Additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of additive manufacturing, and relates to additive manufacturing powder recycling equipment which comprises a powder collecting device, a powder circulating device arranged at the bottom of a forming cylinder (13) and an inert gas inlet pipeline (7) arranged at the top of the forming cylinder (13) and communicated with the interior of the forming cylinder (13). The inert gas inlet pipeline (7) provides a low-oxygen condition or an inert gas-rich condition for the interior of the forming cylinder (13); and the powder (12) in the forming cylinder (13) is communicated with a powder collecting device through a powder circulating device. The additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment can effectively improve the powder recovery efficiency and reduce potential safety hazards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of additive manufacturing and relates to additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment, in particular to automatic powder recovery equipment. Background Art

[0002] After completing additive manufacturing, the excess powder inside the forming cylinder of the additive manufacturing equipment needs to be cleaned and recycled. Generally, most people use a manual handheld material machine to suck powder, and when using it, it is necessary to ensure that the nozzle of the powder suction tube cannot be completely buried in the powder. When cleaning and recycling powder in this way, there are often the following problems: 1) This method is carried out in an air environment, which is easy to cause oxidation of metal powder, reducing the possibility of metal powder being reused; 2) In order to prevent the powder suction pipe from being blocked, the powder suction amount is completely controlled manually, and the metal powder recovery rate is relatively low; 3) In an air environment, metal powder is prone to explosion danger if the equipment is poorly grounded, posing a great safety hazard. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the background technology, the utility model provides an additive manufacturing powder recovery device that can effectively improve the powder recovery efficiency and reduce safety hazards.

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

[0005] An additive manufacturing powder recovery device is characterized in that: the additive manufacturing powder recovery device recovers the powder inside the forming cylinder under low oxygen conditions or conditions rich in inert gas.

[0006] The above-mentioned additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment includes a powder collection device, a powder circulation device arranged at the bottom of the forming cylinder, and an inert gas inlet pipe arranged at the top of the forming cylinder and connected to the interior of the forming cylinder; the inert gas inlet pipe provides low-oxygen conditions or inert gas-rich conditions to the interior of the forming cylinder; the powder inside the forming cylinder is connected to the powder collection device through the powder circulation device.

[0007] The powder collecting device includes a powder discharge pipe and a powder barrel; the powder inside the forming cylinder is connected to the powder barrel through the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe.

[0008] The above-mentioned powder collection device includes a powder discharge pipe, a fan, a filter element, a cyclone separator, a powder suction pipe, a powder blowing pipe and a powder barrel; the powder inside the forming cylinder is connected to the powder blowing pipe through the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe; the fan is connected to the cyclone separator through the powder blowing pipe and the powder suction pipe; the powder barrel is placed at the bottom of the cyclone separator and is connected to the inside of the cyclone separator; a filter element is provided inside the cyclone separator; the gas inside the cyclone separator is connected to the fan through the filter element.

[0009] The powder blowing pipe is a Venturi pipe; the powder exhaust pipe is connected to the throat of the Venturi pipe; and the fan is connected to the inlet section of the Venturi pipe.

[0010] The above-mentioned fans are respectively connected to the inlet section of the venturi tube and the inert gas inlet pipeline; the powder collection device also includes an oxygen sensor connected to the inside of the cyclone separator.

[0011] The above-mentioned powder collection device includes a powder discharge pipe, a fan, a filter element, a cyclone separator, a powder suction pipe, a powder blowing pipe and a powder barrel; the powder inside the forming cylinder is connected to the powder discharge pipe through a powder circulation device; the powder discharge pipe is connected to the powder barrel through a powder blowing pipe; the fan is connected to the cyclone separator through the powder blowing pipe and the powder suction pipe; the interior of the cyclone separator is connected to the powder barrel; a filter element is provided inside the cyclone separator; the gas inside the cyclone separator is connected to the fan through the filter element; the fan is connected to the inert gas inlet pipe.

[0012] The powder blowing pipe is a Venturi tube; the powder exhaust pipe is connected to the throat of the Venturi tube; the fan is connected to the inlet section of the Venturi tube; the powder collecting device also includes an oxygen sensor connected to the inside of the cyclone separator.

[0013] The above-mentioned powder circulation device includes a powder discharge trough, a powder discharge port and a powder discharge switch; the powder discharge port is arranged at the bottom of the forming cylinder; the powder discharge switch is arranged at the powder discharge port; the powder inside the forming cylinder is connected to the powder collection device through the powder discharge trough, the powder discharge port and the powder discharge switch.

[0014] The powder discharge switch includes a plug provided at the powder discharge port and a driving member connected to the plug and driving the plug to open or close the powder discharge port; the driving member is a cylinder, a hydraulic rod or a motor.

[0015] The advantages of the utility model are:

[0016] The present invention provides an additive manufacturing powder recovery device for recovering powder from a forming cylinder under low-oxygen or inert gas-rich conditions. The device comprises a powder collection device, a powder circulation device located at the bottom of the forming cylinder, a cylinder cover located at the top of the forming cylinder, and an inert gas inlet pipe located at the top of the forming cylinder and communicating with the interior of the forming cylinder. The powder in the forming cylinder is connected to the powder collection device via the powder circulation device. The cylinder cover located at the top of the forming cylinder directly reduces the chance of powder in the forming cylinder coming into contact with air, thus reducing the potential for metal powder oxidation. This not only improves the reusability of the metal powder but also reduces the potential explosion hazard associated with poor grounding of the equipment. Furthermore, to facilitate the smooth discharge of powder from the forming cylinder, a powder circulation device is located at the bottom of the forming cylinder to facilitate rapid powder discharge. Furthermore, inert gas is injected into the forming cylinder through an inert gas inlet pipe 7, creating downward pressure and accelerating powder discharge. The injection of inert gas also reduces the chance of powder coming into contact with oxygen in the air. In addition, by directly collecting the powder flowing out of the powder circulation device through the powder collection device, the collection, packaging and transportation of the powder can be realized. The present invention can improve the efficiency of powder recovery under the premise of realizing powder recovery in a low-oxygen environment through the free powder falling method and / or the closed-loop material machine powder recovery method; there is no need to manually control the height of the powder suction pipe mouth, and the powder can be automatically recovered, reducing the intensity of manual work, improving the working environment, and ensuring personal safety. Obviously, the additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment provided by the present invention can realize the automatic recovery, storage, and transportation of powder in a low-oxygen environment, and can also realize parts cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the additive manufacturing powder recovery device (free-fall powder collection) provided by the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the additive manufacturing powder recovery equipment (powder collection during wind suction) provided by the utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the preferred additive manufacturing powder recovery device provided by the present invention;

[0020] in:

[0021] 1-Blower; 2-Filter element; 3-Powder barrel; 4-Cyclone separator; 5-Powder suction pipe; 6-Powder blowing pipe; 7-Inert gas inlet pipe; 8-Cylinder; 9-Plug; 10-Powder discharge pipe; 11-Lifting platform; 12-Powder; 13-Forming cylinder; 14-Cylinder cover; 15-Oxygen sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The utility model provides an additive manufacturing powder recovery device, which recovers the powder inside the forming cylinder under low oxygen conditions or conditions rich in inert gas.

[0023] It includes a powder collecting device, a powder circulation device arranged at the bottom of the forming cylinder 13, and an inert gas inlet pipe 7 arranged at the top of the forming cylinder 13 and connected to the interior of the forming cylinder 13; the inert gas inlet pipe 7 provides low-oxygen conditions or inert gas-rich conditions to the interior of the forming cylinder 13; the powder 12 inside the forming cylinder 13 is connected to the powder collecting device through the powder circulation device.

[0024] The present invention provides an inert gas inlet line 7 within the enclosed space formed by the forming cylinder 13 and the forming chamber, or the removal chamber, or the cylinder cover 14. Inert gas is injected into the forming cylinder 13 through the inert gas inlet line 7, directly reducing the chance of the powder 12 inside the forming cylinder 13 coming into contact with air and the potential for metal powder oxidation. This not only improves the reusability of the metal powder but also reduces the potential explosion hazard associated with poor grounding of the equipment. Furthermore, to facilitate the smooth discharge of the powder 12 from the forming cylinder 13, a powder circulation device is provided at the bottom of the forming cylinder 13 to facilitate the rapid discharge of the powder 12. Furthermore, inert gas is injected into the forming cylinder 13 through the inert gas inlet line 7, creating downward gas pressure that accelerates the discharge of the powder 12. Furthermore, a powder collection device directly collects the powder 12 flowing out of the powder circulation device, enabling the collection, packaging, and transportation of the powder 12.

[0025] The powder collecting device provided by the present invention can be a free-fall powder type, a wind-force suction type, or a combination of the two, and can complete the collection of the powder 12 .

[0026] See also Figure 1 The present invention utilizes a free-fall powder collection device, including a powder discharge pipe 10 and a powder hopper 3. Powder 12 within the forming cylinder 13 is connected to the powder hopper 3 via the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe 10. This device operates in a free-fall manner. During use, the powder discharge pipe 10 maintains a good seal with the powder circulation device and the powder hopper 3, allowing the powder 12 to ultimately fall into the powder hopper 3 through the powder discharge pipe 10. This relatively simple structure.

[0027] See also Figure 2The present invention adopts a wind-powered suction-type powder collection device, which has an overall closed-loop structure and includes a powder discharge pipe 10, a fan 1, a filter element 2, a cyclone separator 4, a powder suction pipe 5, a powder blowing pipe 6, and a powder barrel 3. The powder 12 inside the forming cylinder 13 is connected to the powder blowing pipe 6 through the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe 10. The fan 1 is connected to the cyclone separator 4 through the powder blowing pipe 6 and the powder suction pipe 5. The powder barrel 3 is placed at the bottom of the cyclone separator 4 and is connected to the inside of the cyclone separator 4. A filter element 2 is provided inside the cyclone separator 4. The gas inside the cyclone separator 4 is connected to the fan 1 through the filter element 2. This method is similar to the material machine in the prior art, but different from the prior art in that the method adopted by the present invention is a closed-loop state, that is, the powder 12 is cleaned and recovered in a closed-loop and low-oxygen state, greatly reducing the possibility of the powder 12 coming into contact with the air, especially the oxygen in the air.

[0028] To prevent the powder 12 from becoming clogged in the powder discharge pipe 10, the powder blowing pipe 6 employed in the present invention includes a wide-diameter section and a narrow-diameter section connected to the wide-diameter section; the powder discharge pipe 10 is connected to the outlet of the narrow-diameter section of the powder blowing pipe 6; and the blower 1 is connected to the wide-diameter section of the powder blowing pipe 6. At this time, because the diameter of the narrow-diameter section is smaller than that of the wide-diameter section, the pressure of the gas passing through the narrow-diameter section is increased, accelerating the flow of air. Since the injection port of the powder discharge pipe 10 is located at the outlet of the narrow-diameter section, a negative pressure is formed at the outlet of the powder discharge pipe 10, accelerating the falling of the powder and also accelerating the transport of the powder 12. For example, the powder blowing pipe 6 can employ a Venturi nozzle. In addition, the fan 1 is respectively connected to the wide-diameter section of the powder blowing tube 6 and the inert gas inlet pipe 7; the powder collection device also includes an oxygen sensor 15 connected to the inside of the cyclone separator 4. Preferably, the oxygen sensor 15 can be set on the cyclone separator 4 and can be used to detect the oxygen content in the pipeline to ensure a low-oxygen environment throughout the process.

[0029] For example, a water cooling module can be added during the fan circulation process to control the temperature during the powder conveying process and cool the fan to extend its service life.

[0030] See also Figure 3 The utility model adopts a combined powder collecting device, which is based on Figure 1 The structure shown is Figure 2The combination or assembly of the structure shown includes a powder discharge pipe 10, a fan 1, a filter element 2, a cyclone separator 4, a powder suction pipe 5, a powder blowing pipe 6, and a powder barrel 3; the powder 12 inside the forming cylinder 13 is connected to the powder discharge pipe 10 through a powder circulation device; the powder discharge pipe 10 is connected to the powder barrel 3 through a powder blowing pipe 6; the fan 1 is connected to the cyclone separator 4 through the powder blowing pipe 6 and the powder suction pipe 5; the interior of the cyclone separator 4 is connected to the powder barrel 3; a filter element 2 is provided inside the cyclone separator 4; the gas inside the cyclone separator 4 is connected to the fan 1 through the filter element 2; and the fan 1 is connected to the inert gas inlet pipe 7. This method is the preferred structure or method of the present invention. Of course, in this method, the structure and preferred method of the powder blowing pipe 6 are exactly the same as the structure and preferred method of the powder blowing pipe 6 in the powder collection device of the wind suction type structure, and will not be repeated here. This method utilizes powder self-realignment to reduce the workload of the material handling machine and improve efficiency. Furthermore, the fan port is connected to the top of the forming cylinder, creating a pressure differential between the upper and lower parts of the powder barrel, accelerating powder recovery. The fan then forms a closed loop, reducing argon consumption during the powder recovery process. This dual effect further improves powder cleaning and recovery efficiency.

[0031] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The powder circulation device used in the present invention includes a powder discharge trough, a powder discharge port, and a powder discharge switch; the powder discharge port is arranged at the bottom of the forming cylinder 13; the powder discharge switch is arranged at the powder discharge port; the powder 12 inside the forming cylinder 13 is connected to the powder collection device through the powder discharge trough, the powder discharge port, and the powder discharge switch. Exemplarily, the powder discharge switch includes a plug 9 arranged at the powder discharge port and a driving member connected to the plug 9 and driving the plug 9 to open or close the powder discharge port; the driving member can be a cylinder 8, a hydraulic rod, or a stepping motor. The powder discharge troughs are placed around the forming cylinder 13, and their shapes and number can be commonly used or customary in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0032] Below Figure 3 Taking the structure shown as an example, the working mode of the utility model is described in detail:

[0033] When the present invention is working, the forming cylinder 13 is first covered with a cylinder cover 14, and then the closed loop of the material machine is connected to the powder discharge port on the forming cylinder 13. The powder discharge port is lowered to connect the powder discharge pipe 10, and the powder barrel 3 is connected below the powder discharge pipe 10. The material machine and the forming cylinder are first washed with air. After the oxygen content reaches the standard, the lifting platform 11 falls (the lifting platform 11 can be the lifting platform provided by the forming cylinder 13, for example, the common Z-axis lifting platform) to the lower end of the powder discharge trough of the forming cylinder 13, and then the material machine is turned on, the fan 1 is started, and the wind passes through the powder blowing pipe 6 and enters the cyclone separator 4, and then returns to the fan 1 through the filter element 2 to form a closed loop; an oxygen sensor 15 is provided above the filter element 2, and then the cylinder 8 drives the plug 9 to open, and the powder passes from the powder discharge trough through the powder discharge pipe 10, and then... Part of the powder falls directly into the powder barrel 3, and the other part of the powder follows the airflow of the material machine through the powder suction pipe 5 into the cyclone separator 4, and finally falls into the powder barrel 3; the airflow at the outlet of the fan 1 is divided into two parts, one part enters the forming cylinder 13 to form air replenishment, and the other part of the airflow passes through the powder blowing pipe 6. The powder blowing pipe 6 is a Venturi tube (a closed pipe), which can accelerate the airflow, form a negative pressure at the powder discharge trough to accelerate the falling of the powder, and also accelerate the powder transportation. In addition, the suction force of the fan in the material machine enables the powder to be transported.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing powder recovery device, characterized by: The additive manufacturing powder recovery device recovers the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) under low oxygen conditions or conditions rich in inert gas; The additive manufacturing powder recovery device comprises a powder collecting device, a powder circulation device arranged at the bottom of a forming cylinder (13), and an inert gas inlet pipeline (7) arranged at the top of the forming cylinder (13) and connected to the interior of the forming cylinder (13); the inert gas inlet pipeline (7) provides a low-oxygen condition or an inert gas-rich condition to the interior of the forming cylinder (13); and the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) is connected to the powder collecting device through the powder circulation device.

2. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder collecting device comprises a powder discharge pipe (10) and a powder barrel (3); the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) is connected to the powder barrel (3) through the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe (10).

3. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The powder collecting device comprises a powder discharge pipe (10), a fan (1), a filter element (2), a cyclone separator (4), a powder suction pipe (5), a powder blowing pipe (6) and a powder barrel (3); the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) is connected to the powder blowing pipe (6) through the powder circulation device and the powder discharge pipe (10); the fan (1) is connected to the cyclone separator (4) through the powder blowing pipe (6) and the powder suction pipe (5); the powder barrel (3) is placed at the bottom of the cyclone separator (4) and is connected to the inside of the cyclone separator (4); a filter element (2) is provided inside the cyclone separator (4); and the gas inside the cyclone separator (4) is connected to the fan (1) through the filter element (2).

4. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The powder blowing pipe (6) is a Venturi pipe; the powder discharge pipe (10) is connected to the throat of the Venturi pipe; and the fan (1) is connected to the inlet section of the Venturi pipe.

5. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fan (1) is connected to the inlet section of the venturi tube and the inert gas inlet pipeline (7) respectively; the powder collection device also includes an oxygen sensor (15) connected to the inside of the cyclone separator (4).

6. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder collecting device comprises a powder discharge pipe (10), a fan (1), a filter element (2), a cyclone separator (4), a powder suction pipe (5), a powder blowing pipe (6) and a powder barrel (3); the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) is connected to the powder discharge pipe (10) through a powder circulation device; the powder discharge pipe (10) is connected to the powder barrel (3) through the powder blowing pipe (6); the fan (1) is connected to the cyclone separator (4) through the powder blowing pipe (6) and the powder suction pipe (5); the interior of the cyclone separator (4) is connected to the powder barrel (3); a filter element (2) is provided inside the cyclone separator (4); the gas inside the cyclone separator (4) is connected to the fan (1) through the filter element (2); and the fan (1) is connected to an inert gas inlet pipe (7).

7. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The powder blowing pipe (6) is a Venturi tube; the powder discharge pipe (10) is connected to the throat of the Venturi tube; the fan (1) is connected to the inlet section of the Venturi tube; and the powder collecting device further includes an oxygen sensor (15) connected to the interior of the cyclone separator (4).

8. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The powder circulation device comprises a powder discharge trough, a powder discharge port and a powder discharge switch; the powder discharge port is arranged at the bottom of the forming cylinder (13); the powder discharge switch is arranged at the powder discharge port; the powder (12) inside the forming cylinder (13) is connected to the powder collection device through the powder discharge trough, the powder discharge port and the powder discharge switch.

9. The additive manufacturing powder recovery device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The powder discharge switch comprises a plug (9) arranged at the powder discharge port and a driving member connected to the plug (9) and driving the plug (9) to open or close the powder discharge port; the driving member is a cylinder (8), a hydraulic rod or a motor.

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