3D printer

Abstract

A 3D printer includes a platform, a frame, a frame slide, a grabbing device and a multi-tool module. The frame includes a first support, a second support and a third support. The first support and the third support are respectively connected to opposite sides of the platform. The second support connects the first support and the third support and is located above the platform. The frame slide is arranged along the second support. The grabbing device is slidably arranged on the frame slide. The multi-tool module is connected to the frame slide near the first support. The multi-tool module includes a tool slide and at least one tool. The tool slide is connected to the frame slide. The tool is located on the tool slide and is configured to be grabbed by the grabbing device. The 3D printer has the frame slide, the grabbing device and the multi-tool module, which significantly improves the operation flexibility and work efficiency. In addition, the 3D printer has a design similar to an aircraft pylon, which has high flexibility and can quickly switch between various printing tools or materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] Most current gantry 3D printers use a single extrusion module as standard. While this design offers advantages such as structural stability and high printing accuracy, it presents several inconveniences in practical applications. Firstly, if users need to change to a different printing filament material, they often have to manually remove the existing extrusion module, clean any remaining material, and reinstall an extrusion module or print head suitable for the new material—a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Furthermore, existing models typically cannot quickly support scenarios requiring mixed material printing or switching between different nozzle diameters, and lack a modular design, limiting efficiency and flexibility when users switch processes or adjust printing strategies. Overall, current gantry 3D printers still have significant room for improvement in terms of the flexibility and ease of changing extrusion modules. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention relates to a 3D printer, comprising a stage, a frame, a frame slide rail, a gripper, and a multi-tool module. The frame includes a first support, a second support, and a third support. The first and third supports are respectively connected to opposite sides of the stage. The second support connects to the first and third supports and is located above the stage. The frame slide rail is disposed along the second support. The gripper is slidably disposed on the frame slide rail. The multi-tool module is connected to the side of the frame slide rail closest to the first support. The multi-tool module includes a tool slide rail and at least one tool. At least one tool is located on the tool slide rail. The tool slide rail is connected to the frame slide rail. At least one tool is configured for gripping by the gripper.

[0004] In some implementations, the tool is an extrusion module.

[0005] In some implementations, the gripper is an extrusion module and the tool is a nozzle.

[0006] In some implementations, the multi-tool module further includes a connecting bracket. The connecting bracket connects the frame slide rail and the tool slide rail.

[0007] In some implementations, the multi-tool module has a motor configured to drive at least one tool to move along a tool slide rail.

[0008] In some embodiments, the multi-tool module has a movable element located between at least one tool and a tool rail. At least one tool is located on the movable element.

[0009] In some implementations, at least one tool is arranged along a tool slide rail.

[0010] In some implementations, each of the multiple tool components is fitted with a wire. The wires are sequentially received toward one end of the tool slide rail.

[0011] In some implementations, the 3D printer further includes multiple filament reels arranged parallel to the frame. The filament reels are used to hold the filament.

[0012] In some implementations, the multi-tool module is a quick-release multi-tool module.

[0013] In summary, this novel 3D printer features a frame slide rail, gripper, and multi-tool modules, significantly improving operational flexibility and work efficiency. Furthermore, its design incorporates a gantry crane similar to that found on airplanes, offering high flexibility and enabling rapid switching between various printing tools and materials. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a 3D printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is another schematic diagram of a 3D printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] List of reference numerals

[0017] DP: 3D printer

[0018] 100: Platform

[0019] 200: Rack

[0020] 210: First stent

[0021] 220: Second stent

[0022] 230: Third stent

[0023] 300: Rack rail

[0024] 400: Item grabbing

[0025] 500: Multi-tool module

[0026] 510: Connecting bracket

[0027] 520: Motor

[0028] 530: Tool slide rail

[0029] 540: Tools

[0030] 550: Moving parts

[0031] 600: Wire Mesh Rack

[0032] 610: Thread roll

[0033] 610a: Wire

[0034] A1: First Axial Direction

[0035] A2: Second Axial

[0036] A3: Third Axis Detailed Implementation

[0037] The following description provides numerous different embodiments or instances for implementing various features of the provided object. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the invention. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, element symbols and / or letters may be repeated in various instances of the invention. This repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0038] To enable readers to clearly understand the interrelationships and orientations of the various components, coordinate axes are marked in the diagram, namely the first axis A1, the second axis A2, and the third axis A3.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 . Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the new 3D printer DP. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a 3D printer DP in different orientations. This novel 3D printer DP is a gantry-type 3D printer, such as an FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer. The 3D printer DP includes a stage 100, a frame 200, a frame slide rail 300, a gripper 400, and a multi-tool module 500.

[0040] In some embodiments, the stage 100 is configured to receive and support the printed product. Furthermore, the stage 100 may incorporate a heating module to prevent warping defects caused by rapid cooling during printing; the heating module can heat the stage 100 to 60 to 110°C. Additionally, surface treatments can improve material adhesion to the surface of the stage 100, such as applying a film material like PEI, glass, or BuildTak to the surface. In other embodiments, the stage 100 may also be configured to move along the Z-axis (first axis A1), thereby reducing structural errors by fine-tuning the height of the stage 100.

[0041] The frame 200 includes a first support 210, a second support 220, and a third support 230. The first support 210 and the third support 230 are respectively connected to opposite sides of the platform 100. The second support 220 connects the first support 210 and the third support 230 and is located above the platform 100. The first support 210 and the third support 230 serve as symmetrical pillars on both sides of the platform 100, and the second support 220 serves as a crossbeam connecting the pillars, thus improving the rigidity of the frame 200.

[0042] The frame slide rail 300 is positioned along the second support 220. More specifically, the frame slide rail 300 is positioned along the second support 220 on the third axis A3. The gripper 400 is slidably mounted on the frame slide rail 300. Because the frame slide rail 300 and the second support 220 are arranged in parallel, the gripper 400 on the frame slide rail 300 can move stably and accurately along the third axis A3.

[0043] The multi-tool module 500 is connected to the rack rail 300 near the first support 210. The multi-tool module 500 includes a tool rail 530 and at least one tool 540. At least one tool 540 is located on the tool rail 530. The tool rail 530 is connected to the rack rail 300. At least one tool 540 is configured for gripping by the gripper 400.

[0044] In some embodiments, the multi-tool module 500 may further include a connecting bracket 510. The connecting bracket 510 connects the frame slide rail 300 and the tool slide rail 530. In other embodiments, the multi-tool module 500 may have a motor 520 configured to drive at least one tool 540 to move along the tool slide rail 530. In still other embodiments, the multi-tool module 500 may have a movable member 550 located between at least one tool 540 and the tool slide rail 530, with at least one tool 540 located on the movable member 550. Generally, the connecting bracket 510 may be disposed on the frame slide rail 300, located close to the first bracket 210, and the motor 520, the tool slide rail 530, and the movable member 550 may all be mounted on the connecting bracket 510 to form a complete modular configuration. Thus, the tool slide rail 530 can be securely mounted on the frame slide rail 300 via the connecting bracket 510, and the tool 540 can move in the mounting direction of the tool slide rail 530 (i.e., the second axis A2). In the above module, the motor 520 can drive the moving member 550 to move along the tool slide rail 530, thereby driving at least one tool 540 to move along the tool slide rail 530.

[0045] In some embodiments, the tool 540 may be, for example, an extrusion module, and the gripper 400 may be a gripping mechanism for gripping the extrusion module. Specifically, the tool 540 may be, for example, an extrusion module in a 3D printer DP including a hot end and a nozzle (not shown), configured to allow printing filament to pass through and form a printed article. In some embodiments, the gripper 400 may be moved along a third axis A3 to one end near the multi-tool module 500, and the motor 520 may drive the tool 540 on the moving member 550 along a second axis A2 to a predetermined gripping position, thereby allowing the gripper 400 to change to grip the required tool 540. In this way, the 3D printer DP can perform printing work using the required tool 540, thereby achieving accurate and efficient printing work and avoiding the inconvenience and errors of manual operation.

[0046] In other embodiments, the gripper 400 may be, for example, an extrusion module with replaceable nozzles, and the tool 540 may be, for example, a nozzle. Since nozzles are less expensive than extrusion modules, these embodiments not only enable efficient printing operations for the 3D printer DP but also reduce the manufacturing and usage costs of the 3D printer DP. For example, since nozzles can be considered consumables in FDM 3D printing, this configuration allows users to directly replace nozzles without replacing the more expensive extruder, further enhancing the flexibility of the 3D printer DP.

[0047] In some embodiments, at least one tool 540 may be arranged sequentially along a tool slide rail 530, and the number of tool 540s may be adjusted as needed. In these embodiments, each of the multiple tool 540s is equipped with a corresponding filament 610a, and these filaments 610a are sequentially stored toward one end of the tool slide rail 530. Furthermore, the 3D printer DP may further include multiple filament reels 610 arranged parallel to the frame 200, wherein the filament reels 610 are used to store the filaments 610a. Specifically, multiple filament reels 610 may be arranged on a filament rack 600 to neatly store the filaments 610a required for printing. Each filament reel 610 loads filaments 610a of different materials or colors and corresponds to a specific tool 540, enabling each tool 540 to quickly obtain the corresponding filament when performing a printing operation. The tools 540 are arranged in sequence, and the corresponding wires 610a can also be arranged in sequence so that their guiding direction is consistent towards one end of the tool slide rail 530, that is, towards the location of the wire rack 600. In these embodiments, the wire rack 600 can serve as a centralized feeding platform to effectively manage all wires.

[0048] The 3D printer DP described above offers high integration and convenience, allowing for the replacement of required tooling parts 540 via the gripper 400. Furthermore, the arrangement of tooling parts 540 on the tool rails 530 ensures that the filaments 610a remain neatly aligned during printing and when changing tooling parts 540. Thus, the 3D printer DP supports multi-material or multi-functional printing needs, achieving highly efficient and flexible printing operations, and preventing the filaments 610a from becoming tangled and intertwined.

[0049] In some implementations, the multi-tool module 500 may be, for example, a quick-release multi-tool module, which can be detachably mounted on the 3D printer DP. Thus, the user can replace multiple sets of printing lines 610a by replacing the multi-tool module 500, and the installation and removal of the multi-tool module 500 can be completed quickly without the use of tools.

[0050] In some implementations, quick-release multi-tool modules utilize structures such as chamfers, pins, or flanges to ensure precise alignment of components, and employ fixing methods such as elastic latches, sliding latches, rotary locks, or magnetic structures to achieve secure locking without tools. Furthermore, quick-release multi-tool modules offer reusability and durability, maintaining their secure hold even with frequent disassembly and assembly by the user.

[0051] In summary, compared to traditional gantry-type 3D printers with only a single extrusion module, this new 3D printer features a sliding frame, gripper, and multi-head tool module, allowing for quick changes to nozzles or extrusion modules of different specifications. Furthermore, this new 3D printer incorporates a design similar to an aircraft gantry, enabling rapid switching between various printing tools or materials, providing an efficient, flexible, and intelligent 3D printing solution.

[0052] The foregoing has outlined the features of several embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the nature of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can readily use this invention as the basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve the same purpose and / or attain the same advantages of the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that these equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention, and that various changes, substitutions, and replacements can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printer, characterized in that, include: One platform; A frame includes a first support, a second support and a third support, the first support and the third support are respectively connected to opposite sides of the platform, and the second support is connected to the first support and the third support and is located above the platform. A frame slide rail is installed along the second bracket; A gripper is slidably mounted on the frame slide rail; A multi-tool module is connected to the side of the frame slide rail near the first support. The multi-tool module includes a tool slide rail and at least one tool, which is located on the tool slide rail and the tool slide rail is connected to the frame slide rail.

2. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tool is an extrusion module.

3. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gripper is an extrusion module, and the tool is a nozzle.

4. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-tool module also includes a connecting bracket that connects the frame slide rail and the tool slide rail.

5. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, This multi-tool module has a motor.

6. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-tool module has a movable element located between the at least one tool and the tool slide rail, with the at least one tool located on the movable element.

7. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one tool is arranged along the tool slide rail.

8. The 3D printer as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The number of the at least one tool is multiple, each with a wire installed, the wires being sequentially stored toward one end of the tool's slide rail.

9. The 3D printer as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The 3D printer also includes multiple filament reels arranged parallel to the frame, wherein the multiple filament reels are used to store the filament.

10. The 3D printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, This multi-tool module is a quick-release multi-tool module.

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