A printing stencil leveling structure and a 3D printer

Abstract

This utility model discloses a printing stencil leveling structure and a 3D printer, including a printing stencil and a fixing plate. An adjusting plate is located on the lower side of the fixing plate, and the printing stencil is located below the adjusting plate and fixedly connected to it. The fixing plate has a through hole, and the upper side of the adjusting plate has a threaded hole corresponding to the through hole. It also includes a leveling bolt passing through the through hole and threadedly connected to the threaded hole, with a spring sleeved on the leveling bolt, located between the fixing plate and the adjusting plate. The fixing plate has a second threaded hole penetrating its upper and lower sides, with a positioning bolt internally threaded into the second threaded hole. The leveling bolt allows adjustment of the printing stencil's horizontal state. Since the printing stencil is fixedly connected to the lower side of the adjusting plate, adjusting the level of the adjusting plate achieves the same leveling of the printing stencil. During adjustment, rotating the leveling bolt causes the adjusting plate to move up and down, thus adjusting its horizontal state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printer technology, specifically to a printing stencil leveling structure and a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing technology, as a highly innovative additive manufacturing technology, has been widely used in various fields such as industrial manufacturing, medical, automotive, and aerospace in recent years. Its working principle is to transform a digital model into a real object by layering materials, which is completely different from the traditional subtractive manufacturing method.

[0003] Among the many types of 3D printers, taking a sinking release 3D printer applied for by the applicant on January 11, 2025 as an example (patent application publication number CN 119734441 A), it mainly consists of a material tank, a printing screen, and an LCD optical engine. During the printing process, the LCD optical engine exposes and irradiates the resin, causing the resin to solidify layer by layer on the printing screen, ultimately forming the desired three-dimensional model.

[0004] In the 3D printing process, the flatness of the printing stencil plays a crucial role in print quality. If the printing stencil is not level, uneven resin curing will occur during the LCD engine's exposure and curing process. For example, in some areas, if the distance between the printing stencil and the LCD engine is too close or too far, the thickness of the cured resin layer will be inconsistent, affecting the accuracy and quality of the entire model. In severe cases, it may lead to problems such as warping, poor interlayer adhesion, or even print failure. Therefore, the printing stencil must be precisely leveled before printing begins to ensure it is in a horizontal position. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the problems pointed out in the background art, this utility model proposes a printing screen leveling structure and a 3D printer to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows: A printing stencil leveling structure includes a printing stencil. It also includes a fixing plate, with an adjustment plate on the lower side of the fixing plate, and the printing screen is located on the lower side of the adjustment plate and fixedly connected to the adjustment plate. The fixed plate has through holes running through its upper and lower sides, and the upper side of the adjusting plate has a threaded hole corresponding to the through holes. It also includes a leveling bolt that passes through the through hole and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. A spring is fitted on the leveling bolt and the spring is located between the fixed plate and the leveling plate. The fixing plate has two threaded holes that run through its upper and lower sides, and the internal threads of the two threaded holes are connected to positioning bolts.

[0007] The present invention is further configured such that multiple through holes are provided and are spaced apart circumferentially on the fixing plate.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that the number of threaded holes corresponds to the number of through holes, and the threaded holes are located on the side of the through holes.

[0009] The present invention is further provided that the lower side of the adjustment plate is provided with a plug-in groove penetrating both sides and the lower side in the width direction, and there are two plug-in grooves that are spaced apart in the length direction of the adjustment plate. It also includes a long strip that is adapted to be inserted into the slot, the printing screen is located on the underside of the strip, and a connecting post is provided between the strip and the printing screen to connect the two. The upper side of the adjusting plate is provided with a threaded hole three that communicates with the insertion slot, and a fixing bolt is connected to the internal thread of the threaded hole three.

[0010] The present invention is further provided with a handle on one side of the connector strip in the width direction.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the handle is U-shaped, and both ends of the handle are fixedly connected to the insert strip.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that the printing stencil has a plurality of mesh holes extending through its upper and lower sides.

[0013] A 3D printer includes a frame, a material trough on the frame, a photomechanical unit at the bottom of the material trough, and a movable base that can move up and down on the frame. The aforementioned printing screen leveling structure is fixedly mounted on the movable base.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that the equipment frame is provided with a driving mechanism for driving the movable seat to move up and down. The driving mechanism includes a track seat arranged in the up and down direction, the movable seat and the track seat are slidably connected, the track seat is provided with a rotatable lead screw, the movable seat is provided with a nut threadedly connected to the lead screw, and the track seat is provided with a motor for driving the lead screw to rotate.

[0015] The present invention is further configured such that the equipment frame includes two vertically arranged vertical beams with a U-shaped cross-section; it also includes a horizontal beam connecting the two vertical beams with a U-shaped vertical cross-section, and the two ends of the horizontal beam are fixedly connected to the two vertical beams respectively; there are two vertical beams arranged at intervals in the vertical direction; the upper and lower ends of the track seat are fixedly connected to the two horizontal beams respectively.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The leveling bolts allow for adjustment of the printing screen's horizontal position. Since the printing screen is fixedly connected to the underside of the leveling plate, adjusting the leveling plate's position achieves the same result as adjusting the printing screen's horizontal position. To adjust, rotate the leveling bolts (which are threaded into the threaded holes on the leveling plate). This will cause the leveling plate to move up and down, thus adjusting its horizontal position.

[0017] A spring is fitted onto the leveling bolt, positioned between the fixed plate and the leveling plate. When the spring is compressed, it applies force to both the fixed plate and the leveling plate, keeping the leveling bolt taut (the screw head at the top of the leveling bolt abuts against the upper side of the fixed plate). When the positioning bolt is not in use, the spring also acts as a buffer. For example, when the printing screen is subjected to an upward force, the printing screen, leveling plate, and leveling bolt move downwards; at this time, the spring is compressed, providing a buffer.

[0018] After the printing screen is leveled, rotate the positioning bolts so that the lower end of the positioning bolts abuts against the upper side of the leveling plate, thus restricting and fixing the leveling plate in the vertical direction.

[0019] The printing screen is connected to the adjustment plate via two connector strips, and the connector strips inserted into the connector slots are positioned and fixed by fixing bolts. This allows the connector strips and the printing screen to be disassembled simply by loosening the fixing bolts, making the installation and removal of the printing screen convenient.

[0020] The connector is equipped with a handle, which makes it easy to install and remove the printing stencil.

[0021] The equipment frame has a frame structure formed by two vertical beams and two horizontal beams to support the drive mechanism and the printing screen leveling structure. This frame structure has high structural strength and is stable. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printer of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printer of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0025] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the printing screen leveling structure of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the printing screen leveling structure of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0027] Figure 5 This is a side view of the printing screen leveling structure of this utility model.

[0028] The following are the labels in the attached diagram: 1. Printing screen plate; 2. Fixing plate; 3. Adjusting plate; 4. Through hole; 5. Threaded hole one; 6. Leveling bolt; 7. Spring; 8. Threaded hole two; 9. Positioning bolt; 10. Insertion slot; 11. Insertion strip; 12. Connecting column; 13. Threaded hole three; 14. Fixing bolt; 15. Handle; 16. Equipment frame; 17. Material trough; 18. Optical machine; 19. Moving seat; 20. Track seat; 21. Motor; 22. Vertical beam; 23. Horizontal beam. Detailed Implementation

[0029] 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.

[0030] For reference as follows Figures 1-5 The present invention will be described as follows: Example: A printing stencil leveling structure includes a printing stencil 1, which serves as the core working component. The printing stencil 1 has a plurality of mesh holes extending through its upper and lower sides. These mesh holes meet the basic requirements for resin flow and curing during the printing process.

[0031] It also includes a fixing plate 2, and an adjusting plate 3 is provided on the lower side of the fixing plate 2.

[0032] The printing screen 1 is located below the adjusting plate 3 and is fixedly connected to the adjusting plate 3. This connection allows changes in the posture of the adjusting plate 3 to be directly transmitted to the printing screen 1, laying the structural foundation for leveling the printing screen 1 by adjusting the adjusting plate 3.

[0033] The three components form a top-down hierarchical structure of "fixed plate 2 - adjustable plate 3 - printing screen 1".

[0034] The fixed plate 2 is provided with through holes 4 that pass through its upper and lower sides, and the upper side of the adjusting plate 3 is provided with threaded holes 5 corresponding to the through holes 4.

[0035] It also includes a leveling bolt 6 that passes through the through hole 4 and is threaded to the threaded hole 5. Through this connection structure, the leveling bolt 6 can become an actuator for adjusting the attitude of the leveling plate 3.

[0036] Meanwhile, a spring 7 is fitted onto the leveling bolt 6. The spring 7 is located between the fixed plate 2 and the leveling plate 3, and its installation position determines that it can play an elastic role between the two.

[0037] The fixing plate 2 has threaded holes 8 extending through its upper and lower sides, and positioning bolts 9 are threaded into the threaded holes 8. The positioning and fixing of the adjusting plate 3 can be achieved by rotating the positioning bolts 9.

[0038] The leveling function is based on the threaded connection between the leveling bolt 6 and the leveling plate 3. By adjusting the leveling bolt 6, the horizontal state of the leveling plate 3 can be changed, thereby realizing the horizontal adjustment of the printing screen 1.

[0039] During adjustment, since the leveling bolt 6 passes through the through hole 4 on the fixed plate 2 and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 5 of the adjusting plate 3, when the leveling bolt 6 is rotated, it will generate axial displacement relative to the adjusting plate 3 under the action of the threaded engagement. Since the position of the fixed plate 2 is relatively fixed, the axial displacement of the leveling bolt 6 will cause the adjusting plate 3 to move up and down—when the leveling bolt 6 is screwed into the threaded hole 5, the adjusting plate 3 will move closer to the fixed plate 2; when the leveling bolt 6 is screwed out of the threaded hole 5, the adjusting plate 3 will move away from the fixed plate 2.

[0040] Because the printing screen 1 and the adjusting plate 3 are fixedly connected, the up-and-down movement of the adjusting plate 3 will synchronously cause the printing screen 1 to produce a corresponding positional change. By adjusting the leveling bolts 6 distributed at different positions, different parts of the adjusting plate 3 can be moved up and down in different ways, thereby adjusting the horizontal posture of the adjusting plate 3 and ultimately achieving the adjustment of the horizontal state of the printing screen 1. This adjustment method, by acting directly on the adjusting plate 3, can accurately transmit the adjustment action to the printing screen 1, ensuring the targeted and effective leveling.

[0041] Spring 7 serves a dual function in the structure: it ensures the stable operation of leveling bolt 6 and acts as a buffer in specific scenarios.

[0042] When spring 7 is compressed, it applies outward elastic force to both the fixed plate 2 and the adjusting plate 3. For the fixed plate 2, the elastic force is upward; for the adjusting plate 3, the elastic force is downward. Under the action of these two elastic forces, the leveling bolt 6 experiences a downward tension, causing the screw head at the upper end of the leveling bolt 6 to tightly abut against the upper side of the fixed plate 2. This prevents the leveling bolt 6 from loosening due to vibration or other factors when not in an adjustable state, ensuring that the leveling bolt 6 remains in a taut and stable state, thus guaranteeing the stability of the structure after leveling.

[0043] When the positioning bolt 9 is not in use, the spring 7 acts as a buffer when the printing screen 1 is subjected to an upward external force. When the printing screen 1 is subjected to an upward external force, the force is transmitted sequentially to the adjusting plate 3 and the leveling bolt 6, causing all three to move upward as a whole. During this process, the spring 7 located between the fixed plate 2 and the adjusting plate 3 is further compressed. The elastic deformation of the spring 7 converts part of the external force into elastic potential energy, thereby reducing the moving speed and impact force of the printing screen 1, the adjusting plate 3, and the leveling bolt 6, preventing damage to the components due to sudden force, and playing a protective role for the structure.

[0044] The positioning bolt 9 is used to restrict and fix the position of the leveling plate 3 after the printing screen 1 has been leveled, so as to maintain the leveled state.

[0045] After the printing screen 1 is adjusted to a horizontal position using the leveling bolt 6, the positioning bolt 9 is rotated. Since the positioning bolt 9 is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 8 on the fixing plate 2, it moves downwards along the threaded hole 8 during rotation until its lower end abuts against the upper side of the adjusting plate 3. At this point, the positioning bolt 9 applies an upward supporting force to the adjusting plate 3. Combined with the force exerted on the adjusting plate 3 by the leveling bolt 6 and the spring 7, the vertical displacement of the adjusting plate 3 is restricted, and its horizontal posture is fixed. This ensures that the printing screen 1 can stably maintain a horizontal position after leveling, providing structural support for the smooth operation of the subsequent printing process.

[0046] Multiple through holes 4 are provided and spaced circumferentially on the fixed plate 2. This circumferential spacing allows the leveling bolts 6 to apply force from multiple circumferential positions on the fixed plate 2 when adjusting the adjusting plate 3. Since the posture adjustment of the adjusting plate 3 requires multi-directional force support, the multiple circumferentially spaced leveling bolts 6 can adjust the up and down movement of different circumferential parts of the adjusting plate 3, thereby achieving a more comprehensive and precise horizontal posture adjustment of the adjusting plate 3. This avoids problems such as skewing of the adjusting plate 3 during the leveling process due to a single adjustment point, and provides more reliable structural support for the horizontal adjustment of the printing screen 1.

[0047] The number of threaded holes 8 corresponds to the number of through holes 4, and the threaded holes 8 are located beside the through holes 4. This corresponding arrangement means that each leveling bolt 6 has a corresponding positioning bolt 9 nearby. After the leveling bolt 6 completes the height adjustment of a specific part of the adjusting plate 3, the positioning bolt 9 on the side can position and fix that part. This "one-to-one" side arrangement allows the positioning bolt 9 to more accurately apply support force to the adjusted part, forming a more balanced force combination with the forces of the leveling bolt 6 and the spring 7. This further improves the vertical stability of the adjusting plate 3, effectively preventing posture deviation caused by uneven local force, thus ensuring the stable maintenance of the horizontal state of the printing screen 1.

[0048] The lower side of the adjusting plate 3 is provided with two insertion slots 10 that extend through both sides and the lower side in the width direction. These insertion slots 10 are spaced apart in the length direction of the adjusting plate 3. This through-type structural design provides sufficient space for the insertion of the connector strip 11. The two insertion slots 10 spaced apart in the length direction enable the connector strip 11 to form two-point support in the length direction of the connection with the adjusting plate 3, enhancing the stability of the connection and preventing the connector strip 11 from shifting or wobbling along the length direction on the adjusting plate 3.

[0049] It also includes a long strip of connector 11 that is adapted to be inserted into the connector slot 10. The printing screen 1 is located on the lower side of the connector 11, and a connecting post 12 connecting the connector 11 and the printing screen 1 is provided between them.

[0050] The upper side of the adjusting plate 3 is provided with a threaded hole 3 13 communicating with the insertion slot 10, and a fixing bolt 14 is threaded into the threaded hole 3 13. When the insertion strip 11 is inserted into the insertion slot 10, the fixing bolt 14 is tightened so that it abuts against the insertion strip 11, thus fixing the insertion strip 11. The threaded connection provides good tightness. Through the abutting action of the fixing bolt 14 and the insertion strip 11, the up-down and left-right movement of the insertion strip 11 in the insertion slot 10 is restricted, ensuring the stability of the connection between the insertion strip 11 and the adjusting plate 3, thereby ensuring that the printing screen 1 will not shift its position due to the loosening of the insertion strip 11 during operation.

[0051] A handle 15 is provided on one side of the connector 11 in the width direction.

[0052] The handle 15 is U-shaped, with both ends fixedly connected to the connector strip 11. The U-shaped handle 15 provides ample grip space, facilitating the operator's hand application of force. When disassembling or maintaining the printing screen 1, the operator can easily pull out or insert the connector strip 11 from the connector slot 10 of the adjustment plate 3 by holding the handle 15, simplifying the disassembly and assembly process of the printing screen 1 and improving the convenience of equipment maintenance.

[0053] A 3D printer includes a frame 16 (the frame 16 is a basic support frame, and the core functional components are arranged according to a specific logic to form a complete printing operation system). The frame 16 is provided with a material tank 17 (the material tank 17 is used to hold the resin material required for printing). The bottom of the material tank 17 is provided with a photomechanical unit 18 (the photomechanical unit 18 is an exposure component that can emit light of a specific wavelength into the resin in the material tank 17 to achieve layer-by-layer curing of the resin). The frame 16 is provided with a movable seat 19 that can move up and down. The leveling structure of the printing screen 1 is fixedly installed on the movable seat 19.

[0054] When the moving seat 19 moves up and down, it will drive the printing screen leveling structure and the printing screen 1 to move synchronously, so that the printing screen 1 can achieve layer-by-layer printing in the resin in the material tank 17. As the printing process progresses, the moving seat 19 drives the printing screen 1 to rise gradually, and the optical engine 18 cooperates to expose the resin, so that the resin is cured and formed layer by layer on the printing screen 1.

[0055] The equipment frame 16 is equipped with a drive mechanism for driving the movable seat 19 to move up and down. The drive mechanism includes a track seat 20 arranged in the up and down direction. The movable seat 19 is slidably connected to the track seat 20 (the track seat 20 provides guidance for the movement of the movable seat 19, restricts the horizontal offset of the movable seat 19, and ensures that it can only move in a straight line in the up and down direction). The track seat 20 is equipped with a rotatable lead screw, and the movable seat 19 is equipped with a nut that is threadedly connected to the lead screw (the lead screw and the nut constitute a lead screw and nut transmission pair). The track seat 20 is equipped with a motor 21 that drives the lead screw to rotate.

[0056] The equipment frame 16 includes two vertically arranged vertical beams 22, each with a U-shaped cross-section. It also includes a horizontal beam 23 connecting the two vertical beams 22, the horizontal beam 23 having a U-shaped vertical cross-section, and both ends of the horizontal beam 23 being fixedly connected to the two vertical beams 22 respectively. There are two vertical beams 22, spaced apart vertically. The upper and lower ends of the track base 20 are fixedly connected to the two horizontal beams 23 respectively.

[0057] The vertical beam 22 has a U-shaped cross section. Compared with a flat plate structure, the U-shaped cross section has a higher bending section modulus, which can withstand a greater bending load with the same amount of material, thereby improving the structural strength of the vertical beam 22 and making it less prone to deformation during the load-bearing process.

[0058] Similarly, the U-shaped cross-section design enhances the structural rigidity of beam 23.

[0059] Two vertical beams 22 and two horizontal beams 23 are interconnected to form a frame structure. This frame structure distributes the load to various components through the mutual support of the vertical and horizontal beams, avoiding excessive local stress and significantly improving the overall structural stability and load-bearing capacity of the frame.

[0060] The upper and lower ends of the track base 20 are fixedly connected to two crossbeams 23, respectively. This connection method allows the load of the drive mechanism to be transferred to the vertical beam 22 through the crossbeams 23, and then borne by the entire frame structure. Due to the high strength and good stability of the frame structure of the equipment frame 16, it can stably support the weight of the drive mechanism and the leveling structure of the printing screen 1. At the same time, it can effectively suppress vibration during the operation of the drive mechanism and the movement of the moving base 19, avoiding the impact of frame deformation or vibration on printing accuracy, and providing a solid structural guarantee for the stable operation of the 3D printer.

[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. 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 printing stencil leveling structure, comprising a printing stencil, characterized in that: It also includes a fixing plate, with an adjustment plate on the lower side of the fixing plate, and the printing screen is located on the lower side of the adjustment plate and fixedly connected to the adjustment plate. The fixed plate has through holes running through its upper and lower sides, and the upper side of the adjusting plate has a threaded hole corresponding to the through holes. It also includes a leveling bolt that passes through the through hole and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. A spring is fitted on the leveling bolt and the spring is located between the fixed plate and the leveling plate. The fixing plate has two threaded holes that run through its upper and lower sides, and the internal threads of the two threaded holes are connected to positioning bolts.

2. The printing screen plate leveling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned through holes are provided in multiple portions and are spaced apart circumferentially on the fixing plate.

3. The printing screen plate leveling structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of threaded holes 2 corresponds to the number of through holes, and the threaded holes 2 are located on the side of the through holes.

4. The printing stencil leveling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower side of the adjustment plate is provided with two insertion slots that extend through both sides and the lower side in the width direction. The insertion slots are spaced apart in the length direction of the adjustment plate. It also includes a long strip that is adapted to be inserted into the slot, the printing screen is located on the underside of the strip, and a connecting post is provided between the strip and the printing screen to connect the two. The upper side of the adjusting plate is provided with a threaded hole three that communicates with the insertion slot, and a fixing bolt is connected to the internal thread of the threaded hole three.

5. The printing screen plate leveling structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: A handle is provided on one side of the connector strip in the width direction.

6. The printing screen plate leveling structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The handle is U-shaped, and both ends of the handle are fixedly connected to the connector strip.

7. The printing screen plate leveling structure according to claim 1, wherein: The printing stencil has several mesh holes that extend through its upper and lower sides.

8. A 3D printer comprising a device frame body, a material tank is arranged on the device frame body, a light machine is arranged at the bottom of the material tank, and a movable seat capable of moving up and down is arranged on the device frame body, characterized in that: The printing screen leveling structure as described in any one of claims 1-7 is fixedly mounted on the movable base.

9. The 3D printer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The equipment frame is equipped with a drive mechanism for driving the movable seat to move up and down. The drive mechanism includes a track seat arranged in the up and down direction. The movable seat is slidably connected to the track seat. The track seat is equipped with a rotatable lead screw. The movable seat is equipped with a nut that is threadedly connected to the lead screw. The track seat is equipped with a motor that drives the lead screw to rotate.

10. The 3D printer of claim 9, wherein: The equipment frame includes two vertically arranged vertical beams with a U-shaped cross-section; it also includes a horizontal beam connecting the two vertical beams with a U-shaped vertical cross-section, and the two ends of the horizontal beam are fixedly connected to the two vertical beams respectively; there are two vertical beams, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction; the upper and lower ends of the track seat are fixedly connected to the two horizontal beams respectively.

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