3D printing device for cornstalk-based composite material

Abstract

The invention discloses a 3D printing device for a cornstalk-based composite material, which belongs to the technical field of 3D printing and comprises a large stirrer, a small stirrer, a gear motor, a gate valve, a 3D printing nozzle, a three-axis motion platform and a support. The large stirrer preliminarily crushes cornstalk raw materials through an internal stirring device, and the crushed cornstalk raw materials are mixed with water to form initial turbid liquid; the turbid liquid enters a small-sized stirrer through an upper gate valve, is subjected to secondary crushing and then is mixed with an adhesive to form coagulated slurry; and the coagulated slurry is conveyed to the conical spray head through the lower gate valve, the three-axis motion platform drives the printing surface to move, and 3D printing operation is completed. The device adopts a two-stage stirring and crushing structure, can realize efficient refining and uniform mixing of cornstalk raw materials, and is matched with a plant-based adhesive to improve the forming stability of the material. The method is simple and convenient to operate, green and environmentally friendly, provides a new path for high-value utilization of agricultural and forestry wastes, and is suitable for preparation of environment-friendly 3D printing materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, specifically relating to a 3D printing device utilizing corn stalk-based composite materials. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional 3D printing processes generally suffer from high energy consumption: for example, fused deposition modeling (FDM) requires heating polymer materials to a molten state of 180~250℃, while selective laser melting / sintering (SLM / SLS) requires the use of lasers to achieve high-temperature sintering of hundreds to over a thousand degrees Celsius, resulting in high energy consumption throughout the entire process.

[0003] Traditional 3D printing materials face significant environmental and resource bottlenecks: petrochemical-based polymers such as ABS are difficult to biodegrade, and their waste easily leads to persistent plastic pollution; photocurable resins contain irritating chemical components that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the printing process; and the recycling of scraps from metal powder printing is complex and energy-intensive. Furthermore, traditional 3D printing materials are constrained by both high costs and resource dependence. Polymers such as ABS and PLA, as well as photosensitive resins, are mostly petroleum-based chemical products, while metal powders require high-purity powder raw materials. The supply of these materials is easily affected by the availability of petroleum and mineral resources and market fluctuations.

[0004] Because the economic benefits of utilizing corn stalks as a resource are low, open burning of stalks is frequent and causes complex air pollution. It is urgent to improve the comprehensive utilization benefits of corn stalks and curb disorderly burning of stalks.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a composite material 3D printing device based on corn stalks. This device can realize the preparation and supply of corn stalk powder slurry, and use it as molding raw material to carry out 3D printing operations, which is expected to significantly improve the economic benefits of comprehensive utilization of corn stalks. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems of high cost, energy dependence, environmental pollution, high energy consumption in processing, and low comprehensive utilization efficiency of corn stalks in traditional 3D printing materials, and to provide a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials, which can use corn stalk slurry for 3D printing.

[0007] A 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials includes: a large mixer 1, a small mixer 2, an upper helical gear reducer motor 3, a lower helical gear reducer 4, an upper gate valve 5, a lower gate valve 6, a 3D printing nozzle 7, a three-axis motion platform 8, a left support 9, and a right support 10.

[0008] The large mixer 1 has a left support 9 and a right support 10 installed on both sides of its bottom, and an internal mixing device 103 is installed inside the large mixer.

[0009] The internal mixing device 103 of the large mixer includes a circular rotating shaft 103a, a vertical cutting blade I 103b, and a vertical cutting blade II 103c;

[0010] The circular rotating shaft 103a is located at the lower part of the large mixer 1, and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the upper helical gear reducer motor 3, and is driven by it.

[0011] The vertical cutting blades I 103b and II 103c are parallel and symmetrically fixed to the upper end of the circular rotating shaft 103a.

[0012] The upper discharge port 104 at the bottom of the large mixer 1 is sealed and fixedly connected to the upper gate valve 5, and the upper part of the large mixer liquid inlet 102 is provided.

[0013] The lower end of the upper gate valve 5 is sealed and fixedly connected to the feed inlet 201 of the small mixer at the top of the small mixer 2;

[0014] The lower end of the lower discharge port 203 of the small mixer 2 is sealed and fixed to the lower gate valve 6. The small mixer has an internal mixing device 202, which is driven by the lower helical gear reducer motor 4 at the bottom.

[0015] The 3D printing nozzle 7 has a conical tip structure, with its upper end sealed and fixed to the lower end of the lower gate valve 6, and a three-axis motion platform 8 is placed below it.

[0016] The large mixer 1 is also provided with a fan-shaped top cover 105 and a large mixer liquid inlet 102 on its upper part;

[0017] The fan-shaped top cover 105 includes a fan-shaped circular plate 105a, a vertical cylinder 105b, and a cuboid handle 105c connected in sequence, which are installed opposite to the fan-shaped solid feed inlet at the upper end of the large mixer 1.

[0018] The solid feed inlet is a fan-shaped opening at the top of the large mixer 1, used for adding corn stalk raw materials;

[0019] The liquid inlet 102 of the large mixer consists of a top funnel 102a and a vertical transition pipe 102b, and is used for adding water.

[0020] The top of the small mixer 2 is also provided with an adhesive inlet 204;

[0021] The internal mixing device 202 of the small mixer includes a vertical cutting blade Ⅲ 202a, a vertical cutting blade Ⅳ 202b, and an input shaft 202c;

[0022] The adhesive inlet 204 is equipped with an annular funnel for adding adhesive; the adhesive can be a starch-based plant adhesive, or 0.5%-2% of a cellulose-based adhesive can be added on the basis of using a starch-based adhesive to further improve the stability of the coagulation.

[0023] The input shaft 202c is located at the bottom of the small mixer 2, and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the helical gear reducer motor 4, which drives it.

[0024] The vertical cutting blades Ⅲ202a and Ⅳ202b are parallel and symmetrically fixed to the upper end of the input shaft 202c.

[0025] The vertical cutting blade has a carbon steel base and a cemented carbide blade welded to its cutting edge.

[0026] The three-axis motion platform 8 is composed of an X-axis linear drive module, a Y-axis linear drive module, and a Z-axis linear drive module stacked sequentially, which can drive its end platform to move along the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for using a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials. The specific steps of using the aforementioned 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials are as follows:

[0028] Step 1: Preliminary crushing and dissolving of corn stalks

[0029] The corn stalk raw material is put into the large mixer 1 through the solid feed port of the large mixer 1, and the fan-shaped top cover 105 is covered.

[0030] Then, an appropriate amount of clean water is added into the large mixer 1 through the liquid inlet 102 of the large mixer;

[0031] Start the helical gear reducer motor 3, and the internal mixing device 103 of the large mixer begins to cut the corn stalk raw material and dissolve some of the corn stalk raw material in water to form an initial suspension of corn stalk powder;

[0032] Step Two: Further crushing of corn stalk raw materials and addition of adhesive.

[0033] After the initial suspension of corn stalk powder is formed, the upper gate valve 5 is opened to allow the initial suspension of corn stalk powder to flow into the small mixer 2, and the lower helical gear reducer motor 4 is started to allow the internal mixing device 202 of the small mixer to further cut the corn stalk powder.

[0034] After a certain period of time, a certain amount of adhesive is added through the adhesive inlet 204 of the small mixer 2. When the adhesive is fully mixed with the corn stalk powder suspension, a corn stalk powder slurry is formed in the small mixer 2.

[0035] Step 3: Implementation of 3D Printing

[0036] After the corn stalk powder slurry is formed, open the lower gate valve 6 to allow the corn stalk powder slurry to flow into the 3D printing nozzle 7;

[0037] Subsequently, the 3D printing nozzle 7 continuously extrudes the corn stalk powder slurry onto the end platform of the three-axis motion platform 8, and then 3D printing is achieved by controlling the movement of the end platform.

[0038] This invention provides a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials, belonging to the field of 3D printing technology. It includes a large mixer, a small mixer, a geared motor, a gate valve, a 3D printing nozzle, a three-axis motion platform, and a support. The large mixer initially pulverizes the corn stalk raw material through its internal stirring device, mixing it with water to form an initial suspension. The suspension enters the small mixer through the upper gate valve, where it undergoes secondary pulverization and is mixed with a binder to form a slurry. The slurry is then conveyed to the conical nozzle through the lower gate valve, and the three-axis motion platform moves the printing surface to complete the 3D printing operation. This device employs a two-stage stirring and pulverizing structure, achieving efficient refinement and uniform mixing of the corn stalk raw material. Combined with a plant-based binder, it enhances the material's molding stability. This method is simple to operate, environmentally friendly, and provides a new path for the high-value utilization of agricultural and forestry waste, suitable for the preparation of environmentally friendly 3D printing materials.

[0039] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are as follows:

[0040] 1. Excellent product performance: It forms a porous fiber structure, which has excellent heat insulation and sound insulation properties, making it suitable for building insulation and other applications;

[0041] 2. Significant energy saving and cost reduction: The ambient temperature process greatly reduces energy consumption and costs, and replaces synthetic materials to achieve high-value upgrading of straw;

[0042] 3. High efficiency in resource recycling: Printing waste can be recycled or used as organic fertilizer, creating a closed-loop utilization system;

[0043] 4. Green, environmentally friendly and controllable: With the addition of environmentally friendly binders, the products are completely biodegradable, and the printing process emits no harmful gases. The entire life cycle embodies the green concept and enhances the utilization value of straw resources. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a front view of a 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material according to the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a large mixer in a 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material according to the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the liquid inlet of the large mixer in the 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal stirring device of the large mixer in the 3D printing device of corn stalk-based composite material of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the fan-shaped top cover of the large mixer in the 3D printing device of corn stalk-based composite material of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a small mixer in a 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material according to the present invention;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal stirring device of a small mixer in a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to the present invention.

[0052] Figure 9 This is a partial front view of one side of the small mixer in the 3D printing device of the corn stalk-based composite material of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 10 This is a partial side view of the small mixer side of the 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 11 This is a partial front view of one side of the large mixer in the 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 12 This is a partial side view of the structure of a large mixer in a 3D printing device for a corn stalk-based composite material according to the present invention.

[0056] In the attached diagram:

[0057] 1. Large mixer; 102. Liquid inlet of large mixer; 102a. Top funnel; 102b. Vertical transition pipe; 103. Internal mixing device of large mixer; 103a. Circular rotating shaft; 103b. Vertical cutting blade I; 103c. Vertical cutting blade II; 104. Top outlet; 105. Fan-shaped top cover; 105a. Fan-shaped disc; 105b. Vertical cylinder; 105c. Rectangular handle;

[0058] 2. Small mixer; 201. Feed inlet of small mixer; 202. Internal mixing device of small mixer; 202a. Vertical cutting blade III; 202b. Vertical cutting blade IV; 202c. Input shaft; 203. Lower discharge port; 204. Adhesive inlet;

[0059] 3. Upper helical gear reducer motor; 4. Lower helical gear reducer motor; 5. Upper gate valve; 6. Lower gate valve; 7. 3D printing nozzle; 8. Three-axis motion platform; 9. Left support; 10. Right support. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Example 1:

[0061] See Figure 1-12 A 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials includes: a large mixer 1, a small mixer 2, an upper helical gear reducer motor 3, a lower helical gear reducer 4, an upper gate valve 5, a lower gate valve 6, a 3D printing nozzle 7, a three-axis motion platform 8, a left support 9, and a right support 10.

[0062] Wherein: a left support 9 and a right support 10 are respectively installed on the bottom sides of the large mixer 1, and an internal mixing device 103 of the large mixer is installed inside it;

[0063] The internal mixing device 103 of the large mixer includes a circular rotating shaft 103a, a vertical cutting blade I 103b, and a vertical cutting blade II 103c;

[0064] The circular rotating shaft 103a is located at the lower part of the large mixer 1, and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the upper helical gear reducer motor 3, and is driven by it.

[0065] The vertical cutting blades I 103b and II 103c are parallel and symmetrically fixed to the upper end of the circular rotating shaft 103a.

[0066] The upper discharge port 104 at the bottom of the large mixer 1 is sealed and fixedly connected to the upper gate valve 5, and the upper part of the large mixer liquid inlet 102 is provided.

[0067] The upper discharge port 104 is a vertical through hole;

[0068] The lower end of the upper gate valve 5 is sealed and fixedly connected to the feed inlet 201 of the small mixer at the top of the small mixer 2;

[0069] The lower end of the lower discharge port 203 of the small mixer 2 is sealed and fixed to the lower gate valve 6. The small mixer has an internal mixing device 202, which is driven by the lower helical gear reducer motor 4 at the bottom.

[0070] The 3D printing nozzle 7 has a conical tip structure, with its upper end sealed and fixed to the lower end of the lower gate valve 6, and a three-axis motion platform 8 is placed below it.

[0071] The large mixer 1 is also provided with a fan-shaped top cover 105 and a large mixer liquid inlet 102 on its upper part;

[0072] The fan-shaped top cover 105 includes a fan-shaped circular plate 105a, a vertical cylinder 105b, and a cuboid handle 105c connected in sequence, which are installed opposite to the fan-shaped solid feed inlet at the upper end of the large mixer 1.

[0073] The solid feed inlet is a fan-shaped opening at the top of the large mixer 1, used for adding corn stalk raw materials;

[0074] The liquid inlet 102 of the large mixer consists of a top funnel 102a and a vertical transition pipe 102b, and is used for adding water.

[0075] The top of the small mixer 2 is also provided with an adhesive inlet 204; the internal mixing device 202 of the small mixer includes a vertical cutting blade III 202a, a vertical cutting blade IV 202b, and an input shaft 202c;

[0076] The adhesive inlet 204 is equipped with an annular funnel for adding the adhesive. The adhesive can be a starch-based plant adhesive (such as corn starch or cassava starch), or 0.5%-2% (calculated by absolute dry material mass) of cellulose adhesive can be added on the basis of using starch-based adhesive to further improve the stability of the coagulation.

[0077] The input shaft 202c is located at the bottom of the small mixer 2, and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the helical gear reducer motor 4, which drives it.

[0078] The vertical cutting blades Ⅲ202a and Ⅳ202b are parallel and symmetrically fixed to the upper end of the input shaft 202c.

[0079] The base of the vertical cutting blade I 103b, vertical cutting blade II 103c, vertical cutting blade III 202a, and vertical cutting blade IV 202b are all carbon steel, and the cutting edges are welded with cemented carbide (such as tungsten-cobalt YG alloy) alloy blades.

[0080] The three-axis motion platform 8 is composed of an X-axis linear drive module, a Y-axis linear drive module, and a Z-axis linear drive module stacked sequentially, which can drive its end platform to move along the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0081] The present invention provides a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials, the method of which is as follows:

[0082] Step 1: Preliminary crushing and dissolving of corn stalks

[0083] The corn stalk raw material is put into the large mixer 1 through the solid feed port of the large mixer 1, and the fan-shaped top cover 105 is covered.

[0084] Then, an appropriate amount of clean water is added into the large mixer 1 through the liquid inlet 102 of the large mixer;

[0085] Start the helical gear reducer motor 3, and the internal mixing device 103 of the large mixer begins to cut the corn stalk raw material and dissolve some of the corn stalk raw material in water to form an initial suspension of corn stalk powder;

[0086] Step Two: Further crushing of corn stalk raw materials and addition of plant binder

[0087] After the initial suspension of corn stalk powder is formed, the upper gate valve 5 is opened to allow the initial suspension of corn stalk powder to flow into the small mixer 2, and the lower helical gear reducer motor 4 is started to allow the internal mixing device 202 of the small mixer to further cut the corn stalk powder.

[0088] After a certain period of time, a certain amount of plant adhesive is added through the adhesive inlet 204 of the small mixer 2. When the plant adhesive is fully mixed with the corn stalk powder suspension, a corn stalk powder slurry is formed in the small mixer 2.

[0089] Step 3: Implementation of 3D Printing

[0090] After the corn stalk powder slurry is formed, open the lower gate valve 6 to allow the corn stalk powder slurry to flow into the 3D printing nozzle 7;

[0091] Subsequently, the 3D printing nozzle 7 continuously extrudes the corn stalk powder slurry onto the end platform of the three-axis motion platform 8, and then 3D printing is achieved by controlling the movement of the end platform.

[0092] In summary, this invention utilizes corn stalk powder slurry as the core molding substrate for 3D printing. The printing waste does not require complex harmless disposal processes; it can be crushed and remixed into printing slurry for recycling, or directly used as organic fertilizer. It boasts a high recycling rate, and the substrate's performance does not significantly degrade after recycling. Furthermore, corn stalk slurry is a bio-based material; when combined with environmentally friendly binders such as starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the resulting product is completely biodegradable. The printing process emits no toxic or harmful gases, and the waste can be directly composted, reducing environmental pollutants at the source. Simultaneously, corn stalk slurry 3D printing primarily employs room-temperature or low-temperature extrusion processes, resulting in significantly lower energy consumption compared to traditional 3D printing technologies.

Claims

1. A 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials, characterized in that, include: Large mixer (1), small mixer (2), upper helical gear reducer motor (3), lower helical gear reducer (4), upper gate valve (5), lower gate valve (6), 3D printing nozzle (7), three-axis motion platform (8), left support (9), right support (10); The large mixer (1) has a left support (9) and a right support (10) installed on both sides of its bottom, and an internal mixing device (103) is installed inside. The internal mixing device (103) of the large mixer includes a circular rotating shaft (103a), a vertical cutting blade I (103b), and a vertical cutting blade II (103c). The circular rotating shaft (103a) is located at the lower part of the large mixer (1), and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the upper helical gear reducer motor (3) and is driven by it; The vertical cutting blades I (103b) and II (103c) are parallel and symmetrically fixed vertically to the upper end of the circular rotating shaft (103a); The upper discharge port (104) at the bottom of the large mixer (1) is sealed and fixed to the upper gate valve (5), and the upper part of the large mixer is provided with a liquid inlet (102). The lower end of the upper gate valve (5) is sealed and fixed to the feed inlet (201) of the small mixer at the top of the small mixer (2); The lower end of the lower discharge port (203) of the small mixer (2) is sealed and fixed to the lower gate valve (6), and the small mixer is equipped with an internal mixing device (202), which is driven by the lower helical gear reducer motor (4) at the bottom. The 3D printing nozzle (7) has a conical tip structure, with its upper end sealed and fixed to the lower end of the lower gate valve (6), and a three-axis motion platform (8) is placed below it.

2. The 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The large mixer (1) is also provided with a fan-shaped top cover (105) and a large mixer liquid inlet (102) on the upper part. The fan-shaped top cover (105) includes a fan-shaped disc (105a), a vertical cylinder (105b), and a cuboid handle (105c) connected in sequence, which are installed opposite to the fan-shaped solid feed inlet at the top of the large mixer (1). The solid feed inlet is a fan-shaped opening at the top of a large mixer (1) for adding corn stalk raw materials; The liquid inlet (102) of the large mixer consists of a top funnel (102a) and a vertical transition pipe (102b) for adding water.

3. The 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that: The small mixer (2) is also provided with an adhesive inlet (204) on top. The internal mixing device (202) of the small mixer includes a vertical cutting blade III (202a), a vertical cutting blade IV (202b), and an input shaft (202c); The adhesive inlet (204) is provided with an annular funnel for adding adhesive; the adhesive is a starch-based plant adhesive, or 0.5%-2% of a cellulose-based adhesive is added on the basis of using a starch-based adhesive to further improve the stability of the coagulation.

4. The 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The input shaft (202c) is located at the bottom of the small mixer (2), and its lower end is connected to the output shaft of the helical gear reducer motor (4) and is driven by it; The vertical cutting blades III (202a) and IV (202b) are parallel and symmetrically fixed vertically to the upper end of the input shaft (202c).

5. The 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vertical cutting blade has a carbon steel base and a cemented carbide blade welded to its cutting edge.

6. The 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: The three-axis motion platform (8) is composed of an X-axis linear drive module, a Y-axis linear drive module and a Z-axis linear drive module stacked in sequence, driving its end platform to move along the X, Y and Z directions.

7. A method of using a 3D printing device for corn stalk-based composite materials, characterized in that: The 3D printing apparatus for corn stalk-based composite materials as described in claim 6 comprises the following specific steps: Step 1: Preliminary crushing and dissolving of corn stalks The corn stalk raw material is put into the large mixer (1) through the solid feed port of the large mixer (1) and covered with the fan-shaped top cover (105). Then, clean water is added into the large mixer (1) through the liquid inlet (102) of the large mixer; Start the helical gear reducer motor (3), and the internal mixing device (103) of the large mixer begins to cut the corn stalk raw material and dissolve some of the corn stalk raw material in water to form an initial suspension of corn stalk powder; Step Two: Further crushing of corn stalk raw materials and addition of adhesive. After the initial suspension of corn stalk powder is formed, the upper gate valve (5) is opened to allow the initial suspension of corn stalk powder to flow into the small mixer (2), and the lower helical gear reducer motor (4) is started to allow the internal stirring device (202) of the small mixer to further cut the corn stalk powder. Then a certain amount of adhesive is added through the adhesive inlet (204) of the small mixer (2). When the adhesive is fully mixed with the corn stalk powder suspension, a corn stalk powder slurry is formed in the small mixer (2). Step 3: Implementation of 3D Printing After the corn stalk powder slurry is formed, the lower gate valve (6) is opened to allow the corn stalk powder slurry to flow into the 3D printing nozzle (7); Subsequently, the 3D printing nozzle (7) continuously extrudes the corn stalk powder slurry onto the end platform of the three-axis motion platform (8), and then 3D printing is achieved by controlling the movement of the end platform.

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