Powder cleaning device for a metal additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the field of 3D metal printing, and discloses a powder cleaning device for a metal additive manufacturing device, which comprises a discharge hopper, a powder cleaning device installed on the discharge hopper, two rectangular shells, two bidirectional threaded rods installed in the two rectangular shells respectively, a guide rod installed in one of the rectangular shells and arranged in parallel with the bidirectional threaded rods, two moving shells threaded on two ends of the bidirectional threaded rods, a worm installed on the outer wall of the guide rod in the moving shell, and a worm wheel installed in the moving shell and in transmission engagement with the worm. The spray head can cover every corner in the discharge hopper through the moving staggered jet flow, the spray head can adapt to different cleaning requirements and the shape of the discharge hopper, and the flexibility and applicability of the device are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D metal printing, and in particular to a powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Metal additive manufacturing, also known as selective laser melting (SLM), is a newly emerging rapid manufacturing process. Its working principle involves using existing CAD / CAM software to design the path of a laser beam, and then layering metal powder in a sealed forming chamber filled with inert protective gas. The laser beam is controlled to scan the layered metal powder along the designed path to obtain a single-layer shape of the formed part. Next, the forming cylinder is controlled to descend by one layer thickness, the powder-laying device re-lays powder, and the above forming process is repeated. This process is repeated until a metal part with a specific geometry is formed. After sintering, the metal powder needs to be separated from the metal part.

[0003] In the metal additive manufacturing process, metal powder is deposited layer by layer through the nozzle to form a printed part. After printing is completed, the discharge hopper is used to collect and transfer the excess powder generated during the printing process. After the excess powder is cleaned, there will still be excess powder remaining in the discharge hopper. If this powder is not cleaned in time, it may affect the normal operation of the equipment and the accuracy of the printed parts, thereby affecting the subsequent printing quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the above problems, this application provides a powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment.

[0005] The powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment includes: a discharge hopper; a powder cleaning device installed on the discharge hopper; the powder cleaning device includes two rectangular shells; two bidirectional threaded rods respectively installed in the two rectangular shells; a guide rod installed in one of the rectangular shells and distributed vertically parallel to the bidirectional threaded rods; two movable shells threaded onto both ends of the bidirectional threaded rods; a worm gear disposed on the outer wall of the guide rod located within the movable shell; a worm wheel disposed within the movable shell and meshing with the worm gear for transmission; two grooves symmetrically formed on the outer wall of the worm gear; the inner wall of the worm wheel cooperates with the grooves so that when the movable shells move, they drive the worm gear to move along the horizontal direction of the grooves, and when the guide rods rotate, they drive the worm gear to rotate.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes two sliding openings, which are formed through the wall opposite to the two rectangular shells; four rotating rods, which are respectively disposed in the four rectangular shells, wherein two of the rotating rods are respectively connected to two worm gears; the rotating rods and the sliding openings are configured to cooperate so that when the movable shell moves horizontally along the bidirectional threaded rod, it drives the rotating rods to move within the sliding openings; two concave brackets, which are respectively disposed between the two opposite rotating rods; two connecting plates, which are installed on the top surface of the concave brackets; a connecting pipe, which is installed between the two connecting plates; and a plurality of nozzles, which are disposed below the concave brackets, and the top of each nozzle is connected to the connecting pipe through a branch pipe; the nozzles under the two concave brackets are arranged in an alternating pattern.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a top shell and a bottom shell, which are installed on the top and bottom of the discharge hopper, respectively.

[0009] Preferably, it further includes two first pulleys, each sleeved on the outer wall of one end of the two bidirectional threaded rods that penetrates the top shell; a shaft, mounted on the bottom shell; a second pulley, sleeved on the outer wall of the shaft; the two first pulleys and the second pulley are connected by a belt drive; a first motor, connected to the other end of one of the bidirectional threaded rods; and a second motor, connected to one end of the guide rod.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes two access doors, each installed at the top of one of the two rectangular shells.

[0011] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects:

[0012] 1. The output end of the first motor drives the bidirectional threaded rod on it to rotate. The rotation of the bidirectional threaded rod drives the first pulley on it to rotate. The rotation of the first pulley drives the second pulley, another first pulley and the bidirectional threaded rod on it to rotate through the belt. The rotation of the two bidirectional threaded rods drives the moving shell, rotating rod, worm gear and concave bracket at both ends of them to move relative to each other in the horizontal direction of the groove. The two sets of nozzles are located on both sides above the discharge hopper. Through staggered airflow, the nozzles can cover all corners inside the discharge hopper and achieve comprehensive cleaning of the powder inside the discharge hopper.

[0013] 2. The output of the second motor drives the guide rod to rotate, which in turn drives the worm gear to rotate, which in turn drives the worm wheel to rotate, which in turn drives the rotating rod, concave bracket, and another rotating rod on it to rotate. The rotation of the concave bracket drives the nozzle to adjust its angle, so that the nozzle can adapt to different cleaning needs and the shape of the discharge hopper, thus improving the flexibility and applicability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a structural front view of an embodiment of the application;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the powder cleaning device according to the application embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the worm gear and worm in the embodiment of the application;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a structural side view of an embodiment of the application.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Discharge hopper; 2. Bottom shell; 3. Top shell; 5. Rectangular shell; 6. Nozzle; 7. Slide outlet; 8. Concave bracket; 9. Connecting plate; 10. Connecting pipe; 11. Guide rod; 12. Groove; 13. Moving shell; 14. Second pulley; 15. Shaft; 16. First pulley; 17. Inspection door; 18. Bidirectional threaded rod; 19. First motor; 20. Worm gear; 21. Worm wheel; 22. Rotating rod; 23. Second motor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 This application will be described in further detail.

[0020] This application discloses a powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment, referring to... Figures 1-4The system includes a discharge hopper 1 and a powder cleaning device installed on the discharge hopper 1. The powder cleaning device includes two rectangular shells 5, two bidirectional threaded rods 18 installed in the two rectangular shells 5 respectively, a guide rod 11 installed in one of the rectangular shells 5 and distributed vertically parallel to the bidirectional threaded rods 18, two movable shells 13 threaded onto both ends of the bidirectional threaded rods 18, a worm gear 20 disposed on the outer wall of the guide rod 11 located in the movable shell 13, and two sliding openings 7 through-holes on the opposite side wall of the two rectangular shells 5. Four rotating rods 22 are disposed in the four rectangular shells 5 respectively, wherein two rotating rods 22 are respectively connected to two worm gears 21. The rotating rods 22 and the sliding openings 7 are configured to cooperate so that when the movable shells 13 move horizontally along the bidirectional threaded rods 18, they drive the rotating rods 22 to rotate. The slide 7 moves within the slide 7. Two concave supports 8 are respectively set between two opposing rotating rods 22. Two connecting plates 9 are installed on the top surface of the concave supports 8. A connecting pipe 10 is installed between the two connecting plates 9. Several nozzles 6 are set below the concave supports 8, and the top of each nozzle 6 is connected to the connecting pipe 10 through a branch pipe. The nozzles 6 under the two concave supports 8 are arranged in an alternating manner. It also includes two first pulleys 16, which are respectively sleeved on the outer wall of one end of the two bidirectional threaded rods 18 that penetrate the top shell 3. A shaft 15 is installed on the bottom shell 2. A second pulley 14 is sleeved on the outer wall of the shaft 15. The two first pulleys 16 and the second pulley 14 are connected by belt drive. A first motor 19 is connected to the other end of one of the bidirectional threaded rods 18.

[0021] The output of the first motor 19 drives the bidirectional threaded rod 18 to rotate. The rotation of the bidirectional threaded rod 18 drives the first pulley 16 to rotate. The rotation of the first pulley 16 drives the second pulley 14, the other first pulley 16, and the bidirectional threaded rod 18 to rotate via a belt. The rotation of the two bidirectional threaded rods 18 drives the moving housing 13, rotating rod 22, worm gear 20, and concave bracket 8 at both ends to move relative to each other along the horizontal direction of the groove 12. The two sets of nozzles 6 are located on both sides above the discharge hopper 1. Through staggered airflow, the nozzles 6 can cover all corners inside the discharge hopper 1, achieving comprehensive cleaning of the powder inside the discharge hopper 1.

[0022] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The worm gear 21 is disposed inside the movable housing 13 and meshes with the worm 20 for transmission. Two grooves 12 are symmetrically opened on the outer wall of the worm 20. The inner wall of the worm gear 21 cooperates with the grooves 12 so that when the movable housing 13 moves, it drives the worm 20 to move along the horizontal direction of the grooves 12. When the guide rod 11 rotates, it drives the worm 20 to rotate. The worm gear 20 also includes a top housing 3 and a bottom housing 2, which are respectively installed on the top and bottom of the discharge hopper 1. The second motor 23 is connected to one end of the guide rod 11.

[0023] The output of the second motor 23 drives the guide rod 11 to rotate, the rotation of the guide rod 11 drives the worm gear 20 to rotate, the rotation of the worm gear 20 drives the worm wheel 21 to rotate, the rotation of the worm wheel 21 drives the rotating rod 22, the concave bracket 8 and another rotating rod 22 on it to rotate, and the rotation of the concave bracket 8 drives the nozzle 6 to adjust its angle, so that the nozzle 6 can adapt to different cleaning needs and the shape of the discharge hopper 1, thus improving the flexibility and applicability of the device.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 It also includes two access doors 17, which are installed at the top of the two rectangular shells 5 respectively. By setting the access doors 17, it is convenient to maintain and repair the components inside the rectangular shells 5.

[0025] The implementation principle of the powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment in this application embodiment is as follows: In use, the output end of the first motor 19 drives the bidirectional threaded rod 18 to rotate. The rotation of the bidirectional threaded rod 18 drives the first pulley 16 to rotate. The rotation of the first pulley 16 drives the second pulley 14, another first pulley 16, and the bidirectional threaded rod 18 thereon to rotate via a belt. The rotation of the two bidirectional threaded rods 18 drives the movable housing 13, rotating rod 22, worm gear 20, and concave bracket 8 at both ends to move relative to each other along the horizontal direction of the groove 12. The two sets of... The nozzles 6 are located on both sides above the discharge hopper 1. Through staggered airflow, the nozzles 6 can cover every corner of the discharge hopper 1, achieving comprehensive cleaning of the powder inside the discharge hopper 1. The output end of the second motor 23 drives the guide rod 11 to rotate. The rotation of the guide rod 11 drives the worm gear 20 to rotate. The rotation of the worm gear 20 drives the worm wheel 21 to rotate. The rotation of the worm wheel 21 drives the rotating rod 22, the concave bracket 8 and another rotating rod 22 on it to rotate. The rotation of the concave bracket 8 drives the nozzle 6 to adjust its angle, so that the nozzle 6 can adapt to different cleaning needs and the shape of the discharge hopper 1.

[0026] Finally, the following points should be noted: First, in the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly, and can be mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components, or direct connections. "Up", "down", "left", "right", etc. are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may change.

[0027] Secondly: The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed in this utility model only involve the structures involved in the embodiments disclosed in this utility model. Other structures can refer to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the same embodiment and different embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0028] Finally: The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0029] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, include: Discharge hopper (1); A powder cleaning device is installed on the discharge hopper (1); The powder cleaning device includes two rectangular shells (5); Two bidirectional threaded rods (18) are respectively installed inside the two rectangular shells (5); The guide rod (11) is installed inside a rectangular shell (5) and is distributed vertically parallel to the bidirectional threaded rod (18); Two movable housings (13) are threaded onto both ends of the bidirectional threaded rod (18); The worm gear (20) is disposed on the outer wall of the guide rod (11) located inside the movable housing (13); A worm gear (21) is disposed inside the movable housing (13) and meshes with the worm (20) for transmission; Two grooves (12) are symmetrically formed on the outer wall of the worm (20); The inner wall of the worm gear (21) cooperates with the groove (12) so that when the moving shell (13) moves, it drives the worm (20) to move along the horizontal direction of the groove (12), and when the guide rod (11) rotates, it drives the worm (20) to rotate.

2. The powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes two sliding openings (7), which are opened through one wall opposite to the two rectangular shells (5); Four rotating rods (22) are respectively set in the four rectangular shells (5), wherein two of the rotating rods (22) are respectively connected to two worm gears (21); The rotating rod (22) and the sliding opening (7) are configured to cooperate so that when the movable housing (13) moves horizontally along the bidirectional threaded rod (18), it drives the rotating rod (22) to move within the sliding opening (7); Two concave supports (8) are respectively set between the two opposite rotating rods (22); Two connecting plates (9) are installed on the top surface of the concave bracket (8); A connecting pipe (10) is installed between the two connecting plates (9); Several nozzles (6) are arranged below the concave bracket (8), and the top of each nozzle (6) is connected to the connecting pipe (10) through a branch pipe; The nozzles (6) under the two concave supports (8) are arranged in an alternating manner.

3. The powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a top shell (3) and a bottom shell (2), which are installed on the top and bottom of the discharge hopper (1), respectively.

4. The powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes two first pulleys (16), which are respectively fitted on the outer wall of one end of the two bidirectional threaded rods (18) that penetrate the top shell (3); Shaft (15) is mounted on bottom shell (2); The second pulley (14) is sleeved on the outer wall of the shaft (15); The two first pulleys (16) and the second pulley (14) are connected by a belt drive. The first motor (19) is connected to the other end of one of the bidirectional threaded rods (18); The second motor (23) is connected to one end of the guide rod (11).

5. The powder cleaning device for metal additive manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes two access doors (17), which are installed at the top of the two rectangular shells (5), respectively.

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