Moistureproof device for 3D printing metal powder
By incorporating a moisture-proof mechanism in the powder hopper of a 3D printing device, and utilizing desiccants and heating coils to keep the powder dry, the problem of metal powder becoming damp is solved, thereby improving printing quality and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520177249.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-04
AI Technical Summary
Metal powders become clumpy and have poor flowability when exposed to moisture in 3D printing equipment, affecting print quality and increasing material waste. Existing technologies lack effective moisture-proof measures.
A powder hopper with a moisture-proof mechanism was designed, comprising a conical bottom hopper, a top cover, a moisture-proof chamber, and a heating coil. It utilizes a desiccant to absorb moisture and keeps the powder dry by heating, preventing the powder from getting damp.
It effectively prevents metal powder from getting damp, maintains good flowability, avoids printing failures and waste of consumables, and reduces printing costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223795626U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing equipment, specifically a moisture-proof device for 3D printed metal powder. Background Technology
[0002] Industrial laser 3D printing equipment uses SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology to print models. It involves inputting 3D data of the designed product into a computer and then sintering powder materials using laser irradiation, forming a complete entity layer by layer. The main consumables for 3D printers using SLS technology are metal powder materials, including stainless steel, titanium alloys, iron-nickel alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys. The metal powder in industrial laser 3D printing equipment is stored in a powder hopper. If the metal powder is not stored properly and becomes damp, it can lead to deliquescence, clumping, and deterioration, affecting the flowability of the consumables. During the sintering process, problems such as porosity, uneven thickness, and poor bonding strength can easily occur, directly causing printing failures, increasing material waste, and raising printing costs.
[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a moisture-proof device for 3D printed metal powder. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a moisture-proof device for 3D printed metal powder to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0006] A 3D printing metal powder moisture-proof device includes a powder hopper, a support plate installed at the bottom of the powder hopper, a base installed at the bottom of the support plate, and a moisture-proof mechanism on the powder hopper, which can prevent moisture from the 3D printing metal powder.
[0007] The moisture-proof mechanism includes a conical bottom chamber and a top cover. The conical bottom chamber is installed at the bottom of the powder hopper, and the top cover is installed at the top of the powder hopper by bolts.
[0008] Preferably, a moisture-proof compartment for placing a moisture-proof bag is installed at the bottom of the top cover, and the bottom of the moisture-proof compartment is snapped with a bottom mesh plate.
[0009] Preferably, a feed pipe is installed on the top cover and the moisture-proof chamber, and a connector is installed on the top of the feed pipe.
[0010] Preferably, a discharge pipe is also installed on the top cover and the moisture-proof chamber, and a suction head is threaded onto the bottom of the discharge pipe.
[0011] Preferably, a limit ring is installed on the inner wall of the upper end of the powder hopper, and a rubber sealing ring is also installed at the bottom of the top cover. The rubber sealing ring is inserted into the top of the powder hopper and fits tightly with the limit ring.
[0012] Preferably, a heating coil is installed on the outer wall of the powder hopper, and a switch is installed on the heating coil, which is electrically connected to the switch.
[0013] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
[0014] Beneficial effects:
[0015] By installing a moisture-proof mechanism on the powder hopper of 3D printing metal powder, a top cover is sealed on the top of the powder hopper without affecting the addition and extraction of metal powder. The top cover has a moisture-proof compartment for placing moisture-proof bags to absorb moisture and prevent moisture. A heating coil is installed on the outer wall of the powder hopper to heat and dry the powder, keeping the metal powder inside the powder hopper dry. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 3D-printed metal powder moisture-proof device;
[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the installation of the heating coil in a moisture-proof device for 3D-printed metal powder.
[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the discharge pipe installation in a moisture-proof device for 3D printed metal powder.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the moisture-proof chamber in a 3D-printed metal powder moisture-proof device.
[0020] In the diagram: 1. Powder hopper; 11. Support plate; 12. Base; 2. Moisture-proof mechanism; 21. Top cover; 22. Discharge pipe; 23. Feed pipe; 231. Connector; 24. Limiting ring; 25. Moisture-proof hopper; 251. Bottom mesh plate; 26. Rubber sealing ring; 27. Suction head; 28. Heating ring; 281. Switch; 29. Conical bottom hopper. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0022] like Figures 1-4 ;
[0023] A 3D printing metal powder moisture-proof device includes a powder hopper 1, a support plate 11 installed at the bottom of the powder hopper 1, and a base 12 installed at the bottom of the support plate 11. The support plate 11 and the base 12 are used to support the powder hopper 1. A moisture-proof mechanism 2 is provided on the powder hopper 1, which can prevent moisture from the 3D printing metal powder.
[0024] The moisture-proof mechanism 2 includes a conical bottom chamber 29 and a top cover 21. The conical bottom chamber 29 is installed at the bottom of the powder hopper 1. The conical bottom chamber 29 allows the metal powder in the powder hopper 1 to gather towards the center, making it easier for the suction head 27 to suck up the metal powder. The top cover 21 is bolted to the top of the powder hopper 1 and is used to seal the top of the powder hopper 1. A moisture-proof chamber 25 for placing a moisture-proof bag is installed at the bottom of the top cover 21. The moisture-proof bag contains a desiccant, and the moisture-proof bag is then placed inside the moisture-proof chamber 25. The desiccant may be silica gel or activated carbon. Carbonized desiccant effectively reduces the humidity of metal powder for moisture protection. The bottom of the moisture-proof chamber 25 is fitted with a bottom mesh plate 251. After the bottom mesh plate 251 is installed, the moisture-proof chamber 25 is closed, supporting the moisture-proof bag. A feed pipe 23 is installed on the top cover 21 and the moisture-proof chamber 25. The feed pipe 23 is externally connected to the metal powder via a connector 231, and the metal powder is added to the powder hopper 1 and the conical bottom hopper 29 through the feed pipe 23. A connector 231 is installed on the top of the feed pipe 23. A discharge pipe 22 is also installed on the moisture-proof chamber 25. The discharge pipe 22 is connected to a suction pump. The metal powder in the powder chamber 1 and the conical bottom chamber 29 is sucked out through the discharge pipe 22 and the suction head 27 and sent into the scraper of the 3D printer. The suction head 27 is threaded at the bottom of the discharge pipe 22 and can be disassembled. A limit ring 24 is installed on the inner wall of the upper end of the powder chamber 1. The limit ring 24 is used not only to limit the rubber sealing ring 26, but also to seal and close the rubber sealing ring 26. Top cover A rubber sealing ring 26 is also installed at the bottom of the top cover 21. The rubber sealing ring 26 is used to seal and close the installation position of the top cover 21 to prevent moisture. The rubber sealing ring 26 is inserted into the top of the powder hopper 1 and fits tightly with the limiting ring 24. A heating ring 28 is installed on the outer wall of the powder hopper 1. A switch 281 is installed on the heating ring 28. The heating ring 28 heats and dries the powder hopper 1, keeping the metal powder in the powder hopper 1 dry. The heating ring 28 is electrically connected to the switch 281. The switch 281 is connected to an external power source to control the start and stop of the heating ring 28.
[0025] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: the feed pipe 23 is inserted into the powder hopper 1, the top cover 21 is installed on the top of the powder hopper 1 by bolts, the rubber sealing ring 26 is inserted into the top of the powder hopper 1 and tightly fits with the limiting ring 24, sealing the installation point of the top cover 21 for moisture protection. A desiccant is placed inside the moisture-proof bag, which is then placed inside the moisture-proof chamber 25. The bottom of the moisture-proof chamber 25 is snapped with a bottom mesh plate 251. After the bottom mesh plate 251 is installed, the moisture-proof chamber 25 is closed, supporting the moisture-proof bag. The desiccant can effectively reduce the humidity of the metal powder and prevent moisture. The feed pipe 23 is connected to the metal powder through the connector 231. The metal powder is added into the powder hopper 1 and the conical bottom hopper 29 through the feed pipe 23. The discharge pipe 22 is connected to the suction pump. The metal powder in the powder hopper 1 and the conical bottom hopper 29 is sucked out through the discharge pipe 22 and the suction head 27 and sent into the scraper of the 3D printer. Finally, the powder hopper 1 is heated and dried by the heating coil 28 to keep the metal powder in the powder hopper 1 dry.
[0026] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the features in the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be combined with each other in any way. The lack of an exhaustive description of these combinations in this specification is merely for the sake of brevity and resource conservation. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A 3D printing metal powder moisture-proof device, comprising a powder hopper (1), a support plate (11) mounted on the bottom of the powder hopper (1), and a base (12) mounted on the bottom of the support plate (11), characterized in that: A moisture-proof mechanism (2) is provided on the powder hopper (1), which can prevent moisture from the 3D printed metal powder; The moisture-proof mechanism (2) includes a conical bottom chamber (29) and a top cover (21). The conical bottom chamber (29) is installed at the bottom of the powder hopper (1), and the top cover (21) is installed at the top of the powder hopper (1) by bolts.
2. The 3D printed metal powder moisture-proof device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the top cover (21) is equipped with a moisture-proof chamber (25) for placing moisture-proof bags, and the bottom of the moisture-proof chamber (25) is snapped with a bottom mesh plate (251).
3. The 3D printed metal powder moisture-proof device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top cover (21) and the moisture-proof chamber (25) are equipped with a feed pipe (23), and a connector (231) is installed on the top of the feed pipe (23).
4. The 3D printed metal powder moisture-proof device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top cover (21) and the moisture-proof chamber (25) are also equipped with a discharge pipe (22), and a suction head (27) is threaded onto the bottom of the discharge pipe (22).
5. The 3D printed metal powder moisture-proof device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limit ring (24) is installed on the inner wall of the upper end of the powder hopper (1), and a rubber sealing ring (26) is also installed at the bottom of the top cover (21). The rubber sealing ring (26) is inserted into the top of the powder hopper (1) and fits tightly with the limit ring (24).
6. The 3D printed metal powder moisture-proof device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A heating coil (28) is installed on the outer wall of the powder hopper (1), and a switch (281) is installed on the heating coil (28). The heating coil (28) is electrically connected to the switch (281).