A powder feeding device of a 3D printing apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and discloses a powder feeding device of a 3D printing equipment, which comprises a blockage prevention mechanism, the blockage prevention mechanism comprises a reciprocating driving mechanism and a square material guide pipe, the square material guide pipe is arranged in a feeding port, the reciprocating driving mechanism can drive the square material guide pipe to reciprocally horizontally move in the feeding port, the reciprocating driving mechanism comprises a support, the support is installed at the lower part of a powder tank, a driving motor with an output shaft downward is installed on the support, a cam is fixedly installed on the output shaft of the driving motor, a driving rod is fixedly connected to the eccentric position of the cam, a connecting rod is rotatably connected to the driving rod, a sliding plate is rotatably connected to the end of the connecting rod away from the driving rod, and the sliding plate is connected with the square material guide pipe. In the application, the reciprocating driving mechanism is used for driving the square material guide pipe to horizontally reciprocally move in the feeding port, the falling powder is continuously disturbed, the powder aggregation and bridging phenomenon are effectively destroyed, and the feeding port is prevented from being blocked as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing equipment technology, specifically a powder loading device for 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of 3D printing technology, especially in powder bed fusion processes (such as selective laser sintering and electron beam melting), the powder loading device is one of the key components determining the quality of the printed product. A powder loading device typically includes a powder hopper, a cavity plate, and a material feeding channel within the cavity plate. Powder material from the hopper falls into the material feeding channel through the inlet, and is then pushed to the vicinity of the outlet by a primary powder feeding mechanism. Finally, a secondary powder feeding mechanism quantitatively spreads the powder onto the printing platform, completing the single-layer powder loading process.

[0003] Currently, most conventional 3D printing powder application devices on the market adopt a fixed material feeding structure where the powder bin is directly connected to the feed inlet. The powder falls from the bottom outlet of the powder bin under its own weight, enters the material flow channel of the cavity plate through the feed inlet, and is then pushed to the printing platform by a pushing mechanism to complete the powder application operation. For example, a powder application device for a 3D printing equipment is disclosed in announcement number CN224170494U.

[0004] In practical use, the applicant found that while the existing powder application devices for 3D printing equipment are simple in structure and low in cost, they have significant technical defects. Because 3D printing powders are mostly fine powders with small particle sizes and light weight, they are prone to agglomeration and adhesion. Furthermore, when powder accumulates in a fixed feed inlet and guide area, its flowability decreases significantly. Conventional fixed feed and guide structures lack dynamic guidance, leading to long-term powder accumulation in the feed inlet, which easily causes blockages and jamming. This directly results in uneven powder delivery, intermittent powder feeding, powder shortages, and excessive localized powder accumulation. This discontinuous and uneven powder delivery causes uneven powder thickness and distribution on the printing platform, ultimately leading to quality problems such as poor interlayer adhesion, uneven surface, dimensional deviations, and molding defects in the printed workpiece.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, a powder application device for 3D printing equipment is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder application device for a 3D printing equipment in order to solve the problems mentioned above.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: A powder feeding device for a 3D printing equipment includes: a powder box fixedly disposed on one side of the printing platform; a cavity plate connected to the outlet of the powder box; a material conveying channel constructed inside the cavity plate; an inlet communicating with the material conveying channel on the cavity plate located below the powder box; and an outlet communicating with the material conveying channel on the side of the cavity plate away from the powder box; the inlet of the cavity plate is provided with a primary pushing powder feeding mechanism, and the outlet of the cavity plate is provided with a secondary pushing powder feeding mechanism on the outlet side; characterized in that it further includes an anti-blocking mechanism, the anti-blocking mechanism including a reciprocating drive. The device includes a mechanism and a square guide tube. The square guide tube is disposed inside the feed inlet and can be driven to reciprocate horizontally within the feed inlet by the reciprocating drive mechanism. The reciprocating drive mechanism includes a bracket installed at the lower part of the powder box. A drive motor with its output shaft facing downward is mounted on the bracket. A cam is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor. A drive rod is fixedly connected to the eccentric position of the cam. A connecting rod is rotatably connected to the drive rod. A sliding plate is rotatably connected to the end of the connecting rod away from the drive rod. The sliding plate extends through the cavity plate into the feed inlet and connects to the square guide tube.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the feed inlet is provided with a square groove, and the square guide tube is adapted to be disposed in the square groove and can move horizontally back and forth along the square groove.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower inlet and outlet holes of the square guide tube are both designed with a flared opening.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the discharge port is adjacent to the printing platform, and the width of the discharge port is the same as the width of the printing platform.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the primary pushing powder feeding mechanism includes a double-guide rod cylinder. The double-guide rod cylinder is horizontally installed at the bottom of the cavity plate and below the feed inlet. A push-pull plate is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the double-guide rod cylinder. A horizontally arranged piston plate is installed on the push-pull plate. The piston plate can be adapted to be inserted into the material feeding channel and move along the material feeding channel.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the secondary push powder feeding mechanism includes a mounting frame, which is installed at the bottom of the cavity plate. A vertical double-guide rod cylinder is mounted on the mounting frame. The double-guide rod cylinder is located below the discharge port. A lifting plate is mounted on the piston rod of the double-guide rod cylinder. A vertically arranged piston plate is mounted on the top of the lifting plate. The piston plate is adapted to be inserted into the discharge port and moves along the discharge port.

[0013] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: In this invention, by setting up an anti-blocking mechanism, a reciprocating drive mechanism is used to drive a square guide tube to move horizontally back and forth in the feed inlet, continuously disturbing the falling powder, effectively breaking powder agglomeration and bridging, minimizing feed inlet blockage, ensuring that the powder can enter the material flow channel stably and evenly, and providing a continuous and stable powder source for subsequent powder spreading. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the front view structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a simplified three-dimensional structural diagram of the anti-blocking mechanism in this invention.

[0015] The markings in the diagram are: 1-Powder box; 2-Cavity plate; 3-Material passage; 4-Inlet; 5-Outlet; 6-First-stage powder feeding mechanism; 7-Second-stage powder feeding mechanism; 8-Anti-blocking mechanism; 9-Reciprocating drive mechanism; 10-Square guide pipe; 11-Bracket; 12-Drive motor; 13-Cam; 14-Drive rod; 15-Connecting rod; 16-Slide plate; 17-Square chute; 18-Double guide rod cylinder one; 19-Push-pull plate; 20-Piston plate one; 21-Mounting bracket; 22-Double guide rod cylinder two; 23-Lifting plate; 24-Piston plate two. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, 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.

[0017] The following will combine Figures 1-3 A detailed description is provided of a powder application device for a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Example: This invention provides a powder coating device for a 3D printing equipment, as shown in the following embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it includes: a powder box 1 fixedly installed on one side of the printing platform; a cavity plate 2 connected to the outlet of the powder box 1; a material conveying channel 3 constructed inside the cavity plate 2; an inlet 4 connected to the material conveying channel 3 on the cavity plate 2 located below the powder box 1; and an outlet 5 on the side of the cavity plate 2 away from the powder box 1, which is connected to the material conveying channel 3; a primary powder feeding mechanism 6 is provided on the inlet side of the cavity plate 2; and a secondary powder feeding mechanism 7 is provided on the outlet side of the cavity plate 2. In this embodiment, the powder box 1 stores powder raw materials, and its outlet is connected to the cavity plate 2. The cavity plate 2 has a material passage 3 inside, the inlet 4 receives the powder falling from the powder box, the outlet 5 sends the powder to the printing platform, the first-stage powder feeding mechanism 6 pushes the powder from the inlet area to the outlet, and the second-stage powder feeding mechanism 7 pushes the powder upward to the surface of the printing platform, realizing the quantitative delivery and spreading of powder from the powder box to the printing platform, providing a continuous and uniform powder layer for 3D printing.

[0019] refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, it also includes an anti-blocking mechanism 8, which includes a reciprocating drive mechanism 9 and a square guide tube 10. The square guide tube 10 is disposed in the feed inlet 4. The reciprocating drive mechanism 9 can drive the square guide tube 10 to move horizontally back and forth in the feed inlet 4. The reciprocating drive mechanism 9 includes a bracket 11, which is installed at the lower part of the powder box 1. A drive motor 12 with its output shaft facing downward is installed on the bracket 11. A cam 13 is fixedly installed on the output shaft of the drive motor 12. A drive rod 14 is fixedly connected to the eccentric position of the cam 13. A connecting rod 15 is rotatably connected to the drive rod 14. A slide plate 16 is rotatably connected to the end of the connecting rod 15 away from the drive rod 14. The slide plate 16 extends through the cavity plate 2 and into the feed inlet 4, and is connected to the square guide tube 10. In this embodiment, the drive motor 12 drives the cam 13 to rotate. The eccentric drive rod 14 on the cam 13 pushes the slide plate 16 to reciprocate linearly through the connecting rod 15. The slide plate 16 drives the square guide tube 10 to move horizontally back and forth in the feed port 4. Through the reciprocating motion of the square guide tube 10, the powder in the feed port 4 is continuously disturbed, which effectively breaks the powder agglomeration and bridging phenomenon, avoids the powder from blocking the feed port 4 as much as possible, and ensures that the powder falls into the material flow channel continuously and stably. This solves the problems of easy blockage and discontinuous material flow in traditional fixed feed ports.

[0020] refer to Figure 2 As shown, a square groove 17 is constructed around the inner wall of the feed inlet 4. The square guide tube 10 is adapted to be installed in the square groove 17 and can move horizontally back and forth along the square groove 17. In this embodiment, the square chute 17 provides guidance and limit for the square guide tube 10, ensuring that its horizontal movement is smooth and does not deviate.

[0021] refer to Figure 2and Figure 3 As shown, the upper and lower inlet and outlet holes of the square guide tube 10 are both designed with a flared opening. In this embodiment, the flared opening design increases the opening area for feeding and discharging, guiding the powder to flow in and out smoothly.

[0022] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the discharge port 5 is adjacent to the printing platform, and the width of the discharge port 5 is the same as the width of the printing platform. In this embodiment, the discharge port 5 is directly opposite the printing platform, and its width is equal to the width of the platform, ensuring that the powder can be evenly spread across the entire platform surface.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first-stage powder feeding mechanism 6 includes a double-guide rod cylinder 18, which is horizontally installed at the bottom of the cavity plate 2 and below the feed inlet 4. A push-pull plate 19 is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the double-guide rod cylinder 18, and a horizontally arranged piston plate 20 is installed on the push-pull plate 19. The piston plate 20 can be adapted to be inserted into the material feeding channel 3 and move along the material feeding channel 3. In this embodiment, the dual-guide rod cylinder 18 drives the push-pull plate 19 and piston plate 20 to move horizontally back and forth in the material feeding channel 3, pushing the powder that falls below the feed inlet forward to the vicinity of the discharge outlet 5.

[0024] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the secondary push powder feeding mechanism 7 includes a mounting frame 21, which is installed at the bottom of the cavity plate 2. A vertical double guide rod cylinder 22 is installed on the mounting frame 21. The double guide rod cylinder 22 is located below the discharge port 5. A lifting plate 23 is installed on the piston rod of the double guide rod cylinder 22. A vertically arranged piston plate 24 is installed on the top of the lifting plate 23. The piston plate 24 is adapted to be inserted into the discharge port 5 and moves along the discharge port 5. In this embodiment, the double-guide rod cylinder 22 drives the lifting plate 23 and piston plate 24 to rise and fall vertically within the discharge port 5, pushing the powder pushed in by the first stage upwards and spreading it on the printing platform, thereby achieving vertical powder spreading, controlling the uniform thickness of the powder spread, and ensuring stable lifting and lowering with the double guide rods.

[0025] The implementation principle of the powder loading device of a 3D printing equipment according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: Before printing begins, the powder in the powder box 1 falls into the feed port 4 under the action of gravity, enters the material flow channel 3 through the square guide tube 10, the drive motor 12 starts, the cam 13 rotates, and drives the slide plate 16 to reciprocate through the eccentric drive rod 14 and the connecting rod 15, thereby causing the square guide tube 10 to move horizontally back and forth in the square slide groove 17. The continuous disturbance of the square guide tube destroys the agglomeration and bridging of the powder, ensuring that the powder falls continuously and evenly into the material flow channel 3, and minimizing the risk of blockage. The first-stage powder feeding mechanism 6 extends its double-guide rod cylinder 18, pushing the piston plate 20 to push the powder falling into the material feeding channel 3 forward to below the discharge port 5. The second-stage powder feeding mechanism 7 extends its double-guide rod cylinder 22, pushing the piston plate 24 upward to push the powder out of the discharge port 5 and spread it evenly on the printing platform. After completing one layer of powder spreading, the piston plate 20 and piston plate 24 retract, waiting for the next cycle of material feeding. Since the width of the discharge port 5 is the same as the width of the printing platform, one push can cover the entire platform.

[0026] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A powder loading device for a 3D printing equipment, comprising: A powder box (1) is fixedly installed on one side of the printing platform. A cavity plate (2) is connected to the outlet of the powder box (1). A material conveying channel (3) is constructed inside the cavity plate (2). An inlet (4) communicating with the material conveying channel (3) is opened on the cavity plate (2) below the powder box (1). An outlet (5) is opened on the side of the cavity plate (2) away from the powder box (1). The outlet (5) is communicating with the material conveying channel (3). A primary pushing powder feeding mechanism (6) is provided on the inlet side of the cavity plate (2). A secondary pushing powder feeding mechanism (7) is provided on the outlet side of the cavity plate (2). The feature is that it also includes an anti-blocking mechanism (8). The anti-blocking mechanism (8) includes a reciprocating drive mechanism (9) and a square guide tube (10). The square guide tube (10) is arranged on the inlet side of the printing platform. Inside the feed inlet (4), the square guide tube (10) can be driven to move horizontally back and forth within the feed inlet (4) by the reciprocating drive mechanism (9). The reciprocating drive mechanism (9) includes a bracket (11), which is installed at the lower part of the powder box (1). A drive motor (12) with its output shaft facing downward is installed on the bracket (11). A cam (13) is fixedly installed on the output shaft of the drive motor (12). A drive rod (14) is fixedly connected to the eccentric position of the cam (13). A connecting rod (15) is rotatably connected to the drive rod (14). A sliding plate (16) is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod (15) away from the drive rod (14). The sliding plate (16) extends through the cavity plate (2) and into the feed inlet (4), and is connected to the square guide tube (10).

2. The powder application device for a 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the feed inlet (4) is constructed with a square groove (17). The square guide tube (10) is adapted to be installed in the square groove (17) and can move horizontally back and forth along the square groove (17).

3. The powder application device for a 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower inlet and outlet holes of the square guide tube (10) are both designed with a flared opening.

4. The powder application device for a 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge port (5) is adjacent to the printing platform, and the width of the discharge port (5) is the same as the width of the printing platform.

5. The powder application device for a 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first-stage powder feeding mechanism (6) includes a double-guide rod cylinder (18), which is horizontally installed at the bottom of the cavity plate (2) and below the feed inlet (4). A push-pull plate (19) is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the double-guide rod cylinder (18), and a horizontally arranged piston plate (20) is installed on the push-pull plate (19). The piston plate (20) can be adapted to be inserted into the material feeding channel (3) and move along the material feeding channel (3).

6. The powder application device for a 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary push powder feeding mechanism (7) includes a mounting frame (21), which is installed at the bottom of the cavity plate (22). A vertical double guide rod cylinder (22) is installed on the mounting frame (21). The double guide rod cylinder (22) is located below the discharge port (5). A lifting plate (23) is installed on the piston rod of the double guide rod cylinder (22). A vertically arranged piston plate (24) is installed on the top of the lifting plate (23). The piston plate (24) is adapted to be inserted into the discharge port (5) and moves along the discharge port (5).

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