CN211683519U - 3D prints aftertreatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a 3D prints post processing apparatus includes: at least one cleaning device having a cleaning tank for holding a cleaning solution; the curing device comprises a curing tank, wherein at least one light curing source is arranged in the curing tank and used for generating radiation energy under the working state; a transfer device, adjacent to the at least one cleaning device and the curing device, for transferring the 3D component to the at least one cleaning device or the curing device; and the control device is respectively in signal connection with the at least one cleaning device, the curing device and the transfer device, is used for controlling the at least one cleaning device and the working state of the curing device, and is used for controlling the transfer device to transfer the 3D component to the curing device after receiving a signal that the at least one cleaning device finishes working. This application is through the assembly line design with belt cleaning device and solidification equipment, makes the step of washing and solidification realize with automatic form, has improved work efficiency when having saved the manpower.

Description

3D prints aftertreatment device

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of 3D printing, in particular to 3D printing post-processing equipment.

Background

The 3D printing is a discrete-stacking forming process, the principle is that a part is regarded as a space entity formed by assembling points, lines and surfaces, the discrete process is a process of reducing the dimension of the space entity, and the stacking process is a process of orderly overlapping all unit materials to form a workpiece by using the point, line and surface units obtained after dimension reduction. In the stacking process, the prior art includes a photo-curing rapid prototyping technique, a layered solid manufacturing technique, a fused deposition modeling technique, and the like. Taking the photo-curing rapid prototyping technology as an example, photosensitive resin is generally used as a raw material, and under the control of a computer, an ultraviolet laser beam scans point by point according to the track of each layered cross-section profile, and is cured after being subjected to a photo-polymerization reaction with a resin thin layer located in a scanning area to form a thin layer cross section of a workpiece. After one layer is cured, the table is moved down one layer thick, and a new layer of photosensitive resin is laid on the surface of the just-cured resin for cyclic scanning and curing. The newly solidified layer is firmly adhered to the previous layer, and the steps are repeated in this way, and the whole product prototype is finally formed by stacking layer by layer.

The printed product also needs to be subjected to a post-treatment process, which mainly comprises the steps of cleaning and reinforcing. In the cleaning process, residues on the product are generally removed by a cleaning agent in a container, and the cleaned product is reinforced again by ultraviolet irradiation or heating. Therefore, an operator is required to firstly put the printed product into the cleaning device for cleaning and then put the printed product into the reinforcing device for reinforcing, and manpower is consumed.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present application aims to provide a 3D printing post-processing device for solving the problem that the 3D printing post-processing process in the prior art is difficult to automate.

To achieve the above and other related objects, there is provided a 3D print post-processing apparatus including: at least one cleaning device having a cleaning tank for holding a cleaning solution; the curing device comprises a curing tank, wherein at least one curing source is arranged in the curing tank and used for generating radiation energy under the working state; a transfer device, adjacent to the at least one cleaning device and the curing device, for transferring the 3D component to the at least one cleaning device or the curing device; and the control device is respectively in signal connection with the at least one cleaning device, the curing device and the transfer device, is used for controlling the working state of the at least one cleaning device and the curing device and controlling the transfer device to transfer the 3D component to the curing device after receiving a signal that the work of the at least one cleaning device is finished.

In some embodiments of the present application, be equipped with the water conservancy diversion hole on the washing tank, belt cleaning device's water conservancy diversion hole is through a stock solution device of first pipe intercommunication, the stock solution device be used for to carry the washing liquid and save in the washing tank the washing liquid of output in the washing tank.

In some embodiments of the present application, a bidirectional pump is disposed on the first conduit for pumping the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank to the liquid storage device and for pumping the cleaning solution in the liquid storage device to the cleaning tank.

In certain embodiments of the present application, a filter device is disposed on the first conduit.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the cleaning device comprises: the first cleaning device comprises a first cleaning tank and is used for cleaning the 3D component for the first time; and the second cleaning device comprises a second cleaning tank which is arranged adjacent to the first cleaning device and is used for cleaning the 3D component subjected to the primary cleaning for the second time.

In some embodiments of the present application, the cleaning solution contained in the first cleaning tank has a cleanliness less than the cleaning solution contained in the second cleaning tank.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the control device is in signal connection with the first and second cleaning devices, respectively, for controlling the operating states of the first and second cleaning devices, and for controlling the transfer device to transfer the 3D component to the second cleaning device upon receiving a signal that the operation of the first cleaning device is completed.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the reservoir of the first cleaning device is connected to the reservoir of the second cleaning device by a second conduit, the second conduit being provided with a one-way pump for pumping cleaning fluid from the reservoir of the second cleaning device into the reservoir of the first cleaning device.

In some embodiments of the present application, a control device for controlling the output power and the operating state of the unidirectional pump is further included.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the cleaning device includes an ultrasonic generator to oscillate the cleaning fluid.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the cleaning device includes one or more piezoelectric transducers to oscillate the cleaning fluid.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the cleaning fluid is ethanol, water, acetone, isopropanol, or propylene carbonate.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the transfer device comprises: the guide rail is arranged above the at least one cleaning device and the curing device; the lifting device is arranged on the guide rail and comprises a lifting part and a bearing part, the lifting part is used for adjusting the position of the bearing part in the vertical direction, and the bearing part is used for bearing the 3D component.

In some embodiments of the present application, a control device is further included for controlling the operating time or output power of the light curing source.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the curing source is at least one, and the at least one curing source is uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the curing tank.

In certain embodiments of the present application, the curing source is a light curing source, and the light curing source is a radiation source with a wavelength range of 350nm to 445 nm.

In certain embodiments of the present application, a purification device is further disposed in the solidification tank to remove odor from the gas in the solidification tank.

In some embodiments of the present application, the curing device further comprises a fan for dissipating heat from the curing tank.

As described above, the 3D printing post-processing apparatus of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

the 3D prints aftertreatment equipment of this application has realized the automated processing of 3D printing aftertreatment process, washs the 3D component many times through a plurality of belt cleaning devices to solidify again through solidification equipment, thereby guaranteed the product quality of 3D component. Simultaneously, the cleanliness of washing liquid is different among a plurality of belt cleaning device of this application, and each belt cleaning device all disposes liquid storage pot and filter equipment to can recycle the washing liquid, reduce manufacturing cost when environmental protection and energy saving.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D printing post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 3D printing post-processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of the transfer device of the present application in one embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating an operation process of the present application in one embodiment.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present application is provided for illustrative purposes, and other advantages and capabilities of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that describe several embodiments of the application. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that mechanical, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments of the present application is defined only by the claims of the issued patent. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. Spatially relative terms, such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "lower," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein to facilitate describing one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various apparatus in some instances, these apparatus should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one device from another. For example, a first cleaning device may be referred to as a second cleaning device, and similarly, a second cleaning device may be referred to as a first cleaning device, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first cleaning device and the cleaning device are both described as one device, but they are not the same cleaning device unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Also, 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 will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, species, and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence, or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, species, and/or groups thereof. The terms "or" and/or "as used herein are to be construed as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Thus, "A, B or C" or "A, B and/or C" means "any of the following: a; b; c; a and B; a and C; b and C; A. b and C ". An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or operations are inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

In the 3D printing process, the printed 3D member also requires a post-processing process. The post-treatment process mainly comprises a cleaning step and a re-strengthening step. During the cleaning process, the 3D member needs to be manually placed in a cleaning solution to remove the residue on the surface of the 3D member. After cleaning, the cleaned 3D member is manually placed in a reinforcing device for light curing again to reinforce the structural strength of the 3D member. The reinforcing method is different according to the forming principle of products, if the reinforcing method is used for hot reinforcing forming, the heat source is used for re-reinforcing the 3D component, and if the reinforcing method is used for light curing forming, the light curing source is used for irradiating the 3D component for re-reinforcing. The post-processing mode requires that an operator firstly puts the printed 3D component into a cleaning device for cleaning and then puts the 3D component into a reinforcing device for reinforcing. Therefore, at present, the post-processing step in 3D printing has not been automated, and the components after 3D printing are manually placed in a cleaning device for cleaning and/or a reinforcing device for light curing again.

In view of the above, the present application provides a 3D post-printing processing apparatus to implement automated processes of cleaning and reinforcement. In the embodiments provided below, the 3D post-printing processing apparatus of the present application includes: at least one cleaning device, a curing device, a transfer device, and a control device.

In this embodiment, a 3D printing apparatus using photocuring molding will be described in detail as an example.

It should be understood that the 3D printing is one of the rapid prototyping techniques, which is a technique for constructing an object by layer-by-layer printing using a bondable material, such as powdered metal or plastic, based on a digital model file. The process of processing the digital model file is generally referred to as preprocessing, and the 3D component model to be printed is finally imported into the 3D printing device through the preprocessing. Here, the 3D component model includes, but is not limited to, a 3D component model based on a CAD component, which is exemplified by an STL file, and the imported STL file is subjected to layout and layer cutting processes. The 3D component model may be imported through a data interface or a network interface, and a solid portion in the imported 3D component model may be in any shape, for example, the solid portion includes a tooth shape, a sphere shape, a house shape, a tooth shape, or any shape with a preset structure. Wherein the preset structure includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: cavity structures, structures containing abrupt shape changes, and structures with preset requirements for profile accuracy in solid parts, etc.

The post-processing equipment that this application relates to can be the post-processing equipment that photocuring 3D printed in-process used, promptly, 3D printing apparatus prints the 3D component through carrying out the successive layer exposure solidification to photocuring material and the mode of accumulating each solidification layer, and the theory of operation of specific photocuring rapid prototyping technique is: using light-cured material as raw material, under the control of computer, irradiating by radiation light source (such as ultraviolet light, laser, etc.) to make layer-by-layer exposure or scanning according to every layer cross section or contour, making photopolymerization reaction with resin thin layer positioned in the radiation region, then curing so as to form a thin layer cross section of the product. After one layer is cured, the stage is moved down one layer thick and a new layer of light-curable material is applied to the just-cured resin surface for cyclic exposure or scanning. The newly solidified layer is firmly adhered to the previous layer, and the steps are repeated in this way, and the whole product prototype is finally formed by stacking layer by layer. The photo-curable material generally refers to a material that forms a cured layer after being irradiated by light (such as ultraviolet light, laser light, etc.), and includes but is not limited to: photosensitive resin, or a mixture of photosensitive resin and other materials. Such as ceramic powders, pigments, etc.

The 3D printing Apparatus may be a bottom projection or bottom exposure 3D printing Apparatus, such as a bottom exposure DLP (Digital Light processing) Apparatus, or a bottom scanning SLA (Stereo Light curing molding) Apparatus, in other words, an optical system of the 3D printing Apparatus is positioned at the bottom of the container (also referred to as a resin tank in some application scenarios) and irradiates towards the transparent bottom of the container, for irradiating the layered image in the 3D member model to the printing reference surface to cure the Light curing material into the corresponding pattern curing layer.

In the DLP apparatus, the optical system includes a projection device. For example, the projection device includes a DMD chip, a controller, and a memory module. Wherein the storage module stores therein a layered image layering the 3D component model. And the DMD chip irradiates the light source of each pixel on the corresponding layered image to the bottom surface of the container after receiving the control signal of the controller. In fact, the mirror is composed of hundreds of thousands or even millions of micromirrors, each micromirror represents a pixel, and the projected image is composed of these pixels. The DMD chip may be simply described as a semiconductor light switch and a micromirror plate corresponding to the pixel points, and the controller allows/prohibits the light reflected from each of the micromirrors by controlling each of the light switches in the DMD chip, thereby irradiating the corresponding layered image onto the photo-curable material through the transparent bottom of the container so that the photo-curable material corresponding to the shape of the image is cured to obtain the patterned cured layer.

For the SLA device for bottom exposure, the optical system includes a laser emitter, a lens group located on an outgoing light path of the laser emitter, and a vibration lens group located on an outgoing light side of the lens group, where the laser emitter is controlled to adjust energy of an output laser beam, for example, the laser emitter is controlled to emit a laser beam with a preset power and stop emitting the laser beam, and as another example, the laser emitter is controlled to increase power of the laser beam and decrease power of the laser beam. The lens group is used for adjusting the focusing position of the laser beam, the galvanometer group is used for controllably scanning the laser beam in a two-dimensional space on the bottom surface of the container, and the light-cured material scanned by the laser beam is cured into a corresponding pattern cured layer.

It should be understood that in the embodiments related to the present application, the post-processing refers to a process of performing operations such as trimming, bonding, grinding, polishing, cleaning, re-reinforcing and the like on the 3D printed 3D component, so as to make the appearance and precision of the product more consistent with the product standard.

In an exemplary embodiment, please refer to fig. 1, which is a schematic structural diagram of a 3D post-printing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, the 3D printing post-processing device of the present application at least includes: a cleaning device 11, a curing device 12, a transfer device 13, and a control device (not shown). In some embodiments, the cleaning device 11 is used to clean the printed 3D component 14 to remove surface debris. The curing device is used to re-cure the 3D member 14 to enhance structural integrity. The transfer device is used for transferring the 3D component 14 to a corresponding station for corresponding operation. The control device is respectively in signal connection with the at least one cleaning device, the curing device and the transfer device, so that the working states of the at least one cleaning device and the curing device can be controlled, and the transfer device is controlled to transfer the 3D component 14 to the curing device for re-curing after the signal that the working of the at least one cleaning device is completed is received.

The control device includes an electronic apparatus that can execute a computer program, including but not limited to: desktop computers, handheld computers, or intelligent terminals based on embedded operating systems, etc. In some embodiments, the control device comprises a processor, a memory, an interface, and the like, wherein the processor is connected to the memory and the interface. The interface is used for connecting the cleaning device 11, the curing device 12 and the transfer device 13. The memory may include high speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory also includes a memory controller that can control access to the memory by other components of the device, such as the CPU and peripheral interfaces. The processor is operatively coupled to the memory. More specifically, the processor may execute program instructions stored in the memory to perform operations in the computing device, such as zeroing the component platform in accordance with the zeroing program instructions. As such, the processor may include one or more general purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific processors (ASICs), one or more field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device 11 has a cleaning tank 114 for holding a cleaning solution.

In a possible embodiment, the cleaning tank 114 is detachably connected to the body of the cleaning device 11, so as to facilitate cleaning or replacement of the cleaning tank. For example, the two sides of the top of the cleaning tank 114 are provided with hanging lugs, so that the cleaning tank 114 can be erected on the body of the cleaning device 11 through the hanging lugs, thereby realizing detachable connection. Alternatively, the cleaning device 11 has an inner cavity for accommodating the cleaning tank 114, so that the cleaning tank 114 can be easily installed and removed. It should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of detachable structures, and not limitations, and the intention in this embodiment is to easily mount and separate the cleaning tank 114 and the body of the cleaning apparatus 11, so as to facilitate cleaning or replacement of the cleaning tank 114, and therefore, solutions in the prior art that can achieve this effect can be used as alternatives to this embodiment, which is not repeated herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, referring to fig. 1, the cleaning tank 114 is provided with a flow guiding hole 111, and the flow guiding hole 111 may be disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 114 as shown in fig. 1, or may be disposed at the side of the cleaning tank 114. The diversion hole 111 of the cleaning device is communicated with a liquid storage device 113 through a first conduit 112, so that on one hand, cleaning liquid can be delivered into the cleaning tank 114 through the liquid storage device 113, and on the other hand, the cleaning liquid output from the cleaning tank 114 is stored by the liquid storage device 113. For example, when the cleaning tank 114 does not contain a cleaning solution, the solution storage device 113 can deliver the cleaning solution into the cleaning tank 114 through the first conduit 112; for another example, when the cleaning device 11 completes the work, the cleaning device 11 can deliver the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank 114 to the liquid storage device 113 through the first conduit 112 for storage.

In an exemplary embodiment, to facilitate the mutual delivery of the cleaning solution between the cleaning tank 114 and the liquid storage device 113, a bidirectional pump is disposed on the first conduit 112, so as to pump the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank 114 to the liquid storage device 113 and the cleaning solution in the liquid storage device 113 to the cleaning tank 114.

In a possible embodiment, the bidirectional pump is connected to the control device, so that the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank 114 can be pumped to the liquid storage device 113 and the cleaning solution in the liquid storage device 113 can be pumped to the cleaning tank 114 under the control of the control device. In other embodiments, a control device for separately controlling the bidirectional pump may be further configured to control the on/off, the output power, and the delivery state or the pumping state of the bidirectional pump, so as to pump the cleaning solution in the cleaning tank 114 to the solution storage device 113 or deliver the cleaning solution in the solution storage device 113 to the cleaning tank 114. In some embodiments, the bidirectional pump may be replaced by two liquid pumps working independently, such as a first liquid pump for delivering the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage device 113 to the cleaning tank 114; the second liquid pump is used for pumping the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 114 into the liquid storage device 113, and accordingly, the first liquid pump and the second liquid pump can be independently controlled by a control device (such as a control board).

It should be understood that the reservoir means is a means for storing the cleaning fluid, such as: a liquid storage bottle, a liquid storage tank and the like. The reservoir may be provided in the cleaning device as part of the cleaning device, such as a reservoir in the cleaning device, which supplies liquid controlled by the cleaning device during operation of the cleaning device. As shown in fig. 1, the cleaning device may be provided outside the cleaning device, and may be provided separately from the cleaning device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning solution used in the cleaning tank 114 may have some impurities such as residue, and for this reason, a filtering device may be disposed on the first conduit, so as to filter the residue in the cleaning solution, so as to ensure the cleanliness of the cleaning solution, so as to recycle the cleaning solution and reduce the cost.

In a possible embodiment, the filter device is composed of a housing, a filter cartridge, etc. The casing includes an entry end and exit end, washing liquid flows into filter equipment and flows out by the exit end from the entry end, the filter core sets up in the inside cavity of casing. During operation, turbid cleaning fluid enters the cavity inside the shell through the inlet end, impurities larger than the gaps of the filter element are intercepted, and the cleaning fluid passes through the gaps and is output from the outlet end, so that the filtering effect is achieved. It should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiment is only an example of the filtering apparatus and is not limited thereto, and in a practical embodiment, it can be applied as long as it can be installed in the first conduit and perform a filtering function.

In an exemplary embodiment, the number of the cleaning devices may be configured to be plural, so that the 3D member 14 is cleaned at different times to make the cleanliness of the 3D member 14 higher. For example, the number of cleaning devices may be configured to be 2, 3, 4 … …, etc. depending on actual needs, thereby cleaning the 3D component to different degrees.

In a possible embodiment, please refer to fig. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a 3D printing post-processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application, and as shown in the figure, the cleaning apparatus includes: a first cleaning device 11a, and a second cleaning device 11b provided adjacent to the first cleaning device 11 a. The first cleaning device 11a includes a first cleaning tank 114a, and the second cleaning device 11b includes a second cleaning tank 114 b. The control device is respectively in signal connection with the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device, so that the working states of the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device are controlled, and the transfer device is controlled to transfer the 3D component 14 to the second cleaning device after the signal that the work of the first cleaning device is completed is received. Thus, the 3D member 14 may be roughly washed by the first washing device 11a, and then the 3D member 14 may be secondarily washed by the second washing device 11b, after which the 3D member 14 may be transferred to the curing device 12 to be cured.

Here, since the first cleaning device 11a is a primary cleaning and the second cleaning device 11b is a secondary cleaning, the cleaning degree of the cleaning liquid contained in the first cleaning tank is less than the cleaning degree of the cleaning liquid contained in the second cleaning tank. Therefore, on one hand, the 3D component 14 can be roughly washed in the first washing tank 114a, and the roughly washed 3D component 14 can be secondarily washed in the second washing tank 114b, so that the cleanliness of the 3D component 14 is guaranteed; on the other hand, when the cleaning solution in the second cleaning tank is turbid to a certain extent and may affect the secondary cleaning effect, the cleaning solution in the second cleaning tank can be conveyed to the first cleaning tank for rough cleaning. It should be understood that the cleanliness is used to describe the degree of contamination of the cleaning fluid, with higher contamination levels resulting in lower cleanliness and lower contamination levels resulting in higher cleanliness.

To this end, with continued reference to FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir of the first cleaning device is connected to the reservoir of the second cleaning device via a second conduit 115, and the second conduit 115 is provided with a one-way pump 116 for pumping cleaning fluid from the reservoir of the second cleaning device to the reservoir of the first cleaning device.

In some embodiments, the one-way pump 116 is a diaphragm pump, which is a water pump. It should be understood that the diaphragm pump, also known as a diaphragm pump and a control pump, is operated by power to vary the fluid flow by receiving a control signal that regulates the output of the control unit. The diaphragm pump is used for receiving a control signal of a regulator or a computer in the control process, changing the flow rate of the regulated medium and maintaining the regulated parameters within a required range, thereby realizing the regulation and control of parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, liquid level and the like in the working process.

In a possible embodiment, the one-way pump can be connected to the control device for controlling the output power and the operating state of the one-way pump. In other embodiments, a control device for separately controlling the one-way pump may be additionally provided, thereby controlling the output power and the operating state of the one-way pump. Wherein the output power can be used to adjust the pumping speed of the single-phase pump, and the working state comprises the on or off state of the one-way pump.

In an exemplary embodiment, the unidirectional pump and the bidirectional pump in the first conduit may share a single control device. The control device can control the opening and closing, output power, conveying state or pumping state of the bidirectional pump and control the opening and closing and output power of the single pump.

In an exemplary embodiment, to further enhance the cleaning effect of the 3D component 14, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning-assisting device.

In some embodiments, with continued reference to fig. 2, the auxiliary cleaning device may be an ultrasonic generator 117, i.e., the cleaning device 11 includes an ultrasonic generator 117 for oscillating the cleaning liquid. When ultrasonic waves act on the liquid, the breakage of each bubble in the liquid generates a shock wave with certain energy, and therefore pollutants of the liquid and solids on the surface of the 3D component 14 are removed through the shock wave generated by the breakage of the bubble in the liquid, and the effects of cleaning and washing the inner surface and the outer surface of the 3D component 14 are achieved. It should be understood that the ultrasonic generator is also referred to as an ultrasonic drive power supply, an electronic box, an ultrasonic controller. The ultrasonic generator is an important component of a high-power ultrasonic system, and the ultrasonic generator is used for converting commercial power into a high-frequency alternating current signal matched with the ultrasonic transducer and driving the ultrasonic transducer to work. In other embodiments, the portion for oscillating the cleaning device may also employ one or more piezoelectric transducers that oscillate the cleaning fluid by piezoelectric transduction.

In other embodiments, the washing tank bottom has an installation department, correspondingly, the belt cleaning device's body has the rotation axis of being connected with this installation department correspondence, rotation axis one end stretch into in the installation department thereby with the installation department is connected, the output shaft of a motor is connected to the other end of rotation axis. When the motor is driven, the output shaft of the motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate, and further drives the cleaning tank to rotate along the axial direction. And in the rotating process of the cleaning tank, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is driven to shake, so that the inner surface and the outer surface of the 3D component are cleaned and washed.

In still other embodiments, the body of the cleaning device has a mounting groove for mounting the cleaning tank, and the bottom of the mounting groove has a guide rail, and the cleaning tank is mounted on the guide rail and can slide along the guide rail. The length of the external shape of the cleaning tank is less than that of the guide rail. Therefore, the cleaning tank can reciprocate along the guide rail by a piston hydraulic rod, so that the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning tank is oscillated to clean liquid and solid pollutants on the surface of the 3D member 14.

In an exemplary embodiment, a suitable cleaning fluid may be selected according to the type of material of the 3D member.

In a possible embodiment, the cleaning solution includes, but is not limited to: water, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, or propylene carbonate. For example, when a general resin such as acrylate is used as a printing material, the cleaning liquid may be ethanol; when a water-washing resin (water-soluble photosensitive resin material) is used as the printing material, the washing liquid may be water.

It should be understood that the cleaning solution may also be an ultrasonic cleaning agent compounded by a plurality of surfactants and penetrants, and the ultrasonic cleaning agent has a function of thoroughly cleaning oil stains of various workpieces, and destroys molecular structures of various lubricating greases through chemical actions, so as to achieve the purpose of quickly and thoroughly removing heavy oil stains. In practical operation, ethanol is generally used as a cleaning solution. The operator can also select corresponding cleaning liquid according to actual needs, for example, when the residues on the surface of the 3D component are easy to clean, water with small cleaning force can be selected, otherwise, an ultrasonic cleaning agent compounded by a plurality of surfactants and penetrants is adopted, so that the cleanliness of the product can be ensured without damaging the structure of the product.

It should be understood that the number of the cleaning devices in the above embodiments is only for illustration and not for limitation of the embodiments of the present application, and although the above embodiments take 2 cleaning devices as an example, when the number of the cleaning devices is 3, 4, 5 … …, the principle is similar to that when the number of the cleaning devices is 2, and thus a detailed description thereof is not needed.

In an exemplary embodiment, with continued reference to fig. 1, the transfer device 13 includes: a guide rail 1301, and a lifting device 1302 provided on the guide rail 1301. Wherein the guide rail 1301 is arranged above the stations of the at least one cleaning device 11 and the curing device 12, so that the lifting device can be transferred to the corresponding station of the at least one cleaning device or curing device for corresponding operation. The lifting device 1302 includes a lifting portion for adjusting a position of the carrying portion in a vertical direction, and a carrying portion for carrying the 3D member.

In a possible embodiment, please refer to fig. 3, which is a schematic structural diagram of the transfer device 13 of the present application in one embodiment, and as shown in the figure, the lifting device includes: horizontal positioning block 1302, lift rail 1303, lift positioning block 1304, and carriage 1305. In this embodiment, the horizontal positioning slider 1302 is disposed on the guide rail 1301, so as to control the position of the entire lifting device in the horizontal direction. The lifting guide 1303 is disposed on the horizontal positioning block so as to move synchronously with the horizontal positioning block. A lifting and positioning slider 1304 is disposed on the lifting and positioning rail 1303, and the lifting and positioning slider 1304 is movable in the lifting and positioning rail 1303, so as to control a position of a bearing portion 1305 disposed on the lifting and positioning slider 1304 in a vertical direction, where the bearing portion is used for bearing the 3D member.

In some embodiments, the bearing part may directly bear the 3D member. In other embodiments, the 3D components remain bonded to the build plate after printing is completed, for which the build plate and 3D components can be placed together on the carrier to transport the 3D components to different stations for corresponding operations using the transfer device 13, and the build plate is separated from the 3D components after the cleaning and re-curing process is completed.

In an exemplary embodiment, with continued reference to fig. 1, the curing tank of the curing device has at least one light curing source therein, which is operable to generate radiant energy to irradiate the 3D member for re-curing thereof.

In a possible embodiment, to ensure a uniform curing of the 3D component, the at least one light curing source is arranged uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the curing bath.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light curing source 1201 is a radiation source in the 350nm to 445nm wavelength band, such as a light source in the approximately 350nm to 445nm wavelength band. Since the present photo-curing rapid prototyping technology mainly uses photosensitive resin as a raw material, and the photosensitive resin changes from liquid to solid after being irradiated by ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet lamp having a wavelength band of, for example, about 405nm is used as a photo-curing source in this embodiment. However, in specific applications, the selection of the light curing source can be changed along with the change of the 3D printing raw material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wavelength band of the light curing source may be controlled by controlling the output power of the light curing source 1201, and the illumination time of the light curing source may be controlled by controlling the output time of the light curing source 1201. In a possible embodiment, the function of controlling the output power and the output time can be performed by the control device, i.e. the control device also has a module integrated therein for controlling the output power and the output time of the light-curing source. In other embodiments, the function of controlling the output power and the output time may be performed by a separate control device, that is, the 3D post-printing processing device may further include a control device for controlling the output power and the control time of the light curing source 1201. It should be understood that the light curing source in this embodiment is only an example when the 3D printing device is a 3D printing device based on light curing molding, and in practical applications, the light curing source may also be configured as other curing sources according to the printing principle of the 3D printing device. For example, when the 3D printing apparatus is a melt molding based printing apparatus, the light curing source may be replaced with a heat curing source including, but not limited to, a heat generating tube, an infrared lamp, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, continuing to refer to fig. 1, the curing device further comprises a fan 1202, wherein the fan 1201 can dissipate heat in the curing bath in time, thereby extending the service life of the curing device 12. It should be understood that when the light curing source 1201 irradiates on the light curing resin, heat is generated during the curing of the resin and the operation of the device, and the device can be timely cooled to ensure the use safety and prolong the service life.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wind strength of the fan can be controlled by controlling the output power of the fan 1202, and the run time of the fan 1202 can be controlled by controlling the on-time of the fan 1202. In a possible embodiment, the function of controlling the output power and the operating time can be implemented by the control device, i.e. the control device also has integrated therein a module for the output power and the operating time of the fan 1202. In other embodiments, the function of controlling the output power and the operation time may be performed by a separate control device, i.e. the 3D post-printing processing device may further comprise a control device for controlling the output power and the operation time of the fan 1202.

In an exemplary embodiment, a purification device is further disposed in the curing tank, and the purification device is used for eliminating odor carried by cleaning liquid molecules blown out by the fan, and the purification device includes, but is not limited to, activated carbon.

In some embodiments, the activated carbon may be honeycomb activated carbon disposed within the solidification tank (e.g., disposed at the bottom of the solidification tank) so as to adsorb the odor of the cleaning solution.

In another embodiment, the activated carbon may also be an activated carbon filter screen, for example, at least one ventilation opening is formed in the inner wall of the solidification tank, and the activated carbon filter screen is arranged at the at least one ventilation opening to adsorb the odor of the cleaning solution, so as to reduce the odor of the gas discharged from the solidification tank.

In an exemplary embodiment, the unidirectional pump, the bidirectional pump, the light curing source, and the fan may share a single control device. The control device can control the opening, closing, output power, conveying state or pumping state of the bidirectional pump, control the opening, closing and output power of the single pump, control the output power and output time of the light curing source, and control the output power and operation time of the fan.

The control apparatus comprises an electronic device that can execute a computer program, including but not limited to: desktop computers, handheld computers, or intelligent terminals based on embedded operating systems, etc. In some embodiments, the control device comprises a processor, a memory, an interface, and the like, wherein the processor is connected to the memory and the interface. The interface is used for connecting the bidirectional pump, the single pump, the light curing source and the fan. The memory may include high speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory also includes a memory controller that can control access to the memory by other components of the device, such as the CPU and peripheral interfaces. The processor is operatively coupled to the memory. More specifically, the processor may execute program instructions stored in the memory to perform operations in the computing device, such as zeroing the component platform in accordance with the zeroing program instructions. As such, the processor may include one or more general purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific processors (ASICs), one or more field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. The operation steps of the present application in one embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 2 and 4.

Referring to fig. 2, an operator first places the 3D component 14 (or the 3D component together with the building board) on the carrying part, and the control device controls the horizontal positioning slider 1302 on the guide rail 1301 to move above the station where the first cleaning device 11a is located. Then, the control device controls the elevation positioning slider 1304 to descend along the elevation guide 1303 into the first cleaning tank 114a of the first cleaning device 11 a. Here, after lowering to the position, the control means turns on the ultrasonic generator on the first cleaning means to clean the 3D member in the first cleaning tank. After the cleaning is finished, the control device raises the lifting positioning slider 1304 along the lifting guide 1303, so that the 3D component leaves the first cleaning tank, and the control device further controls the horizontal positioning slider 1302 on the guide 1301 to move to a position above the station where the second cleaning device 11b is located. Then, the control device controls the elevation positioning block 1304 to descend along the elevation guide 1303 into the second cleaning tank 114b of the second cleaning device 11 b. Here, after lowering to the position, the control means turns on the ultrasonic generator on the second cleaning means to clean the 3D member in the second cleaning tank. After the cleaning is completed, the control device raises the lifting positioning slider 1304 along the lifting guide 1303, so that the 3D member leaves the second cleaning tank.

Referring to fig. 4, which is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an operation process of the present application, the control device further controls the horizontal positioning slider 1302 on the guide rail 1301 to move to a position above a station where the curing device 12 is located. Then, the control device controls the lifting and positioning slider 1304 to descend along the lifting and lowering guide 1303 into the curing slot of the curing device 12. Here, when lowered into position, the control device opens each of the light curing sources 1201 in the curing tank to irradiate the 3D member in the curing tank. And in the irradiation process, the control device controls the fan to be opened so as to radiate heat in the curing tank.

This application is through the assembly line design with belt cleaning device and solidification equipment, makes the step of washing and solidification realize with automatic form, has improved work efficiency when having saved the manpower. Further, the cleaning device can be configured to be a plurality of, so that the printed 3D component can be cleaned for a plurality of times, and the cleaning effect is guaranteed. In addition, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device can be recycled, so that the utilization efficiency of the cleaning liquid is increased, the energy is saved, the environment is protected, and the production cost is reduced.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and utilities of the present application and are not intended to limit the application. Any person skilled in the art can modify or change the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, it is intended that all equivalent modifications or changes which can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concepts disclosed in the present application shall be covered by the claims of the present application.

Claims (18)

1. A3D post-printing processing apparatus, comprising:

at least one cleaning device having a cleaning tank for holding a cleaning solution;

the curing device comprises a curing tank, wherein at least one curing source is arranged in the curing tank and used for generating radiation energy under the working state;

a transfer device, adjacent to the at least one cleaning device and the curing device, for transferring the 3D component to the at least one cleaning device or the curing device;

and the control device is respectively in signal connection with the at least one cleaning device, the curing device and the transfer device, is used for controlling the working state of the at least one cleaning device and the curing device and controlling the transfer device to transfer the 3D component to the curing device after receiving a signal that the work of the at least one cleaning device is finished.

2. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tank is provided with a flow guiding hole, the flow guiding hole of the cleaning device is communicated with a liquid storage device through a first conduit, and the liquid storage device is used for conveying cleaning liquid into the cleaning tank and storing the cleaning liquid output from the cleaning tank.

3. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 2, wherein a bidirectional pump is arranged on the first conduit and used for pumping the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank to the liquid storage device and pumping the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage device to the cleaning tank.

4. The 3D post-printing processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a filter device is provided on the first conduit.

5. The 3D post-printing treatment equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

the first cleaning device comprises a first cleaning tank and is used for cleaning the 3D component for the first time;

and the second cleaning device comprises a second cleaning tank which is arranged adjacent to the first cleaning device and is used for cleaning the 3D component subjected to the primary cleaning for the second time.

6. The 3D post-printing processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a cleanliness of the cleaning liquid contained in the first cleaning tank is smaller than a cleanliness of the cleaning liquid contained in the second cleaning tank.

7. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 5, wherein the control device is respectively in signal connection with the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device, and is used for controlling the working states of the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device, and controlling the transfer device to transfer the 3D component to the second cleaning device after receiving a signal that the work of the first cleaning device is completed.

8. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 5, wherein the reservoir of the first cleaning device is connected with the reservoir of the second cleaning device through a second conduit, and the second conduit is provided with a one-way pump for pumping the cleaning liquid in the reservoir of the second cleaning device into the reservoir of the first cleaning device.

9. The 3D print post-processing device according to claim 8, further comprising a control device for controlling the output power and the operating state of the one-way pump.

10. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises an ultrasonic generator to oscillate the cleaning liquid.

11. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means comprises one or more piezoelectric transducers to oscillate the cleaning liquid.

12. The 3D post-printing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid is ethanol, water, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or propylene carbonate.

13. The 3D post-printing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device comprises:

the guide rail is arranged above the at least one cleaning device and the curing device;

the lifting device is arranged on the guide rail and comprises a lifting part and a bearing part, the lifting part is used for adjusting the position of the bearing part in the vertical direction, and the bearing part is used for bearing the 3D component.

14. The 3D print post-processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a control device for controlling the operating time or output power of the curing source.

15. The 3D post-printing treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the curing source is at least one curing source, and the at least one curing source is uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the curing tank.

16. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 1 or 15, wherein the curing source is a light curing source, and the light curing source is a radiation source with a wavelength range of 350nm to 445 nm.

17. The 3D printing post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein a purification device is further arranged in the curing tank to eliminate gas odor in the curing tank.

18. The 3D post-printing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the curing device further comprises a fan for dissipating heat in the curing tank.

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