Flight printing additive manufacturing equipment and forming method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of additive manufacturing, and relates to flying printing additive manufacturing equipment and a forming method, and the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment comprises a forming chamber box body and a flying optical mechanism arranged in the forming chamber box body; the flying optical mechanism comprises a left flying optical mechanism and a right flying optical mechanism which is arranged in a mirror image manner with the left flying optical mechanism; the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism reciprocate in the forming chamber box body in the same direction; and the moving planes of the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism in the forming chamber box body are parallel to the forming breadth of the forming chamber box body. According to the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment and the forming method, the scanning breadth can be fully covered, the number of optical components can be reduced, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of additive manufacturing, and relates to an additive manufacturing equipment and method, particularly to a flying printing additive manufacturing equipment and forming method. Background Technology

[0002] In powder bed fusion (PBF) equipment, due to the limitation of the galvanometer's maximum scanning area, the larger the printing area, the more lasers and optical components are required on top of the forming chamber. Too many optical components result in a greater weight burden on the top plate of the forming chamber, thus affecting the structural strength of the forming chamber housing. Simultaneously, too many optical components also increase the overall size of the forming chamber, making air blowing on the printed surface more difficult. Furthermore, too many optical components significantly increase equipment costs. Finally, to reduce galvanometer temperature drift errors and ensure printing accuracy, water cooling is required for the galvanometer and top plate; adding more optical components also increases the difficulty of temperature control. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems in the background art, the present invention proposes a flying printing additive manufacturing equipment and forming method that can fully cover the scanning area, reduce the number of optical components, and reduce equipment costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A flying printing additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: the flying printing additive manufacturing device includes a forming chamber housing and a flying optical mechanism disposed inside the forming chamber housing; the flying optical mechanism includes a left flying optical mechanism and a right flying optical mechanism mirror-arranged with the left flying optical mechanism; the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism reciprocate within the forming chamber housing in the same direction; the moving planes of the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism within the forming chamber housing are both parallel to the forming surface of the forming chamber housing.

[0006] The structure of the left flight optical mechanism is exactly the same as that of the right flight optical mechanism; the forming chamber housing is equipped with a flight optical mechanism guide rail; both the left and right flight optical mechanisms are mounted on the flight optical mechanism guide rail, and the left and right flight optical mechanisms reciprocate along the axial direction of the flight optical mechanism guide rail in the same direction.

[0007] The aforementioned right-flying optical mechanism includes a right-flying optical mounting bracket, a right-flying optical galvanometer, a right-flying optical beam expander and laser output head, a right-flying optical field lens, a right-flying optical geared motor, and a right-flying optical lead screw; the axis of the right-flying optical lead screw is parallel to the axis of the guide rail of the flying optical mechanism; the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor is connected to the right-flying optical lead screw and drives the right-flying optical lead screw to rotate along the axis of the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor; the right-flying optical lead screw passes through the right-flying optical mounting bracket and is threadedly connected to the right-flying optical mounting bracket; the right-flying optical mounting bracket is fitted onto... The flight optical mechanism moves back and forth along the axial direction of the guide rail; the right flight optical galvanometer and the right flight optical field lens are both mounted on the right flight optical mounting frame and move synchronously with the right flight optical mounting frame; the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head are located inside the forming chamber; the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head, the right flight optical galvanometer and the right flight optical field lens are arranged on the same optical path; there are multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers, and multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers are arranged in parallel; the number of right flight optical field lenses matches the number of right flight optical galvanometers and corresponds one-to-one.

[0008] The aforementioned right-flying optics mechanism also includes a shaping blowing and suction mechanism, which includes a blowing and suction box. The blowing and suction box is mounted on the right-flying optics mounting frame and moves synchronously with the right-flying optics mounting frame. The blowing and suction box is provided with a right-flying optics blowing port and a right-flying optics suction port from top to bottom.

[0009] The aforementioned right-flying optical mechanism also includes a filter mechanism, a right-flying optical air intake duct, and a right-flying optical air blowing duct; the right-flying optical air intake is connected to the filter mechanism through the right-flying optical air intake duct; the filter mechanism is connected to the right-flying optical air blowing duct through the right-flying optical air blowing duct; the filter mechanism includes at least a long-life filter element and a fan connected to the long-life filter element.

[0010] The aforementioned flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming powder spreading mechanism; the flying optical mechanism and the forming powder spreading mechanism are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the forming chamber; the forming powder spreading mechanism includes a scraper mechanism, a scraper pulley and synchronous belt, a scraper reduction motor, a powder supply tank, and a powder drop chamber; the powder supply tank is placed outside the forming chamber; the powder drop chamber is placed inside the forming chamber and supplies the powder required for forming to the forming surface; the powder supply tank and the powder drop chamber are interconnected; the scraper reduction motor is connected to the scraper pulley and synchronous belt and drives the scraper pulley and synchronous belt to rotate; the scraper mechanism is placed on the forming surface and is connected to the scraper pulley and synchronous belt; the scraper pulley and synchronous belt drive the scraper mechanism to reciprocate on the forming surface; the direction of movement of the scraper mechanism is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the flying optical mechanism.

[0011] The aforementioned flight-printed additive manufacturing equipment also includes a powder circulation mechanism; the powder circulation mechanism includes a powder dropping mechanism, a powder collecting mechanism, a powder sieving mechanism, and a powder supply mechanism; the powder collecting mechanism is located at the outer edge of the forming surface; the powder collecting mechanism is connected to the powder supply mechanism through the powder sieving mechanism; the powder supply mechanism is connected to the powder dropping chamber through the powder dropping mechanism.

[0012] The aforementioned flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming platform lifting mechanism; the forming platform lifting mechanism includes a forming cylinder, a substrate, a forming frame, a forming platform lifting screw nut seat, a forming platform lifting reduction motor, a forming cylinder base, and a forming platform lifting screw; the forming cylinder is mounted on the forming cylinder base; the forming platform lifting reduction motor is mounted on the forming cylinder base; the forming platform lifting screw is arranged axially inside the forming cylinder; the forming platform lifting screw nut seat is fitted onto the forming platform lifting screw and threadedly connected to it; a boss is provided on the inner wall of the forming cylinder along its axial direction; the outer wall of the forming platform lifting screw nut seat is engaged with the boss on the inner wall of the forming cylinder and moves freely up and down along its axial direction; the output shaft of the forming platform lifting reduction motor is connected to the forming platform lifting screw and drives it to rotate around the axis of the motor's output shaft; the substrate is mounted on the forming platform lifting screw nut seat via the forming frame; the forming platform lifting screw nut seat, through the forming frame, drives the substrate to move freely up and down along its axial direction inside the forming cylinder.

[0013] The aforementioned flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism; the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism includes a drive motor and a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base, on which a rack and guide rail are arranged along the axial direction; a gear meshing with the rack is disposed at the bottom of the forming cylinder base; the forming cylinder base is placed on the guide rail; the drive motor drives the gear to rotate; the gear drives the forming cylinder to reciprocate along the axial direction of the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base through the forming cylinder base;

[0014] Preferably, the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment further includes a part retrieval compartment arranged parallel to the forming chamber housing; the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism drives the forming cylinder to move between the forming chamber housing and the part retrieval compartment; the part retrieval compartment is provided with a part retrieval mechanism; the part retrieval mechanism includes at least an operating window and a powder suction interface, the powder suction interface being in communication with the interior of the powder collection mechanism.

[0015] A forming method based on the aforementioned flying printing additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that: the forming method includes the following steps:

[0016] 1) Construct the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment as described above, and use inert gas scrubbing to scrub the inside of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment to reduce the oxygen content inside the forming chamber of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment to the range required for operation.

[0017] 2) Place the left and right flight optical mechanisms at their respective zero-point positions; the zero-point position of the left flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the left flight optical mechanism is on the left side of the left edge of the forming surface; the zero-point position of the right flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the right flight optical mechanism is on the right side of the right edge of the forming surface.

[0018] 3) Activate the forming powder spreading mechanism to spread the powder required for forming onto the forming surface;

[0019] 4) Keep the left flight optical mechanism at its zero point position, and move the right flight optical mechanism to its initial position; the initial position of the right flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the right flight optical mechanism is to the left of the center axis of the forming surface.

[0020] 5) Activate the left and right flight optical mechanisms, causing them to move to the right simultaneously at equal intervals until they reach a constant speed, after which they will start to emit laser-printed parts.

[0021] 6) When the left flying optical mechanism reaches the end position of the left flying optical mechanism or the right flying optical mechanism reaches the zero point position of the right flying optical mechanism, the first layer forming is completed and the laser emission stops; the end position of the left flying optical mechanism is when the origin position of the galvanometer of the left flying optical mechanism is on the right side of the central axis of the forming area.

[0022] 7) Keep the right flight optical mechanism at the zero point of the right flight optical mechanism, and move the left flight optical mechanism to the zero point of the left flight optical mechanism;

[0023] 8) After activating the forming platform lifting mechanism and lowering the substrate by one layer of powder bed thickness, repeat steps 3) to 7) to complete the second layer forming;

[0024] 9) Repeat step 8) until all layers are formed;

[0025] 10) Activate the horizontal moving mechanism of the forming cylinder to move the forming cylinder from the forming chamber to the part removal chamber. Then, remove the formed parts from the forming cylinder by cleaning the powder through the part removal mechanism.

[0026] The advantages of this invention are:

[0027] This invention provides a flying-printing additive manufacturing apparatus, including a forming chamber housing and a flying optical mechanism disposed inside the forming chamber housing. The flying optical mechanism includes a left flying optical mechanism and a right flying optical mechanism mirror-arranged thereon. The left and right flying optical mechanisms reciprocate within the forming chamber housing in the same direction. The movement planes of the left and right flying optical mechanisms within the forming chamber housing are parallel to the forming surface of the forming chamber housing. The flying-printing additive manufacturing apparatus provided by this invention directly applies the flying optical mechanism inside the forming chamber housing. After the powder required for forming is laid on the forming surface, the flying optical mechanism moves back and forth within the forming chamber housing to perform laser scanning. After one layer is sintered, the forming platform descends layer by layer, and this process is repeated to complete the overall forming of the part. This invention replaces the fixed optical devices in the prior art with flying optical mechanisms, and the parallel operation of the left and right flying optical mechanisms effectively improves forming efficiency. Furthermore, the left and right flying optical mechanisms reciprocate in the same direction, avoiding mutual interference at the central axis of the forming area due to opposing movements and thus preventing any impact on the forming quality. This effectively ensures the quality stability at the central axis of the forming area. The structure of the left flying optical mechanism used in this invention is identical to that of the right flying optical mechanism, further ensuring the overall forming quality. Because the flying optical mechanism used in this invention has fewer optical components along its direction of movement and more optical components perpendicular to its direction of movement, the reciprocating movement of the flying optical mechanism within the forming chamber compensates for the smaller number of optical components along its direction of movement, achieving full coverage of the scanning area. This reduces the number of optical components and increases the overall printing area size. Compared to conventional galvanometer-fixed PBF equipment, the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by this invention offers a new approach to additive manufacturing of ultra-large parts. Its forming chamber is smaller, saving space and improving the structural stability of the forming chamber; it significantly reduces equipment volume and weight, achieving cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a right-side structural schematic diagram of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the left-side cross-sectional structure of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of the flight optical mechanism and the powder forming mechanism adopted in this invention;

[0034] in

[0035] 1-Flying optical mechanism; 2-Forming platform lifting mechanism; 3-Forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism; 4-Forming powder spreading mechanism; 5-Powder dropping mechanism; 6-Powder collecting mechanism; 7-Powder sieving mechanism; 8-Powder supply mechanism; 9-Forming blowing and suction mechanism; 10-Filter mechanism; 11-Tread mechanism; 12-Part picking mechanism; 13-Powder supply bucket; 14-Forming chamber housing; 15-Right flying optical mounting bracket; 16-Right flying optical galvanometer; 17-Right flying optical beam expander and laser output head; 18-Right flying optical field lens; 19-Right flying optical geared motor; 20-Right flying optical lead screw; 21-Right flying optical air outlet; 22-Right flying optical air suction outlet; 23-Left flying optical lead screw; 24-Left flying optical mounting bracket; 25-Left 26-Left flying optical galvanometer; 27-Left flying optical beam expander and laser output head; 28-Left flying optical geared motor; 29-Left flying optical air outlet; 30-Left flying optical air intake; 31-Left flying optical mechanism guide rail; 32-Left flying optical air intake duct; 33-Right flying optical air intake duct; 34-Right flying optical air outlet; 35-Scraper mechanism; 36-Scraper pulley and synchronous belt; 37-Scraper geared motor; 38-Forming cylinder; 39-Substrate; 40-Forming frame; 41-Forming platform lifting screw nut seat; 42-Forming platform lifting geared motor; 43-Forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base; 44-Forming cylinder base; 45-Powder drop chamber; 46-Forming platform lifting screw. Detailed Implementation

[0036] See Figure 1 as well as Figure 4This invention provides a flying printing additive manufacturing apparatus, including a forming chamber housing 14 and a flying optical mechanism 1 disposed inside the forming chamber housing 14. The flying optical mechanism 1 includes a left flying optical mechanism and a right flying optical mechanism mirror-arranged thereon. The left and right flying optical mechanisms reciprocate within the forming chamber housing 14 in the same direction. The moving planes of the left and right flying optical mechanisms within the forming chamber housing 14 are parallel to the forming surface of the forming chamber housing 14. The flying printing additive manufacturing apparatus provided by this invention directly applies the flying optical mechanism 1 inside the forming chamber housing 14. After the powder required for forming is laid on the forming surface, the flying optical mechanism 1 moves back and forth within the forming chamber housing 14 to perform laser scanning. After one layer is sintered, the forming platform descends layer by layer, and this process is repeated to complete the overall forming of the part. This invention replaces the fixed optical devices in the prior art with the flying optical mechanism 1, and by employing the parallel operation of the left and right flying optical mechanisms, it can effectively improve forming efficiency. Furthermore, the left and right flying optical mechanisms reciprocate in the same direction, avoiding mutual interference at the central axis of the forming area due to opposing movements and thus preventing any impact on the forming quality. This effectively ensures the quality stability at the central axis of the forming area. The structure of the left flying optical mechanism used in this invention is identical to that of the right flying optical mechanism, further ensuring the overall forming quality. Since the flying optical mechanism 1 used in this invention has fewer optical components along its moving direction and more optical components perpendicular to its moving direction, and achieves full coverage of the scanning area through its reciprocating movement within the forming chamber, it reduces the number of optical components and increases the overall printing area size, achieving the goal of cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

[0037] See Figure 4 The structure of the left flight optical mechanism is exactly the same as that of the right flight optical mechanism; the inside of the forming chamber box 14 is provided with a flight optical mechanism guide rail 30; both the left and right flight optical mechanisms are set on the flight optical mechanism guide rail 30, and the left and right flight optical mechanisms reciprocate along the axial direction of the flight optical mechanism guide rail 30 in the same direction.

[0038] See Figure 4 as well as Figure 6The right-flying optical mechanism includes a right-flying optical mounting bracket 15, a right-flying optical galvanometer 16, a right-flying optical beam expander and laser output head 17, a right-flying optical field lens 18, a right-flying optical geared motor 19, and a right-flying optical lead screw 20; the axis of the right-flying optical lead screw 20 is parallel to the axis of the guide rail 30 of the flying optical mechanism; the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor 19 is connected to the right-flying optical lead screw 20 and drives the right-flying optical lead screw 20 to rotate along the axis of the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor 19; the right-flying optical lead screw 20 passes through the right-flying optical mounting bracket 15 and is threadedly connected to the right-flying optical mounting bracket 15; there are 15 sets of right-flying optical mounting brackets. The flight optical mechanism guide rail 30 is mounted on the flight optical mechanism guide rail 30 and moves back and forth along the axis of the flight optical mechanism guide rail 30; the right flight optical galvanometer 16 and the right flight optical field lens 18 are both set on the right flight optical mounting bracket 15 and move synchronously with the right flight optical mounting bracket 15; the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head 17 are set inside the forming chamber box 14; the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head 17, the right flight optical galvanometer 16 and the right flight optical field lens 18 are set on the same optical path; there are multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers 16, and multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers 16 are set in parallel; the number of right flight optical field lenses 18 matches the number of right flight optical galvanometers 16 and corresponds one-to-one.

[0039] See Figure 4 The left flying optical mechanism includes a left flying optical lead screw 23, a left flying optical mounting bracket 24, a left flying optical galvanometer 25, a left flying optical beam expander and laser output head 26, and a left flying optical geared motor 27. Since the structure of the left flying optical mechanism is exactly the same as that of the right flying optical mechanism and is arranged in a mirror image, the positional relationship and connection relationship of the components included in the left flying optical mechanism can be implemented with reference to the right flying optical mechanism, and will not be described again here.

[0040] See Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The right-side flight optics mechanism also includes a shaping blowing and suction mechanism 9. The shaping blowing and suction mechanism 9 includes a blowing and suction box, which is mounted on the right-side flight optics mounting frame 15 and moves synchronously with it. The blowing and suction box has a right-side flight optics blowing port 21 and a right-side flight optics suction port 22 arranged from top to bottom. In this invention, the shaping blowing and suction mechanism 9 is mounted in the direction of movement of the flight optics mechanism. The blowing and suction paths on the shaping blowing and suction mechanism 9 achieve full-area blowing and suction by following the reciprocating movement of the flight optics mechanism.

[0041] See Figure 4The right-flying optical mechanism also includes a filter mechanism 10, a right-flying optical suction duct 33, and a right-flying optical blowing duct 34; the right-flying optical suction port 22 is connected to the filter mechanism 10 through the right-flying optical suction duct 33; the filter mechanism 10 is connected to the right-flying optical blowing port 21 through the right-flying optical blowing duct 34; the filter mechanism 10 includes at least a long-life filter element and a fan connected to the long-life filter element. The left-flying optical mechanism also includes a left-flying optical blowing duct 31, a left-flying optical suction duct 32, a left-flying optical blowing port 28, and a left-flying optical suction port 29. The connection and positional relationships of each part are the same as those of the right-flying optical mechanism, and will not be described again here. For example, the blowing and suction grid openings of the forming blowing and suction mechanism 9 (taking the right flying optical mechanism as an example, the blowing and suction grid openings are the right flying optical suction port 22 and the right flying optical blowing port 21) are fixed on the left and right sides of each group of flying optical mechanisms, respectively. They can move with each group of flying optical mechanisms to achieve the movement and blowing of dust and residue on the printing surface during the printing process. At the same time, since the distance between the blowing and suction grid openings is relatively close, the blowing and suction effect can be significantly improved, reducing the formation of slag and black smoke in the printed parts and improving the part quality pass rate. For example, the filter mechanism 10 mainly includes a long-lasting filter element, a dust collection bin, and a fan, which can clean the inert gas atmosphere during the printing process. Since the blowing and suction ports are movable during the part forming process, the dust and residue sucked in will enter the filter through a retractable pipe. Similarly, the filtered clean inert gas will enter the blowing port through the retractable pipe to blow and clean the forming surface. For example, the filter mechanism 10 can be a cyclone separator or a filter commonly used in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0042] See Figure 1 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming powder spreading mechanism 4; the flying optical mechanism 1 and the forming powder spreading mechanism 4 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the forming chamber housing 14; the forming powder spreading mechanism 4 includes a scraper mechanism 35, a scraper pulley and a synchronous belt 36, a scraper reduction motor 37, a powder supply tank 13, and a powder drop chamber 45; the powder supply tank 13 is placed outside the forming chamber housing 14; the powder drop chamber 45 is placed inside the forming chamber housing 14 and supplies the powder required for forming to the forming surface; the powder supply tank 13 and the powder drop chamber 45 are connected; the scraper reduction motor 37 is connected to the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt 36 and drives the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt 36 to rotate; the scraper mechanism 35 is placed on the forming surface and is connected to the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt 36; the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt 36 drive the scraper mechanism 35 to reciprocate on the forming surface; the direction of movement of the scraper mechanism 35 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the flying optical mechanism 1.

[0043] For example, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a powder recycling mechanism, which can recover powder that was not involved in the forming process and was laid on the forming surface. For example, the powder recycling mechanism used in this invention includes a powder dropping mechanism 5, a powder collecting mechanism 6, a powder sieving mechanism 7, and a powder supply mechanism 8. The powder collecting mechanism 6 is located at the outer edge of the forming surface and recovers powder that was not involved in the forming process. For example, the powder collecting mechanism 6 can be a vacuum cleaner. After the forming of the current layer is completed, the powder collecting mechanism 6 is activated to suck up the powder that was not involved in the forming process or the black residue formed during the forming process and allow it to be processed subsequently. The powder collecting mechanism 6 is connected to the powder supply mechanism 8 through the powder sieving mechanism 7. For example, the sieving mechanism can be any commonly used sieving and filtering equipment, which will not be described in detail here. The reusable powder after sieving is sent to the powder supply mechanism 8. Since the powder supply mechanism 8 is connected to the powder dropping chamber 45 through the powder dropping mechanism 5, the reusable powder recovered in the powder supply mechanism 8 will fall into the forming surface through the powder dropping chamber 45.

[0044] See Figure 1 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming platform lifting mechanism 2; the forming platform lifting mechanism 2 includes a forming cylinder 38, a substrate 39, a forming frame 40, a forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41, a forming platform lifting reduction motor 42, a forming cylinder base 44, and a forming platform lifting screw 46; the forming cylinder 38 is mounted on the forming cylinder base 44; the forming platform lifting reduction motor 42 is mounted on the forming cylinder base 44; the forming platform lifting screw 46 is mounted axially inside the forming cylinder 38; the forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41 is fitted onto the forming platform lifting screw 46 and threaded to the forming platform lifting screw 46. The forming cylinder 38 has a boss on its inner wall along its axial direction. The outer wall of the forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41 is engaged with the boss on the inner wall of the forming cylinder 38 and moves freely up and down along its axial direction. The output shaft of the forming platform lifting reduction motor 42 is connected to the forming platform lifting screw 46 and drives the forming platform lifting screw 46 to rotate around the axis of the output shaft of the forming platform lifting reduction motor 42. The substrate 39 is mounted on the forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41 via the forming frame 40. The forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41 drives the substrate 39 to move freely up and down along its axial direction inside the forming cylinder 38 via the forming frame 40. For example, the movement mode of the forming platform lifting mechanism 2 is as follows: the forming platform lifting reduction motor 42 is fixed on the forming cylinder base 44, the substrate 39 is mounted above the forming frame 40, the forming frame 40 is mounted above the forming platform lifting screw nut seat 41, and the substrate 39 moves up and down by the rotation of the forming platform lifting reduction motor 42.

[0045] See Figure 1 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism 3; the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism 3 includes a drive motor and a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base 43, on which a rack and guide rail are arranged along the axial direction; a gear meshing with the rack is disposed at the bottom of the forming cylinder base 44; the forming cylinder base 44 is placed on the guide rail; the drive motor drives the gear to rotate; the gear drives the forming cylinder 38 to reciprocate along the axial direction of the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base 43 through the forming cylinder base 44. For example, the movement mode of the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism 3 is as follows: the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base 43 is arranged with a rack and guide rail, and the forming cylinder base 44 is arranged with a motor gear meshing with the rack. The rotation of the motor drives the forming cylinder 38 to move, realizing the movement of the forming cylinder 38 between the part picking position and the forming position.

[0046] Preferably, see Figure 1 The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a part retrieval compartment arranged parallel to the forming chamber housing 14, with a step mechanism 11 provided outside the part retrieval compartment; a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism 3 drives the forming cylinder 38 to move between the forming chamber housing 14 and the part retrieval compartment; a part retrieval mechanism 12 is provided on the part retrieval compartment; the part retrieval mechanism 12 includes at least an operating window and a powder suction interface, the powder suction interface being connected to the interior of the powder collection mechanism 6. For example, the part retrieval compartment is equipped with operating windows around its perimeter to facilitate powder cleaning by operators; a powder suction interface is provided inside, through which residual powder inside the part can be transported via pipes to the powder circulation system for powder sieving.

[0047] For example, to ensure good airtightness of the forming area during the part forming process and to prevent the part quality from deteriorating due to excessive oxygen content, an inflatable sealing ring can be provided between the two contact surfaces of the upper surface of the forming cylinder 38 and the lower surface of the forming chamber to fill the gap between the two contact surfaces. After printing is completed, the inflatable sealing ring is deflated and the forming cylinder moves out of the forming position.

[0048] In addition to providing the flight printing additive manufacturing apparatus as described above, the present invention also provides a forming method based on the additive manufacturing apparatus, the forming method comprising the following steps:

[0049] 1) Construct the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment as described above, and use inert gas to purge the inside of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment to reduce the oxygen content inside the forming chamber 14 of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment to the working requirement range. At this time, the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present invention enters the working state.

[0050] 2) Place the left and right flying optical mechanisms at their respective zero-point positions; the zero-point position of the left flying optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the left flying optical mechanism is on the left side of the left edge of the forming area; the zero-point position of the right flying optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the right flying optical mechanism is on the right side of the right edge of the forming area.

[0051] 3) Activate the forming powder spreading mechanism 4. The metal powder required for printing falls into the scraper groove under the action of the powder falling shaft inside the powder falling mechanism. The scraper moves forward to spread the powder and stops at the powder falling port in front of the forming chamber, thus completing the spreading of the powder required for forming onto the forming surface.

[0052] 4) Keep the left flight optical mechanism at its zero point, and move the right flight optical mechanism to its initial position; the initial position of the right flight optical mechanism is that the origin of the galvanometer of the right flight optical mechanism is on the left side of the center axis of the forming area;

[0053] 5) Activate the left and right flying optical mechanisms, causing them to move simultaneously to the right at equal intervals until they reach a uniform speed before emitting laser light to print the part. This invention takes into account that the activation and deactivation of the left and right flying optical mechanisms can cause vibration of the optical components above them. In particular, when they move together to the center axis of the forming area, they will cause greater vibration, resulting in greater errors that affect the forming accuracy and quality of the part. Therefore, this invention moves the left and right flying optical mechanisms in the same direction and maintains a certain distance for buffering, so that the optical components of the left and right flying optical mechanisms are in a stable state. This ensures that the left and right flying optical mechanisms are stable and do not shake during the light emission and printing process, thus ensuring forming accuracy and quality.

[0054] 6) When the left flying optical mechanism reaches its termination position or the right flying optical mechanism reaches its zero point position, both the left and right flying optical mechanisms stop moving simultaneously, completing the first layer forming and stopping laser emission; the termination position of the left flying optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the left flying optical mechanism is to the right of the center axis of the forming area.

[0055] 7) Keep the right flight optical mechanism at the zero point of the right flight optical mechanism, and move the left flight optical mechanism to the zero point of the left flight optical mechanism;

[0056] 8) After opening the forming platform lifting mechanism 2 and lowering the substrate 39 by one layer of powder bed thickness, repeat steps 3) to 7) to complete the second layer forming;

[0057] 9) Repeat step 8) until all layers are formed;

[0058] 10) Activate the horizontal moving mechanism 3 of the forming cylinder to move the forming cylinder 38 from the forming chamber 14 to the part removal compartment. The part removal mechanism 12 then removes the completed part from inside the forming cylinder 38 after cleaning the powder. That is, after the part is printed, the forming cylinder moves from the forming position to the part removal compartment. Operators are positioned around the part removal compartment to clean the powder from the part. After cleaning, the part is lifted out through the upper window of the part removal compartment. During the printing process, the powder circulation system automatically completes the powder collection, sieving, and supply; the circulation purification system continuously purifies the inert gas in the forming cavity and promptly cleans the ash and dust on the sintering surface to ensure the quality of the formed part.

Claims

1. A flying printing additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment includes a forming chamber housing (14) and a flying optical mechanism (1) placed inside the forming chamber housing (14); the flying optical mechanism (1) includes a left flying optical mechanism and a right flying optical mechanism mirrored thereon; the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism reciprocate inside the forming chamber housing (14) in the same direction; the moving planes of the left flying optical mechanism and the right flying optical mechanism within the forming chamber housing (14) are parallel to the forming surface of the forming chamber housing (14).

2. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the left flight optical mechanism is exactly the same as that of the right flight optical mechanism; the forming chamber box (14) is provided with a flight optical mechanism guide rail (30); the left flight optical mechanism and the right flight optical mechanism are both set on the flight optical mechanism guide rail (30), and the left flight optical mechanism and the right flight optical mechanism reciprocate along the axial direction of the flight optical mechanism guide rail (30) in the same direction.

3. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The right-flying optical mechanism includes a right-flying optical mounting bracket (15), a right-flying optical galvanometer (16), a right-flying optical beam expander and laser output head (17), a right-flying optical field lens (18), a right-flying optical geared motor (19), and a right-flying optical lead screw (20); the axis of the right-flying optical lead screw (20) is parallel to the axis of the guide rail (30) of the flying optical mechanism; the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor (19) is connected to the right-flying optical lead screw (20) and drives the right-flying optical lead screw (20) to rotate along the axis of the output shaft of the right-flying optical geared motor (19); the right-flying optical lead screw (20) passes through the right-flying optical mounting bracket (15) and is threadedly connected to the right-flying optical mounting bracket (15); the right-flying optical mounting bracket (15) is fitted with... The flight optical mechanism guide rail (30) is mounted on the flight optical mechanism guide rail (30) and moves back and forth along the axial direction of the flight optical mechanism guide rail (30); the right flight optical galvanometer (16) and the right flight optical field lens (18) are both set on the right flight optical mounting frame (15) and move synchronously with the right flight optical mounting frame (15); the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head (17) are set inside the forming chamber box (14); the right flight optical beam expander and laser output head (17), the right flight optical galvanometer (16) and the right flight optical field lens (18) are set on the same optical path; there are multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers (16), and multiple sets of right flight optical galvanometers (16) are set in parallel; the number of right flight optical field lenses (18) matches the number of right flight optical galvanometers (16) and corresponds one to one.

4. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The right flight optical mechanism also includes a forming blowing and suction mechanism (9), which includes a blowing and suction box. The blowing and suction box is mounted on the right flight optical mounting frame (15) and moves synchronously with the right flight optical mounting frame (15). The blowing and suction box is provided with a right flight optical blowing port (21) and a right flight optical suction port (22) from top to bottom.

5. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The right-flying optical mechanism further includes a filter mechanism (10), a right-flying optical suction duct (33), and a right-flying optical blowing duct (34); the right-flying optical suction port (22) is connected to the filter mechanism (10) through the right-flying optical suction duct (33); the filter mechanism (10) is connected to the right-flying optical blowing port (21) through the right-flying optical blowing duct (34); the filter mechanism (10) includes at least a long-life filter element and a fan connected to the long-life filter element.

6. The flying printing additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The flying lithography additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming powder spreading mechanism (4); the flying optical mechanism (1) and the forming powder spreading mechanism (4) are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the forming chamber housing (14); the forming powder spreading mechanism (4) includes a scraper mechanism (35), a scraper pulley and a synchronous belt (36), a scraper reduction motor (37), a powder supply tank (13), and a powder drop chamber (45); the powder supply tank (13) is placed outside the forming chamber housing (14); the powder drop chamber (45) is placed inside the forming chamber housing (14) and flows towards the forming chamber. The forming surface is supplied with powder required for forming; the powder supply tank (13) is connected to the powder drop chamber (45); the scraper reduction motor (37) is connected to the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt (36) and drives the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt (36) to rotate; the scraper mechanism (35) is placed on the forming surface and is connected to the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt (36); the scraper pulley and the synchronous belt (36) drive the scraper mechanism (35) to move back and forth on the forming surface; the moving direction of the scraper mechanism (35) is perpendicular to the moving direction of the flight optical mechanism (1).

7. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a powder circulation mechanism; the powder circulation mechanism includes a powder dropping mechanism (5), a powder collecting mechanism (6), a powder sieving mechanism (7), and a powder supply mechanism (8); the powder collecting mechanism (6) is located at the outer edge of the forming surface; the powder collecting mechanism (6) is connected to the powder supply mechanism (8) through the powder sieving mechanism (7); the powder supply mechanism (8) is connected to the powder dropping chamber (45) through the powder dropping mechanism (5).

8. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming platform lifting mechanism (2); the forming platform lifting mechanism (2) includes a forming cylinder (38), a substrate (39), a forming frame (40), a forming platform lifting screw nut seat (41), a forming platform lifting reduction motor (42), a forming cylinder base (44), and a forming platform lifting screw (46); the forming cylinder (38) is mounted on the forming cylinder base (44); the forming platform lifting reduction motor (42) is mounted on the forming cylinder base (44); the forming platform lifting screw (46) is mounted axially inside the forming cylinder (38); the forming platform lifting screw nut seat (41) is fitted onto the forming platform lifting screw (46) and is connected to the forming platform lifting screw (46). The forming cylinder (38) is threaded together; a boss is provided on the inner wall of the forming cylinder (38) along the axial direction of the forming cylinder (38); the outer wall of the forming platform lifting screw nut seat (41) is engaged on the boss on the inner wall of the forming cylinder (38) and moves freely up and down along the axial direction of the forming cylinder (38); the output shaft of the forming platform lifting reduction motor (42) is connected to the forming platform lifting screw (46) and drives the forming platform lifting screw (46) to rotate around the axial direction of the output shaft of the forming platform lifting reduction motor (42); the substrate (39) is set on the forming platform lifting screw nut seat (41) through the forming frame (40); the forming platform lifting screw nut seat (41) drives the substrate (39) to move freely up and down along the axial direction of the forming cylinder (38) inside the forming cylinder (38) through the forming frame (40).

9. The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that: The flying printing additive manufacturing equipment also includes a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism (3); the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism (3) includes a drive motor and a forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base (43), and a rack and a guide rail are provided on the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base (43) along the axial direction of the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base (43); the bottom of the forming cylinder base (44) is provided with a gear that meshes with the rack; the forming cylinder base (44) is placed on the guide rail; the drive motor drives the gear to rotate; the gear drives the forming cylinder (38) to reciprocate along the axial direction of the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism base (43) through the forming cylinder base (44); Preferably, the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment further includes a part-retrieving compartment arranged parallel to the forming chamber housing (14); the forming cylinder horizontal moving mechanism (3) drives the forming cylinder (38) to move between the forming chamber housing (14) and the part-retrieving compartment; the part-retrieving compartment is provided with a part-retrieving mechanism (12); the part-retrieving mechanism (12) includes at least an operating window and a powder suction interface, and the powder suction interface is connected to the inside of the powder collection mechanism (6).

10. A forming method based on the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The forming method includes the following steps: 1) Construct the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 9, and use inert gas to clean the inside of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment, so as to reduce the oxygen content inside the forming chamber box (14) of the flying printing additive manufacturing equipment to the working requirement range. 2) Place the left and right flight optical mechanisms at their respective zero-point positions; the zero-point position of the left flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the left flight optical mechanism is on the left side of the left edge of the forming surface; the zero-point position of the right flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the right flight optical mechanism is on the right side of the right edge of the forming surface. 3) Activate the forming powder spreading mechanism (4) to spread the powder required for forming onto the forming surface; 4) Keep the left flight optical mechanism at its zero point position, and move the right flight optical mechanism to its initial position; the initial position of the right flight optical mechanism is when the origin of the galvanometer of the right flight optical mechanism is to the left of the center axis of the forming surface. 5) Activate the left and right flight optical mechanisms, causing them to move to the right simultaneously at equal intervals until they reach a constant speed, after which they will start to emit laser-printed parts. 6) When the left flying optical mechanism reaches the end position of the left flying optical mechanism or the right flying optical mechanism reaches the zero point position of the right flying optical mechanism, the first layer forming is completed and the laser emission stops; the end position of the left flying optical mechanism is when the origin position of the galvanometer of the left flying optical mechanism is on the right side of the central axis of the forming area. 7) Keep the right flight optical mechanism at the zero point of the right flight optical mechanism, and move the left flight optical mechanism to the zero point of the left flight optical mechanism; 8) Activate the forming platform lifting mechanism (2) and lower the substrate (39) by one layer of powder bed thickness, then repeat steps 3) to 7) to complete the second layer forming; 9) Repeat step 8) until all layers are formed; 10) Activate the horizontal moving mechanism (3) of the forming cylinder, move the forming cylinder (38) from the forming chamber box (14) to the part taking chamber, and take out the part that has been formed inside the forming cylinder (38) after cleaning the powder through the part taking mechanism (12).

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