Heating device of additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

A heating device of additive manufacturing equipment comprises a supporting body and a heating assembly. The supporting body is fixedly arranged at the top of a forming chamber. The heating assembly comprises a connecting arm and a heating piece. One end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected with the supporting body. The heating piece is connected with the other end of the connecting arm so as to be driven by rotation of the connecting arm to be switched between the working position close to the powder thin layer and the avoiding position away from the powder thin layer. According to the heating device, the rotatable heating assembly is utilized, the heating effect can be guaranteed, the space on the upper side of a powder thin layer can be effectively enlarged, and a packaging box used for collecting printed powder bags can be conveniently placed. The utility model further provides additive manufacturing equipment comprising the heating device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing, and in particular to a heating device for additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In additive manufacturing processes such as selective laser sintering (SLS), the temperature uniformity of the powder layer is crucial to the quality of the formed part. Currently, the powder layer is typically heated by a heating device fixed in the forming chamber. To ensure heating efficiency, the heating device is placed close to the powder layer, resulting in limited space above the powder layer, making it inconvenient to place a packaging box for collecting the printed powder packets in the forming chamber. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heating device for additive manufacturing equipment, which can ensure heating effect and effectively expand the space on the upper side of the powder layer, making it convenient to place a packaging box for collecting the printed powder packets.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide an additive manufacturing device whose heating device can ensure heating effect and effectively expand the space on the upper side of the powder layer, making it convenient to place a packaging box for collecting the printed powder packets.

[0005] This invention provides a heating device for an additive manufacturing equipment, which is installed at the top of the forming chamber of the equipment and used to heat a thin powder layer at the bottom of the forming chamber. The heating device includes a support body and a heating assembly. The support body is fixedly installed at the top of the forming chamber. The heating assembly includes a connecting arm and a heating element. One end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the support body. The heating element is connected to the other end of the connecting arm, allowing it to switch between a working position close to the powder layer and a position away from the powder layer as the connecting arm rotates. The heating device provided by this invention, utilizing a rotatable heating assembly, ensures heating effect and effectively expands the space above the powder layer, facilitating the placement of a packaging box for collecting printed powder packets.

[0006] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, the support body is a square frame. An opening in the center of the support body allows the forming laser to pass through. The heating device has two heating components, symmetrically arranged on the support body. Each heating component has two connecting arms. The two connecting arms of each heating component are respectively connected to opposite edges of the support body to ensure the stability of the support body and the heating components.

[0007] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, the heating device further includes two synchronous gear sets. Each synchronous gear set includes two gears, which are coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting arms of the two heating components and mesh with each other, so that the two heating components rotate synchronously, driving the two heating elements to move from their respective avoidance positions toward each other to the working position. This simplifies the structure and reduces costs.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, the connecting arm includes a first section and a second section continuously arranged. One end of the first section is rotatably connected to the support body, and it extends parallel to the powder layer and in a straight line when the heating element is in the clearance position. When the heating element is in the clearance position, the second section extends in a straight line from the end of the first section toward the powder layer, forming an obtuse angle with the first section. This allows for a larger space to be left above the powder layer.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, a support body protrudes to form a limiting portion. When the heating component moves from the avoidance position to the working position, the connecting arm abuts against the limiting portion to prevent the heating component from continuing to rotate. This keeps the heating component in the working position and ensures the stability of the heating device.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, the heating element includes a lampshade and a light source. The lampshade is connected to a connecting arm. The light source is movably disposed on one side of the lampshade along its height direction. This allows for adaptation to different heating requirements.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the heating device in the additive manufacturing equipment, the heating device further includes a connector, a pin, and a fixing plate. The connector is fixedly mounted on the top of the forming chamber. The pin is movably connected to the connector. The fixing plate is fixedly mounted on the end of the lampshade along its length, and the fixing plate has an opening. When the heating component is in an avoidance position, the pin can move to insert into the opening to prevent the heating component from continuing to rotate. This ensures the operational safety of the heating device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the heating device.

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a bottom view of the heating device.

[0015] Figure 3 and Figure 4Used to display two operating states of the heating device.

[0016] Label Explanation

[0017] 10 Supporting Components

[0018] 12 Limiting section

[0019] 20 Heating Components

[0020] 22 Connecting Arm

[0021] 221 First paragraph

[0022] 223 Second paragraph

[0023] 24 Heating element

[0024] 241 Lampshade

[0025] 243 Light Source

[0026] 30 Synchronous Gear Set

[0027] 32 gears

[0028] 42 Connectors

[0029] 44 Fixing plate

[0030] 46. ​​Pin

[0031] 100 Molding Chamber

[0032] 200 Powder Thin Film

[0033] L is the axis of rotation. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] In this document, "first" and "second" do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to distinguish them to facilitate the description of the document.

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heating device for additive manufacturing equipment. Figure 2This is a bottom view of the heating device. The heating device is, for example, located at the top of the forming chamber of an additive manufacturing equipment and is used to heat a thin layer of powder at the bottom of the forming chamber. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the heating device includes a support body 10 and two heating components 20. The support body 10 is fixedly mounted on the top of the forming chamber. The heating components 20 are rotatably mounted on the support body 10, and when the heating device is used in additive manufacturing equipment, the rotation axis L of the heating components 20 is, for example, parallel to the powder film.

[0038] Each heating assembly 20 includes two connecting arms 22 and a heating element 24. One end of each connecting arm 22 is rotatably connected to the support body 10. The heating element 24 is connected to the other end of the connecting arm 22, allowing it to switch between a working position close to the powder layer and a retraction position away from the powder layer, driven by the rotation of the connecting arm 22. When the heating element 24 is in the working position, it generates heat to heat the powder layer. Figure 1 The intermediate heating element 24 is located in a clearance position.

[0039] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Used to display two operating states of the heating device. For example... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heating device is located at the top of the molding chamber 100 and is used to heat the powder layer 200 at the bottom of the molding chamber 100. Figure 3 The intermediate heating element 24 is located in a clearance position. Figure 4 The heating element 24 is located in the working position. When the heating element 24 is in the working position, it is close to the powder layer 200, ensuring effective heating of the powder layer 200 during the forming process. When the heating element 24 is in the clearance position, it is farther from the powder layer 200, allowing for a larger space above the powder layer 200 to accommodate a packaging box for collecting the printed toner cartridges. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the support body 10 is a square frame structure. When this heating device is applied to an additive manufacturing equipment, the square frame is, for example, horizontally arranged parallel to the powder layer 200, with an opening in the middle for the forming laser to pass through. This support body has good support stability. However, it is not limited to this; in other illustrative embodiments, the support body can also be other structures. The support body 10 is, for example, fixed to the inner top wall of the forming chamber 100 by bolts.

[0040] In this illustrative embodiment, two heating components 20 are symmetrically arranged on the support body 10, thereby ensuring uniform and efficient heating. Figure 1 As shown, the two connecting arms 22 of each heating component 20 are respectively connected to the opposite frame of the supporting body 10 to ensure the stability of the heating component 20.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this illustrative embodiment, the connecting arm 22 adopts a continuously arranged two-segment structure (i.e., the first segment 221 and the second segment 223), wherein one end of the first segment 221 is rotatably connected to the frame of the support body 10 via a bearing and extends in a straight line, and the second segment 223 extends in a straight line from the end of the first segment 221 to form an obtuse angle with the first segment 221. Figure 3 As shown, when the heating device is applied to an additive manufacturing equipment, with the heating element 24 in a clearance position, the first segment 221 remains horizontal and parallel to the powder layer 200, and the second segment 223 extends downward from the end of the first segment 221 toward the powder layer 200, so as to leave more space above the powder layer 200.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the heating element 24 includes a lampshade 241 and a light source 243 connected to the lampshade 241. The light source 243 is preferably an infrared heating lamp. In this illustrative embodiment, the lampshade 241 is fixed to the end of the second segment 223, for example, by bolts. Figure 4 As shown, when the heating element 24 is in the working position, the opening of the lamp cover 241 faces the powder layer 200. The light source 243 is slidably disposed on the lamp cover 241 along the height direction (i.e., the up-down direction of the lamp cover as shown in 4) so ​​that the distance between the light source 243 and the powder layer 200 can be adjusted to adapt to different heating requirements.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the heating device also includes two synchronous gear sets 30 (only one synchronous gear set 30 is visible in the figure). Each synchronous gear set 30 includes two meshing gears 32, which are coaxially fixed to the ends of the connecting arms 22 of the two heating components 20. When one heating component 20 is driven to rotate, the gear meshing drives the other heating component 20 to rotate synchronously, ensuring that the two heating elements 24 move from the avoidance position to the working position, or synchronously retract to the avoidance position. This simplifies the structure and reduces costs.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this illustrative embodiment, the support body 10 has a limiting portion 12 protruding from each connecting arm 22. Specifically, the frame of the support body 10 is bent towards both sides to form the limiting portion 12. Figure 4 As shown, when the heating element 24 rotates to the working position, the first segment 221 of the connecting arm 22 abuts against the limiting part 12, and further rotation is restricted by physical contact, so that the heating element 24 is maintained in the working position.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, in this illustrative embodiment, the heating device further includes a connector 42, a pin 46, and a fixing plate 44. Figure 3 As shown, when this heating device is applied to an additive manufacturing equipment, the connector 42 is fixed to the top of the forming chamber 100, for example. A pin 46 is movably inserted through the connector 42. A fixing plate 44 is fixedly disposed at the end of the lampshade 241 along its length, and the fixing plate 44 has an opening 441. When the heating element 24 is in the clearance position ( Figure 2 (When the heating element 24 is in the avoidance position), the pin 46 can be inserted into the opening 441 to form a mechanical lock, preventing the heating element 20 from rotating accidentally during printing and ensuring the operational safety of the heating device. The pin 46 can be held in the insertion opening 441 by, for example, a spring.

[0046] When the additive manufacturing equipment is ready to print, the two heating components 20 are... Figure 3 The state shown rotates synchronously downwards to Figure 4 In the indicated state, the heating element 24 reaches the working position, and the opening of the lampshade 241 faces the powder layer 200. During printing, the light source 243 heats up to heat the powder layer 200, and the heating element 24 remains in the working position throughout the process. After printing is completed, the driving heating assembly 20 rotates to both sides until the heating element 24 reaches the clearance position (i.e., Figure 3 (As shown in the figure) The position of the heating component 20 is locked by inserting the pin 46 into the opening 441. At this time, a large space is left above the powder layer 200 to facilitate the placement of a packaging box for collecting the toner packets after printing.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 heating device for additive manufacturing equipment, disposed at the top of the forming chamber of the additive manufacturing equipment and used for heating a thin powder layer at the bottom of the forming chamber, characterized in that, include: A support body (10) is used to be fixedly installed on the top of the molding chamber; as well as Heating assembly (20), comprising: Connecting arm (22), one end of which is rotatably connected to the support body (10); and A heating element (24) is connected to the other end of the connecting arm (22) so that it can switch between a working position close to the powder layer and a avoidance position away from the powder layer under the drive of the rotation of the connecting arm (22).

2. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting body (10) is a square frame. The middle opening of the supporting body (10) is used for the forming laser to pass through. The heating device is provided with two heating components (20). The two heating components (20) are symmetrically arranged on the supporting body (10). Each heating component (20) is provided with two connecting arms (22). The two connecting arms (22) of each heating component (20) are respectively connected to the opposite side of the supporting body (10).

3. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The heating device further includes a synchronous gear set (30), which includes two gears (32). The two gears (32) are coaxially fixedly connected to the connecting arms (22) of the two heating components (20) and mesh with each other, so that the two heating components (20) rotate synchronously, driving the two heating elements (24) to move from their respective avoidance positions to the working positions.

4. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting arm (22) comprises continuously arranged: The first segment (221) has one end rotatably connected to the support body (10) and extends in a straight line; and The second segment (223) extends along a straight line from the end of the first segment (221) to form an obtuse angle with the first segment (221).

5. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support body (10) forms a limiting part (12). When the heating element (24) moves from the avoidance position to the working position, the connecting arm (22) abuts against the limiting part (12) to prevent the heating assembly (20) from continuing to rotate.

6. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element (24) includes: Lampshade (241), which is connected to the connecting arm (22); and A light source (243) is movably disposed on the lampshade (241) along the height direction of the lampshade (241).

7. The heating device of the additive manufacturing equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The heating device also includes: A connector (42) is used to fix the top of the molding chamber; A pin (46) movably passes through the connector (42); and A fixing plate (44) is fixedly disposed at the end of the lampshade (241) along its length direction. The fixing plate (44) has an opening (441). When the heating element (24) is in the clearance position, the pin (46) can move to insert into the opening (441) to prevent the heating assembly (20) from continuing to rotate.

8. Additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the heating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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