TWI616317B - Printing head, three dimensions prototyping device and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a print head, a three-dimensional forming apparatus, and a printing method. The print head includes a nozzle drive, a print nozzle, and a nozzle height adjustment device. The nozzle height adjusting device is disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device to adjust the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane. The three-dimensional forming apparatus comprises a frame, a printing platform and a printing head. The printing head is mounted in the frame, and the nozzle driving device is driven to move the printing head parallel to the printing platform.

Description

Printing nozzle, three-dimensional molding device and printing method

The present invention relates to three-dimensional printing techniques, and more particularly to a printing head and a three-dimensional forming apparatus and printing method using the same.

Three-dimensional (3D) printers have become more and more widely used in mold manufacturing, industrial design, etc., which is based on digital model files and uses adhesive materials to print objects by layer-by-layer printing. machine.

The nozzles in the existing three-dimensional printer are fixed to the moving shaft and rigidly connected with the moving shaft. Based on this connection method, the printing machine needs to determine the precision of printing by mechanical positioning to make the machining and assembly precision of the components of the three-dimensional printing machine. The machining and assembly accuracy of the components of the 3D printer will gradually decrease as the 3D printer is used for a long time or multiple times. As a result, the printing accuracy of the printer will be reduced, resulting in printing. Problems such as reduced product yield, increased printing costs, and reduced print quality.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a printing head and a three-dimensional forming apparatus and printing method using the same. The nozzle height adjustment device can adjust the distance between the nozzle of the printing head and the printing plane, and compensate for the mechanical error in a small range between the nozzle of the printing head and the printing plane, thereby improving the printing precision.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a print head includes a head drive, a print nozzle, and a nozzle height adjustment device. The nozzle height adjusting device is disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device to adjust the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle height adjusting device includes a spring and a spring receiving cavity. The spring is received in the spring receiving cavity, and one end of the spring is fixed in the spring receiving cavity, and the other end of the spring is fixed on the nozzle transmission device, and the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane is controlled by the spring force of the spring. .

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle height adjusting device described above may be a pressure adjusting device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the pressure regulating device includes an air bag, a gas pipe, and a gas pressure adjusting mechanism. The air bag is disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle transmission. The air pressure adjusting mechanism is connected to the air bag through the air pipe to adjust the air pressure in the air bag, thereby controlling the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane.

In some embodiments of the invention, the pressure regulating device described above includes a hydraulic cylinder, an infusion tube, and a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic cylinder is arranged on the printing nozzle and Between the nozzle actuators. The hydraulic pump is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through the infusion pipe to adjust the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder, thereby controlling the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the print nozzle described above may be screwed to the nozzle height adjusting device.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a three-dimensional forming apparatus includes a frame, a printing plane, and at least one of the embodiments of the printing head as described above. Wherein the nozzle driving device of the printing nozzle is mounted on the frame and driven to move the printing nozzle parallel to the printing platform, and the nozzle height adjusting device of the printing nozzle is adapted to adjust the printing of the printing nozzle The distance between the nozzle and the print plane.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a printing method includes adjusting a distance between a printing nozzle and a printing plane to an optimum printing height by a nozzle height adjusting device to perform a printing process. During the printing process, the printing material is passed from the nozzle actuator through the nozzle height adjusting device to the feeding end of the printing nozzle in the printing conveying pipe, and the printing material enters the printing nozzle from the feeding end of the printing nozzle. Thereafter, the discharge end of the printing nozzle is output and coated on the printing plane.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the above printing method further comprises: during the printing process, when the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane exceeds the optimal printing distance, the nozzle height The adjustment device applies a downward force to the printing nozzle such that the distance of the printing nozzle from the printing plane returns to the optimum printing distance.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the printing method further includes: in the printing process, when the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane is less than the optimal printing distance, the nozzle Height adjustment device applies to the print nozzle The upward force causes the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane to return to the optimum printing distance.

It can be seen from the above scheme that the printing head of the present invention and the three-dimensional forming apparatus and the printing method using the same are realized by the nozzle height adjusting device installed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device. The adjustment of the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane during the printing process ensures the compensation of the mechanical error in a small range between the printing nozzle and the printing plane, and improves the printing precision.

1‧‧‧Printing nozzle

2‧‧‧Nozzle height adjustment device

3‧‧‧ nozzle drive

4‧‧‧Printing plane

5‧‧‧Printing materials

6‧‧‧Printing the conveying pipe

7‧‧‧Airbag

7'‧‧‧Hydraulic cylinder

8‧‧‧ gas pipeline

8'‧‧‧ Infusion tube

9‧‧‧Pneumatic adjustment mechanism

9'‧‧‧Hydraulic pump

11‧‧‧Drawing end

12‧‧‧ Feeding end

13‧‧‧ external thread

21‧‧‧ internal thread

22‧‧‧ Spring

23‧‧‧Spring housing cavity

The above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent and understood.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the printing head of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the printing head of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the printing head of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of the printing head of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the following drawings, and the details of However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the present invention, these practical details are not necessarily need. In addition, some of the conventional structures and elements are shown in the drawings in a simplified schematic manner in order to simplify the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1, the print head of the present invention may include a print nozzle 1, a nozzle height adjusting device 2, and a head drive unit 3. The nozzle height adjusting device 2 is disposed between the printing nozzle 1 and the nozzle driving device 3 for adjusting the distance between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4. The print head further includes a print feed pipe 6 that communicates with the feed end 12 of the print nozzle 1 and extends from the nozzle height adjustment device 2 into the spray head drive 3 to print the material 5 is delivered to the printing nozzle 1. The discharge end 11 of the printing nozzle 1 is adjacent to the printing platform 4.

When printing, the nozzle actuator 3 is driven to move the nozzle height adjusting device 2 parallel to the printing platform 4, thereby driving the printing nozzle 1 to move parallel to the printing platform 4 (ie, by driving the nozzle driving device) Move the print head parallel to the print plane). At the same time, the printing material 5 is ejected from the discharge end 11 of the printing nozzle 1 and applied to the printing platform 4, thereby completing the printing.

In the present invention, the distance between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4 is adjusted by the nozzle height adjusting device 2. Furthermore, the distance between the printing head 1 and the printing platform 4 can be adjusted during long-term use, and the mechanical error in a small range between the printing nozzle and the printing plane can be compensated, and the printing is improved. Precision.

Alternatively, the printing head of the present invention may include a printing nozzle and a nozzle height adjusting device. The printing head can be connected to the mechanism having the driving device via the nozzle height adjusting device, and the printing nozzle is driven by the external driving device. . For example, a printer having a driving device and a detachable printing head, the detachable printing head being connected to the driving device, the detachable printing nozzle can be removed In the same manner as the printing head having the printing nozzle and the nozzle height adjusting device according to the present invention, the printer can have a function of adjusting the distance from the printing plane.

2 and 3 are schematic views showing the structure of a first embodiment of the printing head according to the present invention. The print nozzle 1 can be screwed onto the nozzle height adjusting device 2. More specifically, the printing nozzle 1 may have an external thread 13 connected to the nozzle height adjusting device 2; the nozzle height adjusting device 2 may have an internal thread 21 that matches the external thread 13 of the printing nozzle 1; The printing nozzle 1 can be locked into the nozzle height adjusting device 2. The nozzle height adjusting device 2 includes a spring 22 and a spring accommodating cavity 23, and the nozzle height adjusting device 2 is attached to the head gear transmission 3 via a spring 22 (not shown in Figs. 2 and 3). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle height adjusting device 2 is adjacent to one side of the head gear transmission 3 (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), and the spring 22 is disposed in the spring housing cavity 23. And one end of the spring 22 is fixed in the spring accommodating cavity 23, and the other end of the spring 22 is fixed to the nozzle transmission device 3 (not shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). The connection between the other end of the spring 22 and the nozzle transmission 3 may be a rivet, or the same connection of the spring 22 to the nozzle height adjusting device 2 may be employed, for example, at the junction of the nozzle transmission 3 and the spring 22, another The spring accommodates the cavity, and the other end of the spring 22 is fixed in the other spring receiving cavity.

In the first embodiment, the distance between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4 during the printing process is controlled by the resilience of the spring 22, thereby achieving a mechanical error in a small range between the printing nozzle and the printing plane. Compensation.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle height adjusting device 2 may also be a pressure adjusting device, which is specifically described as follows.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the structure of a second embodiment of the printing head according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the pressure adjusting device as the nozzle height adjusting device includes the air bag 7, the air pipe 8, and the air pressure adjusting mechanism 9. The air bag 7 is disposed between the printing nozzle 1 and the nozzle transmission device 3; the air pressure adjusting mechanism 9 is connected to the air bag 7 via the air pipe 8 for adjusting the air pressure in the air bag 7, thereby controlling the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform. The distance between 4.

In the second embodiment, at the initial use, the air pressure adjusting mechanism 9 gives the airbag 7 a predetermined initial pressure via the air delivery pipe 8, thereby controlling the distance between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4 at an optimum distance, in use. During the process, when the distance between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4 is not at the optimum distance and the printing quality is affected, the air pressure adjusting mechanism 9 adjusts the pressure of the airbag 7 via the air pipe 8, thereby controlling the printing nozzle 1 and the column. The distance between the printing platforms 4 is again maintained at an optimum distance, thereby compensating for mechanical errors in a small range between the printing nozzles and the printing plane to improve the printing accuracy.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the structure of a third embodiment of the printing head according to the present invention. In the third embodiment, the pressure adjusting means as the nozzle height adjusting means includes a hydraulic cylinder 7', an infusion pipe 8', and a hydraulic pump 9'. Wherein, the hydraulic cylinder 7' is disposed between the printing nozzle 1 and the nozzle transmission device 3; the hydraulic pump 9' is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 7' via the infusion tube 8' for adjusting the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 7', thereby controlling printing The distance between the nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4.

In the third embodiment, at the time of initial use, the hydraulic pump 9' injects a metered liquid (for example, oil) into the hydraulic cylinder 7' via the infusion tube 8', thereby pushing the piston in the hydraulic cylinder 7' to control the printing nozzle 1 The distance from the printing platform 4 is at an optimum distance, during use, between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing platform 4 When the distance is not at the optimum distance and affects the printing quality, the hydraulic pump 9' adjusts the liquid supply in the hydraulic cylinder 7' via the infusion tube 8', thereby pushing or pulling the movement of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder 7' to control the printing nozzle 1 The distance between the printing platform 4 and the printing platform 4 is again maintained at an optimum distance, thereby realizing a mechanical error in a small range between the printing nozzle 1 and the printing plane to improve the printing accuracy.

In the third embodiment, the hydraulic pump 9' and the hydraulic cylinder 7' can refer to the design of the existing hydraulic system, such as a mechanical hydraulic system such as an excavator, and miniaturize and simplify the structure to design the third embodiment. Hydraulic pump and hydraulic cylinder.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a three-dimensional forming apparatus including a frame, a printing plane, and at least one of the embodiments of the printing head as described above. Wherein the nozzle driving device of the printing nozzle is mounted on the frame and driven to move the printing nozzle parallel to the printing platform, and the nozzle height adjusting device of the printing nozzle is adapted to adjust the printing of the printing nozzle The distance between the nozzle and the print plane.

It should be understood that the nozzle transmission device can be a set of printing nozzles together with the nozzle height adjusting device and the printing nozzle, and the entire group of printing nozzles is mounted on the frame through the nozzle driving device; alternatively, the nozzle driving device It may also be part of the rack, and the nozzle height adjusting device and the printing nozzle are a set of printing heads, and the entire set of printing heads are mounted to the head gears on the rack via their nozzle height adjusting devices.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a printing method that employs at least one of the embodiments of the printing head as described above. The method includes adjusting the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane to the maximum by using the nozzle height adjusting device Printing distance for printing, in the printing process, the printing material in the printing pipe from the nozzle transmission device through the nozzle height adjusting device to the feeding end of the printing nozzle, and from the printing nozzle The feed end enters the printing nozzle and is output from the discharge end of the printing nozzle and applied to the printing plane.

The method of the present invention further comprises, when performing the printing process, when the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane exceeds the optimal printing distance, the nozzle height adjusting device applies downward to the printing nozzle The force that causes the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane to return to the optimal printing distance.

The method of the present invention further comprises: during the printing process, when the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane is less than the optimal printing distance, the nozzle height adjusting device applies the upward direction to the printing nozzle The force causes the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane to return to the optimum printing distance.

The printing head of the present invention and the three-dimensional forming apparatus and the printing method using the same, realize the printing nozzle in the printing process by the nozzle height adjusting device installed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device The adjustment of the distance from the printing plane ensures the compensation of the mechanical error in a small range between the printing nozzle and the printing plane, and improves the printing precision.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

Claims (7)

A printing head comprising: a nozzle driving device; a printing nozzle; and a nozzle height adjusting device disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device and configured to adjust the printing nozzle and a column a distance between the printing planes, wherein the nozzle height adjusting device is a pressure adjusting device, the pressure adjusting device comprising: an air bag disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device; a gas pipe; and a gas pressure The adjusting mechanism adjusts the air pressure in the airbag by connecting the air duct to the airbag to further control the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane. A printing head comprising: a nozzle driving device; a printing nozzle; and a nozzle height adjusting device disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device and configured to adjust the printing nozzle and a column a distance between the printing planes, wherein the nozzle height adjusting device is a pressure adjusting device, the pressure adjusting device comprises: a hydraulic cylinder disposed between the printing nozzle and the nozzle driving device; and an infusion tube; A hydraulic pump is connected to the hydraulic cylinder via the infusion tube to adjust the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder to further control the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane. The printing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing nozzle is screwed to the nozzle height adjusting device. A three-dimensional molding apparatus comprising: a frame; a printing platform; and a printing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing head is mounted to the head through a nozzle driving device of the printing head The printhead drive of the print head is driven to move the print head parallel to a printing platform, and a nozzle height adjusting device of the printing head is enabled to adjust a column of the printing head A distance between the printing nozzle and a printing plane. A printing method using the printing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing method comprises: adjusting a distance between a printing nozzle and a printing plane by using a nozzle height adjusting device to An optimum printing distance for printing; and during printing, a printing material is passed from a nozzle drive through the nozzle height adjustment device to a feed of the printing nozzle in a print feed pipe And the printing material is output from the discharge end of the printing nozzle and applied to the printing plane after entering the printing nozzle from the feeding end of the printing nozzle. The printing method of claim 5, further comprising: during the printing process, the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane exceeds the optimal printing distance The nozzle height adjustment device is caused to apply a downward force to the printing nozzle such that the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane returns to the optimum printing distance. The printing method of claim 5, further comprising: during the printing process, when the distance between the discharge end of the printing nozzle and the printing plane is not full, the optimal printing The distance is such that the nozzle height adjustment device applies an upward force to the printing nozzle such that the distance between the printing nozzle and the printing plane returns to the optimum printing distance.