Powder bed heating method of additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of powder bed heating, and discloses a powder bed heating method of additive manufacturing equipment, the powder bed heating method of the additive manufacturing equipment is realized based on a powder bed heating unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, and the powder bed heating unit of the additive manufacturing equipment comprises a handle bottom plate for providing a basic mounting platform for the whole device; a push-pull type local heating design is adopted for the device, a traditional overall preheating mode is replaced, energy consumption and the equipment use cost are greatly reduced, meanwhile, heat loss is reduced, the heating efficiency is improved, and through cooperation of double positioning and a real-time temperature control system, the energy-saving and environment-friendly effects are achieved. The accurate position of the heating unit is guaranteed through mechanical limiting and sensor detection, high-precision temperature control adjustment is matched, it is guaranteed that the temperature of the powder bed is stabilized within the preset range, part defects caused by temperature fluctuation are avoided, and the forming quality and the mechanical property stability of workpieces are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of powder bed heating technology, and more specifically to a powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Powder bed heating technology in additive manufacturing is a core supporting technology for processes such as metal powder bed melting and polymer powder bed sintering. By preheating or dynamically heating the powder bed before or during forming, the forming quality of parts can be effectively improved, thermal stress defects can be reduced, and the adaptability of difficult-to-machine materials can be expanded. It plays a key role in improving the mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy of additively manufactured parts.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream powder bed heating technology mainly involves preheating the entire powder bed. This is achieved by heating the powder bed as a whole through heating plates, infrared radiation, or hot air circulation. It is suitable for reducing residual stress in materials such as titanium alloys and nickel-based high-temperature alloys, and preventing parts from warping and cracking. However, this heating method has the problems of high energy consumption and long heating cycle, making it difficult to adapt to the forming requirements of diverse materials and parts. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment, which can effectively solve the problems in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] This invention provides a powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment, based on the use of a powder bed heating unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, wherein the powder bed heating unit of the additive manufacturing equipment includes:

[0007] The handle base plate provides a basic installation platform for the entire device. The heating lamp fixing cover and the left guide rail fixing seat are fixedly connected to the handle base plate. The left guide rail moving seat and the right guide rail moving seat are fixedly provided on both sides of the heating lamp fixing cover.

[0008] Both motion guide rails are equipped with movable sliding guide rails and fixed guide rails. The movable guide rails on the two motion guide rails are respectively movably connected to the left guide rail motion seat and the right guide rail motion seat. The heating lamp fixing cover can move along the motion guide rails to achieve pushing and pulling to the powder bed position or buffer position.

[0009] The fixed guide rails on the two motion guide rails are fixed on the left guide rail fixing seat and the right guide rail fixing seat, providing the motion path;

[0010] A heating lamp is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover for heating the powder bed;

[0011] Front and rear limit sensors are used to detect whether the heating lamp fixing cover has reached the designated position.

[0012] It also includes a handle and a wire guide groove fixedly provided on the side of the handle base plate away from the heating lamp fixing cover. The handle and the wire guide groove are used for manual push-pull device and wire protection, respectively. A guide rail protective plate is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the fixed guide rail of the motion guide rail. The guide rail protective plate is divided into two groups. One group of guide rail protective plates is installed between the right guide rail fixing seat and the right guide rail moving seat, and the other group of guide rail protective plates is installed between the left guide rail moving seat and the left guide rail fixing seat.

[0013] It also includes multiple heating lamp mounting brackets fixedly installed on the heating lamp mounting cover. One end of each heating lamp mounting bracket is inserted into the inside of the heating lamp to fix the heating lamp on the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover. A junction box, a protective tube, and a protective tube fixing component are fixedly provided on the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover. The protective tube fixing component is used to fix the protective tube.

[0014] It also includes a front limit sensor mounting base and a rear limit sensor mounting base fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the left guide rail fixing base, the front and rear limit sensors fixedly mounted on the upper surfaces of the front limit sensor mounting base and the rear limit sensor mounting base, a left support base fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the left guide rail fixing base, and a front mechanical limit seat, a left support seat rib and a drag chain fixing base fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the left support base.

[0015] It also includes that the front mechanical limit seat is installed on the left support seat on the side near the front limit sensor mounting seat, and the left support seat stiffener is fixedly installed on the side of the left guide rail fixing seat in the yard.

[0016] It also includes that the drag chain fixing seat is fixedly installed between the left support seat stiffener and the front mechanical limit seat, and the drag chain with wire passing through is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the drag chain fixing seat.

[0017] It also includes a drag chain connecting plate fixedly installed on the upper surface of the left guide rail moving seat, and the drag chain connecting plate can pass directly above the front and rear limit sensors when moving.

[0018] It also includes a front mechanical limiter fixedly installed on the upper surface of the front mechanical limiter seat, the front mechanical limiter and the drag chain connecting plate being on the same plane, and multiple sealing end plates fixedly installed on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover.

[0019] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0020] This device adopts a push-pull local heating design to replace the traditional overall preheating mode, which greatly reduces energy consumption and equipment operating costs. At the same time, it reduces heat loss and improves heating efficiency. Through the collaboration of dual positioning and real-time temperature control system, mechanical limit and sensor detection ensure the precise position of the heating unit. With high-precision temperature control adjustment, it ensures that the powder bed temperature is stable within the preset range, avoids part defects caused by temperature fluctuations, and significantly improves the forming quality and the stability of the workpiece's mechanical properties. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a side view of the structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cable chain structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the motion guide rail structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 As described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of part A;

[0027] Figure 6 As described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 Schematic diagram of Part B in the middle section;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the heating lamp structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The labels in the diagram represent: 1. Handle base plate; 2. Handle; 3. Cable guide groove; 4. Left support seat; 5. Front mechanical limit seat; 6. Left guide rail fixing seat; 7. Right guide rail fixing seat; 8. Guide rail protective plate; 9. Motion guide rail; 10. Heating lamp fixing cover; 11. Rear limit sensor mounting seat; 12. Cable drag chain; 13. Drag chain connecting plate; 14. Left support seat stiffener; 15. Heating lamp; 16. Junction box; 17. Cable protection tube; 18. Sealing end plate; 19. Cable protection tube fixing component; 20. Heating lamp fixing seat; 21. Drag chain fixing seat; 22. Front limit sensor mounting seat; 23. Front mechanical limiter; 24. Front and rear limit sensors; 25. Left guide rail motion seat; 26. Right guide rail motion seat. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments.

[0032] Example:

[0033] Please see Figures 1-5 The present invention provides a technical solution: a powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment, which is based on the use of a powder bed heating unit of additive manufacturing equipment. The powder bed heating unit of additive manufacturing equipment includes a handle base plate 1 to provide a basic installation platform for the entire device, a heating lamp fixing cover 10 and a left guide rail fixing seat 6 fixedly connected to the handle base plate 1, and a left guide rail moving seat 25 and a right guide rail moving seat 26 fixedly provided on both sides of the heating lamp fixing cover 10.

[0034] Both motion guide rails 9 are equipped with movable sliding guide rails and fixed guide rails. The movable guide rails on the two motion guide rails 9 are respectively movably connected to the left guide rail motion seat 25 and the right guide rail motion seat 26. The heating lamp fixing cover 10 can move along the motion guide rails 9 to achieve push-pull to the powder bed position or buffer position. The fixed guide rails on the two motion guide rails 9 are fixed to the left guide rail fixing seat 6 and the right guide rail fixing seat 7 to provide the motion path. The heating lamp 15 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover 10 for heating the powder bed. The front and rear limit sensors 24 are used to detect whether the heating lamp fixing cover 10 has reached the designated position.

[0035] A handle 2 and a wire guide groove 3 are fixedly provided on the side of the handle base plate 1 away from the heating lamp fixing cover 10. The handle 2 and the wire guide groove 3 are used for manual push-pull device and wire protection, respectively. A guide rail protection plate 8 is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the fixed guide rail of the motion guide rail 9. The guide rail protection plate 8 is divided into two groups. One group of guide rail protection plates 8 is installed between the right guide rail fixing seat 7 and the right guide rail moving seat 26, and the other group of guide rail protection plates 8 is installed between the left guide rail moving seat 25 and the left guide rail fixing seat 6.

[0036] Multiple heating lamp mounting bases 20 are fixedly installed on the heating lamp mounting cover 10. One end of each heating lamp mounting base 20 is inserted into the inside of the heating lamp 15, fixing the heating lamp 15 to the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover 10. A junction box 16, a wire protection tube 17, and a wire protection tube fixing component 19 are fixedly provided on the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover 10. The wire protection tube fixing component 19 is used to fix the wire protection tube 17.

[0037] In specific implementation: The heating lamp mounting base 20 securely fixes the heating lamp 15 to the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover 10 by plugging in. On the one hand, it ensures that the installation positions of multiple heating lamps are accurate and uniform, so that the heat is evenly covered on the powder bed and avoids uneven local temperature caused by the offset of the heating lamp. On the other hand, it resists the vibration of the heating lamp during operation and the inertial impact when the device is pushed and pulled, preventing the heating lamp from loosening and falling off, and ensuring the continuous and stable heating process.

[0038] Junction box 16 serves as the centralized electrical connection node for heating lamps 15, used to organize the power and control wires of all heating lamps and avoid messy tangles; at the same time, it provides a safe wiring environment to prevent short circuits and leakage risks caused by exposed wires, and facilitates quick location of electrical faults during later maintenance, thus improving maintenance efficiency.

[0039] Please see Figures 3-6 The present invention provides a technical solution: a front limit sensor mounting base 22 and a rear limit sensor mounting base 11 are fixedly provided on the upper surface of the left guide rail fixing base 6, and the front and rear limit sensors 24 are fixedly installed on the upper surfaces of the front limit sensor mounting base 22 and the rear limit sensor mounting base 11. A left support base 4 is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the left guide rail fixing base 6, and a front mechanical limit base 5, a left support base rib plate 14 and a drag chain fixing base 21 are fixedly installed on the upper surface of the left support base 4.

[0040] In specific implementation: the left guide rail fixing seat 6 serves as the core installation carrier. Its upper surface supports the front limit sensor mounting seat 22, the rear limit sensor mounting seat 11, and the front and rear limit sensors 24. Its lower surface is connected to the left support seat 4. At the same time, it cooperates with the right guide rail fixing seat 7 to provide an installation foundation for the fixed guide rail of the motion guide rail 9. The upper and lower components are integrated to form a stable force-bearing frame, ensuring that the structure does not shift or deform during the pushing and pulling process of the device.

[0041] The front limit sensor mounting base 22 and the rear limit sensor mounting base 11 are used to fix the front and rear limit sensors 24. By accurately positioning the sensor installation position, it is ensured that the sensor can accurately detect the movement trajectory of the drag chain connecting plate 13, avoiding position detection errors due to sensor installation deviation, and providing an accurate installation benchmark for subsequent signal feedback.

[0042] The limit sensor detects the position of the drag chain connecting plate 13 and determines in real time whether the heating lamp fixing cover 10 has reached the working position or buffer position of the powder bed. After detecting the arrival signal, it feeds back to the system to trigger subsequent heating start or shutdown reset commands, avoiding structural interference caused by overtravel of the heating unit, while ensuring accurate heating position and improving operational safety and accuracy.

[0043] Please see Figures 4-7 The present invention provides a technical solution: the front mechanical limit seat 5 is installed on the left support seat 4 on the side close to the front limit sensor mounting seat 22, the left support seat rib plate 14 is fixedly installed on the side of the left guide rail fixing seat 6 in the yard, the drag chain fixing seat 21 is fixedly installed between the left support seat rib plate 14 and the front mechanical limit seat 5, and the drag chain 12 with wire is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the drag chain fixing seat 21.

[0044] A drag chain connecting plate 13 is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the left guide rail moving seat 25. When moving, the drag chain connecting plate 13 can pass directly above the front and rear limit sensors 24. A front mechanical limiter 23 is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the front mechanical limiter 5. The front mechanical limiter 23 and the drag chain connecting plate 13 are on the same plane. Multiple sealing end plates 18 are fixedly installed on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover 10.

[0045] In practice: the handle base plate 1 provides a basic installation platform for the entire device. The left guide rail fixing seat 6 and the right guide rail fixing seat 7 are symmetrically fixed, and the motion guide rail 9 on them forms a push-pull motion path. The left support seat 4 and the left support seat stiffener 14 enhance the support rigidity. The drag chain fixing seat 21 provides an installation base for the drag chain 12, ensuring the stability of the overall structure. The operator holds the handle 2 and pushes and pulls the heating lamp fixing cover 10 towards the powder bed. The left guide rail motion seat 25 and the right guide rail motion seat 26 on both sides of the heating lamp fixing cover 10 are connected to the movable guide rail of the motion guide rail 9, and slide smoothly along the fixed guide rail, driving the heating lamp 15 below to move synchronously towards the powder bed position.

[0046] During the movement, the drag chain connecting plate 13 on the left guide rail moving seat 25 drives the wire drag chain 12 to extend and retract synchronously to avoid wire tangling; the wire guide groove 3 and the wire guide tube 17 together protect the connecting wire harness of the heating lamp 15 to prevent wear or pulling damage. When the heating lamp fixing cover 10 moves to the working position directly above the powder bed, the drag chain connecting plate 13 passes directly above the front limit sensor 24. The front limit sensor 24 detects the signal and feeds it back to the system to confirm that the position is in place. At the same time, the front mechanical limiter 23 on the front mechanical limit seat 5 fits with the drag chain connecting plate 13 to form a mechanical lock, which doubles the protection that the heating unit position is accurate and stable, and avoids displacement during the heating process.

[0047] Subsequently, the heating lamp 15 obtains electrical energy through the junction box 16, starts up, and emits heat to the powder bed. The heating lamp 15 is firmly fixed to the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover 10 via the heating lamp fixing seat 20. Multiple heating lamps are evenly distributed to achieve efficient local heating of the powder bed, replacing the traditional overall preheating and significantly reducing energy consumption. The high-precision temperature detector equipped with the equipment collects the actual temperature data of the powder bed in real time and feeds it back to the temperature control system. If the temperature is lower than the preset value, the temperature control system adjusts the heating lamp 15 to increase the power; if the temperature is higher than the preset value, it reduces the power or briefly stops the machine to ensure that the powder bed temperature is stable within the set range and avoids instability of the molten pool or defects in parts caused by temperature fluctuations.

[0048] The sealing end plate 18 on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover 10 reduces heat loss and improves heating efficiency; the guide rail protection plate 8 on the motion guide rail 9 prevents powder or debris from entering the guide rail gap, ensuring the flexibility of the motion mechanism, and at the same time avoiding foreign objects from affecting the heating effect during the heating process. After the powder bed is processed, the system continuously monitors the pressure, temperature and other indicators of the powder bed area. After all indicators drop to a safe range, a reset signal is issued to allow the heating unit to exit.

[0049] The operator pushes handle 2, causing the heating lamp fixing cover 10 to slide in the opposite direction along the motion guide rail 9, moving towards the buffer position. At this time, the powder bed stops working to avoid structural interference with the moving heating unit. When the heating lamp fixing cover 10 moves to the buffer position, the cable chain connecting plate 13 passes directly above the rear limit sensor 24. The rear limit sensor 24 detects the position and provides feedback. At the same time, the corresponding mechanical limit structure locks, ensuring that the heating unit is stably parked in the buffer position and does not occupy the subsequent working space of the powder bed. The heating lamp 15 is powered off and stops working. The cable chain 12 and the line return to their initial state, and the equipment enters standby mode, waiting for the next work instruction.

[0050] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions will not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the protection scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, This is achieved using a powder bed heating unit of an additive manufacturing equipment, wherein the powder bed heating unit of the additive manufacturing equipment includes: Handle base plate (1), the handle base plate (1) provides a basic installation platform for the whole device, the heating lamp fixing cover (10) and the left guide rail fixing seat (6) are fixedly connected to the handle base plate (1), and the left guide rail moving seat (25) and the right guide rail moving seat (26) are fixedly provided on both sides of the heating lamp fixing cover (10). Two motion guide rails (9) are provided with movable sliding guide rails and fixed guide rails. The sliding guide rails on the two motion guide rails (9) are respectively movably connected to the left guide rail motion seat (25) and the right guide rail motion seat (26). The heating lamp fixing cover (10) can move along the motion guide rail (9) to push and pull to the powder bed position or buffer position. The fixed guide rails on the two motion guide rails (9) are fixed on the left guide rail fixing seat (6) and the right guide rail fixing seat (7) to provide the motion path. Heating lamp (15), which is fixedly installed on the lower surface of heating lamp fixing cover (10) and is used to heat the powder bed; Front and rear limit sensors (24) are used to detect whether the heating lamp fixing cover (10) has reached the designated position.

2. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle base plate (1) is fixedly provided with a handle (2) and a wire guide groove (3) on the side away from the heating lamp fixing cover (10). The handle (2) and the wire guide groove (3) are used for manual push-pull device and wire protection, respectively. The upper surface of the fixed guide rail of the motion guide rail (9) is fixedly provided with a guide rail protection plate (8). The guide rail protection plate (8) is divided into two groups. One group of the guide rail protection plates (8) is installed between the right guide rail fixing seat (7) and the right guide rail motion seat (26), and the other group of guide rail protection plates (8) is installed between the left guide rail motion seat (25) and the left guide rail fixing seat (6).

3. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple heating lamp mounting bases (20) are fixedly installed on the heating lamp mounting cover (10). One end of each heating lamp mounting base (20) is inserted into the inside of the heating lamp (15) to fix the heating lamp (15) on the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover (10). A junction box (16), a wire protection tube (17), and a wire protection tube fixing component (19) are fixedly provided on the lower surface of the heating lamp mounting cover (10). The wire protection tube fixing component (19) is used to fix the wire protection tube (17).

4. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper surface of the left guide rail fixing seat (6) is fixedly provided with a front limit sensor mounting seat (22) and a rear limit sensor mounting seat (11). The front and rear limit sensors (24) are fixedly installed on the upper surfaces of the front limit sensor mounting seat (22) and the rear limit sensor mounting seat (11). The lower surface of the left guide rail fixing seat (6) is fixedly provided with a left support seat (4). The upper surface of the left support seat (4) is fixedly provided with a front mechanical limit seat (5), a left support seat rib plate (14) and a drag chain fixing seat (21).

5. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front mechanical limit seat (5) is installed on the left support seat (4) on the side near the front limit sensor mounting seat (22), and the left support seat stiffener (14) is fixedly installed on the side of the left guide rail fixing seat (6).

6. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The drag chain fixing seat (21) is fixedly installed between the left support seat stiffener plate (14) and the front mechanical limit seat (5), and the drag chain (12) with wire is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the drag chain fixing seat (21).

7. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper surface of the left guide rail motion seat (25) is fixedly installed with a drag chain connecting plate (13), which passes directly above the front and rear limit sensors (24) when it moves.

8. The powder bed heating method for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The front mechanical limit seat (5) is fixedly provided with a front mechanical limiter (23) on its upper surface. The front mechanical limiter (23) and the drag chain connecting plate (13) are on the same plane. Multiple sealing end plates (18) are fixedly installed on the lower surface of the heating lamp fixing cover (10).

Images