Device for matrix powder spreading and 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D metal printing, in particular to a device for matrix powder laying and a 3D printer, the device for matrix powder laying comprises a device body, the device body comprises a matrix box, a powder laying valve, a rotating motor, a worm gear, a worm and a scraper, and the matrix box is provided with a plurality of cells in an array mode; a unit through groove is formed in the bottom wall of each cell; the powder spreading valves are arranged at the unit through grooves and used for blocking or opening the unit through grooves, and the rotating motor, the worm gear and the worm are used in cooperation and used for driving all the powder spreading valves to be opened or closed synchronously. The powder spreading device has the effects of integrating powder spreading and powder scraping functions, being simple in structure and convenient to operate, facilitating powder spreading and improving the powder spreading efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of 3D metal printing, and in particular to an apparatus for matrix powder spreading and a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] A 3D metal printer is a scientific instrument used in basic sciences of physics, engineering and technology, and mechanical engineering. It uses laser melting technology to melt metal powder to form functional solid parts. It can be used to print high-throughput metal materials. It is a fully digital rapid prototyping manufacturing process that directly produces high-density metal parts based on the interface data of each layer in 3D CAD. The thickness of the molten metal layer ranges from 20 micrometers to 100 micrometers, enabling rapid metal prototyping.

[0003] When a 3D printer manufactures parts, it first needs to perform powder spreading, which involves spreading different metal powders into a matrix cylinder within the forming chamber. A laser melting device is then positioned on the forming chamber and aims at the metal powder in the matrix cylinder to melt it. The metal in each matrix cell then solidifies and forms the final product. Before powder spreading, the metal powders need to be transported to the forming chamber via different transfer bottles. The transfer bottles are then opened, the metal powder is poured out, and the different metal powders are manually spread one by one into the corresponding cells of the matrix cylinder, completing the powder spreading operation.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the inventors believe that manually transferring different metal powders one by one into the corresponding grids of the matrix cylinder is cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, and the powder spreading efficiency needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0005] To facilitate powder spreading and improve powder spreading efficiency, this application provides a device and a 3D printer for matrix powder spreading.

[0006] Firstly, the device for matrix powder spreading provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A device for matrix powder spreading includes a device body, which includes a matrix box, powder spreading valves, and a drive mechanism. The matrix box array has multiple cells, and each cell has a unit through groove on its bottom wall. The powder spreading valves are located at the unit through grooves to block or open them, and the drive mechanism drives all powder spreading valves to open or close synchronously.

[0008] With the above technical solution, when using the device of this application, the device is placed directly above the matrix cylinder, and each cell corresponds one-to-one with the grid of the matrix cylinder. After the transfer bottle is transported to the forming chamber, the transfer bottle is opened, and the metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cell for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder into the matrix cylinder, the driving mechanism opens all the powder spreading valves synchronously, and the metal powder in the cell falls into the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder through the unit through-slot. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency.

[0009] Optionally, the powder spreading valve includes an installation rod and a powder spreading round rod. The installation rod is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the matrix box and multiple rods are arranged in parallel. Each installation rod corresponds to each column cell. An installation groove is provided in the installation rod, and the installation groove penetrates the top and bottom surfaces of the installation rod.

[0010] The powder-spreading rod is rotatably mounted in the mounting groove, and the driving mechanism is used to drive all the powder-spreading rods to rotate synchronously. The powder-spreading rod has multiple powder-dropping sections along its own length direction. The number of powder-dropping sections corresponds to the number of cells in each column. Each powder-dropping section has multiple powder-dropping grooves on its peripheral sidewall. The powder-dropping grooves can rotate with the powder-spreading rod to connect with the corresponding unit through groove, and the powder-dropping grooves can also rotate to be misaligned with the unit through groove.

[0011] With the above technical solution, when the powder spreading valve needs to be opened, the drive mechanism drives all the powder spreading rods to rotate synchronously. When the powder lowering groove on the powder spreading rod rotates to the lower position below the corresponding unit through groove, the unit through groove and the powder lowering groove are connected. The metal powder in the unit falls into the powder lowering groove and then into the matrix cylinder below as the powder lowering groove rotates, thus achieving powder spreading. When the powder spreading valve needs to be closed, the powder lowering groove is rotated to a position offset from the unit through groove.

[0012] Optionally, a mating groove is provided on the top surface of the mounting rod, the mating groove is connected to the mounting groove, a mating plate is fixedly installed in the mating groove, the top surface of the mating plate abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box, an arc-shaped groove is provided on the bottom surface of the mating plate, and the upper side of the powder-spreading round rod is located in the arc-shaped groove and is adapted to the arc-shaped groove.

[0013] The top surface of the docking plate is provided with multiple transition slots. The opening at the top of the transition slot is connected to the unit slot, and the opening at the bottom of the transition slot is connected to the powder trough.

[0014] Through the above technical solution, the docking plate plays a docking transition role. After the metal powder falls from the unit channel, it enters the lower powder tank through the transition channel, so that the unit channel and the lower powder tank are tightly docked, which helps the metal powder to flow in the designated channel and is less likely to leak to other positions.

[0015] Optionally, a feeding bin is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the mounting rod. The feeding bin is connected to the mounting groove. The feeding bin is gradually narrowed from top to bottom. The smallest end of the feeding bin is provided with multiple feeding ports, which are corresponding to the unit through slots.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, after the metal powder falls from the powder trough, it enters the feeding hopper and then falls from the smallest outlet in the feeding hopper, which helps the metal powder to concentrate and enter the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder.

[0017] Optionally, multiple powder-blocking rings are fixedly installed in the mounting groove, and an arc-shaped ring groove is provided on the top wall of the arc-shaped groove for the top of the powder-blocking rings to be embedded; every two powder-feeding sections are fixedly connected by a disc column, the diameter of the disc column is smaller than the diameter of the powder-feeding section, and the powder-blocking ring is sleeved on the disc column.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the toner-blocking ring can separate adjacent toner-feeding sections, thereby forming independent toner-receiving slots. Each toner-receiving slot can collect different metal powders for printing, which can prevent powder mixing in adjacent toner-receiving slots. In addition, the toner-blocking ring can limit the movement of each toner-feeding section, thereby improving the stability of the rotation of the toner-laying rod and thus improving the alignment accuracy between the unit through slot and the toner-feeding slot.

[0019] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes a rotary motor, a worm gear, and multiple worm wheels. The worm gear is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor, and the worm wheels are fixedly connected to the ends of the corresponding powder-spreading round rods and are all engaged with the worm gear.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, when the powder spreading rod needs to rotate, the rotating motor is started, driving the worm gear to rotate around its own axis, and then driving multiple powder spreading rods to rotate synchronously through the worm wheel, so as to realize the synchronous opening and closing of all powder spreading valves.

[0021] Optionally, the bottom of the cell is tapered, and the cell slot is located at the smallest end of the cell.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, it is easier to guide the metal powder in the cell to fall in a concentrated manner.

[0023] Optionally, a mounting cover is fixedly connected to one end of the matrix box, and the worm gear and worm are located inside the mounting cover.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solutions, we can achieve both protection and improved overall neatness and aesthetics.

[0025] Optionally, the device body is externally connected to a sliding device, and the sliding direction of the device body is parallel to the powder spreading direction; a fixing plate is provided at one end of the matrix box parallel to the powder spreading direction, and a scraper is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the fixing plate, the scraper being used to scrape the powder spread in the matrix cylinder.

[0026] The above technical solution allows the device body to be moved directly above the matrix cylinder via an external sliding device. After the powder is spread, the device body can be moved again to move the scraper and scrape the powder, leveling the metal powder in the matrix cylinder. This integrates powder spreading and scraping functions, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0027] Secondly, the 3D printer provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0028] A 3D printer includes the aforementioned apparatus for matrix powder spreading.

[0029] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0030] 1. The metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cell for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder into the matrix cylinder, the driving mechanism opens all the powder spreading valves synchronously, and the metal powder in the cell falls into the corresponding cell of the matrix cylinder through the unit through slot. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency.

[0031] 2. Start the rotating motor to drive the worm gear to rotate around its own axis, which in turn drives multiple powder-spreading rods to rotate synchronously via the worm wheel. When the powder-spreading valve needs to be opened, the drive mechanism drives all the powder-spreading rods to rotate synchronously. When the powder-lowering groove on the powder-spreading rod rotates to the lower part of the corresponding unit through groove, the unit through groove and the powder-lowering groove are connected. The metal powder in the cell passes through the powder-lowering groove and falls into the matrix cylinder below, thus achieving powder spreading. When the powder-spreading valve needs to be closed, simply rotate the powder-lowering groove to be misaligned with the unit through groove.

[0032] 3. The powder-blocking ring can separate adjacent powder-feeding sections, thus forming independent powder-receiving slots. Each powder-receiving slot can receive different metal powders for printing, which can prevent powder from mixing in adjacent powder-receiving slots. In addition, the powder-blocking ring can limit the movement of each powder-feeding section, thereby improving the stability of the powder-laying rod rotation and thus improving the alignment accuracy between the unit through slot and the powder-feeding slot. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a device for matrix powder spreading according to an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the mounting cover in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the unloading hopper in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram used to show the top surface of the mounting rod in the embodiments of this application.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the docking plate in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the arc-shaped annular groove in an embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the powder-spreading round rod in the embodiments of this application.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Matrix box; 11. Cell; 12. Cell through slot; 2. Powder spreading valve; 21. Mounting rod; 211. Mounting slot; 212. Connecting slot; 22. Powder spreading round rod; 221. Powder lowering section; 222. Powder lowering trough; 223. Cake column; 3. Drive mechanism; 31. Rotary motor; 32. Worm gear; 33. Worm wheel; 4. Connecting plate; 41. Arc groove; 42. Transition through slot; 5. Powder blocking ring; 51. Arc ring groove; 52. Powder receiving trough; 6. Feeding bin; 61. Feeding port; 7. Mounting cover; 8. Fixing plate; 9. Scraper. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-7 This application will be described in further detail.

[0042] This application discloses an apparatus for matrix powder spreading and a 3D printer.

[0043] In a first aspect, this application discloses an apparatus for matrix powder spreading:

[0044] Reference Figure 1-4 A device for matrix powder spreading includes a device body, which comprises a matrix box 1, powder spreading valves 2, and a drive mechanism 3. The matrix box 1 has 25 cells 11 arranged in a 5x5 array, and each cell 11 has a unit through groove 12 on its bottom wall. The powder spreading valves 2 are located at the unit through grooves 12 to block or open them. The drive mechanism 3 drives all the powder spreading valves 2 to open or close synchronously. The bottom of each cell 11 is tapered, and the unit through groove 12 is located at the smallest end of each cell 11 to facilitate the concentrated falling of metal powder within the cell 11.

[0045] When using the device of this application, the device is placed directly above the matrix cylinder, and each cell 11 corresponds one-to-one with the grid of the matrix cylinder. After the transfer bottle is transported to the molding chamber, the transfer bottle is opened, and the metal powder in the transfer bottle falls into the corresponding cell 11 for temporary storage. When it is necessary to spread powder into the matrix cylinder, the driving mechanism 3 makes all the powder spreading valves 2 open synchronously, and the metal powder in the cell 11 falls into the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder through the unit through groove 12. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the powder spreading efficiency.

[0046] Reference Figure 4-7 The powder spreading valve 2 includes an installation rod 21 and a powder spreading round rod 22. The installation rod 21 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the matrix box 1, and five rods are arranged side by side. Each installation rod 21 corresponds to each column cell 11. An installation groove 211 is opened in the installation rod 21, and the installation groove 211 penetrates the top and bottom surfaces of the installation rod 21. The powder spreading round rod 22 is rotatably set in the installation groove 211 through a bearing. The drive mechanism 3 is used to drive all the powder spreading round rods 22 to rotate synchronously. The powder spreading round rod 22 has five powder dispensing sections 221 along its own length direction. The number of powder dispensing sections 221 corresponds to the number of each column cell 11. Multiple powder dispensing grooves 222 are opened on the peripheral side wall of each powder dispensing section 221. The powder dispensing grooves 222 can rotate with the powder spreading round rod 22 to connect with the corresponding unit through groove 12, and the powder dispensing grooves 222 can also rotate to be misaligned with the unit through groove 12.

[0047] When the powder spreading valve 2 needs to be opened, the drive mechanism 3 drives all the powder spreading rods 22 to rotate synchronously. When the powder lowering groove 222 on the powder spreading rod 22 rotates to the lower position below the corresponding unit through groove 12, the unit through groove 12 and the powder lowering groove 222 are connected. The metal powder in the unit 11 falls into the powder lowering groove 222 and, with the rotation of the powder lowering groove 222, falls into the matrix cylinder below, thus achieving powder spreading. When the powder spreading valve 2 needs to be closed, the powder lowering groove 222 is rotated to be misaligned with the unit through groove 12.

[0048] Reference Figure 5-7 The top surface of the mounting rod 21 has a docking groove 212, which communicates with the mounting groove 211. A docking plate 4 is fixedly installed in the docking groove 212, and the top surface of the docking plate 4 abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box 1. An arc-shaped groove 41 is formed on the bottom surface of the docking plate 4. The upper side of the powder-spreading rod 22 is located in the arc-shaped groove 41 and is adapted to the arc-shaped groove 41. Multiple transition grooves 42 are formed on the top surface of the docking plate 4. The opening at the top of the transition groove 42 communicates with the unit groove 12, and the opening at the bottom of the transition groove 42 communicates with the lower powder trough 222. The docking plate 4 serves as a docking transition. After the metal powder falls from the unit groove 12, it enters the lower powder trough 222 through the transition groove 42, so that the unit groove 12 and the lower powder trough 222 are tightly connected, which helps the metal powder to flow in the designated channel and is less likely to leak to other positions.

[0049] Reference Figure 5-7 Multiple toner-blocking rings 5 ​​are fixedly installed in the mounting groove 211. An arc-shaped groove 51 is formed on the top wall of the arc-shaped groove 41 for the top of the toner-blocking rings 5 ​​to be embedded. Each pair of toner-feeding sections 221 is fixedly connected by a disc post 223, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the toner-feeding section 221. The toner-blocking rings 5 ​​are fitted onto the disc posts 223. The toner-blocking rings 5 ​​can separate adjacent toner-feeding sections 221, thus forming independent toner-receiving grooves 52. Each toner-receiving groove 52 can collect different metal powders for printing, preventing powder mixing between adjacent grooves. Furthermore, the toner-blocking rings 5 ​​can limit the movement of each toner-feeding section 221, thereby improving the stability of the rotation of the toner-spreading rod 22 and improving the alignment accuracy between the unit through groove 12 and the toner-feeding groove 222.

[0050] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6-7 A feeding bin 6 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the mounting rod 21. The feeding bin 6 is connected to the mounting groove 211. The feeding bin 6 is gradually tapered from top to bottom. The smallest end of the feeding bin 6 has multiple feeding ports 61, which are corresponding to the unit through groove 12. After the metal powder falls from the powder feeding trough 222, it enters the feeding bin 6 and then falls from the discharge port at the smallest end of the feeding bin 6, which helps the metal powder to concentrate and enter the corresponding grid of the matrix cylinder.

[0051] Reference Figure 1-2 The drive mechanism 3 includes a rotary motor 31, a worm gear 32, and five worm wheels 33. The worm gear 32 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor 31, and the worm wheels 33 are fixedly connected to the ends of the corresponding powder-spreading round rods 22 and mesh with the worm gear 32. When the powder-spreading round rods 22 need to rotate, the rotary motor 31 is started, driving the worm gear 32 to rotate around its own axis, which in turn drives multiple powder-spreading round rods 22 to rotate synchronously through the worm wheels 33, realizing the synchronous opening and closing of all powder-spreading valves 2. One end of the matrix box 1 is fixedly connected to a mounting cover 7. The worm wheels 33 and the worm gear 32 are located inside the mounting cover 7. The mounting cover 7 serves both a protective function and helps to improve the overall neatness and aesthetics.

[0052] Reference Figure 2The device body is externally connected to a sliding device, and the sliding direction of the device body is parallel to the powder spreading direction. A fixed plate 8 is provided at one end of the matrix box 1 parallel to the powder spreading direction, and a scraper 9 is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the fixed plate 8. The scraper 9 is used to scrape the powder spread in the matrix cylinder. The external sliding device can be selected and installed according to actual conditions, such as using a cylinder or lead screw structure, which will not be elaborated in this application. The device body is moved to directly above the matrix cylinder via the sliding device, and then stopped. After powder spreading is completed, the device body continues to move, driving the scraper 9 to scrape the powder, leveling the metal powder in the matrix cylinder. This integrates powder spreading and scraping functions, has a simple structure, and is easy to operate.

[0053] Secondly, this application discloses a 3D printer:

[0054] A 3D printer includes the aforementioned apparatus for matrix powder spreading.

[0055] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for matrix powder spreading, characterized by: The device body comprises a matrix box (1), a powder laying valve (2) and a driving mechanism (3), the matrix box (1) is arrayed with a plurality of unit cells (11), a unit through slot (12) is formed in the bottom wall of each unit cell (11); the powder laying valve (2) is arranged at the unit through slot (12) to block or open the unit through slot (12), and the driving mechanism (3) is used for driving all powder laying valves (2) to open or close synchronously.

2. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder laying valve (2) comprises a mounting rod (21) and a powder laying round rod (22), the mounting rod (21) is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the matrix box (1) and is arranged in parallel with a plurality of mounting rods (21), each mounting rod (21) corresponds to each column of unit cells (11), and a mounting groove (211) is formed in the mounting rod (21); the mounting groove (211) penetrates the top surface and the bottom surface of the mounting rod (21); The powder laying round rod (22) is rotationally arranged in the mounting groove (211), and the driving mechanism (3) is used for driving all powder laying round rods (22) to rotate synchronously; a plurality of powder falling segments (221) are arranged along the length direction of the powder laying round rod (22), the number of the powder falling segments (221) corresponds to the number of each column of unit cells (11), a plurality of powder falling grooves (222) are formed in the circumferential side wall of each powder falling segment (221), the powder falling grooves (222) can be rotated to correspondingly communicate with the unit through slot (12) along with the powder laying round rod (22), and the powder falling grooves (222) can also be rotated to be arranged in dislocation with the unit through slot (12).

3. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 2, characterized in that: An abutment groove (212) is formed in the top surface of the mounting rod (21), the abutment groove (212) communicates with the mounting groove (211), an abutment plate (4) is fixedly mounted in the abutment groove (212), the top surface of the abutment plate (4) abuts against the bottom surface of the matrix box (1), an arc-shaped groove (41) is formed in the bottom surface of the abutment plate (4), and the upper side of the powder laying round rod (22) is located in the arc-shaped groove (41) and is matched with the arc-shaped groove (41); A plurality of transition through grooves (42) are formed in the top surface of the abutment plate (4), the openings in the top parts of the transition through grooves (42) communicate with the unit through slot (12), and the openings in the bottom parts of the transition through grooves (42) are matched with the powder falling grooves (222) to communicate.

4. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 2, characterized in that: A lower discharge bin (6) is fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting rod (21), the lower discharge bin (6) correspondingly communicates with the mounting groove (211), the lower discharge bin (6) is arranged in a tapering manner from top to bottom, a plurality of discharge ports (61) are arranged in the smallest end of the lower discharge bin (6), and the discharge ports (61) correspondingly communicate with the unit through slot (12).

5. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of powder blocking rings (5) are fixedly mounted in the mounting groove (211), an arc-shaped ring groove (51) is formed in the top wall of the arc-shaped groove (41) and is used for embedding the top part of the powder blocking ring (5); two powder falling segments (221) are fixedly connected through a pie column (223), the diameter of the pie column (223) is smaller than the diameter of the powder falling segment (221), and the powder blocking ring (5) is sleeved on the pie column (223).

6. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (3) comprises a rotating motor (31), a worm (32) and a plurality of worm gears (33), the worm (32) is fixedly connected with an output shaft of the rotating motor (31), the worm gears (33) are fixedly connected with the ends of the corresponding powder laying round rods (22) and are engaged with the worm (32).

7. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the cell (11) is tapered, and the cell groove (12) is arranged at the smallest end of the cell (11).

8. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the matrix box (1) is fixedly connected with a mounting cover (7), and the worm gears (33) and the worm (32) are located in the mounting cover (7).

9. A device for matrix powder spreading according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device body is externally connected with a sliding device, the sliding direction of the device body is opposite to the powder laying direction; one end of the matrix box (1) is provided with a fixed plate (8) parallel to the powder laying direction, the bottom end of the fixed plate (8) is fixedly installed with a scraper (9), and the scraper (9) is used for scraping the powder laid in the matrix cylinder.

10. A 3D printer characterized by: The device comprises the device for matrix powder laying according to any one of claims 1-9.

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