Additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses additive manufacturing equipment, and relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, the additive manufacturing equipment comprises a feeding mechanism, an extrusion mechanism and an electric heating belt, the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding cylinder and a storage bin, the storage bin is communicated with the feeding cylinder, the side part of the feeding cylinder is convexly provided with a flow guide part, the flow guide part is arranged in a bending manner, and the extrusion mechanism is connected with the electric heating belt. The storage bin is connected with the flow guide part; the extrusion mechanism is positioned below the feeding cylinder; and the electric heating belt is wound outside the flow guide part. According to the technical scheme, the flow guide part is arranged on the side portion of the feeding cylinder in the protruding mode, the electric heating belt is additionally arranged, the electric heating belt is wound outside the flow guide part, and the electric heating belt is used for heating the flow guide part so that the temperature of materials at the flow guide part can be increased, and it is guaranteed that the materials in the molten state smoothly flow into the feeding cylinder from the flow guide part; and therefore, the situation that the materials are solidified and adhered to the flow guide outlet of the flow guide part is reduced, the situation that the materials block the feeding port of the feeding barrel is also reduced, and the extrusion efficiency of additive manufacturing is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to an additive manufacturing device. Background Technology

[0002] Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a technology that creates objects by stacking materials layer by layer.

[0003] Additive manufacturing equipment includes a feeding mechanism and an extrusion mechanism. The material in the feeding mechanism enters the extrusion mechanism and is then extruded onto the working platform. However, because existing additive manufacturing equipment introduces material into the feeding mechanism through a pipe, the material temperature is low and the flow rate to the feed inlet is slow. In some cases, some material may even solidify and stick to the feed inlet, causing blockage and affecting the extrusion efficiency of subsequent additive manufacturing. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to propose an additive manufacturing equipment that aims to solve the problem of material blockage at the feed inlet of the feeding mechanism in existing additive manufacturing equipment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the additive manufacturing equipment proposed in this utility model includes:

[0006] The feeding mechanism includes a feeding cylinder and a storage bin, the storage bin being connected to the feeding cylinder, a guide portion protruding from the side of the feeding cylinder, the guide portion being bent, and the storage bin being connected to the guide portion;

[0007] An extrusion mechanism, located below the feed cylinder; and

[0008] Electric heating tape, which is wrapped around the outside of the flow guide.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flow guiding section has a flow guiding inlet and a flow guiding outlet, the flow guiding outlet is fixedly connected to the feed cylinder, and the flow guiding inlet is oriented upwards; the storage bin includes a horn-shaped bin body and a connecting part located at the bottom of the horn-shaped bin body, and the connecting part has a connection port connected to the flow guiding inlet.

[0010] In some embodiments, the opening of the horn chamber is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

[0011] In some embodiments, the guide portion is threadedly connected to the connecting portion, and the outer wall of the connecting portion is wrapped with an electric heating tape.

[0012] In some embodiments, the feed cylinder includes a first receiving cylinder and a second receiving cylinder, the first receiving cylinder being in communication with the second receiving cylinder, the second receiving cylinder extending along the length direction of the first receiving cylinder, and the second receiving cylinder being provided with the guide portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the extrusion mechanism includes an extrusion cylinder, a protective cover, and a cooling fan. The extrusion cylinder is located below the first receiving cylinder, the protective cover is located outside the extrusion cylinder, the cooling fan is mounted on the protective cover, and the air outlet of the cooling fan faces downwards from the first receiving cylinder. The protective cover has a semi-circular shape.

[0014] In some embodiments, the protective cover is provided with a plurality of heat dissipation holes arranged in parallel with each other.

[0015] In some embodiments, a temperature sensing element is mounted on the outside of the first receiving cylinder, the temperature sensing element being close to the extrusion mechanism, and the probe of the temperature sensing element being located inside the first receiving cylinder.

[0016] In some embodiments, the additive manufacturing apparatus further includes a screw and a drive unit, the screw being connected to the output shaft of the drive unit, and the screw being located inside the first receiving cylinder and the extrusion cylinder.

[0017] The technical solution of this utility model adopts a guide section protruding from the side of the feed cylinder, and then adds an electric heating tape. The electric heating tape is wrapped around the outside of the guide section to heat the guide section, thereby increasing the temperature of the material at the guide section. This ensures that the molten material flows smoothly from the guide section into the feed cylinder, thereby reducing the situation where the material solidifies and sticks to the guide outlet of the guide section, and also reducing the situation where the material blocks the feed inlet of the feed cylinder, thus improving the extrusion efficiency of additive manufacturing. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the additive manufacturing equipment provided by this utility model.

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0021] 100. Additive manufacturing equipment; 10. Feeding mechanism; 11. Feeding cylinder; 111. First receiving cylinder; 112. Second receiving cylinder; 12. Guide section; 13. Storage bin; 131. Horn chamber; 132. Connecting part; 20. Extrusion mechanism; 21. Extrusion cylinder; 22. Protective cover; 220. Heat dissipation hole; 23. Cooling fan; 30. Electric heating tape; 40. Drive device; 50. Temperature measuring element.

[0022] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0024] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0026] Additive manufacturing equipment includes a feeding mechanism and an extrusion mechanism. The material in the feeding mechanism enters the extrusion mechanism and is then extruded onto the working platform. However, because existing additive manufacturing equipment introduces material into the feeding mechanism through a pipe, the material temperature is low and the flow rate to the feed inlet is slow. In some cases, some material may even solidify and stick to the feed inlet, causing blockage and affecting the extrusion efficiency of subsequent additive manufacturing.

[0027] This utility model discloses an additive manufacturing apparatus 100. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 1 In one embodiment of this utility model, the additive manufacturing equipment 100 proposed by this utility model includes:

[0028] The feeding mechanism 10 includes a feeding cylinder 11 and a storage bin 13. The storage bin 13 is connected to the feeding cylinder 11. A guide section 12 is protruding from the side of the feeding cylinder 11. The guide section 12 is bent. The storage bin 13 is connected to the guide section 12.

[0029] An extrusion mechanism 20 is located below the feed cylinder 11; and

[0030] Electric heating tape 30 is wrapped around the outside of the flow guide 12.

[0031] In one embodiment, the heating tape 30 can be connected to an external power source via a wire to energize and generate heat. In another embodiment, a portable power source can be installed on the side of the feed cylinder 11, and the heating tape 30 can be connected to the portable power source to energize and generate heat. The heating tape 30 uses a conventional heating tape structure, and the structure of the heating tape 30 will not be described in detail in this invention.

[0032] The technical solution of this utility model adopts a flow guide 12 protruding from the side of the feed cylinder 11, and then adds an electric heating tape 30. The electric heating tape 30 is wrapped around the outside of the flow guide 12. The electric heating tape 30 is used to heat the flow guide 12 to increase the temperature of the material at the flow guide 12, ensuring that the molten material flows smoothly from the flow guide 12 into the feed cylinder 11. This reduces the situation where the material solidifies and sticks to the flow outlet of the flow guide 12, and also reduces the situation where the material blocks the feed inlet of the feed cylinder 11, thereby improving the extrusion efficiency of additive manufacturing.

[0033] The heating tape 30 is wound around the guide section 12 and positioned close to the feed cylinder 11 to heat the material at the guide outlet of the guide section 12. Furthermore, to reduce the possibility of the heating tape 30 coming loose, it can be secured with a rope.

[0034] Specifically, in one embodiment, the flow guide 12 is provided with a flow guide inlet and a flow guide outlet, the flow guide outlet is fixedly connected to the feed cylinder 11, and the flow guide inlet is arranged facing upward; the storage bin 13 includes a horn bin body 131 and a connecting part 132 provided at the bottom of the horn bin body 131, and the connecting part 132 is provided with a connection port connected to the flow guide inlet.

[0035] The horn chamber 131 can hold a large amount of material. The connecting part 132 of the horn chamber 131 can be connected to the flow inlet of the flow guide 12 by means of a threaded connection or by means of a sleeve connection.

[0036] In one embodiment, the flow inlet is connected to the storage bin 13, and the flow outlet is connected to the feed cylinder 11. The storage bin 13 is connected to the feed cylinder 11 through the flow guide 12, thereby facilitating the flow of material in the storage bin 13 from the flow guide 12 into the feed cylinder 11.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 The opening of the horn-shaped chamber 131 is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom to accommodate more materials.

[0038] In one embodiment, in order to reduce the horn chamber 131 from falling off the flow guide 12, the flow guide 12 is threadedly connected to the connecting part 132, and the outer wall of the connecting part 132 is wrapped with an electric heating tape 30. The electric heating tape 30 is used to heat the material at the connecting part 132 and the flow guide inlet to reduce the material from solidifying and sticking to the flow guide inlet.

[0039] In one embodiment, the feed cylinder 11 includes a first receiving cylinder 111 and a second receiving cylinder 112. The first receiving cylinder 111 is in communication with the second receiving cylinder 112, and the second receiving cylinder 112 extends along the length direction of the first receiving cylinder 111. The second receiving cylinder 112 is provided with the guide portion 12. The second receiving cylinder 112 is used to hold a larger amount of material.

[0040] Specifically, the second container 112 has a feed inlet on its side, which is connected to the guide outlet. The first container 111 has a discharge outlet at its bottom. The material flows from the guide outlet into the feed inlet, then flows through the second container 112, and then enters the first container 111.

[0041] Furthermore, the extrusion mechanism 20 includes an extrusion cylinder 21, a protective cover 22, and a cooling fan 23. The extrusion cylinder 21 is located below the first receiving cylinder 111, the protective cover 22 is located outside the extrusion cylinder 21, the cooling fan 23 is installed on the protective cover 22, and the air outlet of the cooling fan 23 faces downwards from the first receiving cylinder 111. The protective cover 22 has a semi-circular shape.

[0042] In one embodiment, the extrusion cylinder 21 has a first extrusion port at one end near the feed cylinder 11, and a second extrusion port at the bottom of the extrusion cylinder 21.

[0043] Because the diameter of the first extrusion port of the extrusion cylinder 21 is small, and a screw is installed inside the extrusion cylinder 21, excessive and rapid flow of molten material from the outlet of the first receiving cylinder 111 into the extrusion cylinder 21 can easily cause material blockage at the first extrusion port of the extrusion cylinder 21. To address this, the present invention installs a cooling fan 23 on the protective cover 22, with the air outlet of the cooling fan 23 facing downwards from the first receiving cylinder 111 to reduce the temperature below the first receiving cylinder 111. This lowers the temperature of the material at the first extrusion port of the extrusion cylinder 21, thereby reducing the material flow rate and minimizing the possibility of blockage at the first extrusion port of the extrusion cylinder 21.

[0044] In one embodiment, the protective cover 22 is semi-circular in shape to match the shape of the extrusion cylinder 21, thereby providing more protection for the extrusion cylinder 21 and reducing the space occupied by the protective cover 22. The protective cover 22 is provided with a plurality of parallel heat dissipation holes 220, through which the heat accumulated inside the protective cover 22 can be dissipated.

[0045] To measure the temperature of the material inside the first container 111, a temperature sensing element 50 is installed on the outside of the first container 111. The temperature sensing element 50 is located near the extrusion mechanism 20, and its probe is located inside the first container 111. The temperature sensing element 50 can be an existing temperature sensor.

[0046] In one embodiment, the additive manufacturing equipment 100 further includes a screw and a drive device 40, the screw being connected to the output shaft of the drive device 40, and the screw being located inside the first receiving cylinder 111 and the extrusion cylinder 21.

[0047] Material flows from the guide section 12 into the second receiving cylinder 112, and then flows from the second receiving cylinder 112 into the first receiving cylinder 111; the driving device 40 drives the screw to rotate, and the screw pushes the material in the first receiving cylinder 111 toward the outlet of the extrusion cylinder 21 so that the material can be extruded from the outlet of the extrusion cylinder 21, and then the material is deposited and formed on the printing platform.

[0048] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized by, include: The feeding mechanism includes a feeding cylinder and a storage bin, the storage bin being connected to the feeding cylinder, a guide portion protruding from the side of the feeding cylinder, the guide portion being bent, and the storage bin being connected to the guide portion; An extrusion mechanism, located below the feed cylinder; and Electric heating tape, which is wrapped around the outside of the flow guide.

2. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The flow guiding section is provided with a flow guiding inlet and a flow guiding outlet. The flow guiding outlet is fixedly connected to the feed cylinder, and the flow guiding inlet is oriented upwards. The storage bin includes a horn-shaped bin body and a connecting part located at the bottom of the horn-shaped bin body. The connecting part is provided with a connection port that connects to the flow guiding inlet.

3. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The opening of the speaker compartment is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

4. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The flow guide is threadedly connected to the connecting part, and the outer wall of the connecting part is wrapped with an electric heating tape.

5. The additive manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The feed cylinder includes a first receiving cylinder and a second receiving cylinder. The first receiving cylinder is connected to the second receiving cylinder. The second receiving cylinder extends along the length direction of the first receiving cylinder and is provided with the flow guide.

6. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The extrusion mechanism includes an extrusion cylinder, a protective cover, and a cooling fan. The extrusion cylinder is located below the first receiving cylinder, the protective cover is located outside the extrusion cylinder, the cooling fan is mounted on the protective cover, and the air outlet of the cooling fan faces downwards from the first receiving cylinder. The protective cover has a semi-circular shape.

7. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The protective cover has multiple heat dissipation holes arranged in parallel to each other.

8. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein, A temperature sensing element is installed on the outside of the first receiving cylinder, the temperature sensing element is close to the extrusion mechanism, and the probe of the temperature sensing element is located inside the first receiving cylinder.

9. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The additive manufacturing equipment further includes a screw and a drive unit, the screw being connected to the output shaft of the drive unit, and the screw being located inside the first receiving cylinder and the extrusion cylinder.

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