Drying device for micron-sized metal powder

Abstract

The utility model relates to a drying device for micron-sized metal powder, which comprises a drying oven and at least one displacement unit arranged in the drying oven, and a powder tray is correspondingly arranged below each displacement unit; the displacement unit comprises a powder laying scraper, a height adjusting mechanism and a horizontal movement mechanism fixedly connected with at least one height adjusting mechanism. According to the drying device, the distance between the powder spreading scraper and the powder tray can be set to be consistent with the particle size of the powder through the height adjusting mechanism according to the particle size of the powder, the metal powder to be dried is evenly spread on the powder tray through the powder spreading scraper, and the thickness of the spread powder layer is close to the particle size of the powder; and powder particles are densely arranged in a single layer or double layers, so that moisture in gaps of the metal powder is quickly evaporated, and the powder drying thoroughness is further ensured. And meanwhile, the thickness of the tiled powder layer can be realized according to specific requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing of metal powders, and specifically to a drying device for micron-sized metal powders. Background Technology

[0002] For micron-sized metal powders, flowability is a crucial indicator, directly impacting the performance of subsequently molded parts. Powders contain electrostatic forces, intermolecular forces, and liquid bridging forces. Liquid bridging forces are unavoidable in the practical use of metal powders, and these forces increase significantly with increasing relative humidity. Furthermore, due to their vast surface area, metal powders absorb moisture extremely quickly, often within 5 seconds of exposure to air. Therefore, moisture absorption is an unavoidable phenomenon for metal powders, necessitating drying to maintain their flowability.

[0003] In existing technologies, for commonly used high-efficiency drying methods, the small mass of metal powder means that the blowing system will directly disperse it; furthermore, it readily absorbs oxygen, making drying highly restrictive, and thus only windless vacuum ovens can be used for processing. However, most manufacturers of existing windless vacuum ovens use a method where stainless steel basins are directly placed inside the oven for drying. This operation has the following drawbacks: because moisture is very difficult to escape from the gaps between the densely packed metal powders, the drying effect is poor and it is difficult to achieve the required drying effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a drying device for micron-sized metal powders. This drying device, through a height adjustment mechanism, sets the distance between the powder-spreading scraper and the powder tray to match the powder particle size. The powder-spreading scraper evenly spreads the metal powder to be dried onto the powder tray, resulting in a powder layer thickness close to the powder particle size. This allows the powder particles to be densely packed in single or double layers, enabling rapid evaporation of moisture from the gaps in the metal powder and ensuring thorough drying. Furthermore, the thickness of the spread powder layer can be adjusted according to specific requirements.

[0005] This utility model discloses a drying device for micron-sized metal powder. The drying device includes: an oven and at least one displacement unit disposed on the oven, with a powder tray for holding metal powder disposed below each displacement unit.

[0006] The displacement unit includes a powder spreading scraper, a height adjustment mechanism, and a horizontal motion mechanism fixedly connected to at least one height adjustment mechanism for driving the powder spreading scraper to move horizontally; the horizontal motion mechanism is equipped with a connecting block fixedly connected to the powder spreading scraper, and the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper and the powder tray is 20μm~2000μm;

[0007] The height adjustment mechanism includes a micron-sized sliding rack, and the horizontal movement mechanism is fixedly connected to the inner side of the micron-sized sliding rack, the inner side being the side closest to the oven. The micron-sized sliding rack includes a toothless part and a toothed part, the toothed part meshing with a micron-sized gear, and the micron-sized gear being provided with a knob. The toothless part is fixedly connected to one end of the upper and lower sliding blocks, and the slide rail is slidably connected to the other end of the upper and lower sliding blocks. The slide rail is fixedly connected to the housing of the scraper height adjustment mechanism, and the housing of the height adjustment mechanism is fixedly installed on the oven wall.

[0008] The micron gear is rotatably connected to the housing of the height adjustment mechanism;

[0009] The powder tray has a powder overflow channel between the end of the powder spreading scraper parallel to the inner wall of the oven, and a powder collection box is provided at the bottom of the oven. The powder tray is detachably connected to the inner wall of the oven.

[0010] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the length of the powder spreading scraper matches the width of the powder tray.

[0011] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the precision of the micron sliding rack is 5μm or less, and the precision of the micron gear is 5μm or less.

[0012] In this invention, a powder spreading scraper is arranged above the powder tray. The powder spreading scraper moves horizontally through a horizontal motion mechanism to complete the powder spreading work. The powder spreading scraper maintains the distance between the scraper blade and the upper surface of the powder tray within a reasonable range through the up-and-down movement of the micron sliding rack of the height adjustment mechanism, thereby achieving uniform powder spreading.

[0013] In addition, the horizontal motion mechanism can be an electrically powered automatic motion structure, with the start / stop button located on the outside of the adjustment mechanism for easier operation.

[0014] In this invention, after the powder in the upper powder tray is leveled by a scraper, the excess powder overflows into the next powder tray, and so on, until the excess powder enters the powder collection box.

[0015] Furthermore, in the drying device of this utility model, the horizontal movement mechanism is an electric telescopic rod, one end of which is fixedly installed with the height adjustment mechanism, and the other end of which is fixedly installed with the connecting block.

[0016] Furthermore, in the drying device of this utility model, the horizontal movement mechanism is a linear electric guide rail, the connecting block is slidably installed on the linear electric guide rail, and a height adjustment mechanism is fixedly installed at each end of the linear electric guide rail.

[0017] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the drying oven is provided with at least two displacement units and two powder trays. The displacement units are arranged vertically, and two adjacent displacement units are symmetrical about 180 degrees. Two adjacent powder trays are also symmetrical about 180 degrees.

[0018] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the drying oven is provided with at least 6 to 10 displacement units and at least 4 to 10 powder trays.

[0019] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the toothless part of the micron sliding rack is equipped with an electronic sensor and an electronic display structure for displaying the moving distance, and the micron sliding rack is provided with scale lines.

[0020] In this invention, the electronic sensor and electronic display structure are used to monitor the vertical movement distance of the micron-sized toothed rack, thereby adjusting the height of the powder spreading scraper.

[0021] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, a heating unit is also provided inside the drying oven.

[0022] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, the drying oven is a windless vacuum drying oven.

[0023] Furthermore, in the drying device described in this utility model, baffles are provided on three sides of the powder tray to prevent powder from overflowing during the spreading process.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0025] This invention discloses a drying device for micron-sized metal powders. The distance between the powder-spreading scraper and the powder tray is adjusted according to the powder particle size via a height adjustment mechanism. The powder-spreading scraper evenly spreads the metal powder to be dried onto the powder tray, resulting in a powder layer thickness close to the particle size. This allows the powder particles to be densely packed in single or double layers, facilitating rapid evaporation of moisture from the gaps in the metal powder and ensuring thorough drying. Furthermore, the thickness of the spread powder layer can be adjusted according to specific requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the drying device of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the drying device according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the drying device according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the height adjustment mechanism of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the powder tray structure of this utility model;

[0031] The components include: 1. Oven, 2. Displacement unit, 3. Heating unit, and 4. Powder collection box.

[0032] 205. Powder tray; 204. Powder spreading scraper; 202. Height adjustment mechanism; 201. Horizontal movement mechanism; 203. Connecting block; 2021. Micron sliding rack; 2024. Micron gear; 2025. Knob; 2023. Slide rail; 2022. Up and down sliding block; 20501. Baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the specific embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below. Where specific conditions are not specified in the specific embodiments, they shall be performed according to conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used in the specification herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Specific implementation method one:

[0036] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this utility model discloses a drying device for micron-sized metal powder. The drying device includes: an oven 1, and at least one displacement unit 2 disposed on the oven 1. Each displacement unit 2 is provided with a powder tray 205 for holding metal powder below it.

[0037] The displacement unit 2 includes a powder spreading scraper 204, a height adjustment mechanism 202, and a horizontal movement mechanism 201 fixedly connected to at least one height adjustment mechanism 202 for driving the powder spreading scraper 204 to move horizontally; the horizontal movement mechanism 201 is equipped with a connecting block 203 fixedly connected to the powder spreading scraper 204, and the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper 204 and the powder tray 205 is 20μm~2000μm.

[0038] The height adjustment mechanism 202 includes a micron sliding rack 2021, and the horizontal movement mechanism 201 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the micron sliding rack 2021, which is the side closest to the oven. The micron sliding rack 2021 includes a toothless part and a toothed part. The toothed part meshes with a micron gear 2024, and a knob 2025 is provided on the micron gear 2024. The toothless part is fixedly connected to one end of the upper and lower sliding block 2022, and the slide rail 2023 is slidably connected to the other end of the upper and lower sliding block 2022. The slide rail 2023 is fixedly connected to the housing of the scraper height adjustment mechanism 202, and the housing of the height adjustment mechanism 202 is fixedly installed on the wall of the oven 1.

[0039] The aforementioned micron gear 2024 is rotatably connected to the housing of the aforementioned height adjustment mechanism 202.

[0040] The powder tray 205 has a powder overflow channel between its end parallel to the powder spreading scraper 204 and the inner wall of the oven 1. A powder collection box 4 is provided at the bottom of the oven 1. The powder tray 205 is detachably connected to the inner wall of the oven 1.

[0041] In some embodiments, the length of the powder spreading blade 204 matches the width of the powder tray 205.

[0042] In some embodiments, the precision of the aforementioned micron sliding rack 2021 is 5 μm or less, and the precision of the aforementioned micron gear 2024 is 5 μm or less.

[0043] In some implementations, the horizontal movement mechanism can be an electrically powered automatic movement structure, with the start / stop button located externally on the adjustment mechanism for easier operation.

[0044] In some embodiments, the horizontal movement mechanism 201 is an electric telescopic rod, one end of which is fixedly installed with the height adjustment mechanism 202, and the other end of which is fixedly installed with the connecting block 203.

[0045] In other embodiments, the horizontal motion mechanism 201 is a linear electric guide rail, the connecting block 203 is slidably mounted on the linear electric guide rail, and a height adjustment mechanism 202 is fixedly mounted at each end of the linear electric guide rail.

[0046] In some embodiments, the oven 1 is provided with at least two displacement units 2 and two powder trays 205. The displacement units 2 are arranged vertically and two adjacent displacement units 2 are symmetrical about 180 degrees. Two adjacent powder trays 205 are also symmetrical about 180 degrees.

[0047] In some embodiments, the oven 1 is provided with at least 6 to 10 displacement units 2 and at least 6 to 10 powder trays 205.

[0048] In some embodiments, the toothless portion of the aforementioned micron sliding rack 2021 is equipped with an electronic sensor and an electronic display structure for displaying the movement distance, and the aforementioned micron sliding rack 2021 is provided with scale lines.

[0049] In some embodiments, the oven 1 is further provided with a heating unit 3.

[0050] In some embodiments, the oven 1 described above is a windless vacuum oven.

[0051] In some embodiments, the powder tray 205 is provided with baffles 20501 on three sides to prevent powder from overflowing during the spreading process.

[0052] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. Example 1:

[0053] Before drying, the laser particle size D90 value of the powder was tested to be 100 μm. The door of the drying device was opened, the metal powder was placed in the top powder tray, vacuum was applied, and the height of the powder spreading scraper was adjusted to 100 μm, that is, the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper and the powder tray was 100 μm. The horizontal motion mechanism was activated to spread the powder evenly. After the powder spreading was completed, the heat source of the drying device was turned on to start the drying process.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, this utility model discloses a drying device for micron-level metal powder. The drying device includes: an oven 1, which is provided with at least 4 displacement units 2 and 4 powder trays 205. Each displacement unit 2 is provided with a powder tray 205 for holding metal powder below it. The displacement units 2 are arranged vertically, and two adjacent displacement units 2 are symmetrical about 180 degrees. Two adjacent powder trays 205 are also symmetrical about 180 degrees.

[0055] The displacement unit 2 includes a powder spreading scraper 204, a height adjustment mechanism 202, and a horizontal motion mechanism 201 fixedly connected to the height adjustment mechanism 202 for driving the powder spreading scraper 204 to move horizontally; the horizontal motion mechanism 201 is equipped with a connecting block 203 fixedly connected to the powder spreading scraper 204, and the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper 204 and the powder tray 205 is 100μm;

[0056] In this embodiment 1, the horizontal movement mechanism 201 is an electric telescopic rod. One end of the electric telescopic rod is fixedly installed with a height adjustment mechanism 202, and the other end of the electric telescopic rod is fixedly installed with a connecting block 203.

[0057] The height adjustment mechanism 202 includes a micron sliding rack 2021, and a horizontal movement mechanism 201 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the micron sliding rack 2021, which is the side closest to the oven. The micron sliding rack 2021 includes a toothless part and a toothed part. The toothed part meshes with a micron gear 2024, and a knob 2025 is provided on the micron gear 2024. The toothless part is fixedly connected to one end of the upper and lower sliding blocks 2022, and the slide rail 2023 is slidably connected to the other end of the upper and lower sliding blocks 2022. The slide rail 2023 is fixedly connected to the housing of the scraper height adjustment mechanism 202, and the housing of the height adjustment mechanism 202 is fixedly installed on the wall of the oven 1.

[0058] The micron gear 2024 is rotatably connected to the housing of the height adjustment mechanism 202. The powder tray 205 has a powder overflow channel between its end parallel to the powder spreading scraper 204 and the inner wall of the oven 1. A powder collection box 4 is provided at the bottom of the oven 1. The powder tray 205 is detachably connected to the inner wall of the oven 1.

[0059] The length of the powder spreading scraper 204 matches the width of the powder tray 205.

[0060] The precision of the micron sliding rack 2021 is 5 μm or less; the precision of the micron gear 2024 is 5 μm or less.

[0061] The toothless portion of the micron-sized sliding rack 2021 is equipped with an electronic sensor and electronic display structure for displaying the movement distance, and the micron-sized sliding rack 2021 is provided with scale lines. A heating unit 3 is also provided inside the oven 1. The oven is a windless vacuum oven. Example 2:

[0062] Before drying, the laser particle size D90 value of the powder was tested to be 100 μm. The door of the drying device was opened, the metal powder was placed in the top powder tray, vacuum was applied, and the height of the powder spreading scraper was adjusted to 100 μm, that is, the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper and the powder tray was 100 μm. The horizontal motion mechanism was activated to spread the powder evenly. After the powder spreading was completed, the heat source of the drying device was turned on to start the drying process.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, this utility model discloses a drying device for micron-sized metal powder. The drying device includes an oven 1, which is provided with at least four displacement units 2 and four powder trays 205. The displacement units 2 are arranged vertically, and two adjacent displacement units 2 are symmetrical about 180 degrees. Two adjacent powder trays 205 are also symmetrical about 180 degrees.

[0064] The displacement unit 2 includes a powder spreading scraper 204 and a height adjustment mechanism 202, as well as a horizontal motion mechanism 201 fixedly connected to the two height adjustment mechanisms 202 for driving the powder spreading scraper 204 to move horizontally; the horizontal motion mechanism 201 is equipped with a connecting block 203 fixedly connected to the powder spreading scraper 204, and the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper 204 and the powder tray 205 is 100μm;

[0065] In this embodiment 2, the horizontal motion mechanism 201 is a linear electric guide rail, the connecting block 203 is slidably installed on the linear electric guide rail, and a height adjustment mechanism 202 is fixedly installed at each end of the linear electric guide rail.

[0066] The height adjustment mechanism 202 includes a micron-sized sliding rack 2021. A horizontal movement mechanism 201 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the micron-sized sliding rack 2021, which is the side closest to the oven. The micron-sized sliding rack 2021 includes a toothless part and a toothed part. The toothed part meshes with a micron-sized gear 2024, which has a knob 2025. The toothless part is fixedly connected to one end of an upper and lower sliding block 2022, and a slide rail 2023 is slidably connected to the other end of the upper and lower sliding block 2022. The slide rail 2023 is fixedly connected to the housing of the scraper height adjustment mechanism 202, which is fixedly mounted on the wall of the oven 1. The micron-sized gear 2024 is rotatably connected to the housing of the height adjustment mechanism 202. The powder tray 205 has a powder overflow channel between its end parallel to the powder spreading blade 204 and the inner wall of the oven 1. A powder collection box 4 is provided at the bottom of the oven 1. The powder tray 205 is detachably connected to the inner wall of the oven 1. The length of the powder spreading blade 204 matches the width of the powder tray 205.

[0067] The precision of the micron sliding rack 2021 is 5 μm or less; the precision of the micron gear 2024 is 5 μm or less.

[0068] The toothless portion of the micron-sized sliding rack 2021 is equipped with an electronic sensor and electronic display structure for displaying the movement distance, and the micron-sized sliding rack 2021 is provided with scale lines. A heating unit 3 is also provided inside the oven 1. The oven is a windless vacuum oven.

[0069] The embodiments described above are some, but not all, embodiments of this utility model. The detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus for micron-sized metal powder, characterized in that, The drying device includes: an oven (1) and at least one displacement unit (2) disposed on the oven (1), with a powder tray (205) for holding metal powder disposed below each displacement unit (2). The displacement unit (2) includes a powder spreading scraper (204), a height adjustment mechanism (202), and a horizontal motion mechanism (201) fixedly connected to at least one height adjustment mechanism (202) for driving the powder spreading scraper (204) to move horizontally; the horizontal motion mechanism (201) is equipped with a connecting block (203) fixedly connected to the powder spreading scraper (204), and the vertical distance between the powder spreading scraper (204) and the powder tray (205) is 20μm~2000μm; The height adjustment mechanism (202) includes a micron sliding rack (2021), and the horizontal movement mechanism (201) is fixedly connected to the inner side of the micron sliding rack (2021), the inner side being the side closest to the oven (1); the micron sliding rack (2021) includes a toothless part and a toothed part, the toothed part meshing with a micron gear (2024), the micron gear (2024) being provided with a knob (2025); the toothless part is fixedly connected to one end of the upper and lower sliding blocks (2022), and the slide rail (2023) is slidably connected to the other end of the upper and lower sliding blocks (2022); the slide rail (2023) is fixedly connected to the housing of the scraper height adjustment mechanism (202), the housing of the height adjustment mechanism (202) is fixedly installed on the wall of the oven (1); the micron gear (2024) is rotatably connected to the housing of the height adjustment mechanism (202); There is a powder overflow channel between the powder tray (205) and the inner wall of the oven (1), and a powder collection box (4) is provided at the bottom of the oven (1). The powder tray (205) is detachably connected to the inner wall of the oven (1).

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the powder spreading scraper (204) matches the width of the powder tray (205).

3. The drying apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The precision of the micron sliding rack (2021) is 5 μm or less; the precision of the micron gear (2024) is 5 μm or less.

4. The drying apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The horizontal movement mechanism (201) is an electric telescopic rod. One end of the electric telescopic rod is fixedly installed with the height adjustment mechanism (202), and the other end of the electric telescopic rod is fixedly installed with the connecting block (203).

5. The drying apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The horizontal motion mechanism (201) is a linear electric guide rail, and the connecting block (203) is slidably installed on the linear electric guide rail. A height adjustment mechanism (202) is fixedly installed at each end of the linear electric guide rail.

6. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that, The oven (1) is provided with at least two displacement units (2) and two powder trays (205). The displacement units (2) are arranged vertically, and two adjacent displacement units (2) are symmetrical about 180 degrees. Two adjacent powder trays (205) are also symmetrical about 180 degrees.

7. The drying apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The oven (1) is provided with at least 6 to 10 displacement units (2) and at least 4 to 10 powder trays (205).

8. The drying apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The toothless portion of the micron sliding rack (2021) is equipped with an electronic sensor and an electronic display structure for displaying the moving distance, and the micron sliding rack (2021) is provided with scale lines.

9. The drying apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The oven (1) is also equipped with a heating unit (3).

10. The drying apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The oven is a windless vacuum oven.

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