A powder preparation device for EIGA technology
By combining multiple rod feeding mechanisms and ultrasonic rotation devices, the problems of discontinuous production, high gas consumption costs, and low powder quality in EIGA technology have been solved, achieving efficient and low-cost powder preparation and significantly improving production efficiency and powder quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU AMPRO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing powder preparation equipment for EIGA technology suffers from problems such as poor production continuity, high gas consumption costs, low powder sphericity, and low fine powder yield.
The system employs multiple rod feeding mechanisms and induction coils in conjunction with an ultrasonic rotation device. It uses the centrifugal force of the rotating disk and the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibrator to break up and spherize the metal liquid column, replacing the traditional inert gas atomization. Combined with the extraction bottle-shaped cavity design, it enables continuous production and high-quality powder preparation.
It enables continuous production, reduces inert gas consumption, improves powder sphericity and fine powder ratio, enhances production efficiency, and reduces costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224444600U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of metal powder preparation equipment, specifically to a powder preparation device for EIGA technology. Background Technology
[0002] EIGA technology, as a mature metal powder preparation technology, uses an induction coil to heat a metal rod to melt it into a liquid metal column, which is then atomized into metal powder. It is widely used in the field of titanium alloy powder preparation due to its high yield and stable process.
[0003] However, existing powder preparation devices for EIGA technology have the following shortcomings:
[0004] 1. Poor production continuity: Existing equipment mostly uses a single rod feeding mechanism. When a metal rod is atomized, the machine needs to be stopped to replace it with a new rod, which leads to production interruption, low equipment utilization, and affects production efficiency.
[0005] 2. High gas consumption cost: Traditional equipment relies on a large amount of inert gas to atomize and crush the metal liquid column. Not only does this result in a huge consumption of inert gas, increasing production costs, but the gas impact also easily leads to a high void ratio in the powder.
[0006] 3. Powder quality needs improvement: Due to the instability of airflow during gas atomization, the metal droplets are cooled unevenly, resulting in low sphericity of the powder. At the same time, the efficiency of gas crushing is limited, and the fine powder rate is not high, making it difficult to meet the powder quality requirements of high-precision manufacturing.
[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a powder preparation device for EIGA technology that can achieve continuous production, reduce gas costs, and improve powder quality. Utility Model Content
[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder preparation device for EIGA technology, which aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing powder preparation devices for EIGA technology, such as discontinuous production, high gas consumption cost, low powder sphericity, high void ratio, and low fine powder ratio.
[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a powder preparation apparatus for EIGA technology, comprising:
[0010] The cavity, shaped like an extraction bottle, is used to provide a closed space for powder preparation;
[0011] Multiple sets of bar feeding mechanisms, including at least two sets, are installed on the upper part of the cavity for conveying metal bars;
[0012] Multiple sets of induction coils, each corresponding to the bar feeding mechanism, are located below the output end of the bar feeding mechanism and are used to heat the corresponding metal bars to melt them and form a liquid metal column.
[0013] An ultrasonic rotating device is disposed directly below the induction coil, including a rotating disk, a driving component for driving the rotating disk to rotate, and an ultrasonic vibrator connected to the rotating disk, wherein the rotating disk is tilted.
[0014] A powder collection assembly is installed at the bottom of the cavity to collect the prepared powder.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the tilt angle of the rotating disk is 3-5°.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the driving component is a motor, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the rotating disk.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the bottom of the rotating disk.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, multiple sets of the rod feeding mechanism are distributed along the circumference or axial direction of the cavity.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the power of the induction coil during preheating is 30%-50% of the power during atomization.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the rotational speed of the rotating disk is not less than 3000 r / min.
[0021] In one preferred embodiment, the vibration frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator is 20-40 kHz.
[0022] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this application compared with the prior art are as follows:
[0023] 1. Achieve continuous production and improve production efficiency: By setting up multiple sets of bar feeding mechanisms and corresponding induction coils, when the current set of metal bars is atomized under the action of the induction coil, the next set of metal bars can be preheated under the low power action of its corresponding induction coil. After the atomization of the current set of bars is completed, the next set of preheated bars can be immediately transported to the atomization position through the bar feeding mechanism and atomized by the corresponding induction coil. There is no need to stop the machine to change the bars, which significantly improves the continuity of production and equipment utilization, thereby improving production efficiency.
[0024] 2. Reduced production costs: This invention uses an ultrasonic rotating device to break up and spherize the liquid metal column by utilizing the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the rotating disk and the vibration energy generated by the ultrasonic vibrator. This replaces the traditional method of using a large amount of inert gas for atomization. Only inert gas needs to be introduced into the cavity through the inert gas filling component before processing to remove oxygen. The entire atomization process does not require additional inert gas, which greatly reduces the consumption of inert gas and lowers gas costs.
[0025] 3. Improve powder quality:
[0026] Reduced void ratio: By using mechanical force (centrifugal force) and ultrasonic vibration energy for atomization, the problem of metal droplets being entrained by gas due to high-speed airflow impact in traditional gas atomization is avoided, effectively reducing the void ratio of the powder.
[0027] Improving sphericity: The metal liquid column is first broken by ultrasonic vibration at a distance of 0.1-0.2 mm from the rotating disk. After contacting the rotating disk, it is further broken by high-speed centrifugal force. At the same time, under the continuous action of ultrasonic vibration, the metal droplets can better shrink into a spherical shape under the action of surface tension, which significantly improves the sphericity of the powder.
[0028] Increased fine powder ratio: The secondary crushing mechanism allows the molten metal droplets to be refined more thoroughly, thereby increasing the fine powder ratio and meeting the demand for fine powder in high-precision manufacturing.
[0029] 4. Reasonable structural design: The chamber adopts the shape of an extraction bottle, which can provide sufficient space for the rotation and centrifugation of the rotating disc, avoiding the powder from colliding with each other during the atomization process and affecting the quality; the rotating disc is tilted at 3-5° to prevent powder particles from accumulating on the rotating disc and ensure that the powder can fall smoothly to the collection component. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0031] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the powder preparation apparatus for EIGA technology according to the present invention.
[0032] The components include: 1. cavity; 2. rod feeding mechanism; 3. induction coil; 4. ultrasonic rotating device; 5. rotating disk; 6. driving component; 7. ultrasonic vibrator; and 8. powder collection assembly. Detailed Implementation
[0033] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0034] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0035] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing the present invention and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.
[0036] Furthermore, in addition to indicating direction or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0037] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," "linking," and "socketing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0038] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0039] Example 1
[0040] Appendix Figure 1 The powder preparation device for EIGA technology described in this utility model includes a cavity 1, multiple sets of rod feeding mechanisms 2, multiple sets of induction coils 3, an ultrasonic rotating device 4, and a powder collection assembly 8.
[0041] The cavity 1 is shaped like an extraction bottle, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, providing sufficient space for the powder preparation process, especially for the rotational centrifugal motion of the rotating disk 5, avoiding unnecessary collisions of the powder during atomization. The cavity 1 is connected to a vacuum pump assembly and an inert gas filling assembly. The vacuum pump assembly can be a vacuum pump used to remove air from the cavity 1 before processing, ensuring a vacuum level of ≤1 Pa. The inert gas filling assembly is used to fill the cavity 1 with inert gas (such as argon or nitrogen) after vacuuming, with a filling pressure of 0.1-0.2 MPa, to remove oxygen from the cavity 1 and prevent the metal powder from being oxidized.
[0042] Multiple sets of rod feeding mechanisms 2 are installed on the upper part of the cavity 1 and distributed along the circumference or axial direction of the cavity 1 for conveying titanium alloy rods; the rod feeding mechanism 2 can adopt the linear feeding mechanism in the prior art, which can continuously convey the metal rods to the position of the induction coil 3.
[0043] Multiple sets of induction coils 3 correspond one-to-one with multiple sets of rod feeding mechanisms 2, and are respectively set below the output end of the rod feeding mechanism 2. The induction coils 3 are connected to an external power source and can generate an alternating magnetic field. When the metal rod is fed into the induction coil 3, it is heated and melted by eddy currents under the action of the alternating magnetic field, forming a continuous metal liquid column. The power of the induction coil 3 can be adjusted. When preheating the next set of metal rods to be atomized, its power is 30%-50% of the power during atomization. This way, the rod can be preheated without melting it too early.
[0044] The ultrasonic rotating device 4 is located directly below the induction coil 3 and includes a rotating disk 5, a driving component 6 (such as a motor) that drives the rotating disk 5 to rotate, and an ultrasonic vibrator 7 connected to the bottom of the rotating disk 5. The rotating disk 5 is made of high-temperature resistant alloy material, with a diameter of 200-300mm and an inclination angle of 3-5°. This inclination angle can prevent the atomized powder from accumulating on the rotating disk 5 and ensure that the powder can fall smoothly. The driving component 6 is installed at a suitable position outside or inside the cavity 1, and its output shaft is connected to the rotating disk 5, which can drive the rotating disk 5 to rotate at a high speed of not less than 3000r / min. The ultrasonic vibrator 7 has a vibration frequency of 20-40kHz, and the ultrasonic vibration it generates can be transmitted to the rotating disk 5 and then act on the metal droplets.
[0045] The powder collection assembly 8 is installed at the bottom of the cavity 1 and may include a collection tank and a screen set above the collection tank. The screen can classify and screen the powder, and the powder that meets the requirements enters the collection tank for storage.
[0046] The working process of this embodiment is as follows:
[0047] Before processing, the vacuum pumping assembly is activated to extract the air from the cavity 1, so that the vacuum degree in the cavity 1 reaches 0.5 Pa. Then the vacuum pumping assembly is turned off, and argon gas is introduced into the cavity 1 through the inert gas filling assembly, so that the pressure in the cavity 1 reaches 0.15 MPa.
[0048] The first set of rod feeding mechanism 2 is activated to deliver the first titanium alloy rod to the corresponding first set of induction coils 3. The first set of induction coils 3 is activated with atomization power (e.g., 50kW) to heat the titanium alloy rod so that it melts and forms a continuous metal liquid column, which falls freely.
[0049] At the same time, the ultrasonic rotating device 4 is started, the driving component 6 (motor) drives the rotating disk 5 to rotate at a speed of 4000 r / min, and the ultrasonic vibrator 7 vibrates at a frequency of 30 kHz.
[0050] When the liquid metal column is 0.15 mm away from the rotating disk 5, it is subjected to ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 7, which breaks it into small droplets. After these droplets come into contact with the high-speed rotating disk 5, they are broken into smaller droplets under the action of centrifugal force. At the same time, under the continuous action of ultrasonic vibration, the droplets shrink into spherical shapes under the action of surface tension and gradually cool and solidify to form metal powder.
[0051] During the atomization process of the first group of titanium alloy rods, the second group of rod feeding mechanism 2 delivers the second titanium alloy rod to the corresponding second group of induction coils 3. The second group of induction coils 3 is started with a low power of 20kW (40% of the atomization power of 50kW) to preheat the second titanium alloy rod.
[0052] When the atomization of the first set of titanium alloy rods is about to end (with a remaining length of about 5-10cm), the first rod feeding mechanism 2 stops feeding, and the second rod feeding mechanism 2 transports the preheated second titanium alloy rod to the atomization position. The second induction coil 3 switches to atomization power of 50kW and begins to atomize the second titanium alloy rod, thus achieving continuous production.
[0053] The atomized titanium alloy powder falls under the influence of gravity and, after being screened by the powder collection component 8, falls into the collection tank for storage.
[0054] Testing showed that the titanium alloy powder prepared using the device of this embodiment had a sphericity of 0.85 or higher, a hollowness of less than 1%, and a fine powder rate of ≤53μm of more than 40%. Moreover, the production efficiency was increased by 40% compared with the traditional device, and the consumption of inert gas was reduced by 80%.
[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A powder preparation device for EIGA technology, characterized by, include: The cavity, shaped like an extraction bottle, is used to provide a closed space for powder preparation; Multiple sets of bar feeding mechanisms, including at least two sets, are installed on the upper part of the cavity for conveying metal bars; Multiple sets of induction coils, each corresponding to the bar feeding mechanism, are located below the output end of the bar feeding mechanism and are used to heat the corresponding metal bars to melt them and form a liquid metal column. An ultrasonic rotating device is disposed directly below the induction coil, including a rotating disk, a driving component for driving the rotating disk to rotate, and an ultrasonic vibrator connected to the rotating disk, wherein the rotating disk is tilted. A powder collection assembly is installed at the bottom of the cavity to collect the prepared powder.
2. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tilt angle of the rotating disk is 3-5°.
3. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component is a motor, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the rotating disk.
4. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the bottom of the rotating disk.
5. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple sets of the rod feeding mechanism are distributed along the circumference or axial direction of the cavity.
6. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power of the induction coil during preheating is 30%-50% of the power during atomization.
7. The powder preparation device for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotational speed of the rotating disk is not less than 3000 r / min.
8. The powder preparation apparatus for EIGA technology according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibration frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator is 20-40kHz.