Tool setting device of metal powder 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a tool setting device of metal powder 3D printing equipment, which ensures that a powder spreading arm does not need to be detached when a scraper is replaced, and ensures that the position and the angle of the scraper are accurate and reliable after the scraper is subjected to tool setting. The device comprises a supporting and positioning long rod; and a reference positioning plate; the two ends of the supporting and positioning long rod in the length direction protrude out of the corresponding ends of the reference positioning plate respectively, the bottoms of the two protruding ends of the supporting and positioning long rod are supported on the tops of two side plates of a printing cylinder, and one vertical face of the supporting and positioning long rod protrudes forwards to form the reference positioning plate. After the supporting and positioning long rod is positioned at the upper position of the printing cylinder, the upper surface of the reference positioning plate is higher than the cylinder plane of the printing cylinder, in the tool setting state, a powder laying arm is arranged over the reference positioning plate, and after gaps between all the positions of the bottom of a scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate are consistent, the powder laying arm is arranged on the printing cylinder. And the powder spreading arm is locked with the scraper to finish tool setting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of metal powder 3D printing, specifically to a tool setting device for metal powder 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The working process of a metal powder 3D printing equipment is as follows: a thin layer of metal powder is laid on the platform, and the cross-section of the component is scanned with a laser to melt (or fuse) the metal particles together to complete the printing of this layer. After the previous layer is printed, the printing platform moves down one layer thickness, and the scraper moves across the platform to deposit the next layer of powder into the printing cylinder. Then another layer of metal powder is laid, and this process is repeated layer by layer until the printing is completed. The scraper moves across the powder dispensing cylinder and the printing cylinder to complete the powder spreading operation. In actual use, the scraper is fixed to the powder spreading arm, which drives the scraper to move horizontally. Before and during printing, the scraper may need to be replaced. When this is necessary, current technology requires disassembling the powder spreading arm and using an external tool setting fixture to align the scraper before reinstalling the powder spreading arm and scraper together into the metal powder 3D printing equipment. This tool setting method, due to unavoidable slight deviations during mechanical installation, results in persistent errors in the scraper's position and angle after each reinstallation of the powder spreading arm, affecting the subsequent powder spreading quality and causing defects in the accuracy and quality of the printed product. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an online scraper replacement tool setting device that can be directly applied to metal powder 3D printing equipment to ensure the accurate and reliable position and angle of the scraper after installation. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a tool setting device for metal powder 3D printing equipment, which eliminates the need to disassemble the powder spreading arm when changing the scraper, ensuring that the position and angle of the scraper are accurate and reliable after tool setting is completed.

[0004] A tool setting device for metal powder 3D printing equipment, characterized in that it comprises:

[0005] Support and positioning rod;

[0006] And a reference positioning plate;

[0007] The two ends of the support positioning rod protrude outwards from the corresponding ends of the reference positioning plate along its length. The bottom of the two protruding ends of the support positioning rod is supported on the top of the two side plates of the printing cylinder. One vertical face of the support positioning rod protrudes outwards to form the reference positioning plate. After the support positioning rod is positioned at the upper part of the printing cylinder, the upper surface of the reference positioning plate is higher than the cylinder plane of the printing cylinder. In the blade setting state, the powder spreading arm is placed directly above the reference positioning plate. After the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate is consistent, the powder spreading arm and the scraper are locked together, and the blade setting is completed.

[0008] Its further features are:

[0009] The bottom of the two protruding ends of the support positioning rod is recessed to form a positioning stop. The positioning stop is used to position the top of the two side plates of the printing cylinder, ensuring that the position of the support positioning rod is stable and reliable during tool setting.

[0010] It also includes a feeler gauge, which is used to measure and adjust the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate to ensure that the gap is accurate and reliable, and further ensure the accuracy and reliability of the position and angle of the scraper. The setting of the feeler gauge also allows the bottom of the scraper to be reliably separated from the upper surface of the reference positioning plate, so that the transfer of the scraper device will not affect the installation position of the scraper.

[0011] The supporting positioning rod and the reference positioning plate are an integral structure.

[0012] The upper surface of the support positioning rod is higher than the upper surface of the reference positioning plate. The support positioning rod is square in shape to ensure reliable grip during operation and convenient and quick placement.

[0013] The height difference between the upper surface of the reference positioning plate and the rigid plane of the printing cylinder is set according to different devices.

[0014] With the structure of this utility model, when the doctor blade needs to be replaced, the bottom of the two protruding ends of the supporting positioning rod is supported on the top of the two side plates of the printing cylinder, so that the entire blade setting device is located in the upper position of the printing cylinder. Then, the powder spreading arm with the old doctor blade removed is moved to the position above the reference positioning plate. The new doctor blade is installed on the powder spreading arm but not locked. After confirming that the gaps between the bottom positions of the doctor blade and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate are consistent, the powder spreading arm and the doctor blade are locked, and the blade setting is completed. Then, the powder spreading arm drives the doctor blade to disengage from the position of the blade setting device, and the blade setting device is disengaged from the printing cylinder. This achieves a technological breakthrough that the doctor blade can be replaced without disassembling the powder spreading arm in the entire printing process. The reference positioning plate for blade setting is set on a mechanical structure in a stable position inside the equipment, ensuring the consistency and stability of the positioning reference at the beginning of printing and during the printing process. Whether it is the doctor blade setting before the first printing or the blade setting after stopping the machine to replace the doctor blade due to wear or other reasons during the printing process, the operation can be carried out according to the same accurate and stable reference. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the preferred tool-setting device of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 3This is a perspective view showing the positioning and placement of the tool setting device and printing cylinder of this utility model.

[0018] The names corresponding to the serial numbers in the diagram are as follows:

[0019] Support positioning rod 10, outward protruding end 11, positioning stop 12, second upper surface 13, reference positioning plate 20, first upper surface 21, printing cylinder 30, side plate 31, cylinder plane 32. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Tool setting device for metal powder 3D printing equipment, see Figures 1-3 It includes a support positioning rod 10 and a reference positioning plate 20;

[0021] The two ends of the support positioning rod 10 protrude outwards from the corresponding ends of the reference positioning plate 20 along its length. The bottoms of the two protruding ends 11 of the support positioning rod 10 are supported on the tops of the two side plates 31 of the printing cylinder 30. One vertical face of the support positioning rod 10 protrudes outwards to form the reference positioning plate 20. After the support positioning rod 10 is positioned at the upper part of the printing cylinder 30, the first upper surface 21 of the reference positioning plate 20 is higher than the cylinder plane 32 of the printing cylinder 30. In the blade setting state, the powder spreading arm is placed directly above the reference positioning plate 20. After the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate 20 is consistent, the powder spreading arm and the scraper are locked together, and the blade setting is completed.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the two protruding ends 11 of the support positioning rod 10 is recessed to form a positioning stop 12. The positioning stop 12 is used to position and press the top of the two side plates 31 of the printing cylinder 30 to ensure that the position of the support positioning rod 10 is stable and reliable during the tool setting process.

[0023] In practical implementation, it also includes a feeler gauge, which is a conventional device and is not shown in the figure. The size of the feeler gauge can be set according to actual needs. The feeler gauge is used to measure and adjust the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate to ensure that the gap is accurate and reliable, and further ensure the accuracy and reliability of the position and angle of the scraper. The setting of the feeler gauge also allows the bottom of the scraper to reliably detach from the first upper surface 21 of the reference positioning plate 20, so that the transfer of the scraper device will not affect the installation position of the scraper.

[0024] In practice, the support positioning rod 10 and the reference positioning plate 20 are integrated metal structures.

[0025] In summary of specific embodiments, the second upper surface 13 of the support positioning rod 10 is higher than the first upper surface 21 of the reference positioning plate 20, and the longitudinal section of the support positioning rod 10 is square to ensure reliable grip during operation and convenient and quick placement.

[0026] The height difference between the first upper surface 21 of the reference positioning plate 20 and the cylinder plane 32 of the printing cylinder 30 is set according to different devices.

[0027] Its working principle is as follows: When the doctor blade needs to be replaced, the bottom of the two protruding ends of the support positioning rod is supported on the top of the two side plates of the printing cylinder, so that the entire blade setting device is located in the upper position of the printing cylinder. Then, the powder spreading arm, from which the old doctor blade has been removed, is moved to the position above the reference positioning plate. The new doctor blade is installed on the powder spreading arm but not locked. After confirming with a feeler gauge that the gaps between the bottom positions of the doctor blade and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate are consistent, the powder spreading arm and the doctor blade are locked together, and the blade setting is completed. Then, the powder spreading arm drives the doctor blade to disengage from the position of the blade setting device, and the blade setting device disengages from the printing cylinder. This achieves a technological breakthrough of replacing the doctor blade without disassembling the powder spreading arm during the entire printing process. The reference positioning plate for blade setting is set on a mechanical structure in a stable position inside the equipment, ensuring the consistency and stability of the positioning reference at the beginning of printing and during the printing process. Whether it is blade setting before the first print or blade setting again after stopping the machine to replace the doctor blade due to wear or other reasons during printing, the operation can be carried out according to the same accurate and stable reference.

[0028] This consistent tool setting benchmark ensures that the scraper can accurately return to its ideal working position and posture after each replacement, greatly improving key indicators such as powder thickness and uniformity during powder spreading. Each layer of metal powder can be evenly, flatly, and precisely spread on the forming area, effectively avoiding printing defects caused by uneven powder spreading, such as poor interlayer bonding, increased surface roughness, and dimensional deviations. This not only significantly improves the powder spreading quality after scraper replacement but also enhances the overall quality stability and reliability of the product. It provides solid technical support for the widespread application of large-scale metal powder 3D printing technology in high-end manufacturing, driving the 3D printing industry towards higher precision and higher quality.

[0029] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A tool setting device for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus, characterized by, It includes: Support and positioning rod; and reference positioning plate; The two ends of the support positioning rod protrude outwards from the corresponding ends of the reference positioning plate along its length. The bottom of the two protruding ends of the support positioning rod is supported on the top of the two side plates of the printing cylinder. One vertical face of the support positioning rod protrudes outwards to form the reference positioning plate. After the support positioning rod is positioned at the upper part of the printing cylinder, the upper surface of the reference positioning plate is higher than the cylinder plane of the printing cylinder. In the blade setting state, the powder spreading arm is placed directly above the reference positioning plate. After the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate is consistent, the powder spreading arm and the scraper are locked together, and the blade setting is completed.

2. The tool changer for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The bottom of the two outwardly protruding ends of the support positioning rod is recessed to form a positioning stop, which is used to position the top of the two side plates pressed onto the printing cylinder.

3. The tool changer for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: It also includes a feeler gauge, which is used to measure and adjust the gap between the bottom of the scraper and the upper surface of the reference positioning plate.

4. The tool changer for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The support positioning rod and the reference positioning plate are an integral structure.

5. The tool changer for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus of claim 4, wherein: The upper surface of the support positioning rod is higher than the upper surface of the reference positioning plate, and the support positioning rod is square in shape.

6. The tool changer for a metal powder 3D printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The height difference between the upper surface of the reference positioning plate and the rigid plane of the printing cylinder is set according to different devices.

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