In-situ electric arc material increasing and decreasing equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses in-situ electric arc additive and subtractive material equipment, which belongs to the technical field of additive and subtractive material manufacturing and comprises a working platform, an operating arm, a quick release structure, an additive material tool end and a subtractive material tool end. The additive tool end or the subtractive tool end is mounted on the operating arm through a quick release structure; the quick-release structure comprises a quick-change male disc and two quick-change female discs matched with the quick-change male disc, the quick-change male disc is arranged on the operation arm, and the two quick-change female discs are arranged at the material adding tool end and the material reducing tool end respectively. The working platform is a rotating platform, a detachable expansion module is arranged on the working platform, a quick-change structure is additionally arranged at the front end of the operation arm to switch an electric arc material adding tool end and a numerical control material reducing tool end, material adding and material reducing function switching is achieved, and the device is smaller in size, simpler in structure and lower in manufacturing cost.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, metal parts produced by arc additive manufacturing need to be CNC machined to achieve the designed dimensions. Method 1: The workpiece produced by arc additive manufacturing is clamped onto a CNC machine tool for processing. This method involves moving the workpiece and is called non-in-situ additive manufacturing. Method 2: After the workpiece produced by arc additive manufacturing has reached a certain stage, the workpiece clamping point remains stationary, and a CNC milling machine is used to process it. This method does not involve moving the workpiece and is called in-situ additive manufacturing.

[0003] Non-in-situ additive and subtractive manufacturing requires multiple transfers and switching between additive and subtractive manufacturing stations before workpiece forming, resulting in relatively low efficiency and high labor intensity. This equipment requires additive and subtractive manufacturing equipment to be set up in two separate locations, occupying a large area.

[0004] In-situ additive and subtractive manufacturing does not require changing the workpiece clamping fixture before workpiece forming, resulting in better efficiency. However, this all-in-one machine typically combines arc additive manufacturing equipment with gantry-type CNC equipment, thus requiring a large footprint and having a complex structure. Its size increases exponentially with the additive dimensions. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides an in-situ electric arc additive / subtractive material device, which can at least solve one of the problems pointed out in the background art.

[0006] An in-situ electric arc additive and subtractive manufacturing device includes a working platform, an operating arm, a quick-release structure, an additive tool end, and a subtractive tool end;

[0007] The additive or subtractive tool end is mounted on the manipulator via a quick-release mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the quick-release structure includes a quick-change male disc and two quick-change female discs that cooperate with the quick-change male disc. The quick-change male disc is disposed on the operating arm, and the two quick-change female discs are disposed on the additive tool end and the subtractive tool end, respectively.

[0009] Preferably, a multi-dimensional force sensor is installed at the shaft end of the operating arm, and the quick-release structure is installed at the front end of the multi-dimensional force sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the working platform is a rotary platform, and the working platform is provided with a detachable expansion module.

[0011] It also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the operating arm, the adjustment mechanism comprising:

[0012] The main body is equipped with a guide rail.

[0013] Mounting plate one is slidably mounted on guide rail one;

[0014] Drive mechanism one, used to drive mounting plate one to move on guide rail one; and

[0015] The operating arm is fixedly installed on mounting plate one.

[0016] The drive mechanism includes:

[0017] A servo motor is fixedly mounted on a mounting plate, and a gear is mounted on the output end of the servo motor.

[0018] Rack 1 is fixedly installed on the main body and meshes with gear 1.

[0019] It also includes a second adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the operating arm, the second adjustment mechanism comprising:

[0020] The bracket is equipped with two guide rails.

[0021] Mounting plate two is slidably mounted on guide rail two; and

[0022] Drive mechanism two is used to drive mounting plate two to move along guide rail two;

[0023] The operating arm is mounted on mounting plate two;

[0024] The second driving mechanism includes:

[0025] Servo motor two, which is fixedly mounted on mounting plate two, has a gear two installed at its output end; and

[0026] Rack 2 is fixedly installed on the bracket and meshes with gear 2.

[0027] It also includes a counterweight unit, which includes a counterweight block and a chain connecting the counterweight block and the mounting plate 2;

[0028] The bracket is equipped with a guide rail for guiding the counterweight and a sprocket that meshes with the chain.

[0029] Preferably, a mounting rack is fixedly installed on the mounting plate, and the mounting rack is provided with at least one or more of the following: a smoke extractor, an additive power supply, a tool magazine, a robot control cabinet, and a cooling water tank.

[0030] Preferably, the work platform is mounted on a base, which is also equipped with a gas cylinder, a control system, a digital dashboard, a wire feeder, and a safety fence surrounding the work platform and the operating arm.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0032] 1. A quick-change structure is added to the front end of the operating arm to switch between the arc additive manufacturing tool end and the CNC subtractive manufacturing tool end, realizing the switching between additive and subtractive manufacturing functions. The equipment is smaller, the structure is simpler, and the manufacturing cost is lower.

[0033] 2. The addition or subtraction of materials in a large planar workpiece can be achieved through the horizontal adjustment of the expandable diameter rotating platform and the adjustment mechanism.

[0034] 3. The addition or subtraction of materials for tall workpieces can be achieved through the adjustment mechanism 2, and the addition height can be increased through the expansion module, which is suitable for the addition and subtraction manufacturing of large structural parts. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the additive tool end structure of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the subtractive tool end structure of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the operating arm of this utility model equipped with a subtractive tool end;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the working platform of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working platform of this utility model equipped with an expansion module;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adjustment mechanism of this utility model;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second adjustment mechanism of this utility model.

[0043] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0044] 1-Working platform, 2-Operating arm, 3-Additive tooling end, 4-Subtractive tooling end, 5-Quick change male plate, 6-Quick change female plate, 7-Multi-dimensional force sensor, 8-Expansion module, 9-Workpiece, 11-Main body, 12-Mounting plate 1, 13-Guide rail 1, 15-Rack 1, 16-Servo motor 1, 17-Drag chain 1, 18-Placement rack, 19-Fumigation dust collector, 20-Additive power supply, 21-Tool magazine, 22- - Robot control cabinet, 23- Cooling water tank, 24- Gas cylinder, 25- Control system, 26- Digital signboard, 27- Wire feeder, 28- Safety fence, 29- Safety door lock, 30- Safety light curtain, 31- Bracket, 32- Mounting plate II, 33- Guide rail II, 34- Servo motor II, 36- Rack II, 37- Counterweight, 38- Chain, 39- Guide rail III, 40- Sprocket, 41- Drag chain II. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The following describes a specific embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides an in-situ electric arc additive and subtractive manufacturing equipment, including a work platform 1, an operating arm 2, an additive tool end 3, and a subtractive tool end 4. In order to reduce the floor space, this embodiment adopts a quick-release structure to replace the additive tool end 3 or the subtractive tool end 4, realizing repeated switching between additive and subtractive manufacturing during the additive and subtractive manufacturing process. This design is more compact and small in terms of spatial structure, and the structure is simpler. It does not require complex processing equipment, so the cost is lower. It solves the problem of large floor space in the existing technology of combining electric arc additive manufacturing equipment with gantry CNC equipment.

[0048] The quick-release structure includes a quick-change male disc 5 and two quick-change female discs 6 that cooperate with the quick-change male disc 5. The quick-change male disc 5 is set on the operating arm 2, and the two quick-change female discs 6 are set on the additive tool end 3 and the subtractive tool end 4, respectively. The quick-change male disc 5 and the quick-change female disc 6 are interlocked or separated by an internal locking mechanism driven by compressed air, and there are quick connection ports between them for hydraulic oil, compressed air, high voltage (380V), low voltage (24V), and cooling water.

[0049] In addition, a multi-dimensional force sensor 7 is installed at the end of the second axis of the operating arm, and a quick-change public disk 5 is installed in front of the multi-dimensional force sensor 7. The multi-dimensional force sensor 7 can detect the force on the tool end in real time during the additive or subtractive process. If the force is abnormal, the equipment will stop running.

[0050] The manipulator 2, with the arc additive manufacturing tool end 3, performs arc additive manufacturing. The outer surface of the workpiece has layered textures and the dimensions do not meet the requirements. In order to make the shape and surface of the workpiece meet the design requirements, the manipulator 2, with the CNC subtractive manufacturing tool end 4, performs material removal processing on the outer surface of the semi-finished workpiece until the finished workpiece is obtained (this process may be repeated several times, depending on the specific product).

[0051] Example 2

[0052] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment proposes an in-situ electric arc additive and subtractive material device based on embodiment one. Its working platform 1 is a rotating platform, and a detachable expansion module 8 is provided on the working platform 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the expansion module 8 is of standard length. When the maximum height of the workpiece to be added or subtracted in the Z-axis direction is A meters, by adding expansion modules 8 (expansion module length B meters), the height dimension that can be added or subtracted in the Z-axis direction is (A+B) meters. If X expansion modules 8 are added in the Z-axis direction, the height dimension that can be added or subtracted is (A+XB) meters. Of course, the height cannot be increased indefinitely and will be limited by the structural rigidity and stability.

[0054] This design is particularly suitable for large additive and subtractive construction shells, such as tank shells; both diameter and height can easily reach several meters.

[0055] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagrams show the work platform 1 before and after expansion. An expansion plate of the same size is fixed to the work platform 1. This design allows for the expansion of the traditional tabletop diameter. Specifically, due to manufacturing costs and transportation constraints, the diameter of the integral rotating tabletop should not be too large (e.g., no more than 3 meters). By adding the expansion plate, larger workpieces can be added or removed while retaining the original low-cost, easily transportable work platform 1. If the user is producing small workpieces (e.g., within 2 meters in diameter), the expansion plate is not required. However, if producing large workpieces (e.g., a 7-meter diameter cylinder), the expansion plate is necessary, and this method is more economical.

[0056] The diameter of the work platform 1 can be increased from small to large. Combined with other adjustment mechanisms, the work arm 2 can move within a large range of space. The equipment can perform addition and subtraction operations on workpieces ranging from small to large, enabling production compatible with a wider range of sizes. Figure 6 As shown, the work platform 1 is set on the base, and the base is also equipped with a gas cylinder 24, a control system 25, a digital signboard 26, a wire feeder 27, and a safety fence 28 for surrounding the work platform and the operating arm.

[0057] Gas cylinder 24 provides protective gas for the arc additive manufacturing tool end 1 during additive manufacturing, preventing oxidation of the molten pool when the molten wire is stacked. Control system 25 is the overall electrical control logic center, controlling each component to operate according to logical instructions. Digital dashboard 26 is a visual representation of the entire system parameters, such as the additive / subtractive manufacturing process, current magnitude, voltage magnitude, ambient temperature and humidity, material properties, work records, work duration, consumables, etc., can all be displayed on it. Wire supply unit 27 stores constant temperature and humidity wire, and has built-in temperature and humidity control functions, which can deliver wire to the arc additive manufacturing tool end 3 over long distances. Safety fence 28 is mainly composed of metal profiles and anti-arc light panels, surrounding the equipment and isolating personnel. Together with safety door lock 29 (the equipment stops when the door lock is opened) and safety light curtain 30 (the equipment stops when the light curtain is invaded), it can prevent personnel from entering and causing accidents during operation to a certain extent.

[0058] Example 3

[0059] like Figures 1-7 As shown, this embodiment proposes an in-situ electric arc additive and subtractive material device based on the previous embodiment. It includes an adjustment mechanism 1 for adjusting the position 2 of the operating arm. The adjustment mechanism 1 is used to adjust the movement of the operating arm 2 in the horizontal direction. It includes a main body 11, a mounting plate 12 and a drive mechanism 1. The drive mechanism 1 is used to drive the mounting plate 12 to move on the guide rail 13.

[0060] The main body 11 is provided with a guide rail 13; the mounting plate 12 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 13, and the operating arm 2 is connected to the mounting plate 12.

[0061] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism employs a servo motor 16, gear 14, and rack 15. However, other methods such as cylinders or lead screws and nuts can also be used.

[0062] Servo motor 16 is fixedly mounted on mounting plate 12, and a gear 14 is mounted on the output end of servo motor 16; rack 15 is fixedly mounted on the main body, and rack 15 is meshed with gear 14.

[0063] The operating arm 2 is fixed on the mounting plate 12, and the servo motor 16 is fixed on the mounting plate 12. When the servo motor 16 is enabled, it drives the gear 14 on it to mesh with the rack 15, so that the left mechanism moves precisely along the guide rail 13. This mechanism, together with the working platform 1, can realize small-to-large-size arc addition and subtraction operations, which largely avoids position interference and the phenomenon that the operating arm 2 cannot reach.

[0064] The drive mechanism also includes a cable chain 17. One end of the cable chain 17 is connected to the mounting plate 12, and the other end is mounted on the main body 11. The cable chain 17 moves together with the mounting plate 12. Cables pass through the cable chain 17 and serve a protective function.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, a mounting rack 18 is fixedly installed on the mounting plate 12. The mounting rack 18 is equipped with at least one or more of the following: a smoke extractor 19, an additive power supply 20, a tool magazine 21, a robot control cabinet 22, and a cooling water tank 23.

[0066] During arc additive manufacturing, the generated smoke and dust pollute the environment and threaten the health of operators. Therefore, a smoke and dust collector 19 is connected to a pipe near the arc additive manufacturing tool end 3. During arc additive manufacturing, the smoke and dust collector 10 absorbs the smoke and dust and filters out harmful substances. The additive power supply 20 provides melting power for the filament during arc additive manufacturing, heating the filament to a liquid state and causing it to drip and stack layer by layer. The tool magazine 21 is equipped with several subtractive manufacturing tools of different specifications to meet the different needs of the CNC subtractive manufacturing tool end 4 during subtractive manufacturing. It includes a tool positioning mechanism and a tool detection sensor. The spindle cooling water tank 23 provides circulating cooling water for the electric spindle during CNC subtractive manufacturing to remove the heat generated by the electric spindle during long-term operation.

[0067] Example 4

[0068] like Figures 1-8 As shown, this embodiment proposes an in-situ material addition and subtraction device based on embodiment three, which also includes an adjustment mechanism two for adjusting the height of the operating arm. The adjustment mechanism two includes a bracket 31, a mounting plate two 32, and a guide rail two 33.

[0069] The operating arm 2 is mounted on the second mounting plate 32. When there is an adjustment mechanism, the main body 11 connected to the operating arm 2 is connected to the second mounting plate 32.

[0070] The bracket 31 is provided with a guide rail 33; the mounting plate 32 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 33.

[0071] Drive mechanism 2 is used to drive mounting plate 2 32 to move along guide rail 2 33;

[0072] The second drive mechanism includes a second servo motor 34 fixedly mounted on the second mounting plate 32, and a second gear 35 mounted on the output end of the second servo motor 34; a second rack 36 is fixedly mounted on the bracket 31, and the second rack 36 is meshed with the second gear 35.

[0073] The cross-sections of guide rail 2 33 and guide rail 1 13 can be T-shaped. The mounting plates 32 2 and 12 corresponding to them respectively have T-shaped grooves that cooperate with the T-shaped structure so that the mounting plates will not separate directly when sliding on their corresponding guide rails.

[0074] It also includes a counterweight unit, which includes a counterweight block 37 and a chain 38 connecting the counterweight block 37 and the mounting plate 32; the bracket 31 is also provided with a guide rail 39 for guiding the counterweight block 37 and a sprocket 40 that meshes with the chain 38.

[0075] The main body 11 is connected to the mounting plate 2 32. The mounting plate 2 32 is equipped with a servo motor 2 34. The gear on the servo motor 2 34 meshes with the rack 2 36 fixed on the frame 31. The mounting plate 2 32 moves up and down along the guide rail 2 33, which is fixed on the frame 31. The mounting plate 2 32 is connected to a chain 38 via a sprocket 39 and is connected to a counterweight 37. The counterweight 37 slides up and down along the guide rail 3 39. The main body 11 also includes a drag chain 2 41, which is connected to a bracket on the main body 11. A drag chain 1 17 is also connected to the bracket. The drag chain 2 41 contains a cable from the addition / subtraction working end and moves up and down along the Z-axis in coordination with the cable.

[0076] 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 and 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.

[0077] 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. An in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction device, characterized in that, It includes a work platform (1), an operating arm (2), a quick-release structure, an additive tool end (3), and a subtractive tool end (4); The additive tool end (3) and the subtractive tool end (4) are mounted on the operating arm (2) via a quick-release structure; The quick-release structure includes a quick-change male plate (5) and two quick-change female plates (6) that cooperate with the quick-change male plate (5). The quick-change male plate (5) is set on the operating arm (2), and the two quick-change female plates (6) are set on the additive tool end (3) and the subtractive tool end (4) respectively.

2. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft end of the operating arm (2) is equipped with a multi-dimensional force sensor (7), and the front end of the multi-dimensional force sensor (7) is equipped with the quick-release structure.

3. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The working platform (1) is a rotating platform, and a detachable expansion module (8) is provided on the working platform (1).

4. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the operating arm (2), the adjustment mechanism comprising: The main body (11) is provided with a guide rail (13). Mounting plate 1 (12) is slidably mounted on guide rail 1 (13); Drive mechanism one, for driving mounting plate one (12) to move on guide rail one (13); and The operating arm (2) is fixedly installed on the mounting plate (12).

5. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes: Servo motor 1 (16) is fixedly mounted on mounting plate 1 (12), and a gear 1 is mounted on the output end of servo motor 1 (16); and Rack 1 (15) is fixedly installed on the main body (11) and meshes with gear 1.

6. An in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction device as described in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, It also includes a second adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the operating arm (2), the second adjustment mechanism comprising: A bracket (31) is provided with a guide rail (33); Mounting plate two (32) is slidably mounted on the guide rail two (33); and Drive mechanism two is used to drive mounting plate two (32) to move along guide rail two (33); The operating arm (2) is mounted on the second mounting plate (32); The second driving mechanism includes: Servo motor 2 (34) is fixedly mounted on mounting plate 2 (32), and a gear 2 is mounted on the output end of servo motor 2 (34); and Rack 2 (36) is fixedly installed on bracket (31) and meshes with gear 2.

7. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a counterweight unit, which includes a counterweight block (37) and a chain (38) connecting the counterweight block (37) and the mounting plate (32). The bracket (31) is provided with a guide rail (39) for guiding the counterweight (37) and a sprocket (40) that meshes with the chain (38).

8. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A mounting rack (18) is fixedly installed on the mounting plate (12). The mounting rack (18) is provided with at least one or more of the following: a smoke extractor (19), an additive power supply (20), a tool magazine (21), a robot control cabinet (22), and a cooling water tank (23).

9. The in-situ electric arc addition / subtraction equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The work platform (1) is set on a base, which is also equipped with a gas cylinder (24), a control system (25), a digital signboard (26), a wire feeder (27), and a safety fence (28) for surrounding the work platform (1) and the operating arm (2).

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