A 3D printer

Abstract

The application discloses a 3D printer, which comprises a printing assembly, a printing platform and an x, y and z axis movement module. The printing assembly comprises a plurality of first printing assemblies provided with hot ends and a second printing assembly configured to engage one of the first printing assemblies and drive the first printing assembly to move to a printing area for material extrusion. The second printing assembly comprises a second connecting part engaged with the first printing assembly and a second interface for electrical transmission and / or signal transmission with the first printing assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing, and more specifically to a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the mainstream 3D printers on the market are single-head 3D printers, which can only print one type of material at a time and cannot combine materials. Furthermore, their forming efficiency is low due to limitations in printing speed. When single-head 3D printers are used for multi-color printing, the print head needs to be flushed during material changes, resulting in wasted material and time. Users have a strong demand for high-efficiency, high-quality, high-stability printing, multi-material compatibility, environmental friendliness, intelligence, and ease of use.

[0003] There is a need in this field to develop an improved, faster, more accurate, more reliable and stable multicolor 3D printer to mitigate or overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and to achieve other beneficial technical effects.

[0004] The information included in this background section of the present invention specification, including any references cited herein and any descriptions or discussions thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is proposed in view of the foregoing and other further ideas.

[0006] According to one concept of the present invention, a 3D printer is proposed, the 3D printer comprising:

[0007] A printing assembly, comprising a plurality of first printing assemblies having hot ends, and a second printing assembly, wherein the second printing assembly is configured to engage one of the plurality of first printing assemblies and drive the first printing assembly to move to a printing area for material extrusion.

[0008] Printing platform; and

[0009] An x, y, and z-axis motion module configured to enable relative movement between the second printing component and the printing platform in the x, y, and z-axis directions.

[0010] The second printing component includes a second connection portion that engages with the first printing component and a second interface that transmits electrical signals and / or signals to the first printing component.

[0011] In one embodiment, the 3D printer includes a first printing component storage area, the first printing component being configured to be stored in the first printing component storage area when no material extrusion is being performed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first printing component includes a first printing component housing, a first connecting portion that engages with the second connecting portion, and a first interface that transmits electrical signals and / or signals to the second interface.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second printing component includes a second printing component housing and a fan assembly configured to reduce the temperature of the first printing component when the first printing component and the second printing component are engaged.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first printing component includes a cable configured to supply power to the first printing component.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first printing component supplies power to the second printing component via the first interface and the second interface to activate the fan assembly; and / or

[0016] The first printing component transmits control signals to the second printing component through the first interface and the second interface to control the speed of the fan component.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second printing component is configured to connect to the X-axis motion component to move along the X-axis under the control of the X-axis motion component.

[0018] In one embodiment, the printing platform is configured to connect to the Z-axis motion component to move along the Z-axis under the control of the Z-axis motion component.

[0019] In one embodiment, the X-axis motion component is configured to connect to the Y-axis motion component to move along the Y-axis under the control of the Y-axis motion component.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second printing component includes an air duct that faces the printing model and is configured to reduce the temperature of the printing model.

[0021] Further embodiments of the present invention can achieve other advantageous technical effects not listed hereafter, which may be partially described below and can be expected and understood by those skilled in the art after reading the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above-described features and advantages of these embodiments, as well as other features and advantages, and the ways in which they are implemented, will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and embodiments of the invention will be better understood.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a stereoscopic view of the 3D printer described in this application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first printing component, the second printing component, and the mounting frame of the 3D printer of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the following description of the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments, details of one or more embodiments of the invention will be set forth. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from these descriptions, drawings, and claims.

[0026] It should be understood that the illustrated and described embodiments are not limited in application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The illustrated embodiments may be other embodiments and can be implemented or performed in various ways. The examples are provided by way of explanation rather than limitation of the disclosed embodiments. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to still produce another embodiment. Therefore, this disclosure covers such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0027] Similarly, it is understood that the phrases and terms used in this document are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of “including,” “contains,” or “has,” and their variations, in this document is intended to include, in an open-ended manner, the items listed thereafter, their equivalents, and any additional items.

[0028] The term "3D printer" includes not only three-dimensional printing equipment in the general sense of the art, such as industrial-grade 3D printers, including consumer-grade 3D printers, but also laser processing equipment with 3D printing capabilities and 3D printing equipment with laser processing capabilities, all of which fall within the scope of "3D printer" in this application.

[0029] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with “first,” “second,” etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In this document, “multiple” means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this document according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof.

[0032] 3D printer

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the 3D printer has a printing platform 14. The printing platform 14 theoretically defines an xy-plane, which is defined by the x-axis and y-axis. The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are perpendicular to each other, as shown... Figure 1 As shown. The term "movement along an axis," such as along the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis, indicates movement parallel to or along the same straight line as that axis. In this document, the orientation specified by the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis is for convenience of discussion only and does not constitute any limitation on the orientation. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the printing platform 14 can be connected to an x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis motion module, and this is not limited herein. Additionally, the printing platform 14 has a heating function and can be a single piece of material or composed of multiple layers of material connected in a detachable or non-detachable manner. The printing platform 14 of the 3D printer can be used to place the material to be printed, the substrate, etc. The printing platform 14 provides a work surface that is as flat as possible. The printing platform 14 defines the range of motion of the print head.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the 3D printer may include x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis motion modules 15, a printing platform 14, and drive motors corresponding to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis motion modules. For example, the x-axis motion module 15 (generally with or including a drive motor or actuator) may be operatively connected to the second printing assembly 13, controlling the movement of the second printing assembly 13 along the x-axis. The x-axis motion module 15 may be operatively connected to the y-axis motion module, controlling the movement of the second printing assembly 13 along the y-axis. The z-axis motion module (generally with or including a drive motor or actuator) may be connected to the printing platform 14, controlling the movement of the printing platform 14 along the z-axis. However, the 3D printer of this application is not limited to this configuration.

[0035] The 3D printer 1 can also be equipped with a controller, which may include a main control chip or other units with control functions. The controller can control the movement of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis motion modules 15.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the 3D printer 1 includes: a printing assembly, which includes a plurality of first printing components 11 with hot ends, and a second printing component 13, the second printing component 13 being configured to engage one of the plurality of first printing components 11 and drive the first printing component 11 to a printing area for material extrusion; a printing platform 14; and an x, y, and z-axis motion module 15 configured to cause the second printing component 13 and the printing platform 14 to move relative to each other in the x, y, and z-axis directions. The second printing component 13 includes a second connecting portion 131 that engages with the first printing component 11 and a second interface 13a that transmits electrical and / or signal information to the first printing component 11, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0037] The first printing component 11 is provided with a hot end or nozzle for extruding material. A first printing component storage area 12 is used to store the first printing component 11 and can be mounted on the frame of the 3D printer 1. The first printing component storage area 12 includes a holder 121 for suspending or fixing the first printing component 11. A second printing component 13 is configured to move to the first printing component storage area 12, engage one of the plurality of first printing components 11, and drive the first printing component 11 to the printing area for material extrusion. A printing platform 14 is disposed below the first printing component 11 and the second printing component 13. A motion module 15 is configured to cause the second printing component 13 and the printing platform 14 to move relative to each other in the x, y, and z axis directions. The motion module 15 may include x, y, and z axis motion modules 15. The second printing component 13 is controlled by the x and y axis motion modules 15, and the printing platform 14 is controlled by the z axis motion module 15. Alternatively, the second printing component 13 can be controlled by the x, y, and z axis motion modules 15.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the first printing component 11 and the second printing component 13 can form the print head of a 3D printer. Multiple first printing components 11 can be connected to materials of different colors, and different colored materials can be deposited during the 3D printing process by changing the first printing components 11 connected to materials of different colors.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the first printing component 11 includes a first printing component housing 111, a first connecting portion 112 that engages with the second connecting portion, and a first interface 11a that transmits electrical signals and / or signals to the second interface.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, the second printing assembly 13 includes a second printing assembly housing 130 and a fan assembly 132, the fan assembly being configured to reduce the temperature of the printed model when the first printing assembly 11 and the second printing assembly 13 are engaged. Figure 2 As shown, the second printing assembly 13 also includes an air duct 133. The fan assembly 132 can be a cooling unit such as a fan or blower that can reduce the temperature of the printed model and enable it to cure quickly. The air duct 133 faces the printed model to guide cool air towards it. The air duct 133 may include an air inlet and an air outlet, with the air outlet facing the printed model itself.

[0041] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the first printing component 11 may include a cable m connected to a power source. The first printing component 11 includes a first interface 11a, and the second printing component 13 includes a second interface 13a. The first interface 11a and the second interface 13a are configured to transmit power or control signals. When the first printing component 11 and the second printing component 13 are engaged, the first interface 11a and the second interface 13a are connected to provide power or control signals. Therefore, the first printing component 11 supplies power to the second printing component 13 through the first interface 11a and the second interface 13a to start the fan assembly 132; and / or the first printing component 11 transmits control signals to the second printing component 13 through the first interface 11a and the second interface 13a to control the speed of the fan assembly 132. With this configuration, there is no need to provide a separate cable for the second printing component 13, which simplifies the printhead structure and facilitates high-speed printing.

[0042] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been provided for illustrative purposes. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise steps and / or forms disclosed; clearly, many modifications and variations can be made in light of the teachings above. The scope of the invention and all its equivalents are intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A 3D printer, characterized in that, The 3D printer includes: A printing assembly, comprising a plurality of first printing assemblies having hot ends, and a second printing assembly, wherein the second printing assembly is configured to engage one of the plurality of first printing assemblies and drive the first printing assembly to move to a printing area for material extrusion. Printing platform; and An x, y, and z-axis motion module configured to enable relative movement between the second printing component and the printing platform in the x, y, and z-axis directions. The second printing component includes a second connection portion that engages with the first printing component and a second interface that transmits electrical signals and / or signals to the first printing component.

2. The 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printer includes a first printing component storage area, the first printing component being configured to be stored in the first printing component storage area when no material extrusion is being performed.

3. The 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first printing component includes a first printing component housing, a first connecting portion that engages with the second connecting portion, and a first interface that transmits electrical signals and / or signals to the second interface.

4. The 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second printing assembly includes a second printing assembly housing and a fan assembly configured to reduce the temperature of the first printing assembly when the first printing assembly and the second printing assembly are engaged.

5. The 3D printer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first printing component includes a cable configured to supply power to the first printing component.

6. The 3D printer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first printing component supplies power to the second printing component via the first interface and the second interface to start the fan assembly; and / or The first printing component transmits control signals to the second printing component through the first interface and the second interface to control the speed of the fan component.

7. The 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second printing component is configured to connect to the X-axis motion component to move along the X-axis under the control of the X-axis motion component.

8. The 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that, The printing platform is configured to connect to a Z-axis motion assembly to move along the Z-axis under the control of the Z-axis motion assembly.

9. The 3D printer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The X-axis motion component is configured to connect to the Y-axis motion component to move along the Y-axis under the control of the Y-axis motion component.

10. The 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second printing component includes an air duct that faces the printing model and is configured to reduce the temperature of the printing model.

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