Laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing apparatus and additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The laser scanner protection device of the additive manufacturing equipment comprises a mounting seat (10) and a window mirror (20). The additive manufacturing equipment comprises a laser scanner and a high-temperature bin shell arranged in sequence along a height direction (H). The mounting seat is arranged on the high-temperature bin shell and abuts against the outer wall of the laser scanner, and a first through hole (101) is formed in the mounting seat and penetrates through the mounting seat along the height direction. The first through hole is opposite to the light emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction. The window mirror is arranged on the mounting seat and is opposite to the light emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction and forms a first gap (71) with the light emitting surface of the laser scanner. The window mirror seals the first through hole, and the mounting seat is provided with a first air inlet hole (111) to send air to the first gap. The laser scanner protection device can effectively prevent dust from entering the gap between the window mirror and the light emitting surface of the laser scanner. An additive manufacturing equipment comprising the laser scanner protection device is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to a laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment including the same. Background Technology

[0002] In Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), powder is laid inside a high-temperature chamber. A laser scanner emits a laser beam into the chamber to sinter the powder. Inevitably, some powder escapes from the chamber. The laser scanner is typically positioned close to the top of the chamber. To prevent powder dust from being stirred up by the dust and onto the scanner's output surface, a window is usually placed below the output surface to isolate the dust.

[0003] However, gaps are unavoidable in the mechanical structure of the window mirror installation. After prolonged use, dust can still enter the gap between the window mirror and the light-emitting surface, damaging the optical components of the laser scanner. At the same time, dust adhering to the window mirror hinders laser transmission, thus impeding additive manufacturing processes. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, which can effectively prevent dust from entering the gap between the window mirror and the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide an additive manufacturing apparatus that includes the aforementioned laser scanner protection device, which can effectively prevent dust from entering the gap between the window mirror and the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner.

[0006] The laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment provided by this utility model includes a mounting base and a window mirror. The additive manufacturing equipment includes a laser scanner and a high-temperature chamber housing arranged sequentially along the height direction. The mounting base is disposed on the high-temperature chamber housing and abuts against the outer wall of the laser scanner, and has a first through hole extending along the height direction. The first through hole is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction. The window mirror is disposed on the mounting base and is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction, forming a first gap. The window mirror closes the first through hole. The mounting base has a first air inlet to supply air into the first gap.

[0007] With the above structure, the laser from the laser scanner can pass through the light-emitting surface, the window mirror, and the first through hole to enter the high-temperature chamber shell. Air is sent to the first gap through the first air inlet. The air pressure in the first gap can be maintained as positive pressure. Under the protection of positive pressure, the powder that escapes in the selective laser sintering process is difficult to enter the first gap, thereby effectively keeping the window mirror clean and protecting the laser scanner.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the laser scanner protection device further includes a flow guide seat. The flow guide seat is inserted into the first through hole and located on the side of the window mirror opposite to the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner. A second gap is formed between the flow guide seat and the window mirror along the height direction. The flow guide seat has a second through hole extending along the height direction. One end of the second through hole faces the window mirror, and the other end connects to the interior of the high-temperature chamber housing. A flow guide cavity is formed between the outer wall of the flow guide seat and the inner wall of the mounting base. The flow guide cavity extends to the second gap. The mounting base has a second air inlet, which connects to the flow guide cavity. This allows for the removal of powder adhering to the side of the window mirror opposite to the light-emitting surface.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the first through-hole is a tapered hole, and the flow guide seat is tapered and has a taper adapted to the first through-hole. The wall of the first through-hole and the outer wall of the flow guide seat are partially thinned to form a flow guide cavity. The second air inlet is connected to the end of the flow guide cavity that is away from the window mirror in the height direction. This facilitates the formation of a fast-flowing airflow to remove powder adhering to the side of the window mirror away from the light-emitting surface.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the first through-hole is a tapered hole, and the flow guide seat is tapered and has a taper adapted to the first through-hole. The wall of the first through-hole or the outer wall of the flow guide seat is partially thinned to form a flow guide cavity. The second air inlet is connected to the end of the flow guide cavity that is away from the window mirror in the height direction. This facilitates the formation of a fast-flowing airflow to remove powder adhering to the side of the window mirror away from the light-emitting surface.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the outer wall of the flow guide seat is partially thinned to form two flow guide grooves. These two flow guide grooves form two independent flow guide cavities, and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the flow guide seat. This allows for the symmetrical formation of two airflow streams to effectively remove powder adhering to the side of the window mirror opposite to the light-emitting surface.

[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the second gap is less than 1 mm. This facilitates the formation of a fast-flowing airflow.

[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the mounting base includes a first air inlet seat and a second air inlet seat. The first air inlet seat is disposed between the high-temperature chamber housing and the laser scanner and has an opening extending through it in the height direction. A first air inlet is disposed in the first air inlet seat. The second air inlet seat includes a fixing part and a mounting part. The fixing part is disposed inside the high-temperature chamber housing. The second air inlet opens into the fixing part. The mounting part passes through the high-temperature chamber housing in the opposite direction of the height direction and passes through the opening. A first through hole is disposed in the mounting part. A window mirror is disposed at the end of the first through hole near the laser scanner in the height direction. This facilitates the supply of low-temperature gas to the first air inlet and high-temperature gas to the second air inlet, and also facilitates the installation of the mounting base.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the guide seat has an annular flange at its pointing end along the height direction. The flange is connected to the fixing part in the opposite direction of the height direction. This facilitates the installation of the guide seat.

[0015] In another illustrative embodiment of the laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, a first sealing strip, a second sealing strip, and a third sealing strip are further included. A first groove and a second groove are respectively formed on the opposite side and the pointing side along the height direction of the first air inlet seat. The first sealing strip is embedded in the first groove to seal the gap between the first air inlet seat and the laser scanner. The second sealing strip is embedded in the second groove to seal the gap between the first air inlet seat and the high-temperature chamber housing. A third groove is formed on the opposite side along the height direction of the fixing part. The third sealing strip is embedded in the third groove to seal the gap between the second air inlet seat and the high-temperature chamber housing. This facilitates sealing the first gap and prevents dust from entering the first gap.

[0016] This invention also provides an additive manufacturing apparatus, including the aforementioned laser scanner protection device. This additive manufacturing apparatus can effectively prevent dust from entering the gap between the window mirror and the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation location of a laser scanner protection device in one illustrative embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic sectional view along II-II.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow guide seat.

[0021] Figure 4 forFigure 1 A cross-sectional view along IV-IV.

[0022] Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are respectively Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the middle V section and VI section.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an exploded view of the laser scanner protection device.

[0024] Figure 8 For illustrative purposes Figure 7 The diagram shows the installation method of the laser scanner protection device.

[0025] Label Explanation

[0026] 100 Laser Scanner Protective Device

[0027] 10 mounting brackets

[0028] 101 First Through Hole

[0029] 11 First air intake seat

[0030] 111 First air intake

[0031] 112 Opening

[0032] 113 First Groove

[0033] 114 Second Groove

[0034] 12 Second air intake seat

[0035] 121 Second air intake

[0036] 122 Fixing part

[0037] 123 Third Groove

[0038] 124 Installation Department

[0039] 20 Window mirrors

[0040] 30 Flow Guide Seat

[0041] 302 Second Through Hole

[0042] 31. Flow guide channel

[0043] 32 Flanging

[0044] 41 First sealing strip

[0045] 42 Second sealing strip

[0046] 43 Third sealing strip

[0047] 71 First gap

[0048] 72 Second gap

[0049] 73. Flow guiding cavity

[0050] 80 laser scanner

[0051] 81. Light-emitting surface

[0052] 90 High-Temperature Chamber Shell

[0053] 91 Installation Port

[0054] H represents the height direction. Detailed Implementation

[0055] 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 which the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0056] 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.

[0057] In this document, "first," "second," and "third" do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to distinguish them from each other for the purpose of document description.

[0058] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation location of a laser scanner protection device in one illustrative embodiment. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view along II-II. See also the illustrative embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The additive manufacturing equipment includes a laser scanner 80 and a high-temperature chamber shell 90 arranged sequentially along the height direction H, such as... Figure 1As shown, the laser scanner 80 is positioned above the high-temperature chamber housing 90. The laser scanner protection device 100 of the additive manufacturing equipment includes a mounting base 10 and a window mirror 20. The mounting base 10 is disposed on the high-temperature chamber housing 90 and abuts against the outer wall of the laser scanner 80 to form a cavity. The mounting base 10 has a first through hole 101 extending along the height direction H. The first through hole 101 is opposite to the light-emitting surface 81 of the laser scanner 80 along the height direction H. The window mirror 20 is disposed on the mounting base 10 and is opposite to the light-emitting surface 81 of the laser scanner 80 along the height direction H, forming a first gap 71. The first gap 71 is part of the cavity. The window mirror 20 closes the first through hole 101. The mounting base 10 has a first air inlet 111, which communicates with the cavity to supply air to the first gap 71.

[0060] With the above structure, the laser from the laser scanner 80 can pass through the light-emitting surface 81, the window mirror 20 and the first through hole 101 to enter the high-temperature chamber housing 90, and send air to the first gap 71 through the first air inlet 111, so that the air pressure in the first gap 71 can be maintained as positive pressure. Under the protection of positive pressure, the powder that escapes during selective laser sintering is difficult to enter the first gap 71, thereby effectively keeping the window mirror 20 clean and protecting the laser scanner 80.

[0061] In this illustrative embodiment, the laser scanner protection device 100 also includes a flow guide seat 30. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow guide seat. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along IV-IV. Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are respectively Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the middle V section and VI section. See also Figures 3 to 6 In the illustrative embodiment, the first through-hole 101 is a tapered hole, and the guide seat 30 is tapered with a taper adapted to the first through-hole 101. The guide seat 30 is inserted into the first through-hole 101 and located on the side of the window mirror 20 opposite to the light-emitting surface 81 of the laser scanner 80. The guide seat 30 and the window mirror 20 are spaced apart along the height direction H to form a second gap 72. The second gap 72 is, for example, less than 1 mm. The guide seat 30 has a second through-hole 302 extending along the height direction H. One end of the second through-hole 302 faces the window mirror 20, and the other end connects to the interior of the high-temperature chamber housing 90. Thus, the laser emitted from the laser scanner 80 can sequentially pass through the light-emitting surface 81, the window mirror 20, and the second through-hole 302 to enter the interior of the high-temperature chamber housing 90.

[0062] The outer wall of the flow guide seat 30 is partially thinned to form two flow guide grooves 31. The unthinned portion of the outer wall of the flow guide seat 30 is in close contact with the inner wall of the first through hole 101 to form two independent flow guide cavities 73. However, this is not the only possibility. In other illustrative embodiments, the flow guide grooves 31 can also be formed by thinning the inner wall of the first through hole 101, or by simultaneously thinning both the inner wall of the first through hole 101 and the outer wall of the flow guide seat 30. The unthinned portion of the outer wall of the flow guide seat 30 is then in close contact with the unthinned portion of the inner wall of the first through hole 101, thereby forming the flow guide cavity 73. The number of flow guide cavities 73 can also be more than two, which can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual product structure and application. Figure 3 As shown, the two guide channels 31 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the guide seat 30. Each guide cavity 73 extends to the second gap 72.

[0063] The mounting base 10 has two second air inlets 121, each of which connects to a flow guide cavity 73. However, this is not the only possibility; the number of second air inlets 121 and flow guide cavities 73 can be other than that. The second air inlets 121 and flow guide cavities 73 can correspond one-to-one, or several air inlets can correspond to one flow guide cavity 73. This can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual product structure and application.

[0064] The second air inlet 121 is connected to the end of the guide cavity 73 that is furthest from the window mirror 20 along the height direction H. Thus, the airflow entering the second air inlet 121 moves from one end of the guide cavity 73 to the other end (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown, the airflow moves from the lower part to the upper part of the guide cavity 73. After passing through the narrow guide cavity 73, it facilitates the formation of a fast-flowing airflow and forms an air curtain on the surface of the window mirror 20 to remove the powder adhering to the side of the window mirror 20 away from the light-emitting surface 81. Finally, the airflow carries the powder that has fallen off the surface of the window mirror 20 back into the high-temperature chamber housing 90 through the second through hole 302.

[0065] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an exploded view of the laser scanner protection device. Figure 8 For illustrative purposes Figure 7 The diagram shows the installation method of the laser scanner protection device. (Refer to...) Figure 7 and Figure 8In the illustrative embodiment, the mounting base 10 includes a first air inlet seat 11 and a second air inlet seat 12 that are separated from each other. The first air inlet seat 11 is disposed between the high-temperature chamber housing 90 and the laser scanner 80 and has an opening 112 that extends through the body in the height direction H. A first air inlet hole 111 is disposed in the first air inlet seat 11. The second air inlet seat 12 includes a fixing part 122 and a mounting part 124. The fixing part 122 is a protruding portion of the second air inlet seat 12, which is disposed on the side of the high-temperature chamber housing 90 opposite to the first air inlet seat 11. The high-temperature chamber housing 90 has a mounting opening 91, and the mounting part 124 passes through the mounting opening 91 of the high-temperature chamber housing 90 in the opposite direction of the height direction H and passes through the opening 112. A first through hole 101 is disposed in the mounting part 124. A window mirror 20 is disposed at the end of the first through hole 101 near the laser scanner 80 in the height direction H. However, it is not limited to this. The first air intake seat 11 and the second air intake seat 12 can also be integrally formed structures, and the two are installed together between the high-temperature chamber shell 90 and the laser scanner 80.

[0066] The second air inlet 121 opens into the fixing part 122 to connect to the air inlet pipe coiled inside the high-temperature chamber housing 90. Due to the high temperature inside the high-temperature chamber housing 90, the relatively long air inlet pipe coiled inside allows sufficient time for the gas inside to be heated to high-temperature gas. The high-temperature gas enters the guide cavity 73 through the second air inlet 121 and exits through the second gap 72 to form a high-temperature air curtain. Compared to a low-temperature air curtain, the high-temperature air curtain can soften and effectively remove powder adhering to the surface of the window mirror 20.

[0067] The first air inlet seat 11 is installed on the outside of the high-temperature chamber shell 90, facilitating the connection of an external air intake device to the first air inlet port 111. The external air intake device may be, for example, an air inlet pipe including a pressure regulating valve. Through the first air inlet port 111, the external air intake device can fill the cavity with room temperature or low-temperature gas, maintaining positive pressure within the first gap 71 to prevent external powder from entering. The separate design of the first air inlet seat 11 and the second air inlet seat 12 also facilitates the installation of the mounting base 10.

[0068] See Figure 4 In this illustrative embodiment, the guide seat 30 points towards the end along the height direction H (i.e. Figure 4 The lower end of the flow guide seat 30 is provided with an annular flange 32. The flange 32 is connected to the fixing part 122 in the opposite direction of the height direction H, for example, by screws. This facilitates the installation of the flow guide seat 30.

[0069] See Figure 4 and Figure 7 The laser scanner protection device 100 also includes a first sealing strip 41, a second sealing strip 42, and a third sealing strip 43. The first air intake seat 11 is located on the opposite side and the pointing side along the height direction H (i.e.,...). Figure 4The upper and lower ends of the first air intake seat 11 are respectively provided with a first groove 113 and a second groove 114. A first sealing strip 41 is embedded in the first groove 113 to seal the gap between the first air intake seat 11 and the laser scanner 80. A second sealing strip 42 is embedded in the second groove 114 to seal the gap between the first air intake seat 11 and the high-temperature chamber shell 90. A third groove 123 is provided on the opposite side along the height direction H of the fixing part 122. A third sealing strip 43 is embedded in the third groove 123 to seal the gap between the second air intake seat 12 and the high-temperature chamber shell 90. This facilitates sealing the cavity and prevents dust from entering the first gap 71.

[0070] This invention also provides an additive manufacturing apparatus, including the aforementioned laser scanner protection device 100. This additive manufacturing apparatus can effectively prevent dust from entering the gap between the window mirror 20 and the light-emitting surface 81 of the laser scanner 80.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 laser scanner protection device for additive manufacturing equipment, the additive manufacturing equipment comprising a laser scanner and a high-temperature chamber shell arranged sequentially along the height direction (H), characterized in that, The laser scanner protection device includes: Mounting base (10), which is disposed on the high-temperature chamber shell and abuts against the outer wall of the laser scanner, the mounting base (10) having a first through hole (101) extending along the height direction (H), the first through hole (101) being opposite to the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction (H); and A window mirror (20) is disposed on the mounting base (10). The window mirror (20) is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner along the height direction (H) and forms a first gap (71). The window mirror (20) closes the first through hole (101). The mounting base (10) is provided with a first air inlet (111) to supply air to the first gap (71).

2. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The laser scanner protection device further includes a flow guide seat (30), which is inserted into the first through hole (101) and located on the side of the window mirror (20) away from the light-emitting surface of the laser scanner. The flow guide seat (30) and the window mirror (20) are spaced apart along the height direction (H) to form a second gap (72). The flow guide seat (30) has a second through hole (302) that extends along the height direction (H). One end of the second through hole (302) faces the window mirror (20). The other end is connected to the interior of the high-temperature chamber shell. A flow guide cavity (73) is formed between the outer wall of the flow guide seat (30) and the inner wall of the mounting seat (10). The flow guide cavity (73) extends to the second gap (72). The mounting seat (10) is provided with a second air inlet (121). The second air inlet (121) is connected to the flow guide cavity (73). The airflow enters the flow guide cavity (73) through the second air inlet (121) and forms an air curtain on the surface of the window mirror (20).

3. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first through hole (101) is a tapered hole, the flow guide seat (30) is tapered and has a taper adapted to the first through hole (101), the hole wall of the first through hole (101) and / or the outer wall of the flow guide seat (30) are partially thinned to form the flow guide cavity (73), and the second air inlet (121) is connected to one end of the flow guide cavity (73) away from the window mirror (20) along the height direction (H).

4. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The outer wall of the guide seat (30) is partially thinned to form two guide grooves (31). The two guide grooves (31) are used to form two independent guide cavities (73). The two guide grooves (31) are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the guide seat (30).

5. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second gap (72) is less than 1 mm.

6. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Mounting base (10) includes: A first air inlet seat (11) is disposed between the high-temperature chamber shell and the laser scanner and has an opening (112) extending along the height direction (H). A first air inlet hole (111) is disposed on the first air inlet seat (11). The second air intake (12) includes: A fixing part (122) is disposed inside the high-temperature chamber shell, and a second air inlet (121) opens into the fixing part (122) to connect an air inlet pipe coiled inside the high-temperature chamber shell. The mounting part (124) passes through the high-temperature chamber shell in the opposite direction of the height direction (H) and is disposed in the opening (112). The first through hole (101) is disposed in the mounting part (124), and the window mirror (20) is disposed at one end of the first through hole (101) near the laser scanner in the height direction (H).

7. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The guide seat (30) is provided with an annular flange (32) at the pointing end along the height direction (H), and the flange (32) is connected to the fixing part (122) in the opposite direction of the height direction (H).

8. The laser scanner protection device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a first sealing strip (41), a second sealing strip (42) and a third sealing strip (43). The first air inlet seat (11) has a first groove (113) and a second groove (114) respectively on the back side and the pointing side along the height direction (H). The first sealing strip (41) is embedded in the first groove (113) to seal the gap between the first air inlet seat (11) and the laser scanner. The second sealing strip (42) is embedded in the second groove (114) to seal the gap between the first air inlet seat (11) and the high temperature chamber shell. The fixing part (122) has a third groove (123) on the back side along the height direction (H). The third sealing strip (43) is embedded in the third groove (123) to seal the gap between the second air inlet seat (12) and the high temperature chamber shell.

9. Additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the laser scanner protection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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