Powder supply unit of additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment
By designing deagglomeration components and powder feeding rollers in the powder supply unit of additive manufacturing equipment, the problem of uneven powder spreading caused by powder agglomeration is solved, thereby improving the forming accuracy and quality of additive manufacturing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HEFEI YINGPU INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
Powder raw materials are prone to agglomeration during additive manufacturing, resulting in uneven powder spreading and affecting molding accuracy and quality.
A powder feeding unit for an additive manufacturing equipment was designed, comprising a hopper and a tilting module. The tilting module is equipped with a powder-dispersing component and a deagglomerating component. The deagglomerating component is a plate-shaped part with holes or gaps that can break up agglomerates of powder raw materials. Combined with the powder feeding roller and the material preparation chamber, it can achieve effective deagglomeration and replenishment of powder raw materials.
By designing deagglomerates, the agglomerates of powder raw materials are effectively broken up, improving the uniformity of powder spreading and the quality of additive manufacturing.
Smart Images
Figure CN224210571U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing, and more particularly to a powder supply unit for additive manufacturing equipment, and additive manufacturing equipment including the powder supply unit. Background Technology
[0002] Additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, is widely used due to its advantages such as freeform shaping and high material utilization. Powder raw materials are one of the main raw materials in additive manufacturing, and they are laid on the printing surface during the printing process. Powder raw materials are prone to agglomeration, which leads to uneven powder distribution and seriously affects the molding accuracy and quality. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder supply unit for additive manufacturing equipment, which helps to reduce the agglomeration of powder raw materials.
[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide an additive manufacturing device that helps reduce the agglomeration of powder raw materials.
[0005] This invention provides a powder feeding unit for an additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising a hopper and a tilting module. The hopper has a discharge trough for receiving powdered raw materials and a discharge port on one side of the discharge trough. The tilting module is rotatably disposed in the discharge trough about a first axis. The tilting module has a powder-dispersing component and a deagglomerating component. The powder-dispersing component can displace the powdered raw materials in the discharge trough through the discharge port by rotation. The deagglomerating component is a plate-shaped component with holes or gaps that can break up agglomerates of powdered raw materials passing through it.
[0006] The powder supply unit of this additive manufacturing equipment is equipped with a deagglomeration component, which helps to deagglomerate the powder raw materials and improves the quality of additive manufacturing.
[0007] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the discharge trough is cylindrical with a segmental cross-section, and the chord of the segmental shape is set as the discharge port of the discharge trough. The first axis coincides with the axis of the discharge trough. The deagglomerator extends through the discharge trough along the first axis and extends radially outward from the first axis, so as to separate the circumferentially located portions of the discharge trough on both sides of the deagglomerator when it is in the discharge trough. In this way, the deagglomerator can more fully disperse the agglomerates of powder raw materials during rotation.
[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the powder-dispensing member extends through the discharge trough along a first axis and radially outward from the first axis, so as to separate the circumferentially oriented portions of the discharge trough located on both sides of the powder-dispensing member when it is in the discharge trough. This helps to improve the efficiency of powder dispensing.
[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, on the rear side of the deagglomerating member along the first rotation direction of the flipping module, the deagglomerating member and the powder-dispensing member can form a processed space with the wall of the discharge trough. This prevents the powder material pushed back into the discharge trough from the discharge port from being dispensed again by the powder-dispensing member for powder spreading without undergoing deagglomeration treatment by the deagglomerating member.
[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder feeding unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the deagglomerating element includes several spaced-apart strips. The leading edge of the strips gradually thins into a wedge shape along the first rotation direction. This facilitates more effectively breaking up agglomerates of the powder raw materials.
[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the hopper further includes a preparation chamber. A discharge chute connects to the preparation chamber. The powder supply unit also includes a powder feeding roller. The powder feeding roller is rotatably disposed at the connection between the discharge chute and the preparation chamber. A powder feeding groove is recessed on the surface of the powder feeding roller. The powder feeding roller can rotate to move the powder feeding groove into and out of the preparation chamber and the discharge chute, thereby transporting the powder raw material from the preparation chamber to the discharge chute. This facilitates the replenishment of powder raw material to the discharge chute.
[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the surface of the powder feeding trough is configured to connect with the surface of the discharge trough when the powder feeding trough enters the discharge trough, forming a cylindrical space with a circular cross-section. This structure is compact and helps save space.
[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder feeding unit of the additive manufacturing equipment, the powder feeding roller has three powder feeding grooves distributed circumferentially thereon. This facilitates improved powder feeding efficiency.
[0014] This invention also provides an additive manufacturing apparatus, which includes the aforementioned powder supply unit. The powder supply unit of this additive manufacturing apparatus, by incorporating a deagglomeration element, facilitates the deagglomeration of powder raw material agglomerates, thereby improving the quality of additive manufacturing. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the powder supply unit of an additive manufacturing equipment.
[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the powder supply unit shown.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flip module.
[0019] Figures 4 to 7Used to display multiple operating statuses of the powder supply unit.
[0020] Figure 8 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of section VIII.
[0021] Figure 9 This is an illustrative use case for explaining the powder supply unit.
[0022] Label Explanation
[0023] 10 hoppers
[0024] 11 Discharge chute
[0025] 12 Discharge port
[0026] 13 Post-processing space
[0027] 14 Material preparation chamber
[0028] 30 Flip Module
[0029] 31 Powder Dispenser
[0030] 32 pivots
[0031] 33 Depolymerization components
[0032] 331 Strip-shaped body
[0033] 50 powder feeding rollers
[0034] 51 Powder Container
[0035] 70 Powder-spreading parts
[0036] 100, 500 powder supply units
[0037] 200 Printing Plane
[0038] L1 First Axis
[0039] R1 First rotation direction. Detailed Implementation
[0040] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, specific embodiments of the present utility model are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate components with the same or similar structures but the same function.
[0041] In this document, “illustrative” means “serving as an example, illustration or description”, and any illustration or implementation described herein as “illustrative” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.
[0042] In this article, "first" is used only for distinction, to facilitate the description of the document.
[0043] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.
[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the powder supply unit in an additive manufacturing equipment. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the powder supply unit. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the powder supply unit 100 of the additive manufacturing equipment includes a hopper 10 and a tilting module 30.
[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the hopper 10 has a discharge trough 11 for receiving powdered raw materials (represented by dots in the figure), and on one side of the discharge trough 11 (i.e. Figure 2 A discharge port 12 is provided on the upper side of the middle section.
[0046] The flipping module 30 is rotatably disposed on the discharge chute 11 about the first axis L1. When the flipping module 30 is working, it rotates, for example, along the first rotation direction R1 shown in the figure. Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the flip module 30, as shown below. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the flipping module 30 has a rotating shaft 32. The rotating shaft 32 is located in the discharge trough 11, and both ends of the rotating shaft 32 are rotatably inserted into the hopper 10 around the first axis L1. The flipping module 30 also has a powder-discharging component 31 and a de-agglomerating component 33. Both the powder-discharging component 31 and the de-agglomerating component 33 are fixed to the rotating shaft 32.
[0047] The powder-dispensing component 31 can rotate to dispense the powder raw material in the discharge trough 11 through the discharge port 12 and out of the discharge trough 11. Figure 4 Showing Figure 2 The powder supply unit's flipping module 30, as shown, rotates 180° along the first rotation direction R1. During this rotation, the powder-dispensing component 31 dispenses the powder material from the discharge trough 11. The powder material dispensed by the powder-dispensing component 31 is then spread onto the printing plane, for example, by the powder-spreading component 70. Figure 5 Shown in Figure 4 Based on this, the powder material dispensing from the powder dispensing component 31 is pushed away by the powder spreading component 70, which moves to the left.
[0048] The deagglomerating component 33 is a plate-shaped part with holes or gaps that can break up agglomerates of powdered raw materials passing through it. In different embodiments, the "plate-shaped part" can take different forms; it can be a single integral part or a plate formed by arranging mutually separate parts. The powdered raw material can pass through the holes or gaps of the "plate-shaped part," thus moving from one side of the "plate-shaped part" to the other. When the flipping module 30 is in... Figure 6 In the indicated state, after the powder spreading member 70 pushes the remaining powder material from the outlet 12 back into the outlet trough 11, the incoming powder material collides with and passes through the deagglomeration member 33, thereby facilitating the deagglomeration of the powder material agglomerates. Additionally, during the rotation of the flipping module 30 (see...), Figure 7 The powder raw materials contained in the discharge trough 11 will also collide and pass through the deagglomeration member 33, thereby helping to deagglomerate the agglomerates of the powder raw materials.
[0049] Specifically, in this illustrative embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the depolymerization member 33 includes a plurality of spaced-apart strips 331. The plurality of strips 331 are arranged along a first axis L1. One end of each strip 331 is connected to a rotating shaft 32 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis L1. The front edge of each strip 331 along the first rotation direction R1 (i.e., Figure 3 The upper edge of the strip 331 is used to collide with the powder material. The gap between adjacent strips 331 allows the powder material to pass through. This structure is simple and easy to process, but is not limited to this. In other illustrative embodiments, the depolymerizing element 33 can also be other structures that can achieve the above functions, such as, but not limited to, a mesh-like structure.
[0050] The powder supply unit of this additive manufacturing equipment is equipped with a deagglomeration component, which helps to deagglomerate the powder raw materials and improves the quality of additive manufacturing.
[0051] like Figure 2 As shown in the schematic embodiment, the discharge trough 11 is cylindrical with a chamfered cross-section, and the chord of the chamfered cross-section is set as the discharge port 12 of the discharge trough 11. The first axis L1 coincides with the axis of the discharge trough 11. The deagglomerating member 33 penetrates the discharge trough 11 along the first axis L1 and extends radially outward from the first axis L1, so as to separate the circumferentially located portions of the discharge trough 11 on both sides of the deagglomerating member 33 when it is located in the discharge trough 11. In this way, the deagglomerating member 33 can more fully disperse the agglomerates of powder raw materials during rotation. The radial gap between the deagglomerating member 33 and the wall of the discharge trough 11 is as small as possible, for example, while ensuring smooth rotation, and the width of the gap does not exceed 0.5 mm.
[0052] like Figure 2As shown in the illustrative embodiment, the powder-dispensing member 31 is, for example, plate-shaped. The powder-dispensing member 31 extends radially outward from the first axis L1 through the discharge trough 11, thus separating the circumferentially oriented portions of the discharge trough 11 located on either side of the powder-dispensing member 31 when it is positioned within the discharge trough 11. This facilitates improved powder-dispensing efficiency. The gap between the powder-dispensing member 31 and the wall of the discharge trough 11 is kept as small as possible, for example, while ensuring smooth rotation; the width of this gap does not exceed 0.5 mm.
[0053] like Figure 6 As shown in the schematic embodiment, on the rear side of the deagglomerating member 33 along the first rotation direction R1 of the flipping module 30, the deagglomerating member 33 and the powder-dispensing member 31 can form a processed space 13 (the colored part in the figure) with the wall of the discharge trough 11. It can be understood that the processed space 13 is a dynamic space, and its formation and position change with the rotation of the flipping module 30. The powder raw material pushed back from the discharge port 12 to the discharge trough 11 can only enter the processed space 13 by passing through the deagglomerating member 33. Since the processed space 13 is located in front of the powder-dispensing member 31 along the first rotation direction R1, the powder-dispensing member 31 will only dispense the powder raw material in the processed space 13 out of the discharge trough 11. In this way, the powder raw material pushed back from the discharge port 12 to the discharge trough 11 can be prevented from being dispensed again by the powder-dispensing member 31 for powder spreading without being deagglomerated by the deagglomerating member 33.
[0054] Figure 8 for Figure 3 The enlarged view of part VIII shows that, in the schematic embodiment, the leading edge of the strip 331 gradually thins into a wedge shape along the first rotation direction R1. This facilitates more effectively breaking up agglomerates of the powder raw materials.
[0055] like Figure 2 As shown in this illustrative embodiment, the hopper 10 also has a preparation chamber 14. The bottom of the discharge trough 11 communicates with the preparation chamber 14. The powder supply unit also includes a powder feeding roller 50. The powder feeding roller 50 is rotatably disposed at the communication between the discharge trough 11 and the preparation chamber 14. The surface of the powder feeding roller 50 is recessed with three powder feeding grooves 51 evenly distributed along its circumference. The powder feeding roller 50 can rotate to allow each powder feeding groove 51 to sequentially enter and exit the preparation chamber 14 and the discharge trough 11, thereby transporting the powder raw material from the preparation chamber 14 to the discharge trough 11. This facilitates the replenishment of powder raw material to the discharge trough 11. In use, for example, when the flipping module 30 is in Figure 5 In the indicated state, rotating the powder feeding roller 50 transports the powder raw material from the preparation chamber 14 to the discharge trough 11. This allows the newly entering powder raw material in the discharge trough 11 to be sent to the front side of the deagglomeration member 33 along the first rotation direction R1. Then, as the flipping module 30 rotates along the first rotation direction R1, the newly entering powder raw material in the discharge trough 11 will collide with and pass through the deagglomeration member 33, thereby helping to deagglomerate the agglomerates of the newly entering powder raw material in the discharge trough 11.
[0056] In other illustrative embodiments, the material preparation chamber 14 and the powder feeding roller 50 may be omitted, and the powder raw material may be supplemented to the discharge trough 11 in other ways, such as, but not limited to, directly supplementing the powder raw material from the discharge port 12 to the discharge trough 11. When supplementing the powder raw material from the discharge port 12 to the discharge trough 11, for example, it may be done in conjunction with... Figure 6 The powder raw materials shown are introduced in the same way.
[0057] In the illustrative embodiment, the surface of the powder feeding trough 51 is configured to connect with the surface of the discharge trough 11 when the powder feeding trough 51 enters the discharge trough 11, forming a cylindrical space with a circular cross-section. This structure is compact and helps save space.
[0058] In other illustrative embodiments, the number of powder feeding troughs 51 of the powder feeding roller 50 can be adjusted as needed.
[0059] Figure 9 This illustration shows two schematic implementations of the powder supply unit used in conjunction. The powder supply unit 100 on the right is... Figure 2 The powder supply unit shown, the powder supply unit 500 on the left is... Figure 2 The powder supply unit shown is based on the previous design, but with the material preparation chamber 14 and powder feeding roller 50 removed. In use, the powder spreading component 70 pushes the powder material dispensed from the right-side powder supply unit 100 to the left onto the printing plane 200 for spreading. The remaining powder material is pushed to the discharge chute of the left-side powder supply unit 500 (this method replenishes the discharge chute of the left-side powder supply unit 500). The next time powder is spread, the powder spreading component 70 pushes the powder material dispensed from the left-side powder supply unit 500 to the right onto the printing plane 200 for spreading, and the remaining powder material is pushed to the discharge chute of the right-side powder supply unit 100. This allows for bidirectional powder spreading by the powder spreading component 70.
[0060] However, this is not the only application scenario; in other applications, both the left and right powder supply units can also adopt this method. Figure 2 The powder supply unit 100 is shown. In another application scenario, it can also be used on one side only. Figure 2 The powder supply unit 100 shown has no powder supply unit on the other side. In this case, the powder spreading component 70 can only spread powder in one direction.
[0061] This invention also provides an additive manufacturing apparatus, which includes the aforementioned powder supply unit. The powder supply unit of this additive manufacturing apparatus, by incorporating a deagglomeration element, facilitates the deagglomeration of powder raw material agglomerates, thereby improving the quality of additive manufacturing.
[0062] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0063] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. All equivalent implementation schemes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, should be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A powder supply unit for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, include: A hopper (10) having a discharge trough (11) for receiving powdered raw materials and a discharge port (12) on one side of the discharge trough (11); and A flipping module (30), rotatably disposed on the discharge trough (11) about a first axis (L1), the flipping module (30) having: The powder-discharging component (31) can rotate to discharge the powder material in the discharge trough (11) through the discharge port (12) and... Depolymerizing component (33) is a plate-shaped component with holes or gaps that can break up agglomerates of powdered raw materials passing through it.
2. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The discharge trough (11) is a column with a circular cross-section, and the chord of the circular cross-section is set as the discharge port (12) of the discharge trough (11). The first axis (L1) coincides with the axis of the discharge trough (11). The deagglomerating member (33) passes through the discharge trough (11) along the first axis (L1) and extends radially outward from the first axis (L1) so as to separate the circumferential portions of the discharge trough (11) located on both sides of the deagglomerating member (33) when it is located in the discharge trough (11).
3. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The powder-dispensing component (31) extends through the discharge trough (11) along the first axis (L1) and extends radially outward from the first axis (L1) so as to separate the circumferential portions of the discharge trough (11) located on both sides of the powder-dispensing component (31) when it is located in the discharge trough (11).
4. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, On the rear side of the deagglomerating member (33) along the first rotation direction (R1) of the flipping module (30), the deagglomerating member (33) and the powder-dispensing member (31) can form a processed space (13) with the wall of the discharge trough (11).
5. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The depolymerization member (33) includes several spaced strips (331), the front edge of which gradually thins into a wedge shape along the first rotation direction (R1).
6. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The hopper (10) also has a material preparation chamber (14), and the discharge trough (11) is connected to the material preparation chamber (14). The powder supply unit also includes a powder feeding roller (50). The powder feeding roller (50) is rotatably disposed at the connection between the discharge trough (11) and the material preparation chamber (14). The surface of the powder feeding roller (50) is recessed with a powder feeding groove (51). The powder feeding roller (50) can rotate to allow the powder feeding groove (51) to enter and exit the material preparation chamber (14) and the discharge trough (11) so as to transport the powder raw material from the material preparation chamber (14) to the discharge trough (11).
7. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The surface of the powder feeding trough (51) is configured to be able to join the surface of the discharge trough (11) and form a cylindrical space with a circular cross-section when the powder feeding trough (51) enters the discharge trough (11).
8. The powder supply unit of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The powder feeding roller (50) has three powder feeding grooves (51) distributed along its circumference.
9. Additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the powder supply unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.