A metal additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of metal additive manufacturing devices, belong to metal additive manufacturing technical field, including printer body, the side of printer body is equipped with support column, support column top is equipped with material storage cylinder, material storage cylinder top is equipped with support plate, support plate top is equipped with driving motor by support frame, and driving motor output shaft is equipped with spiral stirring rod that rotates and connects in material storage cylinder inner bottom, material storage cylinder inner bottom is equipped with discharge port, and discharge port inside is equipped with discharge pipe, and discharge pipe is connected by being threaded through support column and the feeding portion of printer body, material storage cylinder inside is equipped with sealing assembly, by the sealing assembly of being set, reach the effect that discharge port is sealed, to control the closure of discharge port, so that the metal powder after stirring is evenly discharged into the feeding portion of printer body, powder bed melting powder roller can obtain uniform thickness powder layer, and powder feeding nozzle of directional energy deposition cannot cause powder supply to be more or less to lead to molten pool volume fluctuation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of metal additive manufacturing technology, specifically to a metal additive manufacturing device. Background Technology

[0002] Metal additive manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing technology based on the discrete-stacking principle, which directly manufactures solid parts by layering metal materials. Commonly known as metal 3D printing, a metal additive manufacturing device, such as the one described in announcement number CN221209887U, includes: a powder sieving device, a connecting mechanism, and a collecting and conveying device. The powder sieving device is placed on the connecting mechanism, and the width of the upper sides of the connecting mechanism is equal to the maximum width of the powder sieving device, restricting the powder sieving device to slide back and forth on the upper part of the connecting mechanism. A driving device is provided at the front end of the connecting mechanism, and the driving device is fixed to the front end of the powder sieving device. The collecting and conveying device is located below the connecting mechanism, and a funnel tube for discharging material is provided at the top of the collecting and conveying device. The active area of ​​the powder sieving device is within the range of the top of the funnel tube, ensuring that the metal powder sieved by the powder sieving device can fall into the funnel tube. The material feeding speed is fast, cleaning is convenient, and it has a certain storage capacity.

[0003] Although the above-mentioned technology has a fast material feeding speed, it has the problem of uneven feeding. When the feeding is uneven, the powder bed melting process may result in local powder layers that are too thin and cannot be completely covered by laser scanning, forming unfused pores. In some areas, the powder accumulates too thickly, and the high-energy beam energy is excessively absorbed, causing overheating, spheroidization effect that destroys the interlayer metallurgical bond, and also causing the part dimensions to be out of tolerance. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a metal additive manufacturing apparatus to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that current metal additive manufacturing apparatuses on the market cannot uniformly feed materials.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a metal additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising a printer body, a support column mounted on one side of the printer body, a material storage cylinder mounted on the top of the support column, a support plate mounted on the top of the material storage cylinder, a drive motor mounted on the top of the support plate via a support frame, and the output shaft of the drive motor passing through the support plate and having a spiral stirring rod rotatably connected to the bottom of the material storage cylinder, a feed inlet on one side of the material storage cylinder, sliding plates slidably connected to both ends of the inner side of the material storage cylinder, and a first baffle between the two sliding plates, a discharge port at the bottom of the material storage cylinder, a discharge pipe inside the discharge port, and the discharge pipe passing through the support column and connecting to the feed part of the printer body, a moving component on the top of the support plate for moving the first baffle, and a sealing component inside the material storage cylinder for sealing the discharge port.

[0006] Preferably, the moving component includes two slide bars that are slidably connected to the top ends of the support plate, each slide bar having a first rack at its top, and the output shaft of the drive motor having half gears that mesh with the two first racks respectively. The two ends of the two first racks are connected by a connecting strip, and one end of one connecting strip has a second rack.

[0007] Preferably, both ends of the inner side of the storage cylinder are provided with fixing plates, and a threaded rod is provided between the two fixing plates. One end of the first baffle is provided with a slider that is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The top of the threaded rod is provided with a movable column, and the top of the movable column is provided with a rotating gear that meshes with a second rack.

[0008] Preferably, the sealing assembly includes a second baffle that is slidably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder. Hollow blocks are provided at both ends of the bottom of the storage cylinder, and sliding rods connected to both sides of the second baffle are slidably connected inside the two hollow blocks respectively.

[0009] Preferably, a rotating column is rotatably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder, a swinging component is provided on the outer surface of the rotating column, a protrusion is provided at one end of the lower part of the spiral stirring rod, and teeth that mesh with each other are provided on one side of the swinging component and one side of the slide rod.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the storage cylinder is further provided with a hollow column, and a sliding column connected to a second baffle is slidably connected inside the hollow column, and a tension spring is provided between one end of the sliding column and the inside of the hollow column.

[0011] Preferably, the shape and specifications of the first baffle and the feed inlet are compatible, and the first baffle and the inner wall of the storage cylinder are in close contact with each other.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The drive motor is started, which rotates the spiral stirring rod to achieve the effect of stirring the metal powder inside the storage cylinder. The metal powder is prone to agglomeration due to static electricity and van der Waals forces. The shearing force of the spiral blades of the spiral stirring rod can break the agglomerates into individual particles, so that the powder flowability index meets the requirements of additive manufacturing.

[0013] The moving component drives the first baffle to move up and down, which controls the closure of the feed inlet, allowing metal powder to be added evenly into the storage cylinder. This ensures a stable powder level in the storage cylinder and keeps the spiral stirring rod working in optimal condition. It also prevents uneven mixing due to excessive feeding or the inability to break up agglomerates due to insufficient feeding.

[0014] By setting a sealing component, the discharge port is sealed, thereby controlling the closure of the discharge port and ensuring that the stirred metal powder is evenly discharged into the feed section of the printer body. The powder spreading roller that melts the powder bed can obtain a powder layer of uniform thickness. The powder feeding nozzle with directional energy deposition will not cause fluctuations in the volume of the molten pool due to inconsistent powder supply, thus avoiding defects such as bulging, dents or lack of fusion in the formed parts. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rear view structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the storage cylinder of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the material storage cylinder of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the material storage cylinder of this utility model; Figure 6 This utility model Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A; Figure 7 This utility model Figure 4 A magnified structural diagram at point B in the middle.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Printer body; 2. Support column; 3. Material storage cylinder; 4. Support plate; 5. Spiral stirring rod; 6. Sliding bar; 7. First rack; 8. Second rack; 9. Rotating gear; 10. Slide plate; 11. First baffle; 12. Threaded rod; 13. Discharge pipe; 14. Second baffle; 15. Hollow block; 16. Sliding rod; 17. Hollow column; 18. Sliding column; 19. Rotating column; 20. Swinging component; 21. Protrusion; 22. Half gear. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] This utility model provides the following technical solution: a metal additive manufacturing apparatus: Example 1: To solve the problem of uneven material feeding in existing metal additive manufacturing devices, the following is disclosed: a printer body 1, a support column 2 installed on one side of the printer body 1, and a material storage cylinder 3 (e.g., ...) installed on the top of the support column 2. Figures 1-4As shown), the top of the storage cylinder 3 is equipped with a support plate 4. A drive motor is mounted on the top of the support plate 4 via a support frame. The output shaft of the drive motor passes through the support plate 4 and is rotatably connected to a spiral stirring rod 5 at the bottom of the storage cylinder 3. A feed inlet is provided on one side of the storage cylinder 3 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 As shown), both ends of the inner side of the storage cylinder 3 are slidably connected to sliding plates 10, and a first baffle 11 is provided between the two sliding plates 10. A discharge port is provided at the bottom of the storage cylinder 3 (as shown). Figure 5 As shown), the discharge port is equipped with a discharge pipe 13, which passes through the support column 2 and connects to the feed section of the printer body 1. The storage cylinder 3 is equipped with a sealing assembly for sealing the discharge port. The sealing assembly includes a second baffle 14 slidably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder 3. Hollow blocks 15 are provided at both ends of the bottom of the storage cylinder 3 (as shown). Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown), two hollow blocks 15 are respectively slidably connected to sliding rods 16 connected to both sides of the second baffle 14. A rotating column 19 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder 3. A swinging element 20 is provided on the outer surface of the rotating column 19. A protrusion 21 is provided at one end of the lower part of the spiral stirring rod 5 (as shown). Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown), one side of the swing member 20 and one side of the slide bar 16 have teeth that mesh with each other. The bottom of the storage cylinder 3 is also provided with a hollow column 17. The hollow column 17 is slidably connected to a sliding column 18 connected to the second baffle 14. A tension spring is provided between one end of the sliding column 18 and the interior of the hollow column 17.

[0019] By connecting a metal powder conveying device to the inlet, the metal powder enters the storage cylinder 3 through the inlet. Then, the drive motor is started, causing the spiral stirring rod 5 to rotate, thereby stirring the metal powder inside the storage cylinder 3. As the spiral stirring rod 5 rotates, it also drives the protrusion 21 to rotate (e.g., ...). Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown), when the protrusion 21 contacts the oscillating member 20, it will cause the oscillating member 20 to rotate around the rotating column 19 as the rotation point (as shown). Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown), then under the action of the tooth tip, the slide bar 16 slides inside the hollow block 15, thereby moving the second baffle 14 away from the discharge port, and then the metal powder will enter the discharge pipe 13 (as shown). Figures 1-4 and Figure 7As shown), it finally enters the feeding section of the printer body 1. Subsequently, the printer body 1 performs metal additive manufacturing. When the second baffle 14 moves, it also drives the sliding column 18 to move inside the hollow column 17, and drives the tension spring. When the protrusion 21 moves away from the swinging member 20, the sliding column 18 will be reset under the action of the tension spring, thereby driving the second baffle 14 to reset and sealing the discharge port (as shown). Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown in the figure, this achieves uniform material discharge.

[0020] Example 2: Unlike Example 1, the movable component can drive the first baffle 11 to move. It is disclosed that: the top of the support plate 4 is provided with a movable component that drives the first baffle 11 to move. The movable component includes two slide bars 6 respectively slidably connected to both ends of the top of the support plate 4. Each slide bar 6 has a first rack 7 (e.g., ...) at its top. Figures 1-4 and Figure 6 As shown), the output shaft of the drive motor is provided with half gears 22 that mesh with the two first racks 7 respectively. The two ends of the two first racks 7 are connected by a connecting strip, and one end of the connecting strip is provided with a second rack 8. Both ends of the inner side of the storage cylinder 3 are provided with fixing plates, and a threaded rod 12 is provided between the two fixing plates (as shown). Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown), one end of the first baffle 11 is provided with a slider that is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 12. The top of the threaded rod 12 is provided with a movable column, and the top of the movable column is provided with a rotating gear 9 that meshes with the second rack 8. The shape and specifications of the first baffle 11 are adapted to the feed inlet, and the first baffle 11 and the inner wall of the storage cylinder 3 are in close contact with each other (as shown). Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 (As shown).

[0021] When the drive motor starts, it will also drive the half gear 22 to rotate (e.g. Figures 1-4 and Figure 6 As shown), when the half gear 22 meshes with the first rack 7 on the left, it drives the second rack 8 to move laterally in the forward direction, thereby driving the rotating gear 9 to rotate forward. Subsequently, under the action of the movable column, it drives the threaded rod 12 to rotate forward, thereby driving the first baffle 11 to slide on the inside of the storage cylinder 3 via the sliding plate 10, so that the metal powder can enter the storage cylinder 3 through the feed inlet. When the half gear 22 meshes with the first rack 7 on the right, it drives the second rack 8 to move laterally in the reverse direction, thereby driving the first baffle 11 to reset and sealing the feed inlet (as shown). Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown), this ensures that the metal powder can enter the storage cylinder 3 uniformly. The first baffle 11 is shaped and its specifications are compatible with the inlet, and the first baffle 11 fits snugly against the inner wall of the storage cylinder 3, improving the sealing effect of the inlet (e.g., ...). Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 (As shown).

[0022] The above is the entire working process of the device, and all contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0023] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. 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 metal additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising a printer body (1), a support column (2) mounted on one side of the printer body (1), and a material storage cylinder (3) mounted on the top of the support column (2). Its features are: The top of the storage cylinder (3) is provided with a support plate (4). The top of the support plate (4) is equipped with a drive motor through a support frame. The output shaft of the drive motor passes through the support plate (4) and is provided with a spiral stirring rod (5) rotatably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder (3). A feed port is opened on one side of the storage cylinder (3). Both ends of the inner side of the storage cylinder (3) are slidably connected with a sliding plate (10). A first baffle (11) is provided between the two sliding plates (10). A discharge port is opened at the bottom of the storage cylinder (3). A discharge pipe (13) is provided inside the discharge port. The discharge pipe (13) passes through the support column (2) and is connected to the feed part of the printer body (1). A moving component is provided on the top of the support plate (4) to drive the first baffle (11) to move. A sealing component is provided inside the storage cylinder (3) to seal the discharge port.

2. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving component includes two slide bars (6) that are slidably connected to the top ends of the support plate (4). The top of each slide bar (6) is provided with a first rack (7). The output shaft of the drive motor is provided with half gears (22) that mesh with the two first racks (7). The two ends of the two first racks (7) are connected by a connecting strip, and one end of the connecting strip is provided with a second rack (8).

3. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both ends of the inner side of the storage cylinder (3) are provided with fixed plates, and a threaded rod (12) is provided between the two fixed plates. One end of the first baffle (11) is provided with a slider that is threadedly connected to the threaded rod (12). The top of the threaded rod (12) is provided with a movable column, and the top of the movable column is provided with a rotating gear (9) that meshes with the second rack (8).

4. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing assembly includes a second baffle (14) slidably connected to the bottom of the storage cylinder (3). Hollow blocks (15) are provided at both ends of the bottom of the storage cylinder (3). Slide rods (16) connected to the two sides of the second baffle (14) are slidably connected inside the two hollow blocks (15).

5. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the storage cylinder (3) is rotatably connected to a rotating column (19). The outer surface of the rotating column (19) is provided with a swinging element (20). One end of the lower part of the spiral stirring rod (5) is provided with a protrusion (21). One side of the swinging element (20) and one side of the slide rod (16) have teeth that mesh with each other.

6. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the storage cylinder (3) is also provided with a hollow column (17), and a sliding column (18) connected to the second baffle (14) is slidably connected inside the hollow column (17), and a tension spring is provided between one end of the sliding column (18) and the inside of the hollow column (17).

7. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape and specifications of the first baffle (11) are compatible with those of the feed inlet, and the first baffle (11) and the inner wall of the storage cylinder (3) are in close contact with each other.

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