Piston separating device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and particularly discloses a piston separating device which comprises a cylinder body, a piston and a lifting module, and the piston is movably arranged in the cylinder body; the interior of the cylinder body is hollow, a locking piece is arranged on the cylinder body, and the locking piece can stretch out and draw back relative to the interior of the cylinder body so as to limit the piston; the lifting module comprises a driving assembly and a fixing plate in transmission connection with the driving assembly, and the fixing plate is detachably connected with the cylinder body; the driving assembly drives the fixing plate to move so that the piston can move in the cylinder body. According to the utility model, the piston can be separated from the lifting module, so that the lifting module can carry out secondary printing, and the printing efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and more specifically, to a piston separation device. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing technology, commonly known as 3D printing technology, is a technology that directly generates objects of any shape by superimposing materials based on computer graphics data. In additive manufacturing equipment, taking selective laser melting equipment as an example, the basic process of the selective laser melting process is: a layer of metal powder is laid on the printing platform of the piston, the cross section of the component is scanned with a laser, the metal particles are melted (or fused) together, and the data of this layer is printed. After the previous layer is printed, the printing platform moves down by one layer, and the scraper moves across the platform to lay a new layer of metal powder and perform a new layer of laser cross-section melting. After several layers of scanning and superposition, this process is repeated layer by layer until the printing is completed. After the printing is completed, the powder cleaning operation will be performed, and then the substrate will be removed from the piston and moved to the wire cutting position to separate the workpiece from the substrate.

[0003] After the existing additive manufacturing equipment completes printing, when performing the powder cleaning operation, the piston is always fixed on the lifting module, making it impossible for the lifting module to be lifted a second time, thereby making it impossible to achieve a second printing of the equipment, which greatly affects production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a piston separation device to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned background technology.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0006] A piston separation device comprises a cylinder body, a piston and a lifting module, wherein the piston is movably arranged in the cylinder body; the interior of the cylinder body is hollow, and a locking piece is arranged on the cylinder body, and the locking piece can be extended and retracted relative to the interior of the cylinder body to limit the piston; the lifting module comprises a driving assembly and a fixing plate transmission-connected to the driving assembly, and the fixing plate is detachably connected to the cylinder body; the driving assembly drives the fixing plate to move, thereby driving the piston to move in the cylinder body.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, a rotating member is further included, wherein the rotating member is disposed on the cylinder body, the locking member is connected to the rotating member, and the locking member is extended and retracted relative to the interior of the cylinder body through the rotating member.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, a positioning plate is further included, and one end of the cylinder body close to the locking member is connected to the positioning plate, and the driving assembly passes through the positioning plate and is connected to the piston in the cylinder body through the fixed plate; an adjusting rod is provided on the positioning plate, and the adjusting rod abuts against the locking key to drive the locking member to rotate.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the locking member includes a limiting portion and a fixing portion; when the locking member rotates, the limiting portion extends into the cylinder body to limit the piston; and the fixing portion abuts against the outer side of the cylinder body to fix the locking member.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, a mounting frame is further included, on which a guide member is disposed, and the positioning plate is movably disposed on the guide member.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, a limiting member is further provided on the guide member to limit the positioning plate.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, a clamping piece is provided at the bottom of the piston, a clamping portion adapted to the clamping piece is provided on the fixing plate, and the clamping piece is clamped with the clamping portion.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, a positioning sensor for detecting the relative position of the positioning plate is also included.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the piston includes a printing platform and a heating plate, and the heating plate is arranged on one side of the printing platform to heat the printing platform.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, a sealing assembly is also provided on the piston.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the piston separation device of the utility model is provided with a cylinder body, a piston and a lifting module, wherein the lifting module drives the piston to move relatively in the cylinder body to perform 3D printing; by arranging a locking piece on the cylinder body, the locking piece extends into the interior of the cylinder body to limit the piston, so that the piston will not descend with the descent of the lifting module after the printing is completed, and the fixed plate of the lifting module and the piston are detachably connected. When the piston printing is completed, the fixed plate is separated from the piston, and the piston will be stuck in the cylinder body under the action of the locking piece, thereby completing the separation of the lifting module and the piston. After the separation is completed, the cylinder body and the piston are moved as a whole to the next process for powder cleaning operation, and the new cylinder body and the piston are placed in the relative position of the lifting module, and a second printing can be performed, which greatly improves the printing efficiency and increases the production capacity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the piston separation device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the piston is located inside the cylinder body in an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the piston in the embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a front view of the piston in the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder body in the embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the locking member in the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the lifting module in the embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Description of reference numerals:

[0025] 1-cylinder body; 110-locking member; 111-limiting portion; 112-fixing portion; 120-rotating member;

[0026] 2-piston; 210-clip fitting; 220-printing platform; 230-heating plate; 240-sealing assembly;

[0027] 3-lifting module; 310-driving module; 320-fixing plate; 321-clamping part;

[0028] 4-positioning plate; 410-adjusting rod;

[0029] 5-mounting frame; 510-guide member; 520-limiting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Example 1

[0031] This embodiment provides a piston separation device, please refer to Figure 1-3 A piston separation device comprises a cylinder body 1, a piston 2 and a lifting module 3, wherein the piston 2 is movably arranged in the cylinder body 1; the interior of the cylinder body 1 is hollow, and a locking member 110 is arranged on the cylinder body 1, and the locking member 110 can be extended and retracted relative to the interior of the cylinder body 1 to limit the piston 2; the lifting module 3 comprises a driving assembly and a fixing plate 320 drivingly connected to the driving assembly, and the fixing plate 320 is detachably connected to the cylinder body 1; the driving assembly drives the fixing plate 320 to move so that the piston 2 moves in the cylinder body 1.

[0032] Specifically, the outer side of the cylinder body 1 is also provided with a groove to facilitate manual handling of the cylinder body 1. The interior of the cylinder body 1 is hollow, and the piston 2 is arranged inside the cylinder body 1. The size of the piston 2 is adapted to the interior of the cylinder body 1 so that it can slide relatively along the inner wall of the cylinder body 1. A locking member 110 is provided at the bottom of the cylinder body 1. The locking member 110 can be a rod-shaped or block-shaped locking tongue. The locking member 110 limits the piston 2 by extending into the interior of the cylinder body 1. The piston 2 is used for printing. When in use, the printing raw material is placed on the piston 2, and its cross section is scanned by laser, etc., and the raw materials are fused together for printing. The lifting module 3 includes a driving component and a fixed plate 320, wherein the driving component can be a driving motor, and the driving motor is connected to the fixed plate 320 through a screw guide structure to drive the fixed plate 320 to rise and fall, and the fixed plate 320 is detachably connected to the piston 2.

[0033] During the printing process, the piston 2 is fixedly connected to the fixed plate 320, and the driving motor drives the piston 2 to move in the cylinder body 1 to complete the layered printing.

[0034] After printing is completed, one end of the locking piece 110 extends into the interior of the cylinder body 1, and the driving motor drives the fixed plate 320 to move downward. At this time, the piston 2 is fixedly connected to the fixed plate 320, driving the piston 2 to move downward in the cylinder body 1 until the piston 2 abuts against the locking piece 110; when the piston 2 abuts against the locking piece 110, the fixed plate 320 is separated from the piston 2. At this time, the driving motor will continue to drive the fixed plate 320 to move downward, and the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2 are relatively fixed, completing the separation of the cylinder body 1 and the lifting module 3.

[0035] In some embodiments, through the control of an external program, the piston 2 can also be separated from the fixing plate 320 when the piston 2 is about to abut against the locking member 110, and the piston 2 continues to move downward under the action of gravity and abuts against the locking member 110 to complete the fixation. Compared with the above solution, this solution can save the separation time of the cylinder body 1 and the lifting frame and improve the separation efficiency.

[0036] The piston 2 separation device is provided with a cylinder body 1, a piston 2 and a lifting module 3, wherein the lifting module 3 drives the piston 2 to move relatively in the cylinder body 1 to perform 3D printing; by arranging a locking member 110 on the cylinder body 1, the locking member 110 extends into the interior of the cylinder body 1 to limit the piston 2, so that the piston 2 will not descend with the descent of the lifting module 3 after the printing is completed, and the fixed plate 320 of the lifting module 3 is detachably connected to the piston 2. When the piston 2 is printed, the fixed plate 320 is separated from the piston 2, and the piston 2 will be stuck in the cylinder body 1 under the action of the locking member 110, thereby completing the separation of the lifting module 3 and the piston 2. After the separation is completed, the whole composed of the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2 is moved to the next process for powder cleaning operation. When the new whole composed of the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2 is placed at the relative position of the lifting module 3, a second printing can be performed, which greatly improves the printing efficiency and increases the production capacity; this operation process is simple and convenient, and the locking member 110 is extended relative to the interior of the cylinder body 1 to achieve the separation between the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2.

[0037] In some embodiments, a clamping member 210 is provided at the bottom of the piston 2, and a clamping portion 321 adapted to the clamping member 210 is provided on the fixing plate 320, and the clamping member 210 is clamped with the clamping portion 321. The clamping portion 321 is a positioning pin, and the clamping portion 321 is a positioning chuck. The positioning chuck is clamped with the positioning pin, and the positioning chuck can clamp or loosen the positioning pin. During the printing process, the positioning chuck clamps the positioning pin to fix the piston 2 to avoid the piston 2 shaking during the printing process, resulting in printing misalignment; after the printing is completed, the positioning chuck loosens the positioning pin to separate the piston 2 from the lifting device, and the piston 2 and the cylinder body 1 after the printing are removed, and a new piston 2 and cylinder body 1 are replaced, and a second printing is performed, and this cycle is used to improve the printing efficiency.

[0038] Preferably, a positioning sensor for detecting the position of the positioning plate 4 is also included. The positioning sensor is arranged on the positioning plate 4, and the induction body is arranged on the lifting module 3. After the printing is completed, the positioning plate 4 and the piston 2 move downward together. When the positioning sensor senses the relative position of the induction body of the positioning plate 4, a signal is given to release the positioning chuck and separate the piston 2 from the positioning plate 4. Setting the positioning sensor can improve the automation and separation efficiency of the equipment, and the separation is automatically completed without manual intervention.

[0039] In some embodiments, the piston 2 includes a printing platform 220 and a heating plate 230, and the heating plate 230 is disposed on one side of the printing platform 220 to heat the printing platform 220. The printing platform 220 is used as a printing plane for printing, and the heating plate 230 is disposed on the printing platform 220. The heating plate 230 preheats the printing platform 220 before printing to improve printing efficiency.

[0040] Furthermore, the piston 2 also includes a sealing assembly 240. The sealing assembly 240 includes a sealing plate and a sealing ring, which are arranged on the piston 2. During the printing and transportation process, powder leakage or air leakage occurs, which affects the printing efficiency and the cleanliness of the workstation.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] Example 2 is similar to Example 1, as Figure 4-5 As shown, the difference is that, further, it can also include a rotating member 120, the rotating member 120 is arranged on the cylinder body 1, the locking member 110 is connected to the rotating member 120, and the locking member 110 rotates relative to the cylinder body 1 through the rotating member 120 to expand and contract relative to the inside of the cylinder body 1. Specifically, the locking member 110 is a locking tongue, and the rotating member 120 is a pin shaft. A plurality of pin shafts are arranged on the outside of the cylinder body 1, and a locking tongue is arranged on the pin shaft. The locking tongue can rotate under the action of the pin shaft and extend into the inside of the cylinder body 1 to limit the piston 2.

[0043] In some embodiments, a positioning plate 4 may also be included. One end of the cylinder body 1 close to the locking member 110 is connected to the positioning plate 4. The driving assembly passes through the positioning plate 4 and is connected to the piston 2 in the cylinder body 1 through the fixing plate 320. An adjusting rod 410 is provided on the positioning plate 4, and the adjusting rod 410 drives the locking member 110 to rotate to limit the piston 2. The positioning plate 4 is used to provide an installation position for the lifting module 3, so that the piston 2 separation device is easier to install. The lifting module 3 is arranged at the bottom of the positioning plate 4, and the cylinder body 1 is arranged at the top of the positioning plate 4. When the piston 2 is separated, the cylinder body 1 is removed from the positioning plate 4, and the new cylinder body 1 piston 2 is arranged as a whole on the top of the positioning plate 4 to improve the installation efficiency.

[0044] There are several vertically arranged adjusting rods 410 on the positioning plate 4, and the adjusting rods 410 correspond to the positions of the locking members 110 on the cylinder body 1. After one end of the locking member 110 is abutted against the adjusting member, the other end of the locking member 110 is rotated into the cylinder body 1 to limit the piston 2, thereby completing the automatic limiting function of the adjusting member and improving the separation efficiency.

[0045] Furthermore, the locking member 110 includes a limiting portion 111 and a fixing portion 112; when the locking member 110 rotates, the limiting portion 111 extends into the cylinder 1 to limit the piston 2; and the fixing portion 112 abuts against the outer side of the cylinder 1 to fix the locking member 110. When there is no external interference, the locking member 110 is in a drooping state and will not extend into the interior of the cylinder 1. When one end of the locking member 110 is supported by the outside, the other end will rotate and extend into the interior of the cylinder 1. Specifically, the locking member 110 is "L"-shaped, and one end of the limiting portion 111 will not extend into the interior of the cylinder 1 when there is no external support. Rotating one end of the fixing portion 112 will cause one end of the limiting portion 111 to extend into the cylinder 1. When the piston 2 abuts against the limiting portion 111, one end of the fixing portion 112 will also generate a force with the outer side of the cylinder 1, thereby fixing and not rotating, so that the cylinder 1 and the piston 2 are combined.

[0046] Example 3

[0047] Example 3 is similar to Example 2, except that Figure 6 As shown, further, it also includes a mounting frame 5, on which a guide member 510 is provided, and a positioning plate 4 is movably provided on the guide member 510. The guide member 510 is a slide rail, on which the positioning plate 4 is movably provided, and slides along the direction of the guide rail, the lifting module 3 is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate 4, and the cylinder body 1 is provided at the top thereof, and when the separation is completed, the positioning plate 4 slides along the direction of the slide rail, the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2 move to the next station, the cylinder body 1 and the piston 2 are removed from the positioning plate 4, and the positioning plate 4 slides to the relative position of the lifting module 3, waiting for the new cylinder body 1 to be installed, and a second printing is performed.

[0048] Furthermore, the guide member 510 is also provided with a limiter 520 to limit the positioning plate 4. The limiter 520 can be a limiter block, which is arranged on the guide rail to limit the movement of the positioning plate 4 to prevent it from sliding out of the guide rail. At the same time, a limiter block is arranged on one end of the slide rail close to the lifting module 3, and the positioning plate 4 can also be positioned so that it can be better installed with the lifting module 3.

[0049] In some embodiments, the slide rail may further include a driving component for driving the positioning plate 4 to move on the slide rail to improve work efficiency.

[0050] The drawings are only for illustrative purposes and cannot be construed as limiting the present invention. To better illustrate the present embodiment, some parts of the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the size of the actual product. For those skilled in the art, it is understandable that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. The positional relationships described in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and cannot be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0051] The same or similar reference numerals in the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention correspond to the same or similar parts; in the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if there are terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "long", "short", etc. indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms describing the positional relationship in the drawings are only used for exemplary explanations and cannot be understood as limitations on this patent. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the allowable error range. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the allowable error range.

[0052] In the description of this application, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the specific relationship represented can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, they can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application according to specific circumstances.

[0053] Obviously, the above embodiments of the utility model are only examples for clearly explaining the utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in the relevant field, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made on the basis of the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the utility model.

Claims

1. A piston separation device, characterized in that: It comprises a cylinder body, a piston and a lifting module, wherein the piston is movably arranged in the cylinder body; The cylinder body is hollow inside, and a locking member is provided on the cylinder body, and the locking member can be extended and retracted relative to the inside of the cylinder body to limit the position of the piston; The lifting module includes a driving assembly and a fixing plate drivingly connected to the driving assembly, and the fixing plate is detachably connected to the cylinder body; The driving assembly drives the fixing plate to move, thereby driving the piston to move in the cylinder.

2. The piston separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a rotating member, which is arranged on the cylinder body. The locking member is connected to the rotating member, and the locking member is extended and retracted relative to the inside of the cylinder body through the rotating member.

3. The piston separation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a positioning plate, one end of the cylinder body close to the locking member is connected to the positioning plate, and the driving assembly passes through the positioning plate and is connected to the piston in the cylinder body through the fixing plate; The positioning plate is provided with an adjusting rod, and the adjusting rod abuts against the locking member to drive the locking member to rotate.

4. The piston separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking member comprises a limiting portion and a fixing portion; When the locking member rotates, the limiting portion extends into the cylinder body to limit the piston; The fixing portion abuts against the outer side of the cylinder body to fix the locking member.

5. The piston separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting frame, on which a guide piece is arranged, and on which the positioning plate is movably arranged.

6. The piston separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The guide member is also provided with a limiting member to limit the positioning plate.

7. The piston separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clamping piece is provided at the bottom of the piston, a clamping portion adapted to the clamping piece is provided on the fixing plate, and the clamping piece is clamped with the clamping portion.

8. The piston separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a positioning sensor for detecting the relative position of the positioning plate.

9. The piston separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piston comprises a printing platform and a heating plate, wherein the heating plate is arranged on one side of the printing platform to heat the printing platform.

10. The piston separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing component is also arranged on the piston.

Images