A forming platform and manufacturing apparatus for additive manufacturing

Abstract

The utility model relates to additive manufacturing technical field, concretely relates to a kind of forming platform and manufacturing equipment for additive manufacturing, wherein forming platform includes platform body and separating component;The platform body has support surface, and does not occur combination with forming piece;Separating component is detachably configured on the support surface, and the forming piece is positioned.The application adopts the platform body that does not occur metallurgical combination with forming piece, and separating component for positioning forming piece is configured on the platform body, can realize product and platform body lossless, efficient separation, saves subsequent complex separation process, greatly improves separation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to a molding platform and manufacturing equipment for additive manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] Additive manufacturing technologies, particularly those based on directional energy deposition or similar processes, typically require a substrate as the base for product fabrication during the forming process. In this process, molten metal powder is deposited layer by layer onto the substrate, and the molten metal undergoes metallurgical bonding with the substrate surface, thereby achieving the layer-by-layer forming of the product.

[0003] However, while this metallurgical bonding ensures the stability of the molding process and a strong connection between the product and the substrate, it leads to the complexity of subsequent processing. After printing, the product needs to be separated from the substrate by mechanical processing methods such as wire cutting and milling. This separation process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but may also damage the bottom of the product due to improper operation, affecting dimensional accuracy and surface quality. After separation, the interface between the product and the substrate often has uneven metallurgical deposits, which require further finishing processes such as grinding and polishing to ensure the flatness and smoothness of the bottom surface of the product, greatly increasing the production cycle and operating costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a molding platform and manufacturing equipment for additive manufacturing, so as to solve the problem that it is difficult to separate the product from the molding platform in the additive manufacturing process.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is: a molding platform for additive manufacturing, comprising: The platform body has a support surface and is not connected to the molded part. Separable components, detachably configured on the support surface, position the molded part.

[0006] In the projection direction perpendicular to the support surface, the projections of the separating component and the bottom surface of the molded part at least partially overlap.

[0007] Preferably, the separating member has a discontinuous upper end face, including a main body portion and a recessed portion, and the molded part is formed at least above the main body portion.

[0008] Preferably, the molded part is positioned on the separated component by a metallurgical bonding method and has an initial molded surface.

[0009] Preferably, the initial forming surface has the same height as the upper end surface of the main body, and the bottom surface of the formed part is metallurgically bonded to the upper end surface of the main body.

[0010] Preferably, the initial forming surface has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body, and part of the lower end of the forming part is formed in the recessed portion and metallurgically bonded to the main body.

[0011] Preferably, the molded part is positioned on the separated component by mechanical bonding and has an initial molded surface.

[0012] Preferably, the initial molding surface has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body, and a portion of the lower end of the molded part is molded in the recessed portion and has a mechanical bonding force with the main body.

[0013] Preferably, the separating component is constructed as a mesh structure.

[0014] Preferably, the separation component is constructed as a flexible structure and is fixed to the platform body using clamping components.

[0015] Preferably, the molding platform is provided with a positioning cavity, and the clamping member is embedded in the positioning cavity and clamps the separating member.

[0016] Preferably, the positioning cavity is constructed as a connected annular chamber, and the upper surface of the area enclosed by the positioning cavity is constructed as the support surface; the separating member completely covers the support surface, and the separating member extending beyond the support surface is embedded and pressed into the positioning cavity.

[0017] This application also discloses a manufacturing apparatus, including the aforementioned molding platform for additive manufacturing.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are: (1) By adopting a platform body that does not undergo metallurgical bonding with the molded parts, and configuring separation components on the platform body for positioning the molded parts, the product can be separated from the platform body without damage and efficiently, eliminating the need for subsequent complex separation processes and greatly improving separation efficiency.

[0019] (2) The molded part can be positioned by metallurgical bonding with the separation component. Subsequently, it is necessary to separate the molded part by destroying the separation component. At this time, the separation component can be directly cut off from the bottom of the molded part or constructed as part of the molded part.

[0020] (3) The molded part can also be positioned by mechanically combining with the separation component. In this case, the molded part needs to be molded from the recessed part so that a mechanical bonding force is generated between the molded part and the main body. Subsequently, the molded part can be directly peeled off without damaging the separation component. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing equipment for additive manufacturing according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded cross-sectional view of the molding platform described in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the metallurgical bonding between the separating component and the molded part in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the metallurgical bonding process between the separating component and the molded part in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the metallurgical bonding between the linear structure of the main body of the separating component of this utility model and the molded part when the structure is rectangular. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the metallurgical bonding between the separating component and the molded part in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the metallurgical bonding process between the separated component and the molded part in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanical connection between the separating component and the molded part in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the molding platform described in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Among them: 1. Forming chamber; 2. Molding platform; 21. Platform body; 211. Support surface; 212. Positioning cavity; 22. Separation component; 221. Main body; 222. Recessed part; 23. Clamping components; 3. Powder hopper; 31. Powder supply piston; 4. Powder-spreading components; 5. High-energy laser beam; 6. Molded part, 61. Initial molding surface. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments: In the field of additive manufacturing, the core principle of 3D powder-lay printing is layered manufacturing and layer-by-layer stacking. A high-energy laser beam selectively melts the pre-laid thin layer of metal powder to ultimately form a shaped part (a three-dimensional solid part).

[0024] Combination Figure 1As shown, the manufacturing equipment used for additive manufacturing mainly includes a molding chamber 1, a molding platform 2 (also called a substrate), a powder hopper 3, a powder spreading component 4, and a high-energy laser beam 5.

[0025] In the working scenario, the forming platform 2 descends within the forming chamber 1 by a layer thickness (typically 20-100 μm), while the powder supply piston 31 in the powder hopper rises to a certain height, pushing out the powder. The powder spreading component 4 evenly spreads the powder pushed out from the upper end of the powder hopper 3 onto the forming platform 2, forming a thin and flat powder layer. The powder spreading height of the powder spreading component 4 remains constant. Figure 1 The corresponding P-plane is then irradiated by a high-energy laser beam 5, which selectively strikes the powder layer above the forming platform 2. The metal powder is instantly heated to complete melting and fusion, forming a metallurgical bond with the already solidified lower layer. Areas not scanned by the laser remain loose powder. This process is repeated until the entire molded part is manufactured.

[0026] It is important to clarify that in traditional additive manufacturing, the forming platform 2 (also known as the substrate) needs to be able to metallurgically bond with the formed part 6. Since the first layer of powder is directly laid on the substrate, a dense solid is formed through the bonding between the two, ensuring the dimensional accuracy and geometry of the part. This means that after the formed part 6 is printed, the two need to be separated in a subsequent cutting process. This separation process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but may also damage the bottom of the product due to improper operation, affecting dimensional accuracy and surface quality. After separation, the interface between the product and the substrate often has uneven metallurgical deposits, which need to be further processed through finishing processes such as grinding and polishing. When the ground substrate is reused, its initial position in the Z-axis direction needs to be recalibrated, which may even introduce errors, posing challenges to the printing accuracy.

[0027] This application addresses the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a novel molding platform 2 for additive manufacturing, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, it includes the platform body 21 and the separation component 22.

[0028] The platform body 21 mainly serves as a support, thus having a support surface 211, and does not bond with the molded part 6. This bonding is generally a metallurgical bonding, that is, the platform body 21 is made of a material that does not have a metallurgical bonding with the molded part 6, so the molded part 6 can be directly separated from the platform body 21 without process disassembly; the molded part 6 is the three-dimensional solid part that is finally printed.

[0029] The detachable component 22 is detachably configured on the support surface 211 to position the molding part 6; then after printing, the molding part 6 and the detachable component 22 can be directly separated without disassembling or damaging the platform body 21.

[0030] In this embodiment, in the projection direction perpendicular to the support surface 211, the projections of the separating member 22 and the bottom surface of the molded part 6 at least partially overlap, thereby enabling the separating member 22 to position the molded part 6. Structurally, this can be manifested as the separating member 22 having a discontinuous upper end surface, including a main body portion 221 and a recessed portion 222.

[0031] For example, the separating member 22 can adopt a mesh structure, the solid part of the mesh structure can be defined as the main body 221, and the mesh holes between the mesh structures can be defined as the recesses 222. Furthermore, in the projection direction perpendicular to the support surface 211, the projection of the bottom surface of the molded part 6 coincides with the projection of the main body 221, but due to the presence of the recesses 222, the projections of the two do not completely coincide.

[0032] The separation member 22 configured in this application ensures that the molded part 6 is formed at least above the main body 221; and the connection between the molded part 6 and the separation member 22 is mainly determined by the material selection of the separation member 22 and the height of the initial molding surface 61.

[0033] In one embodiment, the molded part 6 is positioned on the separation member 22 in a metallurgical bonding manner, that is, the separation member 22 is made of the same material as the molded part 6, or other materials that can be metallurgically bonded.

[0034] After the printing process begins, such as Figure 3 As shown, the support surface 211 is set to have a height a, the molded part 6 has an initial molding surface 61, the initial molding surface 61 has the same height as the upper end surface of the main body 221, that is, the corresponding height b, the distance difference h1 between height a and height b is the thickness of the separation member 22 / main body 221, at this time the bottom surface of the molded part 6 and the upper end surface of the main body 221 are metallurgically bonded.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the molding methods are mainly as follows: a. The molding platform 2 is initially reset. In the initial state, the upper end face of the separation component 22 has the same height as the powder-spreading surface (P surface); b. The forming platform 2 moves down to the distance corresponding to the single-layer printing thickness (generally 20-100 μm) and completes the powder spreading. At this time, the powder fills the recessed part 222 and the space above the separation component 22 corresponding to the single-layer printing thickness. c. A high-energy laser selectively melts the powder layer and forms the first layer structure of the molded part 6. The corresponding initial molding surface 61 has the same height as the upper surface of the main body 221 and is bonded to the main body 221.

[0036] Since the main body 221 has a mesh structure, it can be composed of several interlaced lines; in the above embodiment, in Figure 3 , Figure 4 The cross-section of the wire shown is circular. Theoretically, the part where the metallurgical bond is formed between the molded part 6 and the wire is linear. When finally separating the main body 221 from the molded part 6, the main body 221 can be removed by applying external force to directly destroy it, and then the lower end face of the molded part 6 can be polished. Of course, the main body 221 and the molded part 6 can also be separated by cutting (e.g., wire cutting).

[0037] For example, the cross-section of the line can also be constructed in other shapes, such as Figure 5 The rectangular structure shown here forms a surface at the metallurgical joint between the molded part 6 and the line body, which has a greater bonding force. If the separation component 22 is directly and destructively removed by applying external force, the molded part 6 can easily be damaged. Therefore, the main body 221 and the molded part 6 are usually separated by cutting.

[0038] In another embodiment, the molded part 6 is also positioned on the separating member 22 based on a metallurgical bonding method, but has a different initial molding surface 61 height than in the above embodiment. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the initial molding surface 61 has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body 221, and the lower end of part 6 is molded in the recessed portion 222 and is metallurgically bonded to the main body 221.

[0039] Specifically, the support surface 211 is set to have a height a, the upper surface of the main body 221 has a height b, and the molded part 6 has an initial molding surface 61. The initial molding surface 61 has a height lower than the upper surface of the main body 221, i.e., the corresponding height c. At this time, the part where the bottom surface of the molded part 6 and the main body 221 are metallurgically bonded changes from a theoretical linear shape to a planar shape.

[0040] like Figure 7 As shown, the specific molding methods are mainly as follows: a. The molding platform 2 is initially reset. In the initial state, the upper end face of the separation component 22 has the same height as the powder-spreading surface (P surface); b. Due to the presence of the recess 222, the powder spreading component 4 directly opens the powder spreading function, allowing the powder to fill the recess 222. c. A high-energy laser selectively melts the powder layer and forms the first layer structure of the molded part 6. The corresponding initial molding surface 61 has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body 221 and is bonded to the main body 221.

[0041] At this point, since the metallurgically bonded part has a planar structure and a large bonding force, directly removing the separation component 22 may damage the molded part 6. Therefore, the molded part 6 is generally separated from the separation component 22 by cutting. The cutting position can be selected as follows: First, the cutting position is defined at the height c. At this time, the main body 221 is part of the molded part 6, so the main body 221 needs to be made of the same material as the molded part 6. Second, the cutting position is defined at the height b or above the height b. At this time, the molded part 6 is completely separated from the main body 221. Therefore, the initial molding surface 61 cannot be defined as the bottom surface of the molded part 6. The distance between the initial molding surface 61 and the top of the molded part 6 needs to be greater than the height of the molded part 6 itself, and a cutting allowance needs to be left for the subsequent process.

[0042] The above embodiments disclose that the molded part 6 and the separating component 22 are positioned by metallurgical bonding, which can ensure the processing accuracy of layer-by-layer printing and achieve non-destructive and efficient separation from the platform body 21. Due to the strength of the bonding, this method is generally suitable for miniaturized three-dimensional solid parts. For even smaller three-dimensional solid parts, the molded part 6 and the separating component 22 may not be metallurgically bonded. That is, the molded part 6 can be positioned on the separating component 22 by mechanical bonding and has an initial molding surface 61.

[0043] Specifically, the initial molding surface 61 has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body 221, and the lower end of part 6 is molded in the recess 222 and has a mechanical bonding force with the main body 221.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, the support surface 211 is set to have a height a, the upper surface of the main body 221 has a height b, the molded part 6 has an initial molding surface 61, the initial molding surface 61 has a height lower than the upper surface of the main body 221, that is, the corresponding height c. At this time, a mechanical bonding force is formed between the molded part 6 and the main body 221 between the height b and the height c, which is used to position the molded part 6 on the separation member 22.

[0045] After printing, external force can be applied to peel the molded part 6 directly from the separation component 22. This peeling action has little destructive force on the separation component 22, but it may disturb the size of the recess 222. Since the precision requirements in the 3D printing process are very high, the disturbed lines will affect the printing accuracy. Therefore, the separation component 22 needs to be replaced before each printing.

[0046] In this application, a platform body 21 that does not undergo metallurgical bonding with the molded part 6 is adopted, and a separation component 22 for positioning the molded part 6 is configured on the platform body 21. This eliminates the need for the separation process between the molded part 6 and the platform body 21. The final three-dimensional solid part can be obtained by quickly separating the molded part 6 and the separation component 22. Since the platform body 21 is located inside the manufacturing equipment, it is particularly important to design the separation component 22 and the platform body 21 as a structure that can be quickly separated.

[0047] The molded part 6 can be positioned with the separating component 22 either by metallurgical bonding or by mechanical bonding. The former requires separating the molded part 6 by destroying the separating component 22. In this case, the separating component 22 can be directly cut off from the bottom of the molded part 6 or constructed as part of the molded part 6. The latter requires molding from within the recess 222 to create a mechanical bonding force between the molded part and the main body 221. Subsequently, the molded part 6 can be directly peeled off without damaging the separating component 22. However, if the separating component 22 is disturbed, it must be replaced before each processing to ensure processing accuracy.

[0048] As a further supplement, in the above embodiments, the disclosed separating member 22 has a discontinuous upper surface, and thus has a main body 221 and a recessed portion 222. In practical applications, the mesh structure conforms to the above characteristics. Theoretically, the separating member 22 can also be a thin plate-like solid structure that can metallurgically bond with the molded part. After the molded part is processed, the molded part can be obtained by cutting the thin plate. However, due to the working characteristics of additive manufacturing, there will be internal stress in the molded part. If the molded part is directly formed on the solid thin plate, its internal stress will cause the edge of the thin plate to warp, thereby releasing the stress. However, forming the molded part on a mesh structure, generally a fine metal mesh, has elasticity and flexibility. During the printing process, it can undergo small, localized deformations to offset some of the internal stress and achieve deformation compensation.

[0049] In this embodiment, based on the design of the mesh structure of the separation component 22, since it can be presented as a flexible structure and has the ability to be bent and deformed, it can be fixed to the platform body 21 by the clamping component 23.

[0050] The forming platform 2 is equipped with a positioning cavity 212. Since the separation component 22 is deformable, the clamping component 23 can be embedded in the positioning cavity 212 to clamp the separation component 22.

[0051] Specifically, in combination Figure 2As shown, the platform body 21 has a flat cylindrical structure with a recessed stepped surface on its upper end. The positioning cavity 212 is a connected annular chamber, and the upper end of the area enclosed by the positioning cavity 212 forms a support surface 211. The separating member 22 completely covers and supports the support surface 211, extending beyond the support surface 211 and embedded and pressed within the positioning cavity 212. The clamping member 23 can be bolted to the platform body 21. After the molding part 6 is processed, the bolts can be removed to remove the separating member 22 along with the molding part 6.

[0052] However, it should be noted that, in order to ensure effective powder spreading after initial resetting during the additive manufacturing process, the upper surface of the separation component 22 should be at the highest point of the entire forming platform 2, so as to avoid other structures protruding from the upper surface of the separation component 22 from affecting the powder spreading process.

[0053] Furthermore in Figure 2 In the corresponding implementation, a positioning cavity 212 needs to be opened when fixing the separation component 22, and the upper end face of the bolt used for locking should not be higher than the upper end face of the separation component 22.

[0054] Therefore, in the assembled state, the height of the upper surface of the clamping member 23 can be lower than the height of the support surface 211, providing sufficient space for the bolt layout.

[0055] Of course, in other embodiments, the separation component 22 can also be fixed to the platform body 21 in other ways, for example... Figure 9 As shown, a ring-shaped clamping member 23 is fitted onto the outer wall of the platform body 21, thereby pressing the separation member 22, which extends beyond the support surface 211, between the outer wall of the platform body 21 and the inner wall of the clamping member 23, while the locking bolt can pass through the side wall of the clamping member 23.

[0056] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that this utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within this utility model.

Claims

1. A molding platform for additive manufacturing, characterized in that, include: The platform body has a support surface and is not connected to the molded part. Separable components, detachably configured on the support surface, position the molded part; In the projection direction perpendicular to the support surface, the projections of the separating component and the bottom surface of the molded part at least partially overlap.

2. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separating member has a discontinuous upper end face, including a main body and a recessed portion, and the molded part is formed at least above the main body.

3. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The molded part is positioned on the separated component by a metallurgical bonding method and has an initial molded surface.

4. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The initial forming surface has the same height as the upper surface of the main body, and the bottom surface of the formed part is metallurgically bonded to the upper surface of the main body.

5. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The initial forming surface has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body, and part of the lower end of the forming part is formed in the recessed portion and is metallurgically bonded to the main body.

6. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The molded part is positioned on the separated component by mechanical bonding and has an initial molded surface.

7. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The initial molding surface has a height lower than the upper end surface of the main body, and part of the lower end of the molding part is molded in the recessed portion and has a mechanical bonding force with the main body.

8. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separating component is constructed as a mesh structure.

9. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The separation component is constructed as a flexible structure and is fixed to the platform body using clamping components.

10. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 9, characterized in that: The molding platform is provided with a positioning cavity, and the clamping member is embedded in the positioning cavity and clamps the separation member.

11. A molding platform for additive manufacturing according to claim 10, characterized in that: The positioning cavity is constructed as a connected annular chamber, and the upper surface of the area enclosed by the positioning cavity is constructed as the support surface; the separating member completely covers the support surface, and the separating member extending beyond the support surface is embedded and pressed into the positioning cavity.

12. A manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that: Includes the molding platform for additive manufacturing as described in any one of claims 1-11.

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