Automatic stripping mechanism and 3D printer

Abstract

The present application relates to an automatic stripping mechanism and a 3D printer, wherein the automatic stripping mechanism comprises: a printing platform assembly, comprising a printing platform, a synchronous belt arranged on the printing platform, and a first driving member connected to the synchronous belt, wherein the first driving member is configured to drive the synchronous belt to drive the model to move along a first direction; and a stripping assembly, comprising a material blocking knife, and a second driving member connected to the material blocking knife, wherein the second driving member is configured to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a first position to avoid the model, so that the model moves along the first direction with the synchronous belt, or to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a second position to block the model from following the movement of the synchronous belt along the first direction, so that the model and the printing platform assembly are stripped. The present application can strip the model and the printing platform assembly quickly and effectively, and is not easy to damage the model, thereby improving printing efficiency and printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, and in particular to an automatic material stripping mechanism and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a technology that builds 3D models by depositing molten materials layer by layer. However, existing 3D printers do not have a good material removal mechanism. After each model is printed, the operator needs to use tools to manually remove the model from the printer. The material removal operation is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also easy to damage the model if not careful, which seriously affects the printing efficiency and printing quality. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides an automatic material stripping mechanism and a 3D printer, which can quickly and effectively strip the model and printing platform components without manual stripping, thereby improving printing efficiency and printing quality.

[0004] The automatic stripping mechanism provided in this application includes:

[0005] A printing platform assembly, comprising a printing platform, a synchronous belt disposed on the printing platform, and a first driving member drivingly connected to the synchronous belt, wherein the first driving member is configured to drive the synchronous belt to drive the model to move along a first direction; and

[0006] The material stripping assembly includes a material blocking knife and a second driving member connected to the material blocking knife, wherein the second driving member is configured to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a first position to avoid the model, so that the model moves along the first direction with the synchronous belt, or to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a second position to block the model from following the movement of the synchronous belt along the first direction, so that the model and the printing platform assembly are stripped.

[0007] Furthermore, the second driving member is configured to drive the material blocking knife to rotate or move.

[0008] Furthermore, the first direction is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and an angle between the first direction and the horizontal plane is 15-45°.

[0009] Furthermore, the printing platform has an inclined mounting surface;

[0010] The synchronous belt is installed on the installation surface of the printing platform.

[0011] Furthermore, the automatic material stripping mechanism also includes a material collecting component, which is connected to the printing platform and docked at one end of the synchronous belt, and the material collecting component is configured to collect the model that has slipped off.

[0012] Furthermore, the automatic stripping mechanism also includes a hot bed assembly, and the hot bed assembly is installed on the synchronous belt.

[0013] The 3D printer provided in the present application comprises: any one of the above-mentioned automatic material removal mechanisms.

[0014] Furthermore, the printer also includes a support frame connected to the printing platform, and a nozzle assembly connected to the support frame;

[0015] The nozzle assembly can move along a second direction and a third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0016] The stripping assembly is connected to the supporting frame, and the movement trajectory of the material blocking knife avoids the nozzle assembly.

[0017] Further, the support frame includes two support arms and a connecting arm connected to the two support arms;

[0018] The two support arms are respectively connected to the printing platform and are arranged on both sides of the synchronous belt;

[0019] The stripping assembly is connected to one of the support arms and is disposed close to the lower end of the support arm;

[0020] The spray head assembly is connected to the connecting arm.

[0021] Furthermore, the length of the material blocking knife is equal to or greater than the distance between the two support arms.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial features of the present application are: the automatic stripping mechanism and the 3D printer include a printing platform assembly and a stripping assembly, wherein the first driving member of the printing platform assembly can drive the synchronous belt to drive the model to move along the first direction, and before starting printing, the second driving member of the stripping assembly can drive the material blocking knife to move toward the first position to avoid the model, so that the model can move along the first direction with the synchronous belt to avoid the material blocking knife interfering with the printing of the model, and after printing is completed, the second driving member can drive the material blocking knife to move toward the second position to block the model from following the movement of the synchronous belt along the first direction, thereby quickly and effectively stripping the model from the printing platform assembly, and not easily damaging the model, thereby improving printing efficiency and printing quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the initial state of the 3D printer in the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the 3D printer printing status shown;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the 3D printer printing completion state shown;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the 3D printer unloading state shown;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the 3D printer stripping completion state shown;

[0028] Among them: 1-printing platform assembly (101-printing platform (1011-mounting surface), 102-synchronous belt), 2-material stripping assembly (201-material blocking knife (2011-rotating shaft, 2012-knife body, L1-length of the material blocking knife), 202-second driving member), 3-model, 4-nozzle assembly, 5-material collection assembly (501-material collection plate), 6-support frame (601-support arm, 602-support arm, 603-connecting arm, L2-distance between two support arms). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present application are given in the drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0030] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5The automatic stripping mechanism of the embodiment of the present application includes: a printing platform assembly 1 and a stripping assembly 2. The printing platform assembly 1 includes a printing platform 101, a synchronous belt 102 and a first driving member (not shown). The synchronous belt 102 is installed on the printing platform 101. The first driving member is connected to the synchronous belt 102 in a transmission connection, and the first driving member can be used to drive the synchronous belt 102 to drive the model 3 to move along the first direction. The stripping assembly 2 includes a material blocking knife 201 and a second driving member 202. The second driving member 202 is connected to the material blocking knife 201 in a transmission connection. The second driving member 202 is used to drive the material blocking knife 201 to move toward the first position to avoid the model 3, so that the model 3 can move along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The second driving member 202 is also used to drive the blocking knife 201 to move toward the second position to block the model 3 from following the movement of the synchronous belt 102 along the first direction, so that the model 3 and the printing platform assembly 1 are separated. Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown.

[0033] The automatic stripping mechanism of the embodiment of the present application includes a printing platform component 1 and a stripping component 2, wherein the first driving member of the printing platform component 1 can drive the synchronous belt 102 to drive the model 3 to move along the first direction. Before starting printing, the second driving member 202 of the stripping component 2 can drive the material blocking knife 201 to move toward the first position to avoid the model 3, so that the model 3 can move along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102 to avoid the material blocking knife 201 interfering with the printing of the model 3. After printing is completed, the second driving member 202 can drive the material blocking knife 201 to move toward the second position to block the model 3 from following the movement of the synchronous belt 102 along the first direction, thereby quickly and effectively stripping the model 3 from the printing platform component 1, and the model 3 is not easily damaged, thereby improving the printing efficiency and printing quality.

[0034] Optionally, the second driving member 202 can be used to drive the blocking knife 201 to move upward to the first position to avoid the model 3, so that the model 3 can move along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The second driving member 202 can also be used to drive the blocking knife 201 to move downward to the second position to block the model 3, so as to prevent the model 3 from moving along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102, thereby removing the model 3 from the printing platform assembly 1. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the material blocking knife 201 not only takes up less space and does not increase the volume of the 3D printer, but also does not interfere with the printing of the model 3.

[0035] The first driving member may be a motor. It is understandable that the first driving member may also be other driving devices, as long as the first driving member can drive the synchronous belt 102 to drive the model 3 to move along the first direction.

[0036] The above-mentioned synchronous belt 102 is an existing structure, and the present application does not limit the structure of the synchronous belt 102. As an example, the printing platform assembly 1 may also include a driving shaft (not shown) and a driven shaft (not shown). The synchronous belt 102 is respectively connected to the driving shaft and the driven shaft. The first driving member is connected to the driving shaft. The first driving member can drive the synchronous belt 102 to drive the model 3 to move along the first direction by driving the driving shaft to rotate.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The second driving member 202 can be used to drive the material blocking knife 201 to rotate or move.

[0038] As an example, please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The second driving member 202 can be used to drive the material blocking knife 201 to rotate upward to a position such as Figures 1 to 3 The second driving member 202 can also be used to drive the blocking knife 201 to rotate downward to the first position shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second position shown blocks the printed model 3 .

[0039] Specifically, the second driving member 202 may be a motor.

[0040] The material blocking knife 201 can be connected to the output shaft of the second driving member 202. Before starting printing, the second driving member 202 can drive the material blocking knife 201 to rotate upward to a position such as Figures 1 to 3 The first position shown in the figure avoids the model 3 and the nozzle assembly 4, avoids interference with the model 3 or the nozzle assembly 4, and further ensures the printing quality. After printing is completed, the second driving member 202 can also drive the blocking knife 201 to rotate downward to the position shown in the figure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second position shown blocks the model 3 generated by printing, thereby preventing the model 3 from continuing to move along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102, so that the model 3 and the printing platform assembly 1 are separated.

[0041] As an example, the synchronous belt 102 can be used to directly receive the model 3 printed by the nozzle assembly 4, and the structure is simple. After printing is completed, the second driving member 202 can drive the blocking knife 201 to rotate downward to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first driving member then drives the synchronous belt 102 to drive the printed model 3 to move in the opposite direction along the first direction. Figure 4When the model 3 moves with the synchronous belt 102 until it abuts against the material blocking knife 201, the model 3 cannot continue to move in the opposite direction along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102. Driven by the first driving member, the synchronous belt 102 continues to move in the opposite direction along the first direction, so that the model 3 and the synchronous belt 102 are detached and no longer stick to the synchronous belt 102.

[0042] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the synchronous belt 102 may not be used to directly receive the model 3 printed by the nozzle assembly 4. As an example, a gasket (not shown) for 3D printing may be installed on the synchronous belt 102 to protect the synchronous belt 102. The gasket is fixed to the synchronous belt 102 and can be used to receive the model 3. When the model 3 moves with the synchronous belt 102 to abut against the material blocking knife 201, the gasket continues to move in the opposite direction along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102 under the drive of the first driving member, so that the model 3 and the gasket are separated and no longer stick to the gasket.

[0043] It is understandable that, in other embodiments, the second driving member 202 can be used to drive the stopper blade 201 to move in other ways. As an example, the second driving member 202 can be used to drive the stopper blade 201 to move upward or downward. As long as the stopper blade 201 can remove the material of the model 3 and does not interfere with normal printing, it will not be described in detail here.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , the first direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Since the first direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, under the action of gravity, the model 3 after being stripped from the printing platform assembly 1 can slide downward in the first direction relative to the synchronous belt 102 until it is completely separated from the printing platform assembly 1, further realizing effective stripping, and there is no need for the operator to remove the stripped model 3 from the printing platform assembly 1, which is faster and more convenient, and at the same time, further ensures the quality of the model 3.

[0045] As an example, the angle α between the first direction and the horizontal plane can be 15-45°, which can ensure that the model 3 slides effectively and realizes material removal, while preventing the model 3 from rolling off the synchronous belt 102 due to the angle α being too large, further ensuring the quality of the model 3.

[0046] It is understandable that, in other embodiments, the angle α between the first direction and the horizontal plane may be other angles, as long as it is ensured that the model 3 can slide down effectively and will not be damaged when sliding down.

[0047] In some examples, the printing platform 101 has a mounting surface 1011. The mounting surface 1011 can be tilted relative to a horizontal plane. Figures 1 to 5The synchronous belt 102 is installed on the mounting surface 1011 of the printing platform 101. Since the mounting surface 1011 is tilted relative to the horizontal plane, the synchronous belt 102 installed on the mounting surface 1011 is tilted relative to the horizontal plane, that is, the first direction is tilted relative to the horizontal plane.

[0048] The above-mentioned automatic stripping mechanism may further include a material collection component 5. The material collection component 5 is connected to the printing platform 101, and the material collection component 5 is docked at one end of the synchronous belt 102. The material collection component 5 can be used to collect the model 3 that has slipped off, and can further protect the model 3. Please refer to Figure 5 .

[0049] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The material collecting assembly 5 may include a material collecting plate 501. The material collecting plate 501 may be fixed to the printing platform 101 and docked with the first end of the synchronous belt 102 in the positive direction of the first direction, so as to facilitate the collection of the fallen model 3.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The collecting plate 501 can be tilted so that the model 3 can slide down and separate from the printing platform assembly 1 more quickly and effectively.

[0051] As an example, the inclination angle of the collecting plate 501 may be equal to the inclination angle of the mounting surface 1011. Figures 1 to 5 shown.

[0052] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the aggregate assembly 5 may also be other structures, as long as the aggregate assembly 5 can effectively collect the fallen models 3.

[0053] The above-mentioned automatic material stripping mechanism may also include a hot bed assembly (not shown in the figure), which is installed on the synchronous belt 102. The hot bed assembly 3 can heat the synchronous belt 102 to maintain the model 3 at a higher temperature, preventing the material from cooling during the printing process, thereby effectively reducing the risk of warping of the model 3. At the same time, the hot bed assembly can also ensure that the material after hot melting maintains the temperature, making the fusion more firm and improving the printing quality.

[0054] The above-mentioned heated bed assembly is an existing structure. This application does not limit the structure of the heated bed assembly, so it will not be described in detail.

[0055] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The 3D printer in the embodiment of the present application may include any of the above-mentioned automatic material removal mechanisms.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5The above printer may further include a support frame 6 and a nozzle assembly 4. The support frame 6 is connected to the printing platform 101. The nozzle assembly 4 is connected to the support frame 6. The nozzle assembly 4 can move along the second direction and the third direction. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. The nozzle assembly 4 can move along a preset path relative to the synchronous belt 102, thereby achieving accurate layer-by-layer stacking and ensuring that the printed model 3 meets the design requirements.

[0057] The stripping assembly 2 can be connected to the support frame 6. In addition, in order to avoid interference between the material blocking knife 201 and the nozzle assembly 4, the movement trajectory of the material blocking knife 201 can avoid the nozzle assembly 4. Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 As shown. The stripping assembly 2 and the nozzle assembly 4 are integrated on the support frame 6, which takes up less space and has a more compact structure. Moreover, before starting printing, the second driving member 202 can drive the blocking knife 201 to rotate upward to the position shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 The first position shown can avoid the nozzle assembly 4 and will not interfere with the nozzle assembly 4 to affect normal printing.

[0058] The above-mentioned support frame 6 can be a gantry, please refer to Figures 1 to 5 shown.

[0059] Specifically, please refer to Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the support frame 6 may include a support arm 601, a support arm 602 and a connecting arm 603. The connecting arm 603 is respectively connected to the support arm 601 and the support arm 602. The support arm 601 and the support arm 602 are respectively fixed to the printing platform 101, and the support arm 601 and the support arm 602 are respectively arranged on both sides of the synchronous belt 102.

[0060] The stripping assembly 2 can be connected to one of the support arms and disposed close to the lower end of the support arm, thereby ensuring that the blocking knife 201 can effectively block the model 3 when it is located at the second position.

[0061] The nozzle assembly 4 can be connected to the connecting arm 603. Optionally, the connecting arm 603 can move in the second direction along the supporting arm 601 and the supporting arm 602, and the nozzle assembly 4 can move in the third direction along the connecting arm 603, so that the nozzle assembly 4 can move according to the preset path, realize accurate printing, and ensure printing quality.

[0062] As an example, please refer to Figures 1 to 5, the material blocking knife 201 and the second driving member 202 can be connected to the support arm 601 respectively. The material blocking knife 201 can include a rotating shaft 2011 and a knife body 2012 fixed as one. The rotating shaft 2011 is formed at one end of the knife body 2012, and the axis of the rotating shaft 2011 is perpendicular to the axis of the knife body 2012. The rotating shaft 2011 of the material blocking knife 201 can be rotatably connected to the support arm 601, and there is a gap between the knife body 2012 of the material blocking knife 201 and the support arm 601, so as to facilitate the movement of the nozzle assembly 4 and avoid interference between the knife body 2012 and the nozzle assembly 4. The second driving member 202 can be fixed to the support arm 601, and the output shaft of the second driving member 202 can pass through the support arm 601 and be coaxially fixed with the rotating shaft 2011 of the material blocking knife 201.

[0063] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 When the second driving member 202 drives the material blocking knife 201 to rotate to the first position, the material blocking knife 201 extends along the second direction. In other words, the free end of the blade body 2012 of the material blocking knife 201 is close to the upper end of the support arm 601, which fully avoids interference between the blade body 2012 and the nozzle assembly 4.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 When the second driving member 202 drives the material blocking knife 201 to rotate to the second position, the material blocking knife 201 extends along the third direction. In other words, the free end of the blade body 2012 of the material blocking knife 201 is arranged close to the lower end of the support arm 602, which fully ensures that the material blocking knife 201 can effectively block the model 3, so that the model 3 and the printing platform assembly 1 are separated. And, as an example, when the second driving member 202 drives the material blocking knife 201 to rotate to the second position, there can be a gap between the blade body 2012 of the material blocking knife 201 and the synchronous belt 102, so as to ensure that the material blocking knife 201 does not interfere with the movement of the synchronous belt 102.

[0065] The length L1 of the material blocking knife 201 may be equal to or greater than the distance L2 between the support arm 601 and the support arm 602. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the second position shown, the material blocking knife 201 just spans between the support arm 601 and the support arm 602, which can effectively prevent the model 3 from passing through the gap between the material blocking knife 201 and the support arm 602, ensuring that the model 3 can be removed.

[0066] In some embodiments, the working principle of the 3D printer is:

[0067] Please refer to Figure 1In the initial state shown, the material blocking knife 201 is at the first position, and the nozzle assembly 4 is at the highest position and away from the material blocking knife 201. After printing starts, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the nozzle assembly 4 can move along the second direction and the third direction, and the synchronous belt 102 can drive the model 3 to move along the first direction. After printing is completed, the nozzle assembly 4 is reset to the initial state, please refer to Figure 3 Then the material blocking knife 201 rotates downward to the second position, and then the first driving member drives the synchronous belt 102 to drive the printed model 3 to move in the opposite direction along the first direction. When the model 3 moves with the synchronous belt 102 to abut against the material blocking knife 201, please refer to Figure 4 , the model 3 cannot continue to move in the opposite direction along the first direction with the synchronous belt 102, and under the drive of the first driving member, the synchronous belt 102 continues to move in the opposite direction along the first direction, so that the model 3 and the synchronous belt 102 are detached and no longer stick to the synchronous belt 102. Under the action of gravity, the detached model 3 can slide downward in the first direction relative to the synchronous belt 102 to the collecting assembly 5, please refer to Figure 5 The second driving member 202 drives the material blocking knife 201 to return to Figure 1 The initial state shown is to wait for the next print or start the next print directly.

[0068] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0069] The above embodiments only express the preferred implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. Automatic stripping mechanism, characterized in that: include: A printing platform assembly, comprising a printing platform, a synchronous belt disposed on the printing platform, and a first driving member drivingly connected to the synchronous belt, wherein the first driving member is configured to drive the synchronous belt to drive the model to move along a first direction; and The material stripping assembly includes a material blocking knife and a second driving member connected to the material blocking knife, wherein the second driving member is configured to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a first position to avoid the model, so that the model moves along the first direction with the synchronous belt, or to drive the material blocking knife to move toward a second position to block the model from following the movement of the synchronous belt along the first direction, so that the model and the printing platform assembly are stripped.

2. The automatic stripping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second driving member is configured to drive the material blocking knife to rotate or move.

3. The automatic stripping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first direction is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and an angle between the first direction and the horizontal plane is 15-45°.

4. The automatic stripping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The printing platform has an inclined mounting surface; The synchronous belt is installed on the installation surface of the printing platform.

5. The automatic stripping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The automatic material stripping mechanism also includes a material collecting component, which is connected to the printing platform and docked at one end of the synchronous belt, and is configured to collect the model that has slipped off.

6. The automatic stripping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic stripping mechanism also includes a hot bed assembly, and the hot bed assembly is installed on the synchronous belt.

7. A 3D printer, characterized in that: Comprising: an automatic stripping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The printer also includes a support frame connected to the printing platform, and a nozzle assembly connected to the support frame; The nozzle assembly can move along a second direction and a third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other; The stripping assembly is connected to the supporting frame, and the movement trajectory of the material blocking knife avoids the nozzle assembly.

9. The 3D printer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support frame comprises two support arms and a connecting arm connected to the two support arms; The two support arms are respectively connected to the printing platform and are arranged on both sides of the synchronous belt; The stripping assembly is connected to one of the support arms and is disposed close to the lower end of the support arm; The spray head assembly is connected to the connecting arm.

10. The 3D printer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The length of the material blocking knife is equal to or greater than the distance between the two support arms.

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