A multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology and discloses a multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device, comprising: a material tank disposed on a support platform, with a sleeve formed by a downward indentation in the middle of the material tank; a printing platform, which is slidably and sealingly connected to the inner surface of the sleeve, and connected to a drive mechanism for driving the printing platform to move up and down between a first position and a second position; and a scraper disposed on a moving mechanism disposed on the support platform; the scraper is in contact with the upper surface of the printing platform, and the moving mechanism is used to drive the scraper to move linearly and rotate along the surface of the printing platform. This invention can rotatably adjust the relative position of the scraper and the printing platform, thereby achieving multi-directional scraping of the additive material on the printing platform, improving the uniformity of the additive material spreading; simultaneously, for photopolymerization materials with high viscosity or containing anisotropic fillers, multi-directional scraping can also ensure the spreading stability and consistency of the material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to a multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device. Background Technology

[0002] Photopolymerization 3D printing technology achieves layer-by-layer printing of 3D structures by selectively exposing and curing photosensitive materials. Among them, digital light processing (DLP) photopolymerization technology is widely used in the field of precision manufacturing due to its high exposure efficiency and high forming accuracy.

[0003] Existing DLP photopolymer 3D printing equipment mainly includes two structural forms: pull-up and sink-down. For the sink-down structure, a fixed or lifting printing platform is typically used in conjunction with a material tank (VAT) to achieve printing. This method has the following technical drawbacks: 1. Material spreading usually relies on static leveling or is spread in one direction by a scraping mechanism. The spreading method is singular, the spreading uniformity is poor, and the scraping mechanism cannot achieve multi-directional scraping. 2. For high-viscosity or photocurable materials containing anisotropic fillers, existing coating mechanisms cannot guarantee the spreading stability and consistency of the material.

[0004] In view of this, how to provide a DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device that can partially or completely overcome the above-mentioned technical defects is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device capable of multi-directional coating of additive raw materials, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device, comprising: A material trough is set on a support platform. The outer edge of the material trough extends upward to form a side plate, and the middle is recessed downward to form a sleeve with openings at the top and bottom. The support platform has mounting holes corresponding to the sleeve. The printing platform is slidably and sealingly connected to the inner surface of the sleeve. The printing platform is connected to the driving mechanism, which is used to drive the printing platform to move up and down between a first position and a second position. When the printing platform is in the first position, the upper surface of the printing platform is flush with the upper edge of the side plate, and the bottom is located inside the sleeve. A scraper is mounted on a moving mechanism, which is mounted on a support platform; the scraper is in contact with the upper surface of the printing platform, and the moving mechanism is used to drive the scraper to move linearly and rotate along the surface of the printing platform. An ultraviolet DLP projector is positioned above the moving mechanism and corresponds to the printing platform.

[0007] Furthermore, the driving mechanism is a Z-axis moving platform, which is disposed on the lower surface of the support platform. The moving end of the Z-axis moving platform is provided with a connecting rod, one end of which extends into the sleeve from the lower opening of the sleeve and is connected to the printing platform.

[0008] Furthermore, the moving mechanism includes: A hollow turntable is mounted on a support platform and coaxially positioned on the outside of the material trough, with a first through hole in the middle of the hollow turntable. A movable component is disposed on the hollow turntable, and a scraper is disposed on the movable component; the movable component has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole, and the hollow turntable is used to drive the movable mechanism to rotate along the surface of the printing platform; the scraper passes through the second through hole and the first through hole and is connected to the printing platform, and the movable component is used to drive the scraper to move linearly along the surface of the printing platform.

[0009] Furthermore, the moving component includes: A rotating platform is disposed on the hollow turntable, and the second through hole is opened in the middle of the rotating platform; A linear guide rail is disposed on the rotating platform and located on both sides of the second through hole. The two ends of the scraper are slidably connected to the linear guide rail via sliders, and the sliders are connected to the linear motion mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes: An optical fine-tuning platform is mounted on a slider, and both ends of the scraper are mounted on the optical fine-tuning platform. The optical fine-tuning platform can adjust the distance between the scraper and the printing platform in the vertical direction.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes: A feed pump is connected at one end to the material trough and at the other end to the additive raw material. The feed pump is used to transport the additive raw material into the material trough.

[0012] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: This invention can rotate and adjust the relative position of the scraper and the printing platform, thereby enabling multi-directional scraping of additive materials on the printing platform and improving the spreading uniformity of additive materials; at the same time, for high-viscosity or photocurable materials containing anisotropic fillers, multi-directional scraping can also ensure the spreading stability and consistency of the material. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments 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.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of part of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating platform structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a top view of the rotating platform after it has been rotated. Among them, 1. Material trough; 101. Side plate; 102. Sleeve; 2. Support platform; 3. Printing platform; 4. Scraper; 5. Ultraviolet DLP projector; 6. Z-axis moving platform; 7. Connecting rod; 8. Hollow turntable; 9. Rotary platform; 10. Linear guide rail; 11. Slider; 12. Optical fine-tuning platform. Detailed Implementation

[0015] 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.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "comprising" as used in this application means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Furthermore, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein can include wireless connections or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" as used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0017] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device, comprising: The material trough 1 is set on the support platform 2. The outer edge of the material trough 1 extends upward to form a side plate 101, and the middle is recessed downward to form a sleeve 102 with openings at the top and bottom. The support platform 2 has mounting holes corresponding to the sleeve 102. The printing platform 3 (circular plate structure) is sealed and slidably connected to the inner surface of the sleeve 102 (piston connection method). The printing platform 3 is connected to the drive mechanism, which is used to drive the printing platform 3 to move up and down between the first position and the second position. When the printing platform 3 is in the first position, the upper surface of the printing platform 3 is flush with the upper edge of the side plate 101, and the bottom is located inside the sleeve 102. The scraper 4 is mounted on the moving mechanism, which is mounted on the support platform 2. The scraper 4 is in contact with the upper surface of the printing platform 3. The moving mechanism is used to drive the scraper 4 to move linearly and rotate along the surface of the printing platform 3. The ultraviolet DLP projector 5 is positioned above the moving mechanism and corresponds to the printing platform 3.

[0019] In this embodiment, the driving mechanism is a Z-axis moving platform 6, which is disposed on the lower surface of the support platform 2. The moving end of the Z-axis moving platform 6 is provided with a connecting rod 7, one end of which extends into the sleeve 102 from the lower opening and is connected to the printing platform 3.

[0020] In this embodiment, the support platform 2 can be fixed with the help of a bracket, and the Z-axis moving platform 6 can also be connected to the bracket to improve stability.

[0021] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism includes: A hollow turntable 8 is mounted on a support platform 2 and coaxially positioned on the outside of the material trough 1. A first through hole is provided in the middle of the hollow turntable 8. A movable component is mounted on a hollow turntable 8, and a scraper 4 is mounted on the movable component. The movable component has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole. The hollow turntable 8 is used to drive the movable mechanism to rotate along the surface of the printing platform 3. The scraper 4 passes through the second through hole and the first through hole and is connected to the printing platform 3. The movable component is used to drive the scraper 4 to move linearly along the surface of the printing platform 3.

[0022] In this embodiment, the hollow turntable 8 can adopt the existing annular slide rail or other equivalent structure, which can drive the scraper 4 to rotate within the range of 0-360°.

[0023] In this embodiment, the moving component includes: A rotating platform 9 is mounted on a hollow turntable 8, and a second through hole is opened in the middle of the rotating platform 9; Linear guide rail 10 is set on the rotating platform 9 and located on both sides of the second through hole. The two ends of the scraper 4 are slidably connected to the linear guide rail through slider 11. The slider 11 is connected to the linear motion mechanism, which can be a stepper motor or a servo motor. There are two sets of linear guide rail 10. The stepper motor or servo motor located on the two sets of linear guide rail 10 can be synchronously driven by synchronous pulleys and synchronous belts.

[0024] It should be noted that the main function of the first through hole is to place the material trough 1 inside the material trough 1, and at the same time support the rotating platform 9 and drive it to rotate. Therefore, the height of the hollow turntable 8 should be slightly higher than the upper edge of the side plate 101 of the material trough 1.

[0025] In this embodiment, it also includes: An optical fine-tuning platform 12 is mounted on a slider 11, and both ends of a scraper 4 are mounted on the optical fine-tuning platform 12. The optical fine-tuning platform 12 can adjust the distance between the scraper 4 and the printing platform 3 in the vertical direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, a feed pump is also included, with one end connected to the material tank 1 and the other end connected to the additive raw material. The feed pump is used to deliver the additive raw material into the material tank 1. The feed pump can be a peristaltic pump, a piston plate, or other equivalent structure, and is not limited here. The function of the feed pump is to stabilize the liquid level of the additive raw material in the material tank 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the additive raw material can be liquid crystal material, fiber-reinforced material, carbon nanotube material, sheet-like filler material or a combination thereof, and can also be a material with anisotropic orientation characteristics.

[0028] The specific work process is as follows: In the initial state, the printing platform 3 is located in the first position, that is, flush with the upper edge of the side plate 101 (not completely flush, but slightly lower than the upper edge of the side plate 101, so as to facilitate the additive material to cover the printing platform 3). First, the scraper 4 is connected to the optical fine-tuning platform 12, and the distance between the scraper 4 and the printing platform 3 is adjusted according to the actual 3D printing needs.

[0029] Liquid additive material is fed into the material tank 1 by a feed pump. The additive material submerges and covers the printing platform 3. The additive material on the printing platform 3 is scraped from multiple directions by a scraper 4. Then, the ultraviolet DLP projector 5 is turned on to form the first additive structure layer.

[0030] The printing platform 3 is driven downward by the Z-axis moving platform 6 to move down to a preset thickness, and then the first additive structure layer is coated in multiple directions by the scraper 4. The ultraviolet DLP projector 5 is started again to form the second additive structure layer. The above steps are repeated until the entire product printing is completed.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" 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 this invention and 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 this invention.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-directional scraping and sinking type DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device, characterized in that, include: A material trough (1) is set on a support platform (2). The outer edge of the material trough (1) extends upward to form a side plate (101), and the middle part is recessed downward to form a sleeve (102) with openings at the top and bottom. The support platform (2) has mounting holes corresponding to the sleeve (102). The printing platform (3) is sealed and slidably connected to the inner surface of the sleeve (102). The printing platform (3) is connected to the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is used to drive the printing platform (3) to move up and down between the first position and the second position. When the printing platform (3) is in the first position, the upper surface of the printing platform (3) is flush with the upper edge of the side plate (101), and the bottom is located inside the sleeve (102). A scraper (4) is mounted on a moving mechanism, which is mounted on a support platform (2); the scraper (4) is in contact with the upper surface of the printing platform (3), and the moving mechanism is used to drive the scraper (4) to move linearly and rotate along the surface of the printing platform (3); An ultraviolet DLP projector (5) is positioned above the moving mechanism and corresponds to the printing platform (3).

2. The multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism is a Z-axis moving platform (6), which is located on the lower surface of the support platform (2). The moving end of the Z-axis moving platform (6) is provided with a connecting rod (7). One end of the connecting rod (7) extends into the sleeve (102) from the lower opening and is connected to the printing platform (3).

3. The multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving mechanism includes: A hollow turntable (8) is set on the support platform (2) and coaxially set on the outside of the material trough (1). A first through hole is opened in the middle of the hollow turntable (8). A movable component is disposed on the hollow turntable (8), and the scraper (4) is disposed on the movable component; the movable component has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole, and the hollow turntable (8) is used to drive the movable mechanism to rotate along the surface of the printing platform (3); the scraper (4) passes through the second through hole and the first through hole and is connected to the printing platform (3), and the movable component is used to drive the scraper (4) to move linearly along the surface of the printing platform (3).

4. The multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The moving component includes: A rotating platform (9) is disposed on the hollow turntable (8), and the second through hole is opened in the middle of the rotating platform (9); A linear guide (10) is set on the rotating platform (9) and located on both sides of the second through hole. The two ends of the scraper (4) are slidably connected to the linear guide (10) through a slider (11). The slider (11) is connected to the linear motion mechanism.

5. The multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: An optical fine-tuning platform (12) is set on a slider (11), and the two ends of the scraper (4) are set on the optical fine-tuning platform (12). The optical fine-tuning platform (12) can adjust the distance between the scraper (4) and the printing platform (3) in the vertical direction.

6. The multi-directional scraping and sinking DLP photopolymerization 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The feed pump is connected at one end to the material trough (1) and at the other end to the additive raw material. The feed pump is used to transport the additive raw material into the material trough (1).

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