A multi-color printing device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a multi-color printing device, including a heated bed, with multiple sets of 3D printing mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the heated bed. A moving mechanism connects the heated bed to each of the 3D printing mechanisms, allowing the heated bed to move to different 3D printing mechanisms. This utility model designs multiple printing mechanisms and uses moving mechanisms to move the heated bed. When the 3D printer is working, the heated bed moves to the corresponding color's 3D printing mechanism for printing, thus achieving multi-color printing. Furthermore, when different colors of consumables need to be changed, they can be changed in other 3D printing mechanisms while waiting for printing, saving printing time and improving printing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a multi-color printing device. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printers, also known as three-dimensional printers, are rapid prototyping devices. They create three-dimensional objects by printing layers of a digital model file, using special waxes, powdered metals, or plastics as adhesives. Currently, 3D printers are used to manufacture products, employing a layer-by-layer printing method to construct objects.

[0003] With the development of technology, 3D printers are gradually able to achieve multi-color printing, and people's requirements for multi-color printing of 3D printers are also getting higher and higher. Traditional multi-color printers cannot continue printing when changing color consumables, which affects printing efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, the applicant has proposed a 3D printer structure that allows for the replacement of multi-color consumables during printing, thereby improving printing efficiency and saving printing time. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the problems in the prior art, this utility model provides a multicolor printing device.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A multi-color printing apparatus includes a heated bed, with multiple sets of 3D printing mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the heated bed; a moving mechanism is provided from the heated bed to each 3D printing mechanism, and the heated bed is moved to different 3D printing mechanisms via the moving mechanism.

[0008] Furthermore, the moving mechanism includes a rotating platform located below the heated bed, the rotating platform being connected to a rotating drive structure; a central slide rail is provided on the rotating platform, as well as a central power guide rail parallel to the central slide rail; a slide block that slides with the central slide rail and a traveling unit that cooperates with the central power guide rail are provided below the heated bed.

[0009] Multiple diffusion rails are fixed around the heated bed, with each diffusion rail pointing to a corresponding 3D printing mechanism. A diffusion power guide rail is also fixed parallel to the diffusion rails.

[0010] The rotary drive structure drives the rotary platform to rotate, causing the central slide rail to connect with one of the diffusion slide rails. At the same time, the corresponding central power guide rail connects with the diffusion power guide rail. The walking unit moves on the central power guide rail and the diffusion power guide rail, causing the heated bed to move along the central slide rail and the diffusion slide rail to the corresponding 3D printing mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the central power guide rail and the diffuser power guide rail are racks, and the traveling unit includes gears that mesh with the racks, and the gears are connected to the traveling motor for transmission.

[0012] Furthermore, the center slide rail and the diffuser slide rail are of channel steel type structure, with dovetail-shaped slides on both sides;

[0013] The central power guide rail is installed in the middle of the central slide rail; the diffuser power guide rail is installed in the middle of the diffuser slide rail.

[0014] Furthermore, the moving mechanism includes an X-axis guide rail that is centrally located, an X-axis moving seat that slides on the X-axis guide rail, and an X-axis drive mechanism connected to the X-axis moving seat, which drives the X-axis moving seat to move along the X-axis guide rail.

[0015] A Y-axis guide rail is fixedly provided on the X-axis movable seat, and a Y-axis movable seat is provided on the Y-axis guide rail for sliding cooperation with it. A Y-axis drive mechanism is connected to the Y-axis movable seat, and the Y-axis drive mechanism drives the Y-axis movable seat to move along the Y-axis guide rail.

[0016] A heated bed is installed on the Y-axis moving seat.

[0017] Furthermore, the X-axis drive mechanism is an X-axis lead screw, with an X-axis drive motor connected to one end of the X-axis lead screw, and the nut seat of the X-axis lead screw connected to the X-axis moving seat.

[0018] The Y-axis drive mechanism is a Y-axis lead screw, with a Y-axis drive motor connected to one end of the lead screw, and the nut seat of the Y-axis lead screw connected to the Y-axis moving seat.

[0019] Furthermore, the X-axis guide rail and the Y-axis guide rail are dovetail-shaped guide rails.

[0020] Furthermore, the 3D printing mechanism includes a print head, a connecting arm, a frame, and a filament holder. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the print head, and the other end of the connecting arm is mounted on the frame.

[0021] Furthermore, the connecting arm can be a parallel arm, a spider arm, or a robotic arm.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0023] This invention designs multiple printing mechanisms and uses a moving mechanism to move the heated bed. When the 3D printer is working, the heated bed moves to the 3D printing mechanism of the corresponding color through the moving mechanism to print, thereby realizing multi-color printing.

[0024] Furthermore, when it is necessary to change to consumables of different colors, they can be changed at other 3D printing facilities while waiting for printing, saving printing time and improving printing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A three-dimensional illustration of Example 1 Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 2 A three-dimensional illustration of Example 1 Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 3 A three-dimensional illustration of Example 1 Figure 3 ;

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged view of China Mobile's organizational structure;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of Example 2.

[0030] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1:

[0033] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a multi-color printing device, including a heated bed 1, with three sets of 3D printing mechanisms evenly arranged around the heated bed 1, and the distance from the heated bed 1 to the three sets of 3D printing mechanisms is approximately equal.

[0034] The number of 3D printing mechanisms is not limited to this; in other embodiments, the number of 3D printing mechanisms can be set arbitrarily according to requirements.

[0035] The 3D printing mechanism includes a print head 21, a parallel arm 22, a frame 23, and a filament holder 24. One end of the parallel arm 22 is connected to the print head 21, and the other end of the parallel arm 22 is mounted on a vertical track of the frame 23. The filament holder 24 is located at the top of the frame 23.

[0036] A moving mechanism is provided from the heated bed 1 to each 3D printing mechanism, and the heated bed 1 is moved to the underside of the print head 21 of each 3D printing mechanism via the moving mechanism.

[0037] Specifically, the moving mechanism includes a rotating platform 11 disposed below the heated bed 1, and a rotating motor 12 connected to the rotating platform 11. A central slide rail 13 is fixedly disposed on the rotating platform 11. The central slide rail 13 is a channel steel structure, forming dovetail-shaped slideways on both sides. A central power guide rail 131 parallel to the central slide rail 13 is fixedly disposed at the middle position of the central slide rail 13. A slide block 14 that slides and engages with the central slide rail 13, and a traveling unit that engages with the central power guide rail are fixedly disposed below the heated bed 1.

[0038] Three diffusion rails 16 are fixedly installed around the heated bed 1, with each diffusion rail 16 pointing towards its corresponding 3D printing mechanism. The diffusion rails 16 are channel steel structures with slides formed on both sides. A diffusion power guide rail 161 parallel to each diffusion rail 16 is fixedly installed at the middle position of each diffusion rail 16.

[0039] In this embodiment, the central power guide rail 131 and the diffuser power guide rail 161 are racks, and the walking unit includes a gear 15 that meshes with the rack. The gear 15 is connected to the walking motor for transmission.

[0040] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0041] When the 3D printer is printing, the heated bed 1 is rotated to the direction of the 3D printing mechanism of the corresponding color via the rotating platform 11, so that the central slide rail 13 is connected to the corresponding diffusion slide rail 16. At the same time, the central power guide rail 131 is also connected to the corresponding diffusion power guide rail 161. The gears move on the central power guide rail 131 and the diffusion power guide rail 161, so that the heated bed 1 moves along the central slide rail and the diffusion slide rail 16 to the bottom of the corresponding 3D printing mechanism, and then the 3D printing mechanism performs printing.

[0042] After the heated bed 1 finishes printing at the 3D printing mechanism, the heated bed 1 returns to the center position, and then the rotating platform 11 rotates to the direction of other color 3D printing mechanisms. Then the heated bed can move under other 3D printing mechanisms again to print, thus realizing multi-color printing.

[0043] Furthermore, when it is necessary to change to consumables of different colors, they can be changed at other 3D printing facilities while waiting for printing, saving printing time and improving printing efficiency.

[0044] Example 2:

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that:

[0046] The arrangement and number of 3D printing mechanisms vary. In this embodiment, there are four 3D printing mechanisms located at the four corners of a rectangle, with the heated bed 1 located at the center.

[0047] The structure of the 3D printing mechanism is different. In this embodiment, the 3D printing mechanism adopts the form of a robotic arm. The robotic arm 25 is mounted on the vertical track of the frame 23, and the movable end of the robotic arm 2 is connected to the print head 21.

[0048] The moving mechanism differs. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism includes an X-axis guide rail 61 centrally located, with two parallel X-axis guide rails 61, which are selected as dovetail-shaped guide rails. An X-axis moving seat 62 is provided on the X-axis guide rail 61 and slides therewith. An X-axis driving mechanism is connected to the X-axis moving seat 62, which drives the X-axis moving seat to move along the X-axis guide rail.

[0049] Specifically, the X-axis drive mechanism includes an X-axis lead screw 63 located at the middle position of the X-axis guide rail 61, one end of which is connected to a drive motor 64, and the nut seat of the X-axis lead screw is connected to the X-axis moving seat 62.

[0050] A Y-axis guide rail 65 is fixedly mounted on the X-axis movable seat 62. Two Y-axis guide rails 65 are arranged in parallel and are selected as dovetail-shaped guide rails. A Y-axis movable seat 66 is provided on the Y-axis guide rail 65 for sliding engagement, and the heated bed 1 is mounted on the Y-axis movable seat 66. A Y-axis drive mechanism is connected to the Y-axis movable seat 66, which drives the Y-axis movable seat 66 to move along the Y-axis guide rail 65.

[0051] Specifically, the Y-axis drive mechanism includes a Y-axis lead screw 67 located at the middle position of the Y-axis guide rail 65. One end of the Y-axis lead screw 67 is connected to a Y-axis drive motor 68, and the nut seat of the Y-axis lead screw 67 is connected to the Y-axis moving seat 66.

[0052] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0053] When the 3D printer is printing, the heated bed 1 moves along the X-axis guide rail 61 and the Y-axis guide rail 65 to the area below the corresponding 3D printing mechanism, where the 3D printing mechanism then performs the printing. After the heated bed 1 finishes printing at that 3D printing mechanism, it moves again to the area below other 3D printing mechanisms to print, thus achieving multi-color printing.

[0054] Example 3

[0055] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the 3D printing mechanism in this embodiment adopts the form of a spider arm, which is mounted on the frame and the movable end of the spider arm is connected to the print head.

[0056] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate and not limit the technical solutions of this utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Any modifications or partial substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

[0057] If the terms "first" or "second" are used in this document to define the components, those skilled in the art should know that the use of "first" or "second" is merely for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning.

[0058] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0059] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A multi-color printing apparatus characterized by comprising: It includes a heated bed, with multiple 3D printing mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the heated bed; a moving mechanism is provided from the heated bed to each 3D printing mechanism, and the heated bed is moved to different 3D printing mechanisms via the moving mechanism.

2. The multi-color printing device according to claim 1, characterized by: The moving mechanism includes a rotating platform located below the heated bed, the rotating platform being connected to a rotating drive structure; a central slide rail is provided on the rotating platform, as well as a central power guide rail parallel to the central slide rail; a sliding seat that slides with the central slide rail and a traveling unit that cooperates with the central power guide rail are provided below the heated bed. Multiple diffusion rails are fixed around the heated bed, with each diffusion rail pointing to a corresponding 3D printing mechanism. A diffusion power guide rail is also fixed parallel to the diffusion rails. The rotary drive structure drives the rotary platform to rotate, causing the central slide rail to connect with one of the diffusion slide rails. At the same time, the corresponding central power guide rail connects with the diffusion power guide rail. The walking unit moves on the central power guide rail and the diffusion power guide rail, causing the heated bed to move along the central slide rail and the diffusion slide rail to the corresponding 3D printing mechanism.

3. The multi-color printing device of claim 2, wherein: The central power guide rail and the diffuser power guide rail are racks, and the traveling unit includes gears that mesh with the racks, and the gears are connected to the traveling motor for transmission.

4. The multi-color printing device of claim 2, wherein: The center slide rail and the diffuser slide rail are of channel steel type, and dovetail-shaped slide rails are provided on both sides; The central power guide rail is installed in the middle of the central slide rail; the diffuser power guide rail is installed in the middle of the diffuser slide rail.

5. The multi-color printing device of claim 1, wherein: The moving mechanism includes an X-axis guide rail that is centrally located, an X-axis moving seat that slides on the X-axis guide rail, and an X-axis drive mechanism connected to the X-axis moving seat. The X-axis drive mechanism drives the X-axis moving seat to move along the X-axis guide rail. A Y-axis guide rail is fixedly provided on the X-axis movable seat, and a Y-axis movable seat is provided on the Y-axis guide rail for sliding cooperation with it. A Y-axis drive mechanism is connected to the Y-axis movable seat, and the Y-axis drive mechanism drives the Y-axis movable seat to move along the Y-axis guide rail. A heated bed is installed on the Y-axis moving seat.

6. The multi-color printing device according to claim 5, wherein: The X-axis drive mechanism is an X-axis lead screw, with an X-axis drive motor connected to one end of the X-axis lead screw, and the nut seat of the X-axis lead screw connected to the X-axis moving seat. The Y-axis drive mechanism is a Y-axis lead screw, with a Y-axis drive motor connected to one end of the lead screw, and the nut seat of the Y-axis lead screw connected to the Y-axis moving seat.

7. The multi-color printing device of claim 5, wherein: The X-axis and Y-axis guide rails are dovetail-shaped guide rails.

8. The multi-color printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The 3D printing mechanism includes a print head, a connecting arm, a frame, and a filament holder. One end of the connecting arm is connected to the print head, and the other end of the connecting arm is mounted on the frame.

9. The multi-color printing device of claim 8, wherein: The connecting arm can be a parallel arm or a robotic arm.

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