Support structure for additive manufacturing

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of 3D printing, and particularly relates to a supporting structure for additive manufacturing. The supporting structure for additive manufacturing comprises a block-shaped supporting structure and a grid supporting structure. The block-shaped supporting structure comprises an arch-shaped body and a block-shaped supporting column arranged at the bottom of the arch-shaped body, and the bottom of the block-shaped supporting column is used for being connected with a base plate. The grid supporting structure is arranged on the top of the arch-shaped body, and the top face of the grid supporting structure is used for being connected with the bottom face of the hanging structure. By means of the supporting structure for additive manufacturing in the technical scheme, the forming quality of solid part printing can be effectively guaranteed, the supporting structure can be easily removed from the solid part and the base plate, the using amount of powder materials can be reduced, meanwhile, the time used in the printing process is effectively shortened, and the production cost is greatly reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model belongs to 3D printing technical field, concretely relates to a kind of support structure for additive manufacturing. BACKGROUND

[0002] Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology is the technology of gradually accumulated method of manufacturing entity parts, also called 3D printing technology, by dividing three-dimensional object into two-dimensional plane, layer and layer forming. Among them, Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is one of the metal additive technologies, which is a kind of self-down material accumulation growth manufacturing method, using high-energy laser energy as heat source, quickly melting metal powder to form molten pool, and quickly cooling into shape after laser moves away, which can quickly produce workpiece.

[0003] When laser melts and forms in powder bed, there will inevitably be some overhanging structures that cannot be eliminated. Because there is no support constraint, collapse, slag hanging and serious deformation may occur during forming process, even printing interruption, so support structure needs to be added to ensure that entity parts do not deform or collapse during forming process. On the other hand, support structure needs to be removed after part forming, therefore, the strength of support structure cannot be too high to avoid being unable to take out or difficult to remove. In the prior art, a large amount of time and powder material are consumed to generate support structure during additive manufacturing, which causes waste of powder material and increase of machine time cost.

[0004] Therefore, it is urgent to provide a support structure for additive manufacturing to solve the above problems. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0005] The utility model aims to shorten part forming time and reduce printing cost under the condition of ensuring that parts can be stably formed. The purpose is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] The first aspect of the utility model provides a support structure for additive manufacturing for supporting overhanging structure in entity parts, comprising:

[0007] Block support structure, the block support structure includes arched main body and block column arranged at the bottom of the arched main body, the bottom of the block column is connected with the base plate;

[0008] Grid support structure, the grid support structure is arranged at the top of the arched main body, the top surface of the grid support structure is connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure.

[0009] By using the support structure for additive manufacturing in the technical solution, the overhanging structure of the solid part is supported by using the block support structure and the grid support structure, heat of the solid part can be conducted to the base plate, temperature gradient of the solid part is reduced, meanwhile, stress deformation of the solid part can be resisted and the overhanging structure can be supported to prevent collapse. By setting the block support structure as an arch shape, sufficient support force can be provided, the block support structure is connected through the block support column and the base plate, the contact area of the block support structure and the base plate is reduced, so that the block support structure is more easily removed from the base plate, and the use amount of the powder material is reduced. By setting the grid support structure to weakly connect between the block support structure and the overhanging structure, the grid support structure is easily removed from the overhanging structure and the powder removal work is more easily performed while ensuring that the overhanging structure can be deformed. Compared with the prior art, only the block support column is raised from the base plate in the technical solution, combined with the grid support structure, the structure is simpler, the printing process time can be effectively shortened, and the printing cost is reduced. Therefore, by using the support structure for additive manufacturing in the technical solution, the forming quality of the solid part can be effectively ensured, the solid part and the base plate are easily removed, the use amount of the powder material is reduced, meanwhile, the printing process time is effectively shortened, and the production cost is greatly reduced.

[0010] In addition, the support structure for additive manufacturing of the utility model further has the following additional technical features:

[0011] In some embodiments of the utility model, the grid support structure comprises a plurality of support parts, the support parts extend along a first direction, and a plurality of the support parts are arranged at intervals along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, the top surface of the support part is connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure, the bottom surface of the support part is connected with the block support structure, adjacent support parts are connected through a plurality of connecting parts, and a plurality of the connecting parts are arranged at intervals along the first direction.

[0012] In some embodiments of the utility model, the support part comprises a plurality of connected diamond frame bodies, the side top points of the diamond frame bodies are connected with the side top points of adjacent diamond frame bodies, the top top point of the diamond frame body is connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure, and the bottom top point of the diamond frame body is connected with the top surface of the block support structure.

[0013] In some embodiments of the utility model, the connecting part comprises a first connecting column and a second connecting column, the two ends of the first connecting column are connected with adjacent support parts respectively, the two ends of the second connecting column are connected with adjacent support parts respectively, and the first connecting column and the second connecting column are arranged in a cross shape.

[0014] In some embodiments of the utility model, the connecting part includes third connecting column and fourth connecting column, both ends of third connecting column are connected with adjacent support part respectively, both ends of fourth connecting column are connected with adjacent support part respectively, third connecting column and fourth connecting column all extend along second direction, and third connecting column and fourth connecting column are spaced apart in vertical direction.

[0015] In some embodiments of the utility model, the height of the grid support structure is less than or equal to 3mm.

[0016] In some embodiments of the utility model, the block-shaped support structure includes a plurality of support pieces arranged in cross.

[0017] In some embodiments of the utility model, a plurality of hollows are arranged on the support piece.

[0018] In some embodiments of the utility model, the edge of the support piece in contact with the substrate is sawtooth-shaped.

[0019] In some embodiments of the utility model, the support piece includes a plurality of first support pieces, a plurality of first support pieces are spaced apart along a first direction, adjacent first support pieces are connected through a plurality of second support pieces, and a plurality of second support pieces are spaced apart along a second direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a description of preferred embodiments, and are not meant to limit the present utility. Moreover, like reference numerals in the attached figures are intended to represent the same parts throughout the various drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a support structure for additive manufacturing according to embodiments of the present utility is shown schematically;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a grid support structure according to embodiments of the present utility is shown schematically;

[0023] Figure 3 A partial structure schematic diagram of a block-shaped support according to embodiments of the present utility is shown schematically.

[0024] The various reference numerals in the attached drawings represent the same parts throughout the various drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] 10, solid part; 11, overhanging structure; 20, substrate;

[0026] 100, block support structure; 101, hollowed-out; 110, arched main body; 120, block-shaped support column; 130, support sheet; 131, first support sheet; 132, second support sheet;

[0027] 200, grid support structure; 210, support part; 211, rhombic frame; 220, connecting part; 221, first connecting column; 222, second connecting column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure, but to explain the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and explanations intended to conduce to the full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0029] It is to be understood that the terms used herein are merely for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments and are by no means intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order in which they are described, unless specifically identified as an order dependent step. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps can be employed.

[0030] Although the terms first, second, third, and the like can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and the like are used herein to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

[0031] For ease of description, spatially relative terms may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the figures, such as "inside," "outside," "inside," "outside," "below," "beneath," "above," and the like. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped over, an element described as "below" or "beneath" another element or feature would then be oriented "above" or "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both above and below orientations.

[0032] Figure 1 The figure schematically shows a schematic diagram of the use state of the support structure for additive manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the present invention proposes a support structure for additive manufacturing, which is used to support the overhanging structure 11 in the solid part 10. The support structure for additive manufacturing includes a block support structure 100 and a grid support structure 200; the block support structure 100 includes an arched main body 110 and a block support 120 arranged at the bottom of the arched main body 110, and the bottom of the block support 120 is used to connect with the substrate 20; the grid support structure 200 is arranged at the top of the arched main body 110, and the top surface of the grid support structure 200 is used to connect with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure 11.

[0033] By using the support structure for additive manufacturing in the technical solution, the overhanging structure 11 of the solid part 10 is supported by using the block support structure 100 and the grid support structure 200, the heat of the solid part 10 can be conducted to the substrate 20, the temperature gradient of the solid part 10 is reduced, at the same time, the stress deformation of the solid part 10 can be resisted and the overhanging structure 11 can be supported to prevent it from collapsing. By setting the block support structure 100 as an arch shape, sufficient support force can be provided, the block support structure 100 is connected through the block support column 120 and the substrate 20, the contact area of the block support structure 100 and the substrate 20 is reduced, so that the block support structure 100 is more easily removed from the substrate 20, and the use amount of the powder material is reduced. By setting the grid support structure 200 to weakly connect between the block support structure 100 and the overhanging structure 11, the grid support structure 200 is easily removed from the overhanging structure 11 and the powder removal work is more easily carried out while ensuring that the overhanging structure can be deformed. Compared with the prior art, only the block support column 120 is raised from the substrate 20 in the technical solution, combined with the grid support structure 200, the structure is simpler, the printing process time can be effectively shortened, and the printing cost is reduced. Therefore, by using the support structure for additive manufacturing in the technical solution, the forming quality of the solid part 10 can be effectively ensured, the solid part 10 and the substrate 20 are easily removed, the use amount of the powder material is reduced, at the same time, the printing process time is effectively shortened, and the production cost is greatly reduced.

[0034] The substrate 20 is a bottom plate on which the printing material is attached in the 3D printer. The solid part 10 and the block support structure 100 are raised from the substrate 20, and need to be removed from the substrate 20 after printing is completed.

[0035] Further, Figure 2 The structural schematic view of the grid support structure 200 according to the embodiment of the utility model is schematically shown. Referring to Figure 1 and referring to Figure 2 The grid support structure 200 comprises a plurality of support portions 210, the support portions 210 extend along a first direction (X-axis direction in the drawing), and the plurality of support portions 210 are arranged at intervals along a second direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing), the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, the top surface of the support portion 210 is connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure 11, the bottom surface of the support portion 210 is connected with the block support structure 100, the adjacent support portions 210 are connected through a plurality of connecting portions 220, and the plurality of connecting portions 220 are arranged at intervals along the first direction.

[0036] It can be understood that the support part 210 plays a major supporting role, and the connecting part 220 is used to connect the plurality of support parts 210. The support part 210 and the connecting part 220 are connected to form a hollow structure, thereby reducing the amount of powder material. Since the support part 210 is connected only through the top surface and the overhanging structure 11, the connection between the two is weak, and the contact area is small, which ensures sufficient strength support while facilitating the removal of the grid support structure 200. The hollow grid support structure 200 is not easy to accumulate powder, can effectively avoid heat accumulation, and has good heat conduction effect.

[0037] Further, the support part 210 includes a plurality of connected diamond frame bodies 211, the side vertices of the diamond frame body 211 are connected with the side vertices of the adjacent diamond frame body 211, the top vertices of the diamond frame body 211 are connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure 11, and the bottom vertices of the diamond frame body 211 are connected with the top surface of the block support structure 100. Overall, the diamond frame body 211 not only has high structural strength, but also saves materials. Only the top vertices of the diamond frame body 211 are connected with the overhanging structure 11, which facilitates the removal of the grid support structure 200. It can be understood that the number and size of the diamond frame body 211 are set according to the characteristics of the entity part 10.

[0038] Further, in an embodiment, the connecting part 220 includes a first connecting column 221 and a second connecting column 222, the two ends of the first connecting column 221 are respectively connected with the adjacent support parts 210, the two ends of the second connecting column 222 are respectively connected with the adjacent support parts 210, and the first connecting column 221 and the second connecting column 222 are cross arranged. The first connecting column 221 and the second connecting column 222 cross to form an X shape, which can effectively improve the connection strength. Optionally, the connecting part 220 is connected at the maximum height of the diamond frame body 211.

[0039] In another embodiment, the connecting part 220 includes a third connecting column and a fourth connecting column, the two ends of the third connecting column are respectively connected with the adjacent support parts 210, the two ends of the fourth connecting column are respectively connected with the adjacent support parts 210, the third connecting column and the fourth connecting column are both extended along the second direction, and the third connecting column and the fourth connecting column are spaced apart in the vertical direction. Optionally, the third connecting column connects the highest point of the diamond frame body 211, and the fourth connecting column connects the lowest point of the diamond frame body 211.

[0040] Optionally, the height of the grid support structure 200 is less than or equal to 3mm, and exemplarily, the height of the grid support structure 200 can be 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm or 3mm, etc. It can be understood that the block support structure 100 plays a major supporting role, the grid support structure 200 plays a weak connecting role, and if the height of the grid support structure 200 is too high, the overall strength of the support structure will be reduced, and the supporting effect will be poor, and if the height of the grid support structure 200 is too small, the improvement effect of simplifying the removal process is limited.

[0041] Further, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of the block-shaped support column 120 according to the embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. Referring to Figure 1 And Figure 3 The support structure includes a plurality of support sheets 130 arranged in cross. Optionally, the support sheets 130 are arranged in cross at 60°-120°. This structure reduces the laser scanning path and improves the printing efficiency. Moreover, this structure makes the support stress distribution more uniform and the printing stability higher. Optionally, the bottom of the arched body 110 is provided with one block-shaped support column 120 on each side, so as to provide stable support for the arched body 110.

[0042] Exemplarily, in the present embodiment, the support sheet 130 includes a plurality of first support sheets 131, the plurality of first support sheets 131 are arranged in intervals along a first direction, adjacent first support sheets 131 are connected by a plurality of second support sheets 132, the plurality of second support sheets 132 are arranged in intervals along a second direction, and the first direction (X-axis direction in the figure) is perpendicular to the second direction (Y-axis direction in the figure). That is, the first support sheet 131 and the second support sheet 132 are arranged perpendicular to each other. It can be understood that the first support sheet 131 and the second support sheet 132 are connected to form a plurality of hollow squares. This hollow structure facilitates powder removal.

[0043] Further, a plurality of hollows 101 are arranged on the support sheet 130. Optionally, the hollow 101 can be a waist-shaped hole or a rhombic hole. The hollow 101 is beneficial to 3D printing self-supporting forming, and facilitates powder removal. It can be understood that the position of the hollow 101 is determined according to the use requirement, which is not specifically limited here.

[0044] Further, the edge of the support sheet 130 in contact with the substrate 20 is sawtooth-shaped. It can be understood that the sawtooth-shaped edge makes the contact between the bottom of the support sheet 130 and the substrate 20 point contact, greatly reducing the contact area between the support sheet 130 and the substrate 20, so that the block support structure 100 can be removed from the substrate 20 very conveniently after printing.

[0045] Further, the diameter D of the arched body 110 satisfies: x≤D≤y, where x and y are the minimum diameter and the maximum diameter of the circular hole that can be formed by the printing material without support structure. The height of the arched body 110 and the block pillar 120 needs to ensure sufficient strength to prevent the deformation of the solid part 10.

[0046] The specific process of generating the solid part 10 using the above support structure for additive manufacturing is as follows:

[0047] (1) Import the solid part 10 into the simulation software, perform simulation without support structure, determine the stress concentration and deformation position of the solid part 10, i.e. the addition position of the support structure. At the same time, based on the circular hole self-forming limit (x and y) of the printing material, determine the diameter D of the arched body 110, and take 1 / 5D-1 / 4D as the width of the block pillar 120, and take 1mm-2mm as the height of the grid support structure 200, to perform preliminary simulation and obtain preliminary support structure parameters.

[0048] (2) Import the solid part 10 into the support structure addition software to add the support structure. First, draw the area below the arched body 110 and the grid support structure 200 as a solid to add the block support structure 100, and then export the block support structure 100 after addition; then, draw the block support structure 100 as a solid to add the grid support structure 200 together with the solid part 10, and then export the grid support structure 200 after addition.

[0049] (3) Import the separately exported block support structure 100, grid support structure 200 and solid part 10 into the simulation software to calculate whether it can be formed. If there is no risk of formation (scraper collision, cracking, etc.), according to the deformation amount of the part, the part is subjected to reverse deformation compensation until the expected deformation value is reached, and then the reverse deformation model is exported; if it cannot be formed, increase the width of the block pillar 120, or reduce the height of the block pillar 120, or reduce the height of the grid support structure 200.

[0050] (4) Slice the support structure model and the solid part model according to the layer-by-layer forming characteristics, and then assign different forming parameters after slicing to perform printing.

[0051] The use method, support addition software and calculation method of the above simulation software are mature existing technologies in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] The above merely describes a preferred embodiment of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Support structure for additive manufacturing for supporting overhanging structures (11) in solid parts (10), characterized in that, The support structure for additive manufacturing comprises: a block support structure (100) comprising an arched main body (110) and a block support column (120) arranged at the bottom of the arched main body (110), the bottom of the block support column (120) being used to connect with a base plate (20); a grid support structure (200) arranged at the top of the arched main body (110), the top surface of the grid support structure (200) being used to connect with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure (11).

2. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grid support structure (200) comprises a plurality of support parts (210) extending along a first direction, and a plurality of the support parts (210) are arranged at intervals along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular to each other, the top surface of the support part (210) being connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure (11), the bottom surface of the support part (210) being connected with the block support structure (100), adjacent support parts (210) being connected through a plurality of connecting parts (220), and a plurality of the connecting parts (220) being arranged at intervals along the first direction.

3. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support part (210) comprises a plurality of connected diamond frame bodies (211), the side surface vertex of the diamond frame body (211) being connected with the side surface vertex of the adjacent diamond frame body (211), the top vertex of the diamond frame body (211) being connected with the bottom surface of the overhanging structure (11), and the bottom vertex of the diamond frame body (211) being connected with the top surface of the block support structure (100).

4. The support structure for additive manufacturing of claim 2, wherein, The connecting part (220) comprises a first connecting column (221) and a second connecting column (222), both ends of the first connecting column (221) being connected with adjacent support parts (210) respectively, both ends of the second connecting column (222) being connected with adjacent support parts (210) respectively, and the first connecting column (221) and the second connecting column (222) being arranged in cross.

5. The support structure for additive manufacturing of claim 2, wherein, The connecting part (220) comprises a third connecting column and a fourth connecting column, both ends of the third connecting column being connected with adjacent support parts (210) respectively, both ends of the fourth connecting column being connected with adjacent support parts (210) respectively, the third connecting column and the fourth connecting column both extending along the second direction, and the third connecting column and the fourth connecting column being arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

6. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The height of the grid support structure (200) is less than or equal to 3mm.

7. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The block support structure (100) comprises a plurality of support sheets (130) arranged in cross.

8. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to claim 7, characterized in that, A plurality of hollows (101) are arranged on the support sheet (130).

9. Support structure for additive manufacturing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The edge of the support sheet (130) in contact with the base plate (20) is sawtooth-shaped.

10. The support structure for additive manufacturing of claim 7, wherein, The support sheet (130) comprises a plurality of first support sheets (131), the plurality of first support sheets (131) are arranged at intervals along a first direction, adjacent first support sheets (131) are connected by a plurality of second support sheets (132), the plurality of second support sheets (132) are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

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