Automatic powder flattening mechanism and 3D printer

Abstract

The automatic powder flattening mechanism comprises a powder box, a chain, a power component and a plurality of powder stirring plates, supporting shafts are installed on the inner sides of the two ends of the powder box, the power component is connected with one supporting shaft, the chain is connected to the two supporting shafts, and the powder stirring plates are arranged on the two supporting shafts. And a plurality of powder stirring plates are connected to the chain and are distributed along the length direction of the chain. The 3D printer comprises the automatic powder flattening mechanism. The powder stirring device has the advantages that the power component drives the supporting shaft to rotate, then the chain connected to the supporting shaft is driven to move, the powder stirring plates are connected to the chain and distributed in the length direction of the chain, and the powder stirring plates can be driven to move synchronously when the chain moves; and the powder in the powder box is distributed in the length direction of the powder box by moving the powder stirring plate instead of vibration, so that the phenomenon that the dust in the printing environment is much raised is avoided, and the printing quality is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D printer structures, and in particular to an automatic powder leveling mechanism and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] Selective laser melting metal 3D printing technology is a process of melting layers of metal powder to obtain a formed part. After each layer is melted, the melting platform descends, and new powder is spread over the layer to repeat the above melting process. This process is repeated to obtain a formed part.

[0003] At present, in 3D printing equipment, since the printing has a certain width, a powder distribution mechanism is required to distribute the powder at the input end along the length direction of the powder trough. In the prior art, the powder is distributed along the length direction of the powder trough through vibration, which causes a lot of dust, resulting in a printing environment that does not meet expectations, thereby causing the problem of reduced printing quality. Summary of the invention

[0004] The utility model aims to provide an automatic powder leveling mechanism and a 3D printer, so as to distribute the powder in the powder box along the length direction of the powder box by moving the powder plate, instead of distributing the powder along the length direction by vibration, so as to avoid large dust in the printing environment and ensure the printing quality.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions.

[0006] An automatic powder leveling mechanism comprises a powder box, a chain, a power component and a plurality of powder shifting plates, wherein support shafts are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the powder box, the power component is connected to the support shafts, the chain is connected to the two support shafts, and a plurality of powder shifting plates are connected to the chain and distributed along the length direction of the chain.

[0007] The utility model adopts the above technical scheme, by installing support shafts on the inner sides of both ends of the powder box, connecting the chain to the two support shafts, so that the chain is supported by the support shafts, and connecting the power component to the support shaft, so that the support shaft is driven to rotate by the power component, thereby driving the chain connected to the support shaft to move, and also connecting several powder plates to the chain and distributed along the length direction of the chain, so that the powder plates are driven to move synchronously when the chain moves, and then the powder in the powder box is distributed along the length direction of the powder box by moving the powder plates, instead of distributing the powder along the length direction by vibration, thereby avoiding large dust in the printing environment and ensuring the printing quality.

[0008] Preferably, it further comprises a powder inlet pipe, wherein the powder inlet pipe is connected to the top of the powder box, and a powder outlet is formed at the bottom of the powder box.

[0009] In this way, by connecting the powder inlet pipe to the top of the powder box, the printing powder can smoothly enter the powder box, and then a powder outlet is formed at the bottom of the powder box to facilitate the powder to be sent out to the next process through the powder outlet.

[0010] Preferably, the powder outlet extends along the length direction of the powder box.

[0011] In this way, by extending the powder outlet along the length direction of the powder box, the powder distributed along the length direction of the powder box can be easily discharged along the length direction, thereby preventing the powder from accumulating in the next process and facilitating the increase of the width of the printed parts.

[0012] Preferably, the powder plucking plate is in the form of a long strip as a whole, and both ends of the powder plucking plate are connected to corresponding chains via mounting brackets respectively.

[0013] In this way, by setting the powder plate as an overall long strip plate and connecting the two ends of the powder plate to the corresponding chains through mounting brackets, the powder can be dispersed along the length direction of the powder box through the long strip powder plate to prevent powder accumulation.

[0014] Preferably, the powder deflecting plate comprises a powder deflecting portion and a connecting portion, the cross section of the powder deflecting plate is L-shaped, the vertical portion of the L-shape constitutes the powder deflecting portion, the horizontal portion of the L-shape constitutes the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is connected to the chain.

[0015] In this way, by setting the cross-section of the powder plucking plate to an L shape, the vertical part of the L shape constitutes the powder plucking part, and the horizontal part of the L shape constitutes the connecting part, it is convenient to connect with the chain by setting the connecting part, and the powder plucking effect is improved by specially setting the powder plucking part.

[0016] Preferably, the mounting bracket is an L-shaped plate as a whole, the vertical section of the L-shaped plate constitutes a chain connecting part, the horizontal section of the L-shaped plate constitutes a powder plate connecting part, the chain connecting part is connected to the chain, and the powder plate connecting part is connected to the connecting part of the powder plate through bolts.

[0017] In this way, by setting the mounting bracket as an L-shaped plate as a whole, it is convenient to connect with the chain through the chain connecting part, and the powder plate connecting part is also connected with the connecting part of the powder plate through bolts, thereby ensuring the strength and rigidity of the connecting point between the powder plate and the chain.

[0018] Preferably, the chain connecting portion is formed with two mounting holes respectively matched with two adjacent rivets on the chain, and the powder plate connecting portion is formed with a connecting hole, through which a bolt passes to connect with the connecting portion.

[0019] In this way, by forming two mounting holes on the chain connecting part respectively matching with two adjacent rivets on the chain, the mounting bracket is positioned, and then a bolt is passed through the connecting hole to connect with the connecting part to connect the powder plate to the chain.

[0020] Preferably, it further comprises a plurality of transmission gears, wherein the transmission gears are respectively connected to both ends of the support shaft, and the chain cooperates with the transmission gears.

[0021] In this way, by providing a transmission gear and connecting the transmission gear to the two ends of the support shaft respectively, the chain cooperates with the transmission gear, so that the chain is driven to move by the transmission gear.

[0022] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an embodiment of the utility model further provides a 3D printer, including the above-mentioned automatic powder leveling mechanism.

[0023] The beneficial effect of the utility model is that by installing support shafts on the inner sides of both ends of the powder box, the chain is connected to the two support shafts, so that the chain can be supported by the support shaft, and the power component is connected to the support shaft, so that the support shaft can be driven to rotate by the power component, thereby driving the chain connected to the support shaft to move, and several powder plates are connected to the chain and distributed along the length direction of the chain, so that the powder plates can be driven to move synchronously when the chain moves, and then the powder in the powder box is distributed along the length direction of the powder box by moving the powder plates, instead of distributing the powder along the length direction by vibration, so as to avoid large dust in the printing environment and ensure the printing quality. By setting the mounting bracket as an L-shaped plate as a whole, it is convenient to connect to the chain through the chain connecting part, and the powder plate connecting part is connected to the connecting part of the powder plate by bolts, so as to ensure the strength and rigidity of the connecting point between the powder plate and the chain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is the appearance structure diagram of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a bottom view of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 It is the internal structure diagram of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the powder deflecting plate in the utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the mounting bracket in the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described.

[0030] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: powder box 1, powder outlet 11, power component 12, powder inlet pipe 13, chain 14, mounting bracket 141, chain connecting part 1411, powder plate connecting part 1412, powder plucking plate 15, powder plucking part 151, connecting part 152, support shaft 16, and transmission gear 17.

[0031] The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the embodiments of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Words such as "one", "an" or "the" and similar words do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Similarly, words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections or communication connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0032] See also Figures 1 to 5 An automatic powder leveling mechanism includes a powder box 1, a chain 14, a power component 12 and a plurality of powder shifting plates 15. Support shafts 16 are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the powder box 1. The power component 12 is connected to one of the support shafts 16. The chain 14 is connected to the two support shafts 16. The plurality of powder shifting plates 15 are connected to the chain 14 and are distributed along the length direction of the chain 14. A plurality of support shafts 16 can be provided and evenly distributed along the length direction of the powder box 1. The power component 12 can be fixedly connected to one of the support shafts 16 through a coupling. The power component 12 can be an electric motor or the like.

[0033] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , further comprising a powder inlet pipe 13, the powder inlet pipe 13 being connected to the top of the powder box 1, and a powder outlet 11 being formed at the bottom of the powder box 1. In this way, by connecting the powder inlet pipe 13 to the top of the powder box 1, the printing powder can be smoothly introduced into the powder box 1, and then a powder outlet 11 is formed at the bottom of the powder box 1, so that the powder can be sent out to the next process through the powder outlet 11.

[0034] See also Figure 2 , the powder outlet 11 extends along the length direction of the powder box 1. In this way, by extending the powder outlet 11 along the length direction of the powder box 1, the powder distributed along the length direction of the powder box 1 can be easily discharged along the length direction, so as to increase the width of the printed part.

[0035] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4The powder plate 15 is in the shape of a long strip, and the two ends of the powder plate 15 are connected to the corresponding chain 14 through the mounting brackets 141. In this way, by making the powder plate 15 in the shape of a long strip, and connecting the two ends of the powder plate 15 to the corresponding chain 14 through the mounting brackets 141, it is convenient to disperse the powder along the length direction of the powder box 1 through the long strip powder plate 15, and prevent the powder from piling up.

[0036] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The powder plucking plate 15 includes a powder plucking portion 151 and a connecting portion 152. The cross section of the powder plucking plate 15 is L-shaped. The vertical portion of the L-shape constitutes the powder plucking portion 151, and the horizontal portion of the L-shape constitutes the connecting portion 152. The connecting portion 152 is connected to the chain 14. In this way, by setting the cross section of the powder plucking plate 15 to be L-shaped, the vertical portion of the L-shape constitutes the powder plucking portion 151, and the horizontal portion of the L-shape constitutes the connecting portion 152, it is convenient to connect with the chain 14 by setting the connecting portion 152, and by specially setting the powder plucking portion 151 to pry powder, the powder plucking effect is improved.

[0037] See also Figure 3 and Figure 5 The mounting bracket 141 is an L-shaped plate as a whole, the vertical section of the L-shaped plate constitutes a chain connecting portion 1411, the horizontal section of the L-shaped plate constitutes a powder plate connecting portion 1412, the chain connecting portion 1411 is connected to the chain 14, and the powder plate connecting portion 1412 is connected to the connecting portion 152 of the powder plate 15 by bolts. In this way, by setting the mounting bracket 141 as a whole as an L-shaped plate, it is convenient to connect to the chain 14 through the chain connecting portion 1411, and the powder plate connecting portion 1412 is also connected to the connecting portion 152 of the powder plate 15 by bolts, thereby ensuring the strength and rigidity of the connecting point between the powder plate 15 and the chain 14.

[0038] See also Figure 3 and Figure 5 The chain connecting portion 1411 is formed with two mounting holes, and the two mounting holes are respectively matched with two adjacent rivets on the chain 14, and the powder plate connecting portion 1412 is formed with a connecting hole, and the bolt passes through the connecting hole to connect with the connecting portion 152. In this way, by forming two mounting holes on the chain connecting portion 1411 that are respectively matched with two adjacent rivets on the chain 14, the mounting bracket 141 is positioned, and then the bolt is passed through the connecting hole to connect with the connecting portion 152, and the powder plate 15 is connected to the chain 14.

[0039] See also Figure 3, and further includes a plurality of transmission gears 17, the transmission gears 17 are respectively connected to the two ends of the support shaft 16, and the chain 14 cooperates with the transmission gears 17. In this way, by providing the transmission gears 17 and connecting the transmission gears 17 to the two ends of the support shaft 16, the chain 14 cooperates with the transmission gears 17, so that the chain 14 is driven to move by the transmission gears 17. The transmission gears 17 on the support shaft 16 connected to the power component 12 are fixedly connected to the support shaft 16, and the transmission gears 17 on other support shafts 16 can be connected to the corresponding support shaft 16 through bearings.

[0040] The structure of the chain 14 and the transmission gear 17 in the utility model can also be replaced by a belt and a pulley to achieve the function of moving the powder plate.

[0041] During operation, the transmission component and the inlet channel of the powder inlet pipe 13 are opened, and the printing powder enters the powder box 1 through the powder inlet pipe 13. The transmission component drives the powder plate 15 to move in a circular motion along the length direction of the powder box 1, distributes the printing powder along the length direction of the powder box 1, and enters the next process along the powder outlet 11 at the bottom of the powder box 1.

[0042] Embodiment 2: The present application also provides a 3D printer, comprising the above-mentioned automatic powder leveling mechanism.

[0043] The above shows and describes the basic principle and main features of the utility model and the advantages of the utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that the utility model is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principle of the utility model. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, the utility model may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the utility model to be protected. The scope of protection claimed by the utility model is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic powder leveling mechanism, characterized in that: The invention comprises a powder box (1), a chain (14), a power component (12) and a plurality of powder plates (15), wherein support shafts (16) are installed on the inner sides of both ends of the powder box (1), the power component (12) is connected to one of the support shafts (16), the chain (14) is connected to the two support shafts (16), and the plurality of powder plates (15) are connected to the chain (14) and are distributed along the length direction of the chain (14).

2. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a powder inlet pipe (13), wherein the powder inlet pipe (13) is connected to the top of the powder box (1), and a powder outlet (11) is formed at the bottom of the powder box (1).

3. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The powder outlet (11) extends along the length direction of the powder box (1).

4. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder plate (15) is in the shape of a long strip as a whole, and both ends of the powder plate (15) are connected to corresponding chains (14) through mounting brackets (141) respectively.

5. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The powder deflecting plate (15) comprises a powder deflecting portion (151) and a connecting portion (152); the cross section of the powder deflecting plate (15) is L-shaped, and the connecting portion (152) is connected to the chain (14).

6. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting bracket (141) is L-shaped as a whole, the vertical section of the mounting bracket (141) constitutes a chain connecting portion (1411), the horizontal section of the mounting bracket (141) constitutes a powder plate connecting portion (1412), the chain connecting portion (1411) is connected to the chain (14), and the powder plate connecting portion (1412) is connected to a connecting portion (152) of a powder plate (15) via bolts.

7. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chain connecting portion (1411) is formed with two mounting holes, the two mounting holes respectively matching with two adjacent rivets on the chain (14); the powder plate connecting portion (1412) is formed with a connecting hole, and a bolt passes through the connecting hole to connect with the connecting portion (152).

8. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a plurality of transmission gears (17), wherein the transmission gears (17) are respectively connected to both ends of the support shaft (16), and the chain (14) cooperates with the transmission gears (17).

9. The automatic powder leveling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The powder plates (15) are all connected to the outside of the chains (14).

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that: It comprises the automatic powder leveling mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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