Automatic production system for 3D printing

Abstract

The utility model discloses a 3D printing automatic production system which comprises a powder bin conveyed through a conveying device, a printing area, a curing area and a powder clearing area, and the printing area, the curing area and the powder clearing area are sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the conveying device. A curing furnace arranged in the conveying direction of the conveying device is arranged in the curing area, the conveying device penetrates through the curing furnace, the powder cleaning area comprises a primary powder cleaning area and a secondary powder cleaning area, a plurality of blowing devices are arranged in the primary powder cleaning area, a plurality of manual operation tables are arranged in the secondary powder cleaning area, and the manual operation tables are connected with the blowing devices. Manipulators corresponding to the toner bins are arranged between the printing device and the conveying device and between the blowing device and the conveying device respectively. The automatic production system for 3D printing meets the requirements of the adhesive 3D printing technology, the automation degree is high, the production efficiency is high, action of all functional areas is continuous, manpower participation is little, and the cost performance is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to an automated production system for 3D printing. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing is generally based on the principle of "layered slicing and layer-by-layer accumulation". First, a complex three-dimensional geometric entity is divided into thin slices with simple contours. When printing begins, the workbench is flattened with powder as the molding material. After the powder is spread, the nozzle of the binder printing device sprays the binder on the powder surface as needed to achieve single-layer powder bonding. After the single-layer binder is sprayed, the workbench drops one layer thickness and starts the next layer of powder spreading. This goes back and forth until the last layer is printed and the product is taken out. In existing equipment, the design and positioning of the printing bin are complex and can only be operated manually. The curing time of the monomer curing furnace is as long as 8 hours, and the operation is discontinuous, resulting in discontinuous operation. The powder cleaning process is labor-intensive and labor-intensive. Therefore, improvements need to be proposed. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an automated production system for 3D printing to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] An embodiment of the present application discloses an automated production system for 3D printing, comprising a powder bin transported by a conveying device, and a printing area, a curing area, and a powder cleaning area sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device, wherein a plurality of printing devices are arranged in the printing area, a curing furnace arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device is arranged in the curing area, and the conveying device runs through the curing furnace, the powder cleaning area comprises a primary powder cleaning area and a secondary powder cleaning area, a plurality of purge devices are arranged in the primary powder cleaning area, a plurality of manual operation tables are arranged in the secondary powder cleaning area, and manipulators corresponding to the powder bin are respectively arranged between the printing device and the purge device and the conveying device.

[0006] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, the powder bin includes a base plate, a surrounding plate and a forming plate, the base plate is provided with a through groove, the surrounding plate is a hollow structure with openings at both ends, and is fixed to the top surface of the base plate, and forms a step corresponding to the forming plate with the through groove of the base plate, and the forming plate is slidably arranged in the surrounding plate.

[0007] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, clamping blocks corresponding to the manipulators are respectively provided on both sides of the enclosure.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, a positioning sleeve is provided on the bottom surface of the base plate, and positioning rods plugged into the positioning sleeve are respectively provided in the printing device and the purge device.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, the printing device is provided with a lifting device corresponding to the forming plate, the lifting device includes a lifting cylinder fixed to the bottom of the working table of the printing device through a mounting seat and a clamping device connected to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder, and a clamping portion corresponding to the clamping device is provided at the bottom of the forming plate, and the corresponding positioning rod is arranged on the mounting seat.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned 3D printing automated production system, the clamping device includes a first mounting plate connected to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder and a clamping cylinder connected to the first mounting plate through a second mounting plate, and the fingers of the clamping cylinder are respectively connected to clamps corresponding to the clamping part.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, the forming plate includes a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate which are arranged in sequence, the top plate has a plurality of bosses protruding from the end surface close to the middle plate, the middle plate has through holes respectively corresponding to the bosses, the bottom plate has countersunk holes respectively corresponding to the bosses, and the clamping portion protrudes from a side of the bottom plate close to the clamping device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, the purging device includes a hollowed-out table and a blowing nozzle movably arranged on the top of the table, a porous plate is arranged inside the table, and the top end of the corresponding positioning rod protrudes from the porous plate.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing, a funnel is connected to the bottom of the table, and a material bucket is provided at the bottom of the funnel.

[0014] Furthermore, the above-mentioned automated production system for 3D printing also includes an AGV vehicle that travels back and forth between the feeding end and the discharging end of the conveying device.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the automated production system for 3D printing of the present invention has a compact structure, fully meets the requirements of the binder 3D printing process, has a high degree of automation, high output efficiency, continuous action in each area, less human involvement, and high cost performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application 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 described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of an automated production system for 3D printing in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the powder bin and the printing device in a specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic diagram of the positions of the powder bin and the lifting device in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 Shown is a schematic diagram of the connection between the positioning rod and the positioning sleeve in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 Shown is an exploded schematic diagram of a powder bin and a lifting device in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 Shown is a schematic diagram of clamping a powder bin and a lifting device in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 7 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of a top layer board in a specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0024] Figure 8 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of a powder box in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0025] Fig. 9 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of a purge device in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0026] Fig.10 Shown is a schematic diagram of the installation of the blowing nozzle in a specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Fig.11 Shown is a schematic diagram of the positions of the funnel and the material bucket in a specific embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model in detail. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of 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.

[0029] Ginseng Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the automated production system for 3D printing in this embodiment includes a powder bin 2 transported by a conveying device 1, and a printing area, a curing area and a powder cleaning area sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device 1, a plurality of printing devices 3 are arranged in the printing area, a curing furnace 4 arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device 1 is arranged in the curing area, the conveying device 1 runs through the curing furnace 4, the powder cleaning area includes a primary powder cleaning area and a secondary powder cleaning area, a plurality of purge devices 5 are arranged in the primary powder cleaning area, a plurality of manual operating tables 6 are arranged in the secondary powder cleaning area, and manipulators 7 corresponding to the powder bin 2 are respectively arranged between the printing device 3 and the purge device 5 and the conveying device 1.

[0030] This technical solution also includes a control device composed of conventional PLC, sensors, operation panels, electrical boxes and buttons. The manual operating table records the working status and counts by pressing buttons. The specific structure and principle belong to the existing technology and will not be elaborated here. The principles of image slicing processing, powder printing and adhesive printing of the printing device are the same as those of existing printing equipment. The conveying device uses a conventional conveyor belt or conveyor chain, and realizes the fixed-point start and stop conveying of the powder bin through conventional baffles, centering devices and sensors. The powder bin is conveyed by the conveying device to one side of the idle printing device, and the corresponding manipulator transfers the powder bin to the corresponding printing device. The printing device completes printing according to the set process and action, and then the manipulator transfers the powder bin containing the printed product to the conveying device, and then to the curing furnace. The speed of the conveying device and the length of the curing furnace are coordinated to control the powder bin containing the printed product. The powder bin stays in the curing furnace for a certain period of time, and the curing of the printed product is completed. After the powder bin containing the cured product flows out of the curing furnace, it is transported by the conveying device to one side of the idle purge device, and the corresponding manipulator transfers the powder bin to the corresponding purge device, which sweeps away the excess powder, and then the manipulator transfers the cleaned powder bin to the conveying device, and conveys it to an idle manual operating table, where the printed product is taken out manually and the powder bin is cleaned for a second time, and then the empty powder bin is transferred to the conveying device again, and the above actions are repeated. Multiple printing devices, blowing devices, manual operating tables and tunnel-type curing furnaces can operate on multiple powder bins at the same time, thereby improving the efficiency and continuity of the operation. The automated production system for 3D printing of the utility model has a compact structure, fully meets the requirements of the binder 3D printing process, has a high degree of automation, high output efficiency, continuous actions in each area, less manpower participation, and high cost performance.

[0031] For example, Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the powder bin 2 includes a bottom plate 21, a surrounding plate 22 and a forming plate 23. A through groove is provided in the bottom plate 21. The surrounding plate 22 is a hollow structure with openings at both ends and is fixed to the top surface of the bottom plate 21. The through groove of the bottom plate 21 forms a step corresponding to the forming plate 23. The forming plate 23 is slidably provided in the surrounding plate 22.

[0032] In this technical solution, the enclosure is a hollow structure of a rectangle, with its top and bottom surfaces connected, and the bottom plate is fixed to the bottom surface of the enclosure by conventional bolts and positioning pins. The length and width of the through groove are smaller than the length and width of the enclosure opening, and a step is formed at the bottom of the enclosure. The forming plate falls in from the top of the enclosure and is limited by the step so that it cannot fall off the enclosure, thereby driving the forming plate to move or position the forming plate through the enclosure and the bottom plate. A downward inclined surface is set at the top edge of the enclosure. During printing or blowing, the powder falling on the top surface of the enclosure slides along the inclined surface, reducing the possibility of powder spilling on the ground or conveying device, etc.

[0033] For example, Figures 1 to 7 As shown, clamping blocks 221 corresponding to the manipulator 7 are respectively provided on both sides of the enclosure 22 .

[0034] In this technical solution, the manipulator is provided with clamping claws 71 corresponding to the clamping block. The clamping block and the clamping claws can cooperate with the manipulator to realize the position transfer of the powder bin. An open U-shaped groove is recessed in the clamping block, and the bottom of the U-shaped groove is outside the edge corresponding to the top end of the enclosure, so as to avoid interference between the edge of the top end of the enclosure and the clamping claws and the manipulator.

[0035] For example, Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Fig.10 As shown, a positioning sleeve 211 is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 21 , and positioning rods 8 inserted into the positioning sleeve 211 are respectively provided in the printing device 3 and the purge device 5 .

[0036] In this technical solution, the positioning sleeve is embedded in the base plate and fixed by bolts, etc. A positioning groove is provided at one end of the positioning sleeve close to the positioning rod, and the top end of the positioning rod is inserted into the positioning groove to achieve rapid positioning and fixation of the powder bin. The positioning rod and the positioning sleeve can also be replaced by conventional mold lockers or clamping devices, etc., which can achieve the rapid disassembly and assembly function of the positioning sleeve and the positioning rod. The positioning sleeve and the positioning rod are connected by plug-in, clamping or pneumatic locking.

[0037] For example, Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the printing device 3 is provided with a lifting device 31 corresponding to the forming plate 23, the lifting device 31 includes a lifting cylinder 312 fixed to the bottom of the working table of the printing device 3 through a mounting seat 311 and a clamping device connected to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 312, and a clamping portion corresponding to the clamping device is provided at the bottom of the forming plate 23, and a corresponding positioning rod 8 is provided on the mounting seat 311.

[0038] In this technical solution, the mounting base is fixed to the bottom of the work surface by bolts and locating pins, and a lifting window corresponding to the jacking device and the positioning rod is opened in the work surface of the printing device. After the positioning sleeve of the powder bin is inserted into the positioning rod, the clamping device of the jacking device clamps the clamping part of the forming plate, and then the piston cylinder of the jacking cylinder extends to push the forming plate upward to avoid the enclosure interfering with the normal operation of the powder spreading device and the binder printing device. After printing is completed, the piston rod of the jacking cylinder retracts, and the forming plate and the printed product fall back into the enclosure for easy transportation. The jacking cylinder uses an existing servo electric cylinder or an air cylinder. When the servo electric cylinder is used, it can also cooperate with the powder spreading device and the binder printing device of the printing device, that is, after a single layer of powder spreading and binder spraying is completed, the servo electric cylinder drives the forming plate to drop one layer thickness, and starts the next layer of powder spreading and binder spraying, and so on. The powder spreading device and the binder printing device do not need to be lifted or lowered, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0039] For example, Figures 2 to 8 As shown, the clamping device includes a first mounting plate 313 connected to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 312 and a clamping cylinder 315 connected to the first mounting plate 313 through a second mounting plate 314, and the fingers of the clamping cylinder 315 are respectively connected to clamps 316 corresponding to the clamping part.

[0040] In this technical solution, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder is connected to the first mounting plate by a threaded connection, and the first mounting plate is slidably connected to the mounting seat by a guide rod to improve the lifting accuracy of the clamping device. The clamping cylinder uses a conventional finger cylinder and is fixed to the second mounting plate by bolts. A number of avoidance holes are provided in the second mounting plate to prevent the piston rod of the lifting cylinder from interfering with the installation of the clamping cylinder. The clamp is fixed to the fingers of the clamping cylinder by bolts, and the clamp is driven to open and close by the clamping cylinder to achieve clamping and releasing of the clamping part. A powder box 32 is also provided on the top surface of the work surface, and the powder box 32 is directly fixed to the work surface or fixed to the work surface directly by external means. The table top and the powder box 32 are arranged above the lifting window, and their width is smaller than the distance between the corresponding two positioning rods to avoid interference with the installation of the positioning rods. An avoidance groove is arranged in the center of the powder box 32 to accommodate the passage of the clamping device to avoid interference with the connection between the clamping device and the forming plate and the lifting of the lifting device. The powder box 32 is provided with an outer wall protruding upward all around, and the avoidance groove is provided with an inner wall protruding upward all around. The outer wall is arranged on the periphery of the bottom plate through groove, and the inner wall extends into the through groove. During the printing process, the powder falling into the enclosure enters the powder box 32, which is convenient for collection and recycling. At the same time, the powder is prevented from falling onto the lifting device to affect the accuracy and service life of the lifting device.

[0041] For example, Figures 2 to 8 As shown, the molding plate 23 includes a top plate 231, a middle plate 232 and a bottom plate 233 which are arranged in sequence. The top plate 231 has a plurality of bosses 2311 protruding from the end surface close to the middle plate 232, the middle plate 232 is provided with through holes corresponding to the bosses 2311 respectively, the bottom plate 233 is provided with countersunk holes corresponding to the bosses 2311 respectively, and the clamping portion protrudes from the side of the bottom plate 233 close to the clamping device.

[0042] In this technical solution, the height of the boss is smaller than the thickness of the middle plate, a threaded hole is machined inside the boss, and bolts are connected to the threaded holes in the boss through countersunk holes in the bottom plate, so that the top plate, the middle plate and the bottom plate are combined into a molded plate. By pulling the boss with bolts, the degree of fit between the top plate and the middle plate can be fine-tuned or local deformation of the top plate can be formed, thereby adjusting the horizontality of the top surface of the top plate, thereby improving the printing accuracy. The clamping part is integrally formed with the bottom plate or formed by relying on it. When integrally formed, both sides of the clamping part are arranged on a groove body for accommodating the clamp, so as to facilitate tightening or loosening the clamp on both sides of the clamping part.

[0043] For example, Figures 9 to 11As shown, the purge device 5 includes a hollowed-out table 51 and a blowing nozzle 52 movably disposed on the top of the table. A porous plate 53 is disposed inside the table 51 , and the top end of the corresponding positioning rod 8 protrudes from the porous plate 53 .

[0044] In this technical solution, the printing device and the purge device both include conventional frames and shells, etc., wherein the shell includes openable and closable door panels and glass windows, etc. The door panels can be opened and closed by conventional hinges and door openers, etc., or by telescopic support hinges and hinges in cooperation with manipulators. The specific structures and principles belong to the prior art and will not be described in detail here. Wire holes and wire boxes are also provided in the table top, and cable plugs and electronic components are arranged in the wire box to avoid adverse effects caused by the entry of powder. The blowing nozzle is a conventional structure and is suspended above the table top by a servo electric cylinder. The servo electric cylinder is driven to realize movement in three-dimensional space of X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis to remove excess powder in the powder bin. The powder falls from the porous plate and the hollow table top to below the table top. The length of the positioning rod is determined according to the actual working conditions, and is directly fixed on the porous plate or is set through the porous plate, so as to realize rapid positioning and fixing of the powder bin.

[0045] For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a funnel 54 is connected to the bottom of the table 51 , and a material bucket 55 is provided at the bottom of the funnel 54 .

[0046] In this technical solution, the funnel guides the blown-out powder into the material barrel, making it convenient for the collection, recycling and reuse of the powder.

[0047] For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it also includes an AGV trolley 9 that travels back and forth between the feeding end and the discharging end of the conveying device 1.

[0048] In this technical solution, the AGV trolley is an existing mechanism and is equipped with a manipulator. The specific structure and principle are all existing technologies and can be directly used. The AGV trolley is used to transport empty powder bins, saving manpower.

[0049] In summary, the automated production system for 3D printing of the utility model has a compact structure, fully meets the requirements of the binder 3D printing process, has a high degree of automation, high output efficiency, continuous actions in each area, less manpower participation, and high cost performance.

[0050] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0051] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An automated production system for 3D printing, characterized in that: It includes a powder bin transported by a conveying device, and a printing area, a curing area and a powder cleaning area arranged in sequence along the conveying direction of the conveying device, wherein a plurality of printing devices are arranged in the printing area, a curing furnace arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device is arranged in the curing area, and the conveying device runs through the curing furnace, the powder cleaning area includes a primary powder cleaning area and a secondary powder cleaning area, a plurality of purge devices are arranged in the primary powder cleaning area, a plurality of manual operation tables are arranged in the secondary powder cleaning area, and manipulators corresponding to the powder bin are respectively arranged between the printing device and the purge device and the conveying device.

2. The automated production system for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder bin includes a bottom plate, a surrounding plate and a forming plate. A through groove is arranged in the bottom plate. The surrounding plate is a hollow structure with openings at both ends and is fixed to the top surface of the bottom plate and forms a step corresponding to the forming plate with the through groove of the bottom plate. The forming plate is slidably arranged in the surrounding plate.

3. The automated production system for 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: Clamping blocks corresponding to the manipulators are respectively arranged on both sides of the enclosure.

4. The 3D printing automated production system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A positioning sleeve is arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom plate, and positioning rods plugged into the positioning sleeve are arranged in the printing device and the purge device respectively.

5. The 3D printing automated production system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The printing device is provided with a lifting device corresponding to the forming plate, and the lifting device includes a lifting cylinder fixed to the bottom of the working table of the printing device through a mounting seat and a clamping device connected to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder. The bottom of the forming plate is provided with a clamping part corresponding to the clamping device, and the corresponding positioning rod is arranged on the mounting seat.

6. The automated production system for 3D printing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamping device comprises a first mounting plate connected to the piston rod of the jacking cylinder and a clamping claw cylinder connected to the first mounting plate via a second mounting plate, and fingers of the clamping claw cylinder are respectively connected to clamps corresponding to the clamping part.

7. The automated production system for 3D printing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The forming plate includes a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate which are arranged in sequence, a plurality of bosses protruding from the end surface of the top plate close to the middle plate, through holes corresponding to the bosses are arranged in the middle plate, countersunk holes corresponding to the bosses are arranged in the bottom plate, and the clamping portion protrudes from a side of the bottom plate close to the clamping device.

8. The 3D printing automated production system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The purging device comprises a hollowed-out table and a blowing nozzle movably arranged at the top of the table. A porous plate is arranged inside the table, and the top end of the corresponding positioning rod protrudes from the porous plate.

9. The 3D printing automated production system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the table is connected with a funnel, and the bottom of the funnel is provided with a material bucket.

10. The 3D printing automated production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an AGV vehicle that travels back and forth between the feeding end and the discharging end of the conveying device.

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