Metal surface etching processing device

Abstract

The invention provides a metal surface etching processing device which is characterized in that one or more etching devices are arranged in a machine shell, the head end and the tail end of each etching device are arranged in a matched mode to form an etching assembly, and the etching devices located at the two ends are correspondingly connected with a feeding conveying device and a discharging conveying device respectively; the feeding conveying device and the discharging conveying device are fixedly connected with the machine shell, the etching device and the feeding conveying device are correspondingly provided with a lower electrode device and a microswitch, the microswitch is connected with the air source processor through a circuit, and the air source processor is matched with an air cylinder lifting device arranged on the lower electrode device. The microswitch is matched with the correspondingly arranged cylinder lifting device; and an electrolyte tank of the electrolyte circulating device is arranged below the etching device. The corrosion label production equipment has the beneficial effects that the corrosion label production equipment which is free of pollution and emission, short in period, low in labor and energy consumption and low in investment is provided, the flexibility and safety of the equipment can be effectively improved, and the corrosion label production equipment is suitable for popularization and application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of etching sign surface processing technology, and more specifically to a metal surface etching processing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, metal surface etching technology is widely used. A representative application is the processing technology and equipment for etched signs. As a special form of signage, etched signs have always been of great significance in industrial safety and daily life due to their superior weather resistance. They are particularly important in situations where, due to age and severe environmental corrosion, the paint on product labels may have peeled off, making them illegible and obscuring important technical parameters, potentially leading to accidents or economic losses.

[0003] In the existing production process of etched signs, an important step is to remove the exposed metal parts of the metal signs that have been printed with corrosion-resistant ink through the corrosion of chemicals or electrochemical corrosion, so as to form raised and recessed text and patterns on the metal signs.

[0004] The following is an introduction to the existing equipment and its principles: I. The main working principle of a chemical etching machine is to use a corrosion-resistant chemical pump to draw in acidic solutions such as ferric chloride or hydrochloric acid from a chemical tank, pressurize them, and spray them through upper nozzles onto the signs on the central conveyor rollers for etching. Splash-type machines operate on a similar principle to the rotary nozzle type, both utilizing acidic solutions sprayed onto the signs for etching. Devices used for these processing methods, due to the use of acidic solutions, are entirely constructed of welded plastic sheets, resulting in large, heavy machines that are prone to damage and have high energy consumption. Because of their severe environmental impact and rising environmental protection costs, they are considered obsolete but remain widely used.

[0005] II. The working principle of a handheld electro-corrosion machine is to connect the nozzle to the negative terminal using a high-current DC power supply, while the positive terminal clamps hold the sign. The nozzle sprays salt water, using the salt water as a conductive medium, onto the exposed metal parts, causing electrolysis to achieve corrosion. This method, which uses a power supply and involves modifying a welding machine, inevitably reduces the insulation of the original welding machine, creating fire and electric shock hazards. Furthermore, because the negative terminal of the power supply and the nozzle need to be held by hand and constantly moved on the metal plate for corrosion, the depth of the text and patterns depends entirely on the operator's feel, making it impossible to achieve consistent depth. Simultaneously, the crude electrolysis process rapidly generates hydroxide ions in the salt water, making it alkaline and containing a large amount of heavy metal oxide impurities suspended in the solution. This causes the ink on the metal plate surface to become ineffective and peel off. The reason for these problems is that corrosion-resistant inks are sensitive to hydroxide ions, causing them to modify, and the impact and abrasion from impurities further exacerbate the issue. In such cases, the salt water must be prepared anew. If the existing waste liquid is discharged directly without treatment, it will cause serious pollution such as soil salinization and excessive heavy metals.

[0006] III. The semi-automatic electro-etching machine works by combining a handheld electro-etching machine with a carving machine commonly used in the advertising industry. The spindle motor is removed from the carving machine head and replaced with a nozzle. The planar motion of the X and Y axes solves the horizontal and uniform speed issues that handheld electro-etching machines cannot achieve, thus resolving the problem of inconsistent depth. Multiple signs can be placed on the worktable at once, and the operator can briefly leave during nozzle operation, reducing workload compared to handheld machines. However, other drawbacks of handheld electro-etching machines remain. On the contrary, due to the larger nozzle and overall machine size, the brine consumption increases. The larger nozzle area generates more hydroxide ions than the smaller nozzles in handheld machines, causing the brine to degrade and become unusable earlier. Compared to handheld electro-etching machines, emissions are increased. Furthermore, since the signs are only placed on the electrodes on the worktable, poor contact is inevitable, leading to sign breakdown and increased scrap rates. Safety is also not effectively addressed. A large area of ​​the conductive electrodes on the worktable is exposed, posing a risk of electric shock when operators place and handle signs.

[0007] IV. The working principle of a laser etching machine is to use a laser beam to irradiate the metal surface, generating high temperatures that vaporize the metal to achieve the etching purpose. It eliminates the need for plate making and printing corrosion-resistant inks, and can directly etch on the metal surface, making it suitable for small-batch production or prototyping. Because the laser beam diameter is generally 0.01–0.02 mm, scanning one line at a time, etching a 1 square millimeter area requires 50–100 scans. Furthermore, increasing the power cannot be used to speed up the process to prevent instantaneous breakdown, nor can the etching speed be increased by increasing the mirror oscillation speed, as the depth of penetration must be guaranteed. In contrast, chemical etching and electro-etching machines are instantaneous processes, with the difference becoming more pronounced with larger areas. Moreover, the available models on the market have excessively small etching areas. Even the most advanced 25-channel UV direct-write system, which increases production capacity by 5 times, is still too slow for large-scale production compared to other methods. Additionally, the equipment investment cost is too high, making widespread adoption unsuitable.

[0008] In summary, metal surface etching technology currently suffers from a series of problems, including high energy consumption, severe environmental damage, unsafe manual production with a high defect rate, and incompatibility with mass production. There is an urgent need for a device that can uniformly solve these problems to avoid adverse effects in production. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides a metal surface etching processing device.

[0010] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0011] A metal surface etching processing apparatus includes one or more etching devices inside a housing. Each etching device is configured at both ends to form an etching assembly. The etching devices at both ends are respectively connected to a feeding conveyor and a discharging conveyor. The feeding conveyor and the discharging conveyor are fixedly connected to the housing. The etching devices and the feeding conveyor are equipped with lower electrode devices. A micro switch is linked to a water-squeezing roller group on the etching device. The micro switch is connected to an air source processor via a circuit. The air source processor is connected to a cylinder lifting device on the lower electrode device via a pneumatic circuit. An electrolyte tank for an electrolyte circulation device is located below the etching device.

[0012] The etching device is equipped with an insulating mounting base, and a nozzle is mounted on the insulating mounting base. A water receiving box is located at the bottom of the nozzle. Each side of the etching device on both sides of the nozzle is equipped with a water squeezing roller assembly. A micro switch is configured in conjunction with the water squeezing roller assembly on one side. A lower electrode device is correspondingly mounted on the water squeezing roller assembly on the side where the micro switch is located.

[0013] A water-blocking rubber strip is provided on the insulating mounting base 302 on both sides of the nozzle.

[0014] There are two etching devices. Both the feed end and the discharge end of the etching device are equipped with a water squeezing roller group. The two water squeezing roller groups on the etching device adjacent to the feed conveying device are equipped with micro switches. Only one of the two water squeezing roller groups on the etching device adjacent to the discharge conveying device is equipped with a micro switch.

[0015] The feeding conveying device is equipped with two first belt drive rollers. The first belt drive rollers are connected to the speed regulating motor through gear transmission. The two first belt drive rollers are equipped with first belts. A first squeezing roller is located above one of the two first belt drive rollers. A first belt tensioning mechanism is located on the other first belt drive roller. The feeding conveying device located on the side corresponding to the first squeezing roller is connected to the lower electrode device through the lower electrode insulating fixing seat.

[0016] The first dewatering roller is connected to the feeding conveyor via the first spring pressure roller.

[0017] The discharge conveying device is equipped with two second belt drive rollers. The second belt drive rollers are connected to the corresponding drive motors through gear transmission. The two second belt drive rollers are equipped with second belts. A second squeezing roller is located above one of the two second belt drive rollers, and a second belt tensioning mechanism is correspondingly provided on the other second belt drive roller.

[0018] The second squeezing roller is connected to the discharge conveyor via the second spring pressure roller.

[0019] The outer side of the casing is equipped with a protective ring stock solution bottle, which is equipped with a throttle valve. The protective ring stock solution bottle is connected to the electrolyte tank through the throttle valve, and the electrolyte tank is connected to the nozzle on the etching device through a pipeline.

[0020] The lower electrode device includes an electrode support, a cylinder lifting device, and a floating electrode. The electrode support is connected to the floating electrode through the cylinder lifting device.

[0021] An electronic control device is installed inside the casing. The electronic control device is connected to the control panel on the casing. A cooling fan is installed on the casing and is designed to work in conjunction with the electronic control device.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This solution provides a pollution-free, emission-free, short-cycle, low-labor, low-energy-consumption, and low-investment device for producing etched signs. By incorporating a protective ring stock solution bottle, this device allows for the addition of small doses of the protective ring stock solution to neutralize harmful ions in the electrolyte, preventing electrolyte modification and achieving zero emissions without the need to replace the electrolyte.

[0023] Based on this, the structure of micro-motion device and floating electrode linkage is used to enable the etched nameplate to be processed to be effectively sensed when passing through the machine, and close contact is made to prevent local poor contact from causing arcing and burning of the nameplate, thereby performing electrolytic corrosion, which effectively improves production efficiency, reduces scrap rate, reduces energy consumption, and is compatible with the application of other auxiliary equipment.

[0024] Based on this, the entire body of the device can be welded from stainless steel plates, featuring high rigidity and a compact size. It can use an inverter DC welding machine as its power source, resulting in low energy consumption. The machine is enclosed and fixed within the upper electrical control box, ensuring safety and reliability; the smallest model has a total power consumption of less than 5kW. The power output uses a speed-regulating motor, allowing for flexible speed adjustment to maintain consistent corrosion depth. Stainless steel gear transmission ensures safety and reliability. The nozzle height is adjustable to accommodate different material thicknesses. The lower electrode support features a quick-release design for easy electrode replacement, and a height adjustment mechanism is located below the electrode to flexibly adjust according to electrode wear. All live parts are completely enclosed inside the machine, increasing safety. The conveyor belt structure design allows for assembly line production with upstream and downstream equipment. The compact design of this device effectively improves space utilization and is suitable for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the casing; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the etching device; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the etching device; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding conveyor device; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the material discharge conveying device; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the lower electrode device; In the picture: 1. Machine casing; 2. Feeding conveyor; 201. Speed-regulating motor; 202. First belt drive roller; 203. First belt; 204. First belt tensioner; 205. First spring pressure roller; 206. First squeezing roller; 3. Etching device; 301. Squeezing roller assembly; 302. Insulating fixing base; 303. Nozzle; 304. Water-blocking rubber strip; 305. Water receiving box; 4. Discharge conveyor; 401. Second belt drive roller; 40 2. Second belt; 403. Second belt tensioning mechanism; 404. Second squeezing roller; 405. Second spring pressure roller; 5. Lower electrode device; 501. Electrode support; 502. Cylinder lifting device; 503. Floating electrode; 504. Lower electrode insulating fixing seat; 6. Electrolyte circulation device; 601. Electrolyte tank; 602. Water pump; 7. Protective ring original solution bottle; 8. Electrical control device; 801. Micro switch; 9. Air source processor. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below through specific embodiments.

[0027] Example A metal surface etching processing apparatus includes one or more etching devices 3 inside a housing 1. Each etching device 3 is configured at both ends to form an etching assembly. The etching devices 3 at both ends are respectively connected to a feeding conveyor 2 and a discharging conveyor 4. The feeding conveyor 2 and the discharging conveyor 4 are fixedly connected to the housing 1. The etching devices 3 and the feeding conveyor 2 are provided with a lower electrode device 5. The water squeezing roller group 301 provided on the etching device 3 is linked to a micro switch 801. The micro switch 801 is connected to an air source processor 9 through a circuit. The air source processor 9 is connected to a cylinder lifting device 502 provided on the lower electrode device 5 through a pneumatic circuit. An electrolyte tank 601 of an electrolyte circulation device 6 is provided below the etching device 3.

[0028] The etching device 3 is provided with an insulating fixing seat 302, and the insulating fixing seat 302 is provided with a nozzle 303. The lower part of the nozzle 303 is provided with a water receiving box 305. Each side of the etching device 3 on the nozzle 303 is provided with a squeezing roller group 301. A micro switch 801 is configured to cooperate with the squeezing roller group 301 on one side. A lower electrode device 5 is correspondingly provided on the squeezing roller group 301 on the side where the micro switch 801 is located.

[0029] A water-blocking strip 304 is provided on the insulating mounting base 302 on both sides of the nozzle 303.

[0030] There are two etching devices 3. Both the feed end and the discharge end of the etching device 3 are equipped with a water squeezing roller group 301. The two water squeezing roller groups 301 on the etching device 3 adjacent to the feed conveying device 2 are each equipped with a micro switch 801. Only one of the two water squeezing roller groups 301 on the etching device 3 adjacent to the discharge conveying device 4 is equipped with a micro switch 801.

[0031] The feeding conveying device 2 is equipped with two first belt drive rollers 202. The first belt drive rollers 202 are connected to the speed regulating motor 201 through gear transmission. The two first belt drive rollers 202 are equipped with a first belt 203. A first squeezing roller 206 is provided above one of the first belt drive rollers 202. A first belt tensioning mechanism 204 is provided on the other first belt drive roller 202. The feeding conveying device 2 with the first squeezing roller 206 on the side corresponding to the first squeezing roller 206 is connected to the lower electrode device 5 through the lower electrode insulating fixing seat 504.

[0032] The first squeezing roller 206 is connected to the feeding conveyor 2 via the first spring pressure roller 205.

[0033] The discharge conveying device 4 is equipped with two second belt drive rollers 401. The second belt drive rollers 401 are connected to the corresponding drive motors through gear transmission. The two second belt drive rollers 401 are equipped with second belts 402. A second squeezing roller 404 is provided above one of the two second belt drive rollers 401, and a second belt tensioning mechanism 403 is provided on the other second belt drive roller 401.

[0034] The second squeezing roller 404 is connected to the discharge conveying device 4 via the second spring pressure roller 405.

[0035] The outer side of the housing 1 is provided with a protective ring liquid bottle 7. The protective ring liquid bottle 7 is provided with a throttle valve. The protective ring liquid bottle 7 is connected to the electrolyte tank 601 through the throttle valve. The electrolyte tank 601 is connected to the nozzle 303 provided on the etching device 3 through a pipeline.

[0036] The lower electrode device 5 includes an electrode support 501, a cylinder lifting device 502, and a floating electrode 503. The electrode support 501 is connected to the floating electrode 503 through the cylinder lifting device 502.

[0037] The casing 1 is equipped with an electronic control device 8, which is connected to the control panel on the casing 1. The casing 1 is equipped with a cooling fan, which is configured in conjunction with the electronic control device 8.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the working principle of this scheme is as follows.

[0039] The casing 1 serves as the outer shell, isolating it from contamination. The etched nameplate to be processed is fed into the device via the feeding conveyor 2, then etched sequentially via the etching device 3, and finally discharged from the device by the discharging conveyor 4.

[0040] During processing, this device performs electrolytic corrosion via the lower electrode device 5. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the electrode device 5 uses the lower electrode insulating fixing seat 504 to connect the electrode bracket 501 to the corresponding device. The electrode bracket 501 provides support, and a cylinder lifting device 502 is provided on the electrode bracket 501 to control the lifting and lowering of the floating electrode 503, thereby adapting it to the corroded nameplate. The cylinder lifting device 502 is connected to the air source processor 9, which is controlled by a solenoid valve controlled by a corresponding micro switch 801. The air source processor 9 is used to connect to the air source.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, both ends of the etching device 3 are equipped with water-squeezing roller groups 301 for water squeezing and providing frictional force for transmission. The water-upper roller of the water-squeezing roller group 301 is driven by a spring pressure roller. At the same time, the water-upper roller is set in conjunction with a micro switch 801. The micro switch 801 reacts according to the floating of the water-upper roller of the corresponding water-squeezing roller group 301, and controls the solenoid valve to control the cylinder lifting device 502. In this embodiment, there are three micro switches 801, which respectively control the two etching devices 3 and the lower electrode device 5 set on the feeding conveying device 2. The etching device 3 is equipped with a nozzle 303 for spraying electrolyte. The sprayed electrolyte flows into the electrolyte tank 601. The electrolyte tank 601 is circulated by a water pump 602 and then sprayed out again by the nozzle 303. The protective ring stock solution bottle 7 is connected to the electrolyte tank 601. The protective ring stock solution bottle 7 allows for the addition of a small amount of protective ring stock solution to neutralize harmful ions in the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank 601 and to settle impurities generated during the reaction, so that the electrolyte remains unchanged and can be used continuously, thus achieving the function of zero discharge.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the feeding conveyor 2 drives the first belt drive roller 202 through the speed regulating motor 201, thereby driving the first belt 203. The first water squeezing roller 206 is used to squeeze water and provide friction to facilitate the conveying and movement of the etched sign. The first belt tensioning mechanism 204 is used to control the tension of the first belt 203.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the second squeezing roller 404 in the discharge conveying device 4 is used to squeeze out water and provide friction to facilitate the conveying and movement of the corrosion label, and the second belt drive roller 401 controls the movement of the second belt 402.

[0044] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the content described is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and improvements made within the scope of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal surface etching processing apparatus, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with one or more etching devices (3). Each etching device (3) is configured at both ends to form an etching assembly. The etching devices (3) at both ends are respectively connected to the feeding conveyor (2) and the discharging conveyor (4). The feeding conveyor (2) and the discharging conveyor (4) are fixedly connected to the housing (1). The etching device (3) and the feeding conveyor (2) are provided with a lower electrode device (5). The water squeezing roller group (301) provided on the etching device (3) is linked to a micro switch (801). The micro switch (801) is connected to the air source processor (9) through a circuit. The air source processor (9) is connected to the cylinder lifting device (502) provided on the lower electrode device (5) through an air circuit. The electrolyte tank (601) of the electrolyte circulation device (6) is provided below the etching device (3).

2. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: An insulating fixing seat (302) is provided on the etching device (3), and a nozzle (303) is provided on the insulating fixing seat (302). A water receiving box (305) is provided at the bottom of the nozzle (303). A water squeezing roller group (301) is provided on each side of the etching device (3) on the nozzle (303). A micro switch (801) is configured in conjunction with the water squeezing roller group (301) on one side. A lower electrode device (5) is provided on the water squeezing roller group (301) on the side where the micro switch (801) is located.

3. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: A water-blocking rubber strip (304) is provided on the insulating mounting base (302) on both sides of the nozzle (303).

4. The metal surface etching processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two etching devices (3). Both the feed end and the discharge end of the etching device (3) are equipped with a water squeezing roller group (301). The two water squeezing roller groups (301) on the etching device (3) adjacent to the feed conveying device (2) are equipped with micro switches (801). Only one of the two water squeezing roller groups (301) on the etching device (3) adjacent to the discharge conveying device (4) is equipped with a micro switch (801).

5. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding conveying device (2) is provided with two first belt drive rollers (202). The first belt drive rollers (202) are connected to the speed regulating motor (201) through gear transmission. The two first belt drive rollers (202) are provided with a first belt (203). A first squeezing roller (206) is provided above one of the first belt drive rollers (202). A first belt tensioning mechanism (204) is provided on the other first belt drive roller (202). The feeding conveying device (2) with the first squeezing roller (206) on the corresponding side is connected to the lower electrode device (5) through the lower electrode insulating fixing seat (504).

6. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first squeezing roller (206) is connected to the feeding conveyor (2) via the first spring pressure roller (205).

7. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge conveying device (4) is equipped with two second belt drive rollers (401). The second belt drive rollers (401) are connected to the corresponding drive motors through gear linkage. The two second belt drive rollers (401) are equipped with second belts (402). A second squeezing roller (404) is provided above one of the two second belt drive rollers (401), and a second belt tensioning mechanism (403) is provided on the other second belt drive roller (401).

8. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second squeezing roller (404) is connected to the discharge conveying device (4) via the second spring pressure roller (405).

9. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the housing (1) is provided with a protective ring liquid bottle (7), and the protective ring liquid bottle (7) is provided with a throttle valve. The protective ring liquid bottle (7) is connected to the electrolyte tank (601) through the throttle valve. The electrolyte tank (601) is connected to the nozzle (303) provided on the etching device (3) through a pipeline.

10. The metal surface etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower electrode device (5) includes an electrode support (501), a cylinder lifting device (502), and a floating electrode (503). The electrode support (501) is connected to the floating electrode (503) through the cylinder lifting device (502).

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