Cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

This utility model discloses a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment, comprising: a cylinder removal mechanism and a cylinder lifting mechanism; the cylinder removal mechanism is used to support the cylinder body disassembled and detached from the molding chamber; the cylinder removal mechanism is also used to move the cylinder body away from the molding chamber and into the cylinder lifting mechanism; the cylinder lifting mechanism is used to drive the cylinder body to rise and fall, so as to lift the top of the cylinder body and install it on a cleaning device, or to lower the cylinder body to separate it from the cleaning device. This utility model solves the problem in the prior art that a cooling process is required before the printing powder cleaning process can be performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printer technology, and in particular to a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] SLM (Selective Laser Melting) metal 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology based on selective laser melting. It uses a high-energy-density laser beam to selectively melt layers of metal powder, building up three-dimensional metal parts layer by layer. With the development of SLM technology, it is now widely used in mold making, medical device manufacturing, and aerospace parts manufacturing.

[0003] Traditional small and medium-sized laser additive manufacturing equipment often uses a fixed cylinder structure. After the printing operation is completed in the forming chamber, the chamber door must be opened to separate the printing substrate from the fixed cylinder and remove it from the forming chamber for powder cleaning of the printing substrate and the printed workpiece. However, the temperature inside the forming chamber of the freshly printed workpiece can reach over 100°C, and the powder spraying head and residual powder to be cleaned are also at high temperatures. If workers directly open the chamber door and attempt to disassemble the printing substrate within the constraints of the door, the printed workpiece, the powder spraying head, and the remaining powder, they are prone to burns. They must wait 4-5 hours for the substrate to cool to room temperature before the powder cleaning process can begin, severely impacting equipment efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to propose a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment, which aims to solve the problem in the prior art that the process of cleaning printing powder requires waiting for cooling.

[0005] To achieve one or more of the above objectives or other objectives, this utility model proposes a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment, which includes: a cylinder removal mechanism and a cylinder lifting mechanism. The cylinder removal mechanism is used to support the cylinder body that has been disassembled and detached from the molding chamber. The cylinder removal mechanism is also used to move the cylinder body away from the molding chamber and into the cylinder lifting mechanism; the cylinder lifting mechanism is used to drive the cylinder body to lift and lower, so as to lift the top of the cylinder body and install it on the cleaning device, or to lower the cylinder body to separate it from the cleaning device.

[0006] Furthermore, the cylinder lifting mechanism includes: a lifting base and multiple cylinder lifting components; The lifting base is provided with a side entry groove on one side, which is used for the cylinder body removal mechanism to move in or out. The plurality of cylinder lifting assemblies are located on the top surface of the lifting base and are arranged around the side entry slot.

[0007] Furthermore, the cylinder lifting assembly includes: a lifting bracket, a lifting push plate, a lifting main drive component, and a lifting guide component; The lifting bracket is fixed to the lifting base; The lifting push plate is used to lift and abut against the cylinder body; The driving end of the lifting main drive component is located on the lifting bracket, and drives the lifting push plate to lift and abut against the cylinder body. The lifting push plate is connected to the lifting guide component, and is in transmission cooperation with the lifting bracket through the lifting guide component.

[0008] Furthermore, the cylinder lifting assembly also includes a lifting auxiliary drive component; the lifting auxiliary drive component is located on the lifting bracket and drives the lifting push plate to rise and abut against the cylinder body.

[0009] Furthermore, the lifting push plate is provided with a first positioning pin; the first positioning pin is used for detachable engagement with the cylinder body.

[0010] Furthermore, the lifting base has guide balls on the side wall of the groove that surrounds the side entry groove; the guide balls are used to guide the cylinder removal mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the cylinder lifting mechanism also includes a positioning component; the positioning component is fixed to the lifting base and faces the entrance of the side entry slot, and the positioning component is used to sense and position the cylinder removal mechanism.

[0012] Furthermore, the positioning component includes: a positioning support plate, a connecting support plate, a buffer, and a proximity switch; The positioning support plate is fixed to the lifting base; The connecting support plate is connected to the positioning support plate; The buffer component is fixed to the surface of the connecting support plate; The proximity switch is fixed to the connecting support plate, and the sensing end of the proximity switch is located between the buffer surface of the buffer member and the plate surface of the connecting support plate. The proximity switch is used to sense and locate the cylinder removal mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, the cylinder removal mechanism includes: a removal base frame, a removal side frame, a removal handle, and removal rollers; The removed base frame is used to support the cylinder body; The removal side frame is fixed to the removal base frame, and the removal side frame is used to enclose the side wall of the cylinder body; The removal handle is fixed to the removal side frame; The removal roller is fixed to the removal base frame.

[0014] Furthermore, the lifting base is also provided with an inlet component; the inlet component is connected to the side wall of the lifting base having a groove that surrounds the side entry groove, and the inlet component is used to guide the exit roller.

[0015] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment proposed in this utility model uses a cylinder removal mechanism to assist in disassembling the cylinder body from under the molding chamber, directly taking out the printing substrate, which replaces opening the chamber door of the molding chamber to remove the printing substrate. Then, the cylinder removal mechanism pushes the cylinder body from the molding chamber into the cylinder lifting mechanism. Finally, the cylinder lifting mechanism realizes the lifting operation of the cylinder body, so that the cylinder body can be installed and connected with the cleaning device. It can enter the process of cleaning printing powder without waiting for cooling, thus improving the efficiency of equipment use. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment without an anti-overflow cover in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cylinder transport device with an anti-overflow cover for an additive manufacturing equipment in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the decomposed state; Figure 4 This is a top-view structural schematic diagram of the cylinder lifting mechanism of a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 1 A structural diagram from a side view; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the first locating pin and the first locating pin hole at point A.

[0018] The label in the figure is: 10. Cylinder body removal mechanism; 11. Removal base frame; 12. Removal side frame; 13. Removal handle; 14. Removal roller; 20. Cylinder body lifting mechanism; 21. Lifting base; 211. Side entry slot; 2111. Guide ball; 212. Inlet component; 22. Cylinder body lifting assembly; 221. Lifting bracket; 222. Lifting push plate; 2221. First positioning pin; 223. Main lifting drive component; 224. Lifting guide component; 2241. Guide sleeve; 2242. Guide column; 225. Auxiliary lifting drive component; 23. Positioning assembly; 231. Positioning support plate; 232. Connecting support plate; 233. Buffer; 234. Proximity switch; 30. Cylinder body; 31. Sealing ring; 32. Cylinder body positioning pin; 33. Push lug; 331. First positioning pin hole; 40. Printing substrate; 50. Overflow cover. Detailed Implementation

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

[0020] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The first embodiment of this utility model proposes a cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment, which includes a cylinder removal mechanism 10 and a cylinder lifting mechanism 20. The cylinder removal mechanism 10 is used to support the cylinder body 30 that has been disassembled and detached from the molding chamber. The cylinder removal mechanism 10 is also used to move the cylinder body 30 away from the molding chamber and into the cylinder lifting mechanism 20; the cylinder lifting mechanism 20 is used to drive the cylinder body 30 to lift and lower, so as to lift the top of the cylinder body 30 and install it on the cleaning device, or to lower the cylinder body 30 to separate it from the cleaning device.

[0021] In this embodiment, after the printed workpiece is printed, the cylinder removal mechanism 10 is moved downwards from the cylinder body 30, so that the cylinder removal mechanism 10 supports the cylinder body 30, and then the cylinder body 30 is removed from the bottom of the molding chamber. The cylinder removal mechanism 10 is pushed, causing the printed substrate 40 to detach from the molding chamber along with the cylinder body 30. The cylinder removal mechanism 10 is continued to be pushed, causing the cylinder body 30 to be pushed into the cylinder lifting mechanism 20. Through the cylinder lifting mechanism 20, the cylinder body 30 rises and moves until a cleaning device fixed externally is installed on the top of the cylinder body 30, so that the inner cavity of the cylinder body 30 is connected to the cleaning area of ​​the cleaning device. Simultaneously, the printed substrate 40 inside the cylinder body 30 is also located within the cleaning area.

[0022] There is no need to disassemble the printing substrate 40 under the constraints of the molding chamber door, powder spraying head, powder to be cleaned in the molding chamber, and printed workpiece. Moreover, the cylinder body 30 is disassembled from the bottom outside the molding chamber, so the disassembly of the cylinder body 30 is also not restricted. After the cylinder body 30 is disassembled, there is no need to wait for the printed workpiece to cool down. The cylinder body 30 is then lifted and installed with the external cleaning device by the cylinder removal mechanism 10 and the cylinder lifting mechanism 20, and the cleaning device can then perform the powder cleaning operation. This avoids the risk of workers being burned and solves the problem of having to wait for the printing powder to cool down before the powder cleaning process can be performed.

[0023] Specifically, a sealing ring 31 is provided on the top of the cylinder body 30. When the cylinder body 30 is installed and connected with the molding chamber, the sealing ring 31 is sandwiched between the cylinder body 30 and the molding chamber. When the cylinder body 30 is installed and connected with the cleaning device, the sealing ring 31 is sandwiched between the cylinder body 30 and the cleaning device.

[0024] The top of the cylinder body 30 is provided with a cylinder positioning pin 32, and the bottom of the molding chamber is provided with a first cavity positioning hole (not shown in the figure). When the cylinder body 30 is installed and connected with the molding chamber, the cylinder positioning pin 32 is embedded and fixed in the hole of the first cavity positioning hole; the bottom of the cleaning device is provided with a second cavity positioning hole (not shown in the figure). When the cylinder body 30 is installed and connected with the cleaning device, the cylinder positioning pin 32 is embedded and fixed in the hole of the second cavity positioning hole.

[0025] The side wall of the cylinder body 30 is provided with a pusher 33. The cylinder body removal mechanism 10 also supports the inner end of the pusher 33, and the cylinder body lifting mechanism 20 supports the outer end of the pusher 33, so as to ensure that the cylinder body removal mechanism 10 and the cylinder body lifting mechanism 20 can be used at the same time.

[0026] In other exemplary embodiments, such as Figure 2The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment is also equipped with an overflow cover 50. After the printing substrate 40 is separated from the molding chamber along with the cylinder body 30, the overflow cover 50 is placed on the cavity of the cylinder body 30, so that the printing substrate 40 and the printed workpiece are placed in a closed manner inside the cylinder body 30, preventing the printing powder on the printing substrate 40 and the printed workpiece from overflowing. After the cylinder body 30 is pushed into the cylinder lifting mechanism 20, it is convenient for the cylinder body 30 to be installed and connected with the cleaning device.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 6 The cylinder lifting mechanism 20 includes: a lifting base 21 and multiple cylinder lifting components 22; The lifting base 21 has a side entry groove 211 on one side, which is used for the cylinder body removal mechanism 10 to move in or out. The plurality of cylinder lifting assemblies 22 are disposed on the top surface of the lifting base 21 and are arranged around the side entry groove 211.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lifting base 21 is used to install and fix multiple cylinder lifting components 22, and the multiple cylinder lifting components 22 are installed at the same height, which facilitates unified control of the lifting height of the multiple cylinder lifting components 22. Moreover, the side entry groove 211 is located between two sets of opposing cylinder lifting components 22, and the stability of the lifting movement of the cylinder body 30 is improved by the two sets of opposing cylinder lifting components 22.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cylinder lifting assemblies 22 are divided into two groups; the side entry slot 211 is located between the two groups of cylinder lifting assemblies 22 that are directly opposite each other.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 5 The cylinder lifting assembly 22 includes: a lifting bracket 221, a lifting push plate 222, a lifting main drive component 223, and a lifting guide component 224; The lifting bracket 221 is fixed to the lifting base 21; The lifting push plate 222 is used to lift and abut against the cylinder body 30; The lifting main drive component 223 is located on the lifting bracket 221 and drives the lifting push plate 222 to lift and abut against the cylinder body 30. The lifting push plate 222 is connected to the lifting guide component 224, and is in transmission cooperation with the lifting bracket 221 through the lifting guide component 224.

[0031] In this embodiment, the lifting bracket 221 is used to install and fix the lifting main drive component 223. When the lifting main drive component 223 pushes the lifting push plate 222 upward, the cylinder body 30 moves upward; when the lifting main drive component 223 pushes the lifting push plate 222 downward, the cylinder body 30 moves downward. Then, the lifting guide component 224 guides the driving direction of the lifting main drive component 223, further improving the stability of the lifting and lowering movement of the cylinder body 30.

[0032] Specifically, the driving end of the lifting main drive component 223 passes through the lifting bracket 221 to push against the lifting push plate 222; the lifting guide component 224 passes through the lifting bracket 221 to connect to the lifting push plate 222.

[0033] Specifically, there are two lifting guide components 224, and the lifting main drive component 223 is located between the two lifting guide components 224.

[0034] Further details based on this embodiment can be found in [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 5 The lifting guide component 224 includes a guide sleeve 2241 and a guide column 2242. The guide sleeve 2241 is fixed to the lifting bracket 221, and the guide column 2242 is slidably inserted inside the guide sleeve 2241. The top end of the guide column 2242 is connected to the lifting push plate 222.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 5 The cylinder lifting assembly 22 further includes a lifting auxiliary drive component 225; the lifting auxiliary drive component 225 is disposed on the lifting bracket 221 and drives the lifting push plate 222 to lift and abut against the cylinder body 30.

[0036] In this embodiment, after the lifting main drive component 223 lifts the lifting push plate 222 into position, the lifting auxiliary drive component 225 is used to hold the lifting push plate 222 in place to balance the gravity of the lifting main drive component 223 and reduce the load on the lifting main drive component 223.

[0037] Specifically, the driving end of the lifting auxiliary drive component 225 passes through the lifting bracket 221 to push against the lifting push plate 222.

[0038] Specifically, the main lifting drive component 223 is an electric cylinder drive component, and the auxiliary lifting drive component 225 is a pneumatic cylinder drive component.

[0039] Specifically, there are two lifting auxiliary drive components 225. The lifting guide component 224 and the lifting main drive component 223 are located between the two lifting auxiliary drive components 225, which further balances the gravity of the lifting main drive component 223 and further reduces the load on the lifting main drive component 223.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 6 The lifting push plate 222 is provided with a first positioning pin 2221; the first positioning pin 2221 is used to be detachably embedded in the cylinder body 30.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cylinder lifting mechanism 20 and the cylinder body 30 are precisely positioned.

[0042] Specifically, the bottom of the push ear 33 is provided with a first positioning pin hole 331, and the first positioning pin 2221 is detachably embedded in the first positioning pin hole 331.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 6 The lifting base 21 has a groove sidewall that surrounds the side inlet groove 211 and is provided with guide balls 2111; the guide balls 2111 are used to guide and roll against the cylinder removal mechanism 10.

[0044] In this embodiment, the cylinder removal mechanism 10 is guided to move in the horizontal X-axis direction.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 3 to 5 The cylinder lifting mechanism 20 also includes a positioning component 23; the positioning component 23 is fixed to the lifting base 21 and is directly opposite the entrance of the side inlet slot 211. The positioning component 23 is used to sense and position the cylinder removal mechanism 10.

[0046] In this embodiment, the cylinder removal mechanism 10 is positioned in the horizontal Y-axis direction.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 3 to 5 The positioning component 23 includes: a positioning support plate 231, a connecting support plate 232, a buffer 233, and a proximity switch 234; The positioning support plate 231 is fixed to the lifting base 21; The connecting support plate 232 is connected to the positioning support plate 231; The buffer 233 is fixed to the surface of the connecting support plate 232; The proximity switch 234 is fixed to the connecting support plate 232. The sensing end of the proximity switch 234 is located between the buffer surface of the buffer member 233 and the plate surface of the connecting support plate 232. The proximity switch 234 is used to sense and position the cylinder removal mechanism 10.

[0048] In this embodiment, a proximity switch 234 is used to sense when the cylinder removal mechanism 10 moves into the horizontal position of the side entry groove 211, so as to accurately stop the pushing operation of the cylinder removal mechanism 10. Then, a buffer 233 is used to prevent the cylinder removal mechanism 10 from being over-pushed in.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 3 The cylinder removal mechanism 10 includes: a removal base frame 11, a removal side frame 12, a removal handle 13, and removal rollers 14; The removal base 11 is used to support the cylinder body 30; The removal side frame 12 is fixed to the removal base frame 11, and the removal side frame 12 is used to surround the side wall of the cylinder body 30; The removal handle 13 is fixed to the removal side frame 12; The removal roller 14 is fixed to the removal base frame 11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vertical position of the cylinder body 30 is defined by the removal base 11 at the bottom of the cylinder body 30; the horizontal position of the cylinder body 30 is defined by the removal side frame 12, preventing the cylinder body 30 from shifting position; and the top surface of the removal side frame 12 supports the inner end of the push lug 33, again defining the vertical position of the cylinder body 30 and distributing the supporting force of the removal base 11; the removal handle 13 and removal rollers 14 facilitate worker dragging and use. By supporting the inner end of the push lug 33 with the top surface of the removal side frame 12, the cylinder lifting assembly 22 rises and abuts against the outer end of the push lug 33, without affecting the use of the removal side frame 12 or the cylinder lifting assembly 22.

[0051] Furthermore, based on this embodiment, the bottom surface of the pusher 33 is also provided with a second positioning pin hole (not shown in the figure), and the top of the removed side frame 12 is provided with a second positioning pin (not shown in the figure), so as to realize the precise positioning of the cylinder body removal mechanism 10 and the pusher 33 of the cylinder body 30.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 1 The lifting base 21 is also provided with an inlet component 212; the inlet component 212 is connected to the side wall of the lifting base 21 having a groove that surrounds the side entry groove 211, and the inlet component 212 is used to guide the exit roller 14.

[0053] In this embodiment, the guide component 212 guides and limits the rolling direction of the removal roller 14 in the horizontal X-axis direction, and the positioning component 23 limits the rolling direction of the removal roller 14 in the horizontal Y-axis direction, thereby limiting the horizontal position of the cylinder removal mechanism 10 in the side entry groove 211.

[0054] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, include: A cylinder removal mechanism is used to support the cylinder body that has been disassembled and detached from the molding chamber. The cylinder lifting mechanism, wherein the cylinder removal mechanism is further used to move the cylinder body away from the molding chamber and into the cylinder lifting mechanism; the cylinder lifting mechanism is used to drive the cylinder body to lift and lower, so as to lift the top of the cylinder body and install it on the cleaning device, or to lower the cylinder body to separate it from the cleaning device.

2. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder lifting mechanism includes: A lifting base, wherein one side of the lifting base is provided with a side entry groove, the side entry groove being used for the cylinder body removal mechanism to move in or out; Multiple cylinder lifting assemblies are disposed on the lifting base and arranged around the side entry slot.

3. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cylinder lifting assembly includes: A lifting bracket, which is fixed to the lifting base; A lifting push plate, which is used to lift and abut against the cylinder body; A lifting main drive component is provided on the lifting bracket and drives the lifting push plate to lift and abut against the cylinder body; A lifting guide component is provided, wherein the lifting push plate is connected to the lifting guide component and is in transmission cooperation with the lifting bracket through the lifting guide component.

4. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cylinder lifting assembly also includes a lifting auxiliary drive component; the lifting auxiliary drive component is located on the lifting bracket and drives the lifting push plate to rise and abut against the cylinder body.

5. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lifting push plate is provided with a first positioning pin; the first positioning pin is used for detachable engagement with the cylinder body.

6. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting base has guide balls on the side wall of the groove that surrounds the side entry slot; the guide balls are used to guide the cylinder removal mechanism.

7. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cylinder lifting mechanism also includes a positioning component; the positioning component is fixed to the lifting base and faces the entrance of the side entry slot, and the positioning component is used to sense and position the cylinder removal mechanism.

8. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The positioning component includes: A positioning support plate, which is fixed to the lifting base; A connecting support plate, wherein the connecting support plate is connected to the positioning support plate; A buffer element, which is fixed to the surface of the connecting support plate; A proximity switch is fixed to the connecting support plate. The sensing end of the proximity switch is located between the buffer surface of the buffer member and the plate surface of the connecting support plate. The proximity switch is used to sense and locate the cylinder removal mechanism.

9. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cylinder removal mechanism includes: Remove the base frame, which is used to support the cylinder body; The side frame is removed and fixed to the base frame. The side frame is used to enclose the side wall of the cylinder body. Remove the handle, which is fixed to the remove side frame; Remove rollers, which are fixed to the removal base frame.

10. The cylinder transport device for additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The lifting base is also provided with an inlet component; the inlet component is connected to the side wall of the lifting base that surrounds the side entry groove, and the inlet component is used to guide the exit roller.

Images