CZ309869B6 - A device for variable application of printing powder - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for variable application of printing powder consists of an application ruler (N), located in the arm (R'), a powder container (Z) and a plate (O) for powder removal, wherein, between the powder container (Z) and the plate (O) for powder removal, the printing platform (P), which is located in the frame (R), is incorporated. The printing platform (P) contains a base plate (1) on which a block (B) for heat sink is placed, to which the plate (D) for printing is attached from above. The area (S1) of the base plate (1) is larger than the area S2 of the block (B) for heat sink, wherein the expansion mechanism (r) is adjacent to the block (B) for heat sink, which is provided, from above, with a plate (3) that does not exceed in height the plate (O) for the powder removal.

Description

Device for variable application of printing powder

Field of technology

The technical solution is a device for variable application of printing powder consisting of an application ruler located in the application arm, a powder container and a powder removal plate, where a printing platform stored in the device frame is incorporated between the powder container and the powder removal plate.

Current state of the art

During the additive manufacturing of metal parts using the DMLS method, a layer of printing powder is applied using an application element that is placed in the application arm. The powder is applied to the entire surface of the plate for printing the printing platform, which means that a certain part of it remains unused, and moreover, due to contamination, it loses the desired properties. If this powder is to be used for further printing, it must undergo further treatment, such as sieving or cleaning, which makes the whole process more expensive. A solution is known from the state of the art, where the printing platform is constructed in such a way that it is possible to reduce its working space as simply as possible and to use a smaller volume of powder during printing. In the process of printing on a small printing platform, the large platform is replaced by a so-called reduction frame, which is designed to fill the unused space of the platform. By removing the reduction frame and piston on which the reduced printing plate is placed. However, the disadvantage of this solution is that the powder is applied over the entire plate of the printing platform, and therefore part of the powder falls into the waste container. This disadvantage is also shown by the solution where the powder from the storage cylinder is applied to the building pallet using a wiper, the unused powder goes back into the overflow tank. The elimination of the waste of printing powder is carried out in such a way that the metal powder does not accumulate in the space of the plate for printing over the entire length of the chamber, but only proportionally less. The width of the powder application along the applicator remains the same. A device with a movable printing platform described in US 2018065321 A1 is also known from the state of the art.

The essence of the invention

The invention is a device for variable application of printing powder consisting of an application ruler located in the arm, a powder container and a powder removal plate, where a printing platform is incorporated between the powder container and the powder removal plate, which is stored in the frame. The printing platform includes a base plate on which a heat sink block is placed, to which a printing plate adjoins from above, where the area of the base plate is greater than the area of the heat sink block, and an expansion mechanism adjoins the block, which is provided with a plate from above it does not exceed the powder discharge plate in height.

It is advantageous if the block for heat removal towards the plate is provided with protrusions between which the mechanical energy accumulators are inserted, the mechanical energy accumulators being surrounded by a seal on the outside. This ensures the necessary insulation of the device and prevents the intrusion of applied powder into the area of the base plate.

A partition is incorporated to define the working space between the expansion mechanism and the block for heat dissipation and the printing plate.

A metal cover is incorporated between the heat dissipation block and the printing plate. The alternative with a metal sheet cover is most often offered due to its thickness. The reason is to increase the safety of the device during potential handling of the printing plate, its replacement with another one with regard to the process parameters of 3D printing or during routine maintenance of the device.

The powder magazine is vertically adjustable, which enables alternative application of printing powder

- 1 CZ 309869 B6 about variable quantity with regard to process parameters of 3D printing.

It is also advantageous if the powder discharge plate is vertically adjustable to facilitate the handling of waste powder.

By partitioning the working space of the printing platform, it is possible to implement a different number of printing plates, but of course it is required that the printing plates are easily replaceable.

Clarification of drawings

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an isometric view of a device for variable application of printing powder. Fig. 3 shows a view of the base plate. Fig. 4 shows a view of the printing plate. Fig. 5 shows the block for heat dissipation. Fig. 6 shows a view of the block cover for heat dissipation. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show an isometric view of the printing platform.

An example of the implementation of the invention

The device for variable application of printing powder consists of an application ruler N, which is placed in the application arm Rý. The device also includes a powder container Z and a plate O for powder removal. A printing platform P is incorporated between the powder container Z and the powder discharge plate O. The printing platform P is housed in the sheathed frame R of the device. The printing platform P consists of a base plate 1 on which an aluminum block B is placed for heat dissipation. Setting elements for the exact position of block B for heat dissipation are printed on base plate 1. Plate D, on which 3D printing is carried out, is adjacent to block B for heat removal from above. Block B for heat dissipation is provided with protrusions V around the perimeter towards the plate D. Holes are milled in the aluminum block for setting on the base platform, and there is a groove milled around the perimeter for a seal and grooves for an allen key to clamp to the base plate 1 for possible tightening of the clamp to base plate 1. Accumulators A of mechanical energy in the form of springs are inserted between the protrusions V, while these are surrounded from the outside by a rubber seal T. The area S1 of the base plate 1 is larger than the area S2 of block B for heat dissipation, which creates an unused working space. Therefore, the expansion mechanism r on the hever principle is attached to block B for heat removal. The expansion mechanism is equipped with a plate 3 from above. The ends of the expansion arms of the expansion mechanism r are equipped with inserts Vy, so that the working wall of the device frame is not crushed or damaged. The height of the plate 3 does not exceed the plate O for the discharge of the powder, so that there is no tripping or complete jamming when passing the application ruler N. Between the expansion mechanism r and the block B for heat removal, to which the plate D for printing adjoins from above, a partition Pý is incorporated. The height of the partition Pý does not exceed the plate D. The partition Pý is assembled using simple screw connections, which are easily dismantled and the individual parts can thus be modified or completely replaced relatively quickly. At the same time, a metal cover K is incorporated between block B for heat dissipation and plate D. The powder container Z is vertically adjustable. The powder discharge plate O is also vertically adjustable. The printing plate D is replaceable.

Industrial applicability

The device can be used especially in the construction of 3D printers for variable printing of components from printing powder.

Claims (6)

1. A device for variable application of printing powder consisting of an application ruler (N), located in the arm (R'), a reservoir (Z) of powder and a plate (O) for the removal of powder, when between the reservoir (Z) of powder and the plate (O) for powder removal, a printing platform (P) is incorporated, which is housed in a frame (R), characterized in that the printing platform (P) contains a base plate (1), on which a block (B) is placed for heat removal, to to which the printing plate (D) adjoins from above, where the area (S1) of the base plate (1) is larger than the area S2 of the block (B) for heat dissipation, while the expansion mechanism (r) is adjacent to the block (B) which is provided from above plate (3), which does not exceed the height of the plate (O) for the discharge of powder. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the block (B) for heat removal is provided with protrusions (V) towards the plate (D), between which accumulators (A) of mechanical energy are inserted, whereby accumulators (A) of mechanical energy they are surrounded by a seal (T) on the outside. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a partition (P') is incorporated between the opening mechanism (r) and the block (B) for heat removal and the plate (D) for printing. 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a metal cover (K) is incorporated between the block (B) for heat removal and the plate (D). 5. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the powder container (Z) is vertically adjustable. 6. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized in that the plate (O) for removing the powder is vertically adjustable.