Solid-state additive device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of solid-state additive materials, in particular to a solid-state additive material device which comprises a driving shaft. The driving shaft is in coaxial driving connection with the stirring tool and drives the stirring tool to rotate and work; the outer side of the stirring tool is sleeved with a sleeve, a softening cavity is formed between the sleeve and the stirring tool, and an opening in the lower end of the softening cavity is used for extruding the raw material consumables plasticized in the softening cavity; a feeding port is obliquely formed in the side wall of the sleeve, a non-zero included angle is formed between the feeding port and the axis of the stirring tool, the feeding port is communicated with the softening cavity, consumables can be put into the softening cavity from the feeding port, and consumable raw materials are plasticized through shearing force generated by high-speed rotation of the stirring tool and generated heat and finally flow out of an opening in the lower end of the softening cavity; and meanwhile, the inclined feeding hole can effectively reduce the axial pressure so as to ensure the rigidity and the normal service life of the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of solid-state additive manufacturing technology, and specifically to a solid-state additive manufacturing device. Background Technology

[0002] Solid-state additive manufacturing combines the advantages of friction stir welding and friction surfacing. It relies on the heat generated by the rotation of the filament rod end face and friction with the substrate (or previous coating) to soften the tip of the filament rod and create plastic deformation flow. Under the secondary action of the hollow stirring tool's shoulder and stirring pins against the coating, a metallurgical bond is formed between the coating and the underlying material. Currently, solid-state additive manufacturing is widely used due to its advantages of producing defect-free (cracked and void-free) components and its high efficiency and pollution-free process. However, it also has some disadvantages in the manufacturing process. Existing solid-state additive manufacturing technologies simultaneously achieve high-speed rotation of the feeding and stirring tools in the axial direction to soften the raw material and drive the additive manufacturing. To achieve intense frictional heat generation between the stirring tool and the workpiece, a large axial pressure needs to be applied to the stirring tool, which will greatly damage the rigidity of the machine and reduce its service life. At the same time, the heat provided by this process is insufficient to achieve adequate material flowability, making it unsuitable for additive manufacturing of high-temperature alloys (e.g., stainless steel and titanium alloys) and unable to produce deposited components with dense, uniform structures and excellent mechanical properties. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the problem of damage to machine rigidity caused by applying excessive axial pressure to the mixing tool during current processing, this invention provides a solid additive manufacturing device.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0005] On the one hand, this utility model provides a solid-state additive manufacturing device, characterized in that it includes a drive shaft;

[0006] A stirring tool, connected to the drive shaft;

[0007] A sleeve is fitted over the outside of the stirring tool and forms a softening cavity between the sleeve and the stirring tool, with the lower end of the softening cavity open.

[0008] The feed inlet is set at a non-zero angle with the axis of the stirring tool and is connected to the softening chamber.

[0009] Furthermore, the feed inlets are configured as two or more and / or the opening direction of the feed inlets is inclined upwards and the angle of the non-zero included angle is between 30° and 60°.

[0010] Furthermore, a first heating module is provided outside the drive shaft and / or a first heating module is provided outside the stirring tool.

[0011] Furthermore, the first heating module is configured as a ring.

[0012] Furthermore, a second heating module is provided outside the sleeve, and the second heating module is configured to be annularly sleeved on the outside of the sleeve.

[0013] Furthermore, the drive shaft is connected to the first cooling module and / or the stirring tool is connected to the first cooling module.

[0014] Furthermore, a second cooling module is connected to the sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the second cooling module includes a coolant flow path or a semiconductor cooling chip or an air-cooled assembly passing through the side wall of the sleeve.

[0016] Furthermore, a first sensor assembly is connected to the drive shaft. The first sensor assembly is configured in a ring shape and is used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque of the drive shaft.

[0017] Furthermore, a second sensor assembly is connected to the sleeve, the second sensor assembly being configured in a ring shape and used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque at the feed inlet.

[0018] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are as follows:

[0019] This invention relates to a solid additive manufacturing device, comprising a drive shaft; the drive shaft coaxially drives and connects to a mixing tool, driving the mixing tool to rotate; a sleeve is fitted around the mixing tool, forming a softening cavity between the sleeve and the mixing tool, the lower opening of which is used to extrude plasticized raw material consumables within the softening cavity; an inclined feed inlet is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, the feed inlet being set at a non-zero angle to the axis of the mixing tool and communicating with the softening cavity, allowing consumables to be placed into the softening cavity through the feed inlet; the shearing force and heat generated by the high-speed rotation of the mixing tool plasticize the raw material consumables, which finally flow out from the lower opening of the softening cavity; simultaneously, the inclined feed inlet effectively reduces axial pressure (in the prior art). The feeding method involves the consumables falling vertically, with a corresponding structural design to ensure the machine's rigidity and normal service life. During use, the drive shaft drives the mixing tool to rotate at high speed. At this time, raw material consumables (which can be powder, filaments, rods, and composite materials, etc.) are put into the feed port on the sleeve. After the raw material consumables enter the softening chamber, they come into contact with the mixing tool. The high-speed rotation of the mixing tool generates shear force on the raw material consumables, and the mixing tool itself can generate heat. Through the combined action of the two, the raw material consumables entering the softening chamber are plasticized. The plasticized consumables are extruded from the lower opening of the softening chamber. At this time, the horizontal movement of the mixing tool can be controlled to deposit the raw material layer by layer on the substrate to form the required three-dimensional components. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view of an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal connection structure of an embodiment of this application.

[0026] In the picture,

[0027] 100, drive shaft; 200, stirring tool; 300, sleeve; 400, softening chamber; 500, feed inlet; 110, first heating module; 120, first cooling module; 130, first sensor assembly; 310, second heating module; 320, second cooling module; 330, second sensor assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0030] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in this text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in this text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0031] The solid additive manufacturing apparatus shown in this application includes a drive shaft 100; the drive shaft 100 is coaxially connected to a mixing tool 200, and drives the mixing tool 200 to rotate; a sleeve 300 is sleeved on the outside of the mixing tool 200, forming a softening cavity 400 between the sleeve 300 and the mixing tool 200, the lower end opening of the softening cavity 400 for extruding the plasticized raw material consumables within the softening cavity 400; an inlet 500 is obliquely opened on the side wall of the sleeve 300, and the inlet 500 is connected to the mixing tool... The axis of the device 200 is set at a non-zero angle, and the feed inlet 500 is connected to the softening chamber 400. The consumable can be put into the softening chamber 400 through the feed inlet 500. The shearing force and heat generated by the high-speed rotation of the stirring tool 200 plasticize the consumable raw material and finally flow out from the lower opening of the softening chamber 400. At the same time, the inclined feed inlet 500 can effectively reduce the axial pressure (the feeding method in the prior art is that the consumable falls vertically and is equipped with a corresponding structural design) to ensure the rigidity of the machine and its normal service life.

[0032] For example, during use, the stirring tool 200 is driven to rotate at high speed by the drive shaft 100. At this time, raw material consumables (which can be powder, filament, rod, and composite material, etc.) are put into the feed port 500 on the sleeve 300. After the raw material consumables enter the softening chamber 400, they come into contact with the stirring tool 200. The high-speed rotation of the stirring tool 200 generates shear force on the raw material consumables. At the same time, the stirring tool 200 itself can generate heat. Through the combined action of the two, the raw material consumables entering the softening chamber 400 are plasticized. The plasticized consumables are extruded from the lower opening of the softening chamber 400. At this time, the stirring tool 200 can be controlled to move horizontally to deposit the raw material layer by layer on the substrate to form the required three-dimensional component. Optionally, during the processing, the stirring tool 200 rotates relative to the sleeve 300. Optionally, when the stirring tool 200 moves, the sleeve 300 moves accordingly.

[0033] In one alternative embodiment, the stirring tool 200 includes a shoulder and a stirring pin for processing.

[0034] In one alternative implementation, the feed inlets 500 are configured to be two or more. By configuring two or more feed inlets 500, multiple types (different compositions) of raw materials and multiple forms (powders, filaments, rods, etc.) of raw materials can be put in at the same time to achieve composite additive manufacturing.

[0035] In one optional embodiment, the opening direction of the feed inlet 500 is inclined upward, so that after the consumable is put into the feed inlet 500, it can enter the softening chamber 400 under the action of gravity without external force; optionally, the angle of the non-zero included angle is between 30° and 60°, which facilitates the free sliding of the consumable; optionally, a guide tube is connected in the extension direction of the feed inlet 500, which can guide the consumable and increase the amount of consumable put in at one time.

[0036] In one optional embodiment, a first heating module 110 is provided outside the drive shaft 100, and / or a first heating module 110 is provided outside the stirring tool 200; at least one of the drive shaft 100 and the stirring tool 200 is connected to the first heating module 110, thereby conducting heat to the stirring tool 200 to better heat and soften the raw material in the softening chamber 400; preferably, the first heating module 110 is connected to the outside of the drive shaft 100, so that heat can be conducted from the drive shaft 100 to the stirring tool 200, while facilitating the compact design and installation and maintenance of the overall structure of the embodiments of this application.

[0037] In one optional embodiment, a second heating module 310 is provided outside the sleeve 300. The second heating module 310 provides an auxiliary heat source to conduct heat through the sleeve 300 to the softening cavity 400, thereby promoting rapid softening of the raw material. In conjunction with the first heating module 110, heat can be transferred from both inside and outside the softening cavity 400 to the interior of the softening cavity 400 simultaneously, which can greatly improve the heating and softening efficiency of the raw material and ensure sufficient fluidity of the softened material. It can also meet the requirements of additive manufacturing processes with higher melting points. Optionally, the first heating module 110 and the second heating module 310 can be turned on or off as needed. Optionally, the first heating module 110 and the second heating module 310 can be one or more of the following heating methods: electromagnetic induction heating, resistance wire heating, and electric arc heating.

[0038] In one alternative implementation, taking electromagnetic induction heating as an example, an alternating electric field is used to generate an alternating magnetic field. The object being heated cuts the magnetic field, generating eddy currents to achieve heating. However, it is not limited to this. Resistance wire heating (based on the principle that current passing through a resistive conductor generates heat) or arc heating, etc. (The principle is: air with pressure and flow rate is injected into an arc heater, and the power system breaks down and ionizes the air to form a plasma arc, which then heats the air to a high temperature to assist in heating).

[0039] In one alternative embodiment, the first heating module 110 is configured to be annularly sleeved on the outside of the drive shaft 100 and / or the stirring tool 200; by configuring the first heating module 110 as annular, uniform heating of the drive shaft 100 or the stirring tool 200 can be ensured, while making the overall structure more compact.

[0040] In one alternative embodiment, the drive shaft 100 is connected to the first cooling module 120, and / or the stirring tool 200 is connected to the first cooling module 120. The first cooling module 120 helps to reduce the temperature of the components during operation and helps dissipate heat to ensure a relatively uniform structure of the deposited layer.

[0041] In one optional embodiment, a second cooling module 320 is connected to the sleeve 300. The second cooling module 320 is used to dissipate the heat accumulated during the preparation process in a timely manner to ensure that the structure of the deposited layer is relatively uniform.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, the first cooling module 120 and / or the second cooling module 320 are configured to pass through a coolant flow path, a thermoelectric cooler, or an air-cooled assembly within the sidewall of the sleeve 300; for example, by providing pipes that pass through the interior of the sidewall of the sleeve 300 and circulate cooling water to assist in dissipating the heat accumulated during the process. The circulating medium is cooling water or other cooling media (oil, coolant, liquid nitrogen, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, etc.).

[0043] In one alternative implementation, the coolant flow path can be configured as multiple paths, for example, Figure 3 The two lines shown can, of course, be further improved by designing more coolant flow paths according to actual needs and structural requirements.

[0044] In one alternative embodiment, a first sensor assembly 130 is connected to the drive shaft 100. The first sensor assembly 130 is configured in a ring shape and is used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque of the drive shaft 100. The first sensor assembly 130 may include a thermocouple for monitoring temperature. It may also include two sets of strain gauges to monitor the pressure and torque of the drive shaft, respectively.

[0045] In one alternative embodiment, a second sensor assembly 330 is connected to the sleeve 300. The second sensor assembly 330 is configured as a ring and is used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque and / or lateral force and / or side force at the feed inlet 500. The second sensor assembly 330 may include a thermocouple for monitoring the temperature. It may also include strain gauges to monitor the pressure and torque and / or lateral force and / or side force at the feed inlet 500, respectively.

[0046] In one optional embodiment, the thermocouple has a test range of 0–700°C; the deformation of the probed area is measured by strain gauges to monitor the corresponding pressure, torque, lateral force, and side force in situ, with test ranges of -100–100 kN, -300–300 Nm, -100–100 kN, and -100–100 kN, respectively; strain gauges are chosen because they are small in size, lightweight, simple in structure, and fast in testing, and have almost no impact on the working state and stress distribution of the tested workpiece during the measurement process, making them suitable for dynamic measurement. The embodiments of this application can achieve stable and high-precision in-situ real-time monitoring, with a monitoring frequency of up to 10240 Hz.

[0047] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0048] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0049] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A solid-state additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: include Drive shaft (100); A stirring tool (200) is connected to the drive shaft (100); A sleeve (300) is fitted around the outside of the stirring tool (200) and forms a softening cavity (400) between the sleeve and the stirring tool (200), with the lower end of the softening cavity (400) open; The feed inlet (500) is set at a non-zero angle with the axis of the stirring tool (200) and is connected to the softening chamber (400).

2. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed inlets (500) are configured as two or more and / or the opening direction of the feed inlets (500) is inclined upward and the angle of the non-zero included angle is between 30° and 60°.

3. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first heating module (110) is provided outside the drive shaft (100) and / or a first heating module (110) is provided outside the stirring tool (200).

4. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first heating module (110) is configured as a ring.

5. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: A second heating module (310) is provided outside the sleeve (300), and the second heating module (310) is configured to be annularly sleeved on the outside of the sleeve (300).

6. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive shaft (100) is connected to the first cooling module (120) and / or the stirring tool (200) is connected to the first cooling module (120).

7. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sleeve (300) is connected to the second cooling module (320).

8. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second cooling module (320) includes a coolant flow path or a semiconductor cooling chip or an air-cooled assembly passing through the side wall of the sleeve (300).

9. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: A first sensor assembly (130) is connected to the drive shaft (100). The first sensor assembly (130) is configured in a ring shape and is used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque of the drive shaft (100).

10. The solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: A second sensor assembly (330) is connected to the sleeve (300). The second sensor assembly (330) is configured as a ring and is used to monitor the temperature and / or pressure and / or torque and / or lateral force and / or side force at the feed inlet (500).

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