CN111546629A

CN111546629A - 3D printing equipment and 3D printing method

Info

Publication number: CN111546629A
Application number: CN201910111810.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周志军; 刘轶; 彭凡; 王彦涛
Original assignee: Kocel Intelligent Foundry Industry Innovation Center Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kocel Intelligent Foundry Industry Innovation Center Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-12
Filing date: 2019-02-12
Publication date: 2020-08-18
Also published as: WO2020164447A1

Abstract

The invention provides 3D printing equipment and a 3D printing method, relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and aims to solve the problem that the existing 3D printing equipment is low in printing efficiency. The 3D printing equipment comprises a rack, a driving mechanism, a forming module arranged on the rack, a conveying line arranged around the forming module and a plurality of construction platforms arranged on the conveying line, wherein the forming module is positioned above the construction platforms, the construction platforms comprise support plates used for containing printing products, the driving mechanism comprises a vertical driving assembly, and the vertical driving assembly can drive at least one of the forming module and the support plates to move up and down; the forming module comprises at least one printing device and/or at least one powder spreading device, and the printing device is positioned in front of the powder spreading device along the conveying direction of the conveying line. The 3D printing method utilizes the 3D printing equipment to perform 3D printing. The 3D printing equipment and the 3D printing method provided by the invention realize simultaneous printing and powder spreading, and greatly improve the printing efficiency.

Description

3D printing equipment and 3D printing method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing, in particular to 3D printing equipment and a 3D printing method.

Background

3D Printing is one of rapid prototyping technologies, which is a technology for constructing an object by Printing layer by layer using an adhesive material such as powdered metal or plastic based on a digital model file.

In the 3D printing apparatus provided in the related art, the printing process is: uniformly laying a layer of powder on a platform; then, a printing head of the printing device sprays a liquid material in a specific area, so that powder at the spraying part is bonded together; and then, the platform descends for a certain layer thickness distance, and the steps are repeated until the powder laying printing work of all the layers is finished. Although the 3D printing equipment realizes the basic model printing function, the powder spreading and printing are sequentially carried out in steps, and long waiting time exists among the steps, so that the single-layer powder spreading printing period is long, and the printing efficiency of the equipment is greatly reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a 3D printing device to solve the technical problem that the existing 3D printing device is low in printing efficiency.

The invention provides 3D printing equipment which comprises a rack, a driving mechanism, a forming module arranged on the rack, a conveying line arranged around the forming module and a plurality of building platforms arranged on the conveying line, wherein the forming module is positioned above the building platforms, the building platforms comprise support plates used for containing printing products, the driving mechanism comprises a vertical driving assembly, and the vertical driving assembly can drive at least one of the forming module and the support plates to move up and down.

The forming module comprises at least one printing device and/or at least one powder spreading device, and the printing device is positioned in front of the powder spreading device along the conveying direction of the conveying line.

The number of the forming modules is at least one.

The running direction of the conveying line is clockwise or anticlockwise.

Further, the construction platform is a flat plate type platform;

alternatively, the build platform is a box platform with an open top.

Further, the vertical driving assembly is connected between the forming module and the rack, and the vertical driving assembly is used for driving the forming module to move up and down.

Further, the driving mechanism further comprises a horizontal driving assembly connected between the forming module and the rack;

the forming module is connected to the vertical driving assembly through the horizontal driving assembly, and the vertical driving assembly is connected to the rack;

or the forming module is connected to the horizontal driving assembly through the vertical driving assembly, and the horizontal driving assembly is connected to the rack.

Further, each powder spreading device and each printing device in the forming module are alternately arranged;

or the number of the powder spreading devices in the forming module is 2-6 times that of the printing devices, and the printing devices are positioned in front of all the powder spreading devices along the conveying direction of the conveying line.

Further, the conveying line runs in a high-speed moving mode, or runs in a low-speed moving mode, or runs in a mode of combining high speed and low speed, or runs in an intermittent moving mode;

wherein the moving speed of the high-speed moving mode is more than 600mm/s, and the moving speed of the low-speed moving mode is less than 350 mm/s.

Further, the device also comprises a positioning device, wherein the positioning device is arranged adjacent to the forming module and used for limiting the construction platform in the forming process.

The printing device further comprises a feeding channel and a discharging channel, wherein the feeding channel is used for conveying the building platform to be printed to the conveying line, the discharging channel is used for conveying the building platform after printing is finished, the feeding channel and the discharging channel are both connected with the conveying line, and at least one feeding channel and at least one discharging channel are arranged.

Furthermore, the printing powder feeding device further comprises a feeding device for providing printing powder and a liquid device for providing printing liquid, wherein the feeding device and/or the liquid device are arranged on the frame, or the feeding device and/or the liquid device are arranged independently of the frame.

Further, a cleaning device for cleaning the printing device is also included.

Further, the number of the forming modules is a plurality, the forming modules are arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the conveying line, and when the conveying line reaches a certain position, each forming module is opposite to one of the building platforms.

The 3D printing equipment has the beneficial effects that:

the forming device comprises a rack, a driving mechanism, a forming module, a conveying line and a plurality of building platforms, wherein the forming module is positioned above the building platforms, the building platforms comprise carrier plates for bearing printed products, the driving mechanism comprises a vertical driving assembly, and the vertical driving assembly can drive at least one of the forming module and the carrier plates to move up and down; the transfer chain encircles the shaping module setting, and a plurality of platforms that establish set up in the transfer chain, feed forward along with the transfer chain. The forming module comprises a powder paving device and a printing device, and the printing device is positioned in front of the powder paving device along the conveying direction of the conveying line. The number of the forming modules is at least one, and the running direction of the conveying line can be clockwise or anticlockwise.

The basic working process of the 3D printing equipment is as follows: when printing is required to be carried out on each construction platform, firstly, the conveying line is operated to drive each construction platform to continuously feed forwards, and when the construction platform runs to the powder paving device of the forming module, the powder paving device paves a first layer of powder on the construction platform; along with the continuous operation of transfer chain, when the platform that founds that has laid the first layer powder moved to printing device department, printing device work was printed this platform that founds, so far, accomplished the 3D printing operation to the first layer powder on the platform that founds. And the printed construction platform is continuously conveyed forwards, when the printed construction platform is continuously conveyed to the powder spreading device, the forming module is upwards fed for one layer thickness distance or the carrier plate is descended for one layer thickness distance under the driving of the vertical driving assembly, then the powder spreading device is used for laying a second layer of powder on the construction platform, and meanwhile, the printing device is continuously used for printing the construction platform laid with the second layer of powder. And repeating the working process until all layers are printed.

This 3D printing apparatus has realized going on simultaneously printing and shop's powder two actions for at the in-process that the construction platform carried forward, printing operation and shop's powder operation can go on simultaneously in the different positions department of construction platform, improved the situation that the printing cycle that leads to because of waiting for each other between each step that exists among the prior art prolongs well, thereby improved 3D printing apparatus's printing efficiency greatly.

The second objective of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing method, so as to solve the technical problem that the existing 3D printing apparatus has low printing efficiency.

The 3D printing method provided by the invention utilizes the 3D printing equipment to perform 3D printing, and comprises the following steps:

s1: the conveying line runs at low speed and uniform speed;

s2: the powder spreading device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the forming module, and powder is spread on the carrier plate of the construction platform conveyed to the forming module;

s3: meanwhile, the printing device is lifted to the corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the molding module, and the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module through the conveying line and is subjected to powder paving is printed;

s4: the conveying line continuously circulates, the steps S1-S3 are repeated, the powder paving device and the printing device are lifted to the corresponding heights, and powder paving and printing are carried out on the next construction platform conveyed to the forming module;

s5: continuously circulating, powder spreading and printing until a certain building platform finishes all preset printing products, conveying the products out of the 3D printing equipment through a discharging channel, and simultaneously inputting a building platform to be printed through a feeding channel;

s6: and continuously and circularly spreading the powder and printing to realize continuous and uninterrupted powder spreading and printing.

Further, after step S3 is completed, step S7 is added: and (5) enabling the conveying line to run in the opposite direction to the direction in the step (S1), and carrying out powder laying and printing on the same construction platform for multiple times through the same forming module.

According to the 3D printing method, the 3D printing equipment is used for 3D printing, the 3D printing method realizes simultaneous printing and powder spreading, and the printing efficiency is effectively improved.

The third purpose of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing method to solve the technical problem of low printing efficiency of the existing 3D printing apparatus.

s10: the conveying line moves to a position close to the positioning position at a high speed and changes into low-speed movement, and when the conveying line moves to be jointed with the positioning device at a low speed, the conveying line reaches a preset printing position;

s20: the powder paving device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moved to pave the construction platform conveyed to the forming module;

s30: meanwhile, the printing device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the molding module, and then horizontally moves to print the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying line and is subjected to powder laying;

s40: the conveying line continuously circulates, the steps S10-S30 are repeated, the powder paving device and the printing device are lifted to the corresponding heights, and powder paving and printing are carried out on the next construction platform conveyed to the forming module;

s50: and continuously circulating, powder spreading and printing until a certain building platform finishes all the preset printing products, conveying the printing products out of the 3D printing equipment from a discharge channel, and simultaneously inputting a building platform to be printed from a feed channel.

S60: and continuously and circularly spreading the powder and printing to realize continuous and uninterrupted powder spreading and printing.

Further, before performing step S40, steps S20 and S30 may be repeated a plurality of times, and multiple layers are successively powdered and printed for one build platform, and then steps S40 to S60 are performed.

The fourth purpose of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing method, so as to solve the technical problem that the existing 3D printing apparatus has low printing efficiency.

s100: the conveying line runs circularly at low speed and uniform speed;

s200: after the carrier plate of the construction platform completely passes through one molding module, the carrier plate is lowered by one floor height before reaching the next molding module, and the powder paving device paves the powder on the construction platform conveyed to the molding module;

s300: meanwhile, the printing device prints the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying line and is finished with powder spreading;

s400: continuously circulating, repeating the steps S100-S300, reducing the carrier plate of the construction platform by one layer height, and paving powder and printing the next construction platform conveyed to the molding module;

s500: continuously circulating, powder spreading and printing until a certain building platform finishes all preset printing products, conveying the products out of the 3D printing equipment through a discharging channel, and simultaneously inputting a building platform to be printed through a feeding channel;

s600: and continuously and circularly spreading the powder and printing to realize continuous and uninterrupted powder spreading and printing.

Further, after step S300 is completed, step S700 is added: and (5) enabling the conveying line to run in the direction opposite to that in the step (S100), and carrying out powder laying and printing on the same construction platform for multiple times through the same forming module.

Further, after repeating step S400 until the build platform descends to the lowest position, step S800 is added to continue printing, and step S800 is:

the powder paving device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number and height parameters of the construction platform to be conveyed to the forming module, and then the construction platform conveyed to the forming module is paved by horizontally moving; meanwhile, the printing device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the molding module, and then the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module through the conveying line and is finished with powder laying is printed through horizontal movement;

continuing to repeat steps S100 and S700;

steps S500 and S600 are implemented.

Further, the steps S700 and S800 are repeated for a plurality of times, a plurality of layers are continuously laid and printed on one building platform, then the steps S100 and S800 are continuously repeated, and then the steps S500 and S600 are performed.

The fifth purpose of the present invention is to provide a 3D printing method to solve the technical problem of low printing efficiency of the existing 3D printing apparatus.

s1000: the conveying line moves to a position close to the positioning position at a high speed and changes into low-speed movement, and when the conveying line moves to be jointed with the positioning device at a low speed, the conveying line reaches a preset printing position;

s2000: after the carrier plate of the construction platform completely passes through one molding module, the carrier plate is lowered by one floor height before reaching the next molding module, and the powder paving device moves horizontally to pave the construction platform conveyed to the molding module;

s3000: meanwhile, the printing device horizontally moves to print the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying line and is finished with powder spreading;

s4000: starting circulation, repeating the steps S1000-S3000, and spreading powder and printing the next construction platform conveyed to the molding module;

s5000: continuously circulating, powder spreading and printing until a certain building platform finishes all preset printing products, conveying the products out of the 3D printing equipment through a discharging channel, and simultaneously inputting a building platform to be printed through a feeding channel;

s6000: and continuously and circularly spreading the powder and printing to realize continuous and uninterrupted powder spreading and printing.

Further, before performing step S4000, steps S2000 and S3000 are repeated a plurality of times, and a plurality of layers are continuously applied and printed on one build platform, and then steps S4000 to S6000 are performed.

Further, after repeating step S4000 until the build platform is lowered to the lowest position, adding step S7000 to continue printing, where step S7000 is:

the powder paving device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the forming module, and then the construction platform conveyed to the forming module is paved by horizontally moving; meanwhile, the printing device is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform to be conveyed to the molding module, and then the construction platform which is conveyed to the molding module through the conveying line and is finished with powder laying is printed through horizontal movement;

continuing to repeat step S1000 and step S7000;

step S5000 and step S6000 are performed.

Further, step S7000 is repeated multiple times, multiple layers are continuously laid and printed on one build platform, then steps S1000 and S7000 are repeated again, and then steps S5000 and S6000 are performed again.

Further, according to the operation instruction, the cleaning device cleans the powder spreading device and the printing device at the interval of powder spreading or printing.

The 3D printing method has the beneficial effects that:

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a rack in a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a feeding device in a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid material device in a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention, in which a molding module is mounted on a driving mechanism, where the driving mechanism includes a vertical driving assembly and a horizontal driving assembly;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a molding module in a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on another driving mechanism, where the driving mechanism includes a vertical driving assembly;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a molding module is mounted on a driving mechanism, where the driving mechanism includes a horizontal driving assembly;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a molding module in a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another molding module in the 3D printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another molding module in the 3D printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another molding module in the 3D printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals:

100-a frame; 200-a printing device; 300-a powder spreading device; 400-constructing a platform; 600-a conveying line; 700-a feeding device; 800-a drive mechanism; 900-liquid material device; 010-a cleaning device;

110-a working platform; 120-column;

410-a positioning device; 420-a carrier plate;

610-a feed channel; 620-discharge channel;

710-powder conveying mechanism; 720-a storage hopper; 730-a mixing mechanism; 740-a vibration blanking mechanism;

810-a vertical drive assembly; 820-horizontal drive assembly;

910-liquid tank; 920-liquid material pump; 930-a filtration unit.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are merely a few embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "vertical", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "connected" and "mounted" are to be interpreted broadly, e.g., as being either fixedly connected or detachably connected, or integrally connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.

Example one

As shown in fig. 1, the present embodiment provides a 3D printing apparatus, including a rack 100, a driving mechanism 800, a forming module disposed on the rack 100, a conveying line 600 disposed around the forming module, and a plurality of building platforms 400 disposed on the conveying line 600, wherein the forming module is located above the building platforms 400, the driving mechanism 800 includes a vertical driving assembly 810 for driving the forming module to ascend and descend, and the forming module is mounted on the rack 100 through the vertical driving assembly 810. Specifically, the molding module includes a powder spreading device 300 and a printing device 200, and the printing device 200 is located in front of the powder spreading device 300 in the conveying direction of the conveying line 600.

The basic working process of the 3D printing equipment is as follows: when printing is required to be performed on each construction platform 400, firstly, the conveying line 600 is operated to drive each construction platform 400 to continuously feed forwards, and when the construction platform 400 is operated to the powder laying device 300 of the forming module, the powder laying device 300 lays a first layer of powder on the construction platform 400; along with the continuous operation of the conveying line 600, when the construction platform 400 paved with the first layer of powder runs to the printing device 200, the printing device 200 works to print the construction platform 400, and thus, the 3D printing operation of the first layer of powder on the construction platform 400 is completed. The printed construction platform 400 is continuously conveyed forward, when the printed construction platform 400 is continuously conveyed to the powder spreading device 300, the forming module is driven by the vertical driving component 810 to upwards feed a layer thickness distance or the carrier plate is descended by a layer thickness distance, then the powder spreading device 300 lays a second layer of powder on the construction platform 400, and meanwhile, the printing device 200 continuously prints the construction platform 400 laid with the second layer of powder. And repeating the working process until all layers are printed.

This 3D printing apparatus has realized going on simultaneously printing and shop's powder two actions for at the in-process that construction platform 400 carried forward, printing operation and shop's powder operation can be gone on simultaneously in the different positions department of construction platform 400, improved the situation that the printing cycle that exists among the prior art leads to because of waiting each other between each step prolongs well, thereby improved 3D printing apparatus's printing efficiency greatly.

Referring to fig. 1 in combination with fig. 2, in the present embodiment, the frame 100 includes a plurality of columns 120 and a working platform 110 supported by the plurality of columns 120, wherein the forming module is mounted on one of the columns 120 through a vertical driving assembly 810.

Preferably, the frame 100 is welded or assembled by steel.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, 5 and 6, the vertical driving assembly 810 may drive the forming module by a gear rack, a synchronous belt mechanism or a lead screw driven by a motor.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the width of each building platform 400 may be equal to the effective forming length of the forming module. Such an arrangement ensures reliable molding on each build platform 400. Also, the length of each build platform 400 may be equal. Due to the arrangement, the situation that the construction platform 400 is not smoothly bent on the conveying line 600 is avoided to a certain extent, and the reliability that the conveying line 600 drives the construction platform 400 to feed forwards is guaranteed.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the conveying line 600 may be provided with a rib or a guide rail. Due to the arrangement, the accurate positioning of the construction platform 400 along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying line 600 is ensured, the relative movement of the construction platform 400 and the conveying line caused by slipping is reduced, and the printing precision is improved.

In this embodiment, the build platform 400 may be connected to the conveyor line 600 by a locking structure, or an anti-slip material may be disposed at a portion where the build platform 400 contacts the conveyor line 600. This arrangement further prevents the build platform 400 from slipping relative to the conveyor line 600, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the conveyance.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the build platform 400 may be made of metal, non-metal or composite material. By the arrangement, the structural strength of the construction platform 400 is ensured, and the reduction of printing precision caused by the deformation of the construction platform 400 is avoided to a certain extent. Wherein the construction platform 400 may be a rectangular parallelepiped structure.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the conveying line 600 refers to not only a conveying line which can convey the building platform 400, such as a chain conveying line, a belt conveying line, a roller conveying line, etc., in a conventional sense, but also a conveying line formed by the building platform 400 under a tangible connection device or an intangible driving control.

Referring to fig. 1 in combination with fig. 6 and 8, in the present embodiment, the powder spreading device 300 and the printing device 200 can be disposed side by side.

With reference to fig. 1 and fig. 9, in this embodiment, the forming module may include two powder spreading devices 300, and specifically, the printing device 200 is located between the two powder spreading devices 300 along the conveying direction of the conveying line 600.

The arrangement is such that the 3D printing apparatus can print bidirectionally, when the conveying line 600 runs in the direction opposite to the running direction in fig. 1, one powder laying device 300 does not work, and the other powder laying device 310 works, so as to print the 3D model on the construction platform 400.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the forming module for implementing bidirectional printing may be in an arrangement form including two powder spreading devices shown in fig. 9, but is not limited to this, and other arrangement forms may also be adopted, as shown in fig. 10 in particular. Such a molding module includes two printing devices 200 and one powder spreading device 300, and specifically, the powder spreading device 300 is located between the two printing devices 200 in the conveying direction of the conveying line 600.

When the transport line 600 runs in the direction opposite to the running direction in fig. 1, one printing device 200 is not operated and the other printing device 210 is operated, and printing of the 3D model on the build platform 400 is realized.

In addition, in this embodiment, the powder spreading devices 300 and the printing devices 200 may also adopt other number of layout forms, specifically referring to fig. 11, in this case, the molding module includes three powder spreading devices 300 and three printing devices 200, and each powder spreading device 300 and each printing device 200 are alternately arranged.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the forming modules may be in the form of simultaneously including the printing device 200 and the powder spreading device 300 in fig. 7 to 10, or in the form of only including the printing device 200 or the powder spreading device 300 in fig. 11, and in the case shown in fig. 11, the number of the forming modules is six, where three forming modules include only the printing device 200, three forming modules include only the powder spreading device 300, and the forming modules including only the printing device 200 and the forming modules including only the powder spreading device 300 are alternately arranged.

Referring to fig. 1, in the present embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus may further include a feeding device 700 for providing printing powder, wherein the feeding device 700 is disposed on the rack 100.

In this 3D printing apparatus working process, when the powder in shop's powder device 300 is not enough, feedway 700 opens, carries the powder that will mix to shop's powder device 300 in to guarantee going on smoothly of follow-up shop's powder process. By the arrangement, the powder is automatically supplemented, the complicated steps of manual feeding are omitted, and the labor intensity of workers is reduced.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, the feeding device 700 includes a material mixing mechanism 730, a storage hopper 720 disposed on the material mixing mechanism 730, a powder conveying mechanism 710 for sucking powder into the storage hopper 720, and a vibratory blanking mechanism 740 disposed on the storage hopper 720, wherein the number of the storage hoppers 720 may be multiple, the multiple storage hoppers 720 are all communicated with the material mixing mechanism 730, and the powder conveying mechanisms 710 and the storage hoppers 720 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence manner. Before the powder paving device 300 is supplied, the powder conveying mechanism 710 is started to suck powder into the storage hopper 720, and under the vibration of the vibration blanking mechanism 740, the powder in the storage hopper 720 uniformly falls into the mixing mechanism 730 to be mixed, and further falls into the powder paving device 300 through the mixing mechanism 730.

Specifically, the materials to be mixed can be solid and liquid, solid and solid, liquid and liquid, and can be mixtures of the same materials with different particle sizes, such as sand, gypsum, metal powder, nylon and the like with different meshes, and also can be mixtures of the above different materials.

As shown in fig. 15, the feeding device 700 can also be provided independently of the frame 100, such as: the feeding device 700 is installed on the ground.

Referring to fig. 1, in this embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus may further include a liquid device 900 for providing a printing liquid, wherein the liquid device 900 is also disposed on the rack 100. The arrangement can provide curing agent, adhesive, cleaning agent and other liquid materials required by printing for the whole machine.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 4, the liquid material device 900 includes a plurality of liquid material tanks 910, a plurality of liquid material pumps 920 for respectively pumping the liquid materials in the liquid material tanks 910, and a filtering unit 930 for filtering the liquid materials.

With continued reference to fig. 15, similarly, the liquid material device 900 can also be disposed independently of the frame 100, such as: the liquid material device 900 is installed on the ground.

It is to be understood that the arrangement of fig. 1 in which the supply device 700 and the liquid material device 900 are provided at the same time to the rack 100 and fig. 15 in which the supply device 700 and the liquid material device 900 are provided at the same time to the ground independently of the rack 100 may be adopted, the arrangement of the supply device 700 to the rack 100 and the liquid material device 900 to the rack 100 may be adopted, or the arrangement of the supply device 700 to the rack 100 and the arrangement of the liquid material device 900 to the rack 100 may be adopted.

As shown in fig. 16, in this embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus may further include a cleaning device 010, wherein the cleaning device 010 is disposed on the rack 100. After a period of printing, the printing apparatus 200 or the powder spreading apparatus 300 is moved to the cleaning apparatus 010, and the cleaning apparatus 010 performs maintenance operations such as cleaning. By the arrangement, the working reliability of the printing device 200 and the powder spreading device 300 is ensured, and the stop condition caused by the blockage of the printing head is avoided to a certain extent.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the cleaning device 010 may be disposed in the rack 100, but is not limited thereto, and other configurations may also be adopted, such as: the cleaning device 010 is provided at one of the construction platforms 400, or the cleaning device 010 is provided between two adjacent construction platforms 400, or the cleaning device 010 is provided independently of the rack 100.

With continued reference to fig. 1, in this embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus may further include a feeding channel 610 for conveying the build platform 400 to be printed to the conveying line 600 and a discharging channel 620 for conveying the completely printed build platform 400, wherein the feeding channel 610 and the discharging channel 620 are both connected to the conveying line 600.

Before the 3D printing apparatus works, the build platform 400 to be printed may be placed on the feeding channel 610, and the feeding channel 610 is used to transport the build platform to the conveying line 600 one by one, and the printed build platform 400 carrying the printed model real object may be sent out through the discharging channel 620. Also, during printing, a failed build platform 400 may be sent out through outfeed channel 620 for centralized processing.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the conveying line 600 may be in the form of only one feeding channel 610 and one discharging channel 620, which is shown in the figure, but not limited to this, and other arrangements may also be adopted, such as: both the feed channel 610 and the exit channel 620 are provided in plurality to enable input and output of the build platform in a plurality of orientations.

The 3D printing apparatus provided by this embodiment has a specific working process that: as shown in fig. 1, a plurality of building platforms 400 sequentially enter the conveying line 600 at equal intervals through the feeding channel 610 (or sequentially enter the conveying line 600 and then are positioned at equal intervals), and when a printing operation starts, the conveying line 600 drives the plurality of building platforms 400 to move at a constant speed; when a certain building platform 400 reaches a position corresponding to a forming module, the powder paving device 300 paves a first layer of powder on the building platform 400, each building platform 400 moves to the lower part of the printing device 200 along with the continuous operation of the conveying line 600, the printing device 200 prints the building platform 400 according to the printing image information of the current layer, and simultaneously, a circle of frame with a specific width is sprayed on the periphery of the building platform 400 or according to a set size so as to prevent the peripheral powder layer from moving. After the build platform 400 has completely passed through a forming module, printing of the powder on the upper layer is completed.

The printed build platform 400 continues to be transported forward; when the building platform 400 printed with the first layer of powder is continuously conveyed to the powder spreading device 300, the forming module is driven by the vertical driving component 810 to feed upwards for a layer thickness distance, then the powder spreading device 300 lays the second layer of powder on the building platform 400, and meanwhile, the printing device 200 continuously prints on the building platform 400 laid with the second layer of powder. And repeating the working process until all layers are printed. Finally, each build platform 400 that has completed printing is sent out through outfeed channel 620.

In this 3D printing apparatus, the conveyor line 600 runs continuously, the molding module moves only in the height direction, and the build platform 400 is a flat plate platform.

Example two

As shown in fig. 12, this embodiment provides another 3D printing apparatus, and the 3D printing apparatus is different from the 3D printing apparatus in the first embodiment only in that, in the 3D printing apparatus, the driving mechanism 800 further includes a horizontal driving assembly 820, and referring to fig. 7, the forming module is connected to the vertical driving assembly 810 through the horizontal driving assembly 820. And, the 3D printing apparatus further comprises a positioning device 410, wherein the positioning device 410 is disposed adjacent to the molding module, and is used for limiting the building platform 400 in the molding process.

Referring to fig. 12, the working process of the 3D printing apparatus is as follows: the plurality of building platforms 400 sequentially enter the conveying line 600 at equal intervals through the feeding channel 610 (or sequentially enter the conveying line 600 and then are positioned at equal intervals), and when the printing operation starts, the conveying line 600 drives the plurality of building platforms 400 to move forwards; when one construction platform 400 reaches the position of the molding module, the positioning device 410 acts to limit the construction platform 400, so as to realize the accurate positioning of the current construction platform 400 in the height and horizontal directions; then, the horizontal movement component works, the powder layer is laid on the front side of the building platform 400 by the powder laying device 300, when the driving mechanism 800 drives the printing device 200 to move to a printing area, the printing device 200 sprays the binder according to an instruction, and meanwhile, the periphery of the building platform 400 or a circle of frame with a specific width is sprayed according to a set size so as to prevent the peripheral powder layer from moving until the current building platform 400 finishes the powder laying and printing work of the current layer.

Then, the positioning device releases the current build platform 400, the conveyor line 600 continues to drive the build platform 400 to feed forward, and meanwhile, the driving mechanism 800 drives the molding module to return to the initial position in the direction opposite to the powder spreading printing, until the next build platform 400 arrives, the molding module repeatedly starts the printing operation of the current build platform 400; when all the construction platforms 400 finish the first layer powder laying and printing operation, the vertical driving assembly 810 drives the forming module to ascend by a layer thickness distance, the steps are repeated, powder laying and printing on each construction platform 400 are finished successively until all the construction platforms 400 finish the printing operation, the construction platforms are conveyed to an external cleaning station through the discharging channels 620 in sequence, and the printing operation is finished.

In the printing apparatus, the conveyor line 600 intermittently moves forward, the forming module moves in both vertical and horizontal directions, and when the building module completes the powder spreading and printing work of the current layer, the building module returns to the initial position, and the building platform 400 is a flat plate type platform.

EXAMPLE III

As shown in fig. 13, the present embodiment provides still another 3D printing apparatus, which is different from the 3D printing apparatus in the second embodiment only in that in the 3D printing apparatus, the number of the molding modules is plural, the plural molding modules are arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the conveying line 600, and each molding module is opposed to one building platform 400 when the conveying line 600 reaches a certain position.

The working process of the 3D printing apparatus is similar to that of the 3D printing apparatus in the second embodiment, and the difference is only that the 3D printing apparatus can simultaneously implement printing work on a plurality of building platforms 400, and the printing efficiency is multiplied under the same occupied space.

Example four

As shown in fig. 14, the present embodiment provides a 3D printing apparatus, which is different from the 3D printing apparatus in the third embodiment described above only in that the build platform 400 is a cassette platform having an open upper portion.

Specifically, build platform 400 includes a surrounding edge that surrounds carrier plate 420, and the surrounding edge is attached to carrier plate 420. Due to the arrangement, powder on the support plate 420 is effectively blocked, the complex step that the printing device 200 is required to print the peripheral frame is omitted, and printing powder and liquid are saved.

EXAMPLE five

As shown in fig. 15, the present embodiment provides a 3D printing apparatus, which is different from the 3D printing apparatus in the first embodiment only in that, in the molding module, the number of the powder laying devices 300 is two, the number of the printing devices 200 is one, and the moving action of the printing devices 200 can span two building platforms 400, and the printing devices 200 are located in front of all the powder laying devices 300 in the conveying direction of the conveying line 600.

The working process of the 3D printing equipment is as follows: when the construction platform 400 is conveyed forwards to the position below the two powder paving devices 300 and corresponds to the positions of the powder paving devices 300 one by one, the two powder paving devices 300 pave powder to the two construction platforms 400 simultaneously; when the powder laying of the two building platforms 400 is completed, the conveying line 600 moves two stations forward rapidly, the printing device 200 prints the two building platforms 400, and at the same time, the powder laying device 300 prints the two subsequent building platforms 400.

The embodiment is only used to illustrate the form of the 3D printing apparatus, and of course, the number ratio between the powder spreading device 300 and the printing device 200 may also take other forms, and the specific selection may be made according to the powder spreading speed of the powder spreading device 300 and the printing speed of the printing device 200, and will not be illustrated.

EXAMPLE six

As shown in fig. 16, the present embodiment provides a further 3D printing apparatus, which differs from the 3D printing apparatus in the second embodiment described above only in that the molding module takes the form shown in fig. 9 or fig. 10.

This 3D printing apparatus can realize two-way continuous printing at the course of the work, has saved the loaded down with trivial details step that needs the shaping module to reset, has further improved work efficiency. In the above embodiments, the moving speed of the conveyor line 600 is defined as high-speed moving when the moving speed is 600mm/s or more, and the moving speed of the conveyor line 600 is defined as low-speed moving when the moving speed is 350mm/s or less.

The present disclosure also provides a 3D printing method, where the 3D printing method performs 3D printing by using the 3D printing device in each of the above embodiments, and includes the following steps:

the conveying line 600 runs in a circulating manner, the powder paving device paves the powder of the construction platforms 400 conveyed to the molding modules one by one, and meanwhile, the printing device prints the construction platforms 400 which are conveyed to the molding modules through the conveying line 600 and are finished with powder paving.

Specifically, while the structure of the 3D printing apparatus is described above, various printing methods are described in detail, and thus are not described again.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and not to limit the same; while the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing apparatus, comprising a rack (100), a driving mechanism (800), a forming module disposed on the rack (100), a conveying line (600) disposed around the forming module, and a plurality of building platforms (400) disposed on the conveying line (600), wherein the forming module is located above the building platforms (400), the building platforms (400) include a carrier plate (420) for holding a printing product, the driving mechanism (800) includes a vertical driving assembly (810), and the vertical driving assembly (810) can drive at least one of the forming module and the carrier plate (420) to move up and down;

the forming module comprises at least one printing device (200) and/or at least one powder spreading device (300), and the printing device (200) is positioned in front of the powder spreading device (300) along the conveying direction of the conveying line (600);

the number of the forming modules is at least one;

the running direction of the conveying line (600) is clockwise or anticlockwise.

2. The 3D printing device according to claim 1, wherein the build platform (400) is a flatbed platform;

alternatively, the build platform (400) is a box platform with an open top.

3. The 3D printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical drive assembly (810) is connected between the forming module and the frame (100), the vertical drive assembly (810) being configured to drive the forming module in an up-and-down motion.

4. The 3D printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism (800) further comprises a horizontal drive assembly (820) connected between the forming module and the frame (100);

wherein the forming module is connected to the vertical driving assembly (810) through the horizontal driving assembly (820), the vertical driving assembly (810) is connected to the frame (100);

alternatively, the forming module is connected to the horizontal driving assembly (820) through the vertical driving assembly (810), and the horizontal driving assembly (820) is connected to the frame (100).

5. The 3D printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the powder spreading devices (300) in the forming module is arranged alternately with each of the printing devices (200);

or the number of the powder spreading devices (300) in the forming module is 2-6 times of the number of the printing devices (200), and the printing devices (200) are positioned in front of all the powder spreading devices (300) along the conveying direction of the conveying line (600).

6. The 3D printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor line (600) is operated with a high-speed movement, or the conveyor line (600) is operated with a low-speed movement, or the conveyor line (600) is operated with a combination of a high speed and a low speed, or the conveyor line (600) is operated with an intermittent movement;

7. The 3D printing apparatus according to any of claims 3-6, further comprising a positioning device (410), the positioning device (410) being arranged adjacent to the forming module for limiting the building platform (400) during forming.

8. The 3D printing apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising a feed channel (610) for conveying the build platform (400) to be printed to the conveyor line (600) and an outfeed channel (620) for conveying the build platform (400) that has completed printing, the feed channel (610) and the outfeed channel (620) each being connected to the conveyor line (600), wherein at least one feed channel (610) and one outfeed channel (620) are provided.

9. The 3D printing apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising a feeding device (700) for providing printing powder material and a liquid material device (900) for providing printing liquid material, wherein the feeding device (700) and/or the liquid material device (900) are arranged at the frame (100), or wherein the feeding device (700) and/or the liquid material device (900) are arranged independently from the frame (100).

10. The 3D printing apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising a cleaning device (010) for cleaning the printing device.

11. The 3D printing apparatus according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the number of the forming modules is a plurality, the plurality of forming modules being arranged at a set distance along the conveying direction of the conveying line (600), each forming module being opposite to one of the building platforms (400) when the conveying line (600) reaches a certain position.

12. A 3D printing method, characterized in that 3D printing is performed using the 3D printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

s1: the conveying line (600) runs at low speed and uniform speed;

s2: the powder spreading device (300) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the building platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and powder is spread on the carrier plate of the building platform (400) conveyed to the forming module;

s3: meanwhile, the printing device (200) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the molding module, and the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying device (600) and is finished in powder spreading is printed;

s4: the conveying line (600) continuously circulates, the steps S1-S3 are repeated, the powder paving device (300) and the printing device (200) are lifted to the corresponding height, and powder paving and printing are carried out on the next building platform (400) conveyed to the forming module;

s5: continuously circulating, powdering and printing until a certain build platform (400) finishes all predetermined printed products, and delivering out of the 3D printing apparatus from the outfeed channel (620), while feeding in a build platform (400) to be printed from the infeed channel (610);

13. The 3D printing method according to claim 12, wherein after the step S3 is completed, a step S7 is added: and (3) enabling the conveying line (600) to run in the opposite direction to the step S1, and carrying out powder laying and printing on the same building platform (400) for multiple times through the same forming module.

14. A 3D printing method, characterized in that 3D printing is performed using the 3D printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

s10: the conveying line (600) moves to the approaching positioning position (410) at a high speed and changes into low-speed movement, and when the conveying line (600) moves to be jointed with the positioning device (410) at a low speed, the conveying line reaches a preset printing position;

s20: the powder spreading device (300) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to spread the powder on the construction platform (400) conveyed to the forming module;

s30: meanwhile, the printing device (200) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to print the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the forming module through the conveying line (600) and is finished with powder spreading;

s40: the conveying line (600) continuously circulates, the steps S10-S30 are repeated, the powder paving device (300) and the printing device (200) are lifted to the corresponding height, and powder paving and printing are carried out on the next building platform (400) conveyed to the forming module;

s50: continuously circulating, powdering and printing until a certain build platform (400) has completed all the predetermined printed products and is transported out of the 3D printing apparatus from the outfeed channel (620) while feeding a build platform (400) to be printed from the infeed channel (610).

15. The 3D printing method according to claim 14, wherein before performing step S40, steps S20 and S30 may be repeated a plurality of times, and a plurality of layers are successively powdered and printed for one build platform (400), and then steps S40-S60 are performed.

16. A 3D printing method, characterized in that 3D printing is performed using the 3D printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

s100: the conveying line (600) runs circularly at low speed and uniform speed;

s200: after a carrier plate of the construction platform (400) completely passes through one molding module, the carrier plate is lowered by one layer height before reaching the next molding module, and the powder paving device (300) paves the construction platform (400) conveyed to the molding module;

s300: meanwhile, the printing device (200) prints the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying line (600) and is finished with powder spreading;

s400: continuously circulating, repeating the steps S100-S300, lowering the carrier plate of the construction platform (400) by one layer height, and paving powder and printing the next construction platform (400) conveyed to the molding module;

s500: continuously circulating, powdering and printing until a certain build platform finishes all predetermined printed products, and delivering out of the 3D printing apparatus from a discharge channel (620), while feeding in a build platform (400) to be printed from a feed channel (610);

17. The 3D printing method according to claim 16, wherein after step S300 is completed, a step S700 is added: and (5) enabling the conveying line (600) to run in the opposite direction to the direction in the step (S100), and carrying out powder laying and printing on the same building platform (400) for multiple times through the same forming module.

18. The 3D printing method according to claim 17, wherein after repeating step S400 until the build platform (400) is lowered to the lowest position, adding step S800 to continue printing, wherein step S800 is:

the powder spreading device (300) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number and height parameters of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to spread the powder on the construction platform (400) conveyed to the forming module; meanwhile, the printing device (200) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to print the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the forming module by the conveying line (600) and is finished with powder spreading;

continuing to repeat steps S100 and S700;

steps S500 and S600 are implemented.

19. The 3D printing method according to claim 18, wherein the steps S700 and S800 are repeated a plurality of times, a plurality of layers are continuously laid and printed on one build platform (400), and then the steps S100 and S800 are repeated again, and then the steps S500 and S600 are performed again.

20. A 3D printing method, characterized in that 3D printing is performed using the 3D printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

s1000: the conveying line (600) moves to the approaching positioning position (410) at a high speed and changes into low-speed movement, and when the conveying line (600) moves to be jointed with the positioning device (410) at a low speed, the conveying line reaches a preset printing position;

s2000: after a carrier plate (420) of the construction platform (400) completely passes through one molding module, the carrier plate is lowered by one layer height before reaching the next molding module, and the powder paving device (300) horizontally moves to pave the construction platform (400) conveyed to the molding module;

s3000: meanwhile, the printing device (200) horizontally moves to print the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the molding module by the conveying line (600) and is finished with powder spreading;

s4000: starting circulation, repeating the steps S1000-S3000, and spreading powder and printing the next construction platform (400) conveyed to the molding module;

s5000: continuously circulating, powdering and printing until a certain build platform finishes all predetermined printed products, and delivering out of the 3D printing apparatus from a discharge channel (620), while feeding in a build platform (400) to be printed from a feed channel (610);

21. The 3D printing method according to claim 20, wherein steps S2000 and S3000 are repeated a plurality of times before step S4000 is performed, and a build platform (400) is continuously powdered and printed with a plurality of layers, and then steps S4000-S6000 are performed.

22. The 3D printing method according to claim 21, wherein after repeating step S4000 until the build platform (400) is lowered to the lowest position, adding step S7000 to continue printing, step S7000 being:

the powder spreading device (300) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to spread the powder on the construction platform (400) conveyed to the forming module; meanwhile, the printing device (200) is lifted to a corresponding height according to the layer number or height parameter of the construction platform (400) to be conveyed to the forming module, and then horizontally moves to print the construction platform (400) which is conveyed to the forming module by the conveying line (600) and is finished with powder spreading;

continuing to repeat step S1000 and step S7000;

step S5000 and step S6000 are performed.

23. The 3D printing method according to claim 22, wherein step S7000 is repeated a plurality of times, and a plurality of layers are continuously powdered and printed for one build platform (400), and then steps S1000 and S7000 are repeated again, and then steps S5000 and S6000 are performed again.

24. The 3D printing method according to any of claims 12-23, wherein the cleaning device (010) cleans the powder spreading device (300) and the printing device (200) at intervals of powder spreading or printing according to the operating instructions.