3D printing equipment and roller shaft for improving powder laying quality thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses 3D printing equipment and a roll shaft for improving powder laying quality, the roll shaft for improving the powder laying quality comprises a cylindrical roller, and a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft which are respectively convexly extended at two axial ends of the roller, and the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are both of cylindrical structures; and a plurality of roller lines for generating lateral thrust on the powder in the rotating process of the roller are arranged in the circumferential surface of the roller. The roller shaft for improving the powder spreading quality is simple in structure, the powder leakage rate of a powder bed is reduced, the quality of the powder bed is improved, the structural strength of green bodies is improved, the product yield is greatly increased, and the particle size selectable range of 3D printing powder is widened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of three-dimensional printing technology, and in particular to a 3D printing device and a roller for improving powder spreading quality. Background Technology

[0002] The basic principle of binder jet 3D printing is as follows: First, metal powder is evenly and smoothly laid into an extremely thin powder layer. Then, under computer control, binder is sprayed onto the powder layer surface as needed through a nozzle, thus completing the printing of a cross-section. Subsequently, the powder bed descends to a certain height, and the above steps are repeated. Finally, by layering and bonding powder, the powder in specific areas is bonded together to obtain the blank of the desired part. To achieve a smooth and uniform spread of the metal powder, after the powder is applied, it needs to be flattened by two rollers, one coarse and one fine. The coarse roller rotates forward, with a higher gap between itself and the powder bed, effectively spreading the powder. The fine roller rotates backward, with a smaller and more precise gap between itself and the powder bed, densifying the powder spread in the previous step. However, during the movement of the coarse roller, the powder spontaneously disperses to both sides, resulting in less powder in the center. This causes gaps in the powder bed, ultimately leading to insufficient structural strength of the green blank and a significant increase in the product defect rate. Therefore, improvements are needed. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a roller that improves the quality of powder spreading, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0005] This utility model discloses a roller for improving powder spreading quality, including a cylindrical roller and a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft protruding from both ends of the roller's axial direction. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are both cylindrical structures, and their axes coincide with the axis of the roller. The circumferential surface of the roller is provided with a plurality of roller patterns that generate lateral thrust on the powder during its rotation.

[0006] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the roller pattern consists of two sets of threaded combinations that spiral outward from the center of the roller shaft along its rotation direction, and the two sets of threaded combinations are symmetrically arranged.

[0007] Furthermore, in the rollers described above for improving powder spreading quality, each set of threaded combinations includes several threads, with adjacent threads arranged in parallel at equal intervals.

[0008] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the connection points of the two corresponding threads in the two sets of thread combinations form a U-shaped or V-shaped structure or are spaced apart.

[0009] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the cross-section of the thread is triangular, rectangular, or arc-shaped.

[0010] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the roller pattern is a linear spiral groove recessed on the circumferential surface of the roller.

[0011] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the roller pattern is a stepped spiral protruding from the circumferential surface of the roller.

[0012] Furthermore, in the roller shaft described above for improving powder spreading quality, the roller pattern consists of linear spiral grooves recessed on the circumferential surface of the roller and stepped spirals protruding from the circumferential surface of the roller.

[0013] This utility model embodiment also discloses a 3D printing device, including a powder bed and a material feeding bin, a coarse roller, a fine roller and a printing nozzle arranged sequentially above the powder bed, wherein the coarse roller is the roller mentioned above for improving powder spreading quality.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0015] The roller structure described in this invention for improving powder spreading quality is simple, reduces powder leakage rate, improves powder bed quality, enhances green body structural strength, significantly increases product yield, and expands the range of particle sizes that can be selected for 3D printing powder. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the roller shaft used to improve powder spreading quality in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the roller in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the roller in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the roller in another specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 5The following shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum in another specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 The following shows a schematic structural view of a 3D printing device in a specific embodiment of the present utility model. Specific embodiments

[0023] The following will describe in detail the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0024] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0025] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0026] Refer Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a roller shaft for improving powder spreading quality includes a cylindrical drum 1, a first rotating shaft 2 and a second rotating shaft 3 respectively protruding from both axial ends of the drum 1. The first rotating shaft 2 and the second rotating shaft 3 are both cylindrical structures, and their axes coincide with the axis of the drum 1. A plurality of roller threads 11 that generate lateral thrust on the powder during its rotation are provided inside the circumferential surface of the drum 1.

[0027] In this technical solution, the roller may be a conventional hollow cylindrical structure. The first and second rotating shafts are welded to the inside of the roller through conventional ring-shaped support plates, and the corresponding shaft ends extend from both ends of the roller. The roller may also be a conventional solid cylindrical structure. The first and second rotating shafts are integrally formed with the roller. The first and second rotating shafts are rotatably set through bearing seats, etc. The second rotating shaft is connected to an external power device / transmission device to drive the roller shaft to rotate as a whole. During the rotation of the roller shaft, the roller pattern provides a lateral thrust to the powder to counteract / compensate for the powder leakage caused by its spontaneous dispersion behavior to both sides.

[0028] For example, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the roller pattern 11 consists of two sets of threads spiraling outward from the center of the roller 1 along its rotational direction (towards the end of the roller), and the two sets of threads are symmetrically arranged.

[0029] In this technical solution, during the rotation of the roller shaft, the roller patterns on both sides push the powder towards the center, providing a force for the powder to gather towards the center, so as to counteract / compensate for the powder leakage caused by its spontaneous dispersion behavior to both sides.

[0030] For example, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each thread combination includes several threads, with adjacent threads arranged in parallel at equal intervals.

[0031] In this technical solution, the threads within the same thread group are arranged in parallel with equal spacing to provide continuous and uniform thrust to the powder, thereby improving the consistency of powder spreading and thus improving the consistency of product production.

[0032] For example, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connection points of the two corresponding threads in the two sets of thread combinations form a U-shaped or V-shaped structure or are spaced apart.

[0033] In this technical solution, the two corresponding threads in the two sets of thread combinations meet and connect in the middle of the roller axis, forming a U-shaped or V-shaped structure or spaced out (without intersecting). That is, after the powder is gathered in the middle, it is no longer subjected to lateral thrust. The angle between the spiral line and the axis can be set as needed, as long as it can evenly gather the powder on the powder bed and prevent some powder from falling to the sides as the roller moves forward.

[0034] For example, the cross-section of the thread is a conventional structure such as a triangle, rectangle, or arc.

[0035] For example, see Figure 3 As shown, the roller pattern 11 is a linear spiral groove 11a recessed on the circumferential surface of the roller 1.

[0036] In this technical solution, linear spiral grooves are machined on the circumferential surface of the roller to form the required roller pattern. The processing technology is simple and the cost is low. Moreover, the texture of the powder bed is shallow and relatively flat, which makes it easy to carry out the next compaction process.

[0037] For example, see Figure 4 As shown, the roller pattern 11 is a stepped spiral 11b protruding from the circumferential surface of the roller 1.

[0038] In this technical solution, the circumferential surface of the roller has a stepped spiral protrusion to form the required roller pattern. Through control of processing precision and other factors, the roller pattern provides a more uniform push force towards the center for the powder, which can better solve the problem of powder dispersion.

[0039] For example, see Figure 5 As shown, the roller pattern 11 is a linear spiral groove recessed on the circumferential surface of the roller 1 combined with a stepped spiral protruding on the circumferential surface of the roller 1.

[0040] In this technical solution, the roller pattern required to form the spiral groove and the stepped spiral can combine the advantages of both types of spirals.

[0041] See Figure 6 As shown, a 3D printing device includes a powder bed and a material feeding bin 5, a coarse roller 6, a fine roller 7, and a printing nozzle 8 arranged sequentially above the powder bed 4. A lifting platform is provided inside the powder bed 4. The coarse roller 6 is the roller mentioned above that improves the powder spreading quality.

[0042] In this technical solution, the powder bed and its lifting platform, feeding bin, fine roller and printing nozzle have conventional structures and connections, which will not be described in detail here. It is only necessary to replace the coarse roller with the roller described in this application that improves the powder spreading quality.

[0043] In summary, the roller structure for improving powder spreading quality described in this utility model is simple, reduces powder leakage rate, improves powder bed quality, enhances green body structural strength, significantly increases product yield, and expands the range of particle sizes that can be selected for 3D printing powder.

[0044] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0045] The above are only specific embodiments of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A roll axis for improving powder laydown quality, characterized by, The roller comprises a cylindrical roller and first and second rotating shafts protruding from the axial ends of the roller respectively, the first and second rotating shafts are cylindrical structures with their axes coinciding with the axis of the roller, and the circumferential surface of the roller is provided with a plurality of roller traces that generate lateral thrust on the powder during rotation.

2. The powder spreading roller according to claim 1, wherein: The roller traces are two sets of spiral combinations that spiral outward along the rotation direction of the roller from the axial middle of the roller, and the two sets of spiral combinations are symmetrically arranged.

3. The powder spreading roller according to claim 2, wherein: Each set of spiral combinations comprises a plurality of spiral traces, and adjacent spiral traces are arranged in parallel at equal intervals.

4. The powder spreading roller according to claim 3, wherein: The connection between the corresponding two spiral traces in the two sets of spiral combinations forms a U-shaped or V-shaped structure or is arranged at intervals.

5. The powder spreading roller of claim 2, wherein: The cross section of the spiral trace is triangular, rectangular or arc-shaped.

6. The powder spreading roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The roller trace is a linear spiral groove recessed in the circumferential surface of the roller.

7. The powder spreading roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The roller trace is a stepped spiral protruding from the circumferential surface of the roller.

8. The powder spreading roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The roller trace is a linear spiral groove recessed in the circumferential surface of the roller and a stepped spiral protruding from the circumferential surface of the roller.

9. A 3D printing device, characterized by The roller comprises a cylindrical roller and first and second rotating shafts protruding from the axial ends of the roller respectively, the first and second rotating shafts are cylindrical structures with their axes coinciding with the axis of the roller, and the circumferential surface of the roller is provided with a plurality of roller traces that generate lateral thrust on the powder during rotation. The roller comprises a cylindrical roller and first and second rotating shafts protruding from the axial ends of the roller respectively, the first and second rotating shafts are cylindrical structures with their axes coinciding with the axis of the roller, and the circumferential surface of the roller is provided with a plurality of roller traces that generate lateral thrust on the powder during rotation.

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