Thermostatic bath of photocuring printer
By designing a system of peristaltic pump, pipeline and heating unit in the constant temperature tank of the photocuring 3D printer, the problem of insufficient heating efficiency and temperature uniformity in the prior art is solved, and the stable maintenance of resin temperature and the improvement of material performance are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421894270.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-07
AI Technical Summary
The constant temperature tanks of existing photocuring 3D printers have shortcomings in heating efficiency and temperature uniformity, resulting in attenuation of the resin material performance.
A constant temperature tank system including a peristaltic pump, a pipe and a heating unit is designed. The peristaltic pump drives the resin to circulate in the pipeline, and heat is transported to the resin through the side wall of the pipeline to achieve uniform temperature maintenance.
The system can effectively maintain the temperature of the resin, reduce temperature difference, improve the material performance of the finished product, and can achieve gradual heat exchange and preheating during use.
Smart Images
Figure CN223045180U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to a constant temperature tank for a stereolithography printer. Background Art
[0002] Stereolithography 3D printing uses photosensitive resin materials, which can exhibit optimal performance at 20 - 30°C. Temperatures outside this range will cause attenuation of the material properties of the printed products. The conventional constant temperature method is to inject hot air into a closed printing chamber, that is, using air as a heat transfer medium to indirectly raise the temperature of the photosensitive resin. In the traditional solution, the space in the printing chamber is large, and the heating efficiency of the hot air injection method is low. Moreover, every time the printing chamber door is opened, unpleasant odors will be emitted. Other solutions are to set heating tubes on the side wall of the resin tank. At this time, there are also two problems. After setting the heating tubes, it is not convenient to remove the resin tank for cleaning. In order not to interfere with 3D printing, the heating tubes can only be attached to the edge, resulting in a slight temperature difference between the inner and outer regions of the resin in the resin tank. Content of the Utility Model
[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a constant temperature tank for a stereolithography printer that can stably maintain the temperature of the resin.
[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides a constant temperature tank for a stereolithography printer, which includes a workbench as a bearing main body, a control mechanism for controlling the operation of each unit, a printing plate for receiving 3D printed objects, a lifting mechanism for lifting the printing plate, and a printing tank for containing resin. Liquid return ports and drain ports for resin flow are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the printing tank. A peristaltic pump is arranged on the workbench outside the printing tank. The peristaltic pump is connected to the liquid return port and the drain port through pipelines. When the peristaltic pump operates, it drives the resin to circulate between the liquid return port, the pipeline, and the drain port. A first heating unit is wound around the pipeline, and the first heating unit conveys heat to the resin inside the pipeline through the side wall of the pipeline to maintain the temperature of the resin.
[0005] As an improvement of the above solution, two liquid return ports or two drain ports are arranged on the side wall of the printing tank, and both ends of the pipeline are provided with two branches and then connected to the corresponding liquid return port or drain port on the corresponding side.
[0006] As an improvement of the above solution, a discharge pipe and its valve are arranged on the side of the pipeline.
[0007] As an improvement of the above solution, the pipeline is divided into three sections. The first and last sections are made of flexible pipelines, and the middle section is made of a metal pipeline. The peristaltic pump and the drain port are both arranged in the first or last section, and the first heating unit is arranged in the middle section.
[0008] As an improvement to the above solution, a temperature sensor is provided in the middle section of the pipeline.
[0009] As an improvement to the above solution, the workbench is provided with a second heating unit on the side of the printing tank, and the second heating unit is detachably attached to the side wall of the printing tank.
[0010] As an improvement to the above solution, one-way valve joints are used both between the pipeline and the liquid return port and between the pipeline and the liquid discharge port. The one-way valve joint includes a valve body, a thread on the outer side of the valve body, a spring and a top bead inside the valve body. The top bead protrudes from the surface of the valve body. After the two one-way valve joints abut against each other, a nut is sleeved on the outer side of the valve body and then the two valve bodies are connected at the same time. The top beads of the two valve bodies abut against each other and then retract into the valve body. At this time, the two one-way valve joints are in communication with each other.
[0011] The utility model has the following beneficial effects: The peristaltic pump promotes the resin to flow in the printing tank. After the resin flows out of the printing tank, it is fully heated to the set temperature and then replenished into the printing tank to maintain a uniform temperature distribution of the resin in the printing tank. When in use, the resin can flow slowly to achieve gradual heat exchange to maintain the temperature, or the printing task can be temporarily stopped to allow the resin to flow quickly for preheating. Description of the Drawings
[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a constant temperature tank under an embodiment;
[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of a constant temperature tank under an embodiment;
[0014] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a one-way valve joint under an embodiment.
[0015] Description of the Reference Numerals: 11, workbench; 12, control mechanism; 13, printing plate; 14, lifting mechanism; 15, printing tank; 21, liquid return port; 22, liquid discharge port; 31, peristaltic pump; 32, pipeline; 33, discharge pipe; 41, first heating unit; 42, second heating unit; 50, one-way valve joint. Detailed Embodiments
[0016] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "top part", "bottom part", "top surface", "bottom surface", "inner", "outer", "inner side", "outer side", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model 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, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.
[0017] In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "several" is one or more, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, and understandings such as "greater than", "less than", "exceeding", etc. do not include the present number, and understandings such as "above", "below", "within", etc. include the present number. If there are descriptions of the terms "first", "second", "third", etc., they are only for descriptive purposes and for distinguishing technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features or the sequence relationship of the indicated technical features.
[0018] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", "joined", "set" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations. The following describes the embodiments according to the overall structure of the present utility model.
[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the present utility model discloses a constant temperature tank of a light curing printer, which includes a workbench 11 as a bearing main body, a control mechanism 12 for controlling the operation of each unit, a printing plate 13 for receiving a 3D printing object, a lifting mechanism 14 for lifting the printing plate 13, and a printing tank 15 for containing resin. The above mechanisms can all refer to the prior art. Liquid return ports 21 and drain ports 22 for resin flow are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the printing tank 15. A peristaltic pump 31 is arranged on the workbench 11 outside the printing tank 15. The peristaltic pump 31 is connected to the liquid return port and to the drain port 22 through a pipeline 32. When the peristaltic pump 31 operates, it drives the resin to circulate between the liquid return port, the pipeline 32 and the drain port 22. A first heating unit 41 is wound around the pipeline 32. The first heating unit 41 conveys heat to the resin inside the pipeline 32 through the side wall of the pipeline 32 to maintain the temperature of the resin.
[0020] The peristaltic pump 31 promotes the flow of resin in the printing tank 15. After the resin flows out of the printing tank 15, it is fully heated to the set temperature and then replenished in the printing tank 15, thereby maintaining the uniform distribution of the resin temperature in the printing tank 15. When in use, the resin can be allowed to flow slowly to achieve gradual heat exchange and maintain the temperature, or the printing task can be temporarily stopped to allow the resin to flow quickly for preheating.
[0021] As an improvement of the above solution, the side wall of the printing tank 15 is provided with two return ports or two discharge ports 22, and two branches are provided at both ends of the pipe 32 and then connected to the return ports or discharge ports 22 on the corresponding side. The above solution is conducive to uniform flow of resin.
[0022] As an improvement of the above solution, a discharge pipe 33 and a valve thereof are provided on the side of the pipeline 32. With the above solution, it is convenient to discharge the resin remaining in the pipeline 32 after the pipeline 32 is removed.
[0023] As an improvement of the above solution, the pipeline 32 is divided into three sections, the first and last sections use flexible pipelines 32, the middle section uses a metal pipeline 32, the peristaltic pump 31 and the drain port 22 are arranged in the first section or the last section, and the first heating unit 41 is arranged in the middle section. The metal pipeline 32 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as iron or aluminum, to improve heat exchange efficiency.
[0024] As an improvement of the above solution, a temperature sensor is provided in the middle section of the pipe 32 to feedback the real-time temperature of the external resin. Correspondingly, a temperature sensor is also provided in the printing tank 15 to feedback the real-time temperature of the internal resin. Both temperature sensors are electrically connected to the control mechanism 12, and the control mechanism 12 displays the monitoring parameters through a display screen.
[0025] As an improvement of the above solution, the workbench 11 is provided with a second heating unit 42 on the side of the printing slot 15, and the second heating unit 42 is detachably attached to the side wall of the printing slot 15. Figure 2 As shown, the first heating unit 41 is a threaded tube structure, which is wound around the pipe 32, and the second heating unit 42 is a sheet structure.
[0026] As an improvement of the above scheme, a one-way valve joint 50 is used between the pipeline 32 and the liquid return port and between the pipeline 32 and the liquid discharge port 22. The one-way valve joint 50 includes a valve body, a thread located on the outside of the valve body, a spring and a top ball located inside the valve body, and the top ball protrudes from the surface of the valve body. After the two one-way valve joints 50 abut against each other, a nut is sleeved on the outside of the valve body and then connects the two valve bodies at the same time. The top balls of the two valve bodies abut against each other and then retract into the interior of the valve body. At this time, the two one-way valve joints 50 are connected to each other.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present utility model is for purposes of illustration and exemplification. These descriptions are not intended to limit the present utility model to the precise forms disclosed, and it is apparent that many changes and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The purpose of selecting and describing the exemplary embodiments is to explain the specific principles of the present utility model and its practical applications, so that those skilled in the art can implement and utilize the various different exemplary embodiments of the present utility model, as well as various different selections and changes. The scope of the present utility model is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A constant temperature bath for a photocuring printer, comprising a workbench as a bearing body, a control mechanism for controlling the operation of each unit, a printing plate for receiving a 3D printed object, a lifting mechanism for lifting the printing plate, and a printing tank for containing resin, characterized in that: A liquid return port and a liquid discharge port for resin flow are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the printing tank. A peristaltic pump is arranged on the outer side of the printing tank. The peristaltic pump is connected to the liquid return port and the liquid discharge port through a pipeline. When the peristaltic pump is in operation, it drives the resin to circulate between the liquid return port, the pipeline and the liquid discharge port. A first heating unit is wound around the pipeline. The first heating unit transfers heat to the resin inside the pipeline through the side wall of the pipeline to maintain the temperature of the resin.
2. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the printing slot is provided with two liquid return ports or two liquid discharge ports, and two branches are provided at both ends of the pipeline and then connected to the liquid return ports or liquid discharge ports on the corresponding sides.
3. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A discharge pipe and a valve thereof are arranged on the side of the pipeline.
4. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pipeline is divided into three sections, the first and last sections are flexible pipelines, the middle section is metal pipeline, the peristaltic pump and the drain port are arranged in the first section or the last section, and the first heating unit is arranged in the middle section.
5. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: A temperature sensor is provided in the middle section of the pipeline.
6. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench is provided with a second heating unit on the side of the printing slot, and the second heating unit is detachably attached to the side wall of the printing slot.
7. The constant temperature bath of the light-curing printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A one-way valve joint is used between the pipeline and the liquid return port and between the pipeline and the liquid discharge port. The one-way valve joint includes a valve body, a thread located on the outside of the valve body, a spring and a top ball located inside the valve body, and the top ball protrudes from the surface of the valve body. After the two one-way valve joints abut against each other, a nut is sleeved on the outside of the valve body and then connects the two valve bodies at the same time. The top balls of the two valve bodies abut against each other and then retract into the inside of the valve body. At this time, the two one-way valve joints are connected to each other.