Powder laying assembly and laser additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and provides a powder laying assembly and laser additive manufacturing equipment. The powder spreading assembly comprises a base, a powder spreading box and a powder outlet seam adjusting module; the base is configured to be movably arranged on a workbench of the laser additive manufacturing equipment in the X direction; the powder spreading box is arranged on the base, and a powder outlet seam is formed in the bottom of the powder spreading box in the Y direction; the powder discharging seam adjusting module comprises two powder discharging seam adjusting units, each powder discharging seam adjusting unit comprises a sliding block, a seam covering belt and a driving mechanism, the sliding blocks are movably arranged on the powder laying box in the Y direction, and the free ends of the seam covering belts are connected with the sliding blocks; in the working state, the free end of the seam shielding belt is located below the powder outlet seam and used for shielding at least part of the powder outlet seam. According to the powder laying assembly and the laser additive manufacturing equipment, the defects that in the machining process of existing laser additive manufacturing equipment, redundant powder needs to be removed after powder laying and heat treatment each time, operation is complex, and efficiency is low are overcome.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing equipment, and particularly relates to a powder laying assembly and a laser additive manufacturing equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] The laser additive manufacturing equipment is a kind of 3D printing equipment using laser technology to deposit materials, which belongs to a kind of additive manufacturing (AM) technology. It can accurately manufacture complex-shaped objects according to the pre-designed drawings by layer-by-layer accumulation of materials, and is widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, medical devices, mold manufacturing and other industries.

[0003] In the prior art, the processing flow of the laser additive manufacturing equipment is usually as follows: for A and B two kinds of additive powders, first lay A powder on the workbench, use laser heat treatment (such as sintering or hot melting), then remove the powder of the excess part of the preset shape, lay B powder, use laser heat treatment, and then start the next layer until the printing is completed. It can be seen that the existing laser additive manufacturing equipment needs to remove the excess powder after each powder laying and heat treatment, and needs to clean the powder for each powder switching. The powder cleaning process not only consumes a lot of time, but also easily causes powder residue and mixing during the powder cleaning process, which affects the subsequent printing quality. At the same time, different powders are easily mixed and cross-mixed, forming an unintended mixed area, which causes the microstructure of the printed part to be uneven, the mechanical properties to fluctuate greatly, especially in the interface area of the functional gradient material, the mixing phenomenon will directly cause the performance to decay, which reduces the product qualification rate, not only the printing efficiency is low, but also the product quality is seriously affected. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a powder laying assembly and a laser additive manufacturing equipment, which realizes accurate and directional control of the powder laying area through numerical control interpolation technology, effectively solves the problems of low powder laying efficiency, double powder mixing, insufficient directional powder laying precision and other problems in the existing double powder additive manufacturing equipment, significantly improves the printing efficiency and quality of double metal composite parts, provides reliable technical support for the manufacturing of high-precision functional gradient metal components, and solves the defects of the existing laser additive manufacturing equipment, such as the need to remove excess powder after each powder laying and heat treatment, complex operation and low efficiency.

[0005] In one aspect, the present application provides a powder laying assembly, which comprises a base, a powder laying box and a powder outlet gap adjusting module.

[0006] The base is movably arranged along the X direction on a worktable of a laser additive manufacturing device; the powder spreading box is arranged on the base, and a powder outlet slot is arranged on the bottom of the powder spreading box along the Y direction; the powder outlet slot adjusting module comprises two powder outlet slot adjusting units, the powder outlet slot adjusting unit comprises a sliding block, a slot covering belt and a driving mechanism, the sliding block is movably arranged on the powder spreading box along the Y direction, the output end of the driving mechanism is in transmission connection with the sliding block to drive the sliding block to move along the Y direction, and the free end of the slot covering belt is connected with the sliding block.

[0007] In the working state, the free end of the slot covering belt is located below the powder outlet slot, and is used for shielding at least part of the powder outlet slot, the slot covering belt of one of the powder outlet slot adjusting units is used for shielding the first end of the powder outlet slot along the Y direction, and the slot covering belt of the other powder outlet slot adjusting unit is used for shielding the second end of the powder outlet slot along the Y direction.

[0008] According to the powder spreading assembly provided by the application, the bottom of the powder spreading box is provided with a limiting groove, in the working state, the free end of the slot covering belt is located in the limiting groove, and the upper surface of the slot covering belt is attached to the outlet side of the powder outlet slot.

[0009] According to the powder spreading assembly provided by the application, the powder outlet slot adjusting unit further comprises a pressing sliding plate, the sliding block is connected with the pressing sliding plate, the pressing sliding plate is connected with the free end of the slot covering belt, the pressing sliding plate is located in the limiting groove, and the lower surface of the pressing sliding plate is in contact with the inner wall of the limiting groove.

[0010] According to the powder spreading assembly provided by the application, the powder outlet slot adjusting unit further comprises a receiving box, the receiving box is arranged on the base, the receiving box comprises a receiving shaft, the fixed end of the slot covering belt is connected with the receiving shaft, and the slot covering belt is a spiral belt.

[0011] According to the powder spreading assembly provided by the application, the receiving box further comprises a limiting guide structure, the limiting guide structure is arranged at the outlet of the receiving box, and the limiting guide structure is used for guiding and limiting the slot covering belt.

[0012] According to the powder spreading assembly provided by the application, the driving mechanism comprises a first servo motor, a first synchronous pulley, a second synchronous pulley and a synchronous belt, the first servo motor is arranged on the base, the first synchronous pulley is arranged on the output shaft of the first servo motor, the second synchronous pulley is rotatably arranged on the base, the synchronous belt is arranged around the first synchronous pulley and the second synchronous pulley, and the sliding block is connected with the synchronous belt.

[0013] The first servo motor and the first synchronous pulley are arranged at one end of the base along the Y direction, and the second synchronous pulley is arranged at the other end of the base along the Y direction.

[0014] The first servo motor of the two powder outlet gap adjusting units is arranged on the two sides of the base along the Y direction.

[0015] The powder spreading assembly further comprises a plurality of vibration devices, and the plurality of vibration devices are arranged at the powder spreading box along the Y direction.

[0016] Another aspect of the present application provides a laser additive manufacturing device, comprising a workbench, a powder spreading assembly, at least one auxiliary powder spreading assembly, a lifting platform and a laser heat treatment assembly.

[0017] The powder spreading assembly is movably arranged on the workbench along the X direction, the auxiliary powder spreading assembly is movably arranged on the workbench along the X direction, the lifting platform is movably arranged on the workbench along the Z direction, and the laser heat treatment assembly is arranged above the lifting platform.

[0018] The powder spreading assembly and the laser additive manufacturing device provided by the present application can adjust the powder outlet length of the powder outlet gap during work, realize directional powder spreading by combining the movement of the base along the X direction, and only need laser heat treatment after powder spreading, without removing excess powder, thereby saving the step of removing excess powder and significantly improving production efficiency.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the following description, become apparent from the following description, or be understood by those skilled in the art through practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0021] Figure 1 is one of the schematic diagrams of the powder spreading assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0022] Figure 2 is the second schematic diagram of the powder spreading assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0023] Figure 3 is the third schematic diagram of the powder spreading assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0024] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the powder spreading assembly provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of A in FIG.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic view of the laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 7 is one of sectional views of the laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 8 is another one of sectional views of the laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Reference signs: 100, powder spreading assembly; 110, base; 120, powder spreading box; 121, powder outlet slot; 122, limiting groove; 130, powder outlet slot adjusting module; 131, powder outlet slot adjusting unit; 1311, sliding block; 1312, seam covering belt; 1313, driving mechanism; 1313a, first servo motor; 1313b, first synchronous pulley; 1313c, second synchronous pulley; 1313d, synchronous belt; 1314, clamping sliding plate; 1315, storage box; 1316, storage shaft; 1317, limiting guide structure; 140, vibration device; 200, workbench; 300, auxiliary powder spreading assembly; 400, lifting platform; 500, laser heat treatment assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element 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 embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrally connected; 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. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature, which can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or 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 can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0034] In the description of the present application, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present application, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present application and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0035] The following will be described in combination with Figures 1 to 8 The present application provides a powder laying assembly and a laser additive manufacturing device.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the drawings, the powder laying assembly 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application comprises a base 110, a powder laying box 120 and a powder outlet gap adjusting module 130.

[0037] The base 110 is movably arranged along the X direction on a worktable 200 of a laser additive manufacturing device; the powder laying box 120 is arranged on the base 110, and the bottom of the powder laying box 120 is provided with a powder outlet gap 121 along the Y direction; the powder outlet gap adjusting module 130 comprises two powder outlet gap adjusting units 131, each of which comprises a sliding block 1311, a gap covering belt 1312 and a driving mechanism 1313, the sliding block 1311 is movably arranged along the Y direction on the powder laying box 120, the output end of the driving mechanism 1313 is in transmission connection with the sliding block 1311 to drive the sliding block 1311 to move along the Y direction, and the free end of the gap covering belt 1312 is connected with the sliding block 1311.

[0038] In the working state, the free end of the gap covering belt 1312 is located below the powder outlet gap 121 to cover at least part of the powder outlet gap 121, the gap covering belt 1312 of one of the powder outlet gap adjusting units 131 is used to cover the first end of the powder outlet gap 121 along the Y direction, and the gap covering belt 1312 of the other powder outlet gap adjusting unit 131 is used to cover the second end of the powder outlet gap 121 along the Y direction.

[0039] The powder laying assembly 100 and the laser additive manufacturing device provided by the present application can adjust the powder outlet length of the powder outlet gap 121 during work by arranging the powder outlet gap adjusting module 130, and can realize directional powder laying by combining the movement of the base 110 along the X direction, after powder laying, only laser heat treatment is needed, and the step of removing excess powder is saved, and the production efficiency can be significantly improved.

[0040] Specifically, when the powder outlet gap 121 is adjusted, the two driving mechanisms 1313 drive the sliding blocks 1311 to move along the Y direction according to specific control instructions, and when the sliding blocks 1311 move, the corresponding gap covering belts 1312 can be driven to move by the synchronous belts 1313d to cover the set area of the powder outlet gap 121. The two powder outlet gap adjusting units 131 work synchronously, the two gap covering belts 1312 can be used to cover the set area of the two ends of the powder outlet gap 121 along the Y direction, and the area between the free ends of the two gap covering belts 1312 is reserved for powder discharge, and by combining the movement of the base 110 along the X direction, directional powder laying can be realized on the worktable 200, the powder laying thickness is controlled by the Z axis direction, after powder laying, only laser heat treatment is needed, and the step of removing excess powder is saved, and the production efficiency can be significantly improved.

[0041] The base 110 is movably arranged along the X direction on the workbench 200 of the laser additive manufacturing device, and carries the powder laying box 120 and the powder outlet seam adjusting module 130. Through the cooperation of the movement of the base 110 along the X direction and the dynamic shielding of the seam cover 1312 along the Y direction, the powder is laid in a fixed shape and direction.

[0042] The powder laying box 120 is used to store powder and has a powder outlet seam 121 at the bottom along the Y direction. Through the dynamic shielding of the two end regions of the powder outlet seam 121 by the seam cover 1312, the effective powder laying length is accurately controlled. In cooperation with the movement of the base 110 along the X direction, the powder is laid in a fixed shape and direction.

[0043] The base 110 and the powder laying box 120 can be independent components connected by threaded connectors or other fixing methods. Alternatively, the base 110 and the powder laying box 120 can be integrally provided by one-time forming through integral casting, machining or 3D printing, forming a rigid whole without assembly gap. This can not only reduce the number of parts and installation errors, but also improve the structural rigidity and sealing reliability, facilitate heat transfer and temperature control, and help maintain powder laying accuracy and prolong service life.

[0044] The powder outlet seam adjusting module 130 is used to drive the seam cover 1312 to move along the Y direction through two powder outlet seam adjusting units 131, dynamically shield the set regions at both ends of the powder outlet seam 121, accurately adjust the effective powder laying length, cooperate with the movement of the base 110 along the X direction, and lay the powder in a fixed shape and direction, avoiding laying of excess powder and eliminating the subsequent cleaning step.

[0045] The powder outlet seam adjusting module 130 includes two powder outlet seam adjusting units 131. The powder outlet seam adjusting unit 131 includes a sliding block 1311, a seam cover 1312 and a driving mechanism 1313. The sliding block 1311 is used to accurately move along the Y direction under the driving of the driving mechanism 1313, and drive the free end of the seam cover 1312 to synchronously displace, so that the seam cover 1312 real-time shields or releases the corresponding end region of the powder outlet seam 121, thereby dynamically adjusting the effective powder laying length. The seam cover 1312 is used to move along the Y direction under the driving of the sliding block 1311, shield or release the corresponding end region of the powder outlet seam 121, thereby dynamically adjusting the effective powder laying length and laying the powder in a fixed shape and direction. The driving mechanism 1313 is used to receive control instructions and output power, drive the sliding block 1311 to accurately move along the Y direction, and then drive the seam cover 1312 to real-time shield or release the end region of the powder outlet seam 121 through the sliding block 1311, thereby dynamically adjusting the effective powder laying length.

[0046] The drive mechanism 1313 can adopt a servo motor combined with a precision lead screw, a servo motor combined with a synchronous belt 1313d, or a servo motor combined with a gear and rack mechanism, etc., which can convert the rotational motion of the servo motor into high-precision linear displacement of the slider 1311, realizing micron-level positioning and rapid response of the sealing tape 1312 along the Y direction. For example, the drive mechanism 1313 can adopt a servo motor combined with a precision lead screw or a synchronous belt 1313d transmission form: the former can convert rotation into linear feed of the slider 1311 through the helical engagement of the lead screw, with high structural rigidity and smooth movement; the latter pulls the slider 1311 through the flexible transmission of the pulley-synchronous belt 1313d, with low inertia and fast response, which is convenient for quickly switching the position of the sealing tape 1312 within a long stroke range. The limiting and guiding structure 1317 can also adopt other forms known in the prior art, without special limitation.

[0047] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom of the powder spreading box 120 is provided with a limiting groove 122. In the working state, the free end of the sealing strip 1312 is located in the limiting groove 122, and the upper surface of the sealing strip 1312 is in contact with the outlet side of the powder outlet 121.

[0048] By setting a limiting groove 122 on the outlet side of the powder outlet slit 121, the free end of the sealing belt 1312 can be constrained to slide within the groove during operation. This ensures that its upper surface is in close contact with the outlet side of the powder outlet slit 121 to prevent powder leakage, and also provides guidance and support for the sealing belt 1312 to prevent warping or displacement during high-speed reciprocating sealing, thereby ensuring the stability and repeatability of the effective powder outlet length adjustment.

[0049] Specifically, the limiting groove 122 is located at the bottom of the powder distribution box 120 along the Y direction, with the bottom of the groove slightly lower than the outlet plane of the powder outlet slit 121. When the drive mechanism 1313 moves the slider 1311, the sealing strip 1312 can be forced to maintain a flat posture within the groove, with its upper surface always in close contact with the edge of the powder outlet slit 121, forming a continuous sealing line to prevent powder from laterally escaping from the gap between the sealing strip 1312 and the bottom of the box. At the same time, the groove wall can rigidly constrain the lateral freedom of the sealing strip 1312, preventing the sealing strip 1312 from wavy deformation or edge warping even under rapid start-stop or reversing conditions, ensuring clear sealing boundaries and precise controllable powder outlet width.

[0050] See Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the powder outlet gap adjusting unit 131 further comprises a top pressing slide plate 1314, the sliding block 1311 is connected with the top pressing slide plate 1314, the top pressing slide plate 1314 is connected with the free end of the gap covering belt 1312, the top pressing slide plate 1314 is located in the limiting groove 122, and the lower surface of the top pressing slide plate 1314 is in contact with the inner wall of the limiting groove 122.

[0051] By setting the top pressing slide plate 1314, the sliding block 1311 and the free end of the gap covering belt 1312 can be connected through the top pressing slide plate 1314, and the free end of the gap covering belt 1312 can also be pressed tightly on the outlet side of the powder outlet gap 121 through the top pressing slide plate 1314, preventing the free end of the gap covering belt 1312 from moving or warping, ensuring that the shielding boundary is always tightly fitted with the outlet of the powder outlet gap 121, and improving the stability and repeat accuracy of effective powder outlet length adjustment.

[0052] Specifically, the top pressing slide plate 1314 can be made of low-friction, wear-resistant engineering plastics such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyimide (PI), and the bottom surface can be embedded with stainless steel sheets to enhance the rigidity. The upper surface of the top pressing slide plate 1314 can be bonded or riveted with the free end of the gap covering belt 1312, and the lower surface can be provided with a wear-resistant layer to further reduce the frictional resistance when reciprocating in the limiting groove 122, and also has the characteristics of high temperature resistance and powder adhesion resistance, ensuring that the continuous pressing and guiding effect on the gap covering belt 1312 can still be maintained after long-term operation.

[0053] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the powder outlet gap adjusting unit 131 further comprises a storage box 1315, the storage box 1315 is arranged on the base 110, and the storage box 1315 comprises a storage shaft 1316, the fixed end of the gap covering belt 1312 is connected with the storage shaft 1316, and the gap covering belt 1312 is a spiral belt.

[0054] By setting the storage box 1315 and the storage shaft 1316 inside it, the fixed end of the gap covering belt 1312 is connected to the storage shaft 1316, and the gap covering belt 1312 adopts a spiral belt structure, which can be automatically released when the gap covering belt 1312 is stretched out with the sliding block 1311, and automatically wound back onto the storage shaft 1316 by the rebound force of the spiral itself when the sliding block 1311 returns, realizing the compact storage and continuous tensioning of the gap covering belt 1312, avoiding loose, winding or accumulation of the belt body, ensuring stable and smooth adjustment process of the powder outlet gap 121, and improving the reliability and service life of the device operation.

[0055] Specifically, the storage box 1315 can be fixed to the base 110 and placed on one side of the powder spreading box 120 along the Y direction. The storage shaft 1316 is pivotally connected to the box through a torsion spring or a constant force spring. The spiral-shaped sealing strip 1312 is pre-wound onto the storage shaft 1316, and its free end is led out through the box opening and fixed to the top plate 1314. When the drive mechanism 1313 drives the slider 1311 to move outward, the sealing strip 1312 is pulled out and synchronously drives the storage shaft 1316 to rotate against the spring force, and the spring stores torque. When the slider 1311 returns in the opposite direction, the spring releases the torque so that the storage shaft 1316 actively retracts the sealing strip 1312, keeping the strip in a taut state at all times, preventing sag and accumulation at the outlet of the limiting groove 122, while reducing the overall space occupation and realizing long stroke and high dynamic sealing adjustment.

[0056] See Figure 4 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the storage box 1315 further includes a limiting guide structure 1317, which is disposed at the outlet of the storage box 1315 and is used to guide and limit the seam-sealing tape 1312.

[0057] By setting a limiting guide structure 1317 at the outlet of the storage box 1315, the spiral sealing belt 1312 can always be constrained within the predetermined track during the winding and unwinding process, preventing the belt from deviating, shifting laterally or twisting, ensuring that it smoothly enters and exits the storage box 1315 and is coaxially connected with the top clamping slide plate 1314, thereby maintaining the straightness and positional accuracy of the sealing boundary of the powder outlet seam 121.

[0058] The limiting guide structure 1317 can employ a pair of spaced-apart wear-resistant slides or ball bearing guides to form a slit that matches the thickness of the seam-sealing tape 1312. A flared guide section is provided at the slit entrance, and the exit section connects with the tightening slide plate 1314, ensuring that the seam-sealing tape 1312 remains flat and free from lateral displacement throughout its retraction and extension, while reducing frictional resistance and wear. The limiting guide structure 1317 can also employ other forms known in the prior art, without any particular limitation.

[0059] Specifically, the limiting and guiding structure 1317 of this embodiment includes two sets of guide posts: the two sets of guide posts are arranged vertically at intervals along the Z direction and fixed to the side wall of the storage box 1315, and each set of guide posts is arranged in pairs in the Y direction, naturally forming a narrow slit-type limiting groove 122 between the two guide posts; the free end of the seam-covering tape 1312 passes through the upper and lower limiting grooves 122 in sequence and is led out and fixed to the top-tightening slide plate 1314. In this way, the tape is positioned at four points during the opening and closing process, which can suppress lateral swaying and prevent vertical warping, achieve smooth, low-resistance linear guidance, and ensure that the covering edge is always neat.

[0060] See Figures 1 to 3As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the driving mechanism 1313 comprises a first servo motor 1313a, a first synchronous pulley 1313b, a second synchronous pulley 1313c and a synchronous belt 1313d, the first servo motor 1313a is arranged on the base 110, the first synchronous pulley 1313b is arranged on the output shaft of the first servo motor 1313a, the second synchronous pulley 1313c is rotatably arranged on the base 110, and the synchronous belt 1313d is arranged around the first synchronous pulley 1313b and the second synchronous pulley 1313c, and the slider 1311 is connected with the synchronous belt 1313d.

[0061] By arranging the driving mechanism 1313 in the form of a flexible transmission structure of servo motor, synchronous pulley and synchronous belt, the rotary motion of the first servo motor 1313a can be directly converted into the linear motion of the synchronous belt 1313d, and the slider 1311 fixedly connected with the belt body is driven to reciprocate, so that high-speed and high-response displacement of the seam-covering belt 1312 can be realized in a limited space; the synchronous belt 1313d transmission has the characteristics of no backlash, no lubrication and compact structure, which is convenient for flexible arrangement along the length direction of the powder laying box, reduces the inertia and maintenance cost of the whole machine, maintains the micron-level repeat positioning accuracy, and meets the reliability and cleanliness requirements of the length dynamic adjustment of the powder outlet seam 121.

[0062] Specifically, when the powder outlet seam 121 is adjusted, the first servo motor 1313a drives the first synchronous pulley 1313b and the second synchronous pulley 1313c to rotate according to the control instruction, the synchronous belt 1313d is driven to move linearly, the slider 1311 fixedly connected with the belt body is synchronously pulled, and the top pressing slide plate 1314 and the free end of the seam-covering belt 1312 are driven to quickly advance and retreat in the limiting groove 122; by changing the rotation direction and angle of the motor, the shielding amount of the seam-covering belt 1312 to the end of the powder outlet seam 121 can be adjusted in real time, so as to accurately change the effective powder outlet length and complete the fixed-shape and directional powder laying.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the first servo motor 1313a and the first synchronous pulley 1313b are arranged at one end of the base 110 along the Y direction, and the second synchronous pulley 1313c is arranged at the other end of the base 110 along the Y direction.

[0064] By arranging the first servo motor 1313a and the first synchronous pulley 1313b at one end of the base 110 along the Y direction, and arranging the second synchronous pulley 1313c at the other end of the base 110 along the Y direction, the synchronous belt 1313d spans the whole powder laying stroke, so that long-span transmission can be formed, the slider 1311 can reciprocate at any position in the full-length range, the stepless and continuous adjustment of the shielding range of the seam-covering belt 1312 to the two ends of the powder outlet seam 121 can be realized, the transmission structure is kept simple and balanced in stress, and the installation and maintenance are facilitated.

[0065] Referring toFigures 1 to 3 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the first servo motor 1313a of the two powder outlet gap adjusting units 131 is arranged on both sides of the base 110 along the Y direction.

[0066] By arranging the first servo motor 1313a of the two powder outlet gap adjusting units 131 on both sides of the base 110 along the Y direction, the two synchronous belts 1313d independently drive the corresponding sliders 1311, so that the left and right shielding belts 1312 can move synchronously or asynchronously without interference in the full length range, realizing independent stepless adjustment of the shielding amount of the two ends of the powder outlet gap 121, and the structure is compact, the force is symmetrical, and the electrical control system is convenient for partition control and maintenance.

[0067] Referring to Figure 1 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the powder spreading assembly 100 further comprises a plurality of vibration devices 140 arranged along the Y direction and spaced apart in the powder spreading box 120.

[0068] By arranging a plurality of vibration devices 140 along the Y direction and spaced apart in the powder spreading box 120, the powder in the box can be subjected to segmented micro-vibration, so that the powder continuously and uniformly flows to the powder outlet gap 121, prevents bridging or agglomeration, and ensures stable powder output; at the same time, the vibration energy is used to reduce the adhesion between the powder and the shielding belt 1312, so that the shielding edge is clearer, and the precision and consistency of the shaped powder spreading are further improved.

[0069] Specifically, the vibration device 140 can adopt a high-frequency micro-vibration electromagnet or a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator, which is directly attached to the outer wall of the powder spreading box 120 and arranged along the Y direction in segments. By low-amplitude high-frequency vibration, the cohesion of the powder is broken, and uniform powder flow and reduced adhesion are realized. The vibration device 140 can also adopt other forms known in the prior art, which is not specially limited.

[0070] The laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by the present application will be described below. The laser additive manufacturing equipment described below can be correspondingly referred to the powder spreading assembly 100 described above.

[0071] Referring to Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises a workbench 200, a powder spreading assembly 100, at least one auxiliary powder spreading assembly 300, a lifting platform 400 and a laser heat treatment assembly 500.

[0072] The powder spreading assembly 100 is movably arranged along the X direction on the workbench 200, and the auxiliary powder spreading assembly 300 is movably arranged along the X direction on the workbench 200; the lifting platform 400 is movably arranged along the Z direction on the workbench 200; and the laser heat treatment assembly 500 is arranged above the lifting platform 400.

[0073] The laser additive manufacturing equipment provided by the application can adjust the powder outlet length of the powder outlet slot 121 during work, and can realize directional powder laying by combining the movement of the base 110 along the X direction, and only needs laser heat treatment after powder laying, without removing excess powder, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0074] It should be noted that the number of auxiliary powder laying assemblies 300 is at least one, that is, it can be single or multiple, and is not specially limited according to actual needs. For example, in the embodiment, the laser additive manufacturing equipment includes one auxiliary powder laying assembly 300.

[0075] The powder laying assembly 100 and the auxiliary powder laying assembly are driven by the second servo motor and the screw mechanism, and the lifting platform is driven by the third servo motor and the screw mechanism.

[0076] The type of the powder stored in the powder box 120 can be metal powder or plastic powder. When the powder is metal powder, the laser heat treatment assembly 500 can perform sintering treatment on the powder after each powder laying, and when the powder is plastic powder, the laser heat treatment assembly 500 can perform hot melting treatment on the powder after each powder laying.

[0077] During processing, the powder laying assembly 100 moves along the X direction, dynamically adjusts the effective length of the powder outlet slot 121 according to a preset path, and lays metal or plastic powder on the surface of the lifting platform 400; then the laser heat treatment assembly 500 performs sintering (for metal) or hot melting (for plastic) on the powder laying area according to corresponding process parameters, to complete single-layer solidification. The lifting platform 400 is lowered layer by layer, and the powder laying assembly 100 and the auxiliary powder laying assembly 300 work alternately or cooperatively, to realize excess-powder-free and high-efficiency additive manufacturing of complex components.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the application, and not to limit them; although the application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application.

Claims

1. A powder spreading component, characterized in that, include: A base, the base being configured to be movably disposed on the worktable of the laser additive manufacturing equipment along the X direction; A powder spreading box is disposed on the base, and a powder outlet slit is provided at the bottom of the powder spreading box along the Y direction; The powder outlet gap adjustment module includes two powder outlet gap adjustment units. Each powder outlet gap adjustment unit includes a slider, a gap-sealing tape, and a driving mechanism. The slider is movably disposed on the powder spreading box along the Y direction. The output end of the driving mechanism is connected to the slider to drive the slider to move along the Y direction. The free end of the gap-sealing tape is connected to the slider. In the working state, the free end of the sealing strip is located below the powder outlet seam, and is used to cover at least a portion of the powder outlet seam. The sealing strip of one of the powder outlet seam adjustment units is used to cover the first end of the powder outlet seam along the Y direction, and the sealing strip of the other powder outlet seam adjustment unit is used to cover the second end of the powder outlet seam along the Y direction.

2. The powder spreading component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the powder-spreading box is provided with a limiting groove. In the working state, the free end of the sealing strip is located in the limiting groove, and the upper surface of the sealing strip is in contact with the outlet side of the powder outlet.

3. The powder spreading component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The powder outlet seam adjustment unit also includes a top-tightening slide plate. The slider is connected to the top-tightening slide plate, and the top-tightening slide plate is connected to the free end of the seam-covering tape. The top-tightening slide plate is located in the limiting groove, and the lower surface of the top-tightening slide plate is in contact with the inner wall of the limiting groove.

4. The powder spreading component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The powder outlet seam adjustment unit also includes a storage box, which is disposed on the base. The storage box includes a storage shaft, and the fixed end of the seam-covering tape is connected to the storage shaft. The seam-covering tape is a spiral tape.

5. The powder spreading component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The storage box also includes a limiting guide structure, which is located at the outlet of the storage box and is used to guide and limit the seam-sealing tape.

6. The powder spreading component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a first servo motor, a first synchronous pulley, a second synchronous pulley, and a synchronous belt. The first servo motor is mounted on the base, the first synchronous pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the first servo motor, the second synchronous pulley is rotatably mounted on the base, the synchronous belt is wound around the first synchronous pulley and the second synchronous pulley, and the slider is connected to the synchronous belt.

7. The powder spreading component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first servo motor and the first synchronous pulley are located at one end of the base along the Y direction, and the second synchronous pulley is located at the other end of the base along the Y direction.

8. The powder spreading component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first servo motors of the two powder outlet adjustment units are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the base along the Y direction.

9. The powder spreading component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple vibration devices are spaced apart along the Y direction in the powder spreading box.

10. A laser additive manufacturing device, characterized in that, include: Workbench; The powder spreading assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the powder spreading assembly is movably disposed on the worktable along the X direction. At least one auxiliary powder spreading component is movably disposed on the worktable along the X direction; A lifting platform, which is movably disposed on the worktable along the Z direction; A laser heat treatment assembly is located above the lifting platform.

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