Powder feeding device of 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a powder feeding device of 3D printing equipment, which comprises a powder box fixedly arranged on one side of a printing platform, and is characterized by further comprising a first-stage powder feeding piston mechanism arranged below the powder box, the first-stage powder feeding piston mechanism comprises a cavity plate horizontally connected and arranged on one side of the printing platform, and a second-stage powder feeding piston mechanism arranged below the first-stage powder feeding piston mechanism comprises a second-stage powder feeding piston mechanism arranged below the second-stage powder feeding piston mechanism. The whole cavity plate is in a horizontal rectangular shape, an upward feeding port is formed in one side of the cavity plate and connected with an outlet in the lower end of the powder box in a sealed mode, and a discharging port consistent with the printing platform in width is upwards formed in the position, adjacent to the printing platform, of the other side of the cavity plate. A matched first-stage piston is further correspondingly arranged in an inner cavity of the cavity plate between the feeding port and the discharging port, the first-stage piston is outwards connected with a first-stage piston rod in the direction away from the discharging port, and the first-stage piston rod movably penetrates out of the cavity plate and is fixedly connected with a telescopic rod of a first-stage telescopic mechanism horizontally arranged in the feeding direction. The automatic discharging device has the advantages of higher discharging control precision and better environmental sanitation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a powder loading device for 3D printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that manufactures solid parts by adding materials layer by layer based on 3D CAD data. With the rapid development of the manufacturing industry and the continuous improvement of the additive manufacturing concept, 3D printing technology has gradually moved from the laboratory to large-scale industrial applications, becoming an important part of modern manufacturing. 3D printing technology abandons traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, using a layer-by-layer material deposition approach to build three-dimensional objects. This unique manufacturing method gives it many advantages that traditional manufacturing technologies cannot match. The application of 3D printing in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, medical, electronics, and many other fields continues to deepen.

[0003] Currently, there are seven main types of 3D printing technology, including bond jetting, directional energy deposition, material extrusion, material jetting, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, and reduction photopolymerization. Bond jetting and powder bed fusion, among others, involve layering powder in a forming cylinder and then using methods such as jetting binders or laser irradiation to solidify the material within the product's shape. In this powder-laying printing method, the accuracy of powder delivery directly affects the uniformity of the printed layer thickness and the dimensional accuracy of the printed object. Uneven powder distribution or inaccurate powder application can lead to problems such as delamination, deformation, and dimensional deviations, severely impacting the quality and performance of the printed object. Therefore, accurate powder distribution is one of the key factors affecting the quality and accuracy of 3D printing.

[0004] Traditional 3D printing powder spreading methods involve placing a powder hopper on one side of the printing platform in the forming cylinder. A controlled amount of powder falls onto the platform with each layer, and a scraper mechanism then levels the powder. This existing method relies on gravity to fall onto the platform, typically using valve opening times to control the amount of powder falling per layer, resulting in extremely low precision. Furthermore, sufficient clearance must be maintained between the powder outlet and the printing platform below for the scraper to pass through. This causes powder to fall from a height, leading to powder scattering, wasting powder, polluting the working environment, and impacting the health of operators.

[0005] Therefore, for those skilled in the art, developing a high-precision, low-powder-spraying powder loading device is of great significance for promoting the further development of 3D printing technology. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to provide a powder feeding device for 3D printing equipment with higher material output control accuracy and better environmental hygiene.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A powder feeding device for a 3D printing equipment includes a powder box fixedly mounted on one side of a printing platform. The device is characterized by further including a primary powder feeding piston mechanism located below the powder box. The primary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a cavity plate horizontally connected to one side of the printing platform. The cavity plate is generally rectangular in shape. One side of the cavity plate has an upward-facing inlet that is sealed to the lower outlet of the powder box. The other side of the cavity plate, adjacent to the printing platform, has an upward-facing outlet with a width equal to that of the printing platform. A matching primary piston is also correspondingly arranged in the cavity of the cavity plate between the inlet and outlet. A primary piston rod is connected outwardly to the primary piston in a direction away from the outlet. The primary piston rod movably extends out of the cavity plate and is fixedly connected to a telescopic rod of a primary telescopic mechanism horizontally arranged along the feeding direction.

[0009] In this way, the powder is loaded into the powder hopper and falls downwards under gravity into the inner cavity of the printing plate. A primary telescopic mechanism drives a primary piston to push the powder upwards from the outlet, and then a scraper device scrapes it onto the printing platform to level it. This method allows for precise control of the amount of powder dispensed by controlling only the distance the primary piston pushes each time, resulting in higher discharge control accuracy. At the same time, the powder does not generate dust from falling from a height, thus improving environmental hygiene.

[0010] Furthermore, an elastic sealing layer is provided around the first-stage piston. This ensures a better piston sealing effect.

[0011] Furthermore, the primary telescopic mechanism employs a cylinder device. This offers advantages such as mature technology, low cost, and ease of control.

[0012] Furthermore, the primary telescopic mechanism is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate, and the telescopic rod of the primary telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the piston rod through a vertically set connecting plate.

[0013] This makes the overall structure of the device more compact and takes up less space.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a primary limiting mechanism, which includes a primary limiting block. The primary limiting block is fixed to the lower surface of the cavity plate on one side of the primary telescopic mechanism. The primary limiting block has a limiting end for abutting and limiting with the connecting plate.

[0015] This allows for precise limiting of the stroke of the primary telescopic mechanism, better ensuring that the amount of powder delivered by the primary powder feeding piston mechanism each time meets the requirements.

[0016] Furthermore, the limiting end of the primary limiting block is fixedly provided with a sliding rod aligned with the feeding direction, and the outer end of the sliding rod is slidably fitted into a sliding hole in the connecting plate. This better ensures stability.

[0017] Furthermore, the primary limit block has multiple screw holes along the feeding direction and is fixed upwards to the cavity plate by bolts. This allows the position of the primary limit block to be adjusted as needed to match different printing requirements.

[0018] Furthermore, a secondary powder feeding piston mechanism is also provided at the lower end of the cavity plate at the discharge port. The secondary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a secondary piston that matches the discharge port. The lower end of the secondary piston can be movably and vertically downward through the opening below the discharge port and connected to the telescopic rod of a secondary telescopic mechanism fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate.

[0019] In this way, the powder can be fed upwards at the outlet by a two-stage powder feeding piston mechanism, ensuring more precise control of the powder feeding amount for each print. The two-stage powder feeding method better guarantees the smoothness and precision of the powder feeding process.

[0020] Furthermore, an elastic sealing layer is provided around the secondary piston to better ensure the piston's sealing effect.

[0021] Furthermore, the secondary telescopic mechanism employs a cylinder device. This offers advantages such as mature technology, low cost, and ease of control.

[0022] Furthermore, a mounting bracket is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate, and the secondary telescopic mechanism is fixed on the mounting bracket.

[0023] Furthermore, it also includes a secondary limiting mechanism, which includes a horizontal plate fixed horizontally on the telescopic rod of the secondary telescopic mechanism, and an adjusting screw that is vertically set and screwed into the screw hole of the horizontal plate. The upper end of the adjusting screw is a limiting end and is used to abut against a secondary limiting block fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate for limiting.

[0024] This allows for precise limiting of the stroke of the secondary telescopic mechanism, ensuring that the amount of powder delivered by the secondary powder feeding piston mechanism meets requirements each time. Furthermore, the position of the screw can be easily adjusted when needed to regulate the stroke of the secondary telescopic mechanism.

[0025] When this device is in operation, the powder is first stored in the powder tank. When the 3D printer issues a powder feeding command, the cylinder of the first-stage telescopic mechanism actuates, causing the first-stage piston to move horizontally within the powder feeding channel. This quantitatively pushes the falling powder into a specific area within the cavity plate, completing the first quantitative powder feeding. During this process, the first-stage limiting mechanism can adjust and limit the stroke of the first-stage cylinder as needed, ensuring the accuracy of the amount of powder fed by the first-stage piston each time.

[0026] Next, the cylinder of the secondary telescopic mechanism actuates, driving the secondary piston to move vertically within the discharge port of the powder feeding channel. This further quantitatively feeds the powder from the primary powder feeding piston mechanism into the printing area, completing the second quantitative powder feeding. The stroke of the secondary telescopic mechanism can also be adjusted according to actual conditions to ensure the powder feeding accuracy of the secondary powder feeding piston mechanism. Through the coordination of the two-stage powder feeding actions, this powder feeding device can achieve high-precision powder delivery, effectively solving the problems of low powder feeding accuracy and powder scattering that exist in traditional powder feeding devices.

[0027] In summary, this utility model has the advantages of higher material discharge control precision and better environmental hygiene. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front sectional view.

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the middle and second stage piston in an upward-extending position.

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure from bottom to top. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments.

[0033] Optimal Implementation: See Figure 1-4A powder feeding device for a 3D printing equipment includes a powder box 1 fixedly installed on one side of the printing platform, and a primary powder feeding piston mechanism installed below the powder box. The primary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a cavity plate 2 horizontally connected to one side of the printing platform. The cavity plate is generally horizontally rectangular. One side of the cavity plate has an upward-facing inlet that is sealed to the lower outlet of the powder box. The other side of the cavity plate, adjacent to the printing platform, has an upward-facing outlet with the same width as the printing platform. A matching primary piston 3 is also installed in the cavity 7 of the cavity plate between the inlet and the outlet. A primary piston rod is connected to the primary piston outward from the outlet. The primary piston rod can movably pass through the cavity plate and is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of a primary telescopic mechanism 4 horizontally installed along the feeding direction.

[0034] In this way, the powder is loaded into the powder hopper and falls downwards under gravity into the inner cavity of the printing plate. A primary telescopic mechanism drives a primary piston to push the powder upwards from the outlet, and then a scraper device scrapes it onto the printing platform to level it. This method allows for precise control of the amount of powder dispensed by controlling only the distance the primary piston pushes each time, resulting in higher discharge control accuracy. At the same time, the powder does not generate dust from falling from a height, thus improving environmental hygiene.

[0035] The first-stage piston 3 is surrounded by an elastic sealing layer. This ensures a better piston sealing effect.

[0036] The primary telescopic mechanism 4 employs a cylinder device, which boasts advantages such as mature technology, low cost, and ease of control.

[0037] The primary telescopic mechanism 4 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate 2, and the telescopic rod of the primary telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the piston rod through a vertically set connecting plate.

[0038] This makes the overall structure of the device more compact and takes up less space.

[0039] It also includes a primary limiting mechanism, which includes a primary limiting block 8. The primary limiting block 8 is fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate 2 on one side of the primary telescopic mechanism 4. The primary limiting block 8 has a limiting end for abutting and limiting the connecting plate.

[0040] This allows for precise limiting of the stroke of the primary telescopic mechanism, better ensuring that the amount of powder delivered by the primary powder feeding piston mechanism each time meets the requirements.

[0041] The first-level limiting block has a sliding rod fixedly installed outward at its limiting end, which is aligned with the feeding direction. The outer end of the sliding rod is slidably fitted into a sliding hole on the connecting plate. This ensures better stability.

[0042] The primary limit block has multiple screw holes along the feeding direction and is fixed upwards to the cavity plate by bolts. This allows the position of the primary limit block to be adjusted as needed to match different printing requirements.

[0043] Among them, a secondary powder feeding piston mechanism is also provided at the lower end of the cavity plate at the discharge port. The secondary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a secondary piston 5 that matches the discharge port. The lower end of the secondary piston 5 can be movably and vertically downward through the opening below the discharge port and connected to the telescopic rod of a secondary telescopic mechanism 6 fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate.

[0044] In this way, the powder can be fed upwards at the outlet by a two-stage powder feeding piston mechanism, ensuring more precise control of the powder feeding amount for each print. The two-stage powder feeding method better guarantees the smoothness and precision of the powder feeding process.

[0045] The secondary piston is surrounded by an elastic sealing layer to better ensure a proper piston seal.

[0046] The secondary telescopic mechanism 6 employs a cylinder device, which boasts advantages such as mature technology, low cost, and ease of control.

[0047] A mounting bracket is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate, and the secondary telescopic mechanism is fixed on the mounting bracket.

[0048] It also includes a secondary limiting mechanism, which includes a horizontal plate fixed to the telescopic rod of the secondary telescopic mechanism, and an adjusting screw 9 vertically set and screwed into the screw hole of the horizontal plate. The upper end of the adjusting screw 9 is a limiting end and is used to abut against a secondary limiting block fixed to the lower surface of the cavity plate for limiting.

[0049] This allows for precise limiting of the stroke of the secondary telescopic mechanism, ensuring that the amount of powder delivered by the secondary powder feeding piston mechanism meets requirements each time. Furthermore, the position of the screw can be easily adjusted when needed to regulate the stroke of the secondary telescopic mechanism.

Claims

1. A powder loading device for a 3D printing equipment, comprising a powder box fixedly disposed on one side of the printing platform, characterized in that, It also includes a primary powder feeding piston mechanism located below the powder hopper. The primary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a cavity plate horizontally connected to one side of the printing platform. The cavity plate is generally horizontally rectangular. One side of the cavity plate has an upward-facing inlet that is sealed to the lower outlet of the powder hopper. The other side of the cavity plate, adjacent to the printing platform, has an upward-facing outlet with the same width as the printing platform. A matching primary piston is also correspondingly installed in the cavity of the cavity plate between the inlet and the outlet. A primary piston rod is connected to the primary piston outward from the direction of the outlet. The primary piston rod can movably pass through the cavity plate and is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of a primary telescopic mechanism that is horizontally arranged along the feeding direction.

2. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic sealing layer is provided around the first-stage piston.

3. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The primary telescopic mechanism uses a cylinder device.

4. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The primary telescopic mechanism is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate, and the telescopic rod of the primary telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the piston rod through a vertically set connecting plate.

5. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a primary limiting mechanism, which includes a primary limiting block. The primary limiting block is fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate on one side of the primary telescopic mechanism. The primary limiting block has a limiting end for abutting and limiting the connecting plate.

6. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting end of the first-level limiting block is fixedly provided with a sliding rod that is consistent with the feeding direction. The outer end of the sliding rod is slidably installed in the sliding hole on the connecting plate.

7. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The primary limit block has multiple screw holes along the feeding direction and is fixed upward to the cavity plate by bolts.

8. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A secondary powder feeding piston mechanism is also provided at the lower end of the cavity plate at the discharge port. The secondary powder feeding piston mechanism includes a secondary piston that matches the discharge port. The lower end of the secondary piston can be movably and vertically downward through the opening below the discharge port and connected to the telescopic rod of a secondary telescopic mechanism fixed on the lower surface of the cavity plate.

9. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 8, characterized in that, An elastic sealing layer is provided around the secondary piston.

10. The powder application device for the 3D printing equipment as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The secondary telescopic mechanism uses a cylinder device; A mounting bracket is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the cavity plate, and the secondary telescopic mechanism is fixed on the mounting bracket; It also includes a secondary limiting mechanism, which includes a horizontal plate fixed to the telescopic rod of the secondary telescopic mechanism, and an adjusting screw that is vertically set and screwed into the screw hole of the horizontal plate. The upper end of the adjusting screw is a limiting end and is used to abut against a secondary limiting block fixed to the lower surface of the cavity plate for limiting.

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