Sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and particularly provides a sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment. A printing cabin connecting port is formed in one side of the sealing cabin body, and a forming cylinder connecting port is formed in the other side of the sealing cabin body; the printing cabin connecting port is communicated with the forming cylinder connecting port through a gas channel; a gate assembly used for opening or blocking the gas channel is arranged in the gas channel. According to the sealing device for the additive manufacturing equipment, the gate is used for sealing the printing equipment, so that the interior of the equipment is isolated from the exterior, gas washing can be avoided when the sealing device is used next time, or the gas washing waiting time and the gas consumption are greatly reduced, and the problem that after the additive manufacturing equipment finishes work every time, the sealing device cannot be used for sealing the printing equipment is solved. The internal protective gas is wasted; and the gas washing waiting time of the protective gas in next circulation is long, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of 3D printing equipment technology, specifically relating to a sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Powder additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, is an advanced additive manufacturing technology that uses powder to be shaped, which is layered, bonded, sintered, or melted and then solidified to form a shape. It can manufacture parts with complex shapes. In the 3D printing process, the three-dimensional model is first sliced ​​and layered. Then, layers of powder material are laid on the printing platform in the forming cylinder. After laying, printing is performed. After printing is completed, the printing platform descends to lay another layer of powder, and the above process is repeated until printing is complete.

[0003] Due to the properties of the metallic materials used in powder-coated printing, printing on exposed air will cause severe oxidation of the material surface, significantly impacting print quality. Therefore, the powder-coating chamber needs to be purged before printing. This is done by filling the chamber with an inert gas such as argon to lower the oxygen content (ppm) below a certain level before printing can begin. When a printing cycle is completed and a new forming cylinder is replaced, the protective gas inside the printing equipment leaks out, requiring the sealed cavity to be purged again. This severely impacts work efficiency and wastes protective gas. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems of waste of protective gas inside existing additive manufacturing equipment and long waiting time for the next cycle of protective gas washing.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides a sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment, including a sealing chamber; one side of the sealing chamber is provided with a printing chamber connection port, and the other side is provided with a molding cylinder connection port; the printing chamber connection port and the molding cylinder connection port are connected by a gas channel; the gas channel is provided with a gate assembly for opening or blocking the gas channel.

[0006] Specifically, the gate assembly includes a gate guide rail and a gate plate; the gate guide rail is installed on the inner wall of the gas channel; the side wall of the sealed chamber is provided with a gate plate inlet and outlet communicating with the gas channel; the gate plate is slidably connected to the gate guide rail through the gate plate inlet and outlet.

[0007] Specifically, the gate assembly also includes a drive unit for driving the gate plate to slide along the gate guide rail.

[0008] Specifically, the aforementioned sealed chamber is equipped with an inflatable sealing ring; the inflatable sealing ring is arranged around the connection port of the molding cylinder.

[0009] Specifically, the sealing device also includes an air source; the output end of the air source is connected to the air inlet of the inflatable sealing ring.

[0010] Specifically, the sealing device is equipped with a forming cylinder sensor; the forming cylinder sensor is electrically connected to the air source.

[0011] Specifically, a pressure gauge is provided between the output end of the aforementioned gas source and the air inlet of the inflatable sealing ring.

[0012] Specifically, the output end of the aforementioned gas source is equipped with a solenoid valve.

[0013] Specifically, the sealing chamber is provided with a molding cylinder positioning post on the side where it connects to the molding cylinder.

[0014] Specifically, the aforementioned sealed chamber is equipped with a fixed connector for connecting the printing chamber.

[0015] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing device, including a printing chamber and the aforementioned sealing device; the sealing device is connected to the material outlet of the printing chamber through a printing chamber connection port.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0017] The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment provided by this utility model seals the printing equipment through a gate, so that the inside of the equipment can be isolated from the outside. When used again, it can avoid gas washing or greatly reduce the gas washing waiting time and gas consumption. This solves the problem of waste of internal protective gas after each operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the long waiting time for gas washing of the next cycle of protective gas, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0018] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment provided by this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing device provided by this utility model in use.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Sealed chamber; 2. Gate; 3. Gate guide rail; 4. Gas passage; 5. Inflatable sealing ring; 6. Air inlet; 7. Molding cylinder positioning post; 8. Printing chamber; 9. Molding cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., 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] 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 technical features indicated. 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, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0025] Reference Figure 1-2 This utility model provides a sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment, including a sealing chamber 1. The sealing chamber 1 has a printing chamber connection port on one side and a forming cylinder connection port on the other side. The printing chamber connection port and the forming cylinder connection port are connected via a gas channel 4. A gate assembly for opening or blocking the gas channel 4 is provided within the gas channel 4. In use, the sealing chamber 1 is first installed at the material inlet and outlet of the printing equipment requiring gas washing, generally positioned below the printing chamber 8, so that the printing chamber connection port of the sealing chamber 1 is connected to the printing chamber 8. Then, the forming cylinder 9 is connected to the forming cylinder connection port of the sealing chamber 1, making the interior of the sealing chamber 1 and the forming cylinder 9 interconnected. The gate assembly is opened, opening the gas channel 4, allowing the printing chamber 8, sealing chamber 1, and forming cylinder 9 to communicate with each other, and the equipment begins gas washing to reduce the oxygen content. Once the oxygen content reaches the standard, the equipment begins operation. When the work is completed and the forming cylinder 9 needs to be replaced, the gate assembly is closed, blocking the gas channel 4 and disconnecting the sealing chamber 1 from the forming cylinder 9. Due to the barrier effect of the gate assembly, the printing chamber 8 remains sealed, isolating it from air and ensuring the internal oxygen content. When it is used for the next operation, it can be exempted from gas washing or only a small amount of gas washing is needed to ensure the internal oxygen content, thereby saving a lot of gas washing waiting time and the gas consumption cost caused by long gas washing, and greatly improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment.

[0026] Specifically, the gate assembly includes a gate guide rail 3 and a gate plate 2. The gate guide rail 3 is installed on the inner wall of the gas channel 4. The side wall of the sealed chamber 1 has a gate plate inlet / outlet communicating with the gas channel 4. The gate plate 2 is slidably connected to the gate guide rail 3 through the gate plate inlet / outlet. The gate plate 2 is inserted into the sealed chamber 1 through the gate plate inlet / outlet, and by slidingly engaging with the gate guide rail 3, it opens or blocks the gas channel 4, thereby achieving communication between the printing chamber 8 and the forming cylinder 9 or sealing of the printing chamber 8 during use. To prevent the gate plate 2 from falling into the gas channel 4, a limiting block can be set at one end of the gate plate 2. The limiting block is larger than the gate plate inlet / outlet. When the gate plate 2 is inserted into the sealed chamber 1 through the gate plate inlet / outlet, the limiting block is located outside the sealed chamber 1, preventing the gate plate 2 from being completely inserted into the sealed chamber 1.

[0027] The length and installation position of the guide rail, as well as the number and size of the gate 2, are designed according to the actual size of the gas channel 4 to ensure a tight seal when the gate is closed.

[0028] Optionally, the sealed chamber 1 has a cuboid structure with a rectangular gas channel 4 along its height. The upper and lower end faces of the sealed chamber 1 are the connecting surface for the printing chamber and the connecting surface for the molding cylinder, respectively. The gate 2 guide rail is installed on the inner wall of the gas channel 4 and is parallel to the upper and lower end faces. The gate inlet and outlet are located on the side of the sealed chamber 1 and are connected to the gas channel 4. The specific location of the gate inlet and outlet is designed according to the gate guide rail 3 to ensure that the gate 2 is accurately inserted into the gate guide rail after passing through the gate inlet and outlet.

[0029] To improve the sealing effect, two sets of gate assemblies can be installed, with two gate inlets and outlets symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sealed chamber 1, and two gates 2 arranged in parallel. Multiple sets of gate assemblies can also be designed as needed.

[0030] Furthermore, the gate assembly also includes a drive component that drives the gate plate 2 to slide along the gate guide rail 3. The drive component can be a cylinder or other feasible device to realize the automatic opening or closing of the gate plate 2.

[0031] To improve the airtightness of the connection between the sealing device and the molding cylinder 9, an inflatable sealing ring 5 is provided on the sealing chamber 1; the inflatable sealing ring 5 is arranged around the connection port of the molding cylinder. Before the molding cylinder 9 is connected, the inflatable sealing ring 5 is in an uninflated state, leaving a gap for the molding cylinder 9 to connect with the sealing device. After the molding cylinder 9 is in place, air is inflated into the inflatable sealing ring 5, causing it to expand and make tight contact with the top surface of the molding cylinder 9. The inflatable sealing ring 5 can be made of an inflatable hose with a strong contraction and expansion mechanism.

[0032] In one optimized embodiment, the top surface of the molding cylinder 9 is provided with a groove that matches the inflatable sealing ring 5 at the joint. After the inflatable sealing ring 5 expands, it fits into the groove, thereby achieving a good sealing effect.

[0033] Furthermore, the sealing device also includes an air source; the output end of the air source is connected to the air inlet 6 of the inflatable sealing ring 5. Preferably, the output end of the air source is equipped with a solenoid valve, which inflates and draws air into the inflatable sealing strip.

[0034] Optionally, the sealing device is equipped with a forming cylinder sensor; the forming cylinder sensor is electrically connected to the air source, and when the forming cylinder sensor senses that the cylinder is in place, the air source inflates the air-filled sealing ring 5 to ensure the connection is airtight.

[0035] To control the sealing effect, a pressure gauge is installed between the output end of the air source and the air inlet 6 of the inflatable sealing ring 5. Based on the feedback from the pressure gauge, the inflation level of the inflatable sealing ring 5 is increased.

[0036] In a detailed embodiment, a molding cylinder positioning post 7 is provided on the side of the sealing chamber 1 that connects to the molding cylinder 9. The molding cylinder 9 can be provided with matching positioning holes, and the precise docking of the sealing device and the molding cylinder 9 can be achieved through the positioning post and positioning holes, ensuring that the molding cylinder 9 is in place.

[0037] Furthermore, the sealed chamber 1 is equipped with a fixing connector for connecting the printing chamber 8. The fixing connector can be bolts or other devices that can securely connect the two structures. The sealed chamber 1 is fixedly installed at the material inlet and outlet of the printing chamber 8, which requires air scrubbing, via the fixing connector, typically located below the printing chamber 8. During normal use, there is no need to disconnect the sealed chamber 1 from the printing chamber 8.

[0038] The above examples are merely illustrative of this utility model and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. All designs that are the same as or similar to this utility model are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that: It includes a sealed chamber (1); the sealed chamber (1) has a printing chamber connection port on one side and a molding cylinder connection port on the other side; the printing chamber connection port and the molding cylinder connection port are connected by a gas channel (4); the gas channel (4) is provided with a gate assembly for opening or blocking the gas channel (4).

2. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The gate assembly includes a gate guide rail (3) and a gate plate (2); the gate guide rail (3) is installed on the inner wall of the gas channel (4); the side wall of the sealed chamber (1) is provided with a gate plate inlet and outlet communicating with the gas channel (4); the gate plate (2) is slidably connected to the gate guide rail (3) through the gate plate inlet and outlet.

3. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealed chamber (1) is provided with an inflatable sealing ring (5); the inflatable sealing ring (5) is arranged around the connection port of the molding cylinder.

4. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes an air source; the output end of the air source is connected to the air inlet (6) of the inflatable sealing ring (5).

5. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing device is equipped with a forming cylinder sensor; the forming cylinder sensor is electrically connected to the air source.

6. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: A pressure gauge is provided between the output end of the gas source and the air inlet (6) of the inflatable sealing ring (5).

7. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The gas source is equipped with a solenoid valve at its output end.

8. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing chamber (1) is provided with a molding cylinder positioning column (7) on the side connected to the molding cylinder.

9. The sealing device for additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealed chamber (1) is provided with a fixed connector for connecting the printing chamber (8).

10. An additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that: It includes a printing chamber (8) and a sealing device as described in any one of claims 1-9; the sealing device is connected to the material outlet of the printing chamber (8) via a printing chamber connection port.

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