Quantitative conveying no-material feedback control system

Abstract

The utility model provides a quantitative conveying material-free feedback control system which comprises a rack comprising a containing cavity, a raw material conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of conveying assemblies, each conveying assembly comprises a raw material bin body, a first material sensor is arranged on each raw material bin body, a transversely-arranged first feeding bin body is connected to the lower portion of each raw material bin body, and a second feeding bin body is connected to the lower portion of each first feeding bin body. A second feeding bin body is connected below the first feeding bin body, and a first weighing module is arranged at the bottom of the second feeding bin body; the first material sensor and the first weighing module are in communication connection with the control unit, the first material sensor is used for detecting the material remaining amount in the raw material bin body, when the detection result is lower than a third threshold value C, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the first weighing module is used for detecting the material remaining amount in the second feeding bin body; when the detection result of the first weighing module is lower than a fourth threshold value D, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit is used for receiving the signal. And the user can more accurately add the materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a quantitative feeding feedback control system for clay 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] A clay printer is a type of 3D printer specifically designed for printing ceramic materials such as clay, porcelain clay, and purple clay. It has wide applications in ceramic production, artistic creation, education, and scientific research.

[0003] In existing technologies, material sensors are installed on the raw material hopper to detect when the material level in the hopper is low. When the material level reaches a certain threshold, the machine is prompted to add more material. However, clay 3D printing equipment differs from traditional mixing equipment. Clay 3D printing equipment requires more precise material feeding. While the material sensor can detect the remaining material in the raw material hopper, it cannot detect the remaining material in the material conveying mechanism. If the material feeding is not precise enough and material is added indiscriminately, the material in the hopper may solidify and cause blockages or become difficult to clean when printing the next item. Therefore, to address the above problems, this utility model designs a quantitative conveying material-lowering feedback control system. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a quantitative conveying feedback control system for materials-free materials, which can effectively solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] This utility model is implemented as follows:

[0006] A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materials without material, comprising:

[0007] The rack includes a housing chamber and a printing chamber;

[0008] The raw material conveying mechanism installed in the accommodating cavity includes several conveying components. Each conveying component includes a raw material hopper, on which a first material sensor is installed. A first feeding hopper is horizontally connected below the raw material hopper, and a second feeding hopper is connected below the first feeding hopper. A first weighing module is installed at the bottom of the second feeding hopper.

[0009] The first material sensor, the first weighing module, and the control unit are communicatively connected. The first material sensor is used to detect the remaining amount of material in the raw material hopper. When the detection result is lower than the third threshold C, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit. The first weighing module is used to detect the remaining amount of material in the second feeding hopper. When the detection result of the first weighing module is lower than the fourth threshold D, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit. The control unit is used to receive the signal.

[0010] As a further improvement, when the detection result of the first weighing module is lower than the fifth threshold E, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit.

[0011] As a further improvement, the capacity of the raw material silo is defined as L1, then the third threshold C = 15~20% * L1.

[0012] As a further improvement, the capacity of the second feeding hopper is defined as L2, then the fourth threshold D = 8~10% * L2.

[0013] As a further improvement, the fifth threshold E = 3-5% * L2.

[0014] As a further improvement, the frame further includes a raw material conveying mechanism disposed within the accommodating chamber, the raw material conveying mechanism being used to feed material to the mixing extrusion mechanism.

[0015] As a further improvement, the frame further includes a printing platform disposed within the printing chamber, the printing platform being used to hold the 3D printed product.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] (1) The material remaining in the raw material bin is detected by the first material sensor. When the material weight in the raw material bin is lower than the third threshold, an alarm is triggered. The material remaining in the second feeding bin is monitored by the first weighing module. When the material weight in the second feeding bin is lower than the fourth threshold D, an alarm is triggered again. When the material sensor senses the third threshold C, the material required for the remaining printed products can be prepared. However, no material is added at this time. When the second feeding bin starts to issue a warning, the material is added at this time. This allows for more accurate material addition and prevents the material from solidifying and causing blockage or difficulty in cleaning after printing due to excessive material preparation.

[0018] (2) When the first weighing module detects that the material is below the fifth threshold E, the equipment will automatically alarm and stop. The advantage of this setting is that if the staff forgets to add material, the equipment will automatically stop. It can only be restarted after the material is added and the previous printing steps can be continued to print 3D products. If there is no material, the 3D printer can only continue to print according to the program settings. When the material supply is restored, it is impossible to go back to the printing steps when the material was cut off. At this time, it can only be scrapped, which increases material loss and printing time waste. Therefore, this method can prevent mistakes and effectively prevent resource waste. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the raw material conveying mechanism provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hybrid extrusion mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the hybrid extrusion mechanism provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic detection and feedback system for material blockage in the pipeline of a 3D printing equipment provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the quantitative conveying feedback control system for materialless feeding provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the control system for stable extrusion of a 3D printing equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The attached diagram is labeled as follows:

[0028] 10. Rack; 11. Receiving chamber; 12. Printing chamber;

[0029] 20. Raw material conveying mechanism; 21. Conveying assembly; 211. Raw material hopper; 212. First feeding hopper; 213. First auger; 214. Second feeding hopper; 22. First material sensor; 23. First weighing module;

[0030] 30. Mixing extrusion mechanism; 31. Extrusion assembly; 311. Mixing hopper; 312. Pipeline; 313. Mixing assembly; 314. Extrusion head; 32. Second weighing module; 33. Second material sensor;

[0031] 40. Printing platform;

[0032] 50. Control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely to represent selected embodiments of this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 As shown, a clay 3D printing device includes a frame 10, which includes a receiving chamber 11 and a printing chamber 12. A raw material conveying mechanism 20 is provided in the receiving chamber 11.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the raw material conveying mechanism 20 includes a plurality of conveying components 21 disposed on the frame 10. In this embodiment, there are two conveying components 21. Each conveying component 21 includes a raw material hopper 211. A first feeding hopper 212 disposed horizontally is connected below the raw material hopper 211. A first spiral auger 213 is disposed inside the first feeding hopper 212 for material agitation and conveying. A second feeding hopper 214 is connected below the first feeding hopper 212. The second feeding hopper 214 is connected to the mixing extrusion mechanism 30.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the mixing extrusion mechanism 30 includes an extrusion assembly 31 that is laterally movable within the accommodating chamber 11 and communicates with the conveying assembly 21. The extrusion assembly 31 includes a mixing chamber 311, which contains a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is connected to the conveying assembly 21 via a pipe 312. A stirring assembly 313 is disposed within the mixing chamber. An extrusion head 314 is connected below the mixing chamber 311 and is used to extrude material for printing.

[0038] The printing platform 40 is longitudinally slidable within the printing chamber 12 and is used to support 3D printed products.

[0039] This invention can effectively transport different raw materials to the mixing and extrusion mechanism 30 through several conveying components 21 set above the frame 10. The materials are first mixed and stirred in the mixing and stirring mechanism and then extruded through the extrusion components 31 to print the 3D printing material into a preset shape. This invention can directly mix the raw materials in the printer and then print, which can greatly improve efficiency.

[0040] This utility model further includes a control unit 50 and a first material sensor 22 disposed within the raw material silo 211 and communicatively connected to the control unit 50. The first material sensor 22 is a device for detecting the state of the material; it can detect parameters such as the material's position, quantity, weight, and temperature, and convert these parameters into electrical signals to be sent to the control unit 50. A first weighing module 23 is disposed on the conveying assembly 21, and the first weighing module 23 detects a weight of m. i The first weighing module 23 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50. In this embodiment, there are two first weighing modules 23, and the weights detected by the first weighing modules 23 are m1 and m2, respectively. The first weighing modules 23 are used to detect the weight of the material in the second feeding bin 214. The working principle of the weighing module is based on the piezoresistive effect. When the object being measured applies a downward force to the elastic body, the elastic body will deform, and this deformation will generate strain. This strain is monitored by a piezoresistive resistor. This invention uses a cantilever beam type weighing sensor. When the second feeding bin 214 is placed at the free end of the cantilever beam, the weight of the object will cause the cantilever beam to undergo a slight bending deformation. This deformation will cause the strain gauge to generate strain, and the resistance value of the strain gauge will change accordingly. This change in resistance value will be converted into an electrical signal, and after being processed by the signal processing part, an electrical signal proportional to the weight of the object will be output.

[0041] The mixture further includes several second weighing modules 32 disposed at the bottom of the mixing chamber 311, wherein the weight detected by the second weighing module 32 is M. iThe second weighing module 32 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50. In this embodiment, there are three second weighing modules 32, and the weighing displays corresponding to the three second weighing modules 32 are M1, M2, and M3, respectively. The three second weighing modules 32 are arranged in an equidistant circular array below the mixing chamber 311. The second weighing module 32 can not only measure the weight of the material in the mixing chamber 311, but also detect the levelness of the mixing chamber 311. A second material sensor 33 is provided on the extruder head 314. The second material sensor 33 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50. The second material sensor 33 is used to detect the position, quantity, weight, and other parameters of the material at the extruder head 314.

[0042] Reference Figure 5As shown, since clay materials may solidify, it is necessary to monitor the overall material flow during the printing process to prevent material solidification from causing equipment blockage. To address this issue, this invention proposes an automatic material blockage detection and feedback system for 3D printing equipment pipelines. The main structures prone to blockage in this clay 3D printing device are the raw material hopper 211, the first feeding hopper 212, the second feeding hopper 214, the mixing extrusion mechanism 30, and the connecting pipe 312 between the mixing extrusion mechanism 30 and the second feeding hopper 214. This system detects and provides feedback on material blockages in these components using a first material sensor 22, a first weighing module 23, a second weighing module 32, and a second material sensor 33. The system's working principle is as follows: when the value detected by the first material sensor 22 does not fluctuate, it indicates that the raw material hopper 211 is blocked. At this time, the warning light at that location will sound an alarm. When fluctuations are detected in the first material sensor 22, and the value of the material sensor drops significantly and then stabilizes, while the value of the first weighing module 23 drops significantly, it indicates that a blockage has occurred between the first feeding bins 212, and the warning light at that location will sound an alarm. When the value of the material sensor drops significantly and then stabilizes, while the value of the first weighing module 23 remains unchanged, it indicates that a blockage has occurred at the second feeding bin 214, and the warning light at that location will sound an alarm. When the value of the first weighing module 23 shows a downward trend, and the value of the second weighing module 32 (the value here is the average value of the second weighing module 32) does not change significantly, the value of the second material sensor 33 will be checked. If the value of the second material sensor 33 does not change, it indicates that the extruder is blocked, and the warning light at that location will sound an alarm.If the value of the second material sensor 33 changes, it indicates that the connecting pipe 312 between the mixing extrusion mechanism 30 and the second feeding hopper 214 is blocked, and the warning light at that location will sound an alarm. This method allows for precise identification of the root cause of the blockage, improving the efficiency of handling anomalies and reducing costs by minimizing the number of sensors required. In this embodiment, the first material sensor 22 and the second material sensor 33 are proximity sensors or liquid level sensors, and the first weighing module 23 and the second weighing module 32 employ… The weighing sensor used is a cantilever beam type, which has higher accuracy. Therefore, installing cantilever beam type weighing sensors below the second feeding hopper 214 and the mixing hopper 311 can not only accurately detect the weight of the mixed material, but also detect material blockage. The reason for installing material sensors on the raw material hopper 211 and the extruder is that while material sensors can detect parameters such as the position, quantity, and weight of the material, their accuracy is not high, but their cost is low. Therefore, installing material sensors on the raw material hopper 211 and the extruder head 314 can both cooperate with the weighing sensors to detect material blockage and effectively reduce costs.

[0043] Reference Figure 6As shown, in the prior art, a material sensor is installed on the raw material hopper 211 to detect when the hopper is empty. That is, when the material reaches a certain threshold, the machine is prompted to add more material. However, clay 3D printing equipment differs from traditional mixing equipment. Clay 3D printing equipment requires more precise material feeding. While the material sensor can detect the remaining material in the raw material hopper 211, it cannot detect the remaining material in the raw material conveying mechanism 20. If the material feeding is not precise enough and material is added indiscriminately, the material in the hopper may solidify and cause blockages or become difficult to clean when printing the next item. Therefore, this utility model designs a quantitative conveying feedback control system. It uses a first material sensor 22 to detect the remaining material in the raw material hopper 211. When the first material sensor 22 detects that the weight of the material in the raw material hopper 211 is lower than a third threshold C, an alarm is triggered. A first weighing module 23 monitors the remaining material in the second feeding hopper 214. When the first weighing module 23 detects that the weight of the material in the second feeding hopper 214 is lower than a fourth threshold D, another alarm is triggered. When the first weighing module 23 detects that the weight of the material in the second feeding hopper 214 is lower than a fifth threshold E, an alarm is triggered and the system shuts down. The capacity of the raw material hopper 211 is defined as L1. The third threshold C = 15-20% * L1, defining the capacity of the second feeding hopper 214 as L2, the fourth threshold D = 8-10% * L2, and the fifth threshold E = 3-5% * L2. In one embodiment, the third threshold C = 16% * L1, the fourth threshold D = 8% * L2, and the fifth threshold E = 4% * L2. The advantage of this setting is that when the material sensor detects the third threshold C, it can begin preparing the materials needed for the remaining printed products, but no material needs to be added at this time. Material can be added only when the second feeding hopper 214 begins to issue a warning, allowing for more precise material addition and preventing over-preparation of materials, which could lead to insufficient material after printing. If there is too much material remaining in the second feeding chamber 214, it may solidify and cause blockages or become difficult to clean. When the first weighing module 23 detects that the material level is below the fifth threshold E, the equipment will automatically alarm and stop. The advantage of this setting is that if the operator forgets to add material, the equipment will automatically stop. It can only be restarted after the material is added to continue the previous printing steps for 3D product printing. If there is no material, the 3D printer can only continue printing according to the program settings. When the material supply is restored, it is impossible to go back to the printing steps when the material was cut off. At this time, it can only be scrapped, which increases material loss and printing time waste. Therefore, this method of mistake-proofing effectively prevents resource waste.

[0044] Reference Figure 7As shown, in order to detect the levelness of the mixing extrusion mechanism 30, this utility model proposes a control system for stable extrusion of a 3D printing equipment. This scheme uses one of the second weighing modules 32 as a reference, with the detected weight of the reference second weighing module 32 being M1. During the feeding process, if the value displayed by other second weighing modules 32 exceeds a first threshold A, an alarm warning state is displayed. During the mixing process, if the value displayed by other second weighing modules 32 exceeds a second threshold B, an alarm warning state is displayed. The first threshold A = M1 ± (5~8)%M1, and the second threshold B = M1 ± (1~2). In this embodiment, the first threshold A = M1 ± 5%M1. That is, during the feeding process, when M1 + 5%M1 > M2 > M1 - 5%M1 and M1 + 5%M1 > M3 > M1 - 5%M1, it indicates that the mixing hopper 311 is in a horizontal state. If the weights of M2 and M3 exceed this range, it indicates that the mixing hopper 311 is not in a horizontal state, and an alarm is triggered. During the feeding process, because the materials are not fully mixed, and in this embodiment, there are two materials, plus water for mixing and stirring, the weights of the materials are different, but the mixing hopper 311 is conical in shape. The material is concentrated at the bottom of the cone-shaped structure. Although there are many uncertainties during the feeding process, the range of the second weighing module 32 will not have too large an error. Therefore, the first threshold A is set to M1 ± (5~8)%M1. In this embodiment, the second threshold B = M1 ± 2%M1. That is, during the mixing process, when M1 + 2%M1 > M2 > M1 - 2%M1 and M1 + 2%M1 > M3 > M1 - 2%M1, the material has already been initially mixed during the mixing process, so the range of the second threshold B is small. Because it is necessary to improve work efficiency, mixing usually begins during feeding. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mixing... The mixing process takes 5 minutes after feeding and mixing. By setting the first threshold A and the second threshold B, the levelness of the mixing chamber 311 can be determined. Since this device combines the mixing chamber 311 with the extruder, it is necessary to consider the impact of the mixing process on the levelness of the extruder. If the levelness of the extruder is insufficient, it will affect the molding and printing accuracy of the 3D printed products. In this invention, the levelness of the mixing chamber 311 can be detected by three second weighing modules 32 set at the bottom of the mixing chamber 311 during the feeding and mixing process, so as to prevent the production of defective products due to insufficient levelness of the extruder, which would result in a waste of materials and time.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materials without material, characterized in that, include: The rack (10) includes a receiving chamber (11) and a printing chamber (12); The raw material conveying mechanism (20) installed in the accommodating chamber (11) includes several conveying components (21). Each conveying component (21) includes a raw material hopper (211). A first material sensor (22) is installed on the raw material hopper (211). A first feeding hopper (212) is horizontally connected below the raw material hopper (211). A second feeding hopper (214) is connected below the first feeding hopper (212). A first weighing module (23) is installed at the bottom of the second feeding hopper (214). The first material sensor (22), the first weighing module (23), and the control unit (50) are communicatively connected. The first material sensor (22) is used to detect the remaining amount of material in the raw material silo (211). When the detection result is lower than the third threshold C, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit (50). The first weighing module (23) is used to detect the remaining amount of material in the second feeding silo (214). When the detection result of the first weighing module (23) is lower than the fourth threshold D, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit (50). The control unit (50) is used to receive the signal.

2. The quantitative conveying feedback control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the detection result of the first weighing module (23) is lower than the fifth threshold E, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit (50).

3. The quantitative conveying feedback control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the capacity of the raw material silo (211) is defined as L1, then the third threshold C = 15-20% * L1.

4. A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materialless feeding according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the capacity of the second feeding hopper (214) is defined as L2, then the fourth threshold D = 8~10% * L2.

5. A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materialless feeding according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fifth threshold E = 3-5% * L2.

6. A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materialless feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (10) further includes a raw material conveying mechanism (20) disposed in the accommodating chamber (11), the raw material conveying mechanism (20) being used to feed material to the mixing extrusion mechanism (30).

7. A quantitative conveying feedback control system for materialless feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (10) further includes a printing platform (40) disposed in the printing chamber (12), the printing platform (40) being used to carry 3D printed articles.

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