A 3D printing device with automatic cylinder changing

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automatic cylinder-changing 3D printing device, including a frame, a support plate, a forming cylinder for supporting the support plate, a forming box mounted on the frame, a powder feeding mechanism mounted inside the forming box, an optical module mounted above the forming box, and a lifting cylinder mechanism mounted on the frame for driving the forming cylinder to rise and fall, the lifting cylinder mechanism being located below the forming box. It also includes a horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism. One side of the frame has an opening for the forming cylinder to enter and exit. The horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism includes a bracket mounted on one side of the frame opening, and a conveyor line extending along the X-direction with its two ends located inside the bracket and the frame respectively. The conveyor line has clearance holes for avoiding the lifting cylinder mechanism. Advantages: By setting up the conveyor line, the forming cylinder can be automatically fed into and removed from the frame, improving the efficiency of forming cylinder transfer and facilitating modular integration with other equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing, specifically to a 3D printing device with automatic cylinder changing capability. Background Technology

[0002] Each time a 3D printing machine prints a product, the forming cylinder needs to be removed from the machine. Existing 3D printing equipment lacks a corresponding mechanism for removing the forming cylinder from the printing station, making it inconvenient to move the forming cylinder and hindering modular assembly with other equipment.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent CN110549599B discloses a laser sintering 3D printer, belonging to the field of additive manufacturing, which includes upper and lower cylinders, a worktable, and a telescopic structure. The worktable is fixed inside the lower cylinder, achieving a seal between the worktable and the cylinder; the upper and lower cylinders are connected by the telescopic structure, ensuring the entire forming cylinder remains sealed. However, after printing, the lower cylinder cannot move freely horizontally, making it inconvenient to remove and hindering modular application on production lines.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a 3D printing device with automatic cylinder changing capability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a 3D printing device with automatic cylinder changing, which effectively solves the problem of inconvenience in changing the forming cylinder in existing 3D printing devices.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: An automatic cylinder-changing 3D printing device includes a frame, a support plate, a forming cylinder for supporting the support plate, a forming chamber mounted on the frame, a powder feeding mechanism mounted inside the forming chamber, an optical module mounted above the forming chamber, and a lifting cylinder mechanism mounted on the frame for driving the forming cylinder to rise and fall, the lifting cylinder mechanism being located below the forming chamber. It also includes a horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism. One side of the frame has an opening for the forming cylinder to enter and exit. The horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism includes a bracket mounted on one side of the frame opening and a conveyor line extending along the X-direction, with its two ends located within the bracket and the frame respectively. The conveyor line has clearance holes for avoiding obstruction of the lifting cylinder mechanism.

[0007] Furthermore, the lifting cylinder mechanism includes a lifting plate, a fixed plate mounted on the frame, a linear bearing mounted vertically on the fixed plate, a guide column sleeved on the linear bearing, and an electric cylinder mounted on the fixed plate. The upper end of the guide column is fixedly connected to the lifting plate, and the output end of the electric cylinder is fixedly connected to the lifting plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the frame is also equipped with two guide components for guiding the opposite sides of the cylinder. The guide components include a mounting plate fixed on the frame and several universal balls arranged along the X direction on the mounting plate. The guide components are located above the conveyor line.

[0009] Furthermore, the frame is also equipped with a limit assembly, which includes a mechanical limit head and an electromagnetic limit assembly.

[0010] Furthermore, the conveyor line is a chain roller conveyor line, which includes several first rollers arranged along the X direction on a support, two chains, several second rollers arranged along the X direction within a frame, several sprockets, a drive assembly mounted on the support, the length of the second rollers being less than the length of the first rollers, the second rollers being arranged in two rows along the X direction, the two rows of second rollers forming a clearance hole, sprockets being provided at both ends of the first rollers, sprockets being provided at opposite ends of the two rows of second rollers, and the two chains being connected to the sprockets on both sides respectively.

[0011] Furthermore, the forming cylinder body includes a base plate with a rectangular through hole, four side plates arranged on the base plate along the four sides of the rectangular through hole, a support step arranged on the inside of the four side plates for supporting the support plate, a screw lifting module arranged on the inside of one of the side plates, and a cover plate arranged on the side plate. The cover plate is provided with a second hole. The screw lifting module is used to drive the support plate to lift and lower. The four side plates form the cylinder body.

[0012] Furthermore, the molded box body is provided with a viewing window.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the invention are: by setting up a conveyor line, the forming cylinder can be automatically fed into and removed from the frame, which improves the efficiency of transferring the forming cylinder and facilitates modular docking with other equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the 3D printing equipment with automatic cylinder changing provided in the embodiments of this application, before the forming cylinder enters the frame.

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view after removing the molded housing and optical modules.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an overall schematic diagram of the 3D printing equipment with automatic cylinder changing provided in the embodiments of this application after the forming cylinder enters the frame.

[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 3Top view after removing the molded housing and optical module.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an overall schematic diagram of the 3D printing equipment with automatic cylinder changing provided in the embodiments of this application, in which the molding cylinder is lifted.

[0019] The following are labeled in the diagram: 1. Frame; 2. Forming cylinder; 3. Forming box; 4. Optical module; 5. Lifting cylinder mechanism; 6. Bracket; 7. Conveyor line; 100. Clearance hole; 51. Lifting plate; 52. Fixing plate; 53. Guide column; 54. Electric cylinder; 8. Guide assembly; 81. Mounting plate; 82. Universal ball; 9. Mechanical limit head; 10. Electromagnetic limit assembly; 71. Roller No. 1; 72. Roller No. 2; 30. Viewing window; 21. Base plate; 22. Side plate; 23. Cover plate. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of this application provides an automatic cylinder-changing 3D printing device, including a frame 1, a support plate, a forming cylinder 2 for supporting the support plate, a forming box 3 mounted on the frame 1, a powder feeding mechanism mounted inside the forming box 3, an optical module 4 mounted above the forming box 3, and a lifting cylinder mechanism 5 mounted on the frame 1 for driving the forming cylinder 2 to rise and fall. The lifting cylinder mechanism 5 is located below the forming box 3. It also includes a horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism. One side of the frame 1 has an opening for the forming cylinder 2 to enter and exit. The horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism includes a bracket 6 mounted on one side of the opening in the frame 1, and a conveyor line 7 extending in the X direction with its two ends located on the bracket 6 and inside the frame 1, respectively. The conveyor line 7 has a clearance hole 100 for avoiding the lifting cylinder mechanism 5. This application uses a PLC control system to control the operation of the forming cylinder 2, the powder feeding structure, the optical module 4, the lifting cylinder mechanism 5, and the conveyor line 7.

[0022] It should be noted that the lower end of the molding box 3 is provided with a No. 1 opening, and the molding box 3 is provided with a powder feeding mechanism that extends into the molding cylinder 2.

[0023] In actual use, the carrier plate, located inside the cylinder, is fed into the frame 1 from one end of the bracket 6 through the opening via the conveyor line 7. Then, the lifting cylinder mechanism 5 lifts the forming cylinder 2, so that the upper end of the forming cylinder 2 abuts against the forming box 3 and connects with the first port. Subsequently, the forming cylinder 2 drives the carrier plate to the starting printing height. Then, the powder feeding mechanism lays the first layer of powder on the carrier plate, and then the optical module 4 sinters the first layer of powder. Then, the forming cylinder 2 drives the carrier plate down one unit height, and the powder feeding mechanism lays the second layer of powder on the carrier plate. Then, the optical module 4 sinters the second layer of powder until the final product forming is completed. After that, the lifting cylinder mechanism 5 descends, causing the forming cylinder 2 to separate from the forming box 3 and fall onto the conveyor line 7. Then, the conveyor line 7 transports the forming cylinder 2 from inside the frame 1 through the opening to the corresponding position of the bracket 6.

[0024] The above design enables automatic conveying of the forming cylinder 2, improving the efficiency and convenience of cylinder changing during the 3D printing process.

[0025] Specifically: such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lifting cylinder mechanism 5 includes a lifting plate 51, a fixed plate 52 mounted on the frame 1, a linear bearing mounted vertically on the fixed plate 52, a guide post 53 sleeved on the linear bearing, and an electric cylinder 54 mounted on the fixed plate 52. The upper end of the guide post 53 is fixedly connected to the lifting plate 51, and the output end of the electric cylinder 54 is fixedly connected to the lifting plate 51.

[0026] In actual use, when the cylinder body needs to be raised or lowered, the electric cylinder 54 drives the lifting plate 51 to rise or fall, so that the lifting plate 51 drives the forming cylinder body 2 to rise or fall synchronously.

[0027] In the above design, the lifting plate 51 can be guided by the cooperation of the guide column 53 and the linear bearing during the lifting process, and the electric cylinder 54 is used as the driving source to ensure the driving accuracy of the lifting plate.

[0028] Specifically: such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the frame 1 is also provided with two guide components 8 for guiding the opposite sides of the cylinder. The guide component 8 includes a mounting plate 81 fixedly mounted on the frame 1 and several universal balls 82 arranged along the X direction on the mounting plate 81. The guide component 8 is located above the conveyor line 7.

[0029] In actual use, when the forming cylinder 2 is conveyed to the frame 1 along the conveyor line 7, both sides of the forming cylinder 2 contact the universal balls 82 of the two guide components 8. The rolling contact of the universal balls 82 from both sides of the forming cylinder 2 ensures that the conveying direction of the forming cylinder 2 on the conveyor line 7 will not deviate. When the forming cylinder 2 is lifted and lowered by the lifting cylinder mechanism 5, the universal balls 82 on both sides can ensure the vertical accuracy of the forming cylinder 2.

[0030] In the above design, the structural design and specific implementation of the guide component 8 can ensure the accuracy of direction during the horizontal movement and vertical lifting of the forming cylinder 2.

[0031] Specifically: such as Figure 1 As shown, the frame 1 is also equipped with a limit assembly, which includes a mechanical limit head 9 and an electromagnetic limit assembly 10. The electromagnetic limit assembly 10 can be a Hall sensor or an inductive proximity switch. In this application, it is an inductive proximity switch. In this application, the mechanical limit head 9 is a universal ball joint 82.

[0032] In actual use, during the process of the forming cylinder 2 moving along the conveyor line 7 into the frame 1, the PLC system controls the conveyor line 7 to stop moving after confirming that the forming cylinder 2 has reached its position by detecting the signal number of the inductive proximity switch. If the heating electromagnetic limit component 10 fails, the forming cylinder 2 will be stopped by the mechanical limit head 9.

[0033] In the above design, the structural design and specific implementation of the limiting component can limit the molding cylinder 2 during the process of conveying it into the frame 1, so as to prevent the molding cylinder 2 from colliding with the frame 1.

[0034] Specifically: as shown in the figure Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. The conveyor line 7 is a chain roller conveyor line 7, which includes several first rollers 71 arranged along the X direction on the support 6, two chains, several second rollers 72 arranged along the X direction in the frame 1, several sprockets, and a drive assembly arranged on the support 6. The length of the second rollers 72 is less than the length of the first rollers 71. The second rollers 72 are arranged in two rows along the X direction, and the two rows of second rollers 72 form a clearance hole 100. Sprockets are provided at both ends of the first rollers 71. Sprockets are provided at opposite ends of the two rows of second rollers 72. The two chains are respectively connected to the sprockets on both sides for transmission.

[0035] It should be noted that the drive assembly is a motor pulley assembly, including the driven sprocket on the outermost first roller shaft 71, the motor mounted on the bracket 6, the driving sprocket mounted on the motor shaft, and the second chain that is connected to the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket.

[0036] In actual use, the drive assembly drives the first roller shaft 71, which is coaxially connected to the driven sprocket, to rotate synchronously. Then, the first roller shaft 71 drives the sprocket, which is coaxially connected to it, to rotate. The chain then drives the other first roller shaft 71 and second roller shaft 72 to move, so that the forming cylinder 2 is conveyed along the first roller shaft 71 and second roller shaft 72.

[0037] In the above design, the conveyor line 7 adopts a double-chain roller structure, which can ensure the stable conveying of the forming cylinder 2.

[0038] Specifically: the forming cylinder 2 includes a base plate 21 with a rectangular through hole, four side plates 22 arranged on the base plate 21 along the four sides of the rectangular through hole, a support step arranged inside the four side plates 22 for supporting the support plate, a screw lifting module arranged inside one of the side plates 22, and a cover plate 23 arranged on the side plate 22. The cover plate 23 is provided with a second hole. The screw lifting module is used to drive the support plate to lift and lower. The four side plates 22 form the cylinder.

[0039] In actual use, the bottom plate 21 of the forming cylinder 2 is lifted by the lifting cylinder mechanism 5, so that the upper end of the forming cylinder 2 abuts against the forming box 3, and the lower end of the forming box 3 is connected to the forming cylinder 2 through the second hole. The lead screw lifting module drives the support plate to rise to the starting printing height. During the printing process, after each layer of powder is formed, the lead screw lifting module drives the support plate to descend by one unit height. The unit height is the height of one layer of powder.

[0040] In the above design, the structural design and specific implementation of the forming cylinder 2 can effectively achieve the lifting and lowering of the support plate.

[0041] Specifically: the molded box 3 is provided with a viewing window 30.

[0042] In the above design, by setting up a viewing window 30, personnel can observe the processing status inside the molding box 3 through the viewing window 30.

[0043] In further detail, it should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing device with automatic cylinder changing capability, comprising a frame (1), a support plate, a forming cylinder (2) for supporting the support plate, a forming box (3) disposed on the frame (1), a powder feeding mechanism disposed within the forming box (3), an optical module (4) disposed above the forming box (3), and a lifting cylinder mechanism (5) disposed on the frame (1) for driving the forming cylinder (2) to rise and fall, wherein the lifting cylinder mechanism (5) is located below the forming box (3), characterized in that: It also includes a horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism. The frame (1) has an opening on one side for the molding cylinder (2) to enter and exit. The horizontal cylinder feeding mechanism includes a bracket (6) on one side of the opening of the frame (1) and a conveyor line (7) extending in the X direction with its two ends located in the bracket (6) and the frame (1) respectively. The conveyor line (7) is provided with a clearance hole (100) for avoiding the lifting cylinder support mechanism (5).

2. The 3D printing equipment with automatic cylinder changing capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting cylinder mechanism (5) includes a lifting plate (51), a fixed plate (52) mounted on the frame (1), a linear bearing mounted vertically on the fixed plate (52), a guide column (53) sleeved on the linear bearing, and an electric cylinder (54) mounted on the fixed plate (52). The upper end of the guide column (53) is fixedly connected to the lifting plate (51), and the output end of the electric cylinder (54) is fixedly connected to the lifting plate (51). 3.The 3D printing device of claim 1, wherein: The frame (1) is also provided with two guide components (8) for guiding the opposite sides of the cylinder. The guide component (8) includes a mounting plate (81) fixedly mounted on the frame (1) and several universal balls (82) arranged along the X direction on the mounting plate (81). The guide component (8) is located above the conveyor line (7).

4. The 3D printing device capable of automatically changing cylinder according to claim 1, wherein: The frame (1) is also provided with a limit component, which includes a mechanical limit head (9) and an electromagnetic limit component (10).

5. The 3D printing device capable of automatically changing cylinder according to claim 1, wherein: The conveyor line (7) is a chain roller conveyor line (7). The chain roller conveyor line (7) includes several first rollers (71) arranged along the X direction on the support (6), two chains, several second rollers (72) arranged along the X direction in the frame (1), several sprockets, and a drive assembly arranged on the support (6). The length of the second rollers (72) is less than the length of the first rollers (71). The second rollers (72) are arranged in two rows along the X direction. The two rows of second rollers (72) form a clearance hole (100). Sprockets are provided at both ends of the first rollers (71). Sprockets are provided at the opposite ends of the two rows of second rollers (72). The two chains are respectively connected to the sprockets on both sides for transmission. 6.The 3D printing device of claim 1, wherein: The forming cylinder (2) includes a base plate (21) with a rectangular through hole, four side plates (22) arranged on the base plate (21) along the four sides of the rectangular through hole, a support step arranged inside the four side plates (22) for supporting the support plate, a screw lifting module arranged inside one of the side plates (22), and a cover plate (23) arranged on the side plate (22). The cover plate (23) is provided with a second hole. The screw lifting module is used to drive the support plate to lift. The four side plates (22) form the cylinder.

7. The 3D printing equipment with automatic cylinder changing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The molded box (3) is provided with a viewing window (30).

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