Powder recovery mechanism for 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, in particular to a powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer, which comprises a case, the case is provided with a partition plate for dividing an inner cavity into an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the partition plate is provided with a through hole communicated with the upper cavity and the lower cavity in a penetrating manner, and the case is provided with a recycling bin arranged in the lower cavity; the top wall of the recycling bin is provided with a penetrating opening located below the through opening, a sinter forming plate vertically and slidably arranged in the penetrating opening and the through opening in a penetrating mode is arranged in the recycling bin, the recycling bin is provided with a lifting driving assembly for driving the sinter forming plate to lift and slide, and a powder falling hole communicating with an inner cavity of the recycling bin is formed in the upper end face of the sinter forming plate in a penetrating mode. And a plurality of powder falling holes are formed. The powder cleaning and recycling device has the effect of improving powder cleaning and recycling convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing equipment technology, and in particular to a powder recovery mechanism for a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing is a type of rapid prototyping technology, also known as additive manufacturing. It is a technology based on digital model files. Rapid prototyping technologies include 3DP technology, FDM fused deposition modeling technology, SLA stereolithography technology, SLS laser sintering, DLP laser forming technology, and UV ultraviolet forming technology.

[0003] In SLS laser sintering, a layer of powder material (metallic or non-metallic powder) is pre-laid on the worktable. Then, under computer control, a laser sintersects the solid powder according to the interface contour information, continuously cycling and building up layer by layer. After printing, the remaining metallic powder on the worktable needs to be cleaned. Current technology makes cleaning the metallic powder on the worktable inconvenient, thus requiring further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0004] To improve the convenience of powder cleaning and recycling, this application provides a powder recycling mechanism for 3D printers.

[0005] The powder recovery mechanism for a 3D printer provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A powder recovery mechanism for a 3D printer includes a chassis. The chassis has a partition that divides the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The partition has a through-hole that connects the upper and lower chambers. The chassis has a recovery chamber built into the lower chamber. The top wall of the recovery chamber has a through-hole located below the through-hole. The recovery chamber contains a sintered molding plate that slides vertically through the through-hole and the through-hole. The recovery chamber is equipped with a lifting drive assembly that drives the sintered molding plate to move up and down. The upper end face of the sintered molding plate has multiple powder dropping holes that connect to the interior of the recovery chamber.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, after the 3D printing of the sintered plate is completed, workers can use a hand brush to clean the surface of the sintered plate. The residual powder can quickly fall into the recycling bin through multiple powder drop holes, which not only improves the powder recycling efficiency but also reduces the time and labor intensity of manual operation. At the same time, this design makes the entire recycling process cleaner, avoids environmental pollution caused by powder flying, and improves the convenience of powder cleaning and recycling.

[0008] Preferably, the recycling bin includes a base plate, an outer cylinder fixedly connected to the base plate, an inner cylinder built into the outer cylinder and fixedly connected to the base plate, and a powder collection box built into the inner cylinder. A sintered molding plate is vertically slidably connected to the inner cylinder. The powder collection box is located below the sintered molding plate. An installation cavity is provided between the inner wall of the outer cylinder and the outer wall of the inner cylinder. A groove communicating with the installation cavity is opened on the inner wall of the inner cylinder. A movable seat that slides through the groove and is built into the installation cavity is fixedly connected to the sintered molding plate. A pair of installation plates located above and below the movable seat are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The lifting drive assembly includes a lead screw built into the installation cavity and rotatably connected to the installation plate and a lifting motor that drives the lead screw to rotate. The lead screw is threaded through the movable seat.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solutions, the powder collection box design enables the falling powder to be effectively collected, avoiding secondary pollution caused by scattering; at the same time, the sliding connection of the sintering plate and the screw drive structure ensure the smooth lifting and lowering of the sintering plate, improving the stability and safety of operation.

[0010] Preferably, the outer wall of the inner cylinder is fixedly connected to a linear guide rail, and the movable seat is fixedly connected to a slider that is slidably connected to the linear guide rail.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooperation between the linear guide rail and the slider can ensure the stability and accuracy of the movable seat in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of the sintered plate during the lifting process.

[0012] Preferably, a positioning sleeve is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the base plate, and the lower inner peripheral wall of the inner cylinder abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning sleeve.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, a positioning sleeve is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the base plate, and the lower inner circumferential wall of the inner cylinder abuts against the outer circumferential wall of the positioning sleeve, which ensures the precise position and stability of the inner cylinder during installation, avoids the problem of uneven sliding of the sintered plate due to the displacement of the inner cylinder, and improves the overall stability and reliability of the device.

[0014] Preferably, the outer cylinder has an inspection port on its wall and an inspection door for controlling the opening and closing of the inspection port. The inner cylinder has a drawer opening that communicates with the inner cavity on its wall, and the powder collection box is slidably connected to the drawer opening.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solutions, the installation of inspection ports and doors facilitates the inspection and maintenance of the internal structure, improving the reliability and service life of the equipment. The sliding connection design between the dust collection box and the dust collection box allows for easy removal and cleaning of the dust collection box, simplifying the powder recovery process and improving work efficiency.

[0016] Preferably, a handle is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the outer cylinder.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, a handle is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the outer cylinder, which makes it easy for operators to hold and move the entire recycling bin, thus improving the portability and ease of operation of the device.

[0018] Preferably, the upper wall of the inner cylinder is provided with a clearance groove, and the upper outer wall of the outer cylinder is fixedly connected to a horizontal cylinder. The piston rod of the horizontal cylinder is fixedly connected to a cleaning plate that slides through the clearance groove. The cleaning plate is fixedly connected to a brush that abuts against the upper surface of the sintered molding plate. After the piston rod of the horizontal cylinder retracts, the cleaning plate is located in the mounting cavity.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, after the sintered molding plate is 3D printed, a horizontal cylinder can drive the cleaning plate to move, automatically removing residual powder from the sintered molding plate. This improves the efficiency and automation of powder cleaning, and reduces the tediousness and labor intensity of manual operation. Furthermore, when the cleaning function is not needed, the cleaning plate can retract into the mounting cavity to avoid affecting the operation of other components.

[0020] Preferably, the cleaning plate is fixedly connected to a guide rod that slides through the outer cylinder wall.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the sweeping plate is fixedly connected to a guide rod that slides through the outer cylinder wall, which ensures greater stability of the sweeping plate during horizontal movement and avoids poor cleaning effect due to vibration or tilting. At the same time, the design of the guide rod helps to improve the structural strength of the entire sweeping device and extend its service life.

[0022] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. After the 3D printing of the sintered plate is completed, workers can use a hand brush to clean the surface of the sintered plate. The residual powder can quickly fall into the recycling bin through multiple powder drop holes, which not only improves the powder recycling efficiency but also reduces the time and labor intensity of manual operation. At the same time, this design makes the entire recycling process cleaner, avoids environmental pollution caused by powder flying, and improves the convenience of powder cleaning and recycling.

[0024] 2. The cleaning plate is driven by a horizontal cylinder to move and automatically remove residual powder from the sintered plate, which improves the efficiency and automation of powder cleaning and reduces the tediousness and labor intensity of manual operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer in Example 1;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the recycling bin in Example 1;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the bottom plate and the inner cylinder in Example 1;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting drive assembly in Embodiment 1;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the recovery bin in Example 2;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning plate in Example 2.

[0031] In the diagram, 1 is the chassis; 11 is the partition; 12 is the opening; 2 is the recycling bin; 21 is the base plate; 211 is the positioning sleeve; 22 is the outer cylinder; 221 is the handle; 222 is the inspection port; 223 is the inspection door; 224 is the cleaning plate; 225 is the guide rod; 226 is the horizontal cylinder; 23 is the inner cylinder; 231 is the through-hole; 232 is the drawer opening; 233 is the linear guide rail; 234 is the mounting plate; 235 is the clearance groove; 24 is the powder collection box; 3 is the sintered plate; 31 is the powder drop hole; 32 is the connecting frame; 33 is the movable seat; 34 is the slider; 4 is the lifting drive assembly; 41 is the lead screw; and 42 is the lifting motor. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] This application discloses a powder recovery mechanism for a 3D printer, as shown in the embodiments below. Figure 1 The device includes a chassis 1, which has a partition 11 that divides the inner cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The partition 11 has a through opening 12 that connects the upper chamber and the lower chamber.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 The chassis 1 is equipped with a recovery chamber 2 built into the lower chamber. The recovery chamber 2 includes a base plate 21, an outer cylinder 22 fixedly sleeved on the lower end of the base plate 21, an inner cylinder 23 built into the outer cylinder 22 and fixedly connected to the upper end face of the base plate 21, and a powder collection box 24 built into the inner cylinder 23. A positioning sleeve 211 is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the base plate 21. The lower inner peripheral wall of the inner cylinder 23 abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning sleeve 211. The upper opening of the inner cylinder 23 forms a through-hole 231, which is located directly below the through-hole 12.

[0036] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4A space exists between the inner wall of the outer cylinder 22 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 23 to form an installation cavity. A handle 221 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the outer cylinder 22. A sintered molded plate 3 is slidably connected to the inner cylinder 23 along the axial direction, passing through the through-hole 231 and the through-hole 12. A powder-discharging hole 31 is opened through the upper end face of the sintered molded plate 3, which communicates with the inner cavity of the recovery bin 2. Multiple powder-discharging holes 31 are provided. A sliding groove is opened on the inner wall of the inner cylinder 23, which communicates with the installation cavity. A connecting frame 32 is fixedly connected to the lower end face of the sintered molded plate 3. A movable seat 33 is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 32, which slides through the sliding groove and is built into the installation cavity. A linear guide rail 233 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the inner cylinder 23. A slider 34 is fixedly connected to the movable seat 33, which slides through the linear guide rail 233.

[0037] A pair of mounting plates 234 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the inner cylinder 23, located above and below the movable seat 33 respectively. The mounting plate 234 is provided with a lifting drive assembly 4 for driving the movable seat 33 to move up and down. The lifting drive assembly 4 includes a lead screw 41 built into the mounting cavity and rotatably connected to the mounting plate 234, and a lifting motor 42 for driving the lead screw 41 to rotate. The lead screw 41 is threaded through the movable seat 33, and the lifting motor 42 is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 234. The output shaft of the lifting motor 42 is coaxially fixedly connected to the upper end of the lead screw 41.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 The outer cylinder 22 has an inspection port 222 on its wall. The outer cylinder 22 is provided with an inspection door 223 for controlling the opening and closing of the inspection port 222. Specifically, one side of the inspection door 223 is hinged to the outer cylinder 22, and the other side of the inspection door 223 is fixedly connected to the outer cylinder 22 by a buckle. The inner cylinder 23 has a drawer opening 232 that communicates with the inner cavity on its wall. The powder collection box 24 is slidably connected to the drawer opening 232, and the upper part of the powder collection box 24 is open.

[0039] The implementation principle of a powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: After the 3D printing of the sintered molding plate 3 is completed, the worker can use a hand brush to clean the surface of the sintered molding plate 3. The residual powder can quickly fall into the inner cavity of the powder collection box 24 through multiple powder drop holes 31, which not only improves the convenience of powder cleaning and recycling, but also reduces the time and labor intensity of manual operation; open the maintenance door 223 and pull out the powder collection box 24 to recycle the collected powder.

[0040] Example 2:

[0041] The difference from Example 1 is that, referring to Figure 5 , Figure 6The upper wall of the inner cylinder 23 is provided with a clearance groove 235. The upper outer wall of the outer cylinder 22 is fixedly connected to a horizontal cylinder 226. The piston rod of the horizontal cylinder 226 is fixedly connected to a cleaning plate 224 that slides through the clearance groove 235. The cleaning plate 224 is fixedly connected to a guide rod 225 that slides through the wall of the outer cylinder 22. The lower end face of the cleaning plate 224 is fixedly connected to a brush that abuts against the upper surface of the sintered plate 3. When the piston rod of the horizontal cylinder 226 retracts, the cleaning plate 224 is located in the mounting cavity.

[0042] After the sintered molding plate 3 completes 3D printing, the lifting drive assembly 4 drives the sintered molding plate 3 to move down to the cleaning station. The piston rod of the horizontal cylinder 226 extends, thereby driving the cleaning plate 224 to slide into the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 23. During the movement of the cleaning plate 224, the brush on the cleaning plate 224 automatically removes the residual powder on the sintered molding plate 3. The residual powder can quickly fall into the inner cavity of the powder collection box 24 through multiple powder dropping holes 31.

[0043] 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. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer, characterized in that: Includes a chassis (1), the chassis (1) having a partition (11) that divides the inner cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition (11) having a through opening (12) that connects the upper chamber and the lower chamber, the chassis (1) having a recycling bin (2) built into the lower chamber, the top wall of the recycling bin (2) having a through opening (231) located below the through opening (12), the recycling bin (2) having a sintered molding plate (3) that slides vertically through the through opening (231) and the through opening (12), the recycling bin (2) having a lifting drive assembly (4) that drives the sintered molding plate (3) to move up and down, the upper end face of the sintered molding plate (3) having a powder dropping hole (31) that connects to the inner cavity of the recycling bin (2), and multiple powder dropping holes (31) being provided.

2. The powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The recycling bin (2) includes a base plate (21), an outer cylinder (22) fixedly connected to the base plate (21), an inner cylinder (23) built into the outer cylinder (22) and fixedly connected to the base plate (21), and a powder collection box (24) built into the inner cylinder (23). A sintered molding plate (3) is vertically slidably connected to the inner cylinder (23). The powder collection box (24) is located below the sintered molding plate (3). There is an installation cavity between the inner wall of the outer cylinder (22) and the outer wall of the inner cylinder (23). The inner wall of the inner cylinder (23) has an opening. There is a sluice in the mounting cavity. The sintered plate (3) is fixedly connected to a movable seat (33) that slides through the sluice and is built into the mounting cavity. The outer wall of the inner cylinder (23) is fixedly connected to a pair of mounting plates (234) located above and below the movable seat (33). The lifting drive assembly (4) includes a lead screw (41) built into the mounting cavity and rotatably connected to the mounting plate (234) and a lifting motor (42) that drives the lead screw (41) to rotate. The lead screw (41) is threaded through the movable seat (33).

3. The powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer wall of the inner cylinder (23) is fixedly connected to a linear guide rail (233), and the movable seat (33) is fixedly connected to a slider (34) that is slidably connected to the linear guide rail (233).

4. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end face of the base plate (21) is fixedly connected to the positioning sleeve (211), and the lower inner peripheral wall of the inner cylinder (23) abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning sleeve (211).

5. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer cylinder (22) has an inspection port (222) on its wall. The outer cylinder (22) is equipped with an inspection door (223) for controlling the opening and closing of the inspection port (222). The inner cylinder (23) has a drawer opening (232) connected to the inner cavity on its wall. The powder collection box (24) is slidably connected to the drawer opening (232).

6. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A handle (221) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the outer cylinder (22).

7. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper wall of the inner cylinder (23) is provided with a clearance groove (235). The upper outer wall of the outer cylinder (22) is fixedly connected to a horizontal cylinder (226). The piston rod of the horizontal cylinder (226) is fixedly connected to a cleaning plate (224) that slides through the clearance groove (235). The cleaning plate (224) is fixedly connected to a brush that abuts against the upper surface of the sintered plate (3). After the piston rod of the horizontal cylinder (226) retracts, the cleaning plate (224) is located in the mounting cavity.

8. A powder recycling mechanism for a 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cleaning plate (224) is fixedly connected to a guide rod (225) that slides through the wall of the outer cylinder (22).

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