Additive manufacturing double-scraper assembly, powder laying device and additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing, in particular to an additive manufacturing double-scraper assembly, a powder spreading device and additive manufacturing equipment. The utility model provides an additive manufacturing double-scraper assembly, an additive manufacturing double-scraper powder spreading device using the double-scraper assembly and additive manufacturing equipment with the additive manufacturing double-scraper powder spreading device. The double-scraper powder spreading device for additive manufacturing has the powder spreading flexibility of a soft scraper and the powder spreading stability of a hard scraper, the machining repeatability of a formed part can be guaranteed, it can be guaranteed that printing work continues when the part warps, and powder spreading and printing of other positions are not affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing. More specifically, this utility model relates to an additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly, a powder spreading device, and additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Laser powder bed melting is a mainstream metal additive manufacturing technology. This technology uses a laser as a heat source and scans the laid-up metal powder layer by layer according to the 3D CAD slicing path. After rapid melting and solidification, a metallurgical bond is formed, and the designed metal parts are finally obtained.

[0003] For laser powder bed fusion technology, the powder spreading quality has a significant impact on the final forming effect. Currently, commonly used doctor blades are mainly divided into two categories: hard doctor blades and soft doctor blades. Hard doctor blades can apply greater pressure to the powder, which is helpful for forming parts with high repeatability requirements, but due to the greater friction, it is difficult to manufacture samples with high aspect ratios, and the tolerance for warpage deformation of the parts is relatively low. On the other hand, soft doctor blades have less friction on the parts, are suitable for manufacturing samples with high aspect ratios and fragile parts, and have a higher tolerance for warpage of the printed parts, but it is not easy to ensure a stable powder spreading effect. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly, an additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device using this assembly, and an additive manufacturing equipment incorporating the additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device. The additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device combines the powder spreading flexibility of a soft scraper with the powder spreading stability of a hard scraper, ensuring both the repeatability of the formed parts processing and the continued printing operation even when parts warp, without affecting powder spreading and printing in other areas.

[0005] To achieve these objectives and other advantages according to the present invention, an additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly is provided, comprising a soft scraper, a hard scraper, a lifting mechanism, and a scraper holder, wherein the soft scraper and the hard scraper are arranged parallel to each other along a first direction, the soft scraper is connected to the scraper holder, the hard scraper is connected to the scraper holder via the lifting mechanism, and a load sensor is provided on the soft scraper.

[0006] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly, two sets of soft scrapers are provided, and the hard scraper is located between the two sets of soft scrapers along the powder scraping direction.

[0007] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly, the load sensor is disposed within the soft scraper.

[0008] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly, both the soft scraper and the hard scraper are located below the scraper holder, and the lifting mechanism is mounted on the scraper holder.

[0009] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly, the lifting mechanism includes a telescopic cylinder, which is mounted on the scraper frame, and the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the hard scraper.

[0010] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device, including the above-mentioned additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly, a drive mechanism, and a substrate disposed in a forming cylinder. The soft scraper and the hard scraper are disposed above the substrate. The scraper holder is connected to the drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism drives the soft scraper and the hard scraper to move horizontally and reciprocally synchronously along a first direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the additive manufacturing dual-blade powder spreading device also includes a substrate motion controller for driving the substrate to rise and fall.

[0012] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device, the substrate motion controller is a lead screw motor.

[0013] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device, the driving mechanism includes a linear module extending along the powder spreading direction, and the scraper holder is slidably connected to the linear module.

[0014] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing apparatus, including a laser system and the above-mentioned additive manufacturing dual-blade powder spreading device, wherein the substrate is located in the working optical path of the laser system.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] This invention employs a dual-scraper powder spreading device for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, combining the powder spreading flexibility of a soft scraper with the powder spreading stability of a hard scraper while avoiding their respective drawbacks. It ensures the repeatability of the formed parts during processing and allows the printing operation to continue even if parts warp, without affecting powder spreading and printing in other areas, resulting in excellent powder spreading and forming effects.

[0017] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be partly apparent from the following description, and partly understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the additive manufacturing double scraper powder spreading device in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0021] 1. Scraper holder; 2. Soft scraper; 3. Hard scraper; 4. Load sensor; 5. Lifting mechanism; 6. Drive mechanism; 7. Substrate; 8. Molding cylinder; 9. Powder. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0023] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, the terms "horizontal", "longitudinal", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of this utility model provides an additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly, including a soft scraper 2, a hard scraper 3, a lifting mechanism 5, and a scraper holder 1. The soft scraper 2 and the scraper holder 1 are connected. The hard scraper 3 is mounted on the lifting mechanism 5. The soft scraper 2 is provided with a load sensor 4, and the hard scraper 3 and the soft scraper 2 are spaced apart along the powder scraping direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, soft scrapers 2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the hard scraper 3, and a load sensor 4 is arranged on the soft scraper 2. The scraper holder 1 carries the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 to make horizontal reciprocating motion along the powder scraping direction to spread powder 9. Soft scrapers 2 are arranged on both sides of the hard scraper 3. No matter which side the hard scraper 3 moves to, the soft scraper 2 will contact the formed part of the part and the powder 9 before the hard scraper 3. The soft scraper 2 has less friction on the part. At the same time, the load sensor 4 on the soft scraper 2 detects the load on the scraper and presets a load threshold. When the load value detected by the load sensor 4 is higher than the threshold, the lifting mechanism 5 drives the hard scraper 3 to move upward, so that the hard scraper 3 is slightly raised to avoid the part, thereby avoiding contact and friction between the hard scraper 3 and the warped part, which would cause the printing to stop. When the load value detected by the load sensor 4 is lower than the threshold again, the lifting mechanism 5 drives the hard scraper 3 to move downward to its original position to continue to play the role of stabilizing powder spreading. During the horizontal reciprocating motion of the scraper holder 1, carrying the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 along the powder scraping direction, the additive manufacturing dual scraper set can ensure the repeatability of the shaped parts and ensure the continuation of the printing operation when the parts warp, without affecting the powder spreading and printing in other positions, thus achieving good powder spreading and forming effects.

[0026] Preferably, as another embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 1 As shown, the load sensor 4 is disposed inside the soft scraper 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, the load sensor 4 is disposed inside the soft scraper 2. When the soft scraper 2 deflects to both sides, the load sensor 4 can accurately detect the resistance encountered by the soft scraper 2. The soft scraper 2 is provided with a threading hole for the load sensor 4 to pass through.

[0028] Preferably, in another embodiment of the present invention, both the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 are disposed below the scraper holder 1.

[0029] In this embodiment, both the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 are mounted on the scraper holder 1 to ensure the height between the scraper holder 1 and the substrate 7.

[0030] Preferably, in another embodiment of the present invention, the lifting mechanism 5 includes a vertically telescopic cylinder, which is mounted on the scraper frame 1, and the telescopic end of the cylinder is connected to the hard scraper 3.

[0031] In this embodiment, the telescopic cylinder can be a servo electric cylinder, which drives the hard scraper 3 to move up and down relative to the scraper holder 1.

[0032] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing double scraper powder spreading device, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly includes the above-mentioned dual scraper assembly, a drive mechanism 6, and a substrate 7 disposed in the forming cylinder 8. The soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 are disposed above the substrate 7. The scraper holder 1 is connected to the drive mechanism 6. The drive mechanism 6 drives the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 to move horizontally and reciprocally in the powder scraping direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly is applied, the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 are positioned above the substrate 7. The drive mechanism 6 is connected to the additive processing equipment. The drive mechanism 6 drives the scraper holder 1 to reciprocate horizontally along the powder scraping direction, thereby realizing the horizontal reciprocating motion of the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3 above the substrate 7.

[0034] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-blade powder spreading device, the lower end of the substrate 7 is provided with a substrate motion controller that drives its lifting and lowering.

[0035] In this embodiment, the height of the substrate 7 within the forming cylinder 8 is adjusted by a substrate motion controller, allowing the height of the substrate 7 to be adjusted according to height changes during the part printing process. The substrate motion controller can be driven by a motor or a cylinder, both of which can control the substrate to move vertically. Preferably, a lead screw motor is used as the substrate motion controller.

[0036] Furthermore, in the additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device, the driving mechanism 6 is a linear module arranged horizontally along the powder spreading direction, and the scraper holder 1 is connected to the slider of the linear module.

[0037] In this embodiment, the linear module is more flexible and the positioning is more accurate, which can ensure the accuracy of the movement of the soft scraper 2 and the hard scraper 3.

[0038] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing equipment, including the above-mentioned additive manufacturing dual-blade powder spreading device and a laser system. When the powder spreading device spreads powder on the substrate, the laser emitted by the laser system can melt and process the powder on it, thereby printing the desired product on the substrate.

[0039] Although the embodiments of this utility model have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, this utility model is not limited to the specific details and embodiments shown and described herein.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly, characterized in that, It includes a soft scraper, a hard scraper, a lifting mechanism, and a scraper holder. The soft scraper is connected to the scraper holder, and the hard scraper is mounted on the lifting mechanism. The soft scraper is equipped with a load sensor, and the hard scraper and the soft scraper are spaced apart along the powder scraping direction.

2. The additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The soft scraper is provided in two sets, and the hard scraper is located between the two sets of soft scrapers along the powder scraping direction.

3. The additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The load sensor is located inside the soft scraper.

4. The additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the soft and hard scrapers are located below the scraper holder, and the lifting mechanism is mounted on the scraper holder.

5. The additive manufacturing dual scraper assembly as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a telescopic cylinder, which is mounted on the scraper frame, and the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the hard scraper.

6. An additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device, characterized in that, The additive manufacturing dual-scraper assembly as described in any one of claims 1-5 further includes a drive mechanism and a substrate, wherein the soft scraper and the hard scraper are disposed above the substrate, the scraper holder is connected to the drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism drives in the powder scraping direction.

7. The additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a substrate motion controller for driving the substrate to rise and fall.

8. The additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The baseboard motion controller is a lead screw motor.

9. The additive manufacturing dual-scraper powder spreading device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a linear module extending along the powder scraping direction, and the scraper holder is slidably connected to the linear module.

10. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising a laser system, characterized in that, It also includes the additive manufacturing dual-blade powder spreading apparatus as described in any one of claims 6-9, wherein the substrate is located in the working optical path of the laser system.

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