Friction stir additive manufacturing equipment with continuous feeding function

Abstract

The utility model discloses continuous feeding friction stir additive manufacturing equipment, and belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, the continuous feeding friction stir additive manufacturing equipment comprises a friction additive device, a feeding device, a bar driving device and a bar transfer device, and according to the structure, bars are transferred to the feeding device through the bar transfer device; a posture adjusting mechanism arranged on the feeding device can adjust the bars to be in a preset posture, then the bars in the preset posture enter the feeding channel and enter the bar driving device through the feeding channel, the bar driving device drives the bars to move in the conveying channel in the axis direction of the conveying channel, certain pressure is applied to the bars, and the bars are conveyed into the feeding channel through the conveying channel. And in addition, the main shaft can rotate, so that the bar material can be stirred and rubbed on the base plate and then plasticized and deposited on the base plate, and automatic continuous feeding and continuous additive manufacturing are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and particularly relates to a friction stir additive manufacturing device with continuous feeding. Background Art

[0002] Friction stir additive manufacturing can be divided into rod-fed friction stir additive manufacturing, particle-fed friction stir additive manufacturing, and wire-fed friction stir additive manufacturing according to raw materials. In rod-fed additive manufacturing, since the rods are in sections and the rods are in a rotating state during the additive manufacturing process, it is difficult to achieve continuous additive manufacturing. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] This application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art to some extent.

[0004] To this end, an object of this application is to provide a friction stir additive manufacturing device, which includes: a friction additive device, a feeding device, a rod driving device, and a rod transfer device. The friction additive device includes a rotatable main shaft, and the main shaft is hollow to form a feeding channel for accommodating the rod. The feeding device is located upstream of the friction additive device. The feeding device includes an attitude adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the rod to a preset attitude. The attitude adjustment mechanism includes a feeding channel coaxially arranged with the feeding channel. Among them, the rod in the preset attitude can enter the feeding channel through the feeding channel. The rod driving device is located between the friction additive device and the feeding device, and the rod driving device is used to receive the rod in the feeding channel and drive the rod to move along the axis direction of the feeding channel in the feeding channel. The rod transfer device includes a clamping mechanism, and the clamping mechanism is adapted to transfer the rod to the feeding channel.

[0005] According to the above technical features, in this application, the rod transfer device transports the rod to the feeding device. The attitude adjustment mechanism provided by the feeding device can adjust the rod to a preset attitude. Then, the rod in the preset attitude enters the feeding channel and enters the rod driving device through the feeding channel. The rod driving device drives the rod to move along the axis direction of the feeding channel in the feeding channel, applying a certain pressure to the rod. Coupled with the rotatability of the main shaft, the rod can be friction stirred on the substrate and then plastically deposited on the substrate, thus realizing automatic continuous feeding and continuous additive manufacturing.

[0006] Optionally, in an embodiment of this application, the rod driving device includes a driving bracket connected to the main shaft. The driving bracket is provided with a first feeding engaging tooth and a second feeding engaging tooth arranged oppositely. The first feeding engaging tooth and the second feeding engaging tooth are spaced along the radial direction of the first feeding engaging tooth to form a driving channel. The driving channel is used to receive the rod in the feeding channel, and the first feeding engaging tooth and the second feeding engaging tooth drive the rod to move along the axis direction of the feeding channel in the feeding channel.

[0007] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the bar driving device further includes a first worm and a second worm, the first worm and the second worm are respectively engaged with the first feeding engaging teeth and the second feeding engaging teeth; the first worm and the second worm are both arranged on the driving bracket, the axes of the first worm and the second worm are parallel to the axis of the feeding channel, the first feeding engaging teeth and the second feeding engaging teeth are arranged between the first worm and the second worm, and the axes of the first feeding engaging teeth and the second feeding engaging teeth are both perpendicular to the axis of the feeding channel.

[0008] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the feeding device includes a feeding bracket, a first receiving member, a second receiving member, and a third receiving member, the second receiving member and the third receiving member are rotatably mounted on the feeding bracket, and the axes of the first receiving member, the second receiving member, and the third receiving member are collinear; the first receiving member is hollow to form a feeding channel, the second receiving member is hollow to form a receiving channel, the third receiving member is hollow to form a feeding channel, the first receiving member, the second receiving member, and the third receiving member are sequentially arranged at intervals along the axis of the feeding channel, and the second receiving member is slidably mounted on the feeding bracket along the axis of the feeding channel so that the feeding channel, the receiving channel, and the feeding channel can be selectively communicated; wherein, the feeding channel is correspondingly arranged with the driving channel.

[0009] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the second receiving member includes a sliding seat and a rotating portion, the rotating portion is rotatably mounted on the sliding seat, the rotating portion is hollow to form a receiving channel, and the bracket includes a sliding rail extending axially, and the sliding seat is slidably engaged with the sliding rail.

[0010] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the bracket further includes a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are arranged at intervals axially, the sliding rail is mounted between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, the first mounting plate is provided with a first through hole, the second mounting plate is provided with a second through hole, the first through hole is sleeved outside the first receiving member, and the second through hole is sleeved outside the third receiving member.

[0011] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the attitude adjustment mechanism is a hollow rod-shaped structure, the hollow rod-shaped structure includes a feeding portion and a guiding portion arranged in sequence, at least a part of the feeding portion forms a feeding channel, the guiding portion is configured in a flared shape, and the guiding portion includes a first end close to the feeding portion and a second end far from the feeding portion, the cross-sectional shape of the first end is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bar, the cross-sectional shape of the second end is circular, and the first end and the second end are transitioned through a transition surface to form a guiding surface, and the feeding channel is correspondingly arranged with the driving channel.

[0012] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a first limiting groove is provided on the first receiving member, a first limiting protrusion and a second limiting protrusion are provided on the second receiving member, and a second limiting groove is provided on the third receiving member. During the movement of the second receiving member towards the first receiving member, the first limiting protrusion can be snapped into the first limiting groove. During the movement of the second receiving member towards the third receiving member, the second limiting protrusion can be snapped into the second limiting groove.

[0013] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a first guiding portion extending axially towards the second receiving member is provided on the side wall of the feeding channel. The first limiting protrusion is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member. The first guiding portion is formed as a ratchet tooth extending axially, and the first limiting groove is formed at the tooth root of the ratchet tooth of the first guiding portion; a second guiding portion extending axially towards the second receiving member is provided on the side wall of the feeding channel. The second limiting protrusion is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member. The second guiding portion is formed as a ratchet tooth extending axially, and the second limiting groove is formed at the tooth root of the ratchet tooth of the second guiding portion.

[0014] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, it further includes a material pressing device. The material pressing device includes a material pressing base, a material pressing bracket and a material pressing head. The material pressing bracket includes a mounting plate and a mounting frame. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on the material pressing base along a first direction, the mounting frame is slidably mounted on the mounting plate along a second direction, and the material pressing head is mounted on the mounting frame, where the first direction is the axial direction of the material conveying channel, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be learned through the practice of the present application. Description of the Drawings

[0016] The above-mentioned and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, where:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a friction additive manufacturing device for continuous feeding according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bar driving device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bar driving device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 is according to the present application Figure 2 schematic diagram of the structure with auxiliary wheels in the embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5Schematic structural diagram of a bar driving device and a friction additive device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of a feeding device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of a feeding device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of a blank holding device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 9 Top view of a bar storage bin and a bar transfer device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 10 Partial structural schematic diagram of a bar storage bin and a bar transfer device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 11 Schematic structural diagram of a bar driving device according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Reference numerals:

[0029] Bar 8, substrate 9, main shaft 10, material conveying channel 11;

[0030] First feeding engaging teeth 21, second feeding engaging teeth 22, first worm 31, second worm 32, first driven gear 33, second driven gear 34, auxiliary wheel 35, driving channel 40, second feeding engaging wheel 42, driving bracket 50, feeding driving motor 60, first transmission member 61, second transmission member 62, hollow motor 70, avoidance channel 71, driving gear 72; second driving member 80;

[0031] First mounting plate 107, second mounting plate 108, slide rail 109; first receiving member 110, feeding channel 111, first limiting groove 112, second receiving member 120, first limiting protrusion 122-1, second limiting protrusion 122-2, sliding seat 123, third receiving member 130, feeding channel 131, second limiting groove 132;

[0032] Clamping mechanism 200;

[0033] Blank holding base 310, blank holding bracket 320, blank holding head 330. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotating spindle 10 can drive the rod 8 to rotate, and then rub it on the substrate 9, so that the rod 8 is plasticized and deposited on the substrate 9 to achieve stir friction additive. Composite materials, such as aluminum-copper composite materials, can be manufactured by this method. However, the rotating spindle 10 is not easy to achieve automated continuous feeding.

[0036] In this application, if Figures 1 - 11 As shown, the continuous feeding friction stir additive manufacturing equipment includes: a friction additive device, a feeding device, a rod driving device and a rod transferring device.

[0037] The friction stir material adding device includes a rotatable main shaft 10, the main shaft 10 is hollow to form a feeding channel 11 for accommodating the rod material 8; in one embodiment, the friction material adding device also includes a second driving member 80 and a conveyor belt, and the second driving member 80 is driven by the main shaft 10 through the conveyor belt. The second driving member 80 can be a motor, which is arranged on the base, and the motor drives the main shaft 10 to rotate on the base through the conveyor belt.

[0038] The rod driving device is located upstream of the friction material adding device, and is used to drive the rod 8 to move in the feeding channel 11 along the axial direction of the feeding channel 11. Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, Figure 3 For the bar drive device, Figure 6 It is a feeding device, which is located upstream of the rod driving device, that is, the rod driving device is located between the friction additive device and the feeding device. The feeding device includes a posture adjustment mechanism, which is used to adjust the posture of the rod 8 to a preset posture. The posture adjustment mechanism includes a feeding channel 131, and the feeding channel 131 is coaxially arranged with the feed channel 11, wherein the rod 8 with a preset posture can enter the feed channel 11 through the feeding channel 131; the rod driving device can receive the rod 8 in the feeding channel 131 and drive the rod 8 to move in the feed channel 11 along the axial direction of the feed channel 11.

[0039] like Figure 6 , Figures 9 - 10 As shown, the bar material transfer device includes a clamping mechanism 200 , which is suitable for transferring the bar materials 8 in the bar material bin to the feeding channel 131 .

[0040] In this application, the bar material transfer device ( Figure 9 andFigure 10 ) Feed the bar stock 8 to the feeding device ( Figure 6 ). The attitude adjustment mechanism provided by the feeding device can adjust the bar stock 8 to a preset attitude. Then, the bar stock 8 in the preset attitude enters the feeding channel 131 and enters the bar stock driving device through the feeding channel 131 ( Figure 3 ). The bar stock driving device drives the bar stock 8 to move along the axis direction of the material conveying channel 11 in the material conveying channel 11, applying a certain pressure to the bar stock 8. Coupled with the rotation of the main shaft 10, the bar stock 8 can perform friction stir on the substrate 9 and then plastically deposit on the substrate 9. In this way, automatic continuous feeding and continuous additive manufacturing are realized. The setting of the attitude adjustment mechanism can not only adapt to circular bar stocks, but also adapt to bar stocks 8 of other shapes, such as square, pentagonal, and triangular ones.

[0041] The structure of the bar stock driving device will be specifically described below.

[0042] Specifically, in one embodiment, as Figures 2 - 4 shown, the bar stock driving device at least includes a correspondingly arranged first feeding engagement member and a second feeding engagement member. The first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member are spaced apart along the radial direction of the first feeding engagement member and form a driving channel 40 corresponding to the material conveying channel 11. The driving channel 40 is used to receive the bar stock in the feeding channel 131, and the first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member drive the bar stock to move along the axis direction of the material conveying channel 11 in the material conveying channel 11. Among them, both the first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member can be engagement tooth structures; or, one of the first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member is an engagement tooth structure, and the other is an engagement wheel structure.

[0043] As Figure 2As shown, when both the first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member are engagement tooth structures, that is, when the first feeding engagement member is the first feeding engagement tooth 21 and the second feeding engagement member is the second feeding engagement tooth 22, it can be understood that the first feeding engagement tooth 21 and the second feeding engagement tooth 22 can be arranged in parallel and at intervals, and the first feeding engagement tooth 21 and the second feeding engagement tooth 22 can rotate relative to each other to form a driving channel 40. When the bar stock 8 enters the driving channel 40, the relatively rotating first feeding engagement tooth 21 and second feeding engagement tooth 22 can bite the bar stock 8 and move it towards the feeding channel 11 and along the axial direction of the feeding channel 11, and then drive the bar stock 8 into the feeding channel 11. Then, the main shaft 10 rotatably arranged on the base can drive the bar stock in the feeding channel 11 to rotate. The rotating bar stock 8 can continuously stir and rub against the substrate to generate heat, thereby achieving plastic softening to realize friction stir additive manufacturing. Further, by using the method of driving the bar stock to move with the first feeding engagement tooth 21 and the second feeding engagement tooth 22, a thrust towards the substrate can be formed in the axial direction of the bar stock, which helps to generate heat during friction stir and the magnitude of the thrust can be adjusted by adjusting the clamping force between the two engagement teeth. When this structure is applied to a friction stir additive manufacturing device, during the friction stir process between the bar stock and the substrate, the pressure between the bar stock and the substrate can be adjusted by adjusting the clamping force to better realize additive manufacturing. When both the first feeding engagement member and the second feeding engagement member are engagement tooth structures, the engagement force is greater and a larger pressure can be provided.

[0044] As Figure 11As shown, when one of the first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member is a meshing tooth structure and the other is a meshing wheel structure, that is, when the first feeding engaging member is the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging member is the second feeding engaging wheel 42, a driving channel 40 can also be formed between the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging wheel. Similarly, when the bar stock enters the driving channel 40, the relatively rotating first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging wheel 42 can bite the bar stock and move it towards the feeding channel 11 and along the axial direction of the feeding channel 11, and then drive the bar stock into the feeding channel 11. Then, the main shaft 10 rotatably arranged on the base can drive the bar stock in the feeding channel 11 to rotate. The rotating bar stock can continuously stir and rub with the substrate to generate heat, thereby achieving plastic softening to realize friction stir additive manufacturing. Further, by using the method of driving the bar stock to move with the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging wheel 42, a thrust towards the substrate can be formed in the axial direction of the bar stock, which helps to generate heat by friction stir, and the magnitude of the thrust can be adjusted by adjusting the clamping force between the two. When this structure is applied to the friction stir additive manufacturing equipment, during the friction stir process between the bar stock and the substrate, the pressure between the bar stock and the substrate can be adjusted by adjusting the clamping force to better realize additive manufacturing. When one of the first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member is a meshing tooth structure and the other is a meshing wheel structure, the friction force of the meshing wheel structure is relatively small, which can improve the service life.

[0045] In the above solution, the meshing tooth can be a gear, or a helical gear, a herringbone gear, etc.; the meshing wheel can be a smooth wheel, a wheel with grooves processed on the surface, or a rubber wheel, etc.

[0046] Next, the solution in which both the first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member are meshing tooth structures, that is, the first feeding engaging member is the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging member is the second feeding engaging tooth 22, will be specifically described.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the bar stock driving device further includes a first worm 31 and a second worm 32. The first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are respectively meshed with the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging tooth 22; the bar stock driving device further includes a first driving assembly, and the first driving assembly drives the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate, thereby driving the first feeding engaging tooth 21 and the second feeding engaging tooth 22 to rotate relatively.

[0048] In this application, since the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are respectively used to drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 to rotate, the structure is simple. It can easily adjust the gap between the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 to realize the adjustment of the clamping force of the bar stock, that is, the gap of the driving channel 40 is adjustable, and then realize the adjustment of the downward thrust magnitude, that is, the greater the clamping force, the greater the thrust, and the smaller the clamping force, the smaller the thrust. In an embodiment of this application, the bar stock driving device includes a driving bracket 50. The first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are arranged on the driving bracket 50. The axes of the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are parallel to the axis of the material conveying channel 11. The first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 are arranged between the first worm 31 and the second worm 32. The axes of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 are both perpendicular to the axis of the material conveying channel 11. As Figure 2 shown, the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 are arranged horizontally and can rotate relative to each other, so that the bar stock can be well driven to enter the material conveying channel 11 along the axis direction of the material conveying channel 11.

[0049] In an embodiment of this application, the driving bracket 50 can be rotatably arranged on the base, and the main shaft 10 rotates and the main shaft 10 drives the bar stock to rotate relative to the driving bracket 50. In another embodiment of this application, the driving bracket 50 can be connected to the main shaft 10, and the driving bracket 50 can rotate with the rotation of the main shaft 10. In this embodiment, the bar stock does not rotate relative to the driving bracket 50.

[0050] The specific structure of the rotatable connection between the driving bracket 50 and the base will be specifically described below.

[0051] As Figure 2 shown, the first driving component is a feeding driving motor 60. The feeding driving motor 60 is fixedly installed on the driving bracket 50. The driving bracket 50 is rotatably installed on the base, so that the main shaft 10 can rotate relative to the driving bracket 50. The first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are rotatably arranged on the driving bracket 50. The first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 are also rotatably arranged on the driving bracket 50. In this structure, if the feeding driving motor 60 does not drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate, the rotating bar stock will drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 to rotate and then drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate. Then, the transmission parts such as the belt between the feeding driving motor 60 and the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 will rotate in the opposite direction with the rotation of the main shaft 10. At this time, the bar stock is conveyed upward, which is different from the expectation. Thus, if it is necessary to realize that the bar stock moves downward while rotating, the rotational speeds of the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 need to be greater than the rotational speed of the main shaft 10.

[0052] In the above structure, a feeding drive motor 60 can be adopted to drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate simultaneously, so as to avoid the out-of-sync problem in the control process of two motors.

[0053] Next, the specific structure in which the driving bracket 50 is connected to the main shaft 10 will be specifically described, that is, the driving bracket 50 can rotate with the rotation of the main shaft 10. In this structure, an ordinary motor can be adopted to drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate through, for example, a belt; or a hollow motor can be adopted to drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate through, for example, gears.

[0054] As Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment where an ordinary motor drives the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate through, for example, a belt, specifically, the first driving assembly includes a motor, and the motor can be arranged beside, for example, the first worm 31, and it can drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate through, for example, a belt.

[0055] Furthermore, as Figure 2 shown, the motor includes a first driving shaft, and the bar feeding device further includes a first transmission member 61 and a second transmission member 62 which are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the first driving shaft. The first driving shaft is in transmission connection with the first worm 31 through the first transmission member 61, and the first driving shaft is also in transmission connection with the second worm 32 through the second transmission member 62. That is, the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are driven to rotate simultaneously by one first driving shaft and two transmission members. In this structure, the first transmission member 61 and the second transmission member 62 can form a height difference to drive the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate simultaneously. The above-mentioned first transmission member 61 and second transmission member 62 can be a belt or a chain, etc.

[0056] In another embodiment, an auxiliary wheel 35 can also be provided. As Figure 4 shown, the auxiliary wheel 35, the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 are arranged on the driving bracket 50 at intervals along the circumferential direction of the feeding channel 11, and the motor drives the auxiliary wheel 35, the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate simultaneously. It can be understood that an auxiliary wheel 35, the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 can be driven to rotate simultaneously through a transmission member such as a belt, so as to realize that one motor drives the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate simultaneously and avoid the out-of-sync problem in the control process of two motors.

[0057] In the embodiment where a hollow motor drives the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 to rotate through, for example, gears, the first driving assembly includes a hollow motor 70. As Figure 3As shown, the hollow motor 70 includes an avoidance channel 71, which is correspondingly arranged with the driving channel 40. The avoidance channel 71 enables the bar stock to pass through the hollow motor 70 when entering the driving channel 40. The avoidance channel 71 is a hollow channel, and its axis coincides with the axis of the material conveying channel 11.

[0058] In a specific embodiment, a hollow motor drive shaft is provided on the hollow motor 70. The hollow motor drive shaft is hollow, and the hollow part of the hollow motor drive shaft is a part of the avoidance channel 71. A drive gear 72 is sleeved on the hollow motor drive shaft. First driven gears 33 and second driven gears 34 are respectively provided on the first worm 31 and the second worm 32. The first driven gear 33 and the second driven gear 34 are meshed with the drive gear 72. In this way, the first worm 31 and the second worm 32 can be driven to rotate simultaneously by one hollow motor 70, avoiding the out-of-sync problem in the double-motor control process.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the gap of the driving channel 40 is adjustable. For example, the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 are detachably installed on the driving bracket 50, and the gap of the driving channel 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the radii of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22. For another example, the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the first worm 31 are arranged on the first support, and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 and the second worm 32 are arranged on the second support. The gap of the driving channel 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the gap between the first support and the second support.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present application, as Figure 5 shown, a single motor can also be used to directly drive the rotation of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 or the second feeding engaging teeth 22. In addition, two motors can be used to respectively drive the rotation of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22. In this way, there are multiple implementation modes for the scheme of driving the rotation of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22.

[0061] Next, a scheme will be specifically elaborated in which one of the first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member is a meshing tooth structure and the other is a meshing wheel structure, that is, the first feeding engaging member is the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging member is the second feeding engaging wheel 42.

[0062] As Figure 11As shown, the bar driving device includes a driving bracket 50, and the driving bracket 50 is connected to the main shaft 10, that is, the driving bracket can rotate with the rotation of the main shaft. The first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging wheel 42 are rotatably arranged on the driving bracket. The axes of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging wheel 42 are perpendicular to the axis of the material conveying channel 11. The first driving assembly is used to drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 to rotate. The rotating first feeding engaging teeth 21 interact with the second feeding engaging wheel 42 to bite the bar and move it along the axis direction of the material conveying channel 11, so as to realize additive manufacturing.

[0063] Wherein, the second feeding engaging wheel 42 can be polished to reduce friction.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, the first driving assembly may include a motor, and the motor can directly drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 to rotate, or drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 to rotate through a reduction gear, or drive the first feeding engaging teeth 21 to rotate through a worm, and specific limitations are not made here.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present application, a plurality of second feeding engaging wheels 42 are provided, and the plurality of second feeding engaging wheels 42 are arranged at intervals along the axis direction of the material conveying channel 11, that is, a sliding wall is formed to reduce the friction force.

[0066] In the present application, there can be multiple pairs of the first feeding engaging members and the second feeding engaging members, or they can appear in non-paired form.

[0067] Similarly, in the above solution, the gap of the driving channel 40 is adjustable. For example, the second feeding engaging wheel 42 is rotatably arranged on the first bracket, the first bracket is fixedly arranged on the driving bracket 50, and the radius of the first feeding engaging teeth 21 is adjustable, so that the gap of the driving channel 40 is adjustable. Or, the first feeding engaging teeth 21 are arranged on the support, and by adjusting the gap between the support and the first bracket, the gap of the driving channel 40 is adjustable.

[0068] The above has specifically and detailedly described the structure in which the bar driving device rotates with the rotation of the main shaft 10, and has also described the structure in which the bar driving device does not rotate with the rotation of the main shaft 10.

[0069] When the bar driving device rotates with the rotation of the main shaft 10, especially for the bar 8 with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, there are certain difficulties in its automatic continuous feeding.

[0070] Next, a feeding device that can realize automatic continuous feeding when the bar driving device rotates with the rotation of the main shaft 10 will be specifically described.

[0071] Specifically, as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in the figure, the feeding device includes a feeding bracket, a first receiving member 110, a second receiving member 120, and a third receiving member 130. The second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 are rotatably mounted on the feeding bracket, and the axes of the first receiving member 110, the second receiving member 120, and the third receiving member 130 are collinear. The first receiving member 110 is hollow to form a feeding channel 111, the second receiving member 120 is hollow to form a receiving channel, and the third receiving member 130 is hollow to form a feeding channel 131. The first receiving member 110, the second receiving member 120, and the third receiving member 130 are sequentially arranged at intervals along the axis of the feeding channel 111. The second receiving member 120 is slidably mounted on the feeding bracket along the axis of the feeding channel 111 so that the feeding channel 111, the receiving channel, and the feeding channel 131 can be selectively communicated. Among them, the third receiving member 130 is connected to the driving bracket 50 or the main shaft 10, and the feeding channel 131 is correspondingly arranged with the driving channel 40. The connection between the third receiving member 130 and the driving bracket 50 means that when the driving bracket 50 rotates with the main shaft 10, the third receiving member 130 will also rotate. In this application, the third receiving member 130 is rotatably mounted on the bracket and can rotate with the rotation of the welding head. Only in this way can the bar stock be continuously conveyed to the welding head through the feeding channel 131 provided on the third receiving member 130. In order to conduct the receiving channel provided by the second receiving member 120 and the feeding channel 131 provided by the rotating third receiving member 130, the second receiving member 120 is also provided with a second limiting protrusion 122-2, and the third receiving member 130 is also provided with a second limiting groove 132. In this way, by engaging the second limiting protrusion 122-2 into the second limiting groove 132, the second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 rotate simultaneously, and the receiving channel and the feeding channel 131 are conducted. In this way, the bar stock 8 can enter the feeding channel 131 from the receiving channel to realize feeding. The shape of the bar stock 8 can be circular or other shapes, such as square, triangular and other polygons. Especially for the bar stock 8 with a square or polygonal shape, the above structure can well center the bar stock 8 in the receiving channel with the feeding channel 131, that is, by rotating the second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 simultaneously, the attitude of the receiving channel is the same as that of the feeding channel 131. In this way, the bar stock 8 can enter the feeding channel 131 provided on the rotating third receiving member 130 from the receiving channel.

[0072] Further, when it is necessary to fill the bar stock 8, the second receiving member 120 slides along the axis of the feeding channel 111 towards the first receiving member 110. During the sliding process, the first limiting protrusion 122-1 can be engaged into the first limiting groove 112, so that the attitude of the receiving channel is the same as that of the feeding channel 111, that is, the receiving channel and the feeding channel 111 are communicated. In this way, the bar stock 8 can enter the receiving channel from the feeding channel 111.

[0073] In this way, after the bar 8 of the present application has a square cross-section, it enters the receiving channel from the feeding channel 111, and one end of the bar 8 moves together with the second receiving member 120 toward the third receiving member 130, and under the action of the second limiting protrusion 122-2 and the second limiting groove 132, the receiving channel and the feeding channel 131 are connected. When the bar 8 is square and the bar 8 is long enough, the first receiving member 110, the second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 will rotate simultaneously under the action of the bar 8, so that the first receiving member 110 can be rotatably arranged.

[0074] When the rod 8 is square and relatively short, that is, when the rod 8 is separated from the feeding channel 111 after entering the receiving channel, the first receiving member 110 can be set without rotating, and the rod 8 separates from the first receiving member 110 with the second receiving member 120 and moves toward the third receiving member 130, and then, under the action of the second limiting protrusion 122-2 and the second limiting groove 132, the receiving channel and the feeding channel 131 guide the rod 8 into the feeding channel 131. At this time, the second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 rotate at the same time, but will not drive the first receiving member 110 to rotate. In this way, the first receiving member 110 does not need to rotate. If the first receiving member 110 does not rotate, the posture of its feeding channel 111 can be fixed, which is convenient for automatic loading.

[0075] Furthermore, the power for the second receiving member 120 to move toward the third receiving member 130 may be that the bar 8 is driven to move the second receiving member 120 by friction due to the free fall of gravity. At this time, an elastic reset member may be provided between the second receiving member 120 and the third receiving member 130 to reset the second receiving member 120. Alternatively, a second receiving member driving structure may be adopted, such as a second receiving member driving cylinder driving the second receiving member 120 to slide on the bracket, which is a reliable structure.

[0076] Further, the side wall of the feed channel 111 is provided with a first guide portion extending axially toward the second receiving member 120, the first limiting protrusion 122-1 is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member 120, the first guide portion is formed as a ratchet extending axially, and the first limiting groove 112 is formed at the root of the ratchet teeth of the first guide portion; the second limiting protrusion 122-2 is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member 120, the side wall of the feed channel 131 is provided with a second guide portion extending axially toward the second receiving member 120, the second guide portion is formed as a ratchet extending axially, and the second limiting groove 132 is formed at the root of the ratchet teeth of the second guide portion. The first limiting protrusion 122-1 and the second limiting protrusion 122-2 are both provided with a rotating bearing, the axis of the rotating bearing is perpendicular to the axis of the first receiving member 110, and the rotating bearing is suitable for sliding along the inclined surface of the corresponding ratchet teeth.

[0077] like Figure 6 andFigure 7 As shown, even for the rotating third receiving member 130, the limiting protrusion can slide along the inclined surface of the corresponding ratchet tooth, and then guide the limiting protrusion to cooperate with the limiting groove.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present application, the second receiving member 120 includes a sliding seat 123 and a rotating part. The rotating part is rotatably installed on the sliding seat 123. The rotating part is hollow to form a receiving channel. The feeding bracket includes a slide rail 109 extending along the axial direction. The sliding seat 123 is slidably matched with the slide rail 109. For example, the slide rail 109 is a guiding column, and a sliding bushing (not shown in the figure) is provided on the sliding seat 123. By sliding the sliding bushing on the guiding column, reliable sliding of the sliding seat 123 can be achieved.

[0079] The feeding bracket further includes a first mounting plate 107 and a second mounting plate 108. The first mounting plate 107 and the second mounting plate 108 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction. The slide rail 109 is installed between the first mounting plate 107 and the second mounting plate 108. A first through hole is provided on the first mounting plate 107, and a second through hole is provided on the second mounting plate 108. The first through hole is sleeved outside the first receiving member 110, and the second through hole is sleeved outside the third receiving member 130. The slide rail 109 is installed between the first mounting plate 107 and the second mounting plate 108. The first elastic resetting member abuts between the second mounting plate 108 and the sliding seat 123 to keep the second limiting protrusion 122-2 disengaged from the second limiting groove 132 under normal conditions.

[0080] In another specific embodiment, the attitude adjustment mechanism can be a hollow rod-shaped structure. The hollow rod-shaped structure includes a feeding part and a guiding part arranged in sequence. At least a part of the feeding part forms a feeding channel 131. The guiding part is configured in a flared shape, and the guiding part includes a first end close to the feeding part and a second end far from the feeding part. The cross-sectional shape of the first end is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bar stock 8, and the cross-sectional shape of the second end is circular. The first end and the second end are transitioned through a transition surface. In this way, even for a square bar stock, under the guidance of the transition surface, the attitude of the bar stock can be gradually adjusted to a preset attitude to enter the feeding channel 11.

[0081] Such as Figure 8As shown in the figure, it further includes a blank pressing device. The blank pressing device includes a blank pressing base 310, a blank pressing bracket 320, and a blank pressing head 330. The blank pressing bracket 320 includes a mounting plate and a mounting frame. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on the blank pressing base 310 along a first direction, and the mounting frame is slidably mounted on the mounting plate along a second direction. The blank pressing head 330 is mounted on the mounting frame. Herein, the first direction is the axial direction of the material conveying channel 11, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. It can be understood that when necessary, the blank pressing head 330 can extend into the upstream of the feeding channel 111 along the second direction, and then apply a certain pressure to the bar stock 8 in the feeding channel 111 along the first direction. In this way, one end of the bar stock 8 can sequentially pass through the feeding channel 111, the receiving channel, and the feeding channel 131, and then enter the driving channel 40 formed between the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22. After the first feeding engaging teeth 21 and the second feeding engaging teeth 22 rotate relatively to bite the bar stock 8, the blank pressing head 330 can return along the original path.

[0082] It further includes a bar stock bin and a bar stock transfer device. The bar stock bin stores a plurality of bar stocks 8; the bar stock transfer device includes a clamping mechanism 200. The clamping mechanism 200 is adapted to move between the bar stock bin and the feeding device to transfer the bar stock 8 in the bar stock bin to the feeding channel 111. The bar stock bin can be located beside the friction additive manufacturing device, and the bar stock transfer device is arranged between the bar stock bin and the friction additive manufacturing device. In this way, the bar stock transfer device can clamp the bar stock 8 from the bar stock bin through the clamping mechanism 200 provided on, for example, a robot. For example, the bar stocks 8 are vertically arranged in the bar stock bin, and a plurality of bar stocks 8 are arranged at intervals. After the clamping mechanism 200 clamps the bar stock 8, it is lifted upward, then rotated by a certain angle, and then extends into the upstream of the feeding channel 111 along the second direction. The clamping mechanism 200 is released, and the bar stock 8 freely falls into the feeding channel 111, and then the blank pressing head 330 starts to work.

[0083] It is described above that the third receiving member 130 can be rotatably arranged. When the third receiving member 130 is rotatably arranged, in order to receive, for example, a square bar stock, a second material guiding structure is further provided. For example, a part of the feeding channel 111 forms the second material guiding structure, and the second material guiding structure is used to guide the bar stock 8 to a preset state. Specifically, the second material guiding structure can be in a flared shape, the cross-sectional shape of one end is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the other end is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bar stock, for example, square. The first end and the second end are transitioned through a transition surface. In this way, for example, a square bar stock can be gradually adjusted to a preset posture through the guiding of the transition surface and then enter the feeding channel 111.

[0084] The control method of the friction stir additive manufacturing equipment will be elaborated in detail below. It includes the friction stir additive manufacturing equipment described above, and the control method includes:

[0085] S1: Detect whether there is a bar stock in the bar stock bin;

[0086] S2: If so, drive the clamping mechanism to clamp the bar stock and transfer it to the feeding channel, and the axis of the bar stock coincides with the axis of the feeding channel;

[0087] S3: Release the bar stock, and use the attitude adjustment mechanism to adjust the attitude of the bar stock so that the attitude of the bar stock is consistent with the attitude of the feeding channel;

[0088] S4: Drive the bar stock in the feeding channel into the material conveying channel through the bar stock driving device.

[0089] Before step S4, the bar stock is also pressed down by the material pressing device so that the bar stock in the feeding channel enters the bar stock driving device, and the bar stock driving device drives the bar stock into the material conveying channel.

[0090] Specifically, after it is detected that there is a bar stock 8 in the bar stock bin, the clamping mechanism 200 starts to clamp the bar stock, and then transfers it above the first receiving member 110. The clamping mechanism 200 releases the bar stock, and the clamping mechanism 200 returns to its original position. The bar stock falls freely and enters the feeding channel 111 and the receiving channel. The material pressing device works, and the second receiving member 120 and the receiving channel fall accordingly. During the falling process, the second limiting protrusion 122-2 on the second receiving member 120 is inserted into the second limiting groove 132, so that the attitudes of the receiving channel and the feeding channel 131 are consistent. In this way, the bar stock continues to enter the feeding channel 131, and then enters the driving channel 40 formed between the first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member through the feeding channel 131. The bar stock is driven to continue to move in the first direction. The first feeding engaging member and the second feeding engaging member rotate relatively to bite the bar stock, and continue to drive the bar stock to continue to move along the axial direction of the material conveying channel 11. The bar stock enters the material conveying channel 11, and then stirs and frictions with the substrate 9 to achieve friction stir additive manufacturing.

[0091] After the bar stock completely passes through the receiving channel, the second receiving member 120 can move towards the first receiving member 110. During the moving process, the first limiting protrusion 122-1 can be inserted into the first limiting groove 112, so that the attitude of the receiving channel is consistent with the attitude of the feeding channel 111. In this way, the bar stock can continue to enter the receiving channel from the feeding channel 111, and so on in a cycle.

[0092] During the above feeding process, after the pressing head 330 of the material pressing device reaches the lower limit position, it resets, and the clamping mechanism 200 clamps and conveys the next bar stock, and so on in a cycle.

[0093] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0094] In the description of this specification, descriptions with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A friction stir additive manufacturing device with continuous feeding, characterized in that, Comprising: A friction additive manufacturing device, which includes a rotatable main shaft, and a feeding channel for accommodating a bar stock is formed in the hollow of the main shaft; A feeding device, which is located upstream of the friction additive manufacturing device. The feeding device includes an attitude adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the bar stock to a preset attitude. The attitude adjustment mechanism includes a feeding channel coaxially arranged with the feeding channel. Wherein, the bar stock in the preset attitude can enter the feeding channel through the feeding channel; A bar stock driving device, which is located between the friction additive manufacturing device and the feeding device. The bar stock driving device is used for receiving the bar stock in the feeding channel and driving the bar stock to move along the axis direction of the feeding channel in the feeding channel; A bar stock transfer device, which includes a clamping mechanism suitable for transferring the bar stock to the feeding channel.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bar stock driving device includes a driving bracket connected to the main shaft. Oppositely arranged first feeding engagement teeth and second feeding engagement teeth are arranged on the driving bracket. The first feeding engagement teeth and the second feeding engagement teeth are spaced along the radial direction of the first feeding engagement teeth to form a driving channel for receiving the bar stock in the feeding channel. And the first feeding engagement teeth and the second feeding engagement teeth drive the bar stock to move along the axis direction of the feeding channel in the feeding channel.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bar stock driving device further includes a first worm and a second worm, which are respectively engaged with the first feeding engagement teeth and the second feeding engagement teeth; The first worm and the second worm are both arranged on the driving bracket. The axes of the first worm and the second worm are parallel to the axis of the feeding channel. The first feeding engagement teeth and the second feeding engagement teeth are arranged between the first worm and the second worm. The axes of the first feeding engagement teeth and the second feeding engagement teeth are both perpendicular to the axis of the feeding channel.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding device includes a feeding bracket, a first receiving member, a second receiving member and a third receiving member. The second receiving member and the third receiving member are rotatably installed on the feeding bracket, and the axes of the first receiving member, the second receiving member and the third receiving member are collinear; The first receiving member is hollow to form a feeding channel, the second receiving member is hollow to form a receiving channel, and the third receiving member is hollow to form the feeding channel. The first receiving member, the second receiving member and the third receiving member are sequentially spaced apart along the axis of the feeding channel. And the second receiving member is slidably installed on the feeding bracket along the axis of the feeding channel so that the feeding channel, the receiving channel and the feeding channel can be selectively communicated; Wherein, the feeding channel is correspondingly arranged with the driving channel.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The posture adjustment mechanism is a hollow rod-shaped structure. The hollow rod-shaped structure includes a feeding part and a guiding part arranged in sequence. At least a part of the feeding part forms the feeding channel. The guiding part is configured in a flared shape, and the guiding part includes a first end close to the feeding part and a second end far from the feeding part. The cross-sectional shape of the first end is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bar stock, the cross-sectional shape of the second end is circular, and the first end and the second end are transitioned through a transition surface to form a guiding surface. The feeding channel and the driving channel are correspondingly arranged.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The second receiving member includes a sliding seat and a rotating part. The rotating part is rotatably mounted on the sliding seat. The rotating part is hollow to form the receiving channel. The bracket includes a slide rail extending axially. The sliding seat is slidably matched with the slide rail.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bracket further includes a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are arranged at an axial interval. The slide rail is mounted between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. A first through hole is provided on the first mounting plate, and a second through hole is provided on the second mounting plate. The first through hole is sleeved outside the first receiving member, and the second through hole is sleeved outside the third receiving member.

8. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A first limiting groove is provided on the first receiving member. A first limiting protrusion and a second limiting protrusion are provided on the second receiving member. A second limiting groove is provided on the third receiving member. During the process of the second receiving member moving towards the first receiving member, the first limiting protrusion can be inserted into the first limiting groove. During the process of the second receiving member moving towards the third receiving member, the second limiting protrusion can be inserted into the second limiting groove.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A first guiding part extending axially towards the second receiving member is provided on the side wall of the feeding channel. The first limiting protrusion is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member. The first guiding part is formed as axially extending ratchet teeth. The first limiting groove is formed at the tooth root of the ratchet teeth of the first guiding part. A second guiding part extending axially towards the second receiving member is provided on the side wall of the feeding channel. The second limiting protrusion is formed on the side wall of the second receiving member. The second guiding part is formed as axially extending ratchet teeth. The second limiting groove is formed at the tooth root of the ratchet teeth of the second guiding part.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It further includes a material pressing device. The material pressing device includes a material pressing base, a material pressing bracket and a material pressing head. The material pressing bracket includes a mounting plate and a mounting frame. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on the material pressing base along a first direction. The mounting frame is slidably mounted on the mounting plate along a second direction. The material pressing head is mounted on the mounting frame. Among them, the first direction is the axial direction of the material conveying channel, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

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