A 3D printer capable of continuous printing

Abstract

The application relates to a continuously printable 3D printer, which comprises a rack and a printing plate, the two ends of the printing plate are respectively provided with a hand-held part and a positioning part, a first positioning groove matched with the positioning part is arranged on a heating table, and the hand-held part extends out of the outside of the heating table; the 3D printer further comprises a driving assembly, a cooling piece and an auxiliary discharging piece, the driving assembly is used for driving the hand-held part to move upwards, the cooling piece is used for cooling the printing plate and a printing product, and the auxiliary discharging piece is used for driving the printing plate in an inclined state to vibrate or shake; the end of the positioning part is provided in a semicylindrical mode, when the driving assembly drives the hand-held part to move upwards, the end of the positioning part rotates in the first positioning groove. When the printing is completed, the driving assembly can drive the hand-held part to move upwards, so that the printing plate is in an inclined state; at the moment, the cooling piece further cools the printing plate, reduces the adhesion, and then the auxiliary discharging piece drives the inclined printing plate to vibrate or shake, so that the printing product is separated from the printing plate; the discharging is automatically realized, and the idle time of the equipment is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printers, and in particular to a 3D printer capable of continuous printing. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a type of rapid prototyping technology. It's a technique that uses digital model files as a basis and employs powdered metals or plastics and other bondable materials to construct objects by stacking layers. FDM printers are currently the most common and widely used type of 3D printer, especially popular in homes, personal studios, and entry-level settings. Its principle involves heating a nozzle to melt plastic filaments (such as PLA or ABS), which are then deposited and solidified layer by layer to form a 3D model. The operation is relatively simple and the cost is relatively low.

[0003] When printing with PLA material, after the printer finishes printing, the operator usually needs to remove the printing plate from the heated platform. At this time, the printing plate is still hot, and the printed product is strongly adhered to the plate, making it difficult to remove. Forcing it off can easily deform the printed product. Therefore, it is necessary to wait for the printing plate to cool completely. After cooling, the adhesion between the product and the printing plate will decrease significantly, allowing the operator to easily remove the printed product. Then, the printing plate can be reinstalled to print the next product.

[0004] If it is necessary to reduce the machine's idle rate, the operator must wait until the product's printing time is up and remove the printed product in time. However, this method places too high demands on the operator, who often forgets, leading to an increase in the machine's idle rate. Utility Model Content

[0005] To reduce the idle rate of 3D printers, this application provides a 3D printer capable of continuous printing.

[0006] The 3D printer capable of continuous printing provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A continuous printing 3D printer includes a frame and an X-axis slide and a YZ-axis slide slidably mounted on the frame. A heating stage is provided on the X-axis slide, and a printing plate is detachably mounted on the heating stage. A printing nozzle and a vision sensor are provided on the YZ-axis slide. A handle and a positioning part are respectively provided at both ends of the printing plate. A first positioning groove matching the positioning part is provided on the heating stage, and the handle extends outward from the heating stage. It also includes a drive assembly, a cooling component, and an auxiliary unloading component. The drive assembly is used to drive the handle to move upward. The cooling component is used to cool the printing plate and the printed product. The auxiliary unloading component is used to drive the printing plate in a tilted state to vibrate or shake. The vision sensor is used to detect whether there is a printed product left on the printing plate. The end of the positioning part is semi-cylindrical. When the driving component drives the handle to rise, the end of the positioning part rotates in the first positioning groove.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, after printing is completed, the drive assembly can drive the handle to move upward, causing the printing plate to rotate and tilt in the first positioning groove with the semi-cylindrical end of the positioning part as the fulcrum. The tilted printing plate is mostly detached from the heating table, which can improve cooling efficiency. At this time, the cooling component further cools the printing plate and the printed product for a period of time, reducing adhesion. Then, the auxiliary unloading component drives the tilted printing plate to vibrate or shake, causing the printed product to detach from the printing plate. At the same time, after the vision sensor detects that there is no product on the printing plate, the cooling component and the auxiliary unloading component stop operating. Then, the drive assembly drives the printing plate to reset and continue to start the next printing. This reduces the idle time of the equipment, effectively improves the continuous printing efficiency, and reduces the cost of manual operation.

[0008] Preferably, the driving assembly includes a driving component, a movable frame, and a top block. The driving component is mounted on the X-axis slide and drives the movable frame to move in the vertical direction. The top block is fixed on the movable frame, and the top of the top block is positioned directly opposite the lifting part.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the driving component can drive the moving frame to raise the top block vertically. The top block accurately pushes the lifting part, providing stable power for the tilting of the printing plate, realizing the automatic switching of the printing plate from a horizontal position to a tilted state without manual lifting, thus improving the automation level of the equipment.

[0010] Preferably, the movable frame is provided with two limiting rods, which are located on both sides of the printing plate. When the drive assembly drives the handle to rise, the top of the limiting rod moves up to the top of the printing plate, and the two ends of the printing plate abut against the two limiting members respectively.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, when the printing plate is tilted, the two limiting rods move up to the top of the printing plate and abut against the printing plate from both sides, which can limit the tilt angle of the printing plate and prevent it from shifting during the tilting process, ultimately ensuring that the printing plate is accurately reset.

[0012] Preferably, the X-axis slide has two vertical grooves along the vertical direction, and two limiting rods are slidably connected to the two vertical grooves along the vertical direction.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the vertical groove provides guidance for the vertical sliding of the limiting rod, ensuring that the limiting rod always moves in a vertical direction during the lifting and lowering process with the moving frame, avoiding the limiting rod from deviating or tilting, and ensuring that its limiting effect on the printing plate is stable and reliable.

[0014] Preferably, the auxiliary feeding component is a vibrator, which is fixedly mounted on the movable frame.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the vibrator is fixed on the top block. When the printing plate is tilted and supported by the top block, the vibrator's vibration head acts on the printing plate, making it easier for the tilted printed product to detach from the printing plate under the vibration, thus improving the success rate of material feeding and reducing product residue.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a receiving box, which is located at the rear of the frame and below the printing plate to receive the printed products. The cooling component is a fan, which is mounted on the receiving box. When the printing plate is raised to an inclined state, the fan faces the printing plate.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the receiving box can receive printed products that fall off the tilted printing plate, avoiding damage caused by direct drop; the fan is set on the receiving box, which can deliver air precisely to the printing plate when it is tilted, accelerate the cooling of the printing plate and the product, further reduce adhesion, facilitate subsequent vibration unloading, and improve cooling efficiency.

[0018] Preferably, the heating platform is embedded with several magnets, and the printing plate can be attracted by the magnets.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the magnet on the heating stage can firmly attract the magnetic printing plate to the heating stage, ensuring the stability of the printing plate during the printing process and preventing the printing plate from shifting due to the movement or vibration of the print head, thus ensuring printing accuracy. At the same time, the magnetic connection makes it easy for the printing plate to be smoothly removed from the heating stage under the action of the drive component or when the plate is manually removed, taking into account both the stability during printing and the convenience of subsequent automated operation.

[0020] The main technical effects of this utility model are reflected in the following aspects: 1. After printing is completed, the drive assembly can drive the handle to move upward, causing the printing plate to rotate and tilt in the first positioning groove with the semi-cylindrical end of the positioning part as the fulcrum. The tilted printing plate is mostly detached from the heating table, which can improve cooling efficiency. At this time, the cooling component further cools the printing plate and the printed product for a period of time, reducing adhesion. Then, the auxiliary unloading component drives the tilted printing plate to vibrate or shake, causing the printed product to detach from the printing plate. At the same time, after the vision sensor detects that there is no product on the printing plate, the cooling component and the auxiliary unloading component stop running. Then, the drive assembly drives the printing plate to reset and continue to start the next printing. This reduces the idle time of the equipment, effectively improves the continuous printing efficiency, and reduces the cost of manual operation. 2. The driving component of this utility model can drive the movable frame to raise the top block vertically. The top block accurately pushes the lifting part, providing stable power for the tilting of the printing plate, realizing the automatic switching of the printing plate from a horizontal position to a tilted state without manual lifting, thus improving the automation level of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the 3D printer in the printing state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembly of the printing plate in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the 3D printer in the feeding state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the printing plate of the 3D printer in the feeding state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Frame; 11. X-axis slide; 111. Vertical groove; 12. YZ-axis slide; 121. Printing nozzle; 2. Heating table; 21. First positioning groove; 22. Second positioning groove; 23. Magnet; 3. Printing plate; 31. Handle; 32. Positioning part; 4. Drive assembly; 41. Electric cylinder; 42. Moving frame; 421. Limiting rod; 43. Top block; 51. Receiving box; 52. Fan; 6. Vibrator. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1-4 This application will be described in further detail to make the technical solution of this application easier to understand and master.

[0027] This application discloses a 3D printer capable of continuous printing.

[0028] Reference Figures 1-4 This embodiment of a continuously printing 3D printer includes a frame 1 and an X-axis slide 11 and a YZ-axis slide 12 slidably mounted on the frame 1. A heating stage 2 is mounted on the X-axis slide 11, and the heating stage 2 contains heating wires. A printing plate 3 is detachably mounted on the heating stage 2. A printing nozzle 121 and a vision sensor are mounted on the YZ-axis slide 12, and the vision sensor moves synchronously with the printing nozzle 121. The YZ-axis slide 12 can drive the printing nozzle 121 and the vision sensor to move along the Y and Z axes, while the X-axis slide 11 can drive the heating stage 2 to move along the X-axis. A handle 31 and a positioning part 32 extend from both ends of the printing plate 3, respectively. The heating stage 2 has a first positioning groove 21 that matches the positioning part 32, and the handle 31 extends outward from the heating stage 2.

[0029] Reference Figures 1-4 It also includes a drive assembly 4, a cooling component and an auxiliary feeding component. The drive assembly 4 is used to drive the handle 31 to move upward. The cooling component is used to cool the printing plate 3 and the printed product. The auxiliary feeding component is used to drive the printing plate 3 in a tilted state to vibrate or shake. The vision sensor is used to detect whether there is a printed product left on the printing plate 3.

[0030] Reference Figures 1-4 The end of the positioning part 32 is semi-cylindrical. When the drive assembly 4 drives the handle 31 to rise, the end of the positioning part 32 rotates within the first positioning groove 21. The heating stage 2 is also provided with two second positioning grooves 22 that match the two right angles of the printing plate 3 near the end of the positioning part 32, which can completely position the printing plate 3.

[0031] Reference Figures 1-4 The entire device is controlled by a PLC controller. Since the equipment matched with the PLC controller is common equipment and belongs to existing mature technology, its electrical connection relationship and specific circuit structure will not be described in detail here. The entire control process is as follows: After printing is completed, the drive component 4 drives the handle 31 to move upward, so that the printing plate 3 rotates in the first positioning groove 21 with the semi-cylindrical end of the positioning part 32 as the fulcrum and is in an inclined state. The inclined printing plate 3 is mostly detached from the heating table 2, which can improve the cooling efficiency. At this time, the cooling component further cools the printing plate 3 and the printed product for a period of time, reducing the adhesion. Then, the auxiliary unloading component drives the inclined printing plate 3 to vibrate or shake, causing the printed product to detach from the printing plate 3. At the same time, after the vision sensor detects that there is no product on the printing plate 3, it transmits a signal to the PLC controller. The PLC controller controls the cooling component and the auxiliary unloading component to stop running. Then, the drive component 4 drives the printing plate 3 to reset and continue to start the next printing. This reduces the idle time of the equipment, effectively improves the continuous printing efficiency, and reduces the manual operation cost.

[0032] Reference Figures 1-4 The drive assembly 4 includes a drive component 1, a movable frame 42 and a top block 43. The drive component 1 is mounted on the X-axis slide table 11 and drives the movable frame 42 to move in the vertical direction. The top block 43 is fixed on the movable frame 42 and the top of the top block 43 is positioned directly opposite the lifting part 31.

[0033] Reference Figures 1-4 The driving component can drive the movable frame 42 to raise the top block 43 vertically. The top block 43 precisely pushes the lifting part 31, providing stable power for the tilting of the printing plate 3, realizing the automatic switching of the printing plate 3 from a horizontal position to a tilted state without manual lifting, thus improving the automation level of the equipment.

[0034] Reference Figures 1-4The drive unit includes two electric cylinders 41, which are fixed to the X-axis slide 11 by screws and angle irons respectively. The two electric cylinders 41 are located on both sides of the X-axis slide 11 and are fixedly connected to both ends of the moving frame 42 by screws.

[0035] Reference Figures 1-4 The movable frame 42 is provided with two limiting rods 421, which are located on both sides of the printing plate 3. When the drive assembly 4 drives the handle 31 to rise, the top of the limiting rod moves up to the top of the printing plate 3, and the two ends of the printing plate 3 abut against the two limiting members respectively.

[0036] Reference Figures 1-4 When the printing plate 3 is tilted, the two limiting rods 421 move up to the top of the printing plate 3 and abut against the printing plate 3 from both sides, which can limit the tilt angle of the printing plate 3 and prevent it from shifting during the tilting process. Ultimately, this is to ensure that the reset position of the printing plate 3 is accurate.

[0037] Reference Figures 1-4 Two vertical slots 111 are formed on the X-axis slide table 11 along the vertical direction, and two limiting rods 421 are slidably connected to the two vertical slots 111 along the vertical direction respectively.

[0038] Reference Figures 1-4 The vertical groove 111 provides guidance for the vertical sliding of the limiting rod 421, ensuring that the limiting rod 421 always moves in a vertical direction during the lifting and lowering process with the moving frame 42, avoiding the limiting rod 421 from deviating or tilting, and ensuring that its limiting effect on the printing plate 3 is stable and reliable.

[0039] Reference Figures 1-4 The auxiliary feeding component is a vibrator 6, which is fixedly mounted on the movable frame 42. The vibrator 6 is fixed on the top block 43. When the printing plate 3 is tilted and supported by the top block 43, the vibrating head of the vibrator 6 acts on the printing plate 3, making it easier for the printed product in the tilted state to detach from the printing plate 3 under the action of vibration, thereby improving the success rate of feeding and reducing product residue.

[0040] Reference Figures 1-4 It also includes a receiving box 51, which is located on the rear side of the frame 1 and below the printing plate 3 to receive the printed products. The cooling component is a fan 52, which is installed on the receiving box 51. When the printing plate 3 is raised to an inclined state, the fan 52 faces the printing plate 3.

[0041] Reference Figures 1-4After printing is completed, the X-axis slide 11 will slide to the limit position towards the rear of the frame 1. At this time, the receiving box 51 can receive the printed products that fall off the tilted printing plate 3, preventing the products from falling directly and causing damage. The fan 52 is set on the receiving box 51, which can accurately blow air to the printing plate 3 when it is tilted, accelerate the cooling of the printing plate 3 and the product, further reduce the adhesion, facilitate subsequent vibration unloading, and improve cooling efficiency.

[0042] Reference Figures 1-4 The heating platform 2 has several magnets 23 embedded in it, and the printing plate 3 contains materials such as iron and steel, which can be attracted by the magnets 23.

[0043] Reference Figures 1-4 The magnet 23 on the heating stage 2 can firmly attach the magnetic printing plate 3 to the heating stage 2, ensuring that the printing plate 3 is stable and fixed during the printing process, and preventing the printing plate 3 from shifting due to the movement or vibration of the print head 121, thus ensuring printing accuracy. At the same time, the magnetic connection makes it easy for the printing plate 3 to be smoothly removed from the heating stage 2 under the action of the drive component 4 or when the plate is manually removed, taking into account both the stability during printing and the convenience of subsequent automated operation.

[0044] Of course, the above are just typical examples of this application. In addition, this application may have many other specific implementation methods. All technical solutions formed by equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

Claims

1. A 3D printer capable of continuous printing, characterized in that: The device includes a frame (1) and an X-axis slide (11) and a YZ-axis slide (12) slidably mounted on the frame (1). The X-axis slide (11) is provided with a heating stage (2), and a printing plate (3) is detachably mounted on the heating stage (2). The YZ-axis slide (12) is provided with a print head (121) and a vision sensor. The printing plate (3) has a handle (31) and a positioning part (32) extending from both ends, respectively. The heating stage (2) is provided with a first positioning groove (21) that matches the positioning part (32). The handle (31) extends out of the outer side of the heating stage (2). It also includes a drive assembly (4), a cooling component and an auxiliary unloading component. The drive assembly (4) is used to drive the handle (31) to move upward. The cooling component is used to cool the printing plate (3) and the printed product. The auxiliary unloading component is used to drive the printing plate (3) in a tilted state to vibrate or shake. The vision sensor is used to detect whether there is a printed product left on the printing plate (3). The end of the positioning part (32) is semi-cylindrical. When the driving component (4) drives the handle (31) to rise, the end of the positioning part (32) rotates in the first positioning groove (21).

2. The 3D printer capable of continuous printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly (4) includes a drive component, a moving frame (42) and a top block (43). The drive component is mounted on the X-axis slide (11) and drives the moving frame (42) to move in the vertical direction. The top block (43) is fixed on the moving frame (42) and the top of the top block (43) is positioned directly opposite the lifting part (31).

3. A continuously printing 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movable frame (42) is provided with two limiting rods (421), which are located on both sides of the printing plate (3). When the driving assembly (4) drives the handle (31) to rise, the top of the limiting rod moves up to the top of the printing plate (3), and the two ends of the printing plate (3) abut against the two limiting members respectively.

4. A continuously printing 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The X-axis slide (11) has two vertical slots (111) along the vertical direction, and two limiting rods (421) are slidably connected to the two vertical slots (111) along the vertical direction respectively.

5. A continuously printing 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary feeding component is a vibrator (6), which is fixedly mounted on the movable frame (42).

6. A continuously printing 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a receiving box (51), which is located on the rear side of the frame (1). The receiving box (51) is located below the printing plate (3) to receive the printed products. The cooling component is a fan (52), which is installed on the receiving box (51). When the printing plate (3) is raised to an inclined state, the fan (52) faces the printing plate (3).

7. A continuously printing 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating platform (2) is embedded with several magnets (23), and the printing plate (3) can be attracted by the magnets (23).

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