KR20240073262A - Cleaning equipment for 3D printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention has an automatic tray raising function, so the tray is automatically raised after the cleaning of the output is completed, so there is no need to wait for the operation to end, and there is no problem even if the cleaning equipment is left for a long time after operation, so it is similar to the conventional cleaning equipment for 3D printers. As in, it is about cleaning equipment for 3D printers that can solve the problem of affecting the condition of printed materials by keeping them in the cleaning liquid even after cleaning is completed.

Description

Cleaning equipment for 3D printer {Cleaning equipment for 3D printer}

The present invention relates to cleaning equipment for 3D printers that has an automatic tray raising function, so that the tray is automatically raised after cleaning of printed materials is completed.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology scans the required three-dimensional shape or designs it through computer modeling, then differentiates it into two dimensions, and uses a three-dimensional printer to print various materials such as polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites necessary to realize the physical properties of the final product. This is a method of implementing a 3D shape by 2D printing and then stacking the printed 2D structures. Accordingly, various three-dimensional shapes that were difficult to realize through conventional processes can be easily realized, and the three-dimensional shape of the final product can be easily controlled through changes in computer modeling rather than using a mold such as a conventional casting. The advantage of realizing a structure is that it can significantly reduce time and cost compared to conventional processes.

Three-dimensional printing methods include SLA (Stereo Lithographic Apparatus) or DLP (Digital Light Processing), which use the principle of curing the injected area by injecting a laser or light of a specific wavelength into a photocurable resin. Instead of the photocurable resin of SLA or DLP, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), which uses functional polymer or metal powder and uses the principle of sintering by scanning a laser beam, and LOM (LOM), which uses adhesive-coated paper to be cut into the desired cross-section using a laser beam and then laminated layer by layer. Laminated Object Manufacturing), and BPM (Ballistic Particle Manufacturing) using ink jet printer technology. A powder-based SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) type 3D printer can form a 3D object by supplying and stacking fine powder on a platform.

Additive manufacturing of three-dimensional parts typically involves at least two material discharge steps. One material is typically referred to as a build material and is the material used to form the structure of the part. Another material is provided to support extremely thin layers of molding material (16-30 μm) until the part is completed and fully cured and is therefore typically referred to as a support material. Both support and molding materials are discharged into each layer simultaneously or sequentially to form the part in the machining process.

In particular, once the three-dimensional object is complete, the support material must be removed, for example by melting the support material and removing it by placing it in an oven or heated liquid bath where the air or fluid temperature is above the melting point of the support material, or by removing the support material through a cleaning solution. can be removed. Additionally, in the case of a 3D object manufactured with a 3D printer using liquid resin, a process must be performed to remove any residual liquid resin remaining on the manufactured object.

In this regard, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2020-0092975 relates to a system for cleaning 3D-printed objects, particularly workpieces having a base to prevent the workpiece from falling into the process chamber. A system comprising a cleaning device having a process chamber provided therein is disclosed.

In addition, Republic of Korea Patent No. 2067538 includes a cleaning module for cleaning a 3D printed structure hardened by a 3D printing module, the cleaning module comprising a cleaning fluid supply unit for supplying a cleaning fluid, and a cleaning fluid discharge for discharging the cleaning fluid. Disclosed is a 3D printing device and a 3D printing method including a part, and a cleaning chamber in which cleaning is performed.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2020-0092975 Republic of Korea Patent No. 2067538

The present invention seeks to provide cleaning equipment for 3D printers that has an automatic tray raising function, so that the tray is automatically raised after cleaning of the output is completed.

In order to solve the above problems,

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a cleaning chamber; a water tank containing a cleaning solution located inside the cleaning chamber; a tray for arranging washing materials located at the top of the water tank; a rotating plate rotatably mounted on both sides of the water tank to position the tray in the washing liquid; And, it provides cleaning equipment for a 3D printer, including a fixing pin located at a distance from both sides of the water tank and connected to the rotating plate to fix the position of the rotating plate.

The rotating plate may include a joint that can be coupled to the fixing pin, and the rotating plate may be fixed to the fixing pin by the joint.

When the rotating plate is fixed to the fixing pin, the rotating plate may rotate diagonally to position the tray in the cleaning liquid.

When the rotating plate is not fixed to the fixing pin, the rotating plate may be in a horizontal direction to position the tray outside the cleaning liquid.

It may further include a timer that is connected to the fixing pin and automatically operates the fixing pin.

It may further include a vortex generator that generates a vortex of the cleaning liquid in the water tank.

The vortex generator may be a rod rotating body that rotates on the inner bottom of the water tank to generate a vortex of the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning solution may include one selected from the group consisting of alcohol or ether organic solvents, surfactants, and combinations thereof.

The cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention has an automatic tray raising function, so the tray is automatically raised after cleaning of the output is completed, so there is no need to wait for the operation to end, and there is no problem even if the cleaning equipment is left for a long time after operation. As with conventional cleaning equipment for 3D printers, it is possible to solve the problem of affecting the condition of the printout by keeping the printout in the cleaning solution even after cleaning is completed.

In addition, the cost of cleaning equipment is generally increased by using parts such as expensive motors and actuators for the automatic lifting function, thereby increasing the consumer price of the product. However, the cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention is expensive as described above. By using rotating plates and fixing pins without using parts, it is possible to manufacture competitive cleaning equipment at a low price.

Figure 1 shows cleaning equipment for a 3D printer according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows the completed cleaning state of the cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention.

Since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description.

However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

In the present invention, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that it does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Currently, cleaning equipment for 3D printers is largely divided into water tank type and spray type. Among these, the water tank type uses the existing stirrer method to fill the water tank with alcohol and rotate a magnetic bar to clean the items contained in the alcohol through vortex currents. Currently, water tank-type cleaning equipment from major companies has an expensive motor and actuator at the back of the product, and has a function to automatically lift the tray up and take the cleaning material out of the alcohol when the operation is finished. However, products with this function are about 20% cheaper than products without this function. The downside is that it is more expensive than 10,000 won.

However, the cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention does not use the above expensive parts, but uses a rotating plate and a fixing pin, making it possible to manufacture competitive cleaning equipment at a low price.

The cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention has an automatic tray raising function, so the tray is automatically raised after cleaning of the output is completed, so there is no need to wait for the operation to end, and there is no problem even if the cleaning equipment is left for a long time after operation. As with conventional cleaning equipment for 3D printers, it is possible to solve the problem of affecting the condition of the printout by keeping the printout in the cleaning solution even after cleaning is completed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The present invention provides a cleaning chamber; a water tank containing a cleaning solution located inside the cleaning chamber; a tray for arranging washing materials located at the top of the water tank; a rotating plate rotatably mounted on both sides of the water tank to position the tray in the washing liquid; And, it provides cleaning equipment for a 3D printer including a fixing pin located at a distance from both sides of the water tank and connected to the rotating plate to fix the position of the rotating plate.

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the cleaning equipment 1 for a 3D printer of the present invention, and Figure 3 shows a state in which cleaning of the items has been completed in the cleaning equipment 1 for a 3D printer of the present invention.

Additionally, Figure 3 may show a state before the cleaning equipment is operated.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the cleaning equipment 1 for a 3D printer of the present invention includes a cleaning chamber 10, a water tank 20 located inside the cleaning chamber 10 to accommodate a cleaning solution; A tray 30 for placing the washing material 31 located on the upper part of the water tank 20; a rotating plate 40 rotatably mounted on both sides of the water tank 20 and positioned to place the tray 30 in the washing liquid; And, it includes a fixing pin 41 that is spaced apart from both sides of the water tank 20 and is connected to the rotating plate 40 to fix the position of the rotating plate 40.

The washed product 31 may be a printout or molded product of a 3D printer.

In order to wash the laundry, the cleaning equipment 1 first fills the water tank 20 inside the cleaning chamber 10 with cleaning liquid as shown in FIG. 3, and then rotates the rotating plate 40 in a horizontal direction. , the tray 30 may be located on the rotating plate 40.

Before the cleaning equipment (1) operates, the rotating plate (40) and the fixing pin (41) are not coupled, and when the rotating plate (40) is not fixed with the fixing pin (41), it is aligned in a straight direction. can do. At this time, within the water tank 20, the rotating plate 40 may include an internal wall that prevents it from rising further from the horizontal position, or may include a part that hangs on the rotating shaft to designate the rotating plate 40 in a horizontal position.

The washing material 31 is placed in the tray 30 located on the rotating plate 40, and pressure is applied to the tray 30 to cause the rotating plate 40 to rotate, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The rotating plate 40 can be fixed to the fixing pin 41.

When the rotating plate 40 is fixed to the fixing pin 41, the rotating plate 40 may rotate diagonally to position the tray 30 in the cleaning liquid.

The rotating plate 40 may include a joint that can be coupled to the fixing pin 41, and the rotating plate 40 may be fixed to the fixing pin 41 by the joint. The joint may be in a form that engages with the fixing pin 41.

When the rotating plate 40 and the fixing pin 41 are combined and fixed, a vortex of the cleaning liquid in the water tank 20 may be generated to wash the washing material 31.

It may further include a vortex generator 21 that generates a vortex of the cleaning liquid in the water tank 20. The vortex generator 21 may be a rod rotating body that rotates at the inner bottom of the water tank to generate a vortex of the cleaning liquid. For example, the rod rotating body may be made of a magnetic material, and may be rotated by magnetic stirring of the magnetic field generator to generate a vortex of the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning solution may include one selected from the group consisting of alcohol or ether organic solvents, surfactants, and combinations thereof.

A timer 50 that is connected to the fixing pin 41 and automatically operates the fixing pin 41 may be additionally included.

When the operating time of the timer 50 is completed and the operation is over, the rotating plate 40 and the fixing pin 41, which were connected at the same time, are released and the diagonal plate rotates to become horizontal (forming a straight line) and becomes a tray ( 30) may be raised.

When the rotating plate 40 is not fixed to the fixing pin 41, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating plate 40 may be oriented horizontally to position the tray 30 outside the cleaning liquid. there is.

Springs (not shown) are built into the left and right sides of the rotation axis of the rotating plate 40 (meaning the front and rear in FIGS. 1 to 3), respectively, and the springs extend across the tank wall and the rotating plate. It may be fixed. When the tray 30 is mounted and the rotation axis rotates, the spring may be tightened and fixed to the fixing pin 41. Conversely, when the coupling with the fixing pin 41 is released, the rotating plate 40 may return to its original position in the horizontal direction due to the force of the spring to return to its original position.

The fixing pin 41 is automatically disconnected from the rotating plate joint when the timer 50 expires, and can be set to be released magnetically by connecting an electromagnet or released by physically pushing it out.

In order to prevent the tray 30 from popping out or the washing liquid from splashing when the rotating plate 40 rotates in the horizontal direction at a high speed, a section subjected to friction is set on the wall of the water tank, so that the rotating plate 40 The speed can be adjusted.

The disconnected fixing pin 41 may include a spring so as to be connected to the rotating shaft again. The spring may be located between the fixing pin 41 and the wall of the cleaning chamber 10. When the tray is remounted and the rotary plate is rotated for washing of items in a state in which the fixing pin is released magnetically or physically, the rotary plate joint portion and the fixing pin rotate to a position where they are engaged again, and at this time, the wall of the washing chamber The joint and the fixing pin may be fixed by the force pushed by the spring between the fixing pins.

The cleaning equipment for 3D printers according to the present invention has an automatic tray raising function when the washing of the items to be washed is completed, so the tray is automatically raised, so there is no need to wait for the operation to end, and there is no problem even if the cleaning equipment is left unattended for a long time after operation. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the printout remains in the cleaning liquid even after cleaning is completed, affecting the condition of the printout.

1: Washing device
10: Washing chamber 11: Chamber cover
20: Water tank 21: Vortex generator
30: Tray 31: Washing matter
40: fixing pin 41: rotating plate
50: Timer

Claims (8)

washing chamber;
a water tank containing a cleaning solution located inside the cleaning chamber;
a tray for arranging washing materials located at the top of the water tank;
a rotating plate rotatably mounted on both sides of the water tank to position the tray in the washing liquid; and,
Cleaning equipment for a 3D printer including fixing pins that are spaced apart on both sides of the water tank and are connected to the rotating plate to fix the position of the rotating plate.
According to claim 1,
The rotating plate includes a joint that can be coupled to the fixing pin,
Cleaning equipment for a 3D printer, wherein the rotating plate is fixed to the fixing pin by the joint.
According to claim 1,
When the rotating plate is fixed to the fixing pin, the rotating plate rotates diagonally to position the tray in the cleaning liquid.
According to claim 1,
When the rotating plate is not fixed to the fixing pin, the rotating plate is in a horizontal direction to position the tray out of the cleaning liquid.
According to claim 1,
Cleaning equipment for a 3D printer that is connected to the fixing pin and further includes a timer that automatically operates the fixing pin.
According to claim 1,
Cleaning equipment for a 3D printer further comprising a vortex generator that generates a vortex of the cleaning solution in the water tank.
According to claim 1,
The vortex generator is a cleaning equipment for a 3D printer, which is a rod rotating body that rotates on the inner bottom of the water tank to generate a vortex of the cleaning liquid.
According to claim 1,
The cleaning liquid is a cleaning equipment for a 3D printer comprising one selected from the group consisting of alcohol or ether organic solvent, surfactant, and combinations thereof.

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