CN113103571A

CN113103571A - Light-curing 3D printer and its control method

Info

Publication number: CN113103571A
Application number: CN202110551413.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林泽航; 李厚民
Original assignee: Shenzhen Yuze Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Youyouzao Technology (Beijing) Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2021-05-20
Filing date: 2021-05-20
Publication date: 2021-07-13

Abstract

The application relates to a photocuring 3D printer and a control method thereof. This photocuring 3D printer includes: the printer comprises a printer body and a cooling assembly arranged on the printer body; the output end of the cooling component faces the forming surface of the printer body or a space area adjacent to the forming surface. The scheme that this application provided can realize promoting photocuring 3D printing speed to the high-efficient heat dissipation in shaping face place region.

Description

Photocuring 3D printer and control method thereof

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of 3D printing, in particular to a photocuring 3D printer and a control method thereof.

Background

In the field of 3D (Three Dimensional) printing, rapid prototyping techniques can be classified into various categories according to the material used and the manner of prototyping, and photocuring rapid prototyping is more common. The principle of photocuring forming is as follows: the characteristic that the photosensitive resin in a fluid state is subjected to polymerization reaction under illumination is utilized, and a light source is irradiated according to the cross section shape of an object to be formed, so that the resin in the fluid state is cured and formed.

In the related art, light is directly or indirectly projected on a molding surface of a photocuring 3D printer to irradiate photosensitive resin, and the resin undergoes a crosslinking reaction and is converted from a liquid state to a solid state, which is a molding process. In this process, the resin reaction releases heat as the primary source of heat.

However, for the current release type photo-curing 3D printing technology, the heat generated by the photo-curing reaction is a main factor limiting the further increase of the printing speed. High temperature can lead to from type membrane performance degradation, seriously influences the forming object and normally peels off from the type membrane to reduce printing speed, can cause even to damage from the type membrane, damage the printer.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve or partially solve the problems existing in the related art, the application provides a photocuring 3D printer and a control method thereof, and the photocuring 3D printing speed can be improved.

This application first aspect provides a photocuring 3D printer, includes: the printer comprises a printer body and a cooling assembly arranged on the printer body;

the output end of the cooling component faces the forming surface of the printer body or a space area adjacent to the forming surface.

In one embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises:

the shell is arranged on the printer body and provided with an output end, and the output end of the shell faces the forming surface of the printer body or a space area adjacent to the forming surface; and

a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit disposed in the housing.

In one embodiment, the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit is disposed at an input end of the housing.

In one embodiment, the refrigeration unit and the fan unit are spaced apart within the housing, and the refrigeration unit is adjacent the input end of the housing.

In one embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer further includes:

and the orientation adjusting component is arranged on the printer body, is in drive connection with the shell and is used for adjusting the orientation of the output end of the shell.

In one embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer further includes:

the light source assembly is arranged on the printer body; the light source assembly is configured to emit light to a preset area of the molding surface of the printer body;

the printer body comprises a controller, and the controller is electrically connected with the light source assembly, the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit respectively;

the controller is configured to output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to a light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly to the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit in response to the light source output power feedback signal.

In one embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer further includes:

the temperature detector is arranged on the printer body and used for detecting the surface temperature of the molding surface of the printer body;

the printer body comprises a controller, and the controller is electrically connected with the temperature detector, the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit respectively;

the controller is configured to output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the temperature feedback signal to the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit in response to the temperature feedback signal of the temperature detector.

A second aspect of the application provides a method for photocuring 3D printing, comprising:

starting a photocuring 3D printer;

after the photocuring 3D printer is started, starting a cooling assembly; wherein the output end of the cooling component faces the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer or a space area adjacent to the molding surface.

In one embodiment, before the starting the cooling assembly, the method comprises:

after the light source component is started; wherein the light source component emits light to the molding surface.

In one embodiment, after the starting the cooling module, the method further comprises:

detecting the output power of the light source assembly;

and adjusting the output power of the cooling assembly according to the output power of the light source assembly.

In one embodiment, the detecting the output power of the light source module includes:

acquiring a light source output power feedback signal of the light source component;

the adjusting the output power of the cooling assembly according to the magnitude of the output power of the light source assembly comprises:

and outputting a power regulation control signal corresponding to the light source output power feedback signal to the cooling assembly according to the magnitude of the light source output power feedback signal.

In one embodiment, the output end of the cooling assembly faces the molding surface or a spatial region adjacent to the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer, including:

the output end of the cooling assembly faces to be parallel to the forming surface of the photocuring 3D printer, and the airflow generated by the output end of the cooling assembly flows through the surface of the forming surface.

In one embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit.

The technical scheme provided by the application can comprise the following beneficial effects:

the photocuring 3D printer that this application embodiment provided cools off the cooling through the shaping face of cooling module to the printer body. Because cooling module's output is towards the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer or the adjacent space region of shaping face, the air current that cooling module produced will be as heat transfer working medium, can take away the heat that the regional accumulation in shaping face place of photocuring 3D printer body fast, takes away the heat that photosensitive resin cross-linking reaction produced promptly, realizes cooling the high-efficient heat dissipation in shaping face place region, reaches the purpose in cooling shaping face place region. Like this, can effectively prevent to lead to the performance degradation from the type membrane because of high temperature, ensure that the forming matter that 3D printed can normally peel off from the type membrane to do benefit to and promote photocuring 3D printing speed. Secondly, the activity change caused by high temperature of the resin crosslinking reaction can be avoided, the deviation of the established printing parameters can be prevented, and the good forming effect of the 3D printing formed object can be guaranteed. In addition, the photosensitive resin can be prevented from releasing irritant gas due to high temperature, so that the printing experience is optimized.

Furthermore, the cooling assembly can comprise a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit, two different cooling modes are realized, the selectivity is improved, and the application range of the cooling assembly is favorably expanded.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the application.

Drawings

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the application will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the application, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally represent like parts throughout the exemplary embodiments of the application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a photocuring 3D printer shown in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is another schematic structural diagram of a photocuring 3D printer shown in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a photocuring 3D printer shown in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method for photocuring 3D printing according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is another schematic flow diagram of a method for photocuring 3D printing shown in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for photocuring 3D printing shown in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for photocuring 3D printing shown in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While embodiments of the present application are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present application may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one type of information from another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the related art, for the release type photo-curing 3D printing technology, heat generated by a photo-curing reaction is a main factor that limits further improvement of the printing speed. High temperature can lead to from type membrane performance degradation, seriously influences the forming object and normally peels off from the type membrane to reduce printing speed, can cause even to damage from the type membrane, damage the printer.

In order to solve the above problem, an embodiment of the application provides a photocuring 3D printer and a control method thereof, which can improve the photocuring 3D printing speed.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a photocuring 3D printer shown in an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 1, a photo-curing 3D printer 10 includes: a printer body 110, and a cooling assembly 120 disposed on the printer body 110. The output end of the cooling member 120 faces the molding surface 111 of the printer body 110 or a spatial region adjacent to the molding surface 111.

3D printing, also known as three-dimensional printing, belongs to one of rapid prototyping techniques. A 3D printer, also known as a three-dimensional printer, is a device that uses additive manufacturing techniques to produce three-dimensional objects by printing layers of adhesive material. Photocuring 3D printer 10, its theory of operation is: by utilizing the characteristic that the photosensitive resin 130 in a fluid state is polymerized under light, the light source is irradiated according to the cross-sectional shape of the object to be molded, so that the resin 130 in a fluid state is cured and molded.

During the operation of the light-curing 3D printer 10, the light source assembly 140 emits light, and irradiates the liquid photosensitive resin 130 according to the contour trace of the cross section of each slice layer of the predetermined part, so that the liquid photosensitive resin 130 forms a thin layer cross section of the part on the surface of the release film. After the curing of the resin layer 130 is completed, the forming table moves by a distance of one layer thickness, so that the cured resin 130 with the predetermined cross-sectional shape is peeled off from the release film. Thus, the surface of the cured resin 130 with the preset cross-sectional shape is covered with a new layer of liquid resin 130, and then the next layer is irradiated and cured, the newly cured layer is firmly adhered to the previous layer, and the process is repeated until the whole workpiece is laminated, so as to obtain a complete manufacturing model.

In this embodiment, the molding surface 111 is a surface of the release film in the photo-curing 3D printer 10, which is in contact with the photosensitive resin 130 in which the polymerization reaction occurs.

As can be seen from this embodiment, the light-curing 3D printer 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application cools and cools the molding surface 111 of the printer body 110 through the cooling assembly 120. Because the output end of the cooling component 120 faces the forming surface 111 of the photocuring 3D printer 10 or the space region adjacent to the forming surface 111, the air flow generated by the cooling component 120 is used as a heat exchange working medium, the heat accumulated in the region where the forming surface 111 of the photocuring 3D printer 10 body is located can be rapidly taken away, namely, the heat generated by the crosslinking reaction of the photosensitive resin 130 is taken away, the efficient heat dissipation of the region where the forming surface 111 is located is realized, and the purpose of cooling the region where the forming surface 111 is located is achieved. Like this, can effectively prevent to lead to the performance degradation from the type membrane because of high temperature, ensure that the forming matter 150 that 3D printed can normally peel off from the type membrane to do benefit to and promote photocuring 3D printing speed. Secondly, the activity change caused by high temperature of the resin crosslinking reaction can be avoided, the deviation of the established printing parameters can be prevented, and the good forming effect of the 3D printing formed object can be guaranteed. In addition, the photosensitive resin 130 can be prevented from releasing irritant gases due to high temperature, thereby being beneficial to optimizing the printing experience.

Fig. 2 is another schematic structural diagram of the photocuring 3D printer according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 depicts the solution of the present application in more detail with respect to fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, a photo-curing 3D printer 20 includes: a printer body 210, and a cooling assembly 220 disposed on the printer body 210. The output end of the cooling member 220 is directed toward the molding surface 211 of the printer body 210 or a spatial region adjacent to the molding surface 211.

Preferably, the output end of the cooling assembly 220 is oriented parallel to the molding surface 211 of the photocuring 3D printer 20, and the airflow generated by the output end of the cooling assembly 220 flows through the surface of the molding surface 211. In this way, the airflow output by the cooling component 220 is used for quickly carrying away the heat accumulated in the region where the molding surface 211 of the photocuring 3D printer 20 is located, so as to more quickly cool the region where the molding surface 211 is located, and realize efficient heat dissipation of the region where the molding surface 211 is located.

The cooling assembly 220 may include: a housing 221 and a refrigeration unit 222 and/or a fan unit 223.

The housing 221 is disposed on the printer body 210, and the housing 221 has an output end facing the molding surface 211 of the printer body 210 or a spatial region adjacent to the molding surface 211. The shape of the casing 221 may be a straight cylindrical structure, a cylindrical structure having one corner, or a circular or polygonal cylindrical structure having an irregular shape. The housing 221 has an input end and an output end, and the specific shape and structure thereof may be set according to the application, and is not limited herein.

In the present embodiment, the cooling assembly 220 includes a cooling unit 222 and a fan unit 223, the cooling unit 222 and the fan unit 223 are disposed in the case 221, and the cooling unit 222 and the fan unit 223 are disposed at an input end of the case 221. The refrigeration unit 222 may be a refrigerator to lower the temperature of the input gas to form a gas flow reaching a preset temperature; the fan unit 223 may be a blower fan for generating a high-speed flowing air flow at the output end of the cooling module 220.

Further, the cooling unit 222 and the fan unit 223 are disposed in the housing 221 at intervals, and the cooling unit 222 is adjacent to the input end of the housing 221. In this way, after entering from the input end of the housing 221 of the cooling assembly 220, the external air flow may first pass through the refrigeration unit 222 and then pass through the fan unit 223, and then the air flow reaching the preset temperature and the preset air speed is generated from the output end of the housing 221, so as to cool the molding surface 211 of the photocuring 3D printer 20.

Further, a gas filtering device 224, such as an air filter, is provided at the input end of the housing 221. In this way, the cooling module 220 filters the external input airflow through the gas filtering device 224, so as to ensure that the airflow blowing to the molding surface 211 of the photocuring 3D printer 20 is clean enough, and avoid causing pollution. Further, the output end of the casing 221 is provided with an air deflector 225, so that the flow direction of the air flow generated at the output end of the cooling module 220 can be adjusted, and the application range is expanded.

In the present embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer 20 further includes: a light source assembly 230. The light source assembly 230 is disposed on the printer body 210. The light source assembly 230 is configured to emit light toward a predetermined region of the molding surface 211 of the printer body 210. The Light source assembly 230 may be an SLA (Stereo Light curing) laser galvanometer assembly, a DLP (Digital Light Processing) optical assembly, or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Light source assembly 230. The light emitted from the light source assembly 230 can cure the liquid photosensitive resin.

The printer body 210 includes a controller 212, and the controller 212 is electrically connected to the light source assembly 230, the cooling unit 222 and/or the fan unit 223 respectively. The controller 212 is configured to output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the light source output power feedback signal to the refrigeration unit 222 and/or the fan unit 223 in response to the light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly 230. Specifically, the output power of the cooling module 220 may be selectively adjusted, the output power of the refrigeration unit 222 in the cooling module 220 may also be adjusted, and the output powers of the refrigeration unit 222 and the fan unit 223 may also be adjusted at the same time.

In a specific embodiment, the following configuration may be made: when the controller 212 acquires that the light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly 230 reaches the first preset illumination threshold, the controller 212 outputs a first power adjustment control signal to the fan unit 223, so that the output power of the fan unit 223 reaches the first target output value. When the controller 212 obtains that the feedback signal of the light source output power of the light source assembly 230 reaches the second preset irradiation threshold, which is greater than the first preset irradiation threshold, the controller 212 outputs a second power adjustment control signal to the fan unit 223 and the refrigeration unit 222 of the cooling assembly 220, so that the output power of the fan unit 223 reaches a second target output value, which is greater than the first target output value, and the output power of the refrigeration unit 222 reaches a third target output value. Thus, the output power of the cooling module 220 is correspondingly adjusted according to the output power of the light source module 230, thereby facilitating the reduction of the working energy consumption and realizing the timely cooling of accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer 20 further includes: and a temperature detector 240. The temperature detector 240 is provided on the printer body 210, and detects a surface temperature of the molding surface 211 of the printer body 210. The printer body 210 includes a controller 212, and the controller 212 is electrically connected to the temperature detector 240, the cooling unit 222, and the fan unit 223, respectively. The controller 212 is configured to output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the temperature feedback signal to the cooling unit 222 and the fan unit 223 in response to the temperature feedback signal of the temperature detector 240.

Further, in a specific embodiment, when the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal reaches a first preset threshold, a first adjustment control signal is output to the fan unit 223 in the cooling assembly 220, so that the output power of the fan unit 223 reaches a first target output value. When the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal reaches a second preset threshold, which is greater than the first preset threshold, second adjustment control signals are respectively output to the fan unit 223 and the refrigeration unit 222 in the cooling assembly 220, so that the output power of the fan unit 223 reaches a second target output value, the second target output value is greater than the first target output value, and the output power of the refrigeration unit 222 reaches a third target output value. Like this, the output of cooling module 220 will be according to the corresponding regulation of the surface temperature size of profiled surface 211 to do benefit to and reduce the work energy consumption, and realize the timely cooling of accurate nature.

In the present embodiment, the photocuring 3D printer 20 further includes: toward the adjustment assembly 250. The orientation adjusting assembly 250 is disposed on the printer body 210 and is in driving connection with the casing 221 for adjusting the orientation of the output end of the casing 221. The orientation adjustment assembly 250 may be a driving motor, a lifting cylinder, an electric push rod, etc. by drivingly connecting the orientation adjustment assembly 250 with the cooling assembly 220, the orientation adjustment assembly 250 can move the cooling assembly 220, thereby adjusting the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly 220. Further, the orientation adjustment assembly 250 may be electrically connected to the controller 212, and the controller 212 drives the orientation adjustment assembly 250 to perform a corresponding direction adjustment action. Preferably, the controller 212 may control the orientation adjustment assembly 250 to change the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly 220, so that the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly 220 is adjusted to be directed to the light irradiation area on the molding surface 211, thereby achieving local pertinence and optimizing the heat dissipation effect.

In the present embodiment, the printer body 210 includes: housing 260, resin bath 270, and molding platform 280. The cooling assembly 220 is disposed on the housing 260, the resin pool 270 is disposed in the housing 260, the molding surface 211 is disposed on the resin pool 270, and the photosensitive resin 271 is stored in the resin pool 270. The light source assembly 230, the temperature detector 240, and the orientation adjusting assembly 250 are disposed on the housing 260. Further, the resin bath 270 may include a frame wall 272, a light-transmitting panel 273, and a release film 274. The light-transmitting panel 273 is connected to the frame wall 272, the light-transmitting panel 273 and the frame wall 272 together form a liquid storage cavity, and the photosensitive resin 271 is contained in the liquid storage cavity. The release film 274 is disposed on the inner surface of the light transmissive panel 273 and contacts the photosensitive resin 271, and a molding surface 211 is formed on a surface of the release film 274 contacting the photosensitive resin 271. The forming station 280 includes a forming table 281, and a drive assembly 282 in driving communication with the forming table 281, the drive assembly 282 being disposed on the housing 260, the drive assembly 282 driving the forming table 281 toward or away from the forming surface 211 of the resin bath 270.

The forming table 281 is located in the resin pool 270 at a distance of one layer thickness from the surface of the release film 274 under the driving action of the driving assembly 282. Under the irradiation of the light source assembly 230, light passes through the light transmissive panel 273, so that the liquid photosensitive resin 271 is cured between the molding table 281 and the release film 274. At this point, the driving assembly 282 is again activated to move a distance one layer thick, so that the cured resin is peeled off the release film 274 to follow the movement of the molding table 281. And then, the surface of the cured and molded resin is covered with a new layer of liquid resin, and then the next layer of liquid resin is subjected to illumination scanning and curing, the newly cured layer is firmly adhered to the previous layer, and the steps are repeated until the whole workpiece is laminated to obtain a complete manufacturing model.

Due to the arrangement of the cooling assembly 220, efficient heat dissipation of the area where the molding surface 211 is located is achieved, and the purpose of cooling the area where the molding surface 211 is located is achieved. In order to facilitate the flow of the air in the housing 260, the housing 260 is provided with an air outlet 261 corresponding to the output end of the cooling module 220. In this way, the external air enters the housing 260 through the output end of the cooling assembly 220, so as to cool the area where the forming surface 211 is located, and then exits through the air outlet 261 of the housing 260. So, realized this photocuring 3D printer 20 and external gas's high-efficient circulation, do benefit to the radiating efficiency who further promotes the region in profile 211 place to do benefit to further promotion photocuring 3D printing speed.

Further, referring to fig. 3, in the embodiment, the cooling module 220 further includes a flow guiding box 290, the flow guiding box 290 has three openings connected with each other, one opening faces to the output end of the cooling module 220, one opening faces to the air outlet 261 of the housing 260, and one opening faces to the forming surface 211. The flow guiding box 290 is made of a light-transmitting material, and light emitted by the light source assembly 230 can penetrate through the flow guiding box 290 to act on the photosensitive resin 271 without affecting the polymerization reaction of the photosensitive resin 271. The baffle box 290 may be installed in the housing 260, such that the airflow generated by the output end of the cooling assembly 220 can efficiently flow through the area of the forming surface 211, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect of the forming surface 211.

It can be seen from this embodiment that, the photocuring 3D printer 20 provided by the embodiment of the present application can cool down the molding surface 211 of the photocuring 3D printer 20 by starting the cooling assembly 220. According to the output power of the light source assembly 230, the surface temperature of the forming surface 211 can be adjusted by the controller 212 to adjust the output power of the cooling assembly 220, i.e. the output power of the cooling unit 222 and the fan unit 223 in the cooling assembly 220. The controller 212 may also adjust the orientation of the output of the cooling assembly 220 by the orientation adjustment assembly 250. Like this, realized corresponding accurate cooling or in good time cooling, do benefit to and reduce invalid energy consumption, promote energy effective utilization and rate, optimize the radiating effect to profiled surface 211.

So, can effectively prevent to lead to performance degradation from type membrane 274 because of high temperature, ensure that the forming matter that 3D printed can normally peel off from type membrane 274 to do benefit to and promote photocuring 3D printing speed, and do benefit to the extension and leave the life of type membrane 274, promote the durability from type membrane 274. Secondly, the activity change caused by high temperature of the resin crosslinking reaction can be avoided, the deviation of the established printing parameters can be prevented, and the good forming effect of the 3D printing formed object can be guaranteed. In addition, the photosensitive resin 271 can be prevented from releasing irritant gas due to high temperature, so that the printing experience can be optimized.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for photocuring 3D printing shown in an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 4, the method includes:

and step S401, starting the photocuring 3D printer.

Step S402, after the photocuring 3D printer is started, starting a cooling assembly; wherein, the output end of the cooling component faces the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer or the space area adjacent to the molding surface.

3D printing, also known as three-dimensional printing, belongs to one of rapid prototyping techniques. A 3D printer, also known as a three-dimensional printer, is a device that uses additive manufacturing techniques to produce three-dimensional objects by printing layers of adhesive material. Photocuring 3D printer, its theory of operation is: the characteristic that the photosensitive resin in a fluid state is subjected to polymerization reaction under illumination is utilized, and a light source is irradiated according to the cross section shape of an object to be formed, so that the resin in the fluid state is cured and formed.

In the working process of the photocuring 3D printer, the light source assembly can emit light, and liquid photosensitive resin is irradiated according to the contour track of the cross section of each sliced layer of the preset part, so that the liquid photosensitive resin forms a thin-layer cross section of the part on the surface of the release film. After the resin layer is cured, the forming table moves by a layer thickness distance, so that the cured resin with the preset cross-sectional shape is stripped from the release film. And then, covering a new layer of liquid resin on the surface of the cured resin with the preset cross section shape, then, carrying out illumination scanning curing on the next layer, firmly adhering the newly cured layer on the previous layer, and repeating the steps until the whole workpiece is laminated to obtain a complete manufacturing model.

In this step, the molding surface, that is, the surface of the release film in the photocurable 3D printer, which is in contact with the photosensitive resin that undergoes polymerization reaction.

It can be seen from this embodiment that, the method that this application embodiment provided, after photocuring 3D printer starts, through starting cooling assembly to the cooling is carried out to photocuring 3D printer's profiled surface. Because the output of cooling module is towards the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer or the adjacent space region of shaping face, the air current that the cooling module produced will be as heat transfer working medium, can take away the heat that the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer is regional to gather fast, takes away the heat that photosensitive resin cross-linking reaction produced promptly, realizes the high-efficient heat dissipation to the shaping face place region, reaches the purpose of cooling shaping face place region. Like this, can effectively prevent to lead to the performance degradation from the type membrane because of high temperature, ensure that the forming matter that 3D printed can normally peel off from the type membrane to do benefit to and promote photocuring 3D printing speed. Secondly, the activity change caused by high temperature of the resin crosslinking reaction can be avoided, the deviation of the established printing parameters can be prevented, and the good forming effect of the 3D printing formed object can be guaranteed. In addition, the photosensitive resin can be prevented from releasing irritant gas due to high temperature, so that the printing experience is optimized.

Fig. 5 is another schematic flow chart diagram of a method for photocuring 3D printing according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 5 describes the solution of the present application in more detail with respect to fig. 4.

Referring to fig. 5, the method includes:

step S501, starting a photocuring 3D printer;

step S502, after the photocuring 3D printer is started, starting a cooling assembly after a light source assembly is started; the output end of the cooling assembly faces towards the forming surface of the photocuring 3D printer or a space area adjacent to the forming surface; wherein, the light source subassembly is to the profile surface emission light.

In this step, the start-up of cooling module is after the light source subassembly starts to make cooling module work under the photosensitive resin emergence polymerization's in the photocuring 3D printer condition, and then realize having corresponding cooling, the effective utilization ratio of the guarantee energy avoids causing too much energy consumption.

The light source subassembly is used for emitting light to the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer to make photosensitive resin on leaving type membrane surface preset area emission polymerization, with the solidification shaping. The Light source assembly may be an SLA (Stereo Light curing) laser galvanometer assembly, a DLP (Digital Light Processing) optical assembly, or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Light source assembly. The light emitted by the light source component can cure the liquid photosensitive resin.

In this step, the output end of the cooling assembly is directed toward the molding surface or a spatial region adjacent to the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer. In one specific embodiment, the output end of the cooling assembly is oriented parallel to the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer, and the airflow generated by the output end of the cooling assembly flows through the surface of the molding surface. Like this, utilize the air current of cooling unit output to take away the heat that the region was gathered at the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer fast, cool off the region at shaping face more fast, realize the high-efficient heat dissipation to the region at shaping face.

In an embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit. Preferably, the cooling assembly includes a refrigeration unit and a fan unit. The refrigeration unit and the fan unit can be activated alternatively or simultaneously. The refrigerating unit can be a refrigerator to reduce the temperature of input gas and form gas flow reaching a preset temperature; the fan unit may be a fan for generating a high-speed flow of air at the output of the cooling module. After entering from the input end of the cooling assembly, the outside air flow can pass through the refrigeration unit and then the fan unit; the air flow reaching the preset temperature and the preset air speed is generated from the output end of the cooling assembly through the fan unit and the refrigerating unit, so that the forming surface of the photocuring 3D printer is cooled.

Further, the input end of the cooling module may be provided with a gas filtering device, such as an air filter. Like this, cooling module filters external input air current earlier through gas filtering device to the assurance is blown enough clean to the air current of the shaping face of photocuring 3D printer, avoids causing the pollution. The output end of the cooling assembly can be further provided with an air deflector, so that the flow direction of air flow generated by the output end of the cooling assembly is adjusted, and the application range is expanded.

After step S502, one or more steps among step S503, step S505, and step S507 may be selectively performed.

Step S503, detecting the output power of the light source module.

In this step, in a specific embodiment, a light source output power feedback signal of the light source module is obtained. In this way, the output power of the light source assembly is characterized by the light source output power feedback signal. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer may acquire a light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly.

And step S504, adjusting the output power of the cooling assembly according to the output power of the light source assembly.

In this step, in a specific embodiment, a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the magnitude of the light source output power feedback signal is output to the cooling module according to the magnitude of the light source output power feedback signal. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer may output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the magnitude of the light source output power feedback signal to the cooling assembly. Like this, the output of cooling module corresponds the regulation according to the output's of light source subassembly size to do benefit to and reduce the work energy consumption, and realize the timely cooling of accurate nature. Specifically, the output power of the cooling assembly can be adjusted by selecting the output power of the refrigeration unit in the cooling assembly, the output power of the fan unit can be adjusted, and the output powers of the refrigeration unit and the fan unit can be adjusted at the same time.

Further, in a specific embodiment, when the controller of the photocuring 3D printer obtains that the light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly reaches the first preset irradiation threshold, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer outputs a first power adjustment control signal to the fan unit of the cooling assembly, so that the output power of the fan unit reaches the first target output value. When the controller of the photocuring 3D printer obtains that the light source output power feedback signal of the light source assembly reaches a second preset irradiation threshold value, the second preset irradiation threshold value is larger than the first preset irradiation threshold value, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer outputs a second power regulation control signal to the fan unit and the refrigeration unit of the cooling assembly, so that the output power of the fan unit reaches a second target output value, the second target output value is larger than the first target output value, and the output power of the refrigeration unit reaches a third target output value.

After step S502, step S503 and step S505 can also be selected to be executed simultaneously.

And step S505, detecting the position of the light irradiation area on the molding surface.

In this step, the position of the light irradiation region on the molding surface may be determined by acquiring the working information of the light source assembly, for example, the pose information of the light emitting unit of the light source assembly. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer may acquire the operation information of the light source assembly. The position of the light irradiation area on the molding surface can also be determined by other means, such as a vision system and the like.

Step S506, the direction of the output end of the cooling module is adjusted to be directed to the light irradiation area on the molding surface.

In this step, a driving mechanism, such as a driving motor, a lifting cylinder, an electric push rod, etc., may be provided, and the driving mechanism is drivingly connected to the cooling assembly, so that the driving mechanism can drive the cooling assembly to move, thereby adjusting the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly. Specifically, the corresponding control signal can be sent to the driving mechanism according to the position of the light irradiation area on the molding surface, so that the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly is adjusted to be towards the light irradiation area on the molding surface. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer may send a corresponding control signal to the driving mechanism. Therefore, the heat dissipation effect of the area where the forming surface is located can be further improved.

After step S502, it is also possible to select to execute step S503 and step S507 simultaneously, or to execute step S505 and step S507 simultaneously, or to execute step S503, step S505 and step S507 simultaneously.

And step S507, detecting the surface temperature of the molding surface.

In this step, in a specific embodiment, a temperature feedback signal of the temperature detector is acquired; wherein the temperature detector is used for detecting the surface temperature of the molding surface. Thus, the temperature of the molding surface is characterized by the temperature feedback signal of the temperature detector. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer acquires a temperature feedback signal of the temperature detector.

And step S508, adjusting the output power of the cooling assembly according to the surface temperature of the molding surface.

In this step, in a specific embodiment, a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal is output to the cooling module according to the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal. Specifically, the controller of the photocuring 3D printer may output a power adjustment control signal corresponding to the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal to the cooling module. Like this, the output of cooling module will correspond according to the surface temperature size of profile and adjust to do benefit to and reduce the work energy consumption, and realize the timely cooling of accurate nature.

Further, in a specific embodiment, when the magnitude of the temperature feedback signal reaches a first preset threshold value, a first regulation control signal is output to the fan unit in the cooling assembly, so that the output power of the fan unit reaches a first target output value. When the temperature feedback signal reaches a second preset threshold value, the second preset threshold value is larger than the first preset threshold value, and second adjusting control signals are respectively output to the fan unit and the refrigeration unit in the cooling assembly, so that the output power of the fan unit reaches a second target output value, the second target output value is larger than the first target output value, and the output power of the refrigeration unit reaches a third target output value.

It is understood that when step S503, step S505, and step S507 are performed simultaneously, different technical effects may be achieved through various combinations of matching settings.

For example, when the output power of the light source assembly is detected to be within the preset power interval value range, the output power of the cooling assembly is only correspondingly adjusted according to the output power of the light source assembly no matter what the surface temperature of the molding surface is detected. For example, when the detected surface temperature of the molding surface is within the preset temperature interval value range, the output power of the cooling assembly is adjusted only according to the surface temperature of the molding surface, regardless of the output power of the light source assembly. For example, the output power of the refrigeration unit in the cooling assembly can be correspondingly adjusted only according to the detected surface temperature of the molding surface, and the output power of the fan unit in the cooling assembly can be correspondingly adjusted only according to the output power of the light source assembly. For another example, when the detected surface temperature of the molding surface does not reach the start temperature of the cooling module, the operation of the cooling module is turned off or the orientation of the output end of the cooling module is adjusted to be away from the molding surface.

It can be seen from this embodiment that, the method that this application embodiment provided, after photocuring 3D printer starts, through starting cooling assembly to the cooling is carried out to photocuring 3D printer's profiled surface. The output power of the light source component is detected, and/or the position of a light irradiation area on the molding surface is detected, and/or the surface temperature of the molding surface is detected. According to the output power of the light source component, the position of the light irradiation area on the molding surface and the surface temperature of the molding surface, the output power of the cooling component can be correspondingly adjusted, namely the output power of the refrigerating unit and the fan unit in the cooling component, or the orientation of the output end of the cooling component is adjusted, so that targeted accurate cooling or timely cooling is realized, the reduction of ineffective energy consumption is facilitated, the effective energy utilization rate is improved, and the heat dissipation effect on the molding surface is optimized.

So, can effectively prevent to lead to the performance degradation from the type membrane because of high temperature, ensure that the forming object that 3D printed can normally peel off from the type membrane to do benefit to and promote photocuring 3D printing speed, and do benefit to the extension and leave the life of type membrane, promote the durability from the type membrane. Secondly, the activity change caused by high temperature of the resin crosslinking reaction can be avoided, the deviation of the established printing parameters can be prevented, and the good forming effect of the 3D printing formed object can be guaranteed. In addition, the photosensitive resin can be prevented from releasing irritant gas due to high temperature, so that the printing experience is optimized.

Corresponding to the embodiment of the application function implementation method, the application also provides an embodiment of a device for photocuring 3D printing.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for photocuring 3D printing shown in an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus 60 for photocuring 3D printing, including:

the driving module 601 is used for starting the cooling assembly after the photocuring 3D printer is started; wherein, the output end of the cooling component faces the molding surface of the photocuring 3D printer or the space area adjacent to the molding surface.

Optionally, the driving module 601 is further configured to start the cooling assembly after the photocuring 3D printer is started and the light source assembly is started; wherein, the light source subassembly is to the profile surface emission light.

Optionally, the apparatus for photocuring 3D printing further includes: a detection module 602 for detecting the output power of the light source module;

the driving module 601 is further configured to adjust the output power of the cooling module according to the magnitude of the output power of the light source module.

Optionally, the manner of detecting the output power of the light source module by the detection module 602 may include:

acquiring a light source output power feedback signal of a light source component;

the driving module 601 adjusts the output power of the cooling assembly according to the magnitude of the output power of the light source assembly, and the adjusting may include:

and outputting a power regulation control signal corresponding to the output power feedback signal of the light source to the cooling assembly according to the output power feedback signal of the light source.

Optionally, the detecting module 602 is further configured to detect a position of a light irradiation area on the molding surface;

the driving module 601 is further configured to adjust the orientation of the output end of the cooling assembly to face the light irradiation area on the molding surface.

Optionally, the detecting module 602 is further configured to detect a surface temperature of the molding surface;

the driving module 601 is further configured to adjust the output power of the cooling assembly according to the surface temperature of the molding surface.

Optionally, the manner of detecting the surface temperature of the molding surface by the detecting module 602 may include:

acquiring a temperature feedback signal of a temperature detector; the temperature detector is used for detecting the surface temperature of the molding surface;

the driving module 601 adjusts the output power of the cooling assembly according to the surface temperature of the molding surface, and may include:

and outputting a power regulation control signal corresponding to the temperature feedback signal to the cooling assembly according to the temperature feedback signal.

Implementing the apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 can improve the photocuring 3D printing speed.

With regard to the apparatus in the above-described embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs the operation has been described in detail in the embodiment related to the method, and will not be elaborated here.

Referring to fig. 7, an embodiment of the present application further provides an apparatus 70 for photocuring 3D printing, including: a cooling assembly 701 and an apparatus 60 for photocuring 3D printing as described above. The structure and function of the apparatus 60 for photocuring 3D printing can be referred to the description in fig. 6, and will not be described herein.

Having described embodiments of the present application, the foregoing description is intended to be exemplary, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A photocuring 3D printer, comprising: the printer comprises a printer body and a cooling assembly arranged on the printer body;

2. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 1, wherein the cooling assembly comprises:

a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit disposed in the housing.

3. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 2, wherein the refrigeration unit and/or the fan unit is disposed at an input end of the housing.

4. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 3, wherein the refrigeration unit and the fan unit are spaced apart within the housing, and the refrigeration unit is adjacent to the input end of the housing.

5. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 2, further comprising:

6. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 2, further comprising:

7. The photocuring 3D printer of claim 2, further comprising:

8. A method for photocuring 3D printing, comprising:

starting a photocuring 3D printer;

9. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to activating the cooling assembly, comprising:

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, after the activating the cooling assembly:

detecting the output power of the light source assembly;

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said detecting the output power of the light source assembly comprises:

12. The method of claim 8, wherein directing the output end of the cooling assembly toward a molding surface or a spatial region adjacent to a molding surface of the stereolithography 3D printer comprises:

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the cooling assembly comprises a refrigeration unit and/or a fan unit.