Powder backfill device for selective laser melting apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of powder backfilling devices of selective laser melting equipment, it is related to selective laser melting equipment technical field, including support box, the fixed cylinder is fixed in support box top, double-shaft air suction motor is installed in the fixed cylinder inside.The utility model can efficiently recycle the metal powder of printing residue by the collaborative work of double-shaft air suction motor, filter cartridge and filter plugboard, and high-precision filtration is carried out to it, the influence of impurity on subsequent printing quality is avoided, simultaneously under the cooperation of first lug disc and second lug disc, recycling hose can be reciprocatingly shaken, the recycling of powder is facilitated, recycling process is closed, the condition of powder flying is greatly reduced, the health of working environment and operator is protected, in addition, reciprocating mixing scraper in powder storage box cooperates with transmission belt, can fully mix the recycled metal powder with original powder, ensure the uniformity of powder supply, improve subsequent printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of laser melting equipment technology, specifically a powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder bed additive manufacturing technology that uses a high-energy laser beam to melt metal powder layer by layer, directly forming complex three-dimensional metal parts. This technology is widely used in aerospace, medical devices and other fields, and is especially suitable for manufacturing lightweight, high-performance structural parts that are difficult to process using traditional methods. In the SLM process, the metal powder that is not melted by the laser needs to be recycled and reused through a special backfilling device to reduce material costs and waste, while ensuring the uniformity and continuity of powder supply during the printing process.

[0003] However, most existing powder recycling methods are rather rudimentary, with some relying on manual recycling, which is not only inefficient but also inevitably causes powder to fly around during manual operation. This not only pollutes the working environment and endangers the health of operators but also easily causes secondary pollution of the powder. In addition, traditional powder recycling devices also have many shortcomings in the powder screening, storage, and mixing stages. For example, the mixing device is poorly designed, resulting in uneven powder mixing and affecting the subsequent printing quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment, so as to solve the technical problems that the existing powder recycling and processing methods will cause powder to fly, pollute the working environment and personnel health, and at the same time the recycled powder has a poor mixing effect.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a powder backfilling device for a selective laser melting equipment, comprising a support box, a fixed cylinder fixed to the top of the support box, and a dual-axis suction motor installed inside the fixed cylinder;

[0006] The top and bottom output shafts of the dual-axis suction motor are respectively fixed with impellers and second protruding disks. Powder storage boxes are provided on both sides of one end of the support box. The fixed cylinder and the two sets of powder storage boxes are connected by a recycling hose. The top of the support box is elastically connected to the first protruding disk. The bottom of the first protruding disk is fixed with a second transmission rod. The two sides of one end of the second transmission rod are fixed with first transmission rods extending into the two sets of powder storage boxes. The top of the two sets of first transmission rods is fixed with a sliding sealing plate located outside the recycling hose. The sliding sealing plate, the first transmission rod and the powder storage box are slidably connected. The powder storage box is provided with a sliding groove that cooperates with the sliding sealing plate and the first transmission rod.

[0007] A filter cylinder is fixed to the top of the fixed cylinder, and a filter insert plate is detachably connected inside the filter cylinder. A separation plate is fixed inside the fixed cylinder between the recovery hose interface and the impeller, and the separation plate has vent holes inside, and the diameter of the vent holes is smaller than the diameter of the metal powder particles.

[0008] Both sets of powder storage boxes are equipped with a transmission belt on one side inside. A reciprocating mixing scraper is located at the bottom of the powder storage box on one side of the transmission belt. The reciprocating mixing scraper and the transmission belt are fixedly connected by a connecting block. A dual-shaft drive motor is installed at one end of the support box between the two sets of powder storage boxes. The output shafts on both sides of the dual-shaft drive motor are fixedly connected to the pulleys of the two sets of transmission belts.

[0009] The bottom of the first protrusion plate is fixed with a guide rod extending into the support box, and a spring located outside the guide rod is fixed between the second transmission rod and the support box.

[0010] Both sets of powder storage boxes have a lifting frame slidably connected to their bottom interiors, and a hydraulic rod that is fixedly connected to the external equipment frame is fixed to the bottom interior of the lifting frame. A partition is fixed to one end of the powder storage box, and the end face of one end of the partition corresponds to the end face of the lifting frame.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, through the coordinated operation of the dual-axis suction motor, filter cartridge, and filter insert, residual metal powder from printing can be efficiently recovered and filtered with high precision to effectively remove impurities. This reduces material costs and avoids the impact of impurities on subsequent printing quality. Simultaneously, the cooperation of the first and second convex discs causes the recovery hose to vibrate back and forth, facilitating powder recovery. Regarding preventing powder scattering and contamination, the device's rational structural design encloses the recovery process, greatly reducing powder scattering and protecting the working environment and operator health. Furthermore, the reciprocating mixing scraper in the powder storage box, in conjunction with the transmission belt, thoroughly mixes the recovered metal powder with the original powder, ensuring uniform powder supply and improving subsequent printing quality.

[0012] Furthermore, a printing module is fixed between the two sets of powder storage boxes, and a lifting plate is slidably connected inside the printing module, and a working platform is fixed on the top of the printing module and the two sets of powder storage boxes.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the top of the printing module can be lowered step by step under the action of the lifting mechanism, which facilitates the step-by-step printing operation of the external laser head on the metal product.

[0014] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: Through the coordinated operation of a dual-axis suction motor, filter cartridge, and filter insert, it can efficiently recover residual metal powder from printing and perform high-precision filtration to effectively remove impurities. This reduces material costs and avoids the impact of impurities on subsequent printing quality. Furthermore, the cooperation of the first and second convex discs allows the recovery hose to vibrate back and forth, facilitating powder recovery. Regarding preventing powder scattering and contamination, the device's reasonable structural design encloses the recovery process, greatly reducing powder scattering and protecting the working environment and operator health. In addition, the reciprocating mixing scraper in the powder storage box, in conjunction with the transmission belt, can fully mix the recovered metal powder with the original powder, ensuring uniform powder supply and improving subsequent printing quality. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the center of the printing module of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a center sectional view of the powder storage box of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 6 This is an enlarged view of part of the structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 7 This utility model Figure 6 Enlarged view of point B.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Support box; 2. Fixed cylinder; 3. Dual-axis suction motor; 4. Impeller; 5. Filter cartridge; 6. Filter insert plate; 7. Recycling hose; 8. Powder storage box; 9. Sliding sealing plate; 10. First transmission rod; 11. Second transmission rod; 12. First protrusion disc; 13. Second protrusion disc; 14. Protrusion; 15. Guide rod; 16. Spring; 17. Dual-axis drive motor; 18. Transmission belt; 19. Reciprocating mixing scraper; 20. Connecting block; 21. Partition plate; 22. Lifting frame; 23. Hydraulic rod; 24. Working platform; 25. Printing module; 26. Separation plate. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] The embodiments of this utility model will be described below based on its overall structure.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] A powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment, such as Figure 1-7 As shown, it mainly consists of components such as a support box 1, a fixed cylinder 2, a dual-axis suction motor 3, and a powder storage box 8;

[0027] The support box 1 serves as the basic support structure of the entire device. It is made of high-strength aluminum alloy and manufactured through welding, which has good stability and durability. The top of the support box 1 is fixed with a fixing cylinder 2. The fixing cylinder 2 is made of stainless steel and is fixed to the support box 1 by bolts to ensure a firm connection. The fixing cylinder 2 is equipped with a dual-axis suction motor 3. The dual-axis suction motor 3 is a 500W model, which can provide sufficient suction to recover metal powder. The top and bottom output shafts are respectively fixed with impellers 4 and second protrusion discs 13.

[0028] The top of the fixed cylinder 2 is fixed with a filter cylinder 5. The filter cylinder 5 is made of metal mesh material, which has good filtration performance and can effectively filter impurities in the recovered powder. The filter cylinder 5 is detachably connected with a filter plate 6. The filter plate 6 is made of stainless steel mesh with a pore size of 50μm, which is convenient to disassemble and replace to ensure the filtration effect. The fixed cylinder 2 is fixed with a separation plate 26. The separation plate 26 is located between the interface of the recovery hose 7 and the impeller 4. It is made of stainless steel and has vent holes inside. The vent holes are smaller than the diameter of the metal powder particles to ensure that the metal powder does not enter the impeller 4 and extend the service life of the equipment.

[0029] Powder storage boxes 8 are provided on both sides of one end of the support box 1. The powder storage boxes 8 are made of stainless steel and are connected to the support box 1 by welding. A transmission belt 18 is provided on one side inside the powder storage box 8. The transmission belt 18 is driven by a dual-shaft drive motor 17. The dual-shaft drive motor 17 is installed at one end of the support box 1 between the two sets of powder storage boxes 8. A 300W model is selected. Its output shafts on both sides are fixedly connected to the pulleys of the two sets of transmission belts 18. A reciprocating mixing scraper 19 is provided on one side of the transmission belt 18. The reciprocating mixing scraper 19 and the transmission belt 18 are fixedly connected by a connecting block 20. The reciprocating mixing scraper 19 is made of stainless steel and has multiple sets of through holes with a diameter of 5mm inside for mixing powder.

[0030] The bottom of the powder storage box 8 is slidably connected to the lifting frame 22. The lifting frame 22 is made of aluminum alloy and is slidably connected to the bottom of the powder storage box 8 through a dovetail groove structure to ensure smooth sliding. The bottom of the lifting frame 22 is fixed with a hydraulic rod 23, and its bottom end is fixedly connected to the external equipment frame. The lifting frame 22 is raised and lowered by the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rod 23. One end of the powder storage box 8 is fixed with a partition 21. The partition 21 is made of stainless steel and its end face corresponds to the end face of the lifting frame 22. It is used to separate the recycled metal powder from the original metal powder.

[0031] The top of the support box 1 is elastically connected to the first protruding disk 12. The bottom of the first protruding disk 12 is fixed with a guide rod 15, which extends into the support box 1. A spring 16 is fixed between the first protruding disk 12 and the support box 1. The spring 16 is selected with a spring stiffness of 50N / m to ensure that the first protruding disk 12 can reciprocate and rise and fall under the action of the spring 16. The bottom of the first protruding disk 12 is fixed with a second transmission rod 11. The two sides of one end of the second transmission rod 11 are fixed with a first transmission rod 10, which extends into the powder storage box 8. The top is fixed with a sliding sealing plate 9. The sliding sealing plate 9, the first transmission rod 10 and the powder storage box 8 are slidably connected by a sliding groove to ensure that the sliding sealing plate 9 can slide smoothly in the powder storage box 8 while ensuring sealing.

[0032] A printing module 25 is fixed between two powder storage boxes 8. A lifting plate is slidably connected inside the printing module 25. A working platform 24 is fixed on the top of the printing module 25 and the two powder storage boxes 8. The working platform 24 is made of aluminum alloy and is used to place printing materials.

[0033] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When in use, the power is turned on, and the utility model is installed inside the selective laser melting equipment. The support box 1 is fixedly connected to the external equipment frame through the connector. The metal powder protruding from the top of the two powder storage boxes 8 is hung on the printing module 25 by the external powder spreading scraper. Then, the external laser head selects and melts the powder for printing.

[0034] Specifically, each powder storage box 8 is raised and lowered by a hydraulic rod 23 driving the lifting frame 22. Thus, during each powder spreading process, the raised powder can be hung on the surface of the printing module 25. As the printing operation progresses, the hydraulic rod 23 gradually rises, and the lifting plate inside the printing module 25 gradually descends until the printing of the metal product is completed.

[0035] After the metal product printing is completed, the staff connects it to the filter cylinder 5 through the collection tube. At this time, the dual-axis suction motor 3 is started. The top output shaft of the dual-axis suction motor 3 drives the impeller 4 to rotate, which can then absorb the residual metal powder through the external collection tube. The absorbed metal powder undergoes high-precision filtration through the filter plate 6 inside the filter cylinder 5, effectively removing impurities from the metal powder.

[0036] After being filtered, the absorbed metal powder enters the interior of two sets of recovery hoses 7. Since the two sets of recovery hoses 7 are connected to two sets of powder storage boxes 8, the filtered metal powder enters the interior of the powder storage box 8. At the same time, when the dual-axis suction motor 3 is running, its bottom output shaft drives the second protrusion disk 13 to rotate. The bottom of the second protrusion disk 13 is symmetrically provided with the first protrusion disk 12. Both the first protrusion disk 12 and the second protrusion disk 13 are provided with intersecting protrusions 14. When the second protrusion disk 13 rotates, the protrusions 14 can squeeze the first protrusion disk 12. That is to say, at this time, under the action of the spring 16, the second protrusion disk 13 will perform a rapid reciprocating lifting and lowering action.

[0037] Furthermore, the second protrusion disk 13 drives the recycling hose 7 to perform a rapid reciprocating shaking operation through the second transmission rod 11 and the first transmission rod 10 in sequence. Since the end of the recycling hose 7 and the powder storage box 8 are connected by a sliding sealing plate 9, the recycled powder can quickly enter the interior of the powder storage box 8. At the same time, the rapid shaking of the recycling hose 7 can effectively make the recycled metal powder flow quickly.

[0038] When the recovered metal powder enters the powder storage box 8, it will fall to the bottom of the powder storage box 8 due to the action of the partition 21, and will not mix with the remaining metal powder in the powder storage box 8.

[0039] At this time, the dual-axis drive motor 17 is started. The dual-axis drive motor 17 drives the reciprocating mixing scraper 19 to reciprocate at the bottom of the powder storage box 8 through the transmission belt 18. This can scrape and transport the recovered metal powder to the bottom of the remaining metal powder. Since the reciprocating mixing scraper 19 has multiple sets of through holes, it can better mix the powder and will not have the problem of being difficult to move due to the characteristics of the powder itself.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, these specific embodiments are merely explanations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may make modifications, substitutions, and variations to the embodiments as needed without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, provided that such modifications, substitutions, and variations are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and are protected by patent law.

Claims

1. A powder backfill device for a selective laser melting apparatus, comprising a support box (1), characterized in that: The top of the support box (1) is fixed with a fixing cylinder (2), and a dual-axis suction motor (3) is installed inside the fixing cylinder (2); The top and bottom output shafts of the dual-axis suction motor (3) are respectively fixed with impellers (4) and second protrusion discs (13). Powder storage boxes (8) are provided on both sides of one end of the support box (1). The fixed cylinder (2) and the two sets of powder storage boxes (8) are connected by a recycling hose (7). The top of the support box (1) is elastically connected to the first protrusion disc (12). The bottom of the first protrusion disc (12) is fixed with a second transmission rod (11). The two sides of one end of the second transmission rod (11) are fixed with first transmission rods (10) extending into the interior of the two sets of powder storage boxes (8). The top of the two sets of first transmission rods (10) is fixed with sliding sealing plates (9) located outside the recycling hose (7). The sliding sealing plates (9), the first transmission rods (10) and the powder storage boxes (8) are slidably connected. The powder storage boxes (8) are provided with sliding grooves that cooperate with the sliding sealing plates (9) and the first transmission rods (10).

2. The powder backfill device for a selective laser melting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: Both sets of powder storage boxes (8) are provided with a transmission belt (18) on one side inside. A reciprocating mixing scraper (19) is provided on one side of the transmission belt (18) at the bottom inside the powder storage box (8), and the reciprocating mixing scraper (19) and the transmission belt (18) are fixedly connected by a connecting block (20).

3. The powder backfill device for a selective laser melting apparatus of claim 2, wherein: One end of the support box (1) is located between two sets of powder storage boxes (8) and a dual-axis drive motor (17) is installed. The output shafts on both sides of the dual-axis drive motor (17) are fixedly connected to the pulleys of the two sets of transmission belts (18).

4. The powder backfill device for a selective laser melting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The top of the fixed cylinder (2) is fixed with a filter cylinder (5), and a filter insert plate (6) is detachably connected inside the filter cylinder (5).

5. The powder backfill device for a selective laser melting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The fixed cylinder (2) has a separation plate (26) fixed inside between the interface of the recycling hose (7) and the impeller (4), and the separation plate (26) has a vent hole inside, and the vent hole diameter is smaller than the diameter of the metal powder particles.

6. The powder backfilling device for the selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the first protrusion disk (12) is fixed with a guide rod (15) extending into the support box (1), and a spring (16) located outside the guide rod (15) is fixed between the second transmission rod (11) and the support box (1).

7. The powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both sets of powder storage boxes (8) are slidably connected to the bottom of the interior with a lifting frame (22), and the bottom of the interior of the lifting frame (22) is fixed with a hydraulic rod (23) that is fixedly connected to the external equipment frame.

8. The powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The powder storage box (8) has a partition (21) fixed at one end, and the end face of the partition (21) corresponds to the end face of the lifting frame (22).

9. The powder backfilling device for selective laser melting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A printing module (25) is fixed between the two sets of powder storage boxes (8), and a lifting plate is slidably connected inside the printing module (25). A working platform (24) is fixed on the top of the printing module (25) and the two sets of powder storage boxes (8).

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