3D printing core replacement system and method for executing the same

Abstract

A 3D printing core replacement system according to the present invention includes: a mold standard base member; a core support housing mounted on the mold standard base member; a 3D printing core body configured to be received in the core support housing and to realize a molded shape; a core fastening coupling part configured to fasten the core support housing to the mold standard base member; and a fastening auxiliary member configured to assist the fastening stability of the core fastening coupling part.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same. More specifically, it relates to a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same that significantly reduces the amount of 3D printing material used by producing only the area corresponding to the molded shape without 3D printing the entire mold core, thereby enabling a reduction in printing time and manufacturing costs. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, as the demand for multi-variety, small-batch production of products has increased across the manufacturing industry, 3D printing technology is being actively utilized in the mold manufacturing field to shorten development time and secure design freedom. In particular, 3D printing-based mold manufacturing technology is receiving significant attention because it allows for the formation of internal structures or cooling channels that were difficult to realize with conventional subtractive manufacturing methods by producing mold cores with complex molding surfaces using additive manufacturing.

[0004] However, most conventional 3D printing mold core manufacturing technologies are based on additive manufacturing methods that manufacture the entire mold core as a single unit, and this method has the following structural and process limitations.

[0005] First, due to the nature of 3D printing, fabricating the entire core results in an excessive increase in the volume of the layer to be added. This directly leads to increased printing time, material consumption, and equipment operating costs, and acts as a factor that significantly raises the unit cost of mold production. In particular, for large molds or mold cores that require repeated replacement, this issue of increased volume is pointed out as a key cause of reduced productivity.

[0006] Second, due to the inherent characteristics of the additive manufacturing process, mold cores produced by 3D printing have limited surface roughness and dimensional accuracy, making post-processing steps such as cutting, polishing, and grinding essential. Consequently, despite being manufactured via 3D printing, additional processing is required, leading to increased production lead times and higher input of manpower and equipment. Furthermore, material loss occurs during the post-processing stage, resulting in increased losses.

[0007] Third, in conventional technology, 3D printing cores are designed and manufactured individually for each mold, making standardization and common use virtually impossible. In other words, mold cores corresponding to a specific product are difficult to reuse in other molds or product families, and there is a problem that the entire core must be remanufactured if product specifications change. This leads to increased mold maintenance costs and inefficiency in inventory management.

[0008] Fourth, one of the important factors in the mold forming process is heat transfer characteristics. Conventional resin-based 3D printing cores have significantly lower thermal conductivity compared to metal cores, so it takes a long time for heat transferred from the heater plate or the mold body to reach the molding surface. As a result, problems such as uneven cooling, molding shrinkage variations, and increased cycle time may occur. If the entire core is made of metal to solve these problems, manufacturing costs and processing difficulty increase rapidly.

[0009] Accordingly, some conventional technologies have proposed methods such as using a combination of metal and resin cores or forming cooling channels inside a metal core; however, these technologies also suffer from complex structures, poor assembly capabilities, and still require the replacement of the entire core, thus failing to overcome limitations in terms of maintenance efficiency. Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1834333 relates to a core-replaceable pressure molding device, but it does not disclose a solution to address the aforementioned problems. Prior art literature

[0011] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1834333 The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same, which significantly reduces the amount of 3D printing material used by producing only the area corresponding to the molding shape without 3D printing the entire mold core, thereby reducing printing time and manufacturing costs.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same, wherein post-processing steps such as cutting, polishing, and grinding, which were conventionally required, are eliminated as the 3D printing core is configured to be directly coupled to a standard mold base, thereby enabling a reduction in the number of processes, minimization of manpower input, and reduction of material loss.

[0014] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same, which uses a standard mold base as a common structure and replaces only the core, thereby allowing only the core part to be quickly replaced in the event of product changes or wear, which can lead to reduced mold maintenance costs and improved production equipment utilization rates.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same, wherein a heat transfer path is formed by a metal insert member disposed inside the 3D printing core, thereby improving the heat transfer rate compared to a resin core, reducing temperature deviation during the molding process, preventing uneven shrinkage, and achieving uniform product quality.

[0016] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a 3D printing core replacement system and a method for implementing the same, which allows the shape, spacing, and material of the metal insert member to be selectively changed, thereby enabling flexible design of thermal conductivity characteristics according to molding conditions or product characteristics, and thus expanding the range of application to various molds and molding processes. means of solving the problem

[0018] A 3D printing core replacement system for achieving this purpose includes: a mold standard base member; a core support housing mounted on the mold standard base member; a 3D printing core body configured to be received in the core support housing and to realize a molded shape; a core fastening coupling part configured to fasten the core support housing to the mold standard base member; and a fastening auxiliary member configured to assist in the fastening stability of the core fastening coupling part.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mold standard base member is formed as a mold base and may be configured so that a reference position is maintained even when the core support housing is repeatedly mounted and detached.

[0020] In one embodiment, the core support housing includes a core receiving space for receiving the 3D printing core body inside, and may be configured so that the 3D printing core body is automatically aligned by the shape of the core receiving space.

[0021] In one embodiment, the core support housing may be configured to distribute and transfer the load generated during the mold fastening or molding process to the mold standard base member, rather than directly transferring it to the 3D printing core body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the core support housing is formed of a resin-based material and may be configured to implement only a molded shape while being structurally supported by the core support housing.

[0023] A method for replacing a 3D printing core to achieve this purpose includes the steps of: providing a mold standard base member; mounting a core support housing on the mold standard base member; arranging a 3D printing core body inside the core support housing to form a molded shape; fastening the core support housing to the mold standard base member using a core fastening coupling member; and assisting the fastening stability of the core fastening coupling member using a fastening auxiliary member.

[0024] In one embodiment, the step of providing the mold standard base member may include providing the mold base as a reference structure so that the reference position is maintained even when the core support housing is repeatedly mounted and detached.

[0025] In one embodiment, the step of arranging to accommodate the 3D printing core body to realize a molded shape may include the step of arranging the 3D printing core body so that it is automatically aligned by the shape of the core receiving space formed inside the core support housing.

[0026] In one embodiment, the step of mounting a core support housing on the mold standard base member may include a step of fastening to distribute and transfer the load to the mold standard base member so that the load generated during the mold fastening or molding process is not directly transferred to the 3D printing core body.

[0027] In one embodiment, the step of arranging a 3D printed core body to accommodate and realize a molded shape inside the core support housing may include the step of arranging a 3D printed core body formed of a resin-based material in a state where it is structurally supported by the core support housing to realize only the molded shape. Effects of the invention

[0029] According to the present invention as described above, since only the area corresponding to the molding shape is produced without 3D printing the entire mold core, the amount of 3D printing material used is significantly reduced, and accordingly, there is an effect of shortening the printing time and reducing production costs.

[0030] In addition, according to the present invention, since the 3D printing core is configured to be directly coupled to the standard base of the mold, post-processing steps such as cutting, polishing, and grinding, which were conventionally required, become unnecessary, and as a result, there is an advantage of reducing the number of processes, minimizing labor input, and reducing material loss.

[0031] In addition, according to the present invention, since the standard mold base is used as a common structure and only the core is replaced, only the core part can be quickly replaced in the event of product changes or wear, which has the advantage of leading to reduced mold maintenance costs and improved production equipment utilization rates.

[0032] In addition, according to the present invention, a heat transfer path is formed by a metal insert member placed inside a 3D printing core, thereby improving the heat transfer rate compared to a resin core, and there are advantages such as reduced temperature variation during the molding process, prevention of uneven shrinkage, and uniformity of product quality.

[0033] In addition, according to the present invention, the shape, spacing, and material of the metal insert member can be selectively changed, allowing for flexible design of thermal conductivity characteristics depending on molding conditions or product characteristics. This has the advantage of expanding the range of application to various molds and molding processes. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mold structure including a 3D printing core according to the prior art. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a 3D printing core replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a 3D printing core replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention exploded in the axial direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional coupling structure of a 3D printing core replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a 3D printing core replacement system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0036] The aforementioned objectives, signatures, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mold structure including a 3D printing core according to the prior art.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, in the mold structure of the prior art, a core body (50) produced by 3D printing is directly placed between an upper mold plate (10) and a lower mold plate (20) to realize a molded shape and simultaneously support a structural load resulting from the mold fastening.

[0040] Specifically, an intermediate support block (30) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the upper mold plate (10), and the lower surface of the intermediate support block (30) comes into direct contact with the upper part of the 3D printing core body (50) via the core support part (40). In addition, the 3D printing core body (50) is structured to extend downward and be directly supported by the lower mold plate (20).

[0041] In this structure, when the upper mold plate (10) and the lower mold plate (20) are fastened together, the compression load generated by the mold fastening is transmitted without damping along the path from the upper mold plate (10) → intermediate support block (30) → core support (40) → 3D printing core body (50). That is, most of the fastening load acts directly on the 3D printing core body (50).

[0042] However, the 3D printing core body (50) is typically formed from a resin-based material, and such material has significantly lower compressive strength, creep resistance, and stability against long-term loads compared to metal materials. Nevertheless, in the structure of FIG. (a), the 3D printing core body (50) is required to support not only the function of simply providing a molded shape, but also the mold clamping load and the molding pressure generated during the molding process.

[0043] As a result, as the molding process is repeated, localized compression deformation may occur at specific contact points of the core body (50), and when used for a long time, the position of the core body (50) changes slightly due to creep. This slight deformation accumulates as a positional error on the molding surface, which is highly likely to lead to a decrease in the dimensional accuracy of the product and poor quality.

[0044] Furthermore, in the structure of (a), heat generated during the molding process is also directly transferred to the 3D printing core body (50). That is, the core body (50) is subjected to continuous compressive load while exposed to a high-temperature environment, which can cause a combination of thermal softening and mechanical deformation of the resin material. As a result, the durability of the core body (50) is shortened, and a problem arises where it is difficult to perform molding processes more than a certain number of times.

[0045] In addition, in the conventional structure, the 3D printing core body (50) forms an integrated structure deeply coupled between the upper mold plate (10) and the lower mold plate (20), so the upper and lower parts of the mold must be extensively disassembled to replace the core. As a result, the core replacement work takes a long time, and it is difficult to align the position of the core during the reassembly process, and there is a risk that the reproducibility of the molding position will be reduced even after replacement.

[0046] Consequently, the conventional technology has a structure that does not sufficiently consider the material properties of the 3D printing core and the operational purpose of repeated replacement, and has limitations in that it places an excessive structural burden on the 3D printing core body (50). Due to these limitations, improvements are required in terms of maintaining molding precision, ensuring core durability, and rapid core replacement.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a 3D printing core replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, the 3D printing core replacement system includes a mold standard base member (110), a core support housing (120), a 3D printing core body (130), a core fastening coupling part (140), and a fastening auxiliary member (150).

[0050] The mold standard base member (110) is a reference structure that is repeatedly used in a 3D printing core replacement system, and at the same time provides rigidity and alignment standards for the mold body, and operates to maintain the reference point of the entire system even if core replacement occurs frequently.

[0051] The mold standard base member (110) acts as a structural reference point and a fixed platform that allows for repeated replacement in a 3D printing core replacement system, and performs the functions of maintaining a reference position, supporting loads, and providing a heat transfer path throughout the core replacement process.

[0052] First, the mold standard base member (110) is fixedly installed on the mold body or mold mounting plate to form a reference structure that does not cause deformation or displacement throughout the 3D printing core replacement system. At this time, the mold standard base member (110) provides a flat reference surface in the upward direction, thereby allowing the components to be subsequently combined to be passively seated in a predetermined position based on the reference surface.

[0053] A positioning step, a through hole, a pin connection part, or a corresponding shape may be formed on the upper surface or inside of the mold standard base member (110), and accordingly, the core support housing (120) is positioned so that its position is naturally restricted by the mold standard base member (110) without separate active adjustment. That is, alignment is mechanically determined by the shape of the mold standard base member (110), and other components passively correspond to this.

[0054] Additionally, the mold standard base member (110) acts as a primary support for the fastening load and molding pressure generated inside the mold. The fastening force generated by the core fastening coupling part (140) is ultimately transmitted to the mold standard base member (110), and the mold standard base member (110) distributes and transmits the corresponding load in the direction of the mold body. In this process, the 3D printing core body (130) and the core support housing (120) are merely passively placed on the load transmission path, and the standard for load support is provided by the mold standard base member (110).

[0055] In addition, the mold standard base member (110) functions as a heat transfer medium that receives and transfers heat generated during the mold heating process to the upper side. Heat transferred from the heater or the mold body diffuses through the interior of the mold standard base member (110), and the components in contact with the upper side form a structure that passively receives heat through the mold standard base member (110). Thus, regardless of whether the core is replaced, the heat transfer path is always maintained along the same standard structure.

[0056] When replacing the core, the mold standard base member (110) remains fixed to the mold body, and only the component connected to the upper part is separated. Even after a new 3D printing core body (130) is connected, the mold standard base member (110) maintains the same reference plane, the same fastening position, and the same heat transfer path as the existing one, thereby maintaining mold precision and the reproducibility of molding conditions during repeated replacement processes.

[0057] That is, the mold standard base member (110) is the only component that provides an active structural standard within the system, and the core support housing (120), 3D printing core body (130), core fastening coupling part (140), and fastening auxiliary member (150) all function as objects that are passively coupled, supported, and transmitted according to the structure defined by the mold standard base member (110).

[0058] The core support housing (120) is positioned on the upper part of the mold standard base member (110) and operates as an intermediate structure to maintain a reference position when the 3D printing core body (130) is fastened and replaced.

[0059] The core support housing (120) is positioned to correspond to a reference surface or a coupling shape formed on the upper surface of the mold standard base member (110), and the lower surface of the housing is formed to make surface contact or partial surface contact with the reference surface of the base.

[0060] A receiving space is formed inside the core support housing (120) to insert and receive a 3D printing core body (130), and the receiving space is configured to have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outer shape of the core body.

[0061] Accordingly, when the 3D printing core body (130) is inserted into the core support housing (120), its position is restricted by the wall of the receiving space without separate processing or active adjustment.

[0062] The core support housing (120) may be formed to include at least one of a guide surface, a tapered guide, a stepped locking part, or a key-groove structure on the path where the core body is inserted.

[0063] When the core body is inserted into the housing, the guide structure guides the insertion direction of the core body and ensures that the core body is guided to the final seating position even if minute errors occur in the left-right or front-back directions.

[0064] As a result, even if core replacement is repeated, positional errors based on the molding surface do not accumulate, and shape reproducibility is maintained under the same mold conditions.

[0065] In addition, the core support housing (120) may form a cross-section of the receiving space in an asymmetrical shape or add a key structure that can be connected only in a specific direction to prevent misassembly of the core body in the rotational direction. Accordingly, an error in which the core body is inserted in a state rotated 90 degrees is structurally suppressed.

[0066] When the core fastening coupling part (140) is fastened, an axial compressive force is formed between the core body and the housing. To alleviate local stress concentration in the core body due to the compressive force, the core support housing (120) may include a load-distributing rib or a support flange to expand the area of ​​the support surface in contact with the core body or to prevent the compressive force from being concentrated at a specific point.

[0067] In particular, since creep or compression deformation may occur due to the fastening load when the 3D printed core body is a resin-based structure, the core support housing (120) can be designed with a contact surface to transfer the fastening load to a relatively high-rigidity area (e.g., outer frame, thickness reinforcement) rather than a weak area of ​​the core body. This reduces the risk of breakage of the core body and suppresses micro-deformation of the molding surface, thereby improving the dimensional stability of the product.

[0068] The core support housing (120) secures a heat contact area and stabilizes the heat transfer path during the process in which heat transferred through the mold standard base member (110) is transferred toward the core body.

[0069] For example, the lower surface of the housing receives heat by contacting the base, while the upper surface or inner wall of the housing transfers heat by contacting the core body. In this case, the housing maintains a constant contact surface with the core body to suppress fluctuations in heat transfer (such as contact loss or the formation of voids) and contributes to mitigating non-uniformity in temperature distribution during molding.

[0070] Additionally, the housing can be formed from a metal material as needed to have heat diffusion properties; in this case, it helps to equalize the temperature of the molding surface by mitigating the phenomenon of heat concentration in specific areas inside the core body.

[0071] When core replacement is required, the core body can be separated from the housing when the core fastening coupling part (140) is released. The core support housing (120) provides a guide structure that guides the insertion path during the process of separating and re-inserting the core body, thereby enabling the operator to quickly replace the core body. In particular, the receiving space of the housing guides the insertion direction along the outer edge of the core body, thereby suppressing eccentric insertion, jamming, twisting, etc., that may occur during the replacement process, and improving the stability of the replacement operation.

[0072] In addition, since the core support housing (120) is structured to be maintained at the same reference position relative to the mold standard base member (110), the reference of the receiving space provided by the housing does not change even if the core body is replaced, and as a result, the initial setup time after replacement is shortened.

[0073] The 3D printing core body (130) operates as a replaceable module that implements an area directly corresponding to the molding shape in a 3D printing core replacement system and performs a molding function while passively mounted according to the structural criteria provided by the mold standard base member (110) and the core support housing (120).

[0074] The 3D printing core body (130) is inserted into the receiving space of the core support housing (120), and the outer shape of the core body is formed to correspond to the shape of the inner wall of the receiving space. Accordingly, the insertion direction and position of the 3D printing core body (130) are mechanically restricted by the outer surface and the inner wall of the receiving space without any separate adjustment action during the process of inserting it into the housing.

[0075] In this process, the insertion depth and left-right and front-back position of the 3D printing core body (130) are determined by the structure of the core support housing (120), and the 3D printing core body (130) reaches a fixed position according to the structural limitations.

[0076] When the 3D printing core body (130) reaches a seating position inside the core support housing (120) and the core fastening coupling part (140) is fastened, the 3D printing core body (130) is fixed in a compressed state toward the housing. The fastening load generated at this time is transmitted through the outer edge or reinforced area of ​​the 3D printing core body (130), and the 3D printing core body (130) itself forms a structure in which the load is transmitted through the support housing rather than directly supporting the fastening load. Accordingly, excessive local stress is not concentrated in the 3D printing core body (130) even in the fastened state, and shape deformation is suppressed even during the repeated fastening and unfastening process.

[0077] The upper or exposed surface of the 3D printing core body (130) is formed as a molding surface that directly corresponds to the molding shape of the product. When the mold is closed and the molding process proceeds, the molten molding material is filled along the molding surface, and the 3D printing core body (130) performs the role of defining the shape of the product through the molding surface.

[0078] In this process, the 3D printing core body (130) is maintained in a state supported by the mold standard base member (110) and the core support housing (120), so the reaction force generated by the molding pressure is not concentrated on the 3D printing core body (130) itself but is distributed and transmitted to the surrounding structure.

[0079] During the molding process, the 3D printing core body (130) passively receives heat transferred through the mold standard base member (110) and the core support housing (120). That is, heat generated from the heater or mold body is transferred through the base and housing to the contact surface of the 3D printing core body (130), and the 3D printing core body (130) is heated or cooled along the heat transfer path.

[0080] Accordingly, the 3D printing core body (130) maintains a temperature state suitable for molding according to the thermal environment provided by the mold structure, even without including a separate heating device or control means.

[0081] When a change in molding shape, wear, or maintenance is required, the 3D printing core body (130) can be separated from the core support housing (120) when the core fastening coupling part (140) is released. At this time, the 3D printing core body (130) is withdrawn axially from the receiving space of the housing, and the mold standard base member (110) remains in a fixed state without participating in the separation process.

[0082] Subsequently, when a new 3D printing core body (130) is inserted into the same receiving space, it is re-seated according to the same structural criteria provided by the core support housing (120), and the same molding position as before replacement is reproduced. Accordingly, the 3D printing core body (130) functions as a repeatedly replaceable consumable module.

[0083] The core fastening coupling part (140) operates as a mechanical fastening means for compressing and fixing the 3D printing core body (130) in the direction of the core support housing (120) and the mold standard base member (110) in a 3D printing core replacement system. The core fastening coupling part (140) allows for repeated fastening and unfastening to enable replacement of the core, while maintaining a fixed state so that the 3D printing core body (130) does not detach or move slightly during the molding process.

[0084] The core fastening coupling portion (140) may include a bolt, screw, nut, V-shaped coupling element, or a combination thereof, and the fastening element is positioned along a through hole or fastening hole formed in the core support housing (120) and the 3D printing core body (130).

[0085] At this time, the fastening axis is formed generally parallel to the mold opening / closing direction or the core insertion direction, so that the fastening force guides the 3D printing core body (130) toward the seating surface inside the housing.

[0086] When the fastening element is tightened, the core fastening coupling part (140) generates a compressive force in the axial direction, and the compressive force presses the 3D printing core body (130) against the seating surface of the core support housing (120). In this process, the 3D printing core body (130) maintains a state of close contact with the housing due to the fastening force, and the fastening force is transmitted through the outer or reinforced area of ​​the 3D printing core body (130).

[0087] Here, the core fastening coupling part (140) does not perform the role of directly dispersing the fastening force, and the formed fastening force acts in a manner in which it is structurally distributed and transmitted through the core support housing (120) and the mold standard base member (110).

[0088] When the connection is completed, the compressive force formed by the core connection part (140) prevents the 3D printing core body (130) from moving in the axial, radial, or rotational direction inside the housing. Accordingly, micro-displacements caused by injection pressure, vibration, or thermal expansion occurring during the molding process are structurally limited.

[0089] That is, the core fastening coupling part (140) does not actively control the position of the 3D printing core body (130) but performs the role of ensuring positional stability by maintaining a mechanically compressed state.

[0090] The core fastening coupling part (140) is positioned to maintain the same fastening position and fastening direction even when the core is repeatedly replaced. Accordingly, when the fastening element is inserted and tightened through the same fastening hole, the 3D printing core body (130) forms the same compression direction and the same seating state every time. Due to this repeated fastening structure, the reference position of the molding surface does not change even after the core is replaced, and the reproducibility of the molding quality is maintained.

[0091] When core replacement or maintenance is required, the fastening element of the core fastening joint (140) is released, and the compressive force formed by the fastening is released. Accordingly, the 3D printing core body (130) can be withdrawn axially from the core support housing (120) and is naturally separated without separate damage or forced separation.

[0092] At this time, the core fastening coupling part (140) may be configured to remain fixed to the mold standard base member (110) or to be separated only from the fastening element, and the standard structure of the mold standard base member (110) is not affected during the separation process.

[0093] The fastening auxiliary member (150) operates as a passive auxiliary component to stably maintain and supplement the fastening state formed by the core fastening coupling part (140) in the 3D printing core replacement system.

[0094] The fastening auxiliary member (150) is positioned in contact with or adjacent to the fastening element of the core fastening coupling part (140), for example, at a position in contact with a bolt head, a position in contact with a nut, or a position in contact with a fastening surface. At this time, the fastening auxiliary member (150) is positioned in a passively intervened state along the tightening direction or fastening axis of the fastening element.

[0095] The fastening auxiliary member (150) may be formed of a washer, a spring washer, an elastic member, a friction increasing member, or a combination thereof, and is included in the fastening structure without separate driving or control operation.

[0096] When the core fastening coupling part (140) is fastened, the fastening auxiliary member (150) receives the compressive force while in contact with the fastening element. At this time, the fastening auxiliary member (150) disperses the local pressure generated by the fastening force over a wide area or mitigates damage to the surface directly contacted by the fastening element. Accordingly, the phenomenon of wear or deformation of the fastening seat surface of the core support housing (120) or the mold standard base member (110) is suppressed even during repeated fastening and unfastening processes.

[0097] During the molding process, vibrations due to injection pressure, impacts due to opening and closing the mold, and thermal expansion and contraction due to repeated heating and cooling may occur. The fastening auxiliary member (150) mitigates the loosening of the fastening element or the reduction of the fastening force caused by these environmental changes.

[0098] For example, the fastening auxiliary member (150) having elastic properties allows for fine deformation in the fastening axis direction, thereby compensating for the fastening force not to decrease rapidly even if a change in fastening length occurs due to thermal change. As a result, the fastening state is maintained stably throughout the molding process.

[0099] The fastening auxiliary member (150) can increase the friction coefficient between the fastening element and the contact surface or suppress fine movement of the fastening axis. Accordingly, slipping, loosening of rotation, or displacement that may occur in the fastened state is structurally limited. Even in this process, the fastening auxiliary member (150) does not perform a separate adjustment operation and acts passively by mechanical properties while included in the fastening structure.

[0100] When the core connection part (140) is released because core replacement or maintenance is required, the connection assist member (150) is separated along with the connection element or detached from its original position. At this time, the connection assist member (150) does not interfere with the separation of the 3D printing core body (130) or the core support housing (120), and is naturally separated without additional resistance or damage during the release process. Subsequently, when reconnected, the connection assist member (150) is included again in the connection structure to assist with connection stability in the same way.

[0101] The fastening auxiliary member (150) assists in stably maintaining the fastening state formed by the core fastening coupling part (140) in the 3D printing core replacement system.

[0102] The fastening auxiliary member (150) is positioned adjacent to or in contact with the fastening element of the core fastening coupling part (140). For example, the fastening auxiliary member (150) may be positioned between the bolt head and the fastening target surface, between the nut and the fastening target surface, or interposed on the fastening seat surface. In this case, the fastening auxiliary member (150) exists in a state where it is passively inserted along the fastening axis direction.

[0103] When the core fastening coupling part (140) is fastened, the fastening auxiliary member (150) receives the compressive force together with the fastening element. In this process, the fastening auxiliary member (150) performs the role of relieving local surface pressure caused by the fastening element or distributing the pressure acting on the fastening surface more uniformly. Accordingly, local damage, compression deformation, or wear of the fastening surface is suppressed.

[0104] During the molding process, repeated opening and closing of the mold, vibration due to injection pressure, and thermal expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling may occur. The fastening auxiliary member (150) mitigates the loosening of the fastening element or the reduction of the fastening force caused by these environmental changes.

[0105] For example, the fastening auxiliary member (150) having elastic properties allows for fine elastic deformation in the fastening axis direction, thereby preventing the fastening state from rapidly loosening even if a change in fastening length occurs.

[0106] The fastening auxiliary member (150) maintains or increases the friction conditions between the fastening element and the contact surface, thereby structurally limiting slipping or rotational loosening that may occur in the fastened state. In this case, the fastening auxiliary member (150) does not perform a separate fixing operation and functions as a passive resistance element based on its material and shape while included in the fastening structure.

[0107] When the core fastening coupling part (140) is released for core replacement or maintenance, the fastening auxiliary member (150) is released from the fastening state together with the fastening element or separated from the original placement position. In this process, the fastening auxiliary member (150) does not interfere with the separation of the 3D printing core body (130) or the core support housing (120), and does not cause additional resistance or damage during the unfastening process.

[0109] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a 3D printing core replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention exploded in the axial direction.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 3, the 3D printing core replacement system comprises a mold standard base member (110), a core support housing (120), a 3D printing core body (130), a core fastening coupling part (140), and a fastening auxiliary member (150).

[0111] The mold standard base member (110) is a disc-shaped structure fixedly installed on the mold body and serves to provide a reference position and reference plane throughout the 3D printing core replacement system.

[0112] An opening or coupling area is formed in the center of the mold standard base member (110) so that a core support housing (120) can be correspondingly positioned, and a fastening hole is formed around it so that a core fastening coupling part (140) can be inserted through it.

[0113] Accordingly, the mold standard base member (110) functions as a fixed reference part that maintains the standard structure within the mold so that it does not change even if the core replacement is repeated.

[0114] The core support housing (120) is positioned on one side of the mold standard base member (110), more specifically on the side facing the molding direction, and functions as an intermediate structure that accommodates and supports the 3D printing core body (130).

[0115] The core support housing (120) includes a receiving space into which a 3D printing core body (130) can be inserted, and a fastening area corresponding to a fastening auxiliary member (150) and a core fastening coupling part (140) is formed on the outer circumference or inside.

[0116] Accordingly, the core support housing (120) structurally ensures the positional alignment and fastening stability of the core body (130).

[0117] The 3D printing core body (130) is a replaceable core member that includes a molding surface directly corresponding to the molding shape of the product, and is inserted and placed inside the receiving space of the core support housing (120).

[0118] The 3D printing core body (130) can be manufactured through a resin-based 3D printing process and is configured to be detachable and replaceable from the housing (120) by releasing the core fastening coupling part (140) in the event of a change in molding shape, wear, or damage. This allows the molding shape to be changed without replacing the entire mold.

[0119] The core fastening coupling part (140) includes a fastening element in the form of a bolt or screw as shown in FIG. 2, and penetrates the mold standard base member (110) to axially press and fix the core support housing (120) and the 3D printing core body (130).

[0120] The fastening force formed by the core fastening coupling part (140) presses the core body (130) in the direction of the seating surface of the housing (120) and prevents the core body (130) from detaching or moving slightly during the molding process.

[0121] The fastening auxiliary member (150) is a component interposed between the core fastening coupling part (140) and the core support housing (120) or the 3D printing core body (130), and may be configured in the form of, for example, a nut, a washer, or an elastic member.

[0122] The fastening auxiliary member (150) relieves localized surface pressure generated during fastening and suppresses loosening of the fastening due to vibration or thermal changes, thereby helping to maintain a stable fastening state.

[0124] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional coupling structure of a 3D printing core replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in the structure of FIG. 1 according to the prior art, the fastening load generated during the process of fastening the upper mold plate (10) and the lower mold plate (20) is directly transmitted to the 3D printing core body (50) via the intermediate support block (30) and the core support part (40).

[0126] That is, in the structure of FIG. 1, the 3D printing core body (50) is configured to simultaneously perform not only the molding function of realizing the product shape but also the structural function of supporting the mold fastening load. As a result, due to the characteristics of the 3D printing core body (50) formed based on resin, compression deformation, long-term creep, and reduced durability are likely to occur in a repeated molding and repeated fastening environment, and the reference position of the molding surface may fluctuate slightly, potentially leading to a decrease in product dimensional accuracy and quality reproducibility.

[0127] On the other hand, in the structure of FIG. 4 according to the present invention, the 3D printing core body (130) is not directly coupled to the mold standard base member (110) as a load-bearing structure, but is configured to be coupled while being received and supported by the core support housing (120).

[0128] Specifically, the core support housing (120) is seated in the mounting area of ​​the mold standard base member (110) to form a reference position and provides a core receiving space inside, thereby allowing the 3D printing core body (130) to be automatically aligned when inserted into the core receiving space.

[0129] Accordingly, the core body (130) is positioned by the shape of the receiving space of the housing (120) without separate processing or active adjustment, and can be reproducibly seated at the same reference position even if repeated replacement is performed.

[0130] In addition, in the structure of FIG. 4, the load transfer path is formed around the core support housing (120) and the mold standard base member (110) so that the compression load and molding load generated during the fastening or molding process are not directly concentrated on the 3D printing core body (130).

[0131] That is, according to the present invention, the fastening load and the molding load are primarily received on the seating surface and the supporting surface of the core support housing (120), and the load is configured to be distributed and transferred to the mold standard base member (110).

[0132] As a result, the 3D printing core body (130), unlike the conventional core body (50), has a reduced structural load-bearing burden, and the possibility of compression deformation and creep occurring, which were problems in resin-based cores, is significantly reduced.

[0133] Furthermore, in the conventional structure of FIG. 1, the core body (50) is deeply coupled between the upper and lower plates (10, 20), so when replacing the core, the range of mold disassembly increases, and there is a possibility of alignment errors occurring during reassembly. In contrast, in the structure of FIG. 4 according to the present invention, only the 3D printing core body (130) can be separated and replaced while the mold standard base member (110) and the core support housing (120) are maintained as a standard structure.

[0134] As a result, core replacement time is reduced, and reproducibility of the molding surface reference position is ensured even after replacement, thereby improving operational efficiency in production environments involving multi-product, small-batch production or frequent shape changes.

[0135] As a result, unlike conventional technology, the present invention enables the 3D printing core body (130) to function as a shape implementation module separated from the load-bearing structure, and allows the load to be received by the core support housing (120) and the mold standard base member (110), thereby improving the durability and molding precision reproducibility of the 3D printing core and providing a mold structure suitable for repeated replacement.

[0137] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a 3D printing core replacement system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 5, the 3D printing core replacement system may further include a sensor unit (160) and an AI-based core replacement determination unit (170).

[0139] The sensor unit (160) operates as a component that detects the physical condition occurring during the molding process in a 3D printing core replacement system and generates input data to evaluate the usage status of the core and whether replacement is necessary.

[0140] The sensor unit (160) is not directly attached to the 3D printing core body (130), but is positioned on the core support housing (120) or the mold standard base member (110) and configured to continuously acquire data regardless of the 3D printing core body (130) that is repeatedly replaced.

[0141] The sensor unit (160) is positioned on the load transfer path of the core support housing (120) or in the fastening load receiving area of ​​the mold standard base member (110). At this time, the sensor unit (160) is positioned at the point where the load acting on the 3D printing core body (130) is actually distributed and transferred, that is, near the contact surface between the core support housing (120) and the mold standard base member (110) or the support surface of the core support housing (120), thereby enabling sensitive detection of changes in the compressive load and thermal environment occurring during the molding process.

[0142] When the sensor unit (160) is placed in the core support housing (120), it is advantageous for detecting compressive loads and micro-displacements transmitted through the core support housing (120), and when placed in the mold standard base member (110), it can reliably detect changes in fastening loads and heat distribution of the entire mold.

[0143] The sensor unit (160) may include a load sensor, and the load sensor detects compressive stress generated in the core support housing (120) or the mold standard base member (110) by fastening load or molding pressure generated during the molding process. The load sensor may be implemented as at least one of a strain gauge, a piezoelectric element, a load cell, or a thin-film pressure sensor, and the detected mechanical deformation or stress change is converted into an electrical signal.

[0144] At this time, the sensor unit (160) is configured not only to measure the instantaneous load but also to continuously acquire the load waveform that repeats according to the molding cycle to derive characteristic values ​​such as the “peak value of the load,” “average value of the load,” and “rate of rise and fall of the load.” These characteristic values ​​are utilized as input data that can be used to determine the core state in a subsequent module.

[0145] The sensor unit (160) may further include a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor detects a temperature change caused by heat transferred to the core support housing (120) or the mold standard base member (110) during the molding process. The temperature sensor may be implemented as at least one of a thermocouple, a resistance thermometer, or a semiconductor temperature sensor, and the detected temperature change is converted into an electrical signal.

[0146] The sensor unit (160) can generate thermal history indicators such as the instantaneous temperature value during the molding process, as well as the “average temperature,” “maximum temperature,” “temperature fluctuation range,” and “number of heating and cooling cycles” accumulated over a certain period of time. In particular, since the possibility of thermal softening and creep in the 3D printing core body (130) formed based on resin is closely related to the temperature history, the temperature history generated by the sensor unit (160) functions as valid input data for determining core replacement.

[0147] The sensor unit (160) may include a displacement sensor as needed, and the displacement sensor detects minute indentation, alignment error, or positional change relative to the seating surface of the core support housing (120) or the reference surface of the mold standard base member (110). For example, if minute subsidence occurs around the core support housing (120) or the fastening part as molding cycles accumulate, the displacement sensor can quantitatively detect the change and generate precursor data of a core state change.

[0148] At this time, the displacement sensor may be implemented as a contact-type displacement sensor or a non-contact-type sensor, and the sensor unit (160) may perform reference value correction or filtering to mitigate drift or noise of the detected displacement data.

[0149] The sensor unit (160) organizes the signals collected from the load / temperature / displacement sensors into output data based on a fixed sampling period and time. At this time, the sensor unit (160) assigns timestamps so that different types of sensor signals can be acquired on the same time axis, or normalizes the data into a form that can be stored or transmitted by packetizing it in units of forming cycles.

[0150] Additionally, the sensor unit (160) may perform preprocessing processes such as moving average, threshold-based noise removal, or low-pass filtering to reduce misjudgment caused by noise in the process environment or momentary outliers. However, such preprocessing is a function within the scope of “detection and signal quality improvement” performed by the sensor unit (160), and the sensor unit (160) does not perform the judgment itself regarding whether replacement is necessary.

[0151] The sensor unit (160) can provide the generated output data to the control unit or the upper server via wired or wireless communication. At this time, the sensor unit (160) may operate by transmitting data packets at the end of each molding cycle or by transmitting accumulated data at set intervals. The sensor data provided by the sensor unit (160) can be used for core status evaluation or replacement determination in subsequent steps.

[0152] The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) is configured to evaluate the condition of the 3D printing core body (130) and calculate whether replacement is necessary or when replacement is needed based on the history of load, temperature, displacement, and molding quality accumulated during the molding process in the 3D printing core replacement system. The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) receives sensor data and molding history data provided from the sensor unit (160) as input, and outputs a replacement determination result by quantitatively calculating the degree of deterioration of the core, remaining service life, or probability of failure using a learned artificial intelligence model.

[0153] The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) receives load data, temperature data, and displacement data from the sensor unit (160). Additionally, if necessary, process / quality history data such as molding cycle information, number of moldings, fastening torque, product defect rate, and dimensional deviation can be collected together.

[0154] The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) sorts the data in units of molding cycles so that the time standards of different data do not differ, and assigns a section tag to distinguish sections where process conditions have changed. At this time, if there is missing data, the continuity of the input data is ensured by methods such as maintaining the previous value, linear interpolation, or excluding valid sections.

[0155] The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) generates features that reflect the core state from collected raw sensor data. For example, for load data, features such as peak load, average load, rise time of load waveform, load fluctuation range, and load deviation between cycles are generated, and for temperature data, features such as maximum temperature, average temperature, cooling time, heating-cooling repetition rate, and temperature fluctuation range are generated. When displacement data is included, features such as cumulative displacement relative to a reference plane, displacement increase per cycle, and displacement drift trend are calculated.

[0156] Additionally, the AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) normalizes the feature quantity to ensure the possibility of comparison between cases with different process conditions. Normalization can be performed using min-max normalization, standardization, or a relative value conversion method relative to a reference condition, and can be configured to derive a relative degradation index using a reference vector for the same core material or the same molding condition.

[0157] The AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) suppresses outliers that may occur due to sensor noise, instantaneous shock, abnormal connection events, etc. To this end, the stability of the feature quantity is ensured by applying a moving average filter, a median filter, or a threshold-based window removal. In addition, if the load and temperature change abnormally at the same time in the same cycle, an event flag is assigned so that the corresponding section can be processed as a separate class or a separate input condition during learning / inference.

[0158] The AI-based core replacement determination unit (170) provides a preprocessed feature vector as input to an artificial intelligence model and outputs the degree of core deterioration or the probability of needing replacement. The artificial intelligence model may be composed of at least one of a supervised learning-based classification model, a regression model, or a survival analysis-based model. In the case of a classification model, it outputs a state class such as “normal,” “caution,” or “needs replacement,” and in the case of a regression model, it outputs a remaining service life or an estimated replacement time as a numerical value.

[0159] In particular, to reflect the characteristic that core degradation accumulates due to the combined action of load and temperature, the AI ​​model may use not only single-point-time features but also time-series intervals of a certain length as input. Accordingly, even if the same peak load occurs, the replacement decision result may vary depending on the accumulated temperature history or the trend of increasing displacement.

[0160] The AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) calculates a replacement judgment score based on the output value of the artificial intelligence model. The replacement judgment score may be defined in the form of a probability of replacement necessity, remaining service life, or a deterioration index. In one embodiment, the replacement judgment score may be calculated as [Equation 1] by weighted summing of the load deterioration index, the temperature deterioration index, and the displacement deterioration index.

[0162] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0163]

[0165] D L : Load-based deterioration index,

[0166] D T : Temperature-based degradation index,

[0167] D x : Displacement-based degradation index.

[0168] w1, w2, w3: weights corresponding to the degradation index,

[0170] The above weights may be set according to the core material, molding conditions, and product quality requirements, or may be optimized during the learning process. The AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) classifies the core status by comparing the replacement judgment score with a preset threshold.

[0171] For example, if the replacement judgment score is below the first threshold, it is determined to be in a normal state; if it is between the first threshold and the second threshold, it is determined to be in a caution state; and if it is above the second threshold, it is determined to be in a state requiring replacement. Additionally, it can be classified as requiring replacement if the remaining service life is predicted to be below a specific standard.

[0172] In this case, the threshold value may be set as a single fixed value, but it may also be dynamically adjusted to reflect changes in production line process conditions or core material changes. For example, it can be configured to lower the threshold value to induce early replacement if the temperature environment increases, even at the same molding pressure.

[0173] The AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) generates replacement recommendation information based on the state classification result. The replacement recommendation information may include whether replacement is necessary, the timing of the replacement recommendation, the expected remaining lifespan, risk factors (items with a large contribution among load / temperature / displacement), etc.

[0174] The AI-based core replacement decision unit (170) can provide the generated replacement recommendation information to a user terminal, a control device, or a maintenance management module, and the method of provision may include at least one of screen display, a notification message, and log storage.

[0175] The AI-based core replacement judgment unit (170) can update the artificial intelligence model by collecting actual replacement results or molding quality results as feedback data. For example, if actual wear / deformation of the core is confirmed after it is determined that replacement is needed, the data is stored as a correct label, and conversely, if it is determined that replacement is needed but no problem was found, it is stored as a false positive case.

[0176] This feedback data can be accumulated as future training data and used to improve the model's discrimination performance. However, considering the safe operation of the molding line, model updates may be configured to be performed periodically or reflected only after passing the verification procedure.

[0178] Although the present invention has been described by the embodiments and drawings described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible from this description by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the concept of the present invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or analogous variations thereof shall be considered to fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0180] 10: Upper mold plate, 20: Lower mold plate, 50: Core body, 110: Mold standard base member, 120: Core support housing, 130: 3D printing core body, 140: Connecting part for core fastening, 150: Fastening auxiliary member,

Claims

Claim 1 A 3D printing core replacement system comprising: a mold standard base member; a core support housing mounted on the mold standard base member; a 3D printing core body configured to be received in the core support housing and to realize a molded shape; a core fastening coupling part configured to fasten the core support housing to the mold standard base member; a fastening auxiliary member configured to assist the fastening stability of the core fastening coupling part; a sensor part disposed on the core support housing or the mold standard base member to detect load, temperature, and displacement occurring during the molding process; and an AI-based core replacement judgment part that calculates the degree of deterioration or the need for replacement of the 3D printing core body based on time-series data including load data, temperature data, and displacement data received from the sensor part, and calculates a replacement judgment score using feature quantities generated from the time-series data. Claim 2 A 3D printing core replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the mold standard base member is formed as a mold base and configured to maintain a reference position even when the core support housing is repeatedly mounted and detached. Claim 3 A 3D printing core replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the core support housing includes a core receiving space for receiving the 3D printing core body inside, and is configured so that the 3D printing core body is automatically aligned by the shape of the core receiving space. Claim 4 A 3D printing core replacement system according to claim 1, characterized in that the core support housing is configured to distribute and transmit the load generated during the mold fastening or molding process to the mold standard base member, rather than directly transmitting it to the 3D printing core body. Claim 5 A 3D printing core replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the core support housing is formed of a resin-based material and configured to realize only a molded shape while structurally supported by the core support housing. Claim 6 A method for determining core replacement using a 3D printing core replacement system, comprising: a step of mounting a core support housing on a standard mold base member and accommodating a 3D printing core body in the core support housing to realize a molded shape; a step of fastening the core support housing to the standard mold base member using a core fastening coupling member and securing fastening stability through a fastening auxiliary member; a step of detecting load, temperature, and displacement occurring during the molding process using a sensor unit disposed on the core support housing or the standard mold base member; a step of generating time series data including load data, temperature data, and displacement data received from the sensor unit; a step of calculating the degree of deterioration or the need for replacement of the 3D printing core body based on the time series data; and a step of generating feature quantities from the time series data and calculating a replacement determination score using the feature quantities. Claim 7 A 3D printing core replacement method according to claim 6, characterized in that the step of providing the mold standard base member includes the step of providing the mold base as a reference structure so that the reference position is maintained even when the core support housing is repeatedly mounted and detached. Claim 8 A 3D printing core replacement method according to claim 6, wherein the step of arranging to accommodate the 3D printing core body to realize a molded shape includes the step of arranging the 3D printing core body so that it is automatically aligned by the shape of the core receiving space formed inside the core support housing. Claim 9 A 3D printing core replacement method according to claim 6, wherein the step of mounting a core support housing on the mold standard base member includes the step of fastening to distribute and transfer the load to the mold standard base member so that the load generated during the mold fastening or molding process is not directly transferred to the 3D printing core body. Claim 10 A 3D printing core replacement method according to claim 6, wherein the step of arranging a 3D printing core body to accommodate and realize a molded shape inside the core support housing comprises the step of arranging a 3D printing core body formed of a resin-based material in a state where it is structurally supported by the core support housing to realize only the molded shape.

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