Blowing structure and 3D metal printer

Abstract

The utility model provides a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer, the blowing structure comprises a first air outlet box, two sensors, a first air pipe, a second air outlet box, a second air pipe, an air supply assembly and an electromagnetic valve, and the two sensors are installed on the first air outlet box and located on the two sides of a first air outlet. The second air outlet box is located above the first air outlet box, and the second air pipe is communicated with the second air outlet box. The electromagnetic valve is arranged on the first air pipe and used for controlling connection and disconnection of the first air outlet box and the main air pipe. The two sensors are designed to sense the position of the powder spreading vehicle to enable the first air outlet box to discharge air or stop discharging air, so that the situation that the powder spreading vehicle blocks airflow blown out of the first air outlet, the airflow angle is changed, powder materials close to the first air outlet are rolled up, blown away and mixed with ash generated by printing, and the printing efficiency is improved is avoided. And therefore, the material waste is avoided, and the material cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D printers, and in particular to a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer. Background Art

[0002] During the selective laser melting printing process, the laser will produce fine oxide impurities in the process of melting the powder material to form smoke, which will hinder the subsequent laser incidence. Therefore, the demand for airflow is essential.

[0003] With current equipment, even if the airflow intensity meets the requirements of laser scanning, the powder spreading vehicle must pass through the wind field twice during the powder spreading process after each layer is scanned. Due to its structure, the powder spreading vehicle has a certain cross-sectional width. Therefore, when entering the wind field, the powder spreading vehicle suddenly blocks the airflow like a wall, causing the airflow angle to change and sweeping away powder near the air outlet. This blown-away powder mixes with the printed ash and cannot be used normally afterwards, resulting in material waste. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the defects in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer, which can reduce material waste and save material costs by optimizing the design of the blowing structure.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides a blowing structure, including a first air outlet box, provided with a first air outlet; two sensors, arranged on the first air outlet box, and the two sensors are located on both sides of the first air outlet; a first air duct, connected to the first air outlet box; a second air outlet box, arranged above the first air outlet box, and the second air outlet box is provided with a second air outlet; a second air duct, connected to the second air outlet box; an air supply assembly, provided with a main air duct, and the main air duct is respectively connected to the first air duct and the second air duct; and a solenoid valve, arranged on the first air duct, and the solenoid valve is used to control the connection and disconnection of the first air outlet box and the main air duct.

[0006] Preferably, a partition is provided in the first air outlet box, and the partition divides the inner cavity of the first air outlet box into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is located below the second chamber. The distance between the partition and the bottom of the first chamber is recorded as L1, and the distance between the partition and the top of the second chamber is recorded as L2, and L1 is greater than L2.

[0007] Preferably, the first air outlet is provided with a first orifice plate, the first orifice plate abuts the partition plate, and the first orifice plate is provided with a plurality of first air holes arranged in rows and columns. The aperture of the first air holes located above the partition plate is recorded as D1, and the aperture of the first air holes located below the partition plate is recorded as D2, and D1 is smaller than D2.

[0008] Preferably, the aperture of the first air hole gradually increases from top to bottom.

[0009] Preferably, the first air outlet box is provided with two installation positions for installing the sensors, the sensors are installed on the first orifice plate, and the first air hole is located between the two sensors.

[0010] Preferably, the first air outlet box is provided with a first air inlet at an end away from the first air outlet, and the width of the inner cavity of the first air outlet box gradually widens along the direction of the first air inlet toward the first air outlet; two first guide plates and two second guide plates are provided on the partition, the first guide plate is provided in the first cavity, one end of the first guide plate is close to the first air inlet, and the distance between the two first guide plates gradually widens along the direction of the first air inlet toward the first air outlet; the second guide plate is provided in the second cavity, one end of the second guide plate is close to the first air inlet, and the distance between the two second guide plates gradually widens along the direction of the first air inlet toward the first air outlet.

[0011] Preferably, it further includes a first filter component and a second filter component, wherein the first filter component is connected to the first air inlet and the first air duct respectively, and the second filter component is connected to the second air outlet box and the second air duct respectively.

[0012] Preferably, the first air outlet box is provided with a first mounting ear plate, and the second air outlet box is provided with a second mounting ear plate.

[0013] The utility model also provides a 3D metal printer, comprising the above-mentioned blowing structure.

[0014] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0015] The utility model discloses a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer, which sense the position of a powder spreading vehicle by designing two sensors. As long as the sensor senses that the powder spreading vehicle has entered the range of the first air outlet, the solenoid valve will block the first air duct, and the first air outlet box will not blow out air. This avoids the powder spreading vehicle blocking the airflow from the first air outlet, causing the airflow angle to change, and the powder material near the first air outlet to be rolled up and blown away and mixed with the ash generated by printing, which can no longer be used normally later, resulting in material waste, thereby saving material costs. When the sensor senses that the powder spreading vehicle has left the range of the first air outlet, the solenoid valve reconnects the main air duct with the first air outlet box, and the first air outlet box will blow out air, thereby meeting normal printing needs.

[0016] At the same time, by designing the second air outlet box, the second air outlet box will always blow out air during the printing process. Since the second air outlet box is above the first air outlet box and the powder spreading vehicle, the powder spreading vehicle has little impact on the air flow blown out by the second air outlet box, which also ensures the normal operation requirements of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly describes the drawings required for the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. Elements or parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D metal printer;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the back side of the 3D metal printer;

[0020] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the air supply structure;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the rear side of the first air outlet box;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the front side of the first air outlet box;

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first air outlet box;

[0024] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first orifice plate;

[0025] Figure 8 It is a partial schematic diagram of the first orifice plate on the rack;

[0026] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the partition;

[0027] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first chamber;

[0028] Reference numerals:

[0029] 10. First air outlet box; 11. First air outlet; 12. Partition; 121. First guide vane; 122. Second guide vane; 13. First chamber; 14. Second chamber; 15. First orifice plate; 151. First air hole; 16. Mounting position; 17. First air inlet; 18. First mounting ear plate; 20. Sensor; 30. First air duct; 40. Second air outlet box; 41. Second mounting ear plate; 50. Second air duct; 60. Main air duct; 70. Solenoid valve; 80. First filter assembly; 90. Second filter assembly; 1000. Rack; 101. Powder spreading vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by those skilled in the art to which this utility model belongs.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0033] In addition, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0035] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0036] like Figure 1-10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer equipped with the blowing structure are provided. The blowing structure includes a first air outlet box 10, two sensors 20, a first air duct 30, a second air outlet box 40, a second air duct 50, an air supply assembly, and a solenoid valve 70. The first air outlet box 10, the second air outlet box 40, and the air supply assembly (not shown in the drawings) are all mounted on a frame 1000 of the 3D metal printer. The sensors 20 are infrared sensors 20. The two sensors 20 are mounted on the first air outlet box 10 and located on both sides of the first air outlet 11. The first air duct 30 is connected to the first air outlet box 10. The second air outlet box 40 is located above the first air outlet box 10, and the second air duct 50 is connected to the second air outlet box 40. The air supply assembly is used to supply air to the first air outlet box 10 and the second air outlet box 40 respectively. The air supply assembly is provided with a main air duct 60, which is connected to the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 50 respectively. The solenoid valve 70 is provided on the first air duct 30 , and is used to control the connection and disconnection between the first air outlet box 10 and the main air duct 60 .

[0037] For ease of description, sensor 20 located near the initial position of the powder spreading vehicle 101 will be referred to as sensor 20a, while sensor 20 located further away from the initial position will be referred to as sensor 20b. When sensor 20a detects that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has entered the range of the first air outlet 11, a signal from sensor 20a causes the controller to close solenoid valve 70. At this point, the first air outlet box 10 is disconnected from the main air duct 60, and airflow ceases to flow out of the first air outlet 11. All air is now forced out of the second air outlet box 40 and into the wind farm circulation system.

[0038] As the powder spreading vehicle 101 continues to move, when the sensor 20b senses that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has left the range of the first air outlet 11, the signal emitted by the sensor 20b causes the controller to open the solenoid valve 70. At this point, the first air outlet box 10 is connected to the main air duct 60, and air flows from the first air outlet 11 and the second air outlet box 40 into the wind farm circulation system.

[0039] When the powder spreading vehicle 101 returns to its initial position, the sensor 20b senses that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has entered the range of the first air outlet 11. The signal from the sensor 20b causes the controller to close the solenoid valve 70. At this point, the first air outlet box 10 is disconnected from the main air duct 60, and air no longer flows out of the first air outlet 11. All air flows out of the second air outlet box 40 and enters the air circulation system.

[0040] As the powder spreading vehicle 101 continues to move, when the sensor 20a senses that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has left the range of the first air outlet 11, the signal emitted by the sensor 20a causes the controller to open the solenoid valve 70. At this point, the first air outlet box 10 is connected to the main air duct 60, and the first and second air outlet boxes 10, 40, blow air into the wind field circulation system.

[0041] The present embodiment discloses a blowing structure and a 3D metal printer, which senses the position of the powder spreading vehicle 101 by designing two sensors 20. As long as the sensor 20 senses that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has entered the range of the first air outlet 11, the solenoid valve 70 will block the first air duct 30, and the first air outlet box 10 will not blow out airflow. This avoids the waste of materials caused by the powder spreading vehicle 101 blocking the airflow blown out of the first air outlet 11, causing the airflow angle to change, and the powder material near the first air outlet 11 to be rolled up and blown away and mixed with the ash produced by printing, which can no longer be used normally in the future, thereby saving material costs. When the sensor 20 senses that the powder spreading vehicle 101 has left the range of the first air outlet 11, the solenoid valve 70 reconnects the main air duct 60 with the first air outlet box 10, and the first air outlet box 10 will blow out airflow, thereby meeting normal printing needs.

[0042] At the same time, by designing the second air outlet box 40, during the printing process, the second air outlet box 40 will always blow out airflow. Since the second air outlet box 40 is above the first air outlet box 10 and the powder spreading cart 101, the powder spreading cart 101 has little impact on the airflow blown out by the second air outlet box 40, which ensures the normal operation requirements of the equipment.

[0043] In one embodiment, a partition 12 is provided within the first air outlet box 10. The partition 12 divides the interior of the first air outlet box 10 into a first chamber 13 and a second chamber 14. The first chamber 13 is located below the second chamber 14. The distance between the partition 12 and the bottom of the first chamber 13 is denoted as L1, and the distance between the partition 12 and the top of the second chamber 14 is denoted as L2, with L1 being greater than L2. This structural design increases the amount of air entering the first chamber 13, bringing the airflow from the first chamber 13 closer to the powder bed, thereby better removing ash residue generated during printing and preventing it from falling onto the powder bed, thereby improving print quality.

[0044] Furthermore, the first air outlet 11 is provided with a first orifice plate 15, which abuts the partition plate 12. The first orifice plate 15 is provided with a plurality of first air holes 151 arranged in rows and columns. The aperture of the first air holes 151 located above the partition plate 12 is denoted as D1, and the aperture of the first air holes 151 located below the partition plate 12 is denoted as D2. D1 is smaller than D2, and the aperture of the first air holes 151 gradually increases from top to bottom. The closer the first air holes 151 are to the bottom, the greater the air output, thereby further improving the air outlet effect of the first chamber 13.

[0045] In one embodiment, to facilitate the installation of two sensors 20 , two installation positions 16 for installing the sensors 20 are provided on the first air outlet box 10 . The sensors 20 are installed on the first orifice plate 15 , and the first air hole 151 is located between the two sensors 20 .

[0046] In one embodiment, a first air inlet 17 is provided at one end of the first air outlet box 10 away from the first air outlet 11, and the width of the inner cavity of the first air outlet box 10 gradually widens along the direction from the first air inlet 17 toward the first air outlet 11. Two first guide vanes 121 and two second guide vanes 122 are provided on the partition 12. The first guide vane 121 is provided in the first chamber 13, with one end of the first guide vane 121 close to the first air inlet 17, and the distance between the two first guide vanes 121 gradually widens along the direction from the first air inlet 17 toward the first air outlet 11. The second guide vane 122 is provided in the second chamber 14, with one end of the second guide vane 122 close to the first air inlet 17, and the distance between the two second guide vanes 122 gradually widens along the direction from the first air inlet 17 toward the first air outlet 11.

[0047] Under the action of the two first guide plates 121, after the airflow enters the first chamber 13 from the first air inlet 17, it will be diverted by the two first guide plates 121, so that the airflow can be distributed as evenly as possible in the first chamber 13, thereby improving the airflow blown out from each position of the first chamber 13 (along the length direction of the first air outlet 11) as evenly as possible.

[0048] By the same token, under the action of the two second guide vanes 122, after the airflow enters the second chamber 14 from the first air inlet 17, it will be diverted by the two second guide vanes 122, so that the airflow can be distributed as evenly as possible in the second chamber 14, thereby improving the airflow blown out from each position of the second chamber 14 (along the length direction of the first air outlet 11) as evenly as possible.

[0049] In one embodiment, the blowing structure further includes a first filter assembly 80 and a second filter assembly 90. The first filter assembly 80 is connected to the first air inlet 17 and the first air duct 30, respectively, and the second filter assembly 90 is connected to the second air outlet box 40 and the second air duct 50, respectively. Before entering the first air outlet box 10 and the second air outlet box 40, the airflow is filtered by the first filter assembly 80 and the second filter assembly 90, thereby ensuring the purity of the airflow.

[0050] In one embodiment, in order to better connect the first air outlet box 10 and the second air outlet box 40 to the rack 1000 , a first mounting ear plate 18 is provided on the first air outlet box 10 , and a second mounting ear plate 41 is provided on the second air outlet box 40 .

[0051] In the specification of the present invention, a large number of specific details are described. However, it is understood that the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and description of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blowing structure, characterized in that: include: A first air outlet box (10) is provided with a first air outlet (11); Two sensors (20) are provided on the first air outlet box (10), and the two sensors (20) are located on both sides of the first air outlet (11); a first air duct (30) in communication with the first air outlet box (10); A second air outlet box (40) is provided above the first air outlet box (10), and the second air outlet box (40) is provided with a second air outlet; a second air duct (50) in communication with the second air outlet box (40); An air supply assembly is provided with a main air duct (60), wherein the main air duct (60) is respectively connected to the first air duct (30) and the second air duct (50); and A solenoid valve (70) is provided on the first air duct (30), and the solenoid valve (70) is used to control the connection and disconnection between the first air outlet box (10) and the main air duct (60).

2. The blowing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A partition (12) is provided in the first air outlet box (10), and the partition (12) divides the inner cavity of the first air outlet box (10) into a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (14). The first chamber (13) is located below the second chamber (14). The distance between the partition (12) and the bottom of the first chamber (13) is recorded as L1, and the distance between the partition (12) and the top of the second chamber (14) is recorded as L2, and L1 is greater than L2.

3. The blowing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first air outlet (11) is provided with a first orifice plate (15), the first orifice plate (15) abuts against the partition plate (12), and the first orifice plate (15) is provided with a plurality of first air holes (151) arranged in rows and columns, the aperture of the first air holes (151) located above the partition plate (12) is recorded as D1, and the aperture of the first air holes (151) located below the partition plate (12) is recorded as D2, and D1 is smaller than D2.

4. The blowing structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The aperture of the first air hole (151) gradually increases from top to bottom.

5. The blowing structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first air outlet box (10) is provided with two mounting positions (16) for mounting the sensor (20), the sensor (20) is passed through the first orifice plate (15), and the first air hole (151) is located between the two sensors (20).

6. The blowing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first air inlet (17) is provided at one end of the first air outlet box (10) away from the first air outlet (11), and the width of the inner cavity of the first air outlet box (10) gradually widens in a direction from the first air inlet (17) toward the first air outlet (11); Two first guide plates (121) and two second guide plates (122) are provided on the partition plate (12); the first guide plates (121) are provided in the first chamber (13); one end of the first guide plates (121) is close to the first air inlet (17); and the distance between the two first guide plates (121) gradually widens in a direction from the first air inlet (17) toward the first air outlet (11); The second guide plate (122) is arranged in the second chamber (14), one end of the second guide plate (122) is close to the first air inlet (17), and the distance between the two second guide plates (122) gradually widens along the direction from the first air inlet (17) to the first air outlet (11).

7. The blowing structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a first filter assembly (80) and a second filter assembly (90), wherein the first filter assembly (80) is connected to the first air inlet (17) and the first air duct (30), respectively, and the second filter assembly (90) is connected to the second air outlet box (40) and the second air duct (50), respectively.

8. The blowing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first air outlet box (10) is provided with a first mounting ear plate (18), and the second air outlet box (40) is provided with a second mounting ear plate (41).

9. A 3D metal printer, characterized in that: The invention comprises the blowing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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