A multi-stage powder falling multi-stage roller powder mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a multistage powder falling multistage roller powder mechanism relates to 3D printing technical field, and this mechanism includes setting on the horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism of 3D printing equipment and the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism of at least three powder falling mechanisms of linear array setting, is provided with the elevating system between two adjacent powder falling mechanisms, and the execution end of arbitrary elevating system is provided with the powder roller that can autorotation, the powder roller compacts the powder layer on the workbench of 3D printing equipment, and the powder falling mechanism can make the powder fall on the powder layer. The powder roller can realize reciprocating motion powder spreading under the drive of horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism. After the maximum powder amount of each stage powder roller is calibrated, if the powder falling mechanism needs to fall powder to supplement the powder in the powder spreading process, the powder falling amount of each stage powder falling mechanism is adjusted to make it not exceed the calibration amount, and through multistage powder falling + powder spreading, the density of the green body can be improved to the maximum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and more specifically, to a multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing technology (additive manufacturing technology) is an advanced manufacturing process that uses a three-dimensional digital model as a basis to build a three-dimensional solid by stacking materials layer by layer. Among the many branches of 3D printing technology, binder jet 3D printing technology is considered one of the technologies capable of achieving industrial mass production due to its advantages such as low cost and high efficiency. In the binder jet 3D printing process, a powder layer with a thickness of 5-200μm is uniformly laid in the forming chamber, and then binder is jetted into a preset area through a micron-level precision nozzle. Complex structural parts are formed without molds through layer-by-layer bonding and curing. After curing at 200℃, a green part with a certain strength is formed. After high-temperature debinding and sintering, the part is formed. In this process, the density of the green part is generally around 40%~60%, and the density of the sintered metal parts is about 96~99%.

[0003] In binder jet 3D printing technology, the powder spreader's rollers rotate at high speed, leveling and compacting the powder, thus affecting the density of the green body. During printing, once the layer thickness is determined, increasing the density of the green body requires increasing the amount of powder compacted by the spreader rollers each time. The dynamic balance between the spreader rollers and the amount of powder is one of the core factors affecting powder bed quality and forming accuracy. When the amount of powder exceeds a certain limit, it triggers a series of chain reactions, ultimately leading to surface damage of the powder layer or even part failure.

[0004] Currently, most adhesive jet 3D printers use a single-stage powder dispensing system plus a single-stage powder spreading roller, which results in a low upper limit for the amount of powder in a single layer, preventing the green body from achieving a higher level of density. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a multi-stage powder dropping and multi-stage roller powder mechanism.

[0006] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: A multi-stage powder-discharging and multi-stage roller powder mechanism includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism disposed on a 3D printing equipment and at least three powder-discharging mechanisms arranged in a linear array at the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism. A lifting mechanism is provided between two adjacent powder-discharging mechanisms, and a self-rotating powder-spreading roller is provided at the execution end of any of the lifting mechanisms. When the powder-spreading roller presses the powder layer on the worktable of the 3D printing equipment, the powder-discharging mechanism can make the powder fall onto the powder layer.

[0007] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism is a screw and nut mechanism, with a top plate provided on the nut, and the three aforementioned powder dropping mechanisms and the two sets of the aforementioned lifting mechanisms are all provided on the aforementioned top plate.

[0008] Furthermore, in this utility model, any of the above-mentioned lifting mechanisms is a hydraulic rod installed on the top plate, the extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod is not parallel to the movement direction of the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism, and the powder spreading roller is rotatably connected to the execution end of the hydraulic rod.

[0009] Furthermore, in this utility model, the actuator end of the hydraulic rod is provided with a connecting frame, and the powder spreading roller is rotatably connected to the connecting frame.

[0010] Furthermore, in this utility model, any of the above-mentioned powder dispensing mechanisms includes a powder dispensing bin disposed on the top plate, and a powder dispensing straight groove is provided at the bottom of any of the above-mentioned powder dispensing bins.

[0011] Furthermore, in this invention, the extension direction of any of the powder-feeding straight grooves is parallel to the central axis of any of the powder-spreading rollers, and the central axis of any of the powder-spreading rollers is parallel to the table surface of the 3D printing equipment.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention provides a multi-stage powder-discharging and multi-stage roller powder-spreading mechanism. The powder-spreading roller can achieve reciprocating motion for powder spreading under the drive of a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism. After calibrating the maximum allowable powder amount for each stage of the powder-spreading roller, if the powder-discharging mechanism needs to discharge powder to supplement powder during the powder spreading process, the powder discharging amount of each stage of the powder-discharging mechanism is adjusted to ensure that it does not exceed the calibrated amount. Through multi-stage powder discharging and spreading, the density of the green body can be maximized. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the powder-discharging mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] In the diagram: 101-Horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism; 201-Powder dropping mechanism; 301-Lifting mechanism; 401-Powder spreading roller; 501-Workbench; 601-Top plate; 701-Connecting frame. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0016] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model provides a technical solution: A multi-stage powder-discharging and multi-stage roller powder mechanism includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101 installed on a 3D printing equipment and at least three powder-discharging mechanisms 201 arranged in a linear array on the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101. A lifting mechanism 301 is installed between two adjacent powder-discharging mechanisms 201. A self-rotating powder-spreading roller 401 is installed on the execution end of any lifting mechanism 301. When the powder-spreading roller 401 presses the powder layer on the worktable 501 of the 3D printing equipment, the powder-discharging mechanism 201 can make the powder fall onto the powder layer.

[0017] To facilitate the reciprocating powder spreading of the powder spreading roller 401, the horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism 101 in this embodiment adopts a screw and nut mechanism. To facilitate the installation of the powder dropping mechanism 201 and the lifting mechanism 301, a top plate 601 is mounted on the nut of the screw and nut mechanism, and all three powder dropping mechanisms 201 and two sets of lifting mechanisms 301 are mounted on the top plate 601. In other embodiments of this embodiment, the horizontal reciprocating movement mechanism 101 may be replaced by other mechanisms capable of linear reciprocating movement, such as a linear motor.

[0018] Preferably, in this embodiment, any lifting mechanism 301 is a hydraulic rod mounted on the top plate 601. The extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod is not parallel to the movement direction of the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism 101, and the powder spreading roller 401 is rotatably connected to the execution end of the hydraulic rod. Figure 1 From the perspective of the top plate 601, the movement direction is horizontal, and the extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod is vertical.

[0019] To facilitate the installation of the powder spreading roller 401, a connecting frame 701 with a U-shaped structure is specially installed at the actuating end of the hydraulic rod in this embodiment. Both ends of the powder spreading roller 401 are rotatably connected to the connecting frame 701.

[0020] In this embodiment, the arbitrary powder dispensing mechanism 201 includes a powder dispensing bin installed on the top plate 601. The powder dispensing bin is used to store powder, and a powder dispensing chute (not shown in the figure) is opened at the bottom of the arbitrary powder dispensing bin. When powder needs to be dispensed, the powder can fall from the powder dispensing chute onto the powder layer on the worktable 501.

[0021] In order to enable the powder spreading roller 401 to rotate during the compaction process, one end of the powder spreading roller 401 can be connected to a motor.

[0022] Preferably, in this embodiment, after each mechanism is installed, the extension direction of any powder-feeding straight groove is parallel to the central axis of any powder-spreading roller 401, and the central axis of any powder-spreading roller 401 is parallel to the table surface of the worktable 501 of the 3D printing equipment.

[0023] Working principle: After the powder-feeding mechanism 201 spreads the powder onto the workbench 501, it determines the height of the powder-spreading roller 401 and the powder-spreading thickness according to the compaction density requirements. Then, it operates the lifting mechanism 301 to keep the powder-spreading roller 401 at the appropriate height. Once the powder is spread, compaction can begin. If additional powder is needed during compaction, the height of the powder-spreading roller 401 remains constant. The powder-feeding mechanism 201 then delivers a certain amount of powder onto the powder layer, and the powder-spreading roller 401 compacts it. When compacting the powder layer, one powder-spreading roller 401 can be kept out of contact with the powder layer, allowing only one roller to work.

[0024] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model should be protected within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism, characterized in that: The device includes a horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101) installed on the 3D printing equipment and at least three powder-dropping mechanisms (201) arranged in a linear array at the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101). A lifting mechanism (301) is provided between two adjacent powder-dropping mechanisms (201). The execution end of any lifting mechanism (301) is provided with a self-rotating powder-spreading roller (401). When the powder-spreading roller (401) presses the powder layer on the worktable (501) of the 3D printing equipment, the powder-dropping mechanism (201) can make the powder fall onto the powder layer.

2. The multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101) is a screw and nut mechanism, with a top plate (601) provided on the nut. The three powder dropping mechanisms (201) and the two sets of lifting mechanisms (301) are all provided on the top plate (601).

3. The multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Any of the lifting mechanisms (301) is a hydraulic rod installed on the top plate (601). The extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod is not parallel to the movement direction of the execution end of the horizontal reciprocating moving mechanism (101). The powder spreading roller (401) is rotatably connected to the execution end of the hydraulic rod.

4. The multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hydraulic rod is provided with a connecting frame (701) at its actuating end, and the powder spreading roller (401) is rotatably connected to the connecting frame (701).

5. The multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: Any of the powder dispensing mechanisms (201) includes a powder dispensing bin disposed on the top plate (601), and a powder dispensing trough is provided at the bottom of any of the powder dispensing bins.

6. The multi-stage powder feeding and multi-stage roller powder mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The extension direction of any of the powder-feeding straight grooves is parallel to the central axis of any of the powder-spreading rollers (401), and the central axis of any of the powder-spreading rollers (401) is parallel to the table surface of the worktable (501) of the 3D printing equipment.

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