A metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device
By setting through grooves in the copper plate and using heat transfer oil for heating, combined with a rotating storage box and reciprocating motion, the problem of easy damage to the heating facilities during shaking in powder bed preheating equipment is solved, achieving uniform preheating of stainless steel powder and extending the equipment life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZRAPID TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing powder bed preheating equipment for metal additive manufacturing is prone to damage to heating facilities during shaking, especially when processing stainless steel powder, resulting in uneven preheating and short equipment life.
A preheating device for powder bed in metal additive manufacturing was designed. By setting a through groove in a copper plate and using heat transfer oil for heating, combined with a rotating storage box and reciprocating motion, the heating facility is separated from the container, ensuring uniform heating and that the equipment is not affected by shaking.
This technology enables uniform preheating of stainless steel powder, extends the service life of the equipment, avoids damage to heating facilities, and improves processing stability and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224586994U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of metal material processing technology, specifically to a metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device. Background Technology
[0002] Metal additive manufacturing constructs parts by layering and melting powder. Metal powder is the core material. Preheating can reduce the temperature difference between the powder and the substrate, reduce thermal stress during melting, prevent parts from cracking or deforming, improve powder flowability, and enhance process stability. The preheating temperature varies depending on the material and process. For example, for titanium alloys, the metal powder added later needs to be preheated to about 800°C, while for stainless steel, the powder added only needs to be preheated to about 200°C.
[0003] Equipment for preheating powders typically involves shaking the container to tumble the powder, ensuring more uniform preheating. However, since the heating element is fixed to the container and shakes up and down with it, it is prone to damage over time. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder bed preheating device for metal additive manufacturing, wherein the heating equipment is located away from the container that is shaking up and down to avoid damage. This device is particularly suitable for preheating powder used in the processing of stainless steel materials.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device, comprising a support, a movable plate, and a storage box, and further comprising: A rotating rod is fixed to the top of the movable plate via a bearing seat. The rotating rod is bolted to the bottom of the storage box. A positioning component is provided on the top of the movable plate. A copper plate is bolted to the bottom of the storage box. A through groove is opened inside the copper plate. The two ends of the through groove are respectively connected to a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. A pump body and a liquid storage tank are also bolted to one side of the bracket. The other end of the first connecting pipe is connected to the outlet end of the pump body. The inlet end of the pump body is connected to the liquid storage tank through a pipe. The other end of the second connecting pipe is connected to the liquid storage tank. An immersion electric heater is installed through the surface of the liquid storage tank. Reciprocating drive components are installed inside and outside the bracket.
[0006] Preferably, the positioning component includes a screw, a threaded sleeve, and a movable block. The screw and the movable plate are fixed to each other by a bearing seat. The threaded sleeve is threaded to the surface of the screw. The threaded sleeve is disposed through the surface of the movable block. A positioning post is bolted to the surface of the movable block. A connecting block is bolted to the bottom of the storage box. A through hole is opened on the surface of the connecting block. A handwheel is bolted to one end of the screw.
[0007] Preferably, the top of the movable plate is also bolted with a slide rail, and the connecting block is slidably connected to the surface of the slide rail.
[0008] Preferably, the reciprocating drive assembly includes a drive motor, a transmission column, and a crankshaft. There are two sets of crankshafts rotatably connected to the bracket. The transmission column is fixed to one side of the bracket via a bearing seat. The drive motor is bolted to the surface of the bracket and connected to the transmission column via gear transmission. The transmission column and the crankshaft are connected via bevel gear transmission. A drive rod is rotatably connected to the surface of the crankshaft. A movable column is bolted to the bottom of the movable plate. A sliding sleeve is also bolted to one side of the bracket, and the movable column is slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding sleeve. The other end of the drive rod is hinged to the bottom end of the movable column.
[0009] Preferably, the through groove has a meandering design.
[0010] Preferably, the top of the storage box is also hinged with a lid.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention heats the heat transfer oil inside the storage tank by activating the pump and immersion electric heater, and then transports it to the inside of the channel through the first connecting pipe, and returns it from the second connecting pipe to heat the copper plate. This keeps the heating device away from the storage box to prevent damage caused by the up-and-down movement of the storage box. In addition, the storage box can rotate for material unloading, and is locked to the top of the movable plate by the positioning component, making it convenient to use. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram from another perspective of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the storage box in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the copper plate in this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the storage box in this utility model after it has been tipped over; Figure 6 This utility model Figure 5 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.
[0013] In the diagram: 1. Bracket; 2. Movable plate; 3. Rotating rod; 4. Storage box; 5. Box cover; 6. Screw; 7. Threaded sleeve; 8. Moving block; 9. Slide rail; 10. Positioning column; 11. Handwheel; 12. Connecting block; 13. Through hole; 14. Copper plate; 15. Through groove; 16. First connecting pipe; 17. Second connecting pipe; 18. Pump body; 19. Liquid storage tank; 20. Immersion electric heater; 21. Drive motor; 22. Transmission column; 23. Crankshaft; 24. Drive rod; 25. Sliding sleeve; 26. Movable column. Detailed Implementation
[0014] 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.
[0015] Please see Figures 1-6 As shown, a metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device includes a support 1, a movable plate 2, and a storage box 4, and further includes: A rotating rod 3 is fixed to the top of the movable plate 2 via a bearing seat. The rotating rod 3 is bolted to the bottom of the storage box 4, allowing the storage box 4 to rotate. A positioning assembly is provided on the top of the movable plate 2, which includes a screw 6, a threaded sleeve 7, and a moving block 8. The screw 6 is fixed to the movable plate 2 via a bearing seat, allowing the screw 6 to rotate. The threaded sleeve 7 is threaded to the surface of the screw 6 and passes through the surface of the moving block 8. A positioning post 10 is bolted to the surface of the moving block 8. A connecting block 12 is bolted to the bottom of the storage box 4. A through hole 13 is provided on the surface of the connecting block 12. A handwheel 11 is bolted to one end of the rod 6. When the storage box 4 is in a horizontal position, turning the handwheel 11 drives the screw 6 to rotate. A slide rail 9 is also bolted to the top of the movable plate 2, and the connecting block 12 is slidably connected to the surface of the slide rail 9. The threaded sleeve 7 on the surface of the screw 6 drives the connecting block 12 to slide along the surface of the slide rail 9, thereby driving the positioning pin 10 into the interior of the through hole 13, fixing the storage box 4 and the movable plate 2 to each other. After the preheating process is completed, the connecting block 12 is driven by rotating the screw 6 to disengage the positioning pin 10 from the through hole 13, releasing the lock on the storage box 4 so that the storage box 4 can be rotated to pour materials.
[0016] A copper plate 14 is bolted to the bottom of the storage box 4. The copper plate 14 has a through groove 15 inside, and the through groove 15 has a meandering design. A first connecting pipe 16 and a second connecting pipe 17 are respectively connected to both ends of the through groove 15. A pump body 18 and a liquid storage tank 19 are also bolted to one side of the bracket 1. The other end of the first connecting pipe 16 is connected to the outlet end of the pump body 18, and the inlet end of the pump body 18 is connected to the liquid storage tank 19 via a pipe. The other end of the second connecting pipe 17 is also connected to the liquid storage tank 19. Both the first connecting pipe 16 and the second connecting pipe 17 are metal braided flexible hoses, capable of withstanding 260℃ for extended periods. An immersion electric heater 20 is installed through the surface of the liquid storage tank 19. The maximum heating temperature can reach 300℃, which meets the requirement of 200℃ preheating of powder when processing stainless steel. The heating section of the immersion electric heater 20 is located inside the liquid storage tank 19. Heat transfer oil is added inside the liquid storage tank 19 as a flowing heat transfer medium. The immersion electric heater 20 is turned on to heat the heat transfer oil inside the liquid storage tank 19. The heat transfer oil is heated to 200℃. Then the pump body 18 is turned on, which allows the heated heat transfer oil to enter the interior of the through groove 15 through the first connecting pipe 16, and then flow back to the interior of the liquid storage tank 19 through the second connecting pipe 17, so as to achieve continuous heating of the copper plate 14. Moreover, the heating equipment is far away from the container that carries the powder, so the heating equipment will not be damaged during shaking. The bracket 1 is equipped with a reciprocating drive assembly inside and outside. The reciprocating drive assembly includes a drive motor 21, a transmission column 22, and a crankshaft 23. There are two sets of crankshafts 23, which are rotatably connected to the bracket 1. The transmission column 22 is fixed to one side of the bracket 1 through a bearing seat. The drive motor 21 is bolted to the surface of the bracket 1 and is connected to the transmission column 22 through gear transmission. The transmission column 22 is connected to the crankshaft 23 through bevel gear transmission. The surface of the crankshaft 23 is rotatably connected to a drive rod 24. The bottom of the movable plate 2 is bolted to a movable column 26. A sliding sleeve 25 is also bolted to one side of the bracket 1, and the movable column 26 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding sleeve 25. The movable column 26 can slide up and down. The other end of the drive rod 24 is hinged to the bottom end of the movable column 26.
[0017] The top of the storage box 4 is hinged with a lid 5, which can rotate and is secured by a latch during actual use. The lid 5 is opened to pour the powder to be preheated into the storage box 4. The lid 5 is then closed, and the pump body 18 and the immersion electric heater 20 are turned on to heat the copper plate 14. Simultaneously, the drive motor 21 is turned on to rotate the crankshaft 23 via gears. The transmission column 22 rotates the crankshaft 23 via bevel gears. With the cooperation of the drive rod 24 and the sliding sleeve 25, the movable column 26 and the storage box 4 above it reciprocate up and down, shaking the powder inside to make the heating more uniform. The electric heating device is kept away from the container during movement to avoid damage from prolonged up-and-down shaking. After preheating, the lid 5 is opened, and the screw 6 is turned to release the positioning. The storage box 4 is then flipped over to pour out the powder.
[0018] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0019] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device comprising a stand (1), a movable plate (2) and a storage box (4), characterized in that, Also includes: The rotating rod (3) is fixed to the top of the movable plate (2) by a bearing seat. The rotating rod (3) is bolted to the bottom of the storage box (4). The top of the movable plate (2) is provided with a positioning component. A copper plate (14) is bolted to the bottom of the storage box (4). A through groove (15) is opened inside the copper plate (14). A first connecting pipe (16) and a second connecting pipe (17) are respectively connected to the two ends of the through groove (15). A pump body (18) and a liquid storage tank (19) are also bolted to one side of the bracket (1). The other end of the first connecting pipe (16) is connected to the outlet end of the pump body (18). The inlet end of the pump body (18) is connected to the liquid storage tank (19) through a pipe. The other end of the second connecting pipe (17) is connected to the liquid storage tank (19). An immersion electric heater (20) is provided through the surface of the liquid storage tank (19). A reciprocating drive assembly is provided inside and outside the bracket (1).
2. The metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning assembly includes a screw (6), a threaded sleeve (7), and a moving block (8). The screw (6) and the movable plate (2) are fixed to each other by a bearing seat. The threaded sleeve (7) is threaded to the surface of the screw (6). The threaded sleeve (7) is disposed through the surface of the moving block (8). A positioning post (10) is bolted to the surface of the moving block (8). A connecting block (12) is bolted to the bottom of the storage box (4). A through hole (13) is opened on the surface of the connecting block (12). A handwheel (11) is bolted to one end of the screw (6).
3. The metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the movable plate (2) is also bolted with a slide rail (9), and the connecting block (12) is slidably connected to the surface of the slide rail (9).
4. The metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reciprocating drive assembly includes a drive motor (21), a transmission column (22), and a crankshaft (23). There are two sets of crankshafts (23) and they are rotatably connected to the bracket (1). The transmission column (22) is fixed to one side of the bracket (1) through a bearing seat. The drive motor (21) is bolted to the surface of the bracket (1) and connected to the transmission column (22) through gear transmission. The transmission column (22) is connected to the crankshaft (23) through bevel gear transmission. A drive rod (24) is rotatably connected to the surface of the crankshaft (23). A movable column (26) is bolted to the bottom of the movable plate (2). A sliding sleeve (25) is also bolted to one side of the bracket (1), and the movable column (26) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding sleeve (25). The other end of the drive rod (24) is hinged to the bottom end of the movable column (26).
5. The metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through groove (15) has a meandering design.
6. The metal additive manufacturing powder bed preheating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the storage box (4) is also hinged with a lid (5).