A powder spreading mechanism capable of adjusting the vertical position of a doctor blade

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of powder laying mechanism facilitating adjusting vertical position of doctor blade, it is related to 3D printing technical field, the mechanism includes the horizontal reciprocating mechanism being set on 3D printing equipment and the powder laying roller and lifting mechanism being set at the execution end of horizontal reciprocating mechanism in interval;The execution end of lifting mechanism is provided with scraper, scraper is located in the front of powder laying roller when powder laying;Scraper has powder scraping side, and the middle axis of powder laying roller and powder scraping side are parallel with the mesa of the workbench of 3D printing equipment;Lifting mechanism is used to control the distance of powder scraping side to the mesa of workbench.The powder laying roller and scraper are installed in the execution end of horizontal reciprocating mechanism, scraper is located in the front of powder laying roller when powder laying, scraper first wipes powder layer flat during compaction process, and powder laying roller then carries out compaction, to improve the uniformity of current compaction layer density;When the distance of scraper from powder layer needs to be adjusted, lifting mechanism can be operated;When scraper is at different positions, the density of current compaction layer is not the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and more specifically, to a powder spreading mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper. Background Technology

[0002] In binder jet 3D printing equipment, the powder spreader uses a high-speed rotating powder spreader roller to compact the powder surface. Before the powder spreader roller compacts the powder, the powder dispensing mechanism installed on the 3D printing equipment first spreads the powder onto the worktable surface of the 3D printing equipment, and then the powder spreader roller compacts it.

[0003] During the compaction process, the distance between the powder-spreading roller and the worktable of the 3D printing equipment is fixed. If powder accumulates on the worktable during the material feeding process, the powder-spreading roller will sequentially pass through the non-powder-accumulated area and the powder-accumulated area in one compaction step. Since the amount of powder in the powder-accumulated area is greater than that in the non-powder-accumulated area, the following problem will occur after compaction: the density of the compacted layer after compaction in the powder-accumulated area will be greater than that in the non-powder-accumulated area. This will result in uneven density of the entire compacted layer, thus affecting the quality of the 3D printed product.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies often install scrapers on equipment. The scraper's installation position must be such that, during powder spreading, the scraper is positioned in front of the spreading roller, and the distance between the scraping side of the scraper and the powder layer should be greater than the distance between the lower generatrix of the spreading roller and the powder layer. This way, during compaction, the scraper first smooths the powder layer, and the spreading roller then compacts it. In actual production, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the scraper's installation height to control the amount of powder scraped, thereby adjusting the density of the compacted layer. However, in existing equipment with scrapers, the scraper's position is generally fixed, making it inconvenient to adjust the scraper's position. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a powder spreading mechanism that facilitates the adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper.

[0006] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A powder spreading mechanism for easy adjustment of the vertical position of a scraper includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism mounted on a 3D printing equipment and a powder spreading roller and a lifting mechanism spaced apart at the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism. The powder spreading roller can rotate during operation. The execution end of the lifting mechanism is provided with a scraper, which is located in front of the powder spreading roller during powder spreading. The scraper has a scraping side, and both the central axis of the powder spreading roller and the scraping side are parallel to the table surface of the 3D printing equipment. The lifting mechanism is used to control the distance from the scraping side to the table surface.

[0008] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism is a screw and nut mechanism, with a top plate provided on the nut, and the aforementioned powder spreading roller and the aforementioned lifting mechanism are both provided on the aforementioned top plate.

[0009] Furthermore, in this utility model, the lifting mechanism includes a vertical plate disposed on the top plate, and a plurality of first screw holes are arranged in a linear array on the vertical plate, one of the first screw holes being threadedly connected to an adjusting bolt; the scraper is arranged in a linear array with second screw holes adapted to the adjusting bolt, and when the second screw holes correspond to different first screw holes, the scraper is at different heights.

[0010] Furthermore, in this utility model, the lifting mechanism includes a hydraulic rod disposed on the top plate, and the scraper is disposed at the actuating end of the hydraulic rod.

[0011] Furthermore, in this utility model, the actuator end of the hydraulic rod is provided with a clamping plate, and the scraper is disposed on the clamping plate.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0013] This utility model provides a powder spreading mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper. A powder spreading roller and a scraper are installed at the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism. During powder spreading, the scraper is located in front of the powder spreading roller. During the compaction process, the scraper first smooths the powder layer, and then the powder spreading roller compacts it to improve the uniformity of the current compacted layer density. When it is necessary to adjust the distance between the scraper and the powder layer, the lifting mechanism can be operated. The density of the current compacted layer is different when the scraper is in different positions. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0018] In the diagram: 101-Horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism; 201-Powder spreading roller; 301-Scraper; 401-Workbench; 501-Top plate; 601-Vertical plate; 602-Adjusting bolt; 603-Second screw hole; 701-Hydraulic rod; 801-Clamping plate. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0020] Example 1

[0021] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a technical solution:

[0022] A powder spreading mechanism for easy adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101 installed on a 3D printing equipment, a powder spreading roller 201 spaced apart from the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101, and a lifting mechanism. The powder spreading roller 201 can rotate during operation (a motor can be installed at one end of the powder spreading roller 201 and connected to the powder spreading roller 201 for transmission, so that the motor can drive the powder spreading roller 201 to rotate during powder spreading); a scraper 301 is installed at the execution end of the lifting mechanism, and the scraper 301 is located in front of the powder spreading roller 201 during powder spreading; the scraper 301 has a scraping side, and the central axis of the powder spreading roller 201 and the scraping side are parallel to the table surface of the worktable 401 of the 3D printing equipment; the lifting mechanism is used to control the distance from the scraping side to the table surface of the worktable 401.

[0023] After the powder-feeding mechanism installed on the 3D printing equipment lays the powder on the worktable 401, the height of the scraper 301 is determined according to the required compaction density. Then, the lifting mechanism is operated to stop the scraper 301 at the corresponding height, and the compaction work can begin. Figure 1 From the perspective of compaction, since the distance between the lower generatrix of the powder spreading roller 201 and the table surface of the worktable 401 is constant during the compaction process, the thickness of the current powder layer after compaction is also a fixed value.

[0024] The density of the compacted layer varies when the bottom wall of the scraper 301 (i.e., the powder scraping side) is at different heights. This is because the smaller the vertical distance between the bottom wall of the scraper 301 and the lower generatrix of the powder spreading roller 201, the less powder is above the lower generatrix of the powder spreading roller 201 in the vertical direction, resulting in less powder being compacted and a lower density of the compacted layer. Conversely, the larger the vertical distance between the bottom wall of the scraper 301 and the lower generatrix of the powder spreading roller 201, the more powder is above the lower generatrix of the powder spreading roller 201 in the vertical direction, resulting in more powder being compacted and a higher density of the compacted layer.

[0025] Preferably, in this embodiment, the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101 adopts a screw and nut mechanism. A top plate 501 is installed on the nut of the screw and nut mechanism, and the powder spreading roller 201 and the lifting mechanism are both installed on the top plate 501.

[0026] Specifically, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism includes a vertical plate 601 mounted on the top plate 501. The vertical plate 601 has a plurality of first screw holes arranged in a linear array. The first screw holes are through holes, and one of the first screw holes is threadedly connected to an adjusting bolt 602. The scraper 301 has a linear array of second screw holes 603 adapted to the adjusting bolt 602. When the second screw hole 603 is connected to different first screw holes, the adjusting bolt 602 is simultaneously threadedly connected to the corresponding first screw hole and second screw hole 603, so that the scraper 301 is at different heights.

[0027] Working principle:

[0028] from Figure 1 From the perspective of the 3D printing equipment, the nut of the screw-nut mechanism moves horizontally. After the powder-feeding mechanism installed on the 3D printing equipment lays the powder on the worktable 401, the height of the scraper 301 is determined according to the required compaction density. Then, the lifting mechanism is operated to stop the scraper 301 at the corresponding height, and the compaction work can begin. During the compaction process, the powder-spreading roller 201 is rotating and moves to the right under the drive of the screw-nut mechanism. During the rightward movement, the scraper 301 first smooths the accumulated powder to improve the compaction quality of the powder-spreading roller 201, thereby improving the uniformity of the current compacted layer density.

[0029] Example 2

[0030] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 The difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is that: in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism includes a hydraulic rod 701 mounted on the top plate 501, and a scraper 301 mounted on the execution end of the hydraulic rod 701.

[0031] To facilitate the installation of the scraper 301, a clamping plate 801 is installed at the actuating end of the hydraulic rod 701 in this embodiment, and the scraper 301 can be fixed to the clamping plate 801 by screws.

[0032] from Figure 3 From the perspective of the viewpoint, the hydraulic rod 701 can extend and retract in the vertical direction. By controlling the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rod 701, the position of the scraper 301 in the vertical direction can be controlled, thereby achieving the purpose of adjustment.

[0033] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model should be protected within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powder spreading mechanism that facilitates adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper, characterized in that: The device includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101) installed on the 3D printing equipment, a powder spreading roller (201) spaced apart at the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101), and a lifting mechanism. The powder spreading roller (201) can rotate during operation. The execution end of the lifting mechanism is provided with a scraper (301). When spreading powder, the scraper (301) is located in front of the powder spreading roller (201). The scraper (301) has a powder scraping side. The central axis of the powder spreading roller (201) and the powder scraping side are both parallel to the table surface of the worktable (401) of the 3D printing equipment. The lifting mechanism is used to control the distance from the powder scraping side to the table surface of the worktable (401).

2. The powder spreading mechanism for easy adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101) is a screw and nut mechanism, with a top plate (501) provided on the nut. The powder spreading roller (201) and the lifting mechanism are both provided on the top plate (501).

3. The powder spreading mechanism for facilitating adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a vertical plate (601) disposed on the top plate (501). The vertical plate (601) is provided with a plurality of first screw holes arranged in a linear array, one of which is threaded with an adjusting bolt (602). The scraper (301) is provided with a linear array of second screw holes (603) adapted to the adjusting bolt (602). When the second screw hole (603) corresponds to different first screw holes, the scraper (301) is at different heights.

4. The powder spreading mechanism for facilitating adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a hydraulic rod (701) mounted on the top plate (501), and a scraper (301) mounted on the actuating end of the hydraulic rod (701).

5. The powder spreading mechanism for easy adjustment of the vertical position of the scraper according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hydraulic rod (701) is provided with a clamping plate (801) at its actuating end, and the scraper (301) is provided on the clamping plate (801).

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