Environmentally Adaptive Stir-Friction Solid-State Additive Manufacturing Equipment

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of friction stir additive manufacturing technology, and provides an environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment, including a spindle system, a spindle drive assembly, a stirring head drive assembly, a spindle temperature control device, a liquid nitrogen container, and a temperature controller. This environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment is suitable for friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing processes of metal materials such as aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys. By directly applying a temperature control system to the stirring spindle system of the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process, the controllability of material temperature and microstructure in the additive manufacturing process is achieved, simultaneously realizing additive manufacturing and microstructure control, improving the process flow, and enhancing the mechanical properties of the manufactured parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of metal additive manufacturing technology, and more particularly to coaxial rod feeding metal stirring friction additive manufacturing technology, specifically to an environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid phase additive manufacturing device. Background Technology

[0002] Additive manufacturing technology, a revolutionary breakthrough in modern manufacturing, enables the high-degree-of-freedom forming of complex structural parts by layer-by-layer material deposition. Through the combination of software and CNC systems, it uses focused energy (such as laser devices or electron beam generators) to deposit metallic raw materials (e.g., wires or powders) and non-metallic materials layer by layer in a "bottom-up growth" manner, creating solid parts or structures. Laser additive manufacturing technologies, represented by selective laser melting (SLM) and laser near-net-shape forming (LENS), have been widely applied in aerospace, biomedical, and other fields.

[0003] However, the inherent defects in high-energy laser processing cannot be ignored: on the one hand, the intense thermal cycling generated by rapid laser melting and solidification can easily lead to problems such as residual stress accumulation, increased porosity, and microcrack initiation, directly affecting the fatigue performance of components; on the other hand, the processing efficiency of high-reflectivity metals such as copper alloys and aluminum alloys is significantly reduced, and the instability of the molten pool can easily lead to problems such as deterioration of forming accuracy and internal void defects. To address these issues, researchers have explored the introduction of additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) as a new additive manufacturing method. Through the thermo-mechanical coupling effect generated by the friction stir process, plastic deformation occurs inside the material, and a deposited structure is formed under pressure. This avoids the use of high-energy laser or electron beams as the energy for melting the material, reducing thermal stress. These advantages are particularly significant in the additive manufacturing of light alloys such as titanium, magnesium, and aluminum.

[0004] Friction stir additive manufacturing (AFSD), a solid-state additive manufacturing technology, utilizes the heat generated by friction from a rotating tool. Simultaneously, the high-speed rotation of the stirring pin causes material from the advancing side to return to the returning side. The heat generated by friction and plastic deformation softens the material, and a deposition layer forms under the longitudinal pressure of the tool. The tool moves along a predetermined trajectory under the control of a control system to achieve layer-by-layer deposition, ultimately realizing additive manufacturing. However, due to the complex thermo-mechanical-fluid coupling during AFSD, the interaction and coupling between different fields during deposition result in the formation and evolution of precipitates being influenced by multiple factors. In actual fabrication, it is difficult to effectively control the precipitates in the formed components using a single process parameter. For aluminum alloy components, process-based precipitate control and post-treatment with solution and aging are the main methods for precipitate control during fabrication.

[0005] Currently, in friction stir additive manufacturing, the direct contact between the high-speed rotating stirring head and the material causes a sharp rise in material temperature. This is especially true during multi-pass friction stir additive manufacturing, where the additive layer closer to the bottom experiences more thermal cycles. This leads to a microstructure evolution process similar to that of heat treatment, easily resulting in coarse overall grain size and coarsening of second-phase particles within the manufactured part, leading to uncontrollable microstructure. Simultaneously, the intense plastic deformation during friction stir easily causes internal stress concentration, directly resulting in a decline in the part's mechanical properties. Traditional manufacturing processes require post-additive manufacturing heat treatment to achieve microstructure control and mechanical property optimization. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the technical problems existing in the additive manufacturing of metal materials with stirred film, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment, which is suitable for the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process of metal materials such as aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys. By directly applying a temperature control system to the stirring spindle system of the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing, the controllability of material temperature and microstructure in the additive manufacturing process can be realized, and additive manufacturing and microstructure control can be realized simultaneously, thereby improving the process flow and enhancing the mechanical properties of the manufactured parts.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing device is provided, comprising:

[0008] The spindle system includes a coaxially mounted spindle outer cylinder, a stirring head rotation mechanism, and a friction stir processing head. The friction stir processing head is connected to the stirring head rotation mechanism and is rotatably supported inside the spindle outer cylinder of the spindle system. The friction stir processing head and the stirring head rotation mechanism rotate synchronously, and the stirring head rotation mechanism and the friction stir processing head have hollow channels for receiving and conveying metal rods. The metal rods are deposited layer by layer onto a substrate located below the friction stir processing head through the stirring friction motion to form a deposition layer.

[0009] Spindle drive assembly, used to drive the spindle system to move along a preset path;

[0010] A stirring head drive assembly is used to drive the friction stir processing head to rotate continuously.

[0011] A spindle temperature control device is located on the outer periphery of the spindle system; the spindle temperature control device has a chamber that encloses the spindle outer cylinder, the stirring head rotation mechanism, and the friction stir machining head, and multiple cooling pipes that are evenly arranged inside the chamber, each cooling pipe having an inlet end for liquid nitrogen to enter and an outlet end for vaporized gaseous nitrogen to flow out; the outlet end is configured to face the friction stir machining head;

[0012] Liquid nitrogen containers are provided for storing liquid nitrogen and supplying liquid nitrogen to each cooling pipe; and

[0013] Temperature controller, used to control the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen container to each cooling pipe;

[0014] The cooling pipes are connected to the liquid nitrogen delivery container via independent pipelines, and each pipeline is equipped with a control valve.

[0015] The temperature controller is electrically connected to the control valve of each pipeline and is used to control the opening / closing of the control valve and / or the valve opening degree.

[0016] As an optional implementation, the cabin has a tubular cylinder with uniformly distributed cooling pipes along its longitudinal direction, each cooling pipe being a hollow through-hole pipe.

[0017] As an optional implementation, the size of the outlet end of each cooling pipe is smaller than the size of its corresponding inlet end.

[0018] As an optional implementation, each cooling pipe has an end cap with a mesh-like perforation at its outlet end.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the control valve is a solenoid valve or a solenoid proportional valve.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the friction stir solid additive manufacturing device is further equipped with a temperature sensor, which is installed on the surface of the outer cylinder of the main shaft and / or the inner wall of the chamber, for real-time monitoring of temperature and / or temperature changes.

[0021] As an optional implementation, the temperature controller is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and controls the valve opening degree according to the real-time monitored temperature.

[0022] As an optional implementation, the friction stir solid additive manufacturing device is further provided with a temperature control panel, which is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the temperature controller, for displaying the real-time monitored temperature and / or temperature changes.

[0023] As an optional implementation, the temperature control panel is equipped with temperature adjustment buttons for setting a target temperature range, such as setting a target temperature value of -50℃. Thus, the temperature controller can control the valve opening of each valve according to the set target temperature value, thereby controlling the flow rate of liquid nitrogen into each cooling pipe of the chamber, achieving temperature control of the ultra-low temperature processing environment.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the temperature controller can control the valve opening of the control valve of each pipeline according to the set target temperature value and based on a preset temperature control curve.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the cooling pipes inside the chamber are arranged to be uniformly distributed around the outer circumference of the main shaft system, and from the perspective of the inlet end, the plurality of cooling pipes are arranged to form a first circumference O1 extending from the main shaft system.

[0026] As an optional implementation, the cooling pipes inside the chamber are arranged to be uniformly arranged around the outer circumference of the main shaft system, and from the perspective of the inlet end, the first part of the plurality of cooling pipes are arranged to form a first circumference O1 extending from the main shaft system.

[0027] The second portion of the multiple cooling pipes is arranged to form a second circumference O2 extending from the spindle system, the second circumference O2 being further away from the spindle system than the first circumference O1.

[0028] As an optional implementation, the bottom of the spindle outer cylinder forms a clamping part with a reduced size, and the outer diameters of the spindle outer cylinder, the clamping part, the stirring head rotation mechanism, and the stirring friction processing head are gradually reduced, and the chamber is installed and fixed to the bottom of the clamping part from its bottom by fasteners.

[0029] As an optional implementation, the gaseous nitrogen discharged from the outlet end of each cooling pipe forms an air curtain around the friction stir machining head and purifies the friction stir machining area.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing device is also proposed, the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing device comprising:

[0031] The system includes a coaxially mounted main shaft outer cylinder, a stirring head rotation mechanism, and a friction stir processing head. The friction stir processing head is connected to the stirring head rotation mechanism and is rotatably supported inside the main shaft outer cylinder of the main shaft system. The friction stir processing head and the stirring head rotation mechanism rotate synchronously, and the stirring head rotation mechanism and the friction stir processing head have hollow channels for receiving and conveying metal rods. The metal rods are deposited layer by layer onto a substrate located below the friction stir processing head through the stirring and friction motion to form a deposition layer.

[0032] Spindle drive assembly, used to drive the spindle system to move along a preset path;

[0033] A stirring head drive assembly is used to drive the friction stir processing head to rotate continuously.

[0034] A spindle temperature control device is located on the outer periphery of the spindle system; the spindle temperature control device has a chamber that encloses the spindle outer cylinder, the stirring head rotation mechanism, and the friction stir machining head, and multiple cooling pipes that are evenly arranged inside the chamber, each cooling pipe having an inlet end for liquid nitrogen to enter and an outlet end for vaporized gaseous nitrogen to flow out; the outlet end is configured to face the friction stir machining head;

[0035] A liquid nitrogen container is provided for storing liquid nitrogen and is independently connected to each cooling pipe via piping.

[0036] A temperature controller is used to control the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen container to each cooling pipe in order to control the temperature of the deep cooling environment provided by the chamber.

[0037] The outlet end is configured to face the friction stir processing head, such that the gaseous nitrogen discharged from the outlet end of each cooling pipe forms an air curtain around the friction stir processing head and purifies the friction stir processing area.

[0038] As an optional implementation, temperature sensors are provided on the inner wall of the chamber and / or the surface of the outer cylinder of the main shaft for real-time monitoring of temperature and / or temperature changes.

[0039] The environmentally adaptive friction stir solid additive manufacturing equipment described in the above embodiments of the present invention can achieve temperature control during the friction stir additive manufacturing process while stirring metal rods, thereby controlling the evolution of the material structure. It can control the part structure for the precipitation temperature of the strengthening phase for different metal materials, effectively improving the mechanical properties of the part and thus adapting to the needs of various working conditions.

[0040] The environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment described in the above embodiments uses a spindle temperature control device to introduce liquid nitrogen into the chamber, performing deep cryogenic cooling on the metal rods fed into the spindle system for friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing. This ensures that the metal rods are always kept in a low-temperature environment (e.g., below -50°C). Furthermore, the deep cooling by the spindle temperature control device ensures that the ambient temperature of the processing area is strictly controlled below -50°C during the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process. In particular, the local forming temperature of the processing area is lower than the critical temperature for the natural aging of the metal rod material. This effectively suppresses the formation of GP zones during the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process, improving the microstructure and mechanical properties of the metal 3D solid components formed by friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing.

[0041] Compared with existing technologies, the environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment proposed in this invention has the following significant advantages:

[0042] By setting a temperature control system on the outside of the spindle system, the corresponding temperatures can be set for the phase precipitation temperature and microstructure evolution temperature of different metal materials, realizing the controllability of material temperature and microstructure during the friction stir additive manufacturing process. Microstructure control can be achieved directly during additive manufacturing, effectively improving the process flow. Furthermore, by lowering the temperature, only grain refinement occurs before and after friction stir additive manufacturing, without any change in microstructure or phase composition, which is beneficial for subsequent heat treatment and mechanical property improvement.

[0043] Meanwhile, in the deep cryogenic cooling control design, a dual-layer cryogenic treatment strategy is proposed. Two sets of cooling pipes are set on the inner and outer (concentric) circumferential trajectories around the spindle machining head, forming a design of strong cooling and micro-control. This achieves efficient cryogenic treatment of the metal rods fed into the spindle system, and forms a nitrogen cooling curtain effect at the location of the friction stir machining head below the spindle system and on the surface of the machining area. This ensures that the ambient temperature of the machining area is always strictly controlled below -50℃, suppressing the formation of precipitated phases and achieving microstructure control and performance improvement during the friction stir process.

[0044] It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and the additional concepts described in more detail below may be considered part of the utility model subject matter of this disclosure, provided that their concepts do not contradict each other. All combinations of the claimed subject matter are considered part of the utility model subject matter of this disclosure.

[0045] The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other additional aspects of the present invention, such as features and / or beneficial effects of exemplary embodiments, will become apparent from the following description or may be learned through practice of specific embodiments according to the teachings of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0046] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in the various figures may be denoted by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in each figure. Embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid additive manufacturing device according to the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary spindle system according to the present invention.

[0049] Figure 3 This is an isometric schematic diagram of an exemplary spindle temperature control device according to the present invention.

[0050] Figure 4 This is a front view of an exemplary spindle temperature control device according to the present invention.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a top view of an exemplary spindle temperature control device according to the present invention.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the spindle temperature control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the piping connection of an exemplary spindle temperature control device according to the present invention.

[0054] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the control logic of an exemplary spindle temperature control device according to the present invention.

[0055] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of cooling pipes in the spindle temperature control device according to the second exemplary embodiment of this utility model.

[0056] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of cooling pipes in the spindle temperature control device according to the third exemplary embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0057] To better understand the technical content of this utility model, specific embodiments are provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Various aspects of the present invention are described in this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate numerous illustrative embodiments. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily intended to include all aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that the various concepts and embodiments described above, as well as those described in more detail below, can be implemented in any of many ways, because the concepts and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to any particular implementation. Furthermore, some aspects of the present invention can be used alone or in any suitable combination with other aspects disclosed herein.

[0059] {Example 1}

[0060] Combination Figures 1 to 8As shown, the environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment according to the first embodiment of this utility model generally includes a spindle system 100, a spindle drive assembly 200, a stirring head drive assembly 300, a spindle temperature control device 400, a liquid nitrogen container 500, and a temperature controller 1000. Liquid nitrogen is supplied to the spindle temperature control device 400 via pipeline from the liquid nitrogen container 500, continuously and deeply cooling the spindle system 100 and the metal rod 10 used as raw material for friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing, which is enclosed by the spindle temperature control device 400. The ultra-low temperature characteristics of liquid nitrogen are used for deep cooling of the metal rod 10 and the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing environment. For example, the ambient temperature of the processing area is always strictly controlled below -50°C, especially the local forming temperature of the processing area is lower than the critical temperature for natural aging of the metal rod material. This effectively inhibits the formation of GP zones within the microstructure during the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process, improving the microstructure and mechanical properties of the metal 3D solid component formed by friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing.

[0061] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the spindle system 100 according to this utility model example is designed to transport the metal rod 10 and drive it to perform friction stir additive manufacturing. For example, in a typical design, the spindle system 100 is mounted and fixed on the motion spindle of a processing machine. By driving the motion spindle to move along a preset additive manufacturing trajectory, the spindle system 100 is driven to perform layer-by-layer friction stir additive manufacturing until the entire component is processed. Of course, in another optional embodiment, as described in the prior art, the spindle system 100 can also be mounted on a motion mechanism such as a robotic arm. By driving the movement of the robotic arm, the spindle system 100 can be driven to move along a preset additive manufacturing trajectory to achieve layer-by-layer friction stir additive manufacturing.

[0062] It should be understood that during the friction stir additive manufacturing process, the friction stir processing head 130 of the spindle system 100 uses a metal rod as the additive material and performs layer-by-layer solid-phase additive manufacturing through the rotational motion of the processing head.

[0063] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown in the example, during friction stir additive manufacturing, the metal rod 10 is simultaneously subjected to both top pressure (F) and stirring friction, resulting in a thermo-mechanical coupling effect. Through the frictional heat input generated by the rotation-feed motion and the mechanical stirring effect, continuous deposition of metal material is achieved, ultimately forming a layered 3D solid component. During the processing, dynamic recrystallization of the grain structure promotes grain refinement and homogenization; and plastic deformation introduces a large number of dislocations to form a dislocation network, thereby strengthening the component. Simultaneously, dynamic recrystallization increases the proportion of large-angle grain boundaries, promoting grain boundary structure optimization, suppressing grain boundary slip, and improving high-temperature stability.

[0064] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the example shown, the spindle system 100 includes a coaxially mounted spindle outer cylinder 110, a stirring head rotation mechanism 120, and a friction stir machining head 130. The friction stir machining head 130 is connected to the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 and is rotatably supported inside the spindle outer cylinder 110 of the spindle system 100, for example, by means of a high-strength bearing.

[0065] The friction stir processing head 130 and the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 form an integral structure. When the stirring head drive assembly 300 drives the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 to rotate continuously at high speed, the friction stir processing head 130 rotates synchronously with it. It should be understood that the stirring head drive assembly 300 in this example can adopt an existing rotary motor drive structure, and its rotation shaft can be appropriately driven to connect with the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 to drive the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 to rotate.

[0066] The stirring head rotation mechanism 120 and the friction stirring processing head 130 have a hollow channel 150 for receiving and conveying the metal rod 10. The metal rod 10 is deposited layer by layer onto the substrate 30 located below the friction stirring processing head 130 through the stirring and friction motion to form a deposition layer 20.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the spindle system 100 is driven to move along a preset path by the spindle drive component 200. The spindle drive component 200 can be realized based on the machining spindle of the CNC machining system. It can be driven to move in the XYZ direction and according to the preset additive manufacturing printing trajectory, thereby driving the spindle drive component 200 to move along the preset trajectory to perform layer-by-layer deposition of metal materials.

[0068] As in the aforementioned embodiments, the spindle drive assembly 200 can also be implemented based on a robotic arm motion mechanism, which can be driven to move in the XYZ direction and according to a preset additive manufacturing printing trajectory, thereby driving the spindle drive assembly 200 to move according to the preset trajectory and perform layer-by-layer deposition of metal materials.

[0069] Combination Figure 1 as well as Figures 3-8 As shown, the spindle temperature control device 400, as an example, is located on the outer periphery of the spindle system 100.

[0070] The spindle temperature control device 400 has a housing 410 that encloses the spindle outer cylinder 110, the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 and the friction stirring machining head 130, and a plurality of cooling pipes 420 located inside the housing 410 and evenly arranged.

[0071] Combination Figures 3-6 In the example shown, each cooling conduit 420 has an inlet end 421 for liquid nitrogen to enter and an outlet end 422 for vaporized gaseous nitrogen to exit. The outlet end 422 is positioned toward the friction stir machining head 130. Thus, the gaseous nitrogen exiting from the outlet end 422 of each cooling conduit 420 forms an air curtain around the friction stir machining head 130 and purifies the friction stir machining area.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, a clamping part 111 with a reduced size is formed at the bottom of the main shaft outer cylinder 110. The outer diameters of the main shaft outer cylinder 110, the clamping part 111, the stirring head rotation mechanism 120 and the stirring friction processing head 130 are gradually reduced, so that the chamber 410 is installed and fixed to the bottom of the clamping part 111 from its bottom by fasteners, thereby ensuring that the chamber 410 and the main shaft system 100 do not interfere with each other during the stirring additive process and remain in a relatively static state.

[0073] It should be understood that the cabin 410 has a tubular cylinder. When the cabin 410 is assembled with the spindle system 100, a sealing ring is provided at the upper end of the cylinder to form a seal and closure when the cabin is connected to the spindle system.

[0074] In an optional embodiment, Figure 7 The liquid nitrogen container 500 shown in the example has a chamber 410, such as an industrial liquid nitrogen storage tank, which stores liquid nitrogen and is used to supply liquid nitrogen to each cooling pipe 420.

[0075] Combination Figures 6-8 As shown, the temperature controller 1000 is used to control the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen container 500 to each cooling pipe 420. As shown, the cooling pipe 420 is connected to the liquid nitrogen container 500 via an independent pipe 510, and each pipe 510 is equipped with a control valve 511, which can be a solenoid valve or a solenoid proportional valve.

[0076] The temperature controller 1000 is electrically connected to the control valve 511 of each pipeline 510, preferably wired, to ensure the effectiveness and stability of system control. The temperature controller 1000 controls the opening / closing of the control valve 511 and / or the valve opening degree, thereby controlling the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied by the liquid nitrogen container 500 to each cooling pipeline 420, so as to control the deep cooling environment temperature provided by the chamber 410.

[0077] In an optional embodiment, the temperature controller 1000 may be implemented using an industrial-grade embedded microprocessor module, and may also be integrated with the controllers of the spindle drive assembly 200 and the stirring head drive assembly 300.

[0078] Combination Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, cooling pipes 420 are evenly distributed along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, each of which is a hollow through pipe. In particular, each cooling pipe 420 adopts the same structure and size design, and the size of the outlet end of each cooling pipe 420 is smaller than the size of its corresponding inlet end 421.

[0079] exist Figure 3 , Figure 6 In the example shown, each cooling pipe 420 is arranged on the outer circumference of the spindle system 100, especially in a symmetrical layout, to ensure cooling effect and uniformity.

[0080] In an optional embodiment, each cooling pipe 420 has an end cap with a mesh-like perforation at its outlet end.

[0081] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 5 In the example shown, the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing apparatus is also equipped with a temperature sensor 430, particularly a low-temperature temperature sensor. Typically, a sensor with a measurement range of -100°C to 100°C is required. We use a TE Connectivity R-10318-69T thermocouple temperature sensor, which supports a wide temperature range of -200°C (73K) to +350°C (623K). The temperature sensor 430 can be selectively mounted on the surface of the outer cylinder 110 of the main shaft and / or the inner wall of the chamber 410 for real-time monitoring of temperature and / or temperature changes.

[0082] In the control logic of an optional embodiment, the temperature controller 1000 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 430 and controls the valve opening of the control valve 511 according to the real-time monitored temperature. For example, the temperature control program of the temperature controller 1000 pre-configures a deep cooling regulation temperature control target value T0, such as -50℃. Then, based on the monitored temperature value fed back by the temperature sensor 430 in real time, the valve opening of the control valve 511 is dynamically adjusted. When the monitored temperature rises relative to the temperature control target value, the valve opening is increased to make the processing environment temperature quickly reach the temperature control target value or lower. When the monitored temperature reaches the temperature control target value, the valve opening is adjusted to a pre-calibrated value to maintain the processing environment temperature within the expected range, such as the temperature control target value T0±t℃, where t represents the temperature fluctuation allowable threshold, which is usually set in the range of 1 to 5.

[0083] Preferably, the friction stir solid additive manufacturing apparatus is also equipped with a temperature control panel 450, which is electrically connected to a temperature sensor 430 and a temperature controller 1000, for displaying the real-time monitored temperature and / or temperature changes.

[0084] In an optional embodiment, the temperature control panel 450 is equipped with temperature adjustment buttons for setting a target temperature range, such as -50°C for aluminum alloy bars. In other embodiments, a suitable temperature range can be selected based on the characteristics of the material being processed, typically between -100°C and -50°C. Thus, the temperature controller can control the valve opening of each valve according to the set target temperature value, thereby controlling the flow rate of liquid nitrogen into each cooling pipe of the chamber, achieving ultra-low temperature processing environment temperature control. It should be understood that the valve opening can be determined through testing in non-processing scenarios.

[0085] In an optional embodiment, the temperature controller 1000 may also be configured to control the valve opening of the control valve 511 of each pipeline 510 according to a set target temperature range and a preset temperature control curve.

[0086] The aforementioned preset temperature control curve can be composed of numerical points calibrated through pre-testing. For example, by testing the fluctuation within the upper and lower range of the temperature control target value, the valve opening y that needs to be adjusted for each x degrees Celsius temperature change (each x step increase in temperature) can be determined (for example, by adjusting all control valves simultaneously). The line connecting multiple numerical points forms the calibrated curve.

[0087] It should be understood that the environmentally adaptive friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing equipment of this utility model is particularly suitable for friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing processes of metal materials such as aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys. By directly applying a temperature control system to the stirring spindle system of the friction stir solid-state additive manufacturing process, the controllability of material temperature and microstructure in the additive manufacturing process is realized. Under the combined action of the deeply cooled temperature-controlled environment and the rotating friction of the friction stir processing head, the metal rod undergoes severe plastic deformation and forms an ultrafine grain structure. Furthermore, due to the ultra-low temperature control, problems such as changes in the non-phase and coarse strengthening phases inside the material are eliminated, thereby obtaining a deposited microstructure with controllable microstructure. This achieves simultaneous additive manufacturing and microstructure control, improves the process flow, and enhances the mechanical properties of the manufactured parts.

[0088] {Example 2}

[0089] Combination Figure 9 In another example shown, the cooling pipes 420 inside the cabin 410 are arranged to be uniformly arranged around the outer circumference of the main shaft system 100. Eight are shown as an example in the figure. From the perspective of the inlet end 421, the multiple cooling pipes 420 are arranged to form a first circumference O1 extending from the main shaft system 100, and its radius relative to the central axis of the cabin 410 is denoted as R1.

[0090] Thus, by means of multiple cooling pipes 420 evenly arranged along the circumference, uniform and rapid cooling of the outer cylinder of the spindle is achieved, thereby quickly and uniformly achieving deep cooling of the metal rod 10 conveyed in the spindle system 100, and rapidly and uniformly achieving a deep cooling environment around the position and direction of the spindle system 100.

[0091] {Example 3}

[0092] Combination Figure 10 In another example shown, the cooling pipes 420 inside the cabin 410 are arranged uniformly around the outer circumference of the main shaft system 100. From the perspective of the inlet end 421, a first portion of the plurality of cooling pipes 420 is arranged to form a first circumference O1 extending from the main shaft system 100, the radius of which relative to the central axis of the cabin 410 is denoted as R1. Simultaneously, a second portion of the plurality of cooling pipes 420 is arranged to form a second circumference O2 extending from the main shaft system 100, the radius of which relative to the central axis of the cabin 410 is denoted as R2. The second circumference O2 is further away from the main shaft system 100 than the first circumference O1, i.e., R2 > R1.

[0093] Therefore, while achieving rapid and uniform deep cooling of the metal rod 10 conveyed within the spindle system 100 and rapidly and uniformly creating a cryogenic environment around the spindle system 100 in terms of position and orientation, a dual-layer cryogenic treatment strategy is proposed. Two sets of cooling pipes are respectively set on the inner and outer (concentric) circumferential trajectories around the spindle machining head, forming a design of strong cooling and micro-control. For example, the temperature controller 1000 executes different control strategies on the control valves 511 corresponding to the first part (i.e., the first set) of cooling pipes 420 and the control valves 511 corresponding to the second part (i.e., the second set) of cooling pipes 420, especially different valve opening degree control. For example, the first set is controlled with a large opening for strong cooling, and the second set is controlled with a small opening to maintain the temperature; the reverse is also possible. Therefore, on the one hand, the time to reach the temperature control target value for deep cooling treatment is shortened by increasing the cooling pipe 420; on the other hand, different control strategies are used to dynamically and flexibly maintain and control the temperature control target value, thereby achieving efficient deep cryogenic treatment of the metal rods fed into the spindle system. Furthermore, a nitrogen cooling curtain effect is formed at the location of the friction stir machining head below the spindle system and on the surface of the machining area, ensuring that the ambient temperature of the machining area is always strictly controlled below -50℃, thus inhibiting the formation of precipitated phases.

[0094] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing device, characterized in that, The stir friction solid-phase additive manufacturing device includes: The spindle system (100) includes a spindle outer cylinder (110) coaxially mounted, a stirring head rotation mechanism (120), and a stirring friction processing head (130); the stirring friction processing head (130) is connected to the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and is rotatably supported inside the spindle outer cylinder (110) of the spindle system (100); the stirring friction processing head (130) rotates synchronously with the stirring head rotation mechanism (120), and the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and the stirring friction processing head (130) have hollow channels (150) for receiving and conveying metal rods (10), and the metal rods (10) are deposited layer by layer onto the substrate (30) located below the stirring friction processing head (130) through stirring friction motion to form a deposition layer (20); A spindle drive assembly (200) is used to drive the spindle system (100) to move along a preset path; A stirring head drive assembly (300) is used to drive the friction stirring head (130) to rotate continuously; A spindle temperature control device (400) is disposed on the outer periphery of the spindle system (100); the spindle temperature control device (400) has a chamber (410) that encloses the spindle outer cylinder (110), the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and the friction stir machining head (130), and a plurality of cooling pipes (420) that are uniformly arranged inside the chamber (410), each cooling pipe (420) having an inlet end (421) for liquid nitrogen to enter and an outlet end (422) for vaporized gaseous nitrogen to flow out; the outlet end (422) is configured to face the friction stir machining head (130); A liquid nitrogen container (500) is configured to store liquid nitrogen and supply liquid nitrogen to each cooling pipe (420); and A temperature controller (1000) is used to control the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen container (500) to each cooling pipe (420); The cooling pipe (420) is connected to the liquid nitrogen container (500) via an independent pipe (510), and each pipe (510) is equipped with a control valve (511). The temperature controller (1000) is electrically connected to the control valve (511) of each pipeline (510) for controlling the opening / closing of the control valve (511) and / or the valve opening degree.

2. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabin (410) has a tubular body with cooling pipes (420) evenly distributed along the longitudinal direction of the body. Each cooling pipe (420) is a hollow through pipe.

3. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the outlet end of each cooling pipe (420) is smaller than the size of its corresponding inlet end (421).

4. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each cooling pipe (420) has an end cap with a mesh-like perforation at its outlet end.

5. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control valve (511) is a solenoid valve or a solenoid proportional valve.

6. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The friction stir solid additive manufacturing device is also equipped with a temperature sensor (430), which is installed on the surface of the outer cylinder (110) of the main shaft and / or the inner wall of the chamber (410) for real-time monitoring of temperature and / or temperature changes.

7. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature controller (1000) is electrically connected to the temperature sensor (430) and controls the valve opening of the control valve (511) according to the real-time monitored temperature.

8. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The friction stir solid additive manufacturing device is also equipped with a temperature control panel (450), which is electrically connected to the temperature sensor (430) and the temperature controller (1000) for displaying the real-time monitored temperature and / or temperature changes.

9. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The temperature control panel (450) is equipped with temperature adjustment buttons for setting the target temperature range.

10. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipes (420) inside the cabin (410) are arranged uniformly around the outer circumference of the main shaft system (100), and from the perspective of the inlet end (421), the plurality of cooling pipes (420) are arranged to form a first circumference extending from the main shaft system (100). O 1).

11. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipes (420) inside the cabin (410) are arranged uniformly around the outer circumference of the main shaft system (100), and from the perspective of the inlet end (421), the first portion of the plurality of cooling pipes (420) is arranged to form a first circumference extending from the main shaft system (100). O 1); The second portion of the multiple cooling pipes (420) is arranged to form a second circumference extending from the spindle system (100). O 2), the second circumference ( O 2) Compared to the first circumference ( O 1) Further away from the spindle system (100).

12. The environmentally adaptive stir-friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the main shaft outer cylinder (110) forms a clamping part (111) with a reduced size. The outer diameters of the main shaft outer cylinder (110), the clamping part (111), the stirring head rotation mechanism (120), and the stirring friction processing head (130) are gradually reduced. The chamber (410) is fixed to the bottom of the clamping part (111) from its bottom by fasteners.

13. The environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The gaseous nitrogen discharged from the outlet end (422) of each cooling pipe (420) forms an air curtain around the friction stir processing head (130) and purifies the friction stir processing area.

14. An environmentally adaptive stirring friction solid-phase additive manufacturing device, characterized in that, The stir friction solid-phase additive manufacturing device includes: The system includes a coaxially mounted spindle outer cylinder (110), a stirring head rotation mechanism (120), and a friction stir processing head (130). The friction stir processing head (130) is connected to the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and is rotatably supported inside the spindle outer cylinder (110) of the spindle system (100). The friction stir processing head (130) rotates synchronously with the stirring head rotation mechanism (120), and the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and the friction stir processing head (130) have hollow channels (150) for receiving and conveying metal rods (10). The metal rods (10) are deposited layer by layer onto the substrate (30) located below the friction stir processing head (130) through the stirring friction motion to form a deposition layer (20). A spindle drive assembly (200) is used to drive the spindle system (100) to move along a preset path; A stirring head drive assembly (300) is used to drive the friction stirring head (130) to rotate continuously; A spindle temperature control device (400) is disposed on the outer periphery of the spindle system (100); the spindle temperature control device (400) has a chamber (410) that encloses the spindle outer cylinder (110), the stirring head rotation mechanism (120) and the friction stir machining head (130), and a plurality of cooling pipes (420) that are uniformly arranged inside the chamber (410), each cooling pipe (420) having an inlet end (421) for liquid nitrogen to enter and an outlet end (422) for vaporized gaseous nitrogen to flow out; the outlet end (422) is configured to face the friction stir machining head (130); A liquid nitrogen container (500) is configured to store liquid nitrogen and is independently connected to each cooling pipe (420) via a pipe (510); A temperature controller (1000) is used to control the flow rate of liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen container (500) to each cooling pipe (420) to control the deep cooling environment temperature provided by the chamber (410); The outlet end (422) is configured to face the friction stir head (130), such that the gaseous nitrogen discharged from the outlet end (422) of each cooling pipe (420) forms an air curtain around the friction stir head (130) and purifies the friction stir area.

15. The environmentally adaptive stir-friction solid-phase additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that, Temperature sensors are provided on the inner wall of the cabin (410) and / or the surface of the outer cylinder (110) of the main shaft for real-time monitoring of temperature and / or temperature changes.

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