Large-format SLM wind field blowing piece steady flow uniform flow device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, and provide a large-format SLM wind field blowing part steady flow uniform flow device, including air inlet mechanism, rectifier mechanism, air flow buffer mechanism and uniform flow mechanism;Air inlet mechanism includes and air inlet pipe;Air inlet pipe and air inlet hole plate one connection;Rectifier mechanism includes air inlet hole plate one and air inlet hole plate two, air inlet hole plate two and uniform flow mechanism connection, air inlet hole plate one and air flow buffer mechanism connection.The present application can effectively optimize the quality of wind field, stable and uniform air flow into the forming chamber, effectively remove the smoke, prevent laser scattering, improve the precision and quality of forming.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, specifically to a large-format SLM wind field blowing component flow stabilization and uniform flow device. Background Technology

[0002] Additive manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing technology characterized by digitalization, high flexibility, strong adaptability, direct CAD model-driven operation, high speed, and diverse materials. It is not limited by the complexity of part shapes, requires no tooling or molds, and has a wide range of applications. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a rapidly developing additive manufacturing technology that uses powder as raw material and creates prototypes by scanning three-dimensional solid cross-sections layer by layer with a laser. The process is roughly as follows: a powder feeding device delivers powder to the worktable; a powder spreading device spreads the powder evenly on the bottom plate of the forming cylinder or the surface of an already formed part; a laser galvanometer system controls the laser to scan the solid powder according to the cross-sectional contour of that layer, melting the powder and bonding it to the lower formed part; after one layer is completed, the worktable lowers by one layer thickness, the powder spreading device spreads another layer of powder, and the next layer is scanned; this process is repeated until the entire prototype is completed.

[0003] The demand for large-format 3D printed parts is growing in industries such as aerospace and automotive. These parts offer significant advantages, including one-piece molding, accelerated research and development, and reduced costs. In response to this demand, the printing area of ​​3D printers is constantly expanding, evolving from smaller sizes to larger formats (over 600mm) to meet the manufacturing needs of large-format parts and drive the expansion of 3D printing technology applications.

[0004] During the printing process of selective laser melting (SLM) equipment, the laser generates dust particles and black smoke pollutants when melting metal powder. These pollutants need to be removed in a timely manner by the equipment's airflow system. However, as the printing width and thickness increase, the requirements for airflow uniformity and speed intensity become increasingly stringent. At the same time, the large printing width also causes significant attenuation of the airflow during movement. At the same time, the increase in the width of the forming area will also lead to a decrease in the stability and uniformity of the wind field, which in turn will cause local low-speed areas and eddies to form above the printing base.

[0005] In this situation, smoke pollutants tend to remain in the forming chamber, causing laser energy attenuation and scattering, affecting metal melting. Simultaneously, the floating dust generated during printing can easily lead to problems such as spatter remelting, inclusions, voids, and surface defects, severely impacting print quality. Therefore, ensuring the stability and uniformity of the airflow in large-format SLM equipment has become a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the technical problems raised in the background section, this invention aims to provide a flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower. This invention achieves this through the following technical solution: A flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower includes an air inlet mechanism, a rectification mechanism, an airflow buffer mechanism, and a flow equalization mechanism; The air intake mechanism includes an air intake pipe; the air intake pipe and the air intake orifice plate are connected. The rectifier mechanism includes an air inlet plate 1 and an air inlet plate 2. The air inlet plate 2 is connected to the flow equalization mechanism, and the air inlet plate 1 is connected to the airflow buffer mechanism.

[0007] Preferably, the airflow buffer mechanism includes an air chamber, an air chamber guide plate is connected inside the air chamber, the air chamber is connected to the air inlet plate, and the air chamber is connected to the flow equalization mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the flow equalization mechanism includes a flow equalization plate and a rectangular flow channel, the rectangular flow channel is connected to the air chamber, the flow equalization plate is connected to the rectangular flow channel, the rectangular flow channel is connected to the second air inlet plate, the flow equalization plate has multiple flow equalization channels, all flow equalization channels are arranged parallel to each other, and the second air inlet plate has multiple air inlets.

[0009] Preferably, the rectangular flow channel is provided with rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs.

[0010] Preferably, the rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs are provided in one or more parts, with some rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs arranged laterally within the rectangular flow channel and others arranged longitudinally within the rectangular flow channel.

[0011] Preferably, the shape of the air intake pipe and the air intake plate is one of cylindrical, quadrangular prism or hexagonal prism.

[0012] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the first air inlet and the second air inlet is one of a circle, a rectangle, a triangle or a hexagon.

[0013] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the uniform flow channel is one of honeycomb, circular, or rectangular.

[0014] Preferably, the air chamber is rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, ellipsoidal, elliptical cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or triangular prism in shape.

[0015] Preferably, the thickness of the air chamber guide plate is 0.1mm-2mm, and the shape of the air chamber guide plate is either rectangular or triangular.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: Optimize the airflow quality, ensure stable and uniform airflow into the forming chamber, avoid powder blowing, effectively remove smoke and dust, prevent laser scattering, and improve forming accuracy and surface quality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments in the drawings do not constitute any limitation on the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the following drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a large-format SLM wind farm blower flow stabilization and equalization device according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of a large-format SLM wind farm blower flow stabilization and equalization device according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a side view of a large-format SLM wind farm blower flow stabilization and equalization device according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a top view of a large-format SLM wind farm blower flow stabilization and equalization device according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs inside the rectangular flow channel in this invention; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow uniform plate in this invention; Figure 7 This is the present invention. Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 8 This is the present invention. Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0019] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Inlet pipe; 2. Inlet orifice plate one; 3. Air chamber; 4. Flow equalizer; 5. Rectangular flow channel; 6. Inlet orifice plate two; 7. Air chamber guide plate; 8. Rectangular flow channel reinforcing rib; 9. Inlet port one; 10. Inlet port two. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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 embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "vertical," "upper," "lower," and "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or a connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] like Figures 1-8 As shown, a flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower includes an air inlet mechanism, a rectification mechanism, an airflow buffer mechanism, and a flow equalization mechanism. The air intake mechanism includes an air intake pipe 1; the air intake pipe 1 is connected to an air intake orifice plate 2; The rectifier mechanism includes an air inlet plate 1 (2) and an air inlet plate 2 (6). The air inlet plate 2 (6) is connected to the flow equalization mechanism, and the air inlet plate 1 (2) is connected to the airflow buffer mechanism.

[0024] The thickness of the air intake plate 2 is preferably 0.1mm-3mm, and can be selected as 1mm.

[0025] The shape of the air inlet 9 can be one of rectangle, circle, or hexagon, and its circumscribed circle diameter is preferably 0.5mm-5mm, and can be selected as 2mm (in addition, the circumscribed circle does not actually exist, but is only used to describe the characteristic cross-sectional dimensions of the air inlet 9 of different shapes). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the airflow buffer mechanism includes an air chamber 3, an air chamber guide plate 7 is connected inside the air chamber 3, the air chamber 3 is connected to the air inlet plate 2, and the air chamber 3 is connected to the flow equalization mechanism.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow equalization mechanism includes a flow equalization plate 4 and a rectangular flow channel 5. The rectangular flow channel 5 is connected to the air chamber 3. The flow equalization plate 4 is connected to the rectangular flow channel 5. The rectangular flow channel 5 is connected to the air inlet plate 6. The flow equalization plate 4 has multiple flow equalization channels, all of which are arranged parallel to each other. The air inlet plate 6 has multiple air inlets 10.

[0027] The length of the flow equalization plate 4 is preferably 1mm-100mm, and can be selected as 35mm.

[0028] The flow uniform plate 4 has a flow uniform channel cross-sectional shape that is rectangular, circular, or hexagonal, and can be selected as hexagonal.

[0029] The diameter of the circumscribed circle of the flow uniform plate 4 is 1mm-15mm, and can be selected as 8mm (in addition, the circumscribed circle does not actually exist, but is only used to describe the characteristic cross-sectional dimensions of flow uniform channels of different shapes).

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular flow channel 5 is provided with a rectangular flow channel reinforcing rib 8.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs 8 are provided, with some rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs 8 being arranged laterally within the rectangular flow channel 5, and other rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs 8 being arranged longitudinally within the rectangular flow channel 5.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air intake pipe 1 and the air intake plate 2 are both cylindrical, quadrangular prism or hexagonal prism.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the first air inlet 9 and the second air inlet 10 is one of a circle, a rectangle, a triangle or a hexagon.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the uniform flow channel is one of honeycomb, circular or rectangular.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air chamber 3 is rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, ellipsoidal, elliptical cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or triangular prism in shape.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the air chamber guide plate 7 is 0.1mm-2mm, and the shape of the air chamber guide plate 7 is either rectangular or triangular.

[0037] Implementation process: Protective gas enters the intake pipe 1, which is used to send the airflow into the intake orifice plate 2. The intake orifice plate 2 performs initial rectification and pressure stabilization of the airflow through multiple intake holes 9. By reasonably designing the distribution, size and opening ratio of the holes, the narrow air channel formed by the intake holes 9 disperses the high-speed concentrated airflow and reduces the initial non-uniformity of the airflow. For example, if the flow velocity is high at the center of the intake pipe 1 and low at the edge, the airflow will enter the air chamber 3 after initial uniformity. Then the airflow enters the air chamber 3. The air chamber 3 mainly provides a large area of ​​airflow buffer zone, which is the core airflow buffer zone. On the one hand, it allows the airflow passing through the inlet plate 2 to be fully mixed and stabilized in the relatively large cavity, eliminating the small-range flow velocity differences that may remain after the dispersion of multiple inlets 9. On the other hand, after the airflow flows into the air chamber 3, it will convert some of the turbulent kinetic energy into uniform pressure through the static pressure box principle. The uniform pressure will improve the uniformity of the flow into the flow equalization plate 4. In addition, the air chamber guide plate 7 can deflect the airflow on both sides, thereby changing the direction of airflow and causing the airflow on both sides of the air chamber 3 to flow towards the flow equalizer plate 4, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the airflow flowing to the flow equalizer plate 4. After passing through the flow equalizer 4, the airflow forms a uniform, stable, and directional blowing field through the laminar flow effect; Airflow enters the rectangular flow channel 5, which is the transport channel for airflow before it reaches the molding chamber. The rectangular flow channel reinforcing rib 7 can enhance the structural stability of the rectangular flow channel 5 and prevent deformation of the rectangular flow channel 5. At the same time, the rectangular flow channel reinforcing rib 7 can also improve the stability of airflow. Airflow flows into the second air inlet plate 6. The second air inlet plate 6 is the last structural component before the airflow flows into the forming chamber. When the airflow passes through the second air inlet hole 10 on the second air inlet plate 6, the speed, intensity and uniformity of the airflow are improved to meet the air field requirements of the large-format printing process. After the airflow flows into the forming chamber, it ensures stable air field coverage during the large-format printing process, reduces contamination in the forming chamber and improves printing quality.

[0038] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: To achieve initial rectification, the intake pipe 1 guides the airflow into the intake orifice plate 2, and the multiple intake holes 9 disperse the concentrated airflow, reduce the velocity difference, and initially achieve stable pressure rectification. To achieve buffering and pressure stabilization, the airflow enters a larger airflow buffer zone within air chamber 3, where it diffuses and mixes, converting kinetic energy into static pressure, eliminating local pressure unevenness, and forming a stable static pressure field. To reduce pressure loss, the presence of the air chamber guide plate 7 can change the airflow direction on both sides of the air chamber, causing the airflow to flow towards the flow equalizer, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the airflow. To achieve uniform flow guidance, the uniform flow channel 9 of the flow uniform plate 4 transforms the airflow from turbulent to laminar flow, with streamlines parallel and in the same direction, significantly improving the uniformity of the flow field; To ensure structural stability, rectangular flow channel 5 is equipped with rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs 8 to enhance resistance to deformation and constrain the airflow direction, preventing fluid transition inside the channel. To achieve secondary rectification, the air inlet 10 on the air inlet plate 26 performs secondary flow restriction and shaping on the airflow, further improving the airflow directionality and uniformity. By reducing the occurrence of powder blowing and improving the uniformity of airflow, local high-speed airflow is eliminated, thus reducing the occurrence of powder blowing on the printing surface. By increasing the minimum wind speed threshold and improving airflow uniformity, local high-speed airflow is eliminated. Therefore, the local minimum wind speed threshold of air inlet 2 is increased, and the overall wind speed intensity has room for improvement, enabling it to print thick parts and improving printing efficiency. Optimizing the airflow quality ensures a stable and uniform airflow into the forming chamber, effectively removing smoke and dust, preventing laser scattering, and improving forming accuracy and surface quality. Specific effects are as follows: A stable and uniform airflow distribution is formed. After the airflow enters the forming chamber through multi-stage rectification, the wind speed difference at each position is minimal and the velocity vector direction is consistent. The parallel flow channel structure of the uniform flow channel and the air inlet 10 weakens the turbulent energy and forms a laminar flow region with uniform velocity distribution. This ensures that the airflow distribution in the forming zone is continuous and smooth, without local high-speed impact or low-speed stagnation areas, so that the powder is subjected to balanced force and the molten pool is stable. Efficiently removes smoke and splash particles. During the forming process, the laser melting of metal powder will generate smoke and tiny splash particles. If these particles remain, they will seriously affect the optical path and the quality of the molten pool. The uniform airflow field forms an air layer that flows directionally along the surface of the workpiece. With the help of continuous dynamic pressure, the smoke and particles are pushed towards the exhaust port, achieving continuous cleaning. This prevents smoke from accumulating in the laser path, significantly improving laser energy utilization and spot stability. Suppressing heat accumulation and thermal disturbance, high local temperature and concentrated heat in the molding chamber can easily cause convection instability and airflow disturbance. Stabilizing laminar flow carries away local heat, forming a uniform temperature field and preventing hot air from forming vertical vortices; Reduce airflow fluctuations and laser refraction changes, and improve the stability of the molten pool morphology and the strength of interlayer bonding; To prevent metal vapor from condensing and contaminating, if the wind field is unstable, metal vapor is easily deposited on the light guide window or optical lens. Uniform airflow forms a continuous micro-positive pressure on the surface of optical components, preventing dust backflow and vapor deposition. Keep the optical system clean to extend lens life and reduce maintenance frequency; Improve printing accuracy and surface quality, stabilize airflow to ensure uniform heating of powder layer and precise control of melting range; Uniform laminar flow eliminates the molten pool sloshing caused by flow field pulsation, making the stress and cooling of each layer of powder consistent. Improve the density of printed parts, reduce pores and deformation, and obtain a smoother surface texture; To ensure consistent airflow across large-format printing areas, it is important to note that airflow velocity can easily decrease at the edges of large-format SLM equipment. The pressure equalization design of the rectangular flow channel 5 and the uniform distribution of the air inlet holes 10 ensure that the air pressure remains constant throughout the entire horizontal area, and the airflow is consistent in the edge and center areas, thus guaranteeing uniform quality of large-format printed parts. It reduces energy consumption and noise, has low laminar airflow resistance, smooth flow, and eliminates energy loss caused by multi-stage turbulence. The system can maintain a stable flow field at a low fan speed of 7. It also reduces operating noise, energy consumption, and improves equipment efficiency.

[0039] The components, modules, mechanisms, and devices in this invention that are not described in detail are all general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structures and principles can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower, characterized in that, This includes an air intake mechanism, a rectifier mechanism, an airflow buffer mechanism, and a flow equalization mechanism; The air intake mechanism includes an air intake pipe (1); the air intake pipe (1) is connected to an air intake orifice plate (2); The rectifier mechanism includes an air inlet plate 1 (2) and an air inlet plate 2 (6). The air inlet plate 2 (6) is connected to the flow equalization mechanism, and the air inlet plate 1 (2) is connected to the airflow buffer mechanism. The airflow buffer mechanism includes an air chamber (3), an air chamber guide plate (7) is connected inside the air chamber (3), the air chamber (3) is connected to the air inlet plate (2), and the air chamber (3) is connected to the flow equalization mechanism. The flow equalization mechanism includes a flow equalization plate (4) and a rectangular flow channel (5). The rectangular flow channel (5) is connected to the air chamber (3). The flow equalization plate (4) is connected to the rectangular flow channel (5). The rectangular flow channel (5) is connected to the second air inlet plate (6). The flow equalization plate (4) has multiple flow equalization channels, and all flow equalization channels are arranged in parallel to each other. The second air inlet plate (6) has multiple air inlets (10).

2. The flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rectangular flow channel (5) is provided with rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs (8).

3. The flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs (8) are provided in one or more ways. Some of the rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs (8) are arranged laterally in the rectangular flow channel (5), and the other part of the rectangular flow channel reinforcing ribs (8) are arranged longitudinally in the rectangular flow channel (5).

4. The flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shape of the air intake pipe (1) and the air intake plate (2) is one of cylindrical, quadrangular or hexagonal prism.

5. A flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the first air inlet (9) and the second air inlet (10) is one of a circle, a rectangle, a triangle or a hexagon.

6. The flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the uniform flow channel is one of honeycomb, circular, or rectangular.

7. A flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 6, characterized in that, The air chamber (3) is rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, ellipsoidal, elliptical cylindrical, semi-cylindrical or triangular prism in shape.

8. A flow stabilization and equalization device for a large-format SLM wind farm blower according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thickness of the air chamber guide plate (7) is 0.1mm-2mm, and the shape of the air chamber guide plate (7) is either rectangular or triangular.

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