Ultra-wide range temperature regulation platform for melt impingement liquid metal printing

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of super wide range temperature regulation platform of melt impact liquid metal printing, it is mainly related to liquid metal 3D printing technical field.The super wide range temperature regulation platform of melt impact liquid metal printing, including cooling platform, temperature regulating system, the cooling platform includes upper layer, lower layer, the upper layer is fixedly connected in lower layer, several heat exchange channels are set in the lower layer, the cooling platform both sides are respectively equipped with several interfaces, the interface is used to communicate different heat exchange channels, and each heat exchange channel both ends is equipped with interface;The temperature regulating system includes gas heating component, water cooling component, gas cooling component.The utility model can solve the defect of cold separation, loose and delamination generated in high-temperature metal solidification and cooling process in liquid metal printing process, improve product pass rate, yield and material utilization rate, and realize the stable and reliable product of liquid metal 3D printing of melt impact method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model mainly relates to the field of liquid metal 3D printing technology, specifically an ultra-wide temperature control platform for melt impact liquid metal printing. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous exploration of metal 3D printing technology, liquid direct forming has become an important method for preparing metal castings and ingots. Melt impact printing, a type of liquid metal 3D printing technology, utilizes a high-speed jet or metal droplets to reciprocately scan and print molten metal, forming high-performance castings, ingots, or composite materials. Its core principle is to refine grains by stirring and impacting the molten metal pool, utilizing the grain proliferation principle, thereby obtaining castings or ingots with fine microstructure, uniform composition, and excellent performance. During the liquid metal scanning forming process, a large amount of heat is generated during the high-temperature metal solidification and cooling. How to dissipate this heat and achieve controllable solidification and forming is the challenge and limitation of liquid metal 3D printing technology.

[0003] In the liquid metal printing process, the cooling base plate for direct jet spraying / droplet contact of high-temperature liquid technology is generally made of copper plate, with water circulating inside for cooling, in order to achieve faster heat transfer and better cooling effect. However, this cooling method has many drawbacks: 1) Copper plates have low strength and high plasticity, making them extremely prone to deformation after contact with high-temperature metal, potentially requiring reshaping after a single thermal cycle; 2) Copper's superior cooling and heat transfer capacity causes rapid cooling and solidification of the copper after contact with high-temperature metal, making it easy for the subsequently printed molten metal to separate from the previously scanned metal, resulting in cold shut defects or delamination defects; 3) As scanning and printing progresses layer by layer, the workpiece height increases, but the cooling capacity remains unchanged, leading to significant differences in the performance of the metal castings or ingots in each layer.

[0004] This invention aims to solve the problem of generating a large amount of heat during the high-temperature metal solidification and cooling process in liquid metal printing, and to achieve controllable heating, cooling and temperature regulation, so as to achieve stable and reliable products of liquid metal 3D printing technology using the melt impact method. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an ultra-wide temperature control platform for melt impact liquid metal printing. It can solve the defects of cold shuts, porosity, and delamination that occur during the high-temperature metal solidification and cooling process in liquid metal printing, thereby improving product qualification rate, yield, and material utilization, and achieving stable and reliable products from melt impact liquid metal 3D printing.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model employs the following technical solution: An ultra-wide temperature control platform for molten metal impact printing includes a cooling platform and a temperature control system. The cooling platform comprises an upper layer and a lower layer, with the upper layer fixedly connected to the lower layer. The lower layer has several heat exchange channels. Several interfaces are provided on both sides of the cooling platform for connecting different heat exchange channels. Each heat exchange channel has interfaces at both ends. The temperature control system includes a gas heating component, a water cooling component, and a gas cooling component. The gas heating component includes a motor and a fan. The motor drives the fan to operate through a transmission mechanism. A high-temperature air intake pipe is connected between the fan and the cooling platform. A gas heating device is installed on the high-temperature air intake pipe. After the gas is heated by the gas heating device, it enters the heat exchange channel of the cooling platform through the high-temperature air intake pipe. An exhaust pipe is connected to the outlet port of the heat exchange channel. The water-cooling assembly includes a water pump, a water supply pipe, a drainage pipe, and a water tank. The water pump's pumping pipe is connected to a water source. The water pump is connected to a cooling platform through the water supply pipe. After the water enters the water-cooled heat exchange channel of the cooling platform, it exchanges heat with the cooling platform. The water-cooled heat exchange channel of the cooling platform is provided with a drainage direction interface connected to a drainage pipe. The water after heat exchange is discharged into the water tank through the drainage pipe. The gas cooling assembly includes a refrigerator, a low-temperature air inlet pipe, and a gas recovery pipe. The refrigerator is connected to the cooling platform through the low-temperature air inlet pipe. The gas recovery pipe is connected to the outlet port of the low-temperature heat exchange channel in the cooling platform. The gas recovery pipe is connected to the refrigerator.

[0007] The upper middle section is the printing area.

[0008] The upper layer is made of aluminum alloy, and the lower layer is made of copper.

[0009] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention achieves controllable cooling adjustment in liquid metal printing: ① The aluminum plate is in contact with the metal, resulting in minimal deformation and reusability; ② By controlling the high and low temperatures of the cooling air, cold shut defects or delamination defects in metal castings and ingots are resolved; ③ The reduction in defects requires only minimal processing, thereby achieving higher material utilization; ④ A precise control system enables controllable cooling adjustment, ensuring the consistency of performance across all layers of the product. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cooling platform of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a top view of the cooling platform structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a utility model Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-section at point AA; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature control system of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid metal printing process.

[0011] The labels in the attached diagram are as follows: 1. Cooling platform; 2. Upper layer; 3. Lower layer; 4. Printing area; 5. Crucible; 6. Molten aluminum; 7. Nozzle; 8. Molten metal jet; 9. Motor; 10. Fan; 11. Gas heating device; 12. High-temperature air inlet pipe; 13. Water pump; 14. Water supply pipe; 15. Refrigeration unit; 16. Gas recovery pipe; 17. Drainage pipe; 18. Water tank; 19. Exhaust pipe; 20. Valve 2; 21. Valve 4; 22. Valve 6; 23. Valve 1; 24. Valve 5; 25. Valve 3; 26. Low-temperature air inlet pipe; 27. Interface; 30. Heat exchange channel. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the present invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined in this application.

[0013] Combined with appendix Figures 1-5 An ultra-wide temperature control platform for molten metal impact printing includes a cooling platform 1 and a temperature control system. The cooling platform 1 includes an upper layer 2 and a lower layer 3, with the upper layer 2 fixedly connected to the lower layer 3. The lower layer 3 has several heat exchange channels 30. Several interfaces 27 are provided on both sides of the cooling platform 1, and the interfaces 27 are used to connect different heat exchange channels 30. Each heat exchange channel 30 has interfaces 27 at both ends. The temperature control system includes a gas heating component, a water cooling component, and a gas cooling component. The interfaces 27 are located on both sides of the bottom of the cooling platform 1. The gas heating assembly includes a motor 9 and a fan 10. The motor 9 drives the fan 10 to operate through a transmission mechanism. A high-temperature air intake pipe 12 is connected between the fan 10 and the cooling platform 1. A gas heating device 11 is provided on the high-temperature air intake pipe 12. After being heated by the gas heating device 11, the gas enters the heat exchange channel 30 of the cooling platform 1 through the high-temperature air intake pipe 12. An exhaust pipe 19 is connected to the exhaust port 27 of the heat exchange channel 30. A valve 23 is provided on the high-temperature air intake pipe 12 to control the high-temperature gas entering the cooling platform 1. A valve 20 is provided on the exhaust pipe 19 to control the high-temperature gas exiting the cooling platform 1.

[0014] The water-cooling assembly includes a water pump 13, a water supply pipe 14, a drainage pipe 17, and a water tank 18. The water pump 13 is connected to a water source via its pump pipe. The water pump 13 is connected to the cooling platform 1 via the water supply pipe 14. Water enters the water-cooled heat exchange channel 30 of the cooling platform 1 and exchanges heat with the cooling platform 1. The water-cooled heat exchange channel 30 of the cooling platform 1 is provided with a drainage direction interface 27 connected to the drainage pipe 17. The water after heat exchange is discharged into the water tank 18 through the drainage pipe 17. The water tank 18 is used to collect the water after heat exchange and reuse it to avoid waste. The water supply pipe 14 is equipped with a valve 25, which is used to control the water intake of the cooling platform 1. The drainage pipe 17 is equipped with a valve 21, which is used to control the drainage of water from the cooling platform 1. Valves 25 and 21 can control the water flow ratio.

[0015] The gas cooling assembly includes a refrigerator 15, a cryogenic air inlet pipe 26, and a gas recovery pipe 16. The refrigerator 15 is connected to a cooling platform 1 via the cryogenic air inlet pipe 26. The gas recovery pipe 16 is connected to the gas outlet port 27 of the cryogenic heat exchange channel 30 in the cooling platform 1, and the gas recovery pipe 16 is connected to the refrigerator 15. A valve 24 is provided on the cryogenic air inlet pipe 26 to control the entry of cryogenic gas into the cooling platform 1. A valve 22 is provided on the gas recovery pipe 16 to control the return flow of the heat-exchanged gas to the refrigerator 15.

[0016] The upper layer 2 has a central printing area 4; printing area 4 is the core cooling area. By regulating the temperature of the entire platform, the microstructure and properties of the entire liquid solidification and forming process can be controlled.

[0017] The upper layer 2 is made of aluminum alloy, and the lower layer 3 is made of copper. The upper layer 2 is made of 6-series aluminum alloy, and the lower layer 3 is made of copper. The upper layer 2, made of 6-series aluminum alloy, and the lower layer 3, made of copper plate with heat exchange channel 30, are fused together by friction welding. To ensure sufficient strength and reduce deformation, the upper layer of the overall platform is made of 6-series aluminum alloy. For the aluminum alloy printing process, the aluminum cooling plate is easier to spread out for the molten aluminum alloy, reducing thermal resistance. Moreover, the aluminum alloy plate is not easily deformed, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 3 As shown; to ensure a stronger cooling effect, the lower layer of cooling platform 2 is made of copper, and the lower layer 3 has a heat exchange channel to achieve more efficient heat transfer.

[0018] When this device is in use, the crucible 5 contains molten aluminum. The molten aluminum is sprayed through the nozzle 7, and the molten metal jet 8 is sprayed onto the temperature control platform. The product is obtained by cooling and solidification.

[0019] The gas heating device 11 and the refrigeration unit 15 can operate at high power, achieving a temperature control range of gas from -60℃ to +350℃. Air cooling can avoid situations such as explosions caused by the reaction of melt and water due to rupture and leakage of cooling pipes.

[0020] Platform usage process: 1. Before liquid metal 3D printing, the gas heating device 11 is turned on at high power to heat the gas to a high temperature of over 250℃ (maximum 350℃). The motor 9 drives the fan 10 to work, and valve 23 is opened, sending the heated high-temperature gas through the high-temperature air inlet pipe 12 into the heat exchange channel 30 of the cooling platform 1 to heat the cooling platform 1. This initial high-temperature platform facilitates the easier spreading of the molten aluminum on the aluminum platform surface, reducing thermal resistance. Furthermore, the initial reduction in cooling capacity ensures metallurgical bonding between each layer during the layer-by-layer scanning process. Ultimately, this achieves higher material utilization and reduces defects. The high-temperature gas is then discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 19 via valve 20.

[0021] 2. As scanning and printing proceed, the heating power is adjusted and reduced to ensure the bonding of each metal layer and the molten impact effect required by the process.

[0022] 3. During printing, once the workpiece reaches a certain thickness, switch from heating mode to cooling mode. Turn off motor 9, stop fan 10, and close valves 20 and 23. Turn on air chiller 15. Chiller 15 generates low-temperature gas ranging from 30℃ to -60℃ through cooling. This low-temperature gas enters cooling platform 1 through low-temperature inlet pipe 26 via valve 5 to exchange heat. The gas after heat exchange can return to chiller 15 through recovery pipe 16. As printing progresses, gradually adjust the cooling power to achieve a change in cooling air temperature from room temperature to -60℃.

[0023] 4. If the thickness of the casting and ingot increases further and air cooling is insufficient, then water cooling should be activated. Turn off the chiller 15, and close valves 5 (24) and 6 (22). Start the water pump 13, open valve 3 (25), and supply cooling water to the cooling platform 1 through the water supply pipe 14 for more efficient cooling. 5. This control platform is equipped with a controller (electrical control device) that regulates the gas temperature and flow rate based on data such as height and temperature printed on the base plate, achieving controllable cooling water flow. The controller's position is set by the operator according to the actual situation during operation. The controller is used to control the electrical components used in this solution, including but not limited to sensors, motors, water pumps, valves (solenoid valves), gas heating devices (heating wires), displays, computer input devices, switches, communication devices, lights, speakers, and microphones. The controller is an Intel processor, AMD processor, PLC controller, ARM processor, or microcontroller, and is used in conjunction with a motherboard, memory modules, storage media, and power supply. The power supply is AC power or a lithium battery. When a display screen is provided, a display card is also included. For the controller's operating principle, please refer to "Automatic Control Principles," "Microcontroller Principles and Application Simulation Cases," and "Sensor Principles and Applications" published by Tsinghua University Press. Other books in this field can also be consulted. Other automation control and electrical components not mentioned are knowledge well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further here.

[0024] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ultra-wide temperature control platform for molten metal impact printing, comprising a cooling platform (1) and a temperature control system, characterized in that: The cooling platform (1) includes an upper layer (2) and a lower layer (3). The upper layer (2) is fixedly connected to the lower layer (3). The lower layer (3) has several heat exchange channels (30). The cooling platform (1) has several interfaces (27) on both sides. The interfaces (27) are used to connect different heat exchange channels (30). Each heat exchange channel (30) has an interface (27) at both ends. The temperature control system includes a gas heating component, a water cooling component, and a gas cooling component. The gas heating assembly includes a motor (9) and a fan (10). The motor (9) drives the fan (10) to operate through a transmission mechanism. A high-temperature air inlet pipe (12) is connected between the fan (10) and the cooling platform (1). A gas heating device (11) is provided on the high-temperature air inlet pipe (12). After being heated by the gas heating device (11), the gas enters the heat exchange channel (30) of the cooling platform (1) through the high-temperature air inlet pipe (12). An exhaust pipe (19) is connected to the outlet port (27) of the heat exchange channel (30). The water-cooling assembly includes a water pump (13), a water supply pipe (14), a drainage pipe (17), and a water tank (18). The water pump (13) is connected to a water source through its pump pipe. The water pump (13) is connected to the cooling platform (1) through the water supply pipe (14). After the water enters the water-cooled heat exchange channel (30) of the cooling platform (1), it exchanges heat with the cooling platform (1). The water-cooled heat exchange channel (30) of the cooling platform (1) is provided with a drainage direction interface (27) connected to the drainage pipe (17). The water after heat exchange is discharged into the water tank (18) through the drainage pipe (17). The gas cooling assembly includes a refrigerator (15), a low-temperature air inlet pipe (26), and a gas recovery pipe (16). The refrigerator (15) is connected to the cooling platform (1) through the low-temperature air inlet pipe (26). The gas recovery pipe (16) is connected to the gas recovery port (27) of the low-temperature heat exchange channel (30) in the cooling platform (1). The gas recovery pipe (16) is connected to the refrigerator (15).

2. The ultra-wide temperature control platform for melt impact liquid metal printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle part of the upper layer (2) is the printing area (4).

3. The ultra-wide temperature control platform for melt impact liquid metal printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper layer (2) is made of aluminum alloy, and the lower layer (3) is made of copper.

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