chamber reach the preset vacuum degree, the vacuum isolation module stops isolating the powder tank from the vacuum chamber.

[0025] Advantages:

[0026] In the present application, the powder tank is a container for storing printing powder, and the powder box is used to provide powder to the vacuum chamber. The powder tank is independently arranged outside the vacuum chamber, and the powder box is arranged inside the vacuum chamber. During the printing process, the powder tank continuously supplies powder to the powder box, so the volume of the powder box can be appropriately reduced, and the space occupied by the entire powder supply system relative to the entire space inside the vacuum chamber is reduced, thereby improving the space utilization efficiency of the vacuum chamber and further reducing the overall volume of the vacuum chamber, improving the structural compactness of the entire device, and reducing the material cost of the vacuum chamber. Further, the vacuum isolation module selectively isolates the powder tank from the vacuum chamber, facilitating the independent vacuumization of the powder tank and the vacuum chamber. That is, during the vacuum preparation stage of the entire device, the vacuum isolation module can isolate the powder tank from the vacuum chamber, and the vacuum pumps of the powder tank and the vacuum chamber can be used to simultaneously vacuumize the powder tank and the vacuum chamber, greatly shortening the vacuum preparation time and improving the vacuumization efficiency of the powder tank and the powder box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is the overall structure schematic diagram of the additive manufacturing equipment provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 is the partial structure schematic diagram of the powder storage assembly provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 is the partial structure schematic diagram of the connection between the powder isolation module and the vacuum isolation module provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] 100, vacuum chamber;

[0032] 200, support frame; 210, transverse support frame; 220, vertical support frame;

[0033] 300, powder storage assembly; 310, powder tank; 320, powder isolation module; 321, isolation cover; 322, mandrel; 3210, upper top wall; 3211, powder leakage hole; 324, sealing block; 325, mandrel gland; 326, sliding sleeve; 327, sliding sleeve end cover; 328, second coupling; 329, magnetic fluid; 3291, first coupling; 3292, driving member; 330, vacuum isolation module; 331, plug valve; 332, connecting flange; 340, powder box; 350, powder groove; 360, powder rolling shaft;

[0034] 400, workbench assembly; 410, platform; 420, forming bottom plate; 430, scraper;

[0035] 500, forming cylinder assembly; 510, forming cylinder; 520, piston plate; 530, vertical support shaft; 540, driving assembly;

[0036] 600, electron gun assembly; 610, electron gun; 620, mounting plate; 630, flexible assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended to be merely illustrative of the application and not in limitation thereof. It should also be understood that, for the purpose of clarity, only those structures of the application that are relevant to the present application have been shown in the drawings.

[0038] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature "on", "above" and "above" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0040] In the description of the present embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", and the like, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description, and have no special meaning.

[0041] Please refer to the accompanying Figure 1 The present embodiment relates to an additive manufacturing device (hereinafter referred to as "device"), which comprises a vacuum chamber 100, a powder tank 310, a powder box 340 and a vacuum isolation module 330. Among them, the powder tank 310 is used to store powder for printing, and the powder tank 310 is arranged outside the vacuum chamber 100; the powder tank 310 can communicate with the powder box 340, and the powder in the powder tank 310 is transported to the powder box 340; the powder box 340 is arranged inside the vacuum chamber 100, and the powder box 340 is used to transport powder into the vacuum chamber 100; one side of the vacuum isolation module 330 is connected with the powder tank 310, and the other side is connected with the powder box 340, and the vacuum isolation module 330 is used to isolate the powder tank 310 from the inside of the vacuum chamber 100, so that the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 are independently evacuated.

[0042] Specifically, the vacuum chamber 100 usually adopts a cubic structure, and the inside of the vacuum chamber 100 is used to form a cavity for additive manufacturing. The most commonly used material for the vacuum chamber 100 is 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel. Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance, high strength and excellent mechanical properties. After electrolytic polishing treatment on the surface of stainless steel, the surface porosity can be significantly reduced, and the gas adsorption and outgassing rate can be reduced, thereby improving the vacuum degree. In special use cases, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy and other special alloys can be used, and even non-metallic ceramic materials can be used. The internal structure of the cavity of the vacuum chamber 100 should be as simple and smooth as possible, reducing the number of corners and uneven surfaces to reduce the internal surface area, reduce gas adsorption and reflection, and facilitate the improvement and maintenance of the vacuum degree.

[0043] The device further comprises a powder storage assembly 300, wherein the powder tank 310 of the powder storage assembly 300 is a container for storing the printing powder, and the volume of the powder tank 310 is larger than that of the powder box 340, so as to store more powder. The powder box 340 is used to provide the powder to the vacuum chamber 100, while the powder tank 310 can supply the powder to the powder box 340 for replenishment. In this embodiment, the powder tank 310 is independently arranged outside the vacuum chamber 100, and the powder box 340 is arranged inside the vacuum chamber 100. As the printing process proceeds, the powder tank 310 constantly replenishes the powder to the powder box 340, so the volume of the powder box 340 can be appropriately reduced, and even the space occupation of the entire powder storage assembly 300 relative to the space inside the entire vacuum chamber 100 is reduced, so as to improve the space utilization efficiency of the vacuum chamber 100, and further reduce the overall volume of the vacuum chamber 100, improve the structural compactness of the entire device, and reduce the material cost of the vacuum chamber 100.

[0044] Further, the vacuum isolation module 330 can selectively isolate the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100, facilitating the independent vacuumizing operation and the communication operation of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100, respectively. That is, during the vacuumizing preparation stage of the entire device, the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 can be isolated by the vacuum isolation module 330, and the vacuumizing process of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 can be realized by the vacuumizing pumps of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100, respectively, so as to greatly shorten the vacuum ready time and improve the vacuumizing efficiency of the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310.

[0045] Optionally, the device further comprises a support frame 200 and an electron gun 610, and the powder tank 310 and the electron gun 610 are arranged on the support frame 200, and the support frame 200 is arranged in a gap with the vacuum chamber 100.

[0046] Specifically, the device further comprises an electron gun assembly 600 and a support frame 200, wherein the support frame 200 comprises a horizontal support frame 210 and a vertical support frame 220, and the electron gun assembly 600 comprises an electron gun 610. The two opposite vertical support frames 220 are connected to the horizontal support frame 210 at the top, and the overall support frame 200 forms an inverted "U-shaped" structure. The vertical support frame 220 can be fixed to the ground by using a height-adjustable anchor bolt. The support frame 200 has a frame structure, and a plurality of beams are arranged on the horizontal support frame 210, and the electron gun 610 is arranged at the overhead position between the beams. The electron gun 610 is opposite to the top of the vacuum chamber 100, and two powder tanks 310 are arranged on the horizontal support frame 210 and are separately arranged on the two sides of the electron gun 610. The two powder tanks 310 can supply the powder to the corresponding powder box 340.

[0047] In the embodiment, the vacuum chamber 100 is arranged inside the support frame 200, but is not connected with the support frame 200, and is arranged in a gap, the support frame 200 bears all its self weight and atmospheric pressure, and the support frame 200 is completely separated from the vacuum chamber 100. Based on the relative independent position relationship, the thermal deformation of the vacuum chamber 100 can be effectively avoided to drive and affect the support frame 200, especially to cause the slight displacement of the horizontal support frame 210, and then affect the position accuracy of the electron gun 610, and finally affect the printing accuracy.

[0048] Actually, in the prior art, the electron gun 610 can also be directly arranged on the top of the vacuum chamber 100, but this arrangement will cause irregular deformation of the vacuum chamber 100 with the temperature rising in the printing process, and affect the position accuracy of the electron gun 610, and affect the printing accuracy of the electron beam on the forming plane. However, by directly arranging the electron gun 610 on the support frame 200 independent of the vacuum chamber 100, the above problems can be effectively solved.

[0049] Further, the electron gun 610 is connected with the vacuum chamber 100 through the flexible assembly 630.

[0050] Specifically, the electron gun assembly 600 further comprises a mounting plate 620 and a flexible assembly 630; the electron gun 610 is fixedly connected with the mounting plate 620, and the fixed connection is usually screw connection. The electron gun 610 and the mounting plate 620 are jointly mounted on the horizontal support frame 210, wherein the mounting plate 620 adopts a thick plate with large rigidity, and the material can be a thick steel plate or a marble plate, and all the self weight and atmospheric pressure of the electron gun 610 will act on the horizontal support frame 210. The lower part of the electron gun 610 is connected with the top of the vacuum chamber 100 through the flexible assembly 630. The flexible assembly 630 comprises a mounting flange and a bellows connected with the mounting flange, the mounting flange is connected with the outer wall of the vacuum chamber 100, and the bellows is connected with the electron gun 610. The flange and the bellows are combined and welded to absorb the inclination of the flange caused by the deformation of the top of the vacuum chamber 100, and the bellows can also play a buffering role and will not bring the deformation to the electron gun 610, so that the position accuracy of the electron beam will not be changed.

[0051] It should be noted that the electron gun 610 is a core component of the electron beam additive manufacturing technology, and the electron gun 610 can generate, accelerate and focus a high-energy electron beam, which is used to melt metal powder or wire material, so as to build a three-dimensional part layer by layer. Since the electron gun 610 is of the existing structure, the structure and specific working principle of the electron gun 610 can be referred to the prior art, and the embodiment will not be expanded.

[0052] Please refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 and the accompanying drawings Figure 2Optionally, the powder storage assembly 300 further comprises a powder isolation module 320, the powder isolation module 320 comprises an isolation cover 321, the inside of the isolation cover 321 is formed with a channel for powder flow, the two sides of the channel are respectively communicated with the powder tank 340 and the powder jar 310, and the channel can adjust the flow rate of the powder flowing therethrough.

[0053] Specifically, the isolation cover 321 is used to adjust the flow rate of the powder in the powder jar 310 into the powder tank 340. The isolation cover 321 is arranged outside the vacuum chamber 100, and the inside of the isolation cover 321 has a cylindrical channel for communicating the powder tank 340 and the powder jar 310. The powder in the powder jar 310 flows into the powder tank 340 through the channel, and the flow rate of the powder can be conveniently controlled by controlling the flow area inside the channel.

[0054] In the embodiment, by arranging the isolation cover 321, the flow rate of the powder can be adjusted according to the structural characteristics of the printed object during the printing process, so as to maintain the smoothness of the printing process.

[0055] Further, the powder isolation module 320 further comprises a mandrel 322, the mandrel 322 is rotatably connected to the inside of the isolation cover 321, and the mandrel 322 is provided with a through hole penetrating along the radial direction, the isolation cover 321 is provided with a powder leakage hole 3211, the powder in the powder jar 310 enters the channel through the powder leakage hole 3211, the powder entering the channel flows out of the channel after passing through the through hole, and the mandrel 322 is rotated to change the overlapping area between the through hole and the powder leakage hole 3211.

[0056] Specifically, the isolation cover 321 comprises a main body and a cover arranged on the upper top wall 3210 of the main body, the main body is sealingly connected with the powder jar 310, and specifically, a sealing ring can be arranged and tightly abutted between the end faces of the two. The upper top wall 3210 is detachably connected with the main body, the upper top wall 3210 is provided with a powder leakage hole 3211, the powder leakage hole 3211 is opposite to the powder outlet of the powder jar 310, so that the powder in the inside of the powder jar 310 passes through the powder outlet and then enters the channel through the powder leakage hole 3211.

[0057] Further, the mandrel 322 is in a cylindrical structure, the mandrel 322 penetrates the channel, the mandrel 322 is provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to the channel, and the overlapping area between the through hole and the powder leakage hole 3211 can be changed by rotating the mandrel 322. It can be understood that changing the overlapping area between the through hole and the powder leakage hole 3211 can change the flow rate of the powder flowing through the inside of the channel, and therefore, by controlling the rotation angle of the mandrel 322, the overlapping area can be changed, that is, the control of the flow rate of the powder can be adaptively realized.

[0058] Optionally, the powder isolation module 320 further comprises a sealing block 324, the sealing block 324 is sleeved on the mandrel 322, and the sealing block 324 seals the channel in the axial direction of the mandrel 322.

[0059] Specifically, the sealing block 324 is made of elastic material, the channel portion is defined by the sealing block 324, the sealing block 324 is sleeved on the mandrel 322, and annular sealing rings 323 are arranged at the contact positions of the sealing block 324 and the mandrel 322. In this embodiment, two sealing rings 323 are arranged on the two sides of the channel. Further, a mandrel gland 325 is arranged at the end of the mandrel 322, and the mandrel gland 325 is used to constrain the position change of the mandrel 322 in the axial direction.

[0060] Further, the powder isolation module 320 further comprises a sliding sleeve 326 and a driving member 3292. The sliding sleeve 326 is arranged in the isolation cover 321 and sleeved on the mandrel 322. The driving member 3292 is arranged on the side, away from the channel, of the sliding sleeve 326 and outside the isolation cover 321, and the driving member 3292 is in transmission connection with the mandrel 322.

[0061] Specifically, the sliding sleeve 326 is made of graphite copper sleeve and has self-lubricating property, and is used to support one end of the mandrel 322. The driving member 3292 is arranged outside the isolation cover 321. The driving member 3292 can be a driving motor. The driving member 3292 is connected with a first coupling 3291, the first coupling 3291 is connected with a magnetic fluid 329, so that the driving member 3292 drives the magnetic fluid 329 to rotate. The magnetic fluid 329 is arranged outside the isolation cover 321 and is in rotary sealing with the isolation cover 321. A second coupling 328 is arranged inside the isolation cover 321, the magnetic fluid 329 is in transmission connection with the second coupling 328, and the side, away from the magnetic fluid 329, of the second coupling 328 is connected with the mandrel 322. A sliding sleeve end cover 327 is abutted against the end of the sliding sleeve 326, and the sliding sleeve end cover 327 is used to axially limit and compress the sliding sleeve 326.

[0062] In this embodiment, the sliding sleeve 326 plays a guiding and lubricating role for the mandrel 322, so as to reduce the friction of rotation. The driving member 3292 is arranged outside the isolation cover 321, which is conducive to the adjustment of the driving member 3292 and can also avoid that the volume of the isolation cover 321 is too large. The driving member 3292 provides initial rotary motion and torque, and is a power source of the transmission system. The first coupling 3291 is connected with the driving member 3292, can compensate for the possible slight deviation of the driving member 3292 and transmit torque. The magnetic fluid 329 forms a dynamic seal between the driving member 3292 and the mandrel 322, prevents leakage of working medium (such as gas, lubricating oil), and allows torque transmission at the same time. The second coupling 328 connects the output end of the magnetic fluid 329 with the mandrel 322, compensates for the deviation caused by installation error, thermal expansion or stress deformation, and isolates vibration. Since the mandrel 322 is a key part for adjusting the flow rate of powder, the magnetic fluid 329 is used for rotary sealing, so as to meet the strict sealing requirements in the powder flow process.

[0063] In the embodiment, the powder storage assembly 300 further comprises a powder rolling shaft 360 and a powder tank 350 near the powder outlet of the powder tank 340, wherein the powder rolling shaft 360 is used to quantitatively deliver and uniformly lay the powder output by the powder tank 340. The powder rolling shaft 360 is a cylindrical roller body, and the surface thereof can be provided with precise grooves. The powder rolling shaft 360 can accurately control the powder supply amount by rotating motion and by controlling the rotation angle or the number of turns.

[0064] Please continue to refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 The device further comprises a forming cylinder assembly 500, wherein the forming cylinder assembly 500 comprises a forming cylinder 510, a piston plate 520, a vertical support shaft 530, and a driving assembly 540.

[0065] Specifically, the driving assembly 540 outputs rotation outwardly, and drives the vertical support shaft 530 to rotate through a synchronous belt. The driving assembly 540 is arranged outside the vacuum chamber 100, the vertical support shaft 530 penetrates into the cavity of the vacuum chamber 100 along the vertical direction from the bottom of the vacuum chamber 100, and a rotating seal is arranged at the matching connection position of the vertical support shaft 530 and the vacuum chamber 100. The forming cylinder 510 is located inside the cavity of the vacuum chamber 100, the end of the vertical support shaft 530 is connected with the piston plate 520, and the two are threadedly connected, so as to drive the piston plate 520 to move along the vertical direction. The forming cylinder 510 provides guidance for the piston plate 520 and stores the formed parts.

[0066] Further, the device further comprises a workbench assembly 400, which comprises a platform 410, a forming bottom plate 420, and a scraper 430.

[0067] The platform 410 is arranged above the forming cylinder 510 inside the vacuum chamber 100; the forming bottom plate 420 is arranged above the piston plate 520 and is connected with the piston plate 520, and moves along the vertical direction with the piston plate 520; and the scraper 430 is independently driven to uniformly lay the powder on the forming bottom plate 420.

[0068] It should be noted that the forming cylinder assembly 500 and the workbench assembly 400 can refer to the prior art, and the specific structure of the internal components and connections will not be described herein.

[0069] Please refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 3 Optionally, the vacuum isolation module 330 comprises a plug valve 331, a pipeline, and two connected flanges 332, one of which is connected with the isolation cover 321, and the other is connected with one end of the pipeline. The other end of the pipeline extends into the vacuum chamber 100 and is connected with the powder tank 340. The plug valve 331 is arranged between the two connected flanges 332, and is used to isolate the powder tank 310 from the vacuum chamber 100 when they are independently vacuumized.

[0070] Specifically, the plug valve 331 can be driven pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or manually, the two connecting flanges 332 are used to realize the connection and sealing of the isolation cover 321 and the pipeline conveying powder, the plug valve 331 is arranged between the two connecting flanges 332, and is used to flexibly realize the selective isolation of the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310. Of course, the pipeline and the powder box 340 can also be connected and sealed by the connecting flanges 332.

[0071] The second aspect of the embodiment also relates to an operation method applied to the additive manufacturing device, and the operation method comprises the following steps:

[0072] S1, adding powder into the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310.

[0073] Firstly, the operator adds powder into the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310 respectively, and of course, the powder can also be conveyed into the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310 by an automatic feeding device.

[0074] S2, the vacuum isolation module 330 isolates the powder tank 310 from the vacuum chamber 100.

[0075] By rotating the mandrel 322, the channel is completely cut off, so that the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310 are completely isolated, and it is ensured that the powder tank 310 cannot convey powder to the powder box 340 during the vacuumizing process. At this time, the plug valve 331 is in a state of completely isolating the powder box 340 and the powder tank 310;

[0076] S3, starting the vacuumizing sources of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 respectively, so as to independently vacuumize the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100.

[0077] The vacuumizing pump groups of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 are started respectively, and after the mechanical pump is vacuumized, the molecular pump is started.

[0078] S4, after the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100 reach the preset vacuum degree, the vacuum isolation module 330 removes the isolation of the powder tank 310 and the vacuum chamber 100.

[0079] When the high vacuum degree is ready, the printing process is started, at this time, the plug valve 331 is opened, and the mandrel 322 is rotated to realize the adjustment of the powder flow according to the amount of powder in the powder box 340.

[0080] In the method, the vacuum chamber 100 and the powder tank 310 are respectively provided with a set of vacuumizing pump groups, so that the vacuumizing process of the vacuum chamber 100 and the powder tank 310 can be realized at the same time, and the vacuum ready time is greatly shortened.

[0081] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present application are merely exemplary but not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. Various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application. It is not necessary or possible to enumerate all the embodiments. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized by, The additive manufacturing device comprises: a vacuum chamber (100); a powder tank (310) for storing powder for printing, the powder tank (310) being arranged outside the vacuum chamber (100); a powder box (340), the powder tank (310) being in communication with the powder box (340) and enabling powder in the powder tank (310) to be delivered to the powder box (340), the powder box (340) being arranged inside the vacuum chamber (100) and being used to deliver powder to the vacuum chamber (100); a vacuum isolation module (330) connected to the powder tank (310) on one side and connected to the powder box (340) on the other side, the vacuum isolation module (330) being used to isolate the powder tank (310) from the inside of the vacuum chamber (100) so that the powder tank (310) and the vacuum chamber (100) are independently vacuumized.

2. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The additive manufacturing device further comprises a support frame (200) and an electron gun (610), the powder tank (310) and the electron gun (610) being arranged on the support frame (200), and the support frame (200) being arranged in a gap with the vacuum chamber (100).

3. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The electron gun (610) is connected to the vacuum chamber (100) through a flexible assembly (630).

4. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The flexible assembly (630) comprises a mounting flange and a bellows connected to the mounting flange, the mounting flange being connected to the outer wall of the vacuum chamber (100), and the bellows being connected to the electron gun (610).

5. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The additive manufacturing device further comprises a powder isolation module (320), the powder isolation module (320) comprising an isolation cover (321), the inside of the isolation cover (321) being formed with a channel for powder flow, the two sides of the channel being in communication with the powder box (340) and the powder tank (310) respectively, and the channel being capable of adjusting the flow rate of the powder flowing therethrough.

6. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The powder isolation module (320) further comprises a mandrel (322) rotatably connected to the inside of the isolation cover (321), and a through hole is provided on the mandrel (322) along the radial direction, the isolation cover (321) has a powder leakage hole (3211), powder in the powder tank (310) enters the channel through the powder leakage hole (3211), and the powder in the channel flows out of the channel after passing through the through hole, and the mandrel (322) is rotated to change the overlapping area between the through hole and the powder leakage hole (3211).

7. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The powder isolation module (320) further comprises a sealing block (324) sleeved on the mandrel (322), the sealing block (324) sealing the channel in the axial direction of the mandrel (322).

8. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The powder isolation module (320) further comprises a sliding sleeve (326) and a driving member (3292), the sliding sleeve (326) is arranged in the isolation cover (321) and sleeved on the mandrel (322), the driving member (3292) is located on the side of the sliding sleeve (326) away from the channel and arranged outside the isolation cover (321), and the driving member (3292) is in transmission connection with the mandrel (322).

9. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The vacuum isolation module (330) comprises a plug valve (331), a pipeline and two connected flanges (332), one of the connected flanges (332) is connected with the isolation cover (321), the other connected flange (332) is connected with one end of the pipeline, the other end of the pipeline extends into the vacuum chamber (100) and is connected with the powder tank (340), and the plug valve (331) is arranged between the two connected flanges (332) and used for keeping the powder tank (310) and the vacuum chamber (100) isolated when independently vacuumizing.

10. A method of operation, characterized by, The operation method is applied to the additive manufacturing device of any one of claims 1-9, and the operation method comprises: Heating powder in the powder tank (340) and the powder tank (310); The vacuum isolation module (330) isolates the powder tank (310) from the vacuum chamber (100); The vacuumizing sources for the powder tank (310) and the vacuum chamber (100) are started respectively, so that the powder tank (310) and the vacuum chamber (100) are independently vacuumized; After the powder tank (310) and the vacuum chamber (100) reach a preset vacuum degree, the vacuum isolation module (330) releases the isolation of the powder tank (310) from the vacuum chamber (100).

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