Automatic powder suction device of metal 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of powder suction of 3D (three-dimensional) printers, in particular to an automatic powder suction device of a metal 3D printer, which comprises a first box body, a second box body and a forming cylinder in which metal powder needs to be cleaned, and a powder suction cover for sealing the top of the forming cylinder is arranged in the first box body. A negative pressure fan used for sucking out metal powder in the forming cylinder is arranged in the powder suction cover, an air blowing pipe used for blowing up the metal powder in the forming cylinder is fixedly connected to the powder suction cover, and a lifting mechanism used for controlling the powder suction cover to move is arranged in the first box body. When the powder suction device is used, the top of the forming cylinder is sealed through the powder suction cover and the sealing gasket, so that metal powder does not need to be exposed in air to be cleaned, powder suction operation is carried out in inert gas, risks can be greatly reduced, and the powder suction device is safe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D printer powder suction, in particular to an automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printer, a type of rapid prototyping technology, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that uses digital model files as the basis, uses powdered metal or plastic and other bondable materials to construct objects by printing layer by layer. 3D printing is usually achieved using digital technology material printers. It is often used to make models in the fields of mold manufacturing, industrial design, etc., and later gradually used for the direct manufacturing of some products. There are already parts printed using this technology.

[0003] The conventional powder cleaning method of existing 3D printers is manual powder cleaning. The main process is: after the workpiece is printed, the powder cleaning staff wears dust masks, protective glasses, anti-static wristbands, anti-static gloves, and a full set of anti-static clothing, transfers the forming cylinder in the 3D printer and the workpiece in the forming cylinder from the equipment building chamber to the powder cleaning chamber, opens the hatch, and uses a vacuum cleaner to suck away excess metal powder on the workpiece and in the forming cylinder. However, when powder remains in the slits or grooves in the forming cylinder, additional cleaning is required, which is more troublesome. This manual powder cleaning method takes a long time, and the metal powder is exposed to the air, which has a high risk during powder cleaning. Therefore, an automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer is now proposed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the disadvantages of the prior art that when powder remains in the slits or grooves in the forming cylinder, additional cleaning is required, which is troublesome. This manual powder cleaning method takes a long time, and the metal powder is exposed to the air, which leads to a high risk of powder cleaning. An automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer is proposed to solve the disadvantages that

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer comprises a first box body, a second box body and a forming cylinder whose internal metal powder needs to be cleaned, wherein a powder suction hood for sealing the top of the forming cylinder is arranged inside the first box body, a negative pressure fan for sucking out the metal powder inside the forming cylinder is arranged inside the powder suction hood, an air blowing pipe for blowing up the metal powder inside the forming cylinder is fixedly connected to the powder suction hood, a lifting mechanism for controlling the movement of the powder suction hood is arranged inside the first box body, the powder suction hood is coaxially arranged with the forming cylinder, the inner diameter of the bottom of the powder suction hood is consistent with the inner diameter of the forming cylinder, a circular ring-shaped sealing pad is fixedly connected to the bottom of the powder suction hood, the air blowing pipe passes through and is fixedly connected to the powder suction hood, one end of the air blowing pipe located inside the powder suction hood is inclined, and an electromagnetic valve is arranged on the outer wall of the air blowing pipe located outside the powder suction hood.

[0007] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a first motor, a lifting screw, a lifting plate and a support block, one side of the support block is provided with a lifting groove that slides with the lifting plate, the bottom of the support block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first box body, the first motor is installed at the inner bottom of the lifting groove, the output end of the first motor is fixedly connected to the lifting screw, the lifting screw is threadedly connected to the lifting plate, a powder outlet pipe passes through and is fixedly connected to the lifting plate, the bottom of the powder outlet pipe is fixedly connected to the top of the powder suction cover, and the powder outlet pipe is connected to the suction filter tank through a powder conveying hose.

[0008] Preferably, a fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the forming cylinder is disposed inside the first box body, a suction filter tank and a vacuum pump are disposed inside the second box body, and an argon gas source is disposed on one side of the second box body.

[0009] Preferably, the fixing mechanism includes a placement plate, a second motor, a bidirectional screw, a symmetrically arranged movable plate and an arc plate, the placement plate is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the first box body, the second motor is installed on one side of the placement plate, the output end of the second motor is fixedly connected to the bidirectional screw, the bidirectional screw is threadedly connected to the movable plate, the top of the movable plate is fixedly connected to the arc plate, the top of the placement plate is provided with a movable groove for sliding with the movable plate, and a strong magnetic plate is fixedly connected to the top of the arc plate away from the second box body.

[0010] Preferably, the negative pressure fan is installed on the inner top of the powder suction hood.

[0011] Preferably, a vertically arranged metal tube is fixedly connected to the top of the blowing tube, the top of the metal tube is connected to a vacuum pump via a gas hose, and the top of the argon gas source is connected to the gas hose via an exhaust pipe.

[0012] Preferably, a spring is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the metal tube, a sealing plug is fixedly connected to the top of the spring, an iron sheet is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealing plug, the sealing plug is slidably connected to the inner wall of the metal tube, an air inlet hole that penetrates the interior of the blowing pipe is opened on the inner wall of the metal tube, and an air vent is opened on the inner bottom of the metal tube.

[0013] Preferably, the top of the suction filter tank is connected to the vacuum pump through a suction pipe, the bottom of the suction filter tank is connected to a powder tank through a discharge pipe, a discharge pipe is provided at the bottom of the powder tank, and a sealing cover is threadedly connected to the bottom of the discharge pipe.

[0014] Preferably, one side of the first box body is connected with a box door via symmetrically arranged hinges, and the box door is provided with a transparent observation window.

[0015] Preferably, the forming cylinder is arranged on the top of the placement plate.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0017] 1. When the equipment is in use, the top of the forming cylinder is sealed by a powder suction cover and a sealing gasket. This way, the metal powder does not need to be exposed to the air for cleaning, and the powder suction operation is performed in an inert gas, which can greatly reduce the risk and is safer.

[0018] 2. When the equipment is in use, air is blown into the inside of the forming cylinder through the air blowing pipe, which can blow up the metal powder and blow out the metal powder remaining in the forming cylinder, the slits and the grooves, and then the metal powder is sucked out with the negative pressure fan, which greatly saves extra cleaning time and has high automatic powder cleaning efficiency.

[0019] 3. When the equipment is in use, the first valve arranged outside the blowing pipe can prevent the leakage of argon gas. After the powder suction cover leaves the top of the forming cylinder, the sealing plug inside the metal pipe will block the air inlet hole, thereby preventing the leakage of argon gas again, which is safer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external three-dimensional structure of an automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer proposed by the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal three-dimensional structure of an automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer proposed by the utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection of the lifting mechanism in the automatic powder suction device of a metal 3D printer proposed by the utility model;

[0023] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection of the fixing mechanism in the automatic powder suction device of a metal 3D printer proposed by the utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection between the lifting plate, the powder suction cover, the powder outlet pipe, the air blowing pipe, the solenoid valve and the metal pipe;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection of the sealing plug, the spring, the negative pressure fan, the air blowing pipe and the sealing gasket;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection of the metal tube, the sealing plug, the spring, the vent hole, the air inlet hole and the blow pipe.

[0027] In the figure: 1. first box body; 2. second box body; 3. forming cylinder; 4. powder suction cover; 5. negative pressure fan; 6. blowing pipe; 7. suction filter tank; 8. vacuum pump; 9. argon gas source; 10. sealing pad; 11. solenoid valve; 12. first motor; 13. lifting screw; 14. lifting plate; 15. support block; 16. lifting slot; 17. powder outlet pipe; 18. powder delivery hose; 19. placement plate; 20. second motor; 21. bidirectional screw; 22. arc plate; 23. moving slot; 24. strong magnetic plate; 25. metal pipe; 26. gas delivery hose; 27. spring; 28. sealing plug; 29. ​​air inlet; 30. air vent; 31. suction pipe; 32. powder tank; 33. moving plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0029] Reference Figure 1-Figure 7, an automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer comprises a first box body 1, a second box body 2 and a forming cylinder 3 whose internal metal powder needs to be cleaned, a powder suction cover 4 for sealing the top of the forming cylinder 3 is arranged inside the first box body 1, a negative pressure fan 5 for sucking out the metal powder inside the forming cylinder 3 is arranged inside the powder suction cover 4, a blowing pipe 6 for blowing up the metal powder inside the forming cylinder 3 is fixedly connected to the powder suction cover 4, a lifting mechanism for controlling the movement of the powder suction cover 4 is arranged inside the first box body 1, the powder suction cover 4 is coaxially arranged with the forming cylinder 3, the inner diameter of the bottom of the powder suction cover 4 is consistent with the inner diameter of the forming cylinder 3, a ring-shaped sealing pad 10 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the powder suction cover 4, the blowing pipe 6 passes through and is fixedly connected to the powder suction cover 4, one end of the blowing pipe 6 located inside the powder suction cover 4 is inclined, and an electromagnetic valve 11 is arranged on the outer wall of the blowing pipe 6 located outside the powder suction cover 4.

[0030] It should be noted that the powder suction hood 4 is coaxially arranged with the forming cylinder 3 so that when the powder suction hood 4 moves downward, it can directly cover the top of the forming cylinder 3. The inner diameter of the bottom of the powder suction hood 4 is consistent with the inner diameter of the forming cylinder 3 to facilitate sealing and subsequent powder suction operations.

[0031] It should be noted that, by cooperating with the sealing gasket 10 , the top of the forming cylinder 3 can be sealed to prevent the diffusion of metal powder.

[0032] It should be noted that the bottom end of the blowing pipe 6 is tilted downward so that the blown argon gas can move downward along the inner wall of the powder suction cover 4 and the forming cylinder 3, and can directly blow up the metal powder inside the forming cylinder 3, the slits and the grooves.

[0033] It should be noted that the electromagnetic valve 11 can control the entry of argon gas and prevent the leakage of argon gas.

[0034] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes a first motor 12, a lifting screw 13, a lifting plate 14 and a support block 15. A lifting groove 16 sliding with the lifting plate 14 is opened on one side of the support block 15. The bottom of the support block 15 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first box body 1. The first motor 12 is installed on the inner bottom of the lifting groove 16. The output end of the first motor 12 is fixedly connected to the lifting screw 13. The lifting screw 13 is threadedly connected to the lifting plate 14. A powder outlet pipe 17 passes through and is fixedly connected to the lifting plate 14. The bottom of the powder outlet pipe 17 is fixedly connected to the top of the powder suction cover 4. The powder outlet pipe 17 is connected to the suction filter tank 7 through a powder conveying hose 18.

[0035] It should be noted that, through the limited sliding of the lifting plate 14 and the lifting slot 16 , the lifting plate 14 can drive the powder suction cover 4 to perform stable linear motion in the vertical direction.

[0036] It should be noted that a moving opening for the powder delivery hose 18 and the gas delivery hose 26 to move is opened on one side of the top of the first box body 1 .

[0037] It should be noted that the powder delivery hose 18 and the gas delivery hose 26 are commonly used corrugated tubes, which are retractable and long enough to meet the normal upward and downward movement of the powder suction hood 4 when the powder delivery hose 18 is retracted.

[0038] Furthermore, a fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the forming cylinder 3 is provided inside the first box body 1 , a suction filter tank 7 and a vacuum pump 8 are provided inside the second box body 2 , and an argon gas source 9 is provided on one side of the second box body 2 .

[0039] It should be noted that the specific models and specifications of the first motor 12, the second motor 20, the argon gas source 9, the negative pressure fan 5, the solenoid valve 11, the suction filter tank 7 and the vacuum pump 8 need to be selected and determined according to the actual specifications of the device. The specific selection calculation method adopts the existing technology in this field, so it is not explained, and all of them can be powered by external devices and controlled to be opened and closed.

[0040] It should be noted that, turning on the argon gas source 9 can provide argon gas, which enables the powder suction to be operated under an inert gas, which is safer. When not in use, the argon gas source 9 can be turned off.

[0041] It should be noted that the negative pressure fan 5 can suck out the metal powder inside the forming cylinder 3 and discharge it through the powder outlet pipe 17 .

[0042] It should be noted that a multi-layer metal powder filter screen is provided on the inner top of the suction filter tank 7 to filter the incoming metal powder.

[0043] It should be noted that the vacuum pump 8 can blow argon gas from the blowing pipe 6 into the interior of the molding cylinder 3 , and can blow up the metal powder inside the molding cylinder 3 , in the fine cracks and grooves, so that the metal powder can be sucked out by the negative pressure fan 5 .

[0044] It should be noted that a controller is provided on the top of the powder suction cover 4 , and the controller is electrically connected to the solenoid valve 11 through an electric wire, and the controller can control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 11 .

[0045] Furthermore, the fixing mechanism includes a placement plate 19, a second motor 20, a bidirectional screw 21, a symmetrically arranged moving plate 33 and an arc plate 22, the placement plate 19 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first box body 1, the second motor 20 is installed on one side of the placement plate 19, the output end of the second motor 20 is fixedly connected to the bidirectional screw 21, the bidirectional screw 21 is threadedly connected to the moving plate 33, the top of the moving plate 33 is fixedly connected to the arc plate 22, the top of the placement plate 19 is provided with a moving groove 23 that slides with the moving plate 33, and the top of the arc plate 22 away from the second box body 2 is fixedly connected with a strong magnetic plate 24.

[0046] It should be noted that the two arc-shaped plates 22 can clamp and fix the forming cylinder 3 , so that the forming cylinder 3 can stably perform the powder suction operation and avoid shaking of the forming cylinder 3 .

[0047] Furthermore, the negative pressure fan 5 is installed on the inner top of the powder suction hood 4 .

[0048] It should be noted that the negative pressure fan 5 is provided with an air intake hole at the bottom and an air outlet hole at the top, so as to suck the metal powder in the forming cylinder 3 and discharge it into the powder outlet pipe 17 .

[0049] Furthermore, a vertically arranged metal tube 25 is fixedly connected to the top of the blowing tube 6 , the top of the metal tube 25 is connected to the vacuum pump 8 via a gas hose 26 , and the top of the argon gas source 9 is connected to the gas hose 26 via an exhaust pipe.

[0050] It should be noted that the vacuum pump 8 will discharge argon gas into the interior of the molding cylinder 3 through the gas delivery hose 26 , the metal pipe 25 and the blowing pipe 6 .

[0051] Furthermore, a spring 27 is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the metal tube 25, a sealing plug 28 is fixedly connected to the top of the spring 27, an iron sheet is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealing plug 28, the sealing plug 28 is slidingly connected to the inner wall of the metal tube 25, an air inlet hole 29 that penetrates the interior of the blowing pipe 6 is opened on the inner wall of the metal tube 25, and an air vent 30 is opened on the inner bottom of the metal tube 25.

[0052] It should be noted that when the powder suction cover 4 is in contact with the top of the forming cylinder 3, the two strong magnetic plates 24 will control the downward movement of the sealing plug 28 through the iron sheet and squeeze the spring 27, while exposing the air inlet 29 to facilitate air intake.

[0053] It should be noted that when the powder suction cover 4 leaves the top of the forming cylinder 3, since there is no suction at the bottom of the iron sheet, the restoring force of the spring 27 will push the sealing plug 28 to move up and reset, thereby blocking the air inlet 29 and further preventing gas leakage.

[0054] Furthermore, the top of the suction filter tank 7 is connected to the vacuum pump 8 through the suction pipe 31, and the bottom of the suction filter tank 7 is connected to the powder tank 32 through the discharge pipe. The bottom of the powder tank 32 is provided with a discharge pipe, and the bottom of the discharge pipe is threadedly connected with a sealing cover.

[0055] It should be noted that when the sealing cover is screwed out, the metal powder inside the suction filter tank 7 will fall into the powder tank 32 under the action of gravity, and then the metal powder will be discharged from the discharge pipe.

[0056] Furthermore, one side of the first box body 1 is connected to a box door through a symmetrically arranged hinge, and a transparent observation window is arranged on the box door. The forming cylinder 3 is arranged on the top of the placement plate 19.

[0057] It should be noted that when the powder suction operation is in progress, the box door is closed and the powder suction operation can be easily observed through the transparent observation window.

[0058] Working principle of this utility model:

[0059] First, the forming cylinder 3 is placed on the placement plate 19 , and then the second motor 20 controls the two arc plates 22 to clamp and fix the forming cylinder 3 through the bidirectional screw 21 and the two moving plates 33 .

[0060] Then, the first motor 12 controls the downward movement of the lifting plate 14 through the lifting screw 13 , and the lifting plate 14 controls the downward movement of the powder suction cover 4 , and the powder suction cover 4 seals the top of the forming cylinder 3 through the sealing pad 10 .

[0061] Finally, the vacuum pump 8 will extract the air inside the suction filter tank 7 through the suction pipe 31. Under the action of negative pressure, the air inside the molding cylinder 3 will enter the suction filter tank 7 through the powder suction cover 4, the powder outlet pipe 17 and the powder delivery hose 18. The negative pressure fan 5 will suck out the metal powder inside the molding cylinder 3 and discharge it into the suction filter tank 7 for filtration. The argon gas source 9 is turned on, and the vacuum pump 8 will discharge argon from the gas delivery hose 26, the metal tube 25 and the blowing pipe 6 into the molding cylinder 3. The argon gas will blow up the metal powder inside the molding cylinder 3, the slits and the grooves, and then cooperate with the suction of the negative pressure fan 5, so that the metal powder inside the molding cylinder 3 in the metal 3D printer can be automatically sucked, which is more convenient.

[0062] The above are only preferred specific implementation methods of the utility model, but the protection scope of the utility model is not limited to this. Any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the utility model, who makes equivalent replacements or changes based on the technical scheme and utility model concept of the utility model, should be covered by the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer, comprising a first box (1), a second box (2) and a forming cylinder (3) whose internal metal powder needs to be cleaned, characterized in that: A powder suction hood (4) for sealing the top of the molding cylinder (3) is arranged inside the first housing (1), a negative pressure fan (5) for sucking out metal powder inside the molding cylinder (3) is arranged inside the powder suction hood (4), a blowing pipe (6) for blowing up the metal powder inside the molding cylinder (3) is fixedly connected to the powder suction hood (4), a lifting mechanism for controlling the movement of the powder suction hood (4) is arranged inside the first housing (1), the powder suction hood (4) is coaxially arranged with the molding cylinder (3), the inner diameter of the bottom of the powder suction hood (4) is the same as the inner diameter of the molding cylinder (3), a circular ring-shaped sealing gasket (10) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the powder suction hood (4), the blowing pipe (6) passes through and is fixedly connected to the powder suction hood (4), one end of the blowing pipe (6) located inside the powder suction hood (4) is inclined, and an electromagnetic valve (11) is arranged on the outer wall of the blowing pipe (6) located outside the powder suction hood (4).

2. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism comprises a first motor (12), a lifting screw (13), a lifting plate (14) and a support block (15); a lifting groove (16) is provided on one side of the support block (15) and is slidable with the lifting plate (14); the bottom of the support block (15) is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the first box body (1); the first motor (12) is mounted on the inner bottom of the lifting groove (16); the output end of the first motor (12) is fixedly connected to the lifting screw (13); the lifting screw (13) is threadedly connected to the lifting plate (14); a powder outlet pipe (17) passes through and is fixedly connected to the lifting plate (14); the bottom of the powder outlet pipe (17) is fixedly connected to the top of the powder suction cover (4); and the powder outlet pipe (17) is connected to the suction filter tank (7) through a powder conveying hose (18).

3. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the forming cylinder (3) is arranged inside the first box (1), a material suction filter tank (7) and a vacuum pump (8) are arranged inside the second box (2), and an argon gas source (9) is arranged on one side of the second box (2).

4. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixing mechanism comprises a placement plate (19), a second motor (20), a bidirectional screw (21), a symmetrically arranged moving plate (33) and an arc plate (22); the placement plate (19) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first box body (1); the second motor (20) is installed on one side of the placement plate (19); the output end of the second motor (20) is fixedly connected to the bidirectional screw (21); the bidirectional screw (21) is threadedly connected to the moving plate (33); the top of the moving plate (33) is fixedly connected to the arc plate (22); the top of the placement plate (19) is provided with a moving groove (23) for sliding with the moving plate (33); and the top of the arc plate (22) away from the second box body (2) is fixedly connected with a strong magnetic plate (24).

5. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The negative pressure fan (5) is installed on the inner top of the powder suction cover (4).

6. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the air blowing pipe (6) is fixedly connected to a vertically arranged metal pipe (25), the top of the metal pipe (25) is connected to the vacuum pump (8) via a gas delivery hose (26), and the top of the argon gas source (9) is connected to the gas delivery hose (26) via an exhaust pipe.

7. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: A spring (27) is fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the metal tube (25), a sealing plug (28) is fixedly connected to the top of the spring (27), an iron sheet is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sealing plug (28), the sealing plug (28) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the metal tube (25), an air inlet hole (29) penetrating the interior of the air blowing tube (6) is provided on the inner wall of the metal tube (25), and an air vent (30) is provided on the inner bottom of the metal tube (25).

8. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the suction filter tank (7) is connected to the vacuum pump (8) via an air suction pipe (31), the bottom of the suction filter tank (7) is connected to the powder tank (32) via a discharge pipe, the bottom of the powder tank (32) is provided with a discharge pipe, and the bottom of the discharge pipe is threadedly connected to a sealing cover.

9. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: One side of the first box body (1) is connected to a box door via symmetrically arranged hinges, and the box door is provided with a transparent observation window.

10. The automatic powder suction device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The forming cylinder (3) is arranged on the top of the placement plate (19).

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