Automatic metal powder stirring mechanism applied to 3D printing

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of 3D printing, and particularly relates to an automatic metal powder stirring mechanism applied to 3D printing, which comprises a stirring tank and a first transmission shaft, the first transmission shaft is provided with at least one group of stirring paddles, the second transmission shaft is provided with a spiral conveying auger, and the third transmission shaft is provided with at least one group of crushing paddles. The driving source is arranged above the stirring tank and is used for driving the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft and the third transmission shaft to rotate, so that the stirring paddle, the crushing paddle and the spiral conveying auger are integrally transmitted. Based on braking of a driving source, combined linkage operation of three sets of transmission shafts is driven, and then stirring paddles on shaft rods of the transmission shafts are driven to rotate, metal powder is dynamically stirred, smashing paddles are driven to rotate, caked metal powder is dynamically rotationally cut and smashed, and a spiral conveying auger is driven to rotate; the metal powder at the bottom of the tank is circularly conveyed to the top of the tank along the conveying cylinder, so that the powder is stirred and mixed in an up-and-down overturning manner, and the metal powder is stirred and mixed more fully and comprehensively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, specifically relating to an automatic stirring mechanism for metal powder used in 3D printing. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing, also known as laser rapid prototyping, is an emerging manufacturing technology that can transform computer designs into physical objects by layering materials to obtain a finished product. Gradient printing requires metal powder. To ensure the quality of the gradient-printed product, the metal powder often needs to be stirred and mixed before use to avoid air holes, cracks, deformations, etc. caused by uneven mixing. As shown in the metal powder mixer disclosed on the China Patent Network (publication announcement number CN217746552U), this type of mixing equipment performs the first mixing when the metal powder is blown into the mixing chamber through the powder inlet pipe. Multiple powder inlet pipes are set to allow for the simultaneous mixing of various metal powders. The diffusion section between the mixing chamber and the powder inlet pipe adopts a funnel-shaped structure to rapidly diffuse various metal powders upon entering the mixing chamber. Then, the metal powder undergoes a second mixing under the stirring of the mixing roller after entering the mixing pipe, making the mixing more thorough.

[0003] However, the aforementioned disclosed patents and existing metal powder mixing equipment in the market still have some shortcomings: existing metal powder mixing equipment can only perform short-term mixing of metal powder, resulting in low mixing efficiency and poor mixing uniformity. Therefore, those skilled in the art have provided an automatic metal powder mixing mechanism for 3D printing to solve the problems mentioned in the background section. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic stirring mechanism for metal powder used in 3D printing, which can solve the problems of low stirring and mixing efficiency and poor mixing uniformity of existing metal powder stirring mechanisms mentioned in the background art.

[0005] The specific technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows:

[0006] An automatic metal powder mixing mechanism for 3D printing includes a mixing tank; a first drive shaft located on one side of the mixing tank chamber, on which at least one set of stirring paddles are mounted; a second drive shaft located in the middle of the mixing tank chamber, on which a spiral conveyor is mounted, and a conveying cylinder fixed to the mixing tank is sleeved on the outside of the spiral conveyor; a third drive shaft located on the other side of the mixing tank chamber, on which at least one set of crushing paddles are mounted; and a drive source located above the mixing tank for driving the first, second, and third drive shafts to rotate, thereby enabling the stirring paddles, crushing paddles, and spiral conveyor to drive as a whole, and to perform up-and-down circulating mixing of the metal powder in the mixing tank.

[0007] The present invention is further configured such that: the driving source includes a brake frame mounted on the mixing tank; the brake frame has a brake shaft inside its support for driving the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft, and the third transmission shaft; and a brake motor for driving the brake shaft is mounted above the support of the brake frame; the brake shaft is connected to the first transmission shaft via a first worm gear transmission; the brake shaft is connected to the second transmission shaft via a second worm gear transmission; and the brake shaft is connected to the third transmission shaft via a third worm gear transmission.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that: the output end of the brake motor is provided with a pulley A, one end of the brake shaft is provided with a pulley B, and pulley A and pulley B are connected by a transmission belt.

[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the number of stirring paddles and crushing paddles are multiple sets, and the stirring paddles and crushing paddles are arranged horizontally and symmetrically with each other.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that: the second drive shaft is provided with a material-pulling rod facing one end of the screw conveyor along its axial direction, and the material-pulling rod is arranged in a spiral arrangement along the axial direction of the second drive shaft.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the spiral conveyor extends to the discharge port at the bottom of the mixing tank.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that: the conveying cylinder includes a feeding cylinder tube, the bottom end of the feeding cylinder tube is provided with a feeding opening, and the top end of the feeding cylinder tube is provided with a discharging opening.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that: the mixing tank has a feed inlet at the top of the tank body and a discharge outlet at the bottom of the mixing tank.

[0014] The technical effects achieved by this utility model are as follows:

[0015] This invention relates to an automatic metal powder mixing mechanism for 3D printing. The design is based on the braking of a drive source, which drives the combined and linked operation of three sets of transmission shafts. These shafts then drive the stirring paddles on their respective shafts to rotate, dynamically mixing the metal powder. A pulverizing paddle rotates to dynamically pulverize agglomerated metal powder. A spiral conveyor rotates to circulate the metal powder from the bottom of the tank to the top, ensuring the powder is continuously tumbled and mixed. This design features excellent integrated linkage characteristics, resulting in more thorough and comprehensive mixing of the metal powder, while also ensuring more continuous and efficient mixing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a practical schematic diagram of the actual structure;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a first partial sectional view of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a second partial sectional view of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the driving source in this application.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Mixing tank; 2. Brake frame; 3. Brake motor; 4. Feed inlet; 5. Discharge outlet; 6. First drive shaft; 7. Mixing paddle; 8. Second drive shaft; 9. Conveying cylinder; 91. Feeding cylinder pipe; 92. Feed opening; 93. Discharge opening; 10. Third drive shaft; 11. Crushing paddle; 12. Feeding rod; 13. Screw conveyor; 14. Brake shaft; 15. Pulley A; 16. Drive belt; 17. Pulley B; 18. First worm gear; 19. Second worm gear; 20. Third worm gear; Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the purpose and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the following text is merely used to describe one or more specific implementations of this utility model and does not strictly limit the scope of protection specifically claimed by this utility model.

[0023] like Figure 1-5As shown, an automatic metal powder mixing mechanism for 3D printing includes a mixing tank 1, a first drive shaft 6 located on one side of the mixing tank 1 chamber, with at least one set of stirring paddles 7 mounted on the first drive shaft 6, a second drive shaft 8 located in the middle of the mixing tank 1 chamber, with a spiral conveyor 13 mounted on the second drive shaft 8, and a conveying cylinder 9 fixed to the mixing tank 1 sleeved on the outer side of the spiral conveyor 13, a third drive shaft 10 located on the other side of the mixing tank 1 chamber, with at least one set of pulverizing paddles 11 mounted on the third drive shaft 10, and a drive source located above the mixing tank 1 for driving the first drive shaft 6, the second drive shaft 8, and the third drive shaft 10 to rotate. The movement of the agitator 7, pulverizer 11, and screw conveyor 13 causes them to rotate as a single unit. Based on the braking of the drive source, the combined rotation of the first drive shaft 6, second drive shaft 8, and third drive shaft 10 is driven. Simultaneously, the rotation of the first drive shaft 6 drives the agitator 7 on its shaft to rotate, dynamically agitating the metal powder. Simultaneously, the rotation of the second drive shaft 8 drives the pulverizer 11 on its shaft to rotate, dynamically pulverizing and crushing agglomerated metal powder. Simultaneously, the rotation of the third drive shaft 10 drives the screw conveyor 13 on its shaft to rotate, circulating the metal powder from the bottom of the tank along the conveyor cylinder 9 to the top of the tank, keeping the powder constantly tumbling and mixing. Specifically:

[0024] The driving source includes a brake frame 2 mounted on the mixing tank 1. Inside the bracket of the brake frame 2 is a brake shaft 14 that drives the first drive shaft 6, the second drive shaft 8, and the third drive shaft 10. Above the bracket of the brake frame 2 is a brake motor 3 that drives the brake shaft 14. The brake shaft 14 is connected to the first drive shaft 6 via a first worm gear 18, to the second drive shaft 8 via a second worm gear 19, and to the third drive shaft 10 via a third worm gear 20. The output end of the brake motor 3 is equipped with a pulley A15, and one end of the brake shaft 14 is equipped with a pulley B17. Pulley A15 and pulley B17 are connected... The components 17 are connected by a transmission belt 16. By controlling the operation of the brake motor 3, the combination of pulley A15, transmission belt 16, and pulley B17 rotates, which in turn drives the brake shaft 14 to rotate. While the brake shaft 14 rotates, the meshing transmission of the first worm gear 18 drives the first transmission shaft 6 and its components to rotate in linkage. At the same time, the meshing transmission of the second worm gear 19 drives the second transmission shaft 8 and its components to rotate in linkage. The meshing transmission of the third worm gear 20 drives the third transmission shaft 10 and its components to rotate in linkage, forming an integrated linkage operation to automatically stir and mix the metal powder.

[0025] The number of stirring paddles 7 and crushing paddles 11 are multiple, and the stirring paddles 7 and crushing paddles 11 are arranged horizontally and symmetrically. Through the arrangement of stirring paddles 7 and crushing paddles 11, the metal powder in the mixing tank 1 is stirred, mixed and pulverized in parallel to ensure the sufficient mixing of metal powder and avoid uneven mixing of metal powder caused by agglomeration.

[0026] Furthermore, the screw conveyor 13 extends to the bottom discharge port of the mixing tank 1. The conveying cylinder 9 includes a feeding cylinder 91, with a feeding opening 92 at the bottom and a discharge opening 93 at the top. Through the screw conveyor 13 and its combination with the conveying cylinder 9, the metal powder at the bottom of the mixing tank 1 is spirally conveyed upward through the feeding opening 92 and conveyed to the upper end along the discharge opening 93. This keeps the metal powder in the mixing tank 1 mixed and tumbled up and down to improve the mixing and tumbling efficiency. After the mixing and tumbling is completed, the screw conveyor 13 is driven in reverse to empty the metal powder remaining in the conveying cylinder 9 while dynamically stirring its discharge port to avoid powder accumulation and failure to discharge.

[0027] It should be noted that the second drive shaft 8 is provided with a material-dispersing rod 12 facing one end of the screw conveyor 13 along its axial direction. The material-dispersing rod 12 is arranged in a spiral along the axial direction of the second drive shaft 8. By setting the material-dispersing rod 12 on the second drive shaft 8, when the metal powder is conveyed upward along the screw conveyor 13, the material-dispersing rod 12 can be used to disperse the metal powder, so that the metal powder is discharged along the discharge opening 93, avoiding the situation where the metal powder sticks due to the extrusion pressure.

[0028] In addition, the mixing tank 1 has a feed inlet 4 on the top of the tank body and a discharge outlet 5 at the bottom of the tank. The feed inlet 4 and the discharge outlet 5 serve as the feeding port and unloading port for metal powder.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model. Structures, devices, and operating methods not specifically described or explained in this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, shall be implemented using conventional methods in the art.

Claims

1. An automatic stirring mechanism for metal powder used in 3D printing, characterized in that: include: Mixing tank (1); The first drive shaft (6) is located on one side of the chamber of the mixing tank (1), and the first drive shaft (6) is provided with at least one set of stirring blades (7). The second drive shaft (8) is located in the middle of the chamber of the mixing tank (1). The second drive shaft (8) is provided with a spiral conveying auger (13). The outer side of the spiral conveying auger (13) is fitted with a conveying cylinder (9) fixed on the mixing tank (1). The third drive shaft (10) is located on the other side of the chamber of the mixing tank (1), and the third drive shaft (10) is provided with at least one set of crushing paddles (11). The drive source is located above the mixing tank (1) and is used to drive the first drive shaft (6), the second drive shaft (8), and the third drive shaft (10) to rotate, so that the stirring paddle (7), the crushing paddle (11), and the screw conveyor (13) are driven as a whole to carry out the up-and-down circulation stirring of the metal powder in the mixing tank (1).

2. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving source includes a brake frame (2) mounted on the mixing tank (1). The brake frame (2) has a brake shaft (14) inside its support that drives the first transmission shaft (6), the second transmission shaft (8), and the third transmission shaft (10). A brake motor (3) that drives the brake shaft (14) is mounted above the support of the brake frame (2). The brake shaft (14) is connected to the first transmission shaft (6) via a first worm gear (18), and the brake shaft (14) is connected to the second transmission shaft (8) via a second worm gear (19). The brake shaft (14) is connected to the third transmission shaft (10) via a third worm gear (20).

3. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The output end of the brake motor (3) is provided with pulley A (15), and one end of the brake shaft (14) is provided with pulley B (17). The pulley A (15) and pulley B (17) are connected by a transmission belt (16).

4. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of stirring paddles (7) and crushing paddles (11) are multiple sets, and the stirring paddles (7) and crushing paddles (11) are arranged horizontally and symmetrically to each other.

5. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second drive shaft (8) is provided with a material-pulling rod (12) facing one end of the screw conveyor (13) along its axial direction. The material-pulling rod (12) is arranged in a spiral along the axial direction of the second drive shaft (8).

6. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral conveyor (13) extends to the bottom discharge port of the mixing tank (1).

7. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying cylinder (9) includes a feeding cylinder (91), with a feeding opening (92) at the bottom end and a discharge opening (93) at the top end.

8. The automatic metal powder stirring mechanism for 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing tank (1) has a feed inlet (4) on the top of the tank body and a discharge outlet (5) at the bottom of the mixing tank (1).

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