Separation device for unloading 3D printed product and 3D printing apparatus provided with same

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a separation device for unloading a 3D printed product and a 3D printing apparatus provided with same. The separation device comprises: a printing platform, the surface of the printing platform being provided with a protrusion, and the upper surface of the protrusion being provided with a bearing surface for a 3D printed product; a separation plate, the separation plate being provided with a hollowed-out portion, and the protrusion on the printing platform being at least partially embedded into the hollowed-out portion; and a driving device, which is used for driving the printing platform and the separation plate to generate a relative displacement. Performing 3D printing by means of using the separation device of the present invention and the 3D printing apparatus provided with same can reduce the damage of 3D printed products and thus improve the yield. Moreover, molded 3D printed products can be rapidly collected and unloaded, thus improving the production efficiency and finding anomalies during the separation and eliminating same in time.

Description

A separation device for unloading 3D printed products and a 3D printing device having the same. Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultraviolet curing 3D printing technology, specifically to a separation device for unloading 3D printed products and a 3D printing equipment having the same. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing technology is a rapid prototyping technology that uses fused deposition modeling, photopolymerization, selective laser sintering, and powder melting to solidify and sinter different materials such as plastic filaments, photosensitive resins, metal powders, and thermoplastic powders, transforming digital models layer by layer into solid objects. Unlike traditional machining, it belongs to additive manufacturing processes and is easy to manufacture parts with complex surface structures or hollow structures. It is widely used in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and construction industries.

[0003] After 3D printed products are formed, they are often attached to the printing platform and need to be peeled off from the printing platform.

[0004] In the prior art:

[0005] Document 1 (CN206264354U) discloses a photopolymerizable 3D printing device and system capable of automatic continuous printing. Its automatic printing and part collection device 220 may include a material tank 221 for containing photosensitive resin, a lifting platform 222 for connecting the molded workpiece 300, a coating scraper 223 for spreading the photosensitive resin, an image exposure system 224 for curing the photosensitive resin, a lifting device 225 for separating the workpiece 300 from the lifting platform 222, and a collection scraper 226 for scraping the workpiece 300 separated from the lifting platform 222 away from the lifting platform 222. However, the lifting device 225 uses multiple push rods that mate with the through holes on the lifting platform 222. Due to the small contact area between the push rods and the workpiece, the push rods cannot apply force to the workpiece as a whole during separation operations. The workpiece experiences high local pressure, which can easily puncture it. Furthermore, for workpieces with a hollow bottom structure, the push rods often cannot find a point of force application. Additionally, in the initial stages of printing, the lifting platform 222 with through holes lacks support for the workpiece at the through holes, affecting printing quality. Moreover, the push rods need to correspond one-to-one with the through holes on the lifting platform 222, and the large number of push rods mates with the through holes presents assembly difficulties. During use, the push rods are generally immersed in photosensitive resin, making it difficult to detect when debris or other foreign objects fall between them. This usually requires draining the resin tank, making maintenance very troublesome. Debris can also easily cause the push rods to jam with the through holes, damaging the equipment. The manufacturing cost of the push rods is high; even if one push rod is damaged, the entire lifting device 225 needs to be replaced.

[0006] Document 2 (CN114147967B) discloses a data processing method and system for three-dimensional models, a part-removing mechanism, and a 3D printing device. Its component platform includes multiple grooves 41 and through holes 42 disposed within the grooves 41. The grooves 41 are used to engage with a lower scraper component. The scraper component's cutting edge is configured with multiple comb-like structures 41' that engage with the grooves 41 on the component platform. During the part-removing operation, the component platform 51 rises below the scraper component 61 so that the comb-like structures of the scraper component 61 engage with the grooves of the component platform 51, thereby performing the part-removing operation. This structure still uses a method similar to traditional manual peeling to remove the workpiece from the component platform, resulting in easily damaged products and a low yield rate.

[0007] Document 3 (CN214324201U) discloses a part-removal mechanism and the applicable 3D printing equipment, which also employs a grooved component platform 51 and a toothed scraper 61. During the part-removal operation, the component platform 51 rises below the scraper 61 so that the toothed structure of the scraper 61 engages with the grooves of the component platform 51, thereby performing the part-removal operation. This structure removes the workpiece directly with the scraper, which easily damages the product, especially for products with strong adhesion to the printing platform, resulting in a low yield rate.

[0008] Reference 4 (CN105026131B) discloses an automatic removal method for parts in a 3D printer, which uses a drive mechanism to drive a blade 20 across the printing surface 12 to engage and then remove the printed part. This structure removes the workpiece directly with the blade, which can easily damage the product, especially for products with strong adhesion to the printing platform, resulting in a low yield rate.

[0009] Document 5 (CN111434482A) discloses a 3D printing apparatus, a part-retrieving device and method, a control device, and a storage medium. It employs an ejector mechanism 13, driven by a first driving mechanism 12, to lift the workpiece to be retrieved from the stencil plate 11, thereby separating the workpiece from the stencil plate 11. A scraper mechanism 14 and a second driving mechanism 15 are also included. The second driving mechanism 15 is connected to the scraper mechanism 14 and can drive the scraper mechanism 14 to move. When the scraper mechanism 14 moves under the drive of the second driving mechanism 15, it can remove the workpiece from the stencil plate 11. Thus, the ejector mechanism 13 separates the workpiece from the stencil plate 11, and the scraper mechanism 14 removes the workpiece from the stencil plate, achieving automatic part retrieval. CN206264354U, CN108215173A, and WO2018108189A1 employ similar structures. However, the above-mentioned ejection mechanism has a complex forming process, resulting in uneven stress on the product during ejection, low pass rate, and a long workpiece peeling process with low printing efficiency.

[0010] In the aforementioned existing technologies, manual peeling is prone to damaging the product due to uneven stress. Furthermore, manual peeling is inefficient and affects production progress during mass printing. Automatic peeling, on the other hand, suffers from drawbacks such as the complexity of the formed parts, uneven stress, low yield, and a longer peeling process, resulting in low printing efficiency.

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide a task flow control method, apparatus, electronic device, or computer-readable storage medium that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0013] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a separation device for unloading 3D printed products and a 3D printing device incorporating the device, which can apply a separation force to the entire workpiece during separation, reducing localized stress and improving yield.

[0014] This invention provides a separation device for unloading 3D printed products, comprising:

[0015] A printing platform, the surface of which is provided with protrusions, the upper surface of which forms the bearing surface of the 3D printed product;

[0016] A separation plate having a hollow portion, wherein the protrusion of the printing platform is at least partially embedded in the hollow portion;

[0017] A driving device is used to drive the printing platform and the separation plate to generate relative displacement, wherein the relative displacement can be relative translation or relative rotation. When the relative displacement is relative translation, both ends of the separation plate are freely connected to the printing platform, and the separation plate is directly driven to move relative to the printing platform by the driving device, such as a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or lead screw, and no limiting device is required. When the relative displacement is relative rotation, one end of the separation plate is rotatably connected to the printing platform, and the separation plate is directly driven to rotate relative to the printing platform by the driving device, such as a motor and a reduction gear mechanism, and again, no limiting device is required.

[0018] Furthermore, the separation plate is provided with one or more.

[0019] Furthermore, the driving device also includes a limiting device for limiting the relative displacement of the printing platform and the separating plate. When the relative displacement is a relative translation, both ends of the separating plate are freely connected to the printing platform. The limiting device is set, and the driving device drives the printing platform to move downward while the separating plate is stopped by the limiting device. When the relative movement is a relative rotation, one end of the separating plate is rotatably connected to the printing platform. Similarly, a limiting device is set, and the driving device drives the printing platform to move downward while the separating plate is stopped by the limiting device.

[0020] Furthermore, the limiting device is a limiting block, and when the driving device drives the printing platform to move downward, at least one end of the separating plate stops on the upper surface of the limiting block.

[0021] Furthermore, it also includes a scraper, which is positioned above the printing platform to further scrape the 3D printed product away from the printing platform. The scraper can move horizontally or rotatably relative to the printing platform.

[0022] Furthermore, the limiting block is disposed on the back of the scraper. Since the limiting block and the scraper have independent functions and do not work simultaneously, integrating them allows the limiting block and the scraper to use the same drive mechanism, saving space and reducing equipment costs.

[0023] Furthermore, the upper surface of the limiting block is trapezoidal, wavy, or other non-planar shape used to adjust the separation. By setting the upper surface of the limiting block to be non-planar, the limiting block has different thicknesses at different positions. When limiting different separation plates, the separation operation has a sequential order, which can effectively reduce the separation force.

[0024] Furthermore, the printing platform has multiple protrusions spaced apart, and the protrusions are elongated, cylindrical, or polygonal columnar.

[0025] Furthermore, the shape of the hollowed-out portion of the separation plate is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion of the printing platform. The shape of the printing platform and the separation plate that are easy to separate are selected according to different printing substrates and the shape of 3D printed products.

[0026] Furthermore, the ratio of the area of ​​the separation plate to the area of ​​the bearing surface is 1:1 to 1:5. The smaller the ratio, the smaller the area of ​​the separation plate and the larger the area of ​​the raised upper surface, which provides better support for the 3D printed product and makes printing easier, but the separation force is greater. The larger the ratio, the larger the area of ​​the separation plate and the smaller the area of ​​the raised upper surface, which results in a smaller separation force but a higher likelihood of printing failure.

[0027] Furthermore, the upper surface of the separation plate is flush with or lower than the bearing surface of the printing platform. By setting the upper surface of the separation plate to be lower than the bearing surface of the printing platform, the separation plate does not contact the 3D printed product during the printing process, thus preventing adhesion. When the printing platform and the separation plate are relatively displaced, the 3D printed product is peeled off from the printing platform.

[0028] Furthermore, the upper surface of the separation plate is 0-20mm lower than the surface of the printing platform.

[0029] The present invention also provides a 3D printing device having a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus having the above-mentioned separation device for unloading 3D printed products.

[0030] Furthermore, the printing apparatus also includes an ultraviolet light irradiation device.

[0031] Furthermore, the 3D printing equipment also includes a control system, a frame, and a resin tank. The frame includes a base and a mounting frame disposed above the base. The resin tank is disposed on the upper surface of the base. The printing device is disposed on the mounting frame. The control system controls the printing device to automatically complete the printing and unloading operations.

[0032] Beneficial effects: This invention employs a relatively movable separation plate and printing platform, achieving separation of the 3D printed product from the printing platform through their relative movement. Compared to existing push-rod and shovel-plate separation devices, the separation plate of this invention has a larger contact area with the 3D printed product, resulting in more uniform force distribution on the 3D printed product and preventing workpiece puncture. Simultaneously, it provides excellent support for the 3D printed product, preventing damage.

[0033] The separation mechanism is equipped with a limiting block, which achieves separation by locking the separation plate, simplifying the separation operation. The entire separation process occurs above the resin solution surface, allowing for timely detection and resolution of any abnormalities, making it easy to maintain. Even if residue or other foreign matter falls into the resin tank, it will not affect printing or separation operations. A scraper facilitates the collection and unloading of 3D printed products. Integrating the limiting block and scraper allows them to use the same drive mechanism, saving space and reducing equipment costs. Multiple separation plates and stepped limiting blocks allow for varying thicknesses at different positions, ensuring a sequential separation operation and effectively reducing separation force. The area ratio of the separation plate to the bearing surface is 1:1-1:5, providing good support for the 3D printed product without causing excessive separation force. The upper surface of the separation plate is flush with or lower than the bearing surface of the printing platform, preventing adhesion between the separation plate and the 3D printed product and ensuring high separation efficiency.

[0034] By using the separation device and printing equipment of the present invention, damage to 3D printed products can be reduced, the yield rate can be increased, and the printed 3D printed products can be quickly collected and unloaded, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0035] Instruction manual illustrations

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a 3D printing device according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a side view of a 3D printing device according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a printing platform and a separation plate according to one structural form of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the printing platform and separation plate of the present invention;

[0040] Figures 5a-5c are schematic diagrams of printing platforms and separation plates in other structural forms of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the separation process in the parallel embedding form of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the separation process of the rotational embedding form of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the separation process in the form of rotational embedding, from another perspective of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 is a side view of the rotational embedding form of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting block and scraper of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 11 is a side view of the limiting block and scraper of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the stepped-shaped limiting block of the present invention;

[0048] Figures 13a-13d are schematic diagrams of different stepped shapes of the limiting block of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the separation plate of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 15 is a structural schematic diagram of the 3D printed product of the present invention.

[0051] Among them: 10-3D printing equipment, 100-frame, 200-resin tank, 300-printing device, 310-separation device, 311-printing platform, 312-raised upper surface, 313-raised, 314-separation plate, 315-upper surface of separation plate, 316-upper stop block, 317-limiting block, 318-scraper, 319-cutout part, 320-scraper, 330-ultraviolet irradiation device, 500-3D printed product. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0053] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that other embodiments may also be used, and changes in mechanical composition, structure, electrical, and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The following detailed description should not be considered limiting, and the scope of the embodiments of the present application is defined only by the claims of the published patents. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present application. Spatially related terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “below,” “below,” “lower part,” “above,” “upper part,” etc., may be used herein to illustrate the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and another element or feature.

[0054] While the terms first, second, etc., are used in some instances herein to describe various elements or parameters, these elements or parameters should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element or parameter from another. For example, a first moving component may be referred to as a second moving component, and similarly, a second moving component may be referred to as a first moving component, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. Both the first moving component and the second moving component describe a moving component, but they are not the same moving component unless the context otherwise explicitly indicates otherwise. Similar cases include first guide rail and second guide rail, or first drive component and second drive component.

[0055] Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” indicate the presence of the stated feature, step, operation, element, component, item, kind, and / or group, but do not preclude the presence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms “or” and “and / or” as used herein are to be interpreted inclusively, or mean any one or any combination thereof. Thus, “A, B, or C” or “A, B, and / or C” means “any one of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C.” Exceptions to this definition occur only when combinations of elements, functions, steps, or operations are inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0056] Figure 15 shows the 3D printed product 500 of the present invention, specifically relating to a dental brace.

[0057] Figures 1-14 are schematic diagrams of a 3D printing device according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, the 3D printing device 10 includes a control system (not shown in the figure), a frame 100, a resin tank 200, and a printing device 300. The frame 100 includes a base and a mounting frame disposed above the base. The resin tank 200 is disposed on the upper surface of the base and is used to hold the resin solution used as the printing substrate. The printing device 300 is disposed on the mounting frame and is used to immerse itself in the resin solution, then cure it after being irradiated with ultraviolet light, and then separate and unload the printed product. The control system controls the 3D printing device 300 to automatically complete the above operations.

[0058] Figures 2-4 are schematic diagrams of the printing device 300 of the 3D printing equipment 10 of the present invention. The printing device 300 includes an ultraviolet light irradiation device, a separation device 310, and a scraper 320. The separation device 310 includes a printing platform 311, a separation plate 314, and a driving device (not shown in the figure).

[0059] The surface of the printing platform 311 has multiple protrusions 313, and the upper surface 312 of the multiple protrusions is generally flat, which forms the bearing surface for supporting the 3D printed product 500.

[0060] The printing platform 311 is slidably connected to the mounting frame via a vertical guide mechanism (not shown in the figure). The mounting frame is equipped with a platform lifting drive mechanism (not shown in the figure), which drives the printing platform 311 to rise and fall on the mounting frame. The platform lifting drive mechanism can be a screw mechanism, a cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0061] The separation plate 314 has a cutout portion 319, as shown in FIG14. At least some of the multiple protrusions 313 of the printing platform 311 are embedded in the cutout portion 319, as shown in FIG3-4.

[0062] The shape of the hollow portion 319 of the separation plate 314 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 313 of the printing platform 311. The shapes of the printing platform 311 and the separation plate 314 are selected to facilitate separation based on different printing substrates and the shape of the 3D printed product 500. In one embodiment, the hollow portion 319 is a parallel strip-shaped slot, as shown in Figures 3-4; in other embodiments, the hollow portion 319 is a polygonal mesh, such as a triangular mesh, a quadrilateral mesh, or a hexagonal mesh, as shown in Figures 5a-5c. Correspondingly, as shown in Figures 3-5, the protrusion 313 of the printing platform 311 and the hollow portion 319 of the separation plate 314 have corresponding shapes. When the hollow portion 319 is a parallel strip-shaped slot, the protrusion 313 is a plurality of spaced-apart elongated structures; when the hollow portion 319 is a polygonal mesh, the protrusion 313 is a plurality of spaced-apart cylindrical or polygonal columnar structures.

[0063] The driving device is used to drive the printing platform 311 and the separation plate 314 to generate relative displacement, which can be relative translation or relative rotation. When the relative displacement is relative translation, both ends of the separation plate 314 are freely connected to the printing platform 311, and the driving device directly drives the separation plate 314 to move relative to the printing platform 311. For example, a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or lead screw can be used, and no limiting device is required. When the relative movement is relative rotation, one end of the separation plate 314 is rotatably connected to the printing platform 311, as shown in Figures 7-9. The driving device directly drives the separation plate 314 to rotate relative to the printing platform 311. For example, a motor and a reduction mechanism can be used, and again, no limiting device is required.

[0064] The driving device also includes a limiting device. When the relative displacement is a relative translation, as shown in Figure 6, both ends of the separating plate 314 are freely connected to the printing platform 311. The limiting device is set, and the driving device drives the printing platform 311 to move downward, while the separating plate 314 is stopped by the limiting device. When the relative displacement is a relative rotation, one end of the separating plate 314 is rotatably connected to the printing platform 311. The limiting device is set, and the driving device drives the printing platform 311 to move downward, while the separating plate 314 is stopped by the limiting device. In one embodiment, the limiting device is a limiting block 317, as shown in Figures 6-13. When the driving device drives the printing platform 311 to move downward, at least one end of the separating plate 314 is stopped on the upper surface of the limiting block 317.

[0065] At least one end of the separation plate 314 extends beyond the corresponding end face of the printing platform 311, as shown in Figure 2. A limiting block 317 is disposed below the separation plate 314, as shown in Figures 6-9. When the printing platform 311 drives the separation plate 314 to descend, the limiting block 317 limits the separation plate 314 from at least one side, restricting the separation plate 314 from continuing to move downward. As the printing platform 311 continues to descend, the separation plate 314 and the printing platform 311 move relative to each other, causing the 3D printed product 500 to separate from the printing platform 311.

[0066] One or more separating plates 314 are provided, and the upper surface of the limiting block 317 is non-planar, as shown in Figure 13. This allows the limiting block 317 to have different thicknesses at different positions. During the separation process, when different separating plates 314 are limited, the contact timing between the separating plates 314 and the limiting block 317 at different positions varies. The thicker position contacts the separating plate 314 first. The separation operation has a sequential order, which can effectively reduce the separation force. In other embodiments, the non-planar shape is a stepped, trapezoidal, or wavy shape with progressively increasing (decreasing) dimensions, as shown in Figures 13a-13d.

[0067] As shown in Figures 8-9, the system also includes a scraper 318, positioned above the printing platform 311, which can move horizontally relative to the printing platform 311. The scraper 318 is approximately perpendicular to the upper surface 312 of the protrusion. Specifically, when the separation plate 314 moves relative to the printing platform 311, the 3D printed product 500 separates from the printing platform 311. At this time, the 3D printed product 500 is located on the separation plate 314 but not adhered to it. Then, the printing platform 311 moves upward, and the separation plate 314, under the influence of gravity and the upper stop 316, has its hollowed-out portion 319 engage with the protrusion 313 again. At this time, the 3D printed product 500 falls back onto the upper surface 312 of the protrusion. The scraper 318, located above the printing platform 311, moves along the surface of the printing platform 311, further scraping the 3D printed product 500 completely away from the printing platform 311 and pushing it to the discharge port (not shown in the figure) for discharge.

[0068] The mounting bracket is equipped with a first horizontal drive mechanism (not shown in the figure). The scraper 318 moves horizontally back and forth on the raised upper surface 312 under the drive of the first horizontal drive mechanism. The mounting bracket is also equipped with a second horizontal drive mechanism (not shown in the figure). The scraper 320 moves horizontally under the drive of the second horizontal drive mechanism to smooth the resin solution on the printing platform 311. The first and second horizontal drive mechanisms can be threaded screw mechanisms, belt mechanisms, etc.

[0069] The limiting block 317 is located on the back of the scraper plate 318, meaning the limiting block 317 can move horizontally with the scraper plate 318, as shown in Figures 9-11. During the separation process, the printing platform 311 drives the separation plate 314 down to an appropriate position. The first horizontal drive mechanism drives the limiting block 317 to a position below the edge of the printing platform 311, limiting the further descent of the separation plate 314. Then, the printing platform 311 continues to descend, achieving separation between the printing platform 311 and the separation plate 314. Since the limiting block 317 and the scraper plate 318 function independently and do not act simultaneously, integrating them allows the limiting block 317 and the scraper plate 318 to use the same drive mechanism, saving space and reducing equipment costs. In another embodiment, the limiting block 317 can also be fixed at a specific position on the mounting bracket or resin tank 200.

[0070] Different resin materials have varying viscosities and adhesions. To ensure good separation results for multiple resin materials, the applicant conducted experiments using different types of resin materials, targeting different separation distances d (as shown in Figures 6 and 9, the descent distance of the printing platform) and separation success rates. The experimental results are as follows:

[0071] Table 1. Comparison of separation performance of different resin materials and at different separation distances

[0072] As can be seen, the separation device 310 and 3D printing equipment 10 of the present invention can be applied to photosensitive resin substrates with viscosities of 150-3000pcs, and have a good separation success rate. In particular, after setting a sufficient separation distance, such as 40mm, the separation success rate can reach 100%.

[0073] Since the vertical projected area of ​​the printing platform 311 is roughly fixed, the more separation plates 314 there are and the larger their area, the smaller the area of ​​the corresponding protruding upper surface 312 will be, and the smaller the area of ​​the bearing surface will be. That is, there is a certain proportional relationship between the area of ​​the separation plates 314 and the area of ​​the bearing surface. See Table 2. The smaller the ratio, the fewer the number of separation plates 314 there are and the larger the area of ​​the bearing surface, which provides better support for the 3D printed product 500 and makes printing easier, but the separation force is greater and it is not easy to separate. The larger the ratio, the more the number of separation plates 314 there are and the larger their area, the smaller the area of ​​the bearing surface, the smaller the separation force, and the easier it is to separate successfully.

[0074] The applicant conducted yield experiments for different area ratios and obtained the following experimental results: the hollow part 319 of the separation plate is in the shape of parallel strip grooves, the protrusions 313 of the printing platform 311 are long strip structures with multiple intervals, and the number of strip rods that make up the separation plate 311 is the same as the number of protrusions 313. That is, the width relationship between the strip rods and the protrusions 313 can be mapped to the ratio of the bearing surface of the separation plate 311 to that of the printing platform 311.

[0075] Table 2. Experimental Results on the Influence of Different Area Relationships on Yield

[0076] Taking into account factors such as separation time and yield, the area ratio of the separation plate 314 to the bearing surface is set to 1:1-1:5.

[0077] If the width of the cutout 319 and the separation plate 314 is too wide, the bearing surface of the protrusion 313 will not provide sufficient support for the 3D printed product 500, affecting the printing quality. If the width of the cutout 319 and the separation plate 314 is too narrow, the separation plate 314 is prone to cutting the 3D printed product 500 during the separation operation. Similarly, if the separation plate 314 and the protrusion 313 are too thick, the separation operation will take more time, affecting the printing efficiency. If the separation plate 314 and the protrusion 313 are too thin, the rigidity of the separation plate 314 cannot be guaranteed, and the separation plate 314 is prone to bending during the separation operation. Therefore, the parameters such as groove width, groove depth, width and thickness of the separation plate 314 should be reasonably determined according to the size of the 3D printed product 500, the printing material and the printing efficiency.

[0078] When the separation plate 314 is fully engaged with the protrusion 313 of the printing platform 311, if the upper surface 315 of the separation plate 314 is flush with the upper surface 312 of the protrusion on the printing platform 311, the overall strength of the printing platform 311 is good, the bearing surface is relatively flat and easy to print. However, during printing, the 3D printed product 500 is prone to sticking to the separation plate 314 and is not easy to separate. Therefore, to facilitate separation, the upper surface 315 of the separation plate 314 is usually set lower than the upper surface 312 of the protrusion on the printing platform 311, as shown in Figure 4. Referring to Table 3, as the height difference between the separation plate 314 and the upper surface 312 of the protrusion increases, although it will cause discontinuity of the bearing surface, it can significantly improve the success rate of separation operation. Therefore, when the separation plate 314 is fully embedded in the printing platform 311, the height difference h between the upper surface 315 of the separation plate 314 and the upper surface 312 of the protrusion on the printing platform 311 is 0-20mm.

[0079] Table 3. The effect of the height difference between the separation plate 314 and the upper surface 312 of the protrusion on the separation success rate.

[0080] To prevent deformation of the 314 separation plate, high-strength materials such as 40Cr steel, S136 steel, or 45# steel must be used.

[0081] The printing and unloading process of the 3D printing equipment 10 of the present invention is as follows:

[0082] Driven by the platform lifting drive mechanism, the separation device 310 moves downward along the vertical guide mechanism and is immersed in the resin solution contained in the resin tank 200, so that the resin solution above the printing platform 311 is approximately one printing thickness. The second horizontal drive mechanism drives the scraper 320 to level the resin solution. Then, the ultraviolet irradiation device of the printing device 300 irradiates the area according to the preset printing pattern of the 3D printed product 500. The resin solution solidifies on the raised upper surface 312, i.e., the bearing surface, on the printing platform 311. Then, the platform lifting drive mechanism drives the separation device 310 to move downward by one printing thickness again, and ultraviolet irradiation and curing are performed again. The above operation is repeated to print a complete 3D printed product 500. Then, the platform lifting drive mechanism moves to... When the height of the limiting block 317 approaches, the first horizontal drive mechanism drives the limiting block 317 to a position below the edge of the printing platform 311. The printing platform 311 descends, causing it to separate from the separation plate 314, thus completing the separation of the 3D printed product 500 from the printing platform 311. The platform lifting drive mechanism drives the separation device 310 to rise. Under the action of gravity and the upper stop block 316, the separation plate 314 is embedded in the groove between the protrusions 313 on the printing platform 311. Then, the height of the printing platform 311 is adjusted so that the lower surface of the scraper 318 is in contact with the bearing surface. The first horizontal drive mechanism drives the scraper 318 to move above the printing platform 311, completely scraping the 3D printed product 500 away from the printing platform 311 and pushing it to the discharge port to complete the discharge.

[0083] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this application should still be covered by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A separation device for unloading 3D printed products, characterized in that, include: A printing platform, the surface of which is provided with protrusions, the upper surface of which forms the bearing surface of the 3D printed product; A separation plate having a hollow portion, wherein the protrusion of the printing platform is at least partially embedded in the hollow portion; A drive unit is used to drive the printing platform and the separation plate to produce relative displacement.

2. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The driving device also includes a limiting device for limiting the relative displacement between the printing platform and the separation plate.

3. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting device is a limiting block.

4. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a scraper, which is located above the printing platform and is used to further scrape the 3D printed product away from the printing platform.

5. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting block is located on the back of the scraper.

6. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that: The upper surface of the limiting block is trapezoidal, wavy, or other non-planar shape used for adjusting separation, and has a stepped shape.

7. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The separation plate is provided in one or more forms.

8. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The printing platform has multiple protrusions spaced apart, and the protrusions are elongated, cylindrical, or polygonal columnar.

9. A support device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The shape of the hollowed-out portion of the separation plate is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion of the printing platform.

10. A separation device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The area ratio of the separation plate to the area of ​​the bearing surface is 1:1 to 1:

5.

11. A separation device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the separation plate is flush with or lower than the bearing surface of the printing platform.

12. A separation device for unloading 3D printed products as described in claim 11, characterized in that: The upper surface of the separation plate is 0-20mm lower than the surface of the printing platform.

13. A 3D printing device, comprising a printing apparatus, characterized in that: The printing apparatus has a separation device for unloading 3D printed products as described in any one of claims 1-12.

14. A 3D printing apparatus as described in claim 13, characterized in that: The printing device also includes an ultraviolet light irradiation device.

15. A 3D printing apparatus as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The 3D printing equipment also includes a control system, a frame, and a resin tank. The frame includes a base and a mounting frame located above the base. The resin tank is located on the upper surface of the base. The printing device is located on the mounting frame. The control system controls the printing device to automatically complete the printing and unloading operations.

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