WO2015127901A1

WO2015127901A1 - 3d printer and printing method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2015127901A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/073389
Authority: WO
Inventors: 苏健强; 何永刚
Original assignee: 珠海天威飞马打印耗材有限公司
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2015-02-28
Publication date: 2015-09-03
Also published as: CN103786347B; CN103786347A

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing, and provides a 3D printer and a printing method therefor. The 3D printer comprises at least two printing cartridges, a printing cartridge mounting bracket, a moving frame, a drive head, at least two print heads and at least two switching apparatuses, wherein the printing cartridge mounting bracket is used for mounting the printing cartridges, the drive head is mounted on the moving frame, each print head receives consumable supplied by one printing cartridge, the print heads are separably connected to the drive head via a first connecting apparatus, and each switching apparatus is connected separably with a print head via a second connecting apparatus. The printing method comprises the drive head moving one print head connected to the drive head to one switching apparatus; connecting the switching apparatus to the print head; separating the drive head from the print head; moving the drive head to the other print head; connecting the drive head to the print head; and separating the switching apparatus from the print head.

Description

Three-dimensional printer and printing method thereof

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of printing, and in particular to a three-dimensional printer and a printing method of the three-dimensional printer. The present application is based on a Chinese patent application filed on Feb. 28, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Background technique

3D printer, also known as 3D printer, is a machine that uses rapid prototyping technology. Based on digital model files, it uses molding materials to construct three-dimensional entities by layer-by-layer printing. Before printing, it is necessary to use computer modeling software to model, and then “partition” the built 3D model into a layer-by-layer section, ie, slice, to guide the 3D printer to print layer by layer. 3D printers have been widely used in the product manufacturing industry. The working principle of 3D printers is basically the same as that of traditional printers. It consists of control components, mechanical components, print heads, consumables (ie molding materials) and media. The printing principle is basically similar.

At this stage, 3D printing technology has developed rapidly and has gradually entered various fields. A 3D printer can print with a variety of materials. For example, a 3D printer using ABS material can also be used with materials similar to ABS such as nylon. print. Moreover, when printing on a 3D printer, a multi-color material can be used to directly print a colored three-dimensional entity. For example, the Chinese Patent Application No. CN103481515A entitled "3D Printer", with reference to FIG. 1, discloses a three-dimensional printer 1 including a print head 11 and a print cartridge mounting frame 12, and a plurality of print cartridges 2 are mounted. Within the print cartridge mount 12, the consumables contained therein are supplied to the printhead 11 through the discharge opening. Within the printhead 11, various consumables are melted and mixed and ejected through a showerhead to form a three-dimensional colored entity 22. The three-dimensional printer 1 further includes a moving frame 13, a carriage 14, a bottom plate 16 and a molding seat 17, which can be moved up and down along the screw 15, the carriage 14 can be moved back and forth in a plane defined by the moving frame 13, and the print head 11 can be Moving along the carriage 14 to the left and right, a three-dimensional entity 22 can be printed on the forming block 17. Four print cartridges 2 of different colors can be installed in the print cartridge mounting frame 12, and the print cartridge 2 is provided with an anti-error structure 21, which is matched with the anti-installation structure 121 on the print cartridge mounting frame, and the print cartridges of different colors are protected. The misalignment structure 21 is different so that the print cartridge 2 cannot be mounted into a portion of the print cartridge mount that does not match it.

However, the print head 11 of the three-dimensional printer melts various filaments in the plurality of print cartridges 2 and ejects the mixed consumables through the nozzles to form a three-dimensional entity, which requires different components for different consumables. Convergence, at the same time, it is necessary to heat the molten consumables to prevent the curing from clogging the discharge port, so the structure of the print head 11 is relatively complicated, and the three-dimensional printer needs to be equipped with multiple control systems to control the ingredients between different consumables, resulting in The cost of 3D printers is high. At the same time, when printing is stopped, since the consumable is melt-molded by high temperature, the nozzle of the print head tends to accumulate solidification, which in turn blocks the print head.

technical problem

A first object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional printer which is simple in structure and low in cost.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a printing method of a three-dimensional printer which is simple in structure and low in cost.

Technical solution

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the three-dimensional printer of the present invention comprises at least two print cartridges, a print cartridge mounting frame, a moving frame, a drive head, at least two print heads, and at least two switching devices, the print cartridges containing consumables and printing The cartridge mounting frame is used for mounting the printing box, the driving head is mounted on the moving frame, each printing head receives a consumable supplied by the printing box, and the printing head is detachably connected to the driving head through the first connecting device, and each switching device passes the first The two connecting means are detachably connected to a print head.

Still further, the first connecting device is disposed on the driving head or on the print head; the second connecting device is disposed on the switching device or on the print head.

In a further aspect, the first connecting device is the first magnetic device; the second connecting device is the second magnetic device.

Still further, the print head is provided with a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the driving head is provided with a third mounting portion, and the switching device is provided with a fourth mounting portion; the first mounting portion and the third mounting portion have corresponding to each other An arcuate outer wall; the second mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion have mutually corresponding curved outer walls.

In a further aspect, the three-dimensional printer further includes a heat insulating device, and the heat insulating device is sleeved on the outer periphery of the discharge end of the print head.

Still further, the three-dimensional printer further includes a cleaning device including a pump, a first tube, a valve, an upper cleaning box, a second tube, and a lower cleaning box, the first end of the first tube being connected to the pump, and the valve being disposed at On the tube, the valve is used to control the opening and closing of the first tube, and the upper cleaning box encloses a cavity for containing the cleaning liquid. The upper end of the upper cleaning box is connected to the second end of the first tube, and the lower end of the upper cleaning box is used. The first end of the second tube is connected to the discharge port of the print head, and the lower cleaning box is filled with the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid is immersed in the second end of the second tube.

A further solution is that the three-dimensional printer further comprises a wiping member made of an elastic material, the wiping member is provided with a slit at a middle portion thereof, and the discharge end of the printing head passes through the slit and is interference-fitted with the slit.

In order to achieve the second object of the present invention, in the printing method of the three-dimensional printer provided by the present invention, the three-dimensional printer comprises at least two print cartridges, a print cartridge mount, a moving frame, a drive head, at least two print heads, and at least two switches. The device has a consumable in the printing box, the printing box mounting frame is used to install the printing box, the driving head is mounted on the moving frame, each printing head receives a consumable supplied by the printing box, and the printing head is detachably separated by the first connecting device The driving head is connected, and the print head is detachably connected to the switching device by the second connecting device, wherein the printing method comprises: the driving head moves a printing head connected to the driving head to a switching device; and the switching device is connected with the printing head The drive head is separated from the print head; the drive head is moved to the other print head; the drive head is coupled to the print head; and the switching device is separated from the print head.

Still further, the three-dimensional printer further includes a cleaning device including a pump, a first tube, a valve, an upper cleaning box, a second tube, and a lower cleaning box, the first end of the first tube being connected to the pump, and the valve being disposed at On the tube, the valve is used to control the opening and closing of the first tube, and the upper cleaning box encloses a cavity for containing the cleaning liquid. The upper end of the upper cleaning box is connected to the second end of the first tube, and the lower end of the upper cleaning box is used. Connected to the feeding end of the print head, the first end of the second tube is connected to the discharge port of the print head, the lower cleaning box is filled with the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid is immersed in the second end of the second tube; the three-dimensional printer is switching After the device is connected to the print head, the printing method further comprises: applying a negative pressure to the upper cleaning box by the pump; and applying a positive pressure to the upper cleaning box when the upper cleaning box is filled with the cleaning liquid.

A further solution is that the three-dimensional printer further comprises a thermal insulation device, the thermal insulation device is sleeved on the outer periphery of the discharge end of the print head; and after the connection device is connected to the print head, the three-dimensional printer activates the thermal insulation device.

Beneficial effect

By providing a plurality of print heads and a plurality of switching devices mounted with the print heads in the three-dimensional printer, the drive head is used to move to the switching device as needed to select a monochrome print head having a relatively simple structure, thereby realizing a simple structure. The printing head realizes color forming. When the material of one color is formed, the printing head drives the printing head to move into the switching device, and then controls the second connecting device to connect the switching device with the printing head, and controls the first connecting device. Separating the drive head from the print head, and then driving the head to move to another switching device mounted with another print head, connecting the print head and continuing the molding of another color, visible, switching the different print heads through the drive head To realize color three-dimensional solid molding, which has the advantages of simple structure, easy control, low cost and the like.

Moreover, the connection and separation between the driving head, the print head and the switching device can be realized by a plurality of different connecting devices, such as a connecting device that cooperates with the positioning post and the positioning hole, and a connecting device such as a mechanical fastening. The detachable connection can be realized, and the connecting device can be installed in the driving head, the print head or the switching device according to the actual needs of the three-dimensional printer, but by using the magnetic device generated by the connecting device of the magnetic device, the magnetic property can be simply The connection and separation between the driving head, the print head and the switching device are realized, and the connection stability is high, which is beneficial to improving the intelligence of the machine.

In addition, the positioning between the driving head, the print head and the switching device can be realized by various methods, for example, the position between the driving head, the print head and the switching device can be relatively fixed by positioning such as a card slot, a triangle, a rectangle, or the like, but Through the cooperation of the corresponding curved outer wall and the magnetic connection, it is beneficial to improve the tolerance of the connection and reduce the connection failure rate.

In addition, by arranging the heat retaining device at the discharge end of the print head, it is advantageous to prevent the molten consumable from solidifying and to avoid clogging the discharge port.

The cleaning device can clean the residual consumables of the print head, and apply a negative pressure to the upper cleaning box by the pump, so that the cleaning liquid of the lower cleaning box passes through the consumable cavity of the printing head to reach the upper cleaning box, and then applies the upper cleaning box through the pump. The positive pressure causes the cleaning liquid of the upper cleaning box to pass through the consumable cavity of the printing head to return to the lower cleaning box. Since the cleaning liquid is a liquid that can dissolve or decompose the consumables, cleaning the printing head by the cleaning device is beneficial to avoid residual consumables. Cumulative curing, to avoid clogging the print head, is also conducive to improving the solid forming quality of the 3D printer.

Through the interference fit of the discharge end of the print head and the slit with elasticity, the residual consumables on the discharge port of the print head can be wiped away by the slit, and the cleaning of the discharge port by the wiper is beneficial to improve the next time. Forming quality.

DRAWINGS

1 is a structural view of a conventional three-dimensional printer.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a structural view showing a driving head, a print head, and a switching device in the first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the driving head, the print head and the switching device in the first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of a driving head, a print head and a switching device in a first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a structural view showing a second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a partial structural view showing a print head, a switching device, and a protection device in a second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a partially exploded view of the protection device in the second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

9 is a schematic structural view of a driving head, a print head, a switching device, and a protection device in a second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a schematic view showing the connection of a print head, a protection device and a cleaning device in a second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a partial schematic view showing the cleaning apparatus of the third embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a partial schematic view showing the cleaning apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the three-dimensional printer of the present invention.

The invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

Embodiments of the invention

The first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer:

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a three-dimensional printer 3. The three-dimensional printer 3 includes four print heads 31, four switching devices 39, and a print cartridge mounting frame 32. A plurality of print cartridges 321 are mounted in the print cartridge mounting frame 32. The print box 321 respectively supplies the consumables 322 contained therein to the print head 31 through the discharge port. The consumables 322 may be solid filament consumables, and the consumables may also be in the form of powder or liquid, and accommodate different shapes of consumables. The structure of the print cartridge is different. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional printer 3 will be described by taking a print cartridge containing a solid filament consumable as an example. Four switching devices 39 are mounted on one end of the print cartridge mount 32, and each of the switching devices can mount a print head 31.

The three-dimensional printer 3 further includes a moving frame 33, a carriage 34, a bottom plate 36, a molding seat 37 and a driving head 38. The moving frame 33 is movable up and down along the screw 35, and the carriage 34 is movable left and right in a plane defined by the moving frame 33, and The drive head 38 is mounted on the carriage 34 and is movable back and forth along the carriage 34 so that the drive head 31 can be coupled to the printhead 31 and then the three-dimensional body 371 can be printed on the forming block 37 mounted on the base plate 36.

3 and 4, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a structural view and an exploded view of the drive head 38, the print head 31, and the switching device 39, respectively. The driving head 38 includes a base portion 381 and a mounting portion 382 disposed above the base portion 381, and a platform 385 for positioning the print head 31 is formed between the base portion 381 and the mounting portion 382, and a through hole is formed in the base portion 381 The hole 384, the drive head 38 is mounted to the carriage 34 through the through hole 384 by the carriage 34, and the drive head 38 is reciprocally slidable along the carriage 34. A magnetic device 383 as a connecting means is attached to the middle of the mounting portion 382. The magnetic device 383 may be an electromagnet formed by winding an iron core, and an outer curved outer wall is formed in the mounting portion 382.

The printhead 31 includes a feed end 311 at the upper end of the printhead 31, a discharge end 312 at the lower end of the printhead 31, and a body 314 between the feed end 311 and the discharge end 312. A feed port 315 is opened in the feed end 311, and the consumables 322 of the print cartridge 321 are input from the feed port 315 into the consumable cavity enclosed by the main body 314. At the lowermost end of the discharge end 312, a discharge port 313 is formed. The discharge port 313 is used to eject the consumables in the consumable cavity, thereby forming a three-dimensional entity. Concave curved outer walls 316, 317 are formed on both sides of the body 314, respectively.

The switching device 39 includes a mounting portion 391 and a guide rod 392 attached to the lower portion of the mounting portion 391. A magnetic device 393 as a connecting device is attached to the end portion of the mounting portion 391. The magnetic device 393 can be formed by winding a wire around the iron core. The electromagnet, and the end on which the magnetic device 393 is mounted, is formed with an outer curved outer wall. The other end of the mounting portion 391 is for mounting and fixing on the print cartridge mount 32.

Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figure 3, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the drive head 38, printhead 31 and switching device 39 when mated. Since both the magnetic device 383 and the magnetic device 393 have a device capable of generating magnetism, the main body 314 of the print head 31 is made of a material that can be magnetically attracted, or is fixed to a position corresponding to the main body 314 by a material that can be magnetically attracted. In the present embodiment, the outer walls 316, 317 of the main body 314 are all made of metal that can be magnetically attracted.

When the magnetic device 383 is magnetic, the outer wall 316 will be attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic device 383, and since the outer wall 316 and the mounting portion 382 have corresponding curved outer walls, the outer wall 316 and the curved outer wall of the mounting portion 382 are mutually Contact, so that the drive head 31 is smoothly mounted to the platform 385, and the connection between the drive head 38 and the printhead 31 is completed. When the magnetic device 383 does not produce magnetism, the outer wall 316 will no longer be attracted by the magnetic device 383, such that the printhead 31 can be detached from the drive head 38.

When the magnetic device 393 is magnetic, the outer wall 317 is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic device 393, and since the outer wall 317 and the mounting portion 391 have corresponding curved outer walls, the arcs of the outer wall 317 and the mounting portion 391 are in contact with each other. Thereby, the drive head 31 is smoothly mounted to the mounting portion 391, and the connection between the switching device 39 and the print head 31 is completed. When the magnetic device 393 does not produce magnetism, the outer wall 317 will no longer be attracted by the magnetic device 393, such that the printhead 31 can be detached from the switching device 39.

Referring to FIG. 3, since a plurality of print heads 31 are mounted to the switching device 39 by activating the magnetic device 393 in an initial state, when the three-dimensional printer 3 is operated, it is necessary to move the frame 33, the carriage 34, and the drive head 38 to each other. The cooperation moves the drive head to the desired printhead and cooperates with the outer wall 316 and the curved outer wall of the mounting portion 382 to secure the relative position between the drive head 38 and the printhead 31, and then by controlling the magnetic device 383, The magnetic device 383 is made magnetic and the connection between the drive head 38 and the printhead 31 is completed. Subsequently, the corresponding magnetic device 393 is controlled so that it does not generate magnetism, so that the print head 31 can be separated from the switching device 39. Finally, the movement of the print head 31 is driven by the movement of the drive head 38, thereby enabling the printing of the three-dimensional solid 371 on the forming seat 37. When it is required to switch different print heads 31 for three-dimensional molding, the driving head 38 will drive the print head 31 back into the corresponding switching device 39, and return the print head 31 to the switching device by activating the magnetic device 393 and turning off the magnetic device 383. At the 39 position, the drive head 31 then switches between the different print heads by moving to different print heads 31, and the different print heads are loaded with consumables of different colors to effect printing of the colored three-dimensional solid 371 on the forming block 37.

The second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer:

On the basis of the first embodiment of the three-dimensional printer 3, the three-dimensional printer 3 can also be mounted with four protection devices 4 on the guide bars 392 below the four switching devices 39, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the protection device 4 includes a housing 41 having a mounting hole 411 formed therein, and a mounting hole 411 is fitted in the guide rod 392 and disposed under the housing 41 and the guide rod 392. A spring 42 is disposed between the fixed portions 394, and the protective device 4 is provided with a restoring force by the spring 42. The protection device 4 further includes a wiper 43, a heat retaining device 45 and a cover 44. The wiper 43 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or polyolefin, and a slit 431 is formed in the middle of the wiper 43. The heat retaining device 45 is a spring-like heat insulating device wound from a metal material. By energizing the heat insulating device 45, the heat insulating device 45 can generate heat. The cover member 44 extends downwardly at a central portion thereof to form a mounting position 442 of the wiper member 43 and a through hole 441 is defined in the mounting position 442.

Referring to Figure 9 and in conjunction with Figure 8, a bottomed cylindrical heat retaining device mounting position 412 is formed in the housing 41. When the wiper member 43, the heat retaining device 45 and the cover member 44 are mounted on the housing 41, the heat retaining member will be insulated. The device 45 is mounted in the mounting position 412, the cover member 44 is capped over the housing 41, and the through hole 441 of the cover member 44 is located directly above the heat retaining device 45, and the wiper 43 is mounted to the mounting position 442. in.

When it is required to protect the print head 31 attached to the switching device 39, the protection device 4 slides up along the guide rod 392, and the discharge port 313 located below the discharge end 312 is first contacted with the wiper 43, and then the discharge end The 312 passes through the slit 431 and passes through the interference fit of the discharge end 312 and the slit 431 so that the residual consumable on the discharge port 313 can be wiped away by the slit 431. Then, the discharging end 312 passes through the through hole 441 and reaches the mounting position 412. Since the mounting position 412 is mounted with the spring-like heat insulating device 45, the heat insulating device 45 is set outside the discharging end 312, and can be prevented when the heat insulating device 45 is energized and heated. The discharge end 312 is solidified in a molten state.

The third embodiment of the three-dimensional printer:

On the basis of the second embodiment of the three-dimensional printer 3, the three-dimensional printer 3 can also add the cleaning device 5. The cleaning device 5 can be a cleaning device disclosed in Chinese Patent Application Publication No. CN103317853A entitled "Printing Head Cleaning Device and Cleaning Method". Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the pump 51 of the cleaning device 5 is a micro vacuum pump. The pump 51 has an air outlet 511 and an air inlet 512. The cleaning device 5 further includes a first pressure relief valve 52, a first on-off valve 53, a second pressure relief valve 54, a second on-off valve 55, an air pressure sensor 56, a protection chamber 57, an upper cleaning box 58, and a lower cleaning box 59. And a tube, wherein the tube is composed of a main pipe 61, a first branch pipe 62, and a second branch pipe 63. The first end of the first branch 62 is connected to the air outlet 511, and the first end of the second branch 63 is connected to the air inlet 512. The front end of the main pipe 61, the second end of the first branch pipe 62, and the second end of the second branch pipe 63 are connected by a three-way pipe. The first pressure relief valve 52 and the first on-off valve 53 are disposed on the first branch pipe 62, and the second pressure relief valve 54 and the second on-off valve 55 are disposed on the second branch pipe 63. The air pressure sensor 56 and the protective compartment 57 are disposed on the main pipe 61.

A hole may be provided at the upper end of the feeding end 311 of the printing head 31, through which the first end of the tube 64 is communicated, and the second end of the tube 64 communicates with the lower end of the upper cleaning box 58, and the upper end of the upper cleaning box 58 is The back end of the supervisor 61 is turned on.

A communication portion 413 is formed through the bottom of the heat retention device mounting position 412. The communication portion 413 is for sealingly communicating with the discharge port 313 and the first end of the tube 65. The second end of the tube 65 is immersed in the lower cleaning box 59. In the cleaning solution.

When the cleaning process is performed on the print head 31, the upper cleaning box 58 is alternately controlled by controlling the pump 51, the first pressure relief valve 52, the first on-off valve 53, the second pressure relief valve 54, and the second pressure-off valve 55. Negative pressure and positive pressure occur. The application of the negative pressure causes the cleaning liquid of the lower cleaning cartridge 59 to sequentially pass through the tube 65, the discharge port 313, the discharge end 312, the consumable cavity of the print head 31, the discharge end 311, the tube 64, and finally to the upper cleaning cartridge 58. Then, applying a positive pressure causes the cleaning liquid of the upper cleaning cartridge 58 to return to the lower cleaning cartridge 59 along the original path, and dissolves or decomposes the consumable material by the cleaning liquid, thereby cleaning the residual consumables of the printing head 31.

The fourth embodiment of the three-dimensional printer:

On the basis of the third embodiment of the three-dimensional printer 3, the cleaning device 5 can also be applied to another cleaning device disclosed in the Chinese Patent Application Publication No. CN103317853A. Referring to Fig. 12, the pump of the cleaning device 7 is an electric cylinder driven by a motor 71. The motor 71 is moved to the left by the rack and pinion or the worm drive piston 72 to apply a positive pressure to the upper cleaning cartridge 78, and the drive piston 72 is moved to the right to apply a negative pressure to the cleaning cartridge 78. The lower end of the upper cleaning cartridge 78 communicates with the second end of the tube 64, and the first end of the tube 64 communicates with the feed end 311. Cleaning of the residual consumables of the print head 31 can also be achieved by the cleaning device 7

Three-dimensional printer printing method embodiment:

First, the 3D printer performs layer-by-layer slitting processing on the 3D entities that need to be printed, and then transfers the layered processing information to the blanking center. Then, the blanking center first selects a color consumable according to the instruction, and the 3D printer moves the driving head to At the print head equipped with the color, the drive head is connected to the print head by controlling the magnetic device mounted on the drive head. The switching device then separates the printhead attached thereto, and then the drive head drives the printhead to move and liquefies and extrudes the consumables through the printhead onto the forming station to print a three-dimensional entity.

When it is necessary to switch between different colors for printing, it is necessary to move the drive head to switch the print head. That is, first, the driving head drives the printing head to move to the original switching device position, and the switching device is connected to the printing head by controlling the magnetic device mounted on the switching device. Subsequently, the magnetic device mounted on the drive head is controlled to separate the print head attached thereto. Driving the head to realize the separation of the print head, and then moving the drive head to another print head having the desired color, connecting the drive head to the print head, and separating the print head by the switching device Switching between different printheads and printing a colored 3D solid on the forming base.

When the print head is connected to the switching device, the blanking center can judge the consumables mounted on the print head to determine whether the consumable will still be used, and when the consumable is still to be used, the mobile protection device is The guide rod slides and fits over the discharge end of the printhead and activates the thermal insulation device that is placed around the discharge end of the printhead.

When the consumable is no longer needed to be used, that is, after the consumable of the color has been printed, the mobile protection device slides along the guide bar and fits outside the discharge end of the print head, and activates the cleaning device through the cleaning device. The residual consumables in the print head are cleaned, and the pump of the cleaning device first applies a negative pressure to the upper cleaning box, and the cleaning liquid installed in the lower cleaning box is sequentially along the discharge port, the discharge end, the consumable cavity of the print head, and the discharge end. Draw into the upper cleaning box. The pump of the cleaning device then applies a positive pressure to the upper cleaning cartridge so that the cleaning fluid contained in the upper cleaning cartridge returns along the original path, thereby enabling cleaning of the residual consumables within the printhead.

It can be seen from the above method that by providing a plurality of print heads and a plurality of switching devices mounted with the print heads in the three-dimensional printer, the drive head is used to move to the switching device as needed to select a monochrome print head having a relatively simple structure, thereby Achieve color forming using a print head with a simple structure. After the material of one color is formed, the print head is driven by the driving head to move into the switching device, and then the connection of the switching device to the print head is separated, and the driving head is separated from the printing head, and then the driving head is moved to another At the switching device where another print head is mounted, the print head is connected and the molding of another color is continued. It can be seen that the three-dimensional solid molding of the color is realized by switching the different print heads by the driving head, which has the advantages of simple structure, easy control, low cost and the like. The print head is protected and cleaned by the heat preservation device, the wiping member and the cleaning device, which helps to avoid the cumulative solidification of the consumables, which in turn causes the print head to clog.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the connecting device can be detachably connected by other means such as by the cooperation of the positioning post and the positioning hole, and for example, by mechanical fastening. Further, for example, the number of print heads and switching devices is also four or more, and these should be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The three-dimensional printer of the invention is used for printing objects with multiple colors, and the switching of different colors of printing consumables is realized flexibly and conveniently by the switching device, which provides great convenience for color three-dimensional printing, and also the technology of color three-dimensional printing. Pushing for simplicity, feasibility, and miniaturization.

At present, most of the three-dimensional printing technology is applied to the printing of decorative articles and industrial samples. With the development of three-dimensional printer technology, color three-dimensional printing can greatly improve the printing quality of decorative articles, and solve the problem of printing objects after printing objects using a single color. problem.

Claims

3D printer, including

At least two print cartridges, each of which contains consumables;

a print cartridge mount for mounting the print cartridge;

Moving frame

a drive head mounted on the moving frame;

It is characterized by:

At least two printheads, each of the printheads receiving a supply of the print cartridge, the printhead being detachably coupled to the drive head by a first attachment means;

At least two switching devices, each of the switching devices being detachably coupled to one of the printheads by a second connecting device.
A three-dimensional printer according to claim 1, wherein:

The first connecting device is disposed on the driving head or on the print head;

The second connecting device is disposed on the switching device or on the printhead.
A three-dimensional printer according to claim 2, wherein:

The first connecting device is a first magnetic device;

The second connecting device is a second magnetic device.
A three-dimensional printer according to claim 3, wherein:

The print head is provided with a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the driving head is provided with a third mounting portion, and the switching device is provided with a fourth mounting portion;

The first mounting portion and the third mounting portion have mutually corresponding curved outer walls;

The second mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion have mutually corresponding curved outer walls.
A three-dimensional printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

The three-dimensional printer further includes a thermal insulation device that is sleeved around the outer periphery of the discharge end of the printhead.
A three-dimensional printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

The three-dimensional printer further includes a cleaning device, the cleaning device including

Pump;

a first tube, the first end of the first tube being connected to the pump;

a valve, the valve being disposed on the tube, the valve for controlling the opening and closing of the first tube;

An upper cleaning box enclosing a cavity for containing the cleaning liquid, the upper end of the upper cleaning box being connected to the second end of the first tube, and the lower end for being connected to the feeding end of the printing head;

a second tube, the first end of the second tube being connected to the discharge opening of the print head;

And a lower cleaning cartridge containing the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid immersing the second end of the second tube.
A three-dimensional printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

The three-dimensional printer further includes a wiper made of an elastic material, the wiper having a slit at a middle portion thereof, and a discharge end of the print head passes through the slit and has an interference fit with the slit .
a printing method of a three-dimensional printer, the three-dimensional printer comprising at least two print cartridges, a print cartridge mount, a moving frame, a drive head, at least two print heads, and at least two switching devices, the print cartridges containing consumables a print cartridge mount for mounting the print cartridge, the drive head being mounted on the moving frame, each of the printheads receiving a supply of the print cartridge, the printhead passing the first a connecting device detachably coupled to the drive head, the print head being detachably coupled to the switching device by the second connecting device

It is characterized by:

The printing method includes

The driving head moves a print head connected to the driving head to a switching device;

The switching device is connected to the print head;

Separating the driving head from the print head;

The drive head is moved to another printhead;

The driving head is connected to the print head;

The switching device is separated from the printhead.
A printing method for a three-dimensional printer according to claim 8, wherein:

The three-dimensional printer further includes a heat insulating device, and the heat insulating device is sleeved around the outer periphery of the discharge end of the print head;

The three-dimensional printer activates the thermal insulation device after the switching device is connected to the printhead.
A printing method for a three-dimensional printer according to claim 8, wherein:

The three-dimensional printer further includes a cleaning device including a pump, a first tube, a valve, an upper cleaning box, a second tube, and a lower cleaning box, the first end of the first tube being connected to the pump, a valve disposed on the tube, the valve for controlling the opening and closing of the first tube, the upper cleaning box enclosing a cavity for containing a cleaning liquid, an upper end of the upper cleaning box and the a second end of the first tube is turned on, a lower end of the upper cleaning cartridge is used to be connected to a feeding end of the print head, and a first end of the second tube is connected to a discharge opening of the printing head The lower cleaning box contains the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid immerses the second end of the second tube;

After the connection device is connected to the print head, the printing method further includes

The pump applies a negative pressure to the upper cleaning box;

The pump applies a positive pressure to the upper cleaning cartridge when the upper cleaning cartridge is full of the cleaning fluid.