KR102603053B1 - Extrusion three-dimension print application and printing method using them - Google Patents

Abstract

An extrusion-type 3D printer and a printing method using the same are disclosed.
In this specification, an extrusion-type 3D printer including a flattening unit that slightly vibrates at a set cycle and a printing method using the same are disclosed.
Therefore, the present invention can prevent defective printing.

Description

Extrusion type 3D printer and printing method using the same {EXTRUSION THREE-DIMENSION PRINT APPLICATION AND PRINTING METHOD USING THEM}

The present invention relates to an extrusion-type 3D printer and a printing method using the same.

In particular, it relates to an extrusion-type 3D printer that can prevent defects during printing by using a flattening unit that vibrates at a set frequency, and a printing method using the same.

A 3D printer is a device that prints objects in a three-dimensional space, rather than a device that prints using traditional printing methods. Due to high production costs and slow printing speed, 3D printers were limited to making simple items or prototypes, but due to continuous technological development, they have recently been used to make complex items (e.g. artificial joints, artificial arteries, etc.) or actual products. It is being utilized.

Recently, extrusion-type 3D printers, which stack hardened layers while extruding materials, are used to build high-rise buildings, and recently, they are also being used in the development of spacecraft, increasing their utility.

As such, the usability of 3D printers is increasing, but there are still many problems that need to be solved. Among the many problems, the problem that requires the most improvement is lamination defects.

In general, extrusion printers operate by ejecting high-temperature material through a moving nozzle and stacking the material. However, the material adheres to the nozzle, so the material discharged to the outside is not formed evenly, and the material does not pile up in some areas or in other areas. Problems such as uneven accumulation (problem where the surface becomes rough) may occur due to a large amount of silver material accumulating, or problems with the material being discharged to the outside may break in the middle and not be stacked properly.

Domestic patent publication number "10-2017-0093431"2017.08.16

The present invention according to one embodiment solves the above-described problem and aims to provide an extrusion-type 3D printer and a printing method using the same that do not cause defective printing problems because materials are piled up evenly.

An extrusion-type 3D printer according to one embodiment includes an extrusion unit that supplies material by pressing it at a set pressure, a nozzle unit disposed on one side of the extrusion unit and having a hole through which the supplied material can be moved to the outside, and one end of the nozzle unit. It includes a flattening portion disposed on at least one side of the portion and abutting the material moved to the outside.

The flattening unit is characterized in that it vibrates at a set frequency.

The flattening part is characterized in that it is arranged in a shape surrounding the nozzle part.

One side of the nozzle portion is formed to be flat, and the flattening portion is disposed adjacent to the nozzle portion so as to be horizontal with one side of the nozzle.

One end of the flattening portion may be disposed to protrude beyond an end of the nozzle portion.

The flattening unit consists of a plurality of flattening units, and each flattening unit is connected to a lifting unit that moves up and down according to power supply.

One side of the flattening part is rounded toward the other side, and the nozzle part is connected to a tilt part and can be tilted.

The flattening part is connected to a rotating part that applies rotational power and can be rotated around the hole.

A printing method using an extrusion-type 3D printer according to an embodiment includes an extrusion supply step of supplying material to an extrusion unit and supplying the material by pressurizing it at a set pressure, and supplying the material to a nozzle unit including a hole in communication with the extrusion unit. It includes a printing step of supplying and discharging the material to the outside, and a planarization step of flattening the material by bringing a flattening portion with a flat surface into contact with the material discharged to the outside.

In the flattening step, the flattening unit is characterized in that it vibrates at a set period.

The present invention according to one embodiment includes a flattening unit that is disposed adjacent to the nozzle unit and vibrates at a set frequency to prevent adhesion of the nozzle unit and the material, and allows the material to be discharged and stacked evenly, causing the problem of defective material printing. This does not occur.

Figure 1 shows an extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to a first embodiment.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the nozzle portion and the flattening portion of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the first embodiment.
Figure 3 shows the nozzle part, the flattening part, and the rotating part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the second embodiment.
Figure 4 shows the nozzle part and the flattening part of the extrusion type 3D printer according to the present invention according to the third embodiment.
Figure 5 shows the nozzle part, the flattening part, and the lifting part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment.
Figure 6 shows the nozzle part, flattening part, and tilt part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fifth embodiment.
Figure 7 shows the operating state of the tilt unit of the extrusion type 3D printer according to the present invention according to the fifth embodiment.
Figure 8 shows the nozzle part, flattening part, tilt part, and rotation part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the sixth embodiment.
Figure 9 shows the sequence of a printing method using the extrusion-type 3D printer according to the present invention according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Additionally, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Additionally, the size or shape of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention are only for describing embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to a first embodiment, and Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the nozzle portion and a flattening portion of the extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to a first embodiment.

The extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the first embodiment includes a moving track unit 100, an extrusion unit 200, a material supply unit 300, a nozzle unit 400, and a flattening unit 500.

The moving track unit 100 includes a horizontal frame unit 110 arranged along a horizontal direction, a vertical frame unit 120 and a vertical frame unit 120 arranged along a vertical direction in a direction intersecting the horizontal frame unit 110. It may include a cross frame portion 130 disposed in a direction crossing the horizontal frame portion 110.

Here, the horizontal frame unit 110 and the vertical frame unit 120 may each be composed of a plurality (for example, two). And the cross frame portion 130 may be arranged to connect the vertical frame portion 120. A horizontal track portion and a cross track portion may be disposed in the horizontal frame portion 110 and the cross frame portion 130 along the longitudinal direction.

Here, a horizontal movement device 140 may be disposed at the end of the vertical frame portion 120. Accordingly, the vertical frame portion 120 can be moved along the horizontal track portion by the horizontal movement device 140 and moved along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame portion 110. Therefore, the cross frame part 130 connected to the vertical frame part 120 can also be moved along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame part 110.

A cross movement device 150 may be disposed in the cross track portion of the cross frame portion 130. Accordingly, the nozzle unit 400 connected to the cross-moving device 150, which will be described in detail later, can be moved along the cross-track part and moved along the longitudinal direction of the cross-frame part 130.

Meanwhile, the cross movement device 150 may be moved along a direction that is horizontal to the vertical frame portion 120, which is a direction that intersects the cross frame portion 130. Accordingly, the nozzle unit 400 connected to the cross movement device 150 can be moved in the vertical direction (z-axis).

In addition, the cross-moving device 150 is formed to be able to rotate. Therefore, the nozzle unit 400 and the flattening unit 500, which are components connected to the cross-moving device 150, can be rotated 360 degrees about the axis.

The extrusion unit 200 may be connected to the moving track unit 100. More precisely, the extrusion unit 200 may be connected to the cross-moving device 150. Accordingly, the extrusion unit 200 can be moved in the horizontal direction (x-axis), the cross direction (y-axis), and the vertical direction (z-axis).

Although not shown, a screw is disposed inside the extrusion unit 200. Accordingly, the material supplied into the extrusion unit 200 (for example, supplied through the upper side of the extrusion unit 200) can be moved downward while being pressurized to a set pressure. Material supply to the extrusion unit 200 may be possible through the material supply unit 300.

The material supply unit 300 is connected to one side (the upper side when referring to FIG. 1) of the extrusion unit 200 and, for example, can supply material in the form of a filament. Therefore, because the material supply unit 300 continuously supplies material, the material extruded through the nozzle unit 400 according to the operation of the extrusion unit 200 can be piled up to a thickness set according to the movement of the nozzle unit 400.

The nozzle unit 400 is disposed on the other side (lower side when referring to FIG. 1) of the extrusion unit 200. The nozzle unit 400 is formed with a hole, and the hole of the nozzle unit 400 communicates with the extrusion unit 200. Therefore, the material extruded and moved through the nozzle unit 400 can be discharged to the outside.

Additionally, a heating portion may be formed inside the nozzle portion 400. The heating unit may be arranged to surround the hole of the nozzle unit 400. The heating unit can generate heat at a set temperature when power is supplied. Accordingly, the heating unit may apply heat to the material moving through the hole of the nozzle unit 400 to impart ductility to the material.

A flattening portion 500 having a flat surface 501 is disposed at one end of the nozzle portion 400. When power is supplied, the flattening unit 500 vibrates at a set frequency. Here, the flattening unit 500 may be an ultrasonic vibrator, for example. The vibration of the flattening unit 500 does not interfere with the movement of the nozzle unit 400, but very fine vibration can be applied to the nozzle unit 400. Therefore, the material moving through the hole of the nozzle unit 400 may not adhere to the nozzle unit 400 due to slight vibration. Therefore, the present invention can solve the problem of the material being incorrectly discharged when discharged through the hole of the nozzle unit 400.

In addition, the flat surface 501 (lower side in FIG. 2), which is one end surface of the flattening portion 500, is formed to be flat. Here, the flat surface 501 of the flattening unit 500 is disposed while remaining horizontal with one end of the nozzle unit 400, as can be seen in FIG. 2. (As can be seen in FIG. 2, the flat surface 501 does not protrude lower than the nozzle unit 400.) Therefore, in FIG. 2, when the nozzle unit 400 moves to the right, the flat surface 501 of the flattening unit 500 ) is located on the left side of the hole of the nozzle unit 400 and comes into contact with the other side (upper side based on FIG. 2) of the extruded and laminated material. Therefore, the material can be made flat by the flat surface 501.

At the same time, as described above, the flat surface 501 vibrates at a set frequency, so that the material in contact can be flattened.

In this way, the present invention adheres to the nozzle part 400 when the material is discharged from the nozzle part 400 through the flattening part 500, which is in contact with the nozzle part 400 and the material at the same time, causing the material to break or the surface of the material to become rough. You can prevent it from happening.

Figure 3 shows the nozzle part, the flattening part, and the rotating part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the second embodiment.

When compared to the extrusion-type 3D printer according to the first embodiment, the extrusion-type 3D printer according to the second embodiment has a similar configuration, but may additionally include a rotating part 600. The rotating unit 600 may be connected to the flattening unit 500. Here, the flattening unit 500 may be rotatably disposed on one side of the nozzle unit 400.

In FIG. 3 , the flattening unit 500 and the nozzle unit 400 are shown in cross-section, so their three-dimensional shapes may not be visible. However, the flattening unit 500 may be formed in a semiconical shape.

When power is applied, the rotating unit 600 rotates the flattening unit 500 around the nozzle unit 400. Therefore, as the nozzle unit 400 moves, the position of the flattening unit 500 changes and the material can be flattened. That is, in Figure 3, the flattening unit 500 is located on the left side of the nozzle unit 400, so that when the nozzle unit 400 moves to the right and discharges the material, it can come into contact with the material and flatten it. Conversely, the nozzle unit 400 can flatten the material. When 400 is moved to the right, the flattening unit 500 is moved to the right by the operation of the rotating unit 600 and can perform the same role as described above. Here, the flattening unit 500 may vibrate slightly at a set frequency.

Figure 4 shows the nozzle part and the flattening part of the extrusion type 3D printer according to the present invention according to the third embodiment.

The nozzle portion 400 and the flattening portion 500 of the extrusion-type 3D printer according to the third embodiment are formed in such a way that the flattening portion 500 is formed in a cylindrical shape and surrounds the nozzle portion 400. That is, since the flattening unit 500 is not affected by the movement of the nozzle unit 400, there is no problem even if the extrusion type 3D printer according to the third embodiment does not include the rotating unit 600. That is, the flattening part 500 is formed in a cylindrical shape and surrounds the nozzle part 400, and the flat surface 501 is positioned horizontally with the lower end of the nozzle part 400, so that the nozzle part 400 moves and discharges. It can be flattened by contacting the material.

Figure 5 shows the nozzle part, the flattening part, and the lifting part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment.

The extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of flattening units 500 and may additionally include an elevating unit 700.

If this is confirmed with reference to FIG. 5, the flattening portion 500 is divided into a first flattening portion 510 located relatively inside the nozzle portion 400 and a second flattening portion 520 located relatively outside. It can be configured.

Here, the second flattening unit 520 is connected to the lifting unit 700 and may be formed to move up and down based on the first flattening unit 510. Accordingly, the flattening unit 500 according to the fourth embodiment can perform the flattening operation of the extruded material differently depending on the situation.

For example, the lifting unit 700 may be operated so that the second flattening unit 520 may be positioned to protrude lower than the lower end of the nozzle unit 400. Therefore, due to the second flattening unit 520, the material can be piled up flat to a set thickness or less.

Here, the first flattening unit 510 vibrates at a set period and prevents the nozzle unit 400 from adhering to the material, thereby preventing defects that occur when the material is discharged to the outside.

Figure 6 shows the nozzle part, flattening part, and tilt part of the extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fifth embodiment, and Figure 7 shows the tilt part of the extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to the fifth embodiment in operation. It shows the state.

The extrusion type 3D printer according to the fifth embodiment includes a tilt unit 800 capable of tilting the nozzle unit 400 at a set angle. Additionally, the flattening portion 500 may have a round portion 530 formed on the side that is inclined roundly toward the upper side.

When power is supplied, the tilt unit 800 can tilt the nozzle unit 400 at a set angle. Therefore, the thickness of the material discharged from the nozzle unit 400 can be adjusted. At the same time, the tilt unit 800 can simultaneously tilt the flattening unit 500 arranged to surround the nozzle unit 400 at a set angle. Therefore, as can be seen in FIG. 7, the round portion 530 of the flattening portion 500 may contact the material. Therefore, the present invention can flatten the material and process it into various shapes.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if the thickness of the material becomes thinner and the material is stacked in a round shape, the tilt unit 800 operates to tilt the nozzle unit 400 and the flattening unit 500, thereby tilting the nozzle unit 400. This would be possible if the cross-moving device 150 operates while moving to the right to move the nozzle unit 400 upward to stack the material.

Figure 8 shows the nozzle part, flattening part, tilt part, and rotation part of the extrusion type 3D printer of the present invention according to the sixth embodiment.

Compared to the fifth embodiment, the extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention according to the sixth embodiment additionally includes a rotating part 600 and includes a first round part 531 and a second round part 532. It is a characteristic. The rotating unit 600 may be connected to the flattening unit 500. Accordingly, the flattening unit 500 can be rotated around the nozzle unit 400.

The flattening part 500 may be composed of a first round part 531 and a second round part 532. The first round part 531 and the second round part 532 are formed on the side of the flattening part 500. Here, the rounded angle of the second round part 532 may be greater than the rounded angle of the first round part 531. The second round part 532 may be formed at a position spaced apart from the first round part 531 (for example, a symmetrical position as shown in FIG. 8). Due to this configuration, the extrusion-type 3D printer of the present invention can process materials more precisely.

That is, if the thickness of the material gradually becomes thinner and it is desired to stack the material in a round shape, the tilt portion 800 is operated as in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 7 described above so that the first round portion 531 is stacked with the material. By making contact, the material can be flattened and formed into a round shape. And when it is necessary to form a sharply rounded shape on the surface of the material, the rotating part 600 is operated to rotate the flattening part 500 so that the second round part 532 comes into contact with the material to form a round shape with a sharp angle. Shapes can be formed in materials.

Figure 9 shows the sequence of a printing method using the extrusion-type 3D printer according to the present invention according to an embodiment.

The printing method of the present invention according to one embodiment uses the extrusion type 3D printer described above. That is, the printing method of the present invention performs printing using the extrusion type 3D printer according to the first to sixth embodiments described above. That is, the extrusion type 3D printer may basically include a moving track unit 100, an extrusion unit 200, a material supply unit 300, a nozzle unit 400, and a flattening unit 500.

This printing method of the present invention includes an extrusion supply step (S100), a printing step (S200), and a flattening step (S300).

The extrusion supply step (S100) is a step in which material is supplied to the extrusion unit 200 in one direction at a set pressure. Here, the material is supplied by the material supply unit 300 and may be a material that can be extruded, such as filament.

The printing step (S200) is a step of discharging the material moved by the extrusion unit 200 to the outside through the hole of the nozzle unit 400. Material can be piled externally to a set thickness. Here, the nozzle unit 400 discharges the material to the outside while being moved by the moving track unit 100, so that the material can be stacked in a set shape.

The flattening step (S300) is a step of flattening the laminated materials using the flattening unit 500. Here, the flattening unit 500 can naturally vibrate at a set frequency. Here, the flattening unit 500 may be an ultrasonic vibrator, for example. Therefore, the flattening unit 500 transmits fine vibration to the nozzle unit 400 to prevent the nozzle unit 400 and the material from adhering to each other, thereby preventing defective printing. Additionally, the lower flat surface of the flattening unit 500 comes into contact with the material and can flatten the material.

The flattening unit 500, which performs flattening in the flattening step (S300), may be connected to the rotating unit 600, the lifting unit 700, etc., as described above, and includes a round unit 530 (first round unit 531) , may include a second round portion 532). Therefore, as described above, the flattening unit 500 can prevent defective printing, flatten the material, and assist printing.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it is known in the art that various improvements and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as provided by the following claims. This will be self-evident to those with ordinary knowledge.

100: moving track unit
110: Horizontal frame part
120: Vertical frame part
130: Cross frame part
140: Horizontal movement device
150: Cross movement device
200: extrusion part
300: Material supply department
400: nozzle part
500: Flattening part
501: flat surface
510: First flattening section
520: Second flattening unit
530: Round part
531: First round part
532: Second round part
600: Rotating part
700: Elevating section
800: Tilt part

Claims (10)

In the extrusion type 3D printer,
An extrusion unit that pressurizes and supplies materials at a set pressure;
a nozzle unit disposed on one side of the extrusion unit and having a hole through which the supplied material can be moved to the outside; and
A flattening portion disposed on at least one side of one end of the nozzle portion, vibrated at a set frequency, contacts the material moved to the outside, and applies vibration to the material and the nozzle,
The flattening portion is composed of a plurality of pieces,
An extrusion-type 3D printer, characterized in that each flattening part is connected to an elevating part that moves up and down depending on the power supply. delete According to paragraph 1,
The flattening unit
Arranged in a form surrounding the nozzle part
An extrusion type 3D printer characterized by . According to paragraph 1,
The nozzle portion is formed with one side flat,
The flattening portion is disposed adjacent to the nozzle portion so that it is horizontal with one surface of the nozzle.
An extrusion type 3D printer characterized by . According to paragraph 1,
One end of the flattening portion may be disposed to protrude beyond an end of the nozzle portion.
An extrusion type 3D printer characterized by . delete According to paragraph 1,
One side of the flattening portion is rounded toward the other side,
The nozzle part is connected to the tilt part and can be tilted.
An extrusion type 3D printer characterized by . According to claim 1 or 7,
The flattening unit
Connected to a rotating part that applies rotational power and capable of rotating around the hole
An extrusion type 3D printer characterized by . In the printing method using an extrusion type 3D printer,
An extrusion supply step of supplying the material to the extrusion unit and supplying the material by pressurizing it at a set pressure;
A printing step of supplying the material to a nozzle unit including a hole in communication with the extrusion unit and discharging the material to the outside; and
A flattening step of placing a flattening part that has a flat surface and vibrates at a set frequency on at least one side of one end of the nozzle part to make contact with the material discharged to the outside, and applying vibration to the material and the nozzle part to flatten the material. Includes,
The flattening portion is composed of a plurality of pieces,
A printing method characterized in that each flattening part is connected to an elevating part that moves up and down depending on the power supply. delete