A device for receiving and fixing 3D printer component supports by utilizing existing motion axes.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a resin vat, a component carrier (2), a transport box (3) for arranging the component carrier (2), and a transport device (4) for removing the component carrier (2) from the transport box (3) and transporting it to the resin vat and for moving the component carrier (2) upwards and downwards in the resin vat, the transport device (4) having vertical and horizontal translation axes (5), each of which can be independently driven by a motor (6), and the transport device (4) having a locking device (7) for detachably connecting the component carrier (2) to the resin vat. ), characterized in that the locking devices (7), during their downward movement along the vertical translation axis (5) driven by the respective motors (6), reach a specific position (P) at which a stop (8) located on the vertical translation axis (5) moves a coupling element (9), and a spring-loaded locking pin (10) arranged in contact with the coupling element (9) is immersed in the plug-in opening of the component carrier (2) by this movement, and the immersed locking pin (10) can be brought via the horizontal translation axis into a locking position in the plug-in opening (2a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a 3D printer, and more particularly to a shaping platform of a 3D printer.

Background Art

[0002] Laser and DLP-based 3D printers based on the principle of "overhead vat polymerization" process liquid photopolymer resin into solid parts. In this manufacturing principle, these parts are "lifted" vertically layer by layer from a resin bath. For this purpose, they are attached directly or indirectly via a support structure to a part carrier (also known as a shaping platform). To avoid defects in the parts, the part carrier must be firmly connected to the 3D printer during the printing process (Z-kinematics). For post-processing, after the printing process is completed, the parts must be removed from the 3D printer together with the part carrier. For this purpose, the connection between the 3D printer and the part carrier must be released. Before starting the printing process, the part carrier must be inserted again into the 3D printer and firmly connected to the 3D printer.

[0003] In commercially available 3D printers, the user usually manually inserts the part carrier into the printer and firmly connects the part carrier to the printer by means of a lever mechanism or a screw. Alternatively, a robotic system is used to replace the manual part of the user.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a 3D printer having a pickup and fixing device for a shaping platform that enables pickup / drop-off of the shaping platform without an additional drive motor.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the 3D printer described in claim 1. The subject matter of the dependent claims relates to further developments and preferred embodiments.

[0006] The 3D printer according to the present invention comprises a resin tank for receiving a liquid photopolymer resin for producing solid parts, a parts carrier for lifting parts layer by layer from the resin tank, a transport box for arranging the parts carrier, wherein the transport box may be manually placed or fixed to the housing of the 3D printer at a designated position outside the resin tank, and a transport device for removing the parts carrier from the transport box and transporting it into the resin tank, and moving the parts carrier vertically or horizontally within the resin tank, wherein the transport device has vertical and horizontal translation axes, each of which may be independently driven by a motor, and the transport device has locking devices for detachable attachment to the parts carrier. As the locking device moves downward along the vertical translation axis driven by each motor, when the stopper located on the vertical translation axis reaches a specific position that moves the coupling element, a spring-loaded locking pin connected to the coupling element is retracted by this movement into the insertion opening of the component carrier, where the retracted locking pin can be brought to a locking position in the insertion opening via the horizontal translation axis.

[0007] A key feature of the present invention is the use of existing translational motion by a motor to connect the component carrier to the 3D printer and to disconnect the component carrier from the 3D printer.

[0008] In the 3D printer according to the present invention, the two translation axes present in the 3D printer and their respective motors are used to attach / detach the part carrier to the 3D printer, and no additional actuators / motors are required. Before 3D printing, the user only needs to place / secure the part carrier, which is located in a transport box, at a designated position in the 3D printer, or after 3D printing, the user only needs to remove the part carrier and transport it to a post-processing station.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling element is provided in the form of a horizontally movable push rod. During downward movement, the push rod is moved by an inclined portion of the fastener. The locking pin is mounted on a vertically mounted spring-loaded tie rod. The horizontally movable push rod moves the locking pin downward into the component carrier via an inclined portion on the vertically mounted spring-loaded tie rod. Preferably, the horizontally movable push rod has rollers at both ends for contact with the respective inclined portions.

[0010] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the coupling element is provided in the form of a rocker. During downward movement, the rocker is moved by a stopper. The locking pin is attached to a vertically mounted spring-loaded connecting rod. Through this movement, the rocker guides the vertically mounted spring-loaded connecting rod toward the downward movement of the locking pin into the component carrier.

[0011] In the following description, the present invention will be described in more detail by exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic partial diagram of a 3D printer according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The reference numerals shown in the drawings indicate the elements listed below, which are referenced in the following description of exemplary embodiments. 1. 3D printer 2. Component carrier 2a. Insertion opening 3. Transport box 4. Conveying device 5. Translation axis 6. Motor 7. Locking device 8. Fasteners 9. Connecting elements 10. Locking pin 11. Push rod 12. Inclined section 13. Connecting rod 14. Inclined section 15. Laura 16. Spring 17. Z-cantilever 18. Z Tower 19. Threaded screw 20. Threaded nuts P: Position on top of Z Tower (18)

[0014] Figure 1 partially shows a 3D printer according to one embodiment. The 3D printer (1) includes a resin tank (not shown) for holding liquid photopolymer resin for producing solid parts, a parts carrier (2) for lifting the parts layer by layer from the resin tank, a transport box (3) for housing the parts carrier (2), the transport box (3) being manually placed or fixed at a designated position outside the resin tank, and a transport device (4) for removing the parts carrier (2) from the transport box (3) and transporting it into the resin tank, and moving the parts carrier (2) vertically or horizontally within the resin tank. The transport device (4) has translation axes (5) in the vertical and horizontal directions (not shown), each of which can be independently driven by a motor (6). The transport device (4) has locking devices (7) for detachable attachment to the parts carrier (2). The vertical translation axis (5) constitutes a Z-tower (18) in the Z-direction, where the conveying device (4) can be moved in the Z-direction by a motor (6). The motor (6) is connected to the Z-cantilever (17) of the conveying device (4) by a threaded screw (19) and a threaded nut (20). The entire Z-tower (18) is movable horizontally via a horizontal translation axis (not shown). The frame of the Z-tower (18) is connected to a second motor by another threaded screw and threaded nut. When the locking device (7) reaches a specific position (P) during downward movement along the vertical translation axis (5) (see downward arrow) driven by each motor (6), the coupling element (9) is moved by a stopper (8) located on the vertical translation axis (5). This movement causes a spring-loaded locking pin (10), positioned connected to the coupling element (9), to retract into the insertion opening (2a) of the component carrier (2). The component carrier (2) has a build platform on its underside on which printing can be performed. The recessed locking pin (10) can be brought to a locking position in the insertion opening (2a) via a horizontal translation axis.

[0015] The coupling element (9) is preferably provided in the form of a horizontally movable push rod (11) that can be moved by the inclined portion (12) of the stopper (8). The locking pin (10) is attached to a vertically installed spring-connected rod (13). The horizontally movable push rod (11) causes the locking pin (10) to move downward into the component carrier (2) via an inclined portion (14) on the vertically installed spring-tensioned pull rod (13). The horizontally movable push rod (11) preferably has rollers (15) at both its ends for contacting the respective inclined portions (12; 14). Alternatively, a rocking part (not shown) can be used instead of the horizontally movable push rod (11).

[0016] In the following description, the operating mode (pickup / drop-off) will be described in detail according to one embodiment.

[0017] Downward movement (see the downward arrow in FIG. 1)

[0018] When the Z-cantilever (17) reaches a specific position (P) on the Z-tower (18) during downward movement, the push rod (11) is moved horizontally via the inclined portion (12) located on the Z-tower (18). This movement causes the connecting rod (13) to move downward and the locking pin (10) to be released via the inclined portion (14) on the vertically installed spring-tensioned connecting rod (13) in the Z-tower (17). The locking pin (10) can enter the component carrier (2) and be brought to the locking position for pickup (or the unlocking position for drop-off) via the horizontal movement of the Z-tower (18).

[0019] Upward movement (see the upward arrow in FIG. 1)

[0020] During upward movement of the Z tower (17), the component carrier (2) remains in the locking position on the locking pin (10) and is removed from the transport box (3). Within the range of the inclined portion (12) on the Z tower (18), the push rod (11) then releases the connecting rod (13), which firmly draws the component carrier (2) and the shaping platform towards the Z tower (17) via the spring tension (16).

[0021] The 3D printer (1) preferably has a sensor (not shown) for detecting the transport box (3) at a specified position. The 3D printer (1) preferably has another sensor (not shown) for detecting the component carrier (2) in the locking device (7) or for performing force measurement. The 3D printer (1) has a control device for automatically controlling the pickup process of the component carrier (2) from the transport box (3), the transport process from there into the resin tank, the 3D printing process in the resin tank, the transport process from the resin tank to the transport box (3) for that, and the placement process of the component carrier (2) into the transport box (3). During 3D printing, the component carrier (2) can also be moved at an angle by vertical and horizontal translation axes. The sensor signals are transmitted to the control device. A force sensor, a presence / absence sensor can be used as the sensor.

[0022] The transport box (3) can be manually placed or attached outside the resin tank and inside the 3D printer (1) at a space (not shown) provided for this purpose or at a specified position. The transport box (3) is tightly sealed by the component carrier (2), preferably by a seal. After 3D printing, the transport box (3) can be manually transported by the user together with the components to a post-processing station (not shown). In the post-processing station, the transport device (4) defined above can be similarly used to transport the component carrier (2) into the post-processing chamber. The post-processing chamber can be used to post-expose, wash, and / or dry the components. The transport box (3) can be made of a UV-impermeable or partially UV-permeable material. Preferably, a seal is provided between the component carrier (2) and the opening of the transport box (3) to seal against UV radiation and liquid leakage.

Claims

1. A resin tank for holding liquid photopolymer resin for producing solid parts, A component carrier (2) for lifting the solid components from the resin tank layer by layer, A transport box (3) for arranging the component carrier (2), wherein the transport box (3) can be manually placed or fixed at a designated position outside the resin tank. A 3D printer (1) is provided with a transport device (4) for taking the component carrier (2) out of the transport box (3) and transporting it into the resin tank, and for moving the component carrier (2) vertically or horizontally within the resin tank, The transport device (4) has translation axes (5) in the vertical and horizontal directions, each of which can be driven independently by a motor (6). The transport device (4) has a locking device (7) for detachable attachment to the component carrier (2) in the 3D printer (1), The 3D printer (1) is characterized in that, as the locking device (7) moves downward along the vertical translation axis (5) by the drive of each of the motors (6), the stopper (8) located on the vertical translation axis (5) reaches a specific position (P) that moves the coupling element (9), and at this point, a spring-type locking pin (10) positioned in connection with the coupling element (9) is retracted into the insertion opening (2a) of the component carrier (2) by the movement of the locking device, and the retracted locking pin (10) can be moved via the horizontal translation axis to a locked position or an unlocked position in the insertion opening (2a).

2. The 3D printer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element (9) comprises a horizontally movable push rod (11) which can be moved by an inclined portion (12) of the fastener (8), the locking pin (10) being attached to a vertically installed spring-biased connecting rod (13), and the horizontally movable push rod (11) causing the locking pin (10) to move downward into the component carrier (2) via an inclined portion (14) on the vertically installed spring-biased connecting rod (13).

3. The 3D printer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the horizontally movable push rod (11) has rollers (15) at both ends thereof for contacting the respective inclined portions (12; 14).

4. The 3D printer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element (9) is provided with a pivoting part that can be moved by the stopper (8) when the locking device moves downward, the locking pin (10) is attached to a vertically installed spring-biased connecting rod (13), and the pivoting part guides the vertically installed spring-biased connecting rod (13) to move downward into the component carrier (2).

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