KR20240138643A - An apparatus for performing large-scale powder bed fusion 3D printing using a single scanner and a method for performing 3D printing using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a PBF printing device capable of applying powder material to an upper surface of a powder bed and irradiating light on an upper surface of a large-area powder bed. A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a build section which forms a powder bed by filling powder material therein, forms a coating layer by applying powder material on the powder bed, and provides a molding space using the powder material; a scanner section which selectively irradiates light transmitted from a laser section to the coating layer to form a molding layer forming a three-dimensional molded object; a drive module which is formed on an upper portion of the build section, is coupled to the scanner section, and moves the scanner section; and a powder feeder section which is formed on an upper portion of the build section, is coupled to the drive module, and applies powder material to an upper surface of the powder bed while moving on an upper portion of the build section.

Description

{An apparatus for performing large-scale powder bed fusion 3D printing using a single scanner and a method for performing 3D printing using the same}

The present invention relates to a large-scale PBF printing device and method utilizing a single scanner, and more specifically, to a PBF printing device capable of applying powder material to the upper surface of a powder bed and irradiating light on the upper surface of a large-area powder bed.

Recently, 3D printers, which allow anyone to produce products with just a drawing, have been receiving a lot of attention as a new industrial revolution. 3D printers continuously reconstruct two-dimensional cross-sections of digitalized three-dimensional product designs and layer materials one by one to produce three-dimensional products.

These 3D printing methods can be broadly classified into liquid, powder, and solid-based based on the characteristics of the materials used. Among them, Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) is a method in which material powder is spread thinly and arranged, and only the desired part is irradiated using a laser (or electron beam, etc.), and then the next layer is formed on top of it using powder and the desired part is irradiated with a laser. This process is repeated.

When using the powder bed melting method as described above, the stackable area of the PBF 3D printer depends on the F-theta field of the scanner. However, when the F-theta field is increased to produce a large 3D object, the beam diameter and working distance of the light increase, which reduces the precision of the shape and increases the size of the equipment.

In order to solve the above problems, there are cases where two or more scanners are used to irradiate light on a large powder bed surface, but it is true that there are limitations in matters related to synchronization and correction of each of these multiple scanners.

In US Patent Publication No. 2017/0021454 (Title: Multiple beam additive manufacturing), in a PBF method printing system, laser scanning can be performed while moving an optical head that irradiates a laser, so that laser irradiation can be efficiently performed on the entire surface of a powder bed and various scan patterns can be formed, and an optical head such as a scanner can move in the X-axis and Y-axis by being combined with an optical head movement system that moves the optical head, and such an optical head movement system is formed on the upper part of a powder bed to realize free movement of the optical head on the upper part of the powder bed, and powder supply to the powder bed is delivered by a recoater from a powder supply space on the side of a powder bed support space and supplied to the powder bed.

And, in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1855184 (Title of the Invention: 3D Printer Equipped with a Variable Laser Irradiation Device), since the laser irradiation device freely moves on a powder bed while irradiating a laser, the accuracy of a laser point can be improved and the laser irradiation efficiency for the entire surface of the powder bed can be increased, and an X-axis frame that is coupled with the laser irradiation device to cause the powder bed to move along the X-axis, and a Y-axis frame that is coupled with the X-axis frame to move the X-axis frame are formed so that the laser irradiation device can be moved, and a 3D printer is disclosed in which powder is supplied to the powder bed by a recoater from a powder supply space on the side of the powder bed support space and supplied to the powder bed.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0021454 Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1855184

The purpose of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a PBF printing device capable of applying powder material to the upper surface of a powder bed and irradiating light on the upper surface of a large-area powder bed.

The technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention comprises: a build section which forms a powder bed by filling powder material therein, forms a coating layer by applying the powder material on the powder bed, and provides a molding space by the powder material; a scanner section which selectively irradiates the coating layer with light received from a laser section, thereby forming a molding layer that forms a three-dimensional molded object; a drive module which is formed on the upper part of the build section, is coupled with the scanner section, and moves the scanner section; and a powder feeder section which is formed on the upper part of the build section, is coupled with the drive module, and applies the powder material to an upper surface of the powder bed while moving on the upper part of the build section.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a control unit may be further included for controlling a light irradiation path and a movement path of the scanner unit according to a command of a file storing information on the three-dimensional object in a Mark on the fly (MOTF) manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a gas control unit may be further included that is coupled with the driving module, moves on the side of the build unit, discharges atmospheric gas to the upper portion of the powder bed, and recovers the discharged atmospheric gas.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas control unit may include a gas discharger that moves from one side of the upper portion of the powder bed and discharges the atmospheric gas to the upper portion of the powder bed; and a gas recovery unit that moves from the other side of the upper portion of the powder bed and recovers the atmospheric gas present in the upper portion of the powder bed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a recoater unit may be further included that moves on the upper part of the powder bed in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive module may include an upper drive unit coupled to the scanner unit and moving the scanner unit in the y-axis direction, which is the width direction of the powder bed; and a middle drive unit coupled to the upper drive unit and the powder feeder unit and moving the upper drive unit and the powder feeder unit in the x-axis direction, which is the length direction of the powder bed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive module may further include a lower drive unit coupled to the gas control unit and moving the gas control unit in the x-axis direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a powder recovery unit may be further included, which is formed on a side of the build unit and provides a space for recovering residual powder material after forming the coating layer.

The present invention for achieving the above purpose comprises a first step in which the powder feeder part ejects the powder material onto the upper surface of the powder bed while moving on the powder bed; a second step in which the recoater part organizes the powder material while moving on the powder bed to form the coating layer; a third step in which the atmospheric gas is supplied from the gas control part to the upper surface of the powder bed; and a fourth step in which the scanner part irradiates light onto the coating layer to form the forming layer; and during the performance of the second to fourth steps, the scanner part irradiates light simultaneously with the operation of the recoater part by Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control part.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention comprises: a build section which forms a powder bed by filling powder material therein, forms a coating layer by applying the powder material on the powder bed, and provides a molding space by the powder material; a scanner section which selectively irradiates the coating layer with light received from a laser section, thereby forming a molding layer that forms a three-dimensional molded object; a powder feeder section which is formed on the upper part of the build section and applies the powder material to the upper surface of the powder bed; and a driving module which is coupled to the build section and the powder feeder section, rotates the build section, and moves the powder feeder section on the upper part of the build section.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a control unit may be further included for controlling a light irradiation path and a movement path of the scanner unit according to a command of a file storing information on the three-dimensional object in a Mark on the fly (MOTF) manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a recoater unit may be further included that moves on the upper part of the powder bed in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive module may include a coating drive unit coupled to the powder feeder unit or the recoater unit and moving the powder feeder unit or the recoater unit; and a build drive unit coupled to the build unit and moving the powder bed in a vertical direction and rotating the build unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the build part may include a build plate that supports the powder bed and performs vertical movement; and a bed support wall that is a wall surrounding the powder bed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the build driving unit may include: a plate support member coupled with the build plate and supporting the build plate; and a build driving member coupled with the bed support wall and the plate support member and rotating the bed support wall and vertically moving the plate support member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the coating driving unit may include a recoater moving unit coupled with the recoater unit and moving the recoater unit in the z-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the powder bed; and a feeder moving unit coupled with the powder feeder unit and moving the powder feeder unit in the z-axis direction.

The present invention for achieving the above purpose comprises a first step in which the powder material is applied to an upper surface of the powder bed while the powder feeder moves on the powder bed and the build section rotates; a second step in which the build section rotates and the powder material is arranged by the recoater section to form the application layer; and a third step in which the scanner section irradiates light onto the application layer to form the modeling layer. The invention is characterized in that, during the performance of the second and third steps, the scanner section irradiates light simultaneously with the operation of the recoater section by Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control section.

The effect of the present invention according to the above configuration is that a large-area three-dimensional object can be efficiently manufactured by performing powder material application and light irradiation over the entire large-area area while the components such as the scanner section and the powder feeder section move on the upper surface of a large-area powder bed.

And, by performing powder material application, light irradiation, etc. while moving components such as the scanner section and powder feeder section, the error of the layer formed by application and the layer of the object formed by light irradiation is reduced, so that the quality of the three-dimensional object can be improved.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of a printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view of a printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a gas control unit and a recoater unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms, and therefore, it is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present invention in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are assigned similar drawing reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, joined)" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected" but also the case where it is "indirectly connected" with another member in between. Also, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, unless otherwise specifically stated, but that other components can be included.

The terminology used herein is only used to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood to not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

First, the printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

And, Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a gas control unit and a recoater unit (1320) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a build unit (1200) that forms a powder bed (10) by filling powder material therein, forms a coating layer by applying powder material onto the powder bed (10), and provides a molding space using the powder material; a scanner unit (1410) that selectively irradiates light transmitted from a laser unit (1420) onto the coating layer to form a molding layer that forms a three-dimensional molded object; a drive module formed on the upper portion of the build unit (1200), coupled with the scanner unit (1410), and moves the scanner unit (1410); and a powder feeder unit (1310) formed on the upper portion of the build unit (1200), coupled with the drive module, and applying powder material to the upper surface of the powder bed (10) while moving on the upper portion of the build unit (1200).

Here, a plurality of forming layers are combined to form a three-dimensional shape, and the following explanation will focus on the formation of one forming layer by light irradiation on one application layer.

Various substances such as metal, alloy, synthetic resin, or a mixture of synthetic resin and metal can be used as the powder material to form the sculpture, and the powder material can be a material in which the above substances are formed in powder form.

And, argon (Ar) gas can be used as the atmospheric gas. However, the atmospheric gas is not limited to this, and other gases such as nitrogen (N2) can be used as the atmospheric gas.

The drive module may include an upper drive unit (1110) coupled with the scanner unit (1410) and moving the scanner unit (1410) in the y-axis direction, which is the width direction of the powder bed (10); and a middle drive unit (1120) coupled with the upper drive unit (1110) and the powder feeder unit (1310) and moving the upper drive unit (1110) and the powder feeder unit (1310) in the x-axis direction, which is the length direction of the powder bed (10).

In addition, the drive module may further include a lower drive unit (1130) that is coupled to the gas control unit and moves the gas control unit in the x-axis direction.

Specifically, the upper drive unit (1110) may include an upper moving unit (1111) that is coupled with the scanner unit (1410) and moves the scanner unit (1410) in the y-axis direction; and an upper guide unit (1112) that is coupled with the upper moving unit (1111) and formed to extend along the y-axis direction and guides the y-axis direction movement of the upper moving unit (1111).

Here, the upper moving part (1111) can be installed so as to be coupled to the upper surface or lower surface of the upper guide part (1112) and to enable reciprocating movement along the y-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the upper moving part (1111).

The multi-layer drive unit (1120) may include a first multi-layer upper moving unit (1121) coupled with one end of an upper guide unit (1112) and moving one end of the upper guide unit (1112) in the x-axis direction; a second multi-layer upper moving unit (1123) coupled with the other end of the upper guide unit (1112) and moving the other end of the upper guide unit (1112) in the x-axis direction; a first multi-layer guide unit (1125) coupled with the first multi-layer upper moving unit (1121) and formed to extend along the x-axis direction and guide movement of the first multi-layer upper moving unit (1121) in the x-axis direction; and a second multi-layer guide unit (1126) coupled with the second multi-layer upper moving unit (1123) and formed to extend along the x-axis direction and guide movement of the second multi-layer upper moving unit (1123) in the x-axis direction.

In addition, the multilayer drive unit (1120) may include a first multilayer lower moving unit (1122) connected to one side of the powder feeder unit (1310), coupled with the first multilayer guide unit (1125), and moving one side of the powder feeder unit (1310) in the x-axis direction; and a second multilayer lower moving unit (1124) connected to the other side of the powder feeder unit (1310), coupled with the second multilayer guide unit (1126), and moving the other side of the powder feeder unit (1310) in the x-axis direction.

Here, the first multilayer upper moving part (1121) can be installed to be coupled to the upper surface of the first multilayer guide part (1125) and to enable reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first multilayer guide part (1125).

In addition, the second layer upper moving part (1123) can be installed so as to be coupled to the upper surface of the second layer guide part (1126) and to enable reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first layer guide part (1125).

In addition, the first layer lower moving part (1122) can be installed to be coupled to the lower surface of the first layer guide part (1125) so as to enable reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first layer guide part (1125).

In addition, the second layer lower moving part (1124) can be installed to be coupled to the lower surface of the second layer guide part (1126) and to enable reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the second layer guide part (1126).

The lower drive unit (1130) may include a first lower moving unit (1131) coupled with one end of the recoater unit (1320) and moving one end of the recoater unit (1320) in the x-axis direction; a second lower moving unit (1132) coupled with the other end of the recoater unit (1320) and moving the other end of the recoater unit (1320) in the x-axis direction; a first lower guide unit (1133) coupled with the first lower moving unit (1131) and formed to extend along the x-axis direction and guide movement of the first lower moving unit (1131) in the x-axis direction; and a second lower guide unit (1134) coupled with the second lower moving unit (1132) and formed to extend along the x-axis direction and guide movement of the second lower moving unit (1132) in the x-axis direction.

Here, the first lower layer moving part (1131) can be installed so as to be coupled to the upper surface of the first lower layer guide part (1133) and to be capable of reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first lower layer guide part (1133).

In addition, the second lower layer moving part (1132) can be installed to be coupled to the upper surface of the second lower layer guide part (1134) so as to enable reciprocating movement along the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the second lower layer guide part (1134).

For the above configuration, each of the upper drive unit (1110), the middle drive unit (1120), and the lower drive unit (1130) may have a structure of a linear motor or a linear motion guide.

Specifically, when each driving unit has a structure of a linear motor, each of the moving units of the upper moving unit (1111), the first multi-layer upper moving unit (1121), the second multi-layer upper moving unit (1123), the first multi-layer lower moving unit (1122), the second multi-layer lower moving unit (1124), the first lower moving unit (1131), and the second lower moving unit (1132) may include a mover that performs movement in the linear motor.

In addition, each of the guide parts of the upper guide part (1112), the first multi-layer guide part (1125), the second multi-layer guide part (1126), the first lower guide part (1133), and the second lower guide part (1134) described above may include a stator that supports and guides the mover in the linear motor.

Here, each of the first layer guide part (1125) and the second layer guide part (1126) is expressed as being formed by one linear motor stator, but in the first layer guide part (1125) or the second layer guide part (1126), two stators may be installed in a direction that corresponds to each other.

That is, the operating surface of one stator may be coupled with the first multi-layer upper moving part (1121) or the second multi-layer upper moving part (1123) facing upward, and the operating surface of another stator may be coupled with the first multi-layer lower moving part (1122) or the second multi-layer lower moving part (1124) facing downward.

In another structure, when each driving unit has a structure of a linear motion guide, each of the moving parts of the upper moving part (1111), the first multi-layer upper moving part (1121), the second multi-layer upper moving part (1123), the first multi-layer lower moving part (1122), the second multi-layer lower moving part (1124), the first lower moving part (1131), and the second lower moving part (1132) may include a linear motion block (LM Block) that performs movement in the linear motion guide.

In addition, each of the guide sections of the upper guide section (1112), the first multi-layer guide section (1125), the second multi-layer guide section (1126), the first lower guide section (1133), and the second lower guide section (1134) described above may include a linear motion rail (LM Rail) that supports and guides the linear motion block in the linear motion guide.

Here, each of the first layer guide part (1125) and the second layer guide part (1126) is expressed as being formed by one linear motion rail, but in the first layer guide part (1125) or the second layer guide part (1126), two linear motion rails may be installed in a direction corresponding to each other.

That is, the operating surface of one linear motion rail may be coupled with the first multi-layer upper moving unit (1121) or the second multi-layer upper moving unit (1123) facing upward, and the operating surface of another linear motion rail may be coupled with the first multi-layer lower moving unit (1122) or the second multi-layer lower moving unit (1124) facing downward.

In the embodiment of the present invention, each driving unit is described as being formed as a linear motor structure or a linear motion guide structure as described above, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

As another embodiment, each driving unit may be formed with a ball screw structure, wherein each moving part may include a ball having a female screw thread formed on the inner surface, and each guide part may include a screw having a male screw thread formed on the outer surface and coupled with the ball.

As another embodiment, each drive unit may be formed with a rack and pinion structure, wherein each moving part may include a pinion gear and each guide part may include a rack gear.

The printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention may include a support module that supports the first multilayer guide part (1125), the second multilayer guide part (1126), the first lower layer guide part (1133), and the second lower layer guide part (1134).

The support module may have a first support part (1510) to a fourth support part (1540) formed in a bar shape or a plate shape.

Here, the first support member (1510) is coupled with one end of the first multilayer guide member (1125) and one end of the first lower layer guide member (1133), and further, the second support member (1520) is coupled with the other end of the first multilayer guide member (1125) and the other end of the first lower layer guide member (1133), so that the first multilayer guide member (1125) and the first lower layer guide member (1133) can be fixedly supported by the first support member (1510) and the second support member (1520).

In addition, the third support member (1530) is coupled with one end of the second double-layer guide member (1126) and one end of the second lower-layer guide member (1134), and further, the fourth support member (1540) is coupled with the other end of the second double-layer guide member (1126) and the other end of the second lower-layer guide member (1134), so that the second double-layer guide member (1126) and the second lower-layer guide member (1134) can be fixedly supported by the third support member (1530) and the fourth support member (1540).

In addition, by the support module as described above, each of the first lower guide part (1133) and the second lower guide part (1134) can be placed on the front side and the rear side of the upper surface of the powder bed (10) in the forward and backward direction of the y-axis.

In addition, a first multilayer guide part (1125) may be formed on the upper part of the first lower layer guide part (1133), and a second multilayer guide part (1126) may be formed on the upper part of the second lower layer guide part (1134). In this way, since each guide part is formed to avoid the light irradiation area on the upper surface of the powder bed (10), light irradiation on the upper surface of the large-area powder bed (10) can be easily performed.

The printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a recoater unit (1320) that moves on the upper part of the powder bed (10) in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

As described above, the recoater unit (1320) performs a reciprocating linear motion along the x-axis direction according to the operation of the first lower layer moving unit (1131) and the second lower layer moving unit (1132), and pushes the powder material drawn out onto the upper surface of the powder bed (10), so that the powder material is spread thinly to form a layer, thereby forming a coating layer. Here, the recoater unit (1320) may be formed in the shape of a blade or roller.

The printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a gas control unit that is coupled with a driving module and moves on the side of the build unit (1200), discharges atmospheric gas to the upper part of the powder bed (10), and recovers the discharged atmospheric gas.

In addition, the gas control unit may be equipped with a gas discharger (1331) that moves from one side of the upper portion of the powder bed (10) and discharges atmospheric gas to the upper portion of the powder bed (10); and a gas recovery unit (1332) that moves from the other side of the upper portion of the powder bed (10) and recovers atmospheric gas present in the upper portion of the powder bed (10).

Here, the gas discharger (1331) is coupled with the first lower layer moving unit (1131) and can move in the x-axis direction according to the movement of the first lower layer moving unit (1131), and the gas recovery unit (1332) is coupled with the second lower layer moving unit (1132) and can move in the x-axis direction according to the movement of the second lower layer moving unit (1132).

Each of the gas discharger (1331) and the gas recovery unit (1332) may be formed as two or more, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the gas discharger (1331) is formed as a plurality of units, the plurality of gas dischargers (1331) may be formed by sequentially connecting each of the plurality of gas recovery units (1332) to each of the two sides of the first lower moving unit (1131), and when the gas recovery unit (1332) is formed as a plurality of units, the plurality of gas recovery units (1332) may be formed by sequentially connecting each of the plurality of gas recovery units (1332) to each of the two sides of the second lower moving unit (1132).

At this time, the formation of the coating layer is performed as the recoater part (1320) moves according to the movement of the first lower layer moving part (1131) and the second lower layer moving part (1132), and the atmospheric gas discharged from the gas discharge part can be supplied to the area adjacent to the recoater part (1320) on the upper surface of the powder head, where the coating layer is formed.

And, as described above, the atmospheric gas supplied to the area where the coating layer is formed can be recovered by a gas recovery device (1332), and accordingly, an atmospheric gas space is formed by the atmospheric gas flowing in a certain direction in the area where the coating layer is formed, and a shaping layer can be formed by irradiating light to the coating layer below this atmospheric gas space.

As described above, after the coating layer is formed by the movement of the recoater unit (1320), an atmospheric gas space is created on the coating layer area by the gas control unit, and light is irradiated on the coating layer area to form a forming layer. Thus, when forming a three-dimensional shape using a powder bed (10) having a large upper surface, the process can be performed quickly to improve the three-dimensional forming efficiency.

The printing device of the present invention may further include a process chamber, which is a chamber in which a build unit (1200), a scanner unit (1410), a drive module, a powder feeder unit (1310), a gas control unit, and a recoater unit (1320) are installed in an internal space and an atmospheric gas is supplied to the internal space; and a gas supply and recovery unit that supplies atmospheric gas to the process chamber or a gas discharger (1331) and receives atmospheric gas from the process chamber or a gas recovery unit (1332).

As described above, the atmospheric gas may be supplied to the process chamber together with the gas control unit, and when the height of the three-dimensional object increases, the open space in the three-dimensional object may increase, so that the supply of atmospheric gas to the main chamber may be necessary.

In the prior art, purging was performed by supplying atmospheric gas to the internal space of a process chamber having a large space, so there was a problem that a considerable amount of time was required for the purging time to supply atmospheric gas of a required concentration to the internal space of the process chamber.

In the present invention, as described above, by forming an atmosphere gas space by a gas control unit in an area where the formation of a coating layer is performed, and simultaneously supplying the atmosphere gas to the space inside the process chamber, the supply speed of the atmosphere gas to the area where the formation of a coating layer is performed can be improved, thereby reducing the purging time, and as a result, the printing time can be shortened by reducing the purging time, thereby increasing the printing efficiency.

The printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a powder recovery unit (1430) formed on the side of the build unit (1200) and providing a space for recovering residual powder material after forming the coating layer.

The powder recovery unit (1430) can be arranged on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the powder bed (10) in the left and right directions in the x-axis direction. When the recoater unit (1320) moves by the operation of the first lower layer moving unit (1131) and the second lower layer moving unit (1132) to form a coating layer, the remaining powder material remaining after the formation of the coating layer can be pushed and moved to the powder recovery unit (1430) by the movement of the recoater unit (1320).

In this case, powder material is delivered to the space of the powder recovery unit (1430), and the powder recovery unit (1430) can deliver the delivered powder material to the powder supply unit. Here, the powder supply unit can supply the powder material to the powder feeder unit (1310).

As described above, the remaining powder material is recovered by the powder recovery unit (1430) and then delivered to the powder supply unit again to reuse the discharged powder material, thereby increasing the efficiency of powder material use.

The printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention may include a first feeder support member (1341) having one end coupled with one side of a powder feeder member (1310) and the other end coupled with a first multilayer lower moving member (1122); and a second feeder support member (1342) having one end coupled with the other side of the powder feeder member (1310) and the other end coupled with a second multilayer lower moving member (1124).

The powder feeder unit (1310) can be connected to the first multi-layer lower moving unit (1122) and the second multi-layer lower moving unit (1124) by the first feeder support unit (1341) and the second feeder support unit (1342), respectively.

Each of the first feeder support member (1341) and the second feeder support member (1342) may have a variable length, and accordingly, the first feeder support member (1341) and the second feeder support member (1342) may support the powder feeder member (1310) and adjust the position of the powder feeder member (1310) in the z-axis direction. To this end, each of the first feeder support member (1341) and the second feeder support member (1342) may include a hydraulic cylinder. However, the configuration of the first feeder support member (1341) and the second feeder support member (1342) is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that they may be formed by other equipment having a variable length.

Accordingly, after the powder material is discharged from the powder feeder unit (1310), the powder feeder unit (1310) moves in the z-axis direction at the same time as the movement in the x-axis direction, thereby quickly securing a space in which the recoater unit (1320) can move in the area where the powder material is discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed (10), thereby reducing the formation time of the molding layer and increasing the efficiency of producing a three-dimensional molding.

The build unit (1200) may include a build plate (1210) that supports the powder bed (10) and performs vertical movement; and a bed support wall (1220) that is a wall surrounding the powder bed (10).

The bed support wall (1220) may have a shape of a square tube having an internal space, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may of course be formed in a different shape depending on the purpose of the printing device of the present invention.

The build plate (1210) can be formed in the shape of a plate, and the build plate (1210) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening at the bottom of the bed support wall (1220), so that the build plate (1210) can be fitted into the interior of the bed support wall (1220), and accordingly, the powder bed (10) can be supported by the upper surface of the build plate (1210).

The drive module may include a plate support (1142) coupled with a build plate (1210) and supporting the build plate (1210); and a build actuator (1141) coupled with the plate support (1142) and moving the plate support (1142) in a vertical direction.

A laser support member (1550) can be formed by having one end coupled to the upper part of the first support member (1510) and the other end coupled to the upper part of the third support member (1530) to support the laser member (1420). Accordingly, light emitted from the laser member (1420) can be easily transmitted to the scanner member (1410), and the scanner member (1410) can easily irradiate the transmitted light to the upper surface of the powder bed (10) without any other interference. Here, the scanner member (1410) can be a galvanometer scanner, a polygon mirror scanner, or the like.

In the printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention, the light irradiation path of the scanner unit (1410) and the movement path of the scanner unit (1410) by the drive module can be controlled by the control unit by utilizing the Mark on the fly (MOTF) technology.

To this end, the printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit that controls the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (1410) according to a command of a file storing information on a three-dimensional object.

The control unit can analyze each coordinate of a horizontal section for forming a three-dimensional object through the graphic file as described above and the movement speed of a light irradiation point that proceeds along the light irradiation path according to the above-described coordinates, and generate a control signal that designates the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (1410) accordingly.

The control unit can generate control signals for controlling each of the scanner unit (1410), the upper drive unit (1110), the middle drive unit (1120), and the lower drive unit (1130) from the data of the file.

When a control unit utilizes Mark on the fly (MOTF) technology to perform light irradiation by the scanner unit (1410), if irradiation of a large area larger than the light irradiation area of the scanner unit (1410) is required, the control unit can transmit a control signal to each of the scanner unit (1410), the upper drive unit (1110), the middle drive unit (1120), and the lower drive unit (1130) so that light irradiation can be performed continuously between a plurality of light irradiation areas.

The control unit can calculate and output control signals for the on/off of the scanner unit (1410) and processing information, the light irradiation path in the light irradiation area, and the movement path of the scanner unit (1410) according to the operation of the drive module in advance. That is, the control unit can link the operation of the driving units of each of the scanner unit (1410) and the drive module so that the scanner unit (1410) and the drive module can share information of one side with the other side. Through this, the scanner unit (1410) can perform continuous light irradiation for a significantly larger area than a single light irradiation area.

And, the control unit can divide the area of the surface of the powder bed (10) to generate a plurality of scan pages corresponding to the light irradiation area of the scanner unit (1410), and link the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (1410) according to the information of the file.

Here, one scan page may be an area corresponding to a single light irradiation area, and the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (1410) may be linked for a plurality of scan pages, and accordingly, the light irradiation path between each scan page may be continuous, so that light irradiation may be performed continuously.

As described above, the linked control signal can be transmitted to the lower drive unit (1130) to transmit the control signal to the first lower moving unit (1131) and the second lower moving unit (1132), and also can be transmitted to the middle drive unit (1120) to transmit the control signal to the first middle lower moving unit (1122) and the second middle lower moving unit (1124), and can be transmitted to the powder feeder unit (1310).

Accordingly, the operations of the first lower moving part (1131), the second lower moving part (1132), the first multi-layer lower moving part (1122), the second multi-layer lower moving part (1124), and the powder feeder part (1310) are linked to the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner part (1410), and by this linkage, light irradiation of the light irradiation area is performed almost simultaneously with the powder material application of the powder feeder part (1310) and the recoating of the recoater part (1320), so that light irradiation and sintering for a large area can be performed quickly.

Hereinafter, a printing method of the first embodiment of the present invention using a printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first stage, the powder feeder unit (1310) can discharge powder material onto the upper surface of the powder bed (10) while moving on the powder bed (10). Here, the powder material can be discharged from the powder feeder unit (1310) to a predetermined area on the upper surface of the powder bed (10) by the movement of the first multi-layer lower moving unit (1122) and the second multi-layer lower moving unit (1124). Then, after the discharge of the powder material is completed, the powder feeder unit (1310) can be separated from the corresponding area by the movement of the first multi-layer lower moving unit (1122) and the second multi-layer lower moving unit (1124) and the operation of the first feeder support unit (1341) and the second feeder support unit (1342).

In the second step, the recoater unit (1320) can form a coating layer by organizing the powder material while moving on the powder bed (10). Here, the recoater unit (1320) moves on the upper surface of the powder bed (10) by the movement of the first lower layer moving unit (1131) and the second lower layer moving unit (1132), thereby thinly spreading and organizing the discharged and laminated powder material, thereby forming an area of the coating layer.

In the third step, the atmosphere gas can be supplied from the gas control unit to the upper surface of the powder bed (10). As described above, after the coating layer is formed, the atmosphere gas is discharged from the gas discharger (1331) and the atmosphere gas is recovered by the gas recovery device (1332), so that an atmosphere gas space can be formed in the coating layer area.

In the fourth step, the scanner unit (1410) can irradiate light onto the coating layer to form a modeling layer.

And, during the execution of steps 2 to 4, light irradiation by the scanner unit (1410) can be performed simultaneously with the operation of the recoater unit (1320) by the Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control unit.

The remaining details of the printing method of the first embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of the printing device (1000) of the first embodiment of the present invention described above.

Hereinafter, a printing device (2000) of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a front view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the printing device (2000) of the second embodiment of the present invention includes: a build unit (2200) that forms a powder bed (10) by filling powder material therein, forms a coating layer by applying powder material onto the powder bed (10), and provides a molding space using the powder material; a scanner unit (2410) that selectively irradiates the coating layer with light transmitted from a laser unit (2420) to form a molding layer that forms a three-dimensional molded object; a powder feeder unit (2310) that is formed on the upper part of the build unit (2200) and applies powder material onto the upper surface of the powder bed (10); and a driving module that is coupled to the build unit (2200) and the powder feeder unit (2310), rotates the build unit (2200), and moves the powder feeder unit (2310) on the upper part of the build unit (2200).

In addition, the printing device (2000) of the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a recoater unit (2320) that moves on the upper part of the powder bed (10) in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed (10). Here, the recoater unit (2320) may be formed in the shape of a blade or roller.

Here, a plurality of forming layers are combined to form a three-dimensional shape, and the following explanation will focus on the formation of one forming layer by light irradiation on one application layer.

Various substances such as metal, alloy, synthetic resin, or a mixture of synthetic resin and metal can be used as the powder material to form the sculpture, and the powder material can be a material in which the above substances are formed in powder form.

And, argon (Ar) gas can be used as the atmospheric gas. However, the atmospheric gas is not limited to this, and other gases such as nitrogen (N2) can be used as the atmospheric gas.

The drive module may include a coating drive unit coupled with the powder feeder unit (2310) or the recoater unit (2320) and moving the powder feeder unit (2310) or the recoater unit (2320); and a build drive unit coupled with the build unit (2200), moving the powder bed (10) in a vertical direction, and rotating the build unit (2200).

Here, the coating driving unit may be provided with a recoater moving unit (2121) that is coupled with the recoater unit (2320) and moves the recoater unit (2320) in the z-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the powder bed (10); and a feeder moving unit (2111) that is coupled with the powder feeder unit (2310) and moves the powder feeder unit (2310) in the z-axis direction.

In addition, the coating driving unit may further include a recoater guide unit (2122) that is coupled with the recoater moving unit (2121) and formed to extend along the z-axis direction and guides the z-axis movement of the recoater moving unit (2121); a feeder guide unit (2112) that is coupled with the feeder moving unit (2111) and formed to extend along the z-axis direction and guides the z-axis movement of the feeder moving unit (2111); and a feeder support unit (2113) that is coupled at one end with the feeder moving unit (2111) and at the other end with the powder feeder unit (2310) and has a variable length to move the powder feeder unit (2310) in the y-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the recoater unit (2320).

For the above configuration, each of the combination of the recoater moving part (2121) and the recoater guide part (2122) and the combination of the feeder moving part (2111) and the feeder guide part (2112) may have a structure of a linear motor or a linear motion guide.

Specifically, when each assembly has a structure of a linear motor, each of the moving parts of the recoator moving part (2121) and the feeder moving part (2111) described above may include a mover that performs movement in the linear motor.

In addition, each of the above-described recoator guide portion (2122) and feeder guide portion (2112) may include a stator that supports and guides a mover in the linear motor.

In another structure, when each assembly has a structure of a linear motion guide, each of the moving parts of the recoator moving part (2121) and the feeder moving part (2111) described above may include a linear motion block (LM block) that performs movement in the linear motion guide.

In addition, each of the guide parts of the above-mentioned recoator guide part (2122) and feeder guide part (2112) may include a linear motion rail (LM Rail) that supports and guides the linear motion block in the linear motion guide.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is described that each combination is formed as a linear motor structure or a linear motion guide structure as described above, but it is not necessarily limited thereto.

As another embodiment, each assembly may be formed with a ball screw structure, wherein each moving portion may include a ball having a female screw thread formed on the inner surface, and each guide portion may include a screw having a male screw thread formed on the outer surface and coupled with the ball.

As another embodiment, each assembly may be formed in a rack and pinion structure, wherein each moving member may include a pinion gear and each guide member may include a rack gear.

As described above, the feeder support member (2113) may have a variable length, and for this purpose, the feeder support member (2113) may include a hydraulic cylinder. However, the configuration of the feeder support member (2113) is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that it may be formed by other equipment having a variable length.

The build unit (2200) may include a build plate (2210) that supports the powder bed (10) and performs vertical movement; and a bed support wall (2220) that is a wall surrounding the powder bed (10).

The bed support wall (2220) may have a cylindrical shape having an internal space, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the bed support wall (2220) may be formed in a polygonal cylinder shape, etc.

The build plate (2210) can be formed in the shape of a plate, and the build plate (2210) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening at the bottom of the bed support wall (2220), so that the build plate (2210) can be fitted into the inside of the bed support wall (2220), and accordingly, the powder bed (10) can be supported by the upper surface of the build plate (2210).

The build drive unit may include a plate support member (2130) that is coupled with the build plate (2210) and supports the build plate (2210); and a build drive member that is coupled with the bed support wall (2220) and the plate support member (2130) and rotates the bed support wall (2220) and moves the plate support member (2130) in a vertical direction.

Here, the build driving unit may include a build driving unit (2141) that is coupled with the plate support (2130) to rotate the plate support (2130) and move in a vertical direction; a rotating body (2142) that is coupled with the bed support wall (2220) and performs rotation to rotate the bed support wall (2220); and a rotating table (2143) that is coupled at one end to the rotating body (2142) and at the other end to the build driving unit (2141) and rotates by receiving power from the build driving unit (2141).

Here, the lower portions of the rotating body (2142) and the bed support wall (2220) may be in surface contact or meshed, and the bed support wall (2220) may rotate according to the rotation of the rotating body (2142), thereby causing the powder bed (10) to rotate.

And, in response to the rotation of the bed support wall (2220) and the powder bed (10), the build plate (2210) can perform rotation in the same rotational direction, and for this purpose, the plate support member (2130) can perform rotation in the same rotational direction as the build plate (2210).

In order to rotate the bed support wall (2220) and the powder bed (10), the build driver (1141) can transmit driving force for rotation to the plate support (2130) and the turntable (2143), and in order to rotate the bed support wall (2220) and the powder bed (10) at the same speed, the build driver (2141) can control the rotation speed by the plate support (2130) and the turntable (2143).

Accordingly, even when the bed support wall (2220) and the powder bed (10) rotate to change the area where shaping is performed, the bed support wall (2220) and the powder bed (10) can rotate and move in a constant state without any misalignment between the inner surface of the bed support wall (2220) and the outer surface of the powder bed (10).

The printing device of the present invention may further include a process chamber, which is a chamber in which a build unit (2200), a scanner unit (2410), a drive module, a powder feeder unit (2310), a gas control unit, and a recoater unit (2320) are installed in an internal space and an atmosphere gas is supplied to the internal space; and a gas supply and recovery unit that supplies an atmosphere gas to the process chamber or a gas discharger and receives an atmosphere gas from the process chamber or a gas recovery unit.

A laser unit (2420) that irradiates light to the scanner unit (2410) can be formed. Light emitted from the laser unit (2420) can be easily transmitted to the scanner unit (2410), and the scanner unit (2410) can easily irradiate the transmitted light to the upper surface of the powder bed (10) without any other interference.

Specifically, by the movement of the powder feeder unit (2310) or the movement of the recoater unit (2320) and the rotation of the build unit (2200) as described above, the powder feeder unit (2310) and the recoater unit (2320) can be spaced apart from the area where the molding is performed on the upper surface of the powder bed (10), thereby removing obstacles in the light irradiation path, so that the light of the scanner unit (2410) can be easily irradiated to the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

Here, the scanner unit (2410) may use a galvanometer scanner, a polygon mirror scanner, etc.

In addition, a scanner support part (2430) that supports a scanner part (2410) may be formed on the upper part of the feeder guide part (2112) and the recoater guide part (2122), and the scanner part (2410) may irradiate light onto the coating layer at a position spaced apart from the upper surface of the powder bed (10) by the scanner support part (2430).

Here, the scanner support member (2430) can move the scanner unit (2410) in the y-axis direction by increasing or decreasing its length, and the support drive member (2440) that supports the scanner support member (2430) can move the scanner support member (2430) in the x-axis direction so that the scanner unit (2410) can move in the x-axis direction.

In the printing device (2000) of the second embodiment of the present invention, the light irradiation path of the scanner unit (2410) and the movement path of the scanner unit (2410) by the driving module can be controlled by the control unit by utilizing the Mark on the fly (MOTF) technology.

To this end, the printing device (2000) of the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit that controls the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (2410) according to a command of a file storing information on a three-dimensional object.

The control unit can analyze each coordinate of a horizontal section for forming a three-dimensional object through the graphic file as described above and the movement speed of a light irradiation point that proceeds along the light irradiation path according to the above-described coordinates, and generate a control signal that designates the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (2410) accordingly.

The control unit can generate control signals for controlling each of the scanner unit (2410), the application drive unit, and the build drive unit from the data of the file.

When performing light irradiation by the scanner unit (2410) using Mark on the fly (MOTF) technology, if irradiation of a large area larger than the light irradiation area of the scanner unit (2410) is required, the control unit can transmit a control signal to each of the scanner unit (1410) and the build drive unit so that light irradiation can be performed continuously between multiple light irradiation areas.

The control unit can calculate and output control signals in advance for the on/off of the scanner unit (1410) and processing information, the light irradiation path in the light irradiation area, and the movement path of the scanner unit (1410) according to the operation of the build drive unit (since the powder bed (10) rotates, the movement path of the scanner unit (1410) relative to the light irradiation area on the powder bed (10)). That is, the control unit can link the operations of the scanner unit (2410) and the build drive unit, the build drive (2141) included in the build drive unit, and the scanner support unit (2430) and the support drive unit (2440) that move the scanner unit (2410) two-dimensionally, so that the scanner unit (2410) and the build drive unit can share information of one side with the other side. Through this, the scanner unit (2410) can perform continuous light irradiation for a significantly larger area than a single light irradiation area.

In addition, the control unit can divide the area of the surface of the powder bed (10) to generate a plurality of scan pages corresponding to the light irradiation area of the scanner unit (2410), and link the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (2410) according to the information of the file.

Here, one scan page may be an area corresponding to a single light irradiation area, and the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (2410) may be linked for a plurality of scan pages, and accordingly, the light irradiation path between each scan page may be continuous, so that light irradiation may be performed continuously.

As described above, the linked control signal can transmit a control signal to the coating drive unit to transmit the control signal to the feeder moving unit (2111), the feeder support unit (2113), and the recoater moving unit (2121), and transmit the control signal to the powder feeder unit (1310).

Accordingly, the operation of the build driver (2141), feeder moving unit (2111), feeder support unit (2113), recoater moving unit (2121), and powder feeder unit (1310) is also linked to the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit (2410), and by this linkage, light irradiation is performed on the light irradiation area almost simultaneously with the powder material application of the powder feeder unit (2310) and the recoating of the recoater unit (2320), so that light irradiation and sintering for a large area can be performed quickly.

Hereinafter, a printing method of a second embodiment of the present invention using a printing device (2000) of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first step, the powder feeder part (1310) moves on the powder bed (10) and the build part (2200) rotates, so that powder material can be applied to the upper surface of the powder bed (10). At this time, the feeder moving part (2111) of the application drive unit is guided by the feeder guide part (2112) and moves downward along the z-axis direction, so that the powder feeder part (2310) can move close to the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

And, as the build unit (2200) performs rotation, powder material is discharged from the powder feeder unit (2310) to the upper surface of the powder bed (10), and as the feeder support unit (2113) moves the powder feeder unit (2310) in the y-axis direction, powder material can be discharged to a predetermined area of the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

In the second step, the build unit (2200) performs rotation, and the powder material is arranged by the recoater unit (2320) to form a coating layer. Specifically, when the powder material discharge of the powder feeder unit (2310) is completed, the feeder moving unit (2111) moves upward along the z-axis direction, so that the powder feeder unit (2310) can move away from the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

In addition, the recoater moving part (2121) of the coating driving unit is guided by the recoater guide part (2122) and moves downward along the z-axis direction, so that the recoater part (2320) can move close to the upper surface of the powder bed (10).

And, while the build unit (2200) performs rotation, the recoater unit (2320) thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed (10), so that a coating layer can be formed on the powder bed (10).

In the third step, the scanner unit (2410) can irradiate light onto the coating layer to form a modeling layer. Here, light is transmitted from the laser unit (2420) to the scanner unit (2410), and the light is irradiated onto the coating layer by the operation of the scanner unit (2410), thereby forming a modeling layer.

And, during the execution of the second to third steps, light irradiation by the scanner unit (2410) can be performed simultaneously with the operation of the recoater unit (2320) by the Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control unit.

The remaining details of the printing method of the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of the printing device (2000) of the second embodiment of the present invention described above.

When using the printing device of the present invention as described above, components such as a scanner unit (1410), powder feeder unit (1310, 2310), etc. move on the upper surface of a large-area powder bed (10), thereby performing powder material application and light irradiation on the entire large-area area, thereby efficiently manufacturing a large-area three-dimensional object.

And, as the components such as the scanner unit (1410), powder feeder unit (1310, 2310) move as described above, powder material application, light irradiation, etc. are performed, thereby reducing the error in the layer formed by application and the layer of the object formed by light irradiation, and thus improving the quality of the three-dimensional object.

The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single component may be implemented in a distributed manner, and likewise, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: Powder bed 1000: Printing device of the first embodiment
1110: Upper drive unit 1111: Upper moving part
1112: Upper guide section 1120: Middle drive unit
1121: 1st layer upper moving part 1122: 1st layer lower moving part
1123: Second-layer upper moving part 1124: Second-layer lower moving part
1125: 1st layer guide section 1126: 2nd layer guide section
1130: Lower drive unit 1131: First lower drive unit
1132: 2nd lower moving part 1133: 1st lower guide part
1134: Second lower guide section 1141: Build actuator
1142 : Plate support 1200 : Build section
1210 : Build plate 1220 : Bed support wall
1310: Powder feeder section 1320: Recoater section
1331: Gas discharger 1332: Gas recovery device
1341: 1st feeder support 1342: 2nd feeder support
1410: Scanner section 1420: Laser section
1430: Powder recovery section 1510: First support section
1520: 2nd support section 1530: 3rd support section
1540: 4th support section 1550: Laser support section
2000: Printing device of the second embodiment
2111: Feeder moving part 2112: Feeder guide part
2113: Feeder support part 2121: Recoator moving part
2122: Recoator guide part 2130: Plate support
2141: Build actuator 2142: Rotor
2143 : Rotating Table 2200 : Build Section
2210 : Build plate 2220 : Bed support wall
2310: Powder feeder section 2320: Recoater section
2410: Scanner section 2420: Laser section
2430: Scanner support 2440: Support drive unit

Claims (17)

A build section that forms a powder bed by filling powder material inside, forms a coating layer by applying the powder material on the powder bed, and provides a modeling space using the powder material;
A scanner section that selectively irradiates light received from a laser section onto the coating layer to form a modeling layer that forms a three-dimensional modeling object;
A driving module formed on the upper part of the above-mentioned building part, coupled with the above-mentioned scanner part, and moving the above-mentioned scanner part; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by including a powder feeder section formed on the upper portion of the build section and coupled with the drive module to apply the powder material to the upper surface of the powder bed while moving on the upper portion of the build section.
In claim 1,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a control unit that controls the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit according to the command of a file storing information on the three-dimensional object in a Mark on the fly (MOTF) manner.
In claim 1,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a gas control unit that moves on the side of the build section in combination with the above driving module, discharges atmospheric gas to the upper part of the powder bed, and recovers the discharged atmospheric gas.
In claim 3,
The above gas control unit,
A gas discharger that moves on the upper side of the powder bed and discharges the atmospheric gas to the upper side of the powder bed; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it comprises a gas recovery device that recovers the atmospheric gas present in the upper part of the powder bed while moving on the upper side of the powder bed.
In claim 3,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a recoater section that moves on the upper part of the powder bed in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed.
In claim 3,
The above driving module,
An upper drive unit coupled to the scanner unit and moving the scanner unit in the y-axis direction, which is the width direction of the powder bed; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by comprising: a middle-layer drive unit coupled to the upper drive unit and the powder feeder section and moving the upper drive unit and the powder feeder section in the x-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the powder bed;
In claim 6,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that the above driving module further comprises a lower driving unit that is coupled to the gas control unit and moves the gas control unit in the x-axis direction.
In claim 1,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a powder recovery section formed on a side of the above-mentioned build section and providing a space for recovering residual powder material after the formation of the above-mentioned coating layer.
In a large-scale PBF printing method using a single scanner, a large-scale PBF printing device using a single scanner according to claim 5 is used,
A first step in which the powder feeder moves on the powder bed and discharges the powder material onto the upper surface of the powder bed;
A second step in which the coating layer is formed by organizing the powder material while the recoater part moves on the powder bed;
A third step in which the atmospheric gas is supplied from the gas control unit to the upper surface of the powder bed; and
A fourth step in which the scanner unit irradiates light onto the coating layer to form the shaping layer;
A large-scale PBF printing method using a single scanner, characterized in that during the execution of the second to fourth steps, light irradiation by the scanner unit is performed simultaneously with the operation of the recoater unit by Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control unit.
A build section that forms a powder bed by filling powder material inside, forms a coating layer by applying the powder material on the powder bed, and provides a modeling space using the powder material;
A scanner section that selectively irradiates light received from a laser section onto the coating layer to form a modeling layer that forms a three-dimensional modeling object;
A powder feeder section formed on the upper part of the above build section and applying the powder material to the upper surface of the powder bed; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by including a driving module coupled to the build section and the powder feeder section, rotating the build section, and moving the powder feeder section above the build section.
In claim 10,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a control unit that controls the light irradiation path and movement path of the scanner unit according to the command of a file storing information on the three-dimensional object in a Mark on the fly (MOTF) manner.
In claim 10,
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized in that it further includes a recoater section that moves on the upper part of the powder bed in combination with the driving module and thinly spreads and organizes the powder material discharged on the upper surface of the powder bed.
In claim 12,
The above driving module,
A coating driving unit coupled to the powder feeder unit or the recoater unit and moving the powder feeder unit or the recoater unit; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by comprising: a build drive unit coupled to the build unit, moving the powder bed in a vertical direction, and rotating the build unit.
In claim 13,
The above build part,
A build plate supporting the above powder bed and performing vertical movement; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by having a bed support wall, which is a wall surrounding the powder bed.
In claim 14,
The above build drive unit is,
A plate supporter coupled with the above build plate and supporting the above build plate; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by comprising a build driving unit coupled to the bed support wall and the plate support, and rotating the bed support wall and moving the plate support in a vertical direction.
In claim 13,
The above application driving unit is,
A recoater moving unit coupled to the recoater unit and moving the recoater unit in the z-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the powder bed; and
A large-scale PBF printing device utilizing a single scanner, characterized by comprising: a feeder moving unit coupled to the powder feeder unit and moving the powder feeder unit in the z-axis direction.
In a large-scale PBF printing method using a single scanner, a large-scale PBF printing device using a single scanner of claim 12 is used,
A first step in which the powder material is applied to the upper surface of the powder bed while the powder feeder moves on the powder bed and the build unit rotates;
A second step in which the build unit performs rotation and the powder material is arranged by the recoater unit to form the coating layer; and
A third step in which the scanner unit irradiates light onto the coating layer to form the shaping layer;
A large-scale PBF printing method using a single scanner, characterized in that during the execution of the second and third steps, light irradiation by the scanner unit is performed simultaneously with the operation of the recoater unit by Mark on the fly (MOTF) control of the control unit.