A powder supply device for 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a powder supply device for a 3D printer, comprising a primary silo frame, a primary silo, a powder detection sensor, a bracket, a weighing sensor, a secondary silo and a controller, wherein the primary silo is located inside the primary silo frame and is slidably connected thereto; the powder detection sensor is installed inside the primary silo near the top; the bracket is fixed on the top of the primary silo frame; the weighing sensor is installed on the top of the bracket; the secondary silo is installed on the top of the weighing sensor; the secondary silo is connected to the primary silo through a pipeline; a pipe clamp valve is installed on the pipeline; the powder detection sensor and the weighing sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively, and the controller is electrically connected to the pipe clamp valve. The powder supply process of the utility model is stable and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of powder supply devices, and more specifically to a powder supply device for a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printer, also known as three-dimensional printer, is a cumulative manufacturing technology, that is, a machine of rapid prototyping technology. It is based on a digital model file and uses special wax materials, powdered metal or plastic and other adhesive materials to print layers of adhesive materials to create three-dimensional objects. The technology of constructing objects by printing layer by layer. The principle of 3D printer is to put data and powder into the 3D printer, and the machine will make the product layer by layer according to the program. The biggest difference between 3D printer and traditional printer is that the "ink" it uses is real raw material, and there are various forms of stacked thin layers. There are various types of media that can be used for printing, from a variety of plastics to metals, ceramics and rubber substances.

[0003] However, the existing 3D printer powder supply device has the following main problems: 1) The powder supply is discontinuous, and it is easy to run out of powder during the printing process; 2) The powder is prone to agglomeration, caking, and bridging due to static electricity, affecting the printing effect.

[0004] Therefore, providing a stable and reliable 3D printer powder supply device is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art.

[0005] Utility Model

[0006] In view of this, the utility model provides a powder supply device for a 3D printer, which can supply powder stably and reliably.

[0007] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A 3D printer powder supply device comprises a primary silo frame, a primary silo, a powder detection sensor, a bracket, a weighing sensor, a secondary silo and a controller, wherein the primary silo is located inside the primary silo frame and is slidably connected thereto; the powder detection sensor is installed inside the primary silo near the top; the bracket is fixed to the top of the primary silo frame; the weighing sensor is installed on the top of the bracket; the secondary silo is installed on the top of the weighing sensor; the secondary silo is connected to the primary silo through a pipeline; a pipe clamp valve is installed on the pipeline; the powder detection sensor and the weighing sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively, and the controller is electrically connected to the pipe clamp valve.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0010] A powder detection sensor is installed inside the primary silo to monitor the powder stock in the primary silo in real time. At the same time, a weighing sensor is installed on the secondary silo to detect the amount of powder in the secondary silo, which can ensure timely supply of powder and achieve stable powder supply. The powder is first stored in the secondary silo for a long time to release static electricity, and then transported to the primary silo to prevent powder from agglomeration, caking, bridging, etc. due to static electricity.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a stirring motor, a powder supply motor, a stirring screw and a powder supply screw, wherein the stirring motor and the powder supply motor are installed on a side of the first-level silo frame from top to bottom; the stirring screw is installed through the inside of the first-level silo, and an extended end of the stirring screw is installed on the output shaft of the stirring motor; the powder supply screw is installed through the inside of the first-level silo and is located below the stirring screw, and an extended end of the powder supply screw is installed on the output shaft of the powder supply motor.

[0012] Furthermore, the stirring screw is a forward and reverse thread screw.

[0013] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further technical solution is that the powder falling into the middle of the first-level silo can be transported to both sides, so that the powder is evenly distributed, and the accumulation of powder is prevented from affecting printing.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a pressing mechanism and a quick-change mechanism, the first-level silo frame includes a frame body and a cover plate covered thereon, the frame body has a powder outlet at the bottom; one side of the frame body has an opening corresponding to the position of the first-level silo, the inner wall of the frame body is provided with a guide rail, and the first-level silo is embedded and installed on the guide rail; the first-level silo has a powder supply port corresponding to the position of the powder outlet at the bottom; the pressing mechanism is installed on the cover plate through a plurality of guide pillars, and the pressing mechanism moves up and down along the guide pillars to pass through the cover plate and be pressed into the pressure groove at the top of the first-level silo or be separated from the pressure groove; the pipeline passes through the pressing mechanism and is connected to the first-level silo; the quick-change mechanism is installed on the cover plate through a support frame, and the quick-change mechanism moves horizontally along the support frame to be pressed on the top plane of the pressing mechanism or be separated from the pressing mechanism.

[0015] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further technical solution is that the first-level silo can be easily taken out and placed, which is convenient for operation and maintenance.

[0016] Furthermore, the pressing mechanism includes a pressing plate and a pressing column connected as a whole from top to bottom, and the pressing plate is slidably connected to the plurality of guide columns; the pressing column passes through the cover plate and corresponds to the position of the pressing groove; the quick-change mechanism includes a guide rod, a handle and a pressing arm, and the guide rod horizontally passes through the support frame and is slidably connected thereto; the handle is located at one end of the guide rod close to the support frame and is rotatably connected thereto, and the handle is hinged to the support frame through a connecting rod; the pressing arm is fixed to one end of the guide rod away from the support frame and corresponds to the position of the pressing plate.

[0017] Furthermore, a powder supply pump or a vacuum suction machine is installed on the top of the secondary silo. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 The accompanying drawing is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a powder supply device for a 3D printer provided by the utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 The accompanying drawing is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a powder supply device for a 3D printer provided by the utility model from another perspective;

[0021] Figure 3 The attached picture is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of part A;

[0022] Figure 4 The accompanying drawing is a main cross-sectional view of a powder supply device for a 3D printer provided by the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0024] like Figure 1-4As shown, an embodiment of the utility model discloses a powder supply device for a 3D printer, comprising a primary silo frame 1, a primary silo 2, a powder detection sensor, a bracket 3, a weighing sensor 4, a secondary silo 5 and a controller, wherein the primary silo 2 is located inside the primary silo frame 1 and is slidably connected thereto; the powder detection sensor is installed inside the primary silo 2 near the top; the bracket 3 is fixed to the top of the primary silo frame 1; the weighing sensor 4 is installed on the top of the bracket 3; the secondary silo 5 is installed on the top of the weighing sensor 4; the secondary silo 5 is connected to the primary silo 2 through a pipeline 6; a pipe clamp valve 7 is installed on the pipeline 6; the powder detection sensor and the weighing sensor 4 are electrically connected to the controller respectively, and the controller is electrically connected to the pipe clamp valve 7. The utility model is provided with a powder detection sensor installed inside the primary silo 2 to monitor the powder stock in the primary silo 2 in real time. Meanwhile, the secondary silo 5 is installed with a weighing sensor 4 to detect the powder quantity in the secondary silo 5, thereby ensuring timely supply of powder and achieving stable powder supply. The powder is first stored in the secondary silo 5, and is placed for a long time to release static electricity, and then transported to the primary silo 2 to prevent the powder from agglomerating, agglomerating, bridging, etc. due to static electricity.

[0025] In order to further optimize the technical solution of the utility model, it also includes a stirring motor 8, a powder supply motor 9, a stirring screw 10 and a powder supply screw 11. The stirring motor 8 and the powder supply motor 9 are installed on a side of the first-level silo frame 1 from top to bottom; the stirring screw 10 is installed through the first-level silo 2, and an extended end of the stirring screw 10 is installed on the output shaft of the stirring motor 8; the powder supply screw 11 is installed through the first-level silo 2 and is located below the stirring screw 10, and an extended end of the powder supply screw 11 is installed on the output shaft of the powder supply motor 9.

[0026] In order to further optimize the technical solution of the utility model, the stirring screw 10 is a positive and negative thread screw, so that the powder falling into the middle of the first-level silo 2 can be transported to both sides to make the powder evenly distributed and prevent powder accumulation from affecting printing.

[0027] In order to further optimize the technical solution of the utility model, it also includes a pressing mechanism and a quick-change mechanism. The first-level silo frame 1 includes a frame body 101 and a cover plate 102 covered thereon. The frame body 101 has a powder outlet at the bottom; one side of the frame body 101 has an opening corresponding to the position of the first-level silo 2, and the inner wall of the frame body 101 is provided with a guide rail, and the first-level silo 2 is embedded and installed on the guide rail; the bottom of the first-level silo 2 has a powder supply port corresponding to the position of the powder outlet, and the powder in the first-level silo 2 is finally transported to the powder spreading device of the printer. After the powder roller pushes the powder to move left and right on the printing platform to spread the powder, the laser irradiates the laser for laser sintering printing; the pressing mechanism is installed on the cover plate 102 through multiple guide pillars 12, and the pressing mechanism moves up and down along the guide pillars 12 to penetrate the cover plate 102 and press it in the top pressure groove of the primary silo 2 or separate from the pressure groove; the pipeline 6 penetrates the pressing mechanism and is connected to the primary silo 2; the quick-change mechanism is installed on the cover plate 102 through the support frame 13, and the quick-change mechanism moves horizontally along the support frame 13 to press it on the top plane of the pressing mechanism or separate from the pressing mechanism.

[0028] Specifically, the pressing mechanism includes a pressing plate 14 and a pressing column 15 connected as one from top to bottom, the pressing plate 14 is slidably connected to a plurality of guide columns 12; the pressing column 15 passes through the cover plate 102 and corresponds to the position of the pressing groove; the quick-change mechanism includes a guide rod 16, a handle 17 and a pressing arm 18, the guide rod 16 horizontally passes through the support frame 13 and is slidably connected thereto; the handle 17 is located at one end of the guide rod 16 close to the support frame 13 and is rotatably connected thereto, and the handle 17 is hinged to the support frame 13 through a connecting rod 19 ; The pressing arm 18 is fixed to the end of the guide rod 16 away from the support frame 13 and corresponds to the position of the pressing plate 14. During specific use, the guide rod 16 is driven to move horizontally by opening and closing the handle 17, and then the pressing arm 18 is driven to move. When the pressing arm 18 is detached from the pressing plate 14, the pressing mechanism can move up and down along the guide column 12. When the pressing column 15 is detached from the pressing groove at the top of the first-level silo 2, the first-level silo 2 can be pulled out from the first-level silo frame 1, realizing quick access and easy operation and maintenance.

[0029] Specifically, a powder supply pump or a vacuum suction machine 20 is installed on the top of the secondary silo 5. In this embodiment, a vacuum suction machine 20 is used.

[0030] The working process of this utility model:

[0031] When powder inside the secondary silo 5 needs to be added, the powder supply pump or vacuum suction machine 20 starts working to transport the powder to the secondary silo 5. The amount of powder in the secondary silo 5 is determined by the weighing sensor 4 at its bottom. When powder needs to be added to the primary silo 2, the powder is transported to the primary silo 2 by controlling the pipe clamp valve 7. The amount of powder in the primary silo 2 is determined by the powder detection sensor (photoelectric sensor). The powder entering the primary silo 2 is evenly distributed inside the primary silo 2 under the action of the stirring screw 10. When powder needs to be added during printing, the powder supply screw 11 rotates to transport the powder in the primary silo 2 to the printing platform.

[0032] In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. For the device disclosed in the embodiment, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the method part.

[0033] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A powder supply device for a 3D printer, characterized in that: It includes a primary silo frame, a primary silo, a powder detection sensor, a bracket, a weighing sensor, a secondary silo and a controller, wherein the primary silo is located inside the primary silo frame and is slidably connected thereto; the powder detection sensor is installed inside the primary silo near the top; The bracket is fixed on the top of the primary silo frame; the weighing sensor is installed on the top of the bracket; the secondary silo is installed on the top of the weighing sensor; the secondary silo is connected to the primary silo through a pipeline; a pipe clamp valve is installed on the pipeline; the powder detection sensor and the weighing sensor are electrically connected to the controller respectively, and the controller is electrically connected to the pipe clamp valve.

2. A 3D printer powder supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a stirring motor, a powder supply motor, a stirring screw and a powder supply screw, wherein the stirring motor and the powder supply motor are installed on a side of the first-level silo frame from top to bottom; the stirring screw is installed through the first-level silo, and an extended end of the stirring screw is installed on the output shaft of the stirring motor; the powder supply screw is installed through the first-level silo and is located below the stirring screw, and an extended end of the powder supply screw is installed on the output shaft of the powder supply motor.

3. A 3D printer powder supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stirring screw is a forward and reverse thread screw.

4. A 3D printer powder supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pressing mechanism and a quick-change mechanism, the first-level silo frame includes a frame body and a cover plate covered thereon, the frame body has a powder outlet at the bottom; one side of the frame body has an opening corresponding to the position of the first-level silo, the inner wall of the frame body is provided with a guide rail, and the first-level silo is embedded and installed on the guide rail; the first-level silo has a powder supply port corresponding to the position of the powder outlet at the bottom; the pressing mechanism is installed on the cover plate through a plurality of guide pillars, and the pressing mechanism moves up and down along the guide pillars to pass through the cover plate and be pressed into the pressure groove at the top of the first-level silo or be separated from the pressure groove; the pipeline passes through the pressing mechanism and is connected to the first-level silo; the quick-change mechanism is installed on the cover plate through a support frame, and the quick-change mechanism moves horizontally along the support frame to be pressed on the top plane of the pressing mechanism or be separated from the pressing mechanism.

5. A 3D printer powder supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressing mechanism includes a pressing plate and a pressing column which are connected as a whole from top to bottom, and the pressing plate is slidably connected to the plurality of guide columns; the pressing column passes through the cover plate and corresponds to the position of the pressing groove; the quick-change mechanism includes a guide rod, a handle and a pressing arm, the guide rod horizontally passes through the support frame and is slidably connected thereto; the handle is located at one end of the guide rod close to the support frame and is rotatably connected thereto, and the handle is hinged to the support frame through a connecting rod; the pressing arm is fixed to one end of the guide rod away from the support frame and corresponds to the position of the pressing plate.

6. A 3D printer powder supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A powder supply pump or a vacuum suction machine is installed on the top of the secondary silo.

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