Structure for controlling powder discharge of powder bin

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, in particular to a structure used for controlling powder discharge of a powder bin, which comprises a main body, the main body is arranged between a powder outlet of the powder bin and a powder inlet of a printing chamber, the main body comprises a powder inlet area and a powder blocking area, and when the powder bin normally provides metal powder for the printing chamber, the powder blocking area is located in the powder inlet area. A powder outlet of the powder bin is aligned to the powder inlet area of the main body, and when the powder outlet of the powder bin is aligned to the powder blocking area of the main body, the powder bin stops providing the metal powder to the printing chamber. Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme provided by the utility model has the following beneficial effects that equipment can be overhauled and powder types can be replaced on the premise that powder in a powder bin is not taken out, so that the time for an operator to make contact with metal powder is shortened, the probability that other related equipment such as a powder distribution device breaks down is reduced, and the working efficiency is improved. And the operation efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and in particular to a structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin. Background Art

[0002] In the field of additive manufacturing, metal powders are numerous and expensive. When equipment needs to change powder types, operators must transfer the powder silo to a temporary storage area to prevent contamination. Operators then clean the entire equipment and refill the equipment with powder. This process wastes significant time, labor, and resources. Furthermore, if a mechanism connected to the powder silo malfunctions, operators must transfer the powder silo to a temporary storage area to prevent it from affecting the associated mechanism. The silo must then be cleaned before the equipment can be repaired. This process also wastes time, labor, and resources.

[0003] See also Figure 1 The typical powder silo structure is shown in the figure: The silo typically features a downward-sloping top. The cover is bolted to the top of the silo, while the base flange is bolted directly to the powder inlet of the print chamber. A powder distribution device is also located at the powder inlet, and a powder recovery device is located at the bottom of the print chamber.

[0004] During the equipment's setup phase, the operator adds a single metal powder to the powder hopper until the powder reaches the specified height. During operation, the powder dispensing device distributes the metal powder to the print chamber, where excess metal powder is collected by a powder recovery device. During shutdown, the operator collects the remaining metal powder in the print chamber through the powder recovery device for reuse. Because the lower portion of the powder hopper is open, powder cannot be stored separately. When the equipment needs to replace metal powder, the hopper must be cleaned. There are two common methods for cleaning the powder hopper: one is to collect the powder into the powder recovery device through the powder dispensing device, and the other is for the operator to open the cover and remove the powder from the upper portion of the hopper using a recovery tool. However, existing powder dispensing devices are high-frequency, high-precision devices. Increasing the frequency of the powder dispensing device's operation increases its failure rate. If the dispensing device malfunctions, the powder can only be removed by the operator from the upper portion of the powder hopper. This process is time-consuming and pollutes the environment in which the equipment is located. It also increases the operator's exposure to powder, potentially posing a health risk. In addition, when maintenance personnel perform routine maintenance on the equipment, such as checking the powder dispensing device, they can only empty the powder bin in the same way as when replacing the powder before a complete maintenance. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a connection structure between a control powder bin and a printing chamber that is easy to maintain or overhaul.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the utility model provides a structure for controlling the powder discharge of a powder bin, comprising:

[0007] The main body is arranged between the powder outlet of the powder hopper and the powder inlet of the printing chamber. The main body includes a powder inlet area and a powder blocking area. When the powder hopper normally provides metal powder to the printing chamber, the powder outlet of the powder hopper is aligned with the powder inlet area of the main body. When the powder outlet of the powder hopper is aligned with the powder blocking area of the main body, the powder hopper stops providing metal powder to the printing chamber.

[0008] Preferably, the main body includes a baffle, which is arranged between the powder outlet of the powder bin and the powder inlet of the printing chamber. A first powder outlet is opened in the middle of the baffle, and the first powder outlet is used for metal powder discharged from the powder outlet to pass through the baffle.

[0009] Preferably, the device further comprises an inserting plate, which is arranged in the middle of the baffle, one end of which passes through the baffle, and the inserting plate can move in the baffle in a horizontal direction.

[0010] Preferably, the plug plate includes a working part and an operating part, the working part is arranged inside the baffle, the operating part is arranged outside the baffle, the working part and the operating part are fixedly connected, and the operating part is used to control the horizontal limiting movement of the working part inside the baffle.

[0011] Preferably, a second powder outlet is provided on the surface of the working part. When the first powder outlet and the second powder outlet are aligned, the main body forms a powder feeding area. When other areas of the surface of the working part are aligned with the first powder outlet, the main body forms a powder blocking area.

[0012] Preferably, the size of the powder inlet area is smaller than or equal to the size of the powder outlet area, and when the inserting plate moves in the baffle, the inserting plate is in close contact with the baffle.

[0013] Compared with the existing technology, the technical solution proposed in this application has the following beneficial effects: this application can repair the equipment and change the type of powder without taking out the powder from the powder bin, reducing the time the operator is exposed to metal powder, reducing the probability of failure of other related equipment such as the powder distribution device, and improving operational efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the powder bin structure in the prior art;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the powder discharge control unit of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the baffle of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the plugboard of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the powder blocking state of the utility model;

[0020] In the figure: 1. Baffle, 2. Insert plate, 3. First powder inlet, 4. Second powder inlet, 5. Working part, 6. Operation part, 7. Powder bin, 8. Printing room. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following will clearly and completely describe and discuss the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings of the present invention. Obviously, what is described here is only a part of the examples of the present invention, not all the examples. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may also be a central component. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this invention are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] See also Figures 2 to 5 , a structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin, comprising

[0025] The main body is arranged between the powder outlet of the powder hopper and the powder inlet of the printing chamber. The main body includes a powder inlet area and a powder blocking area. When the powder hopper normally provides metal powder to the printing chamber, the powder outlet of the powder hopper is aligned with the powder inlet area of the main body. When the powder outlet of the powder hopper is aligned with the powder blocking area of the main body, the powder hopper stops providing metal powder to the printing chamber.

[0026] The main body includes a baffle disposed between the powder outlet of the powder bin and the powder inlet of the print chamber. A first powder outlet is defined in the middle of the baffle, for allowing metal powder discharged from the powder outlet to pass through the baffle. The main body also includes an insert plate disposed in the middle of the baffle, one end of which extends through the baffle and is capable of horizontal movement within the baffle.

[0027] The plug plate includes a working part and an operating part, the working part is arranged inside the baffle, the operating part is arranged outside the baffle, the working part and the operating part are fixedly connected, and the operating part is used to control the horizontal limiting movement of the working part inside the baffle.

[0028] The working portion has a second powder outlet on its surface. When the first and second powder outlets are aligned, the main body forms a powder inlet area. When other areas of the working portion's surface are aligned with the first powder outlet, the main body forms a powder blocking area. The size of the powder inlet area is smaller than or equal to the size of the powder outlet area, and when the insert moves within the baffle, the insert closely abuts the baffle.

[0029] When the device is operating normally, the insert plate is in a non-operating position, inserted between the powder hopper and the print chamber. The powder inlet area on the insert plate aligns with the powder dropout port of the powder hopper and the powder inlet of the print chamber, allowing metal powder to enter the print chamber and complete printing. If the device requires emergency maintenance, the operator simply pulls the insert plate out of the groove a fixed distance. This allows the powder barrier area to align with the powder inlet of the powder hopper, preventing metal powder from falling and allowing maintenance to proceed. Once maintenance is complete, the insert plate can be pushed back through the groove to resume printing.

[0030] The above describes specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and that one or more of the above embodiments may be combined. Those skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications, or combinations within the scope of the claims, without affecting the essence of the present invention. Unless there is a conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other in any manner.

Claims

1. A structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin, characterized in that: include A main body, the main body being arranged between the powder outlet of the powder silo and the powder inlet of the printing chamber, the main body including a powder inlet area and a powder blocking area. When the powder silo normally supplies metal powder to the printing chamber, the powder outlet of the powder silo is aligned with the powder inlet area of the main body. When the powder outlet of the powder silo is aligned with the powder blocking area of the main body, the powder silo stops supplying metal powder to the printing chamber; The main body includes a baffle, which is arranged between the powder outlet of the powder bin and the powder inlet of the printing chamber. A first powder outlet is opened in the middle of the baffle, and the first powder outlet is used for metal powder discharged from the powder outlet to pass through the baffle; The plug plate is arranged in the middle of the baffle, one end of the plug plate passes through the baffle, and the plug plate can move in the baffle along the horizontal direction.

2. The structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug plate includes a working part and an operating part, the working part is arranged inside the baffle, the operating part is arranged outside the baffle, the working part and the operating part are fixedly connected, and the operating part is used to control the horizontal limiting movement of the working part inside the baffle.

3. The structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin according to claim 2, characterized in that: The surface of the working part is provided with a second powder outlet. When the first powder outlet and the second powder outlet are aligned, the main body forms a powder feeding area. When other areas of the surface of the working part are aligned with the first powder outlet, the main body forms a powder blocking area.

4. The structure for controlling powder discharge from a powder bin according to claim 3, characterized in that: The size of the powder inlet area is smaller than or equal to the size of the powder outlet area, and when the inserting plate moves in the baffle, the inserting plate is in close contact with the baffle.

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