JP3233339B2 - Additive manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laminating method for irradiating a solidifiable substance having a property of solidifying when irradiated with an irradiation energy such as a laser beam with the irradiation energy, thereby stacking and molding a three-dimensional modeled object. It relates to a molding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an additive manufacturing technology (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 530, USP (U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,508)
Is attracting attention. In this additive manufacturing technology, resin-coated sand that functions as a solidifiable substance is used, and the resin-coated sand is scattered to form a scattered layer, and the scattered layer is irradiated with a laser beam to form a thin solidified layer. Irradiation processing is repeated alternately, whereby a large number of solidified layers are sequentially stacked in the thickness direction, whereby a three-dimensional model is formed. In this additive manufacturing technique, there is obtained an advantage that it is possible to accurately mold even a molded article having a complicated shape.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned lamination molding technique, a three-dimensional molded article is formed by successively laminating a large number of solidified layers in the thickness direction, so that a complex molded article is molded. However, the productivity is not always sufficient because the solidified layers are stacked one by one. When the number of solidified layers is several hundred or more, the productivity is further improved.
Not enough. Therefore, the above-described additive manufacturing technology is not suitable for modeling of mass-produced products, and the fact is that the technology is mainly used for modeling of prototypes.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is intended to illuminate beyond a mask facing a solidifiable substance.
Radiation energy can be applied to solidifiable substances and solidified
Replacing a mask that is not facing a substance with a mask changing device
It allows not only the molding the number is small prototype, and issues to provide an advantageous laminate shaping apparatus to contribute to mass production of the shaped object is a mass-produced.

[0005]

Layered manufacturing apparatus according to 請 Motomeko 1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION a laser beam, using a solidifiable substance having the property of solidified irradiation energy such as ultraviolet rays are irradiated, the irradiation energy solidifiable material By irradiating the solidified layer, a solidification layer is stacked in the thickness direction to form a three-dimensional molded object, a placement device in which the solidifiable substance is placed, and a placement device Irradiation energy on solidifiable substances
Energy supply means for irradiating lugi, a mask holder capable of holding a plurality of masks side by side, and one of the plurality of masks facing the solidifiable substance of the placement apparatus and the other mask A mask holder driving means for operating a mask holder so as to face the solidifiable substance of the placement apparatus, and a mask exchange apparatus for exchanging a non-faced mask with the solidifiable substance of the placement apparatus, comprising: Irradiation energy is irradiated onto the solidifiable substance beyond the mask facing the same, and the mask not facing the solidifiable substance is replaced by a mask exchange device.

[0006] According to the layered manufacturing device according to 請 Motomeko 2, in claim 1, the mask holder, the mask for the even-numbered forming the even-numbered solidified layers stacked in the thickness direction, laminated in the thickness direction The odd-numbered mask forming the odd-numbered solidified layer can be held in a side-by-side state, and the mask changing device includes an even-numbered mask changing device for replacing the even-numbered mask, and an odd-numbered mask changing device. And an odd-numbered mask changing device for changing the mask.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The solidifiable substance used in the present invention is:
It solidifies when irradiated with irradiation energy, and its form is not limited to powder, granule, liquid, fluid and the like. As the irradiation energy, a non-visible light region such as a visible light region, an infrared region, and an ultraviolet region can be adopted, and a laser beam is preferable. The infrared light may be far infrared light or near infrared light. As a laser beam, for example, a CO ₂ laser, a YAG laser,
Known beams such as a ruby laser, an Ar laser, and an excimer laser can be appropriately selected, and may be any of a visible laser beam and an invisible laser beam.

[0008] In some cases, the irradiation process of the irradiation energy includes disposing the heater means outside the solidifiable substance,
Irradiation energy such as far infrared rays may be applied to the solidifiable substance from the heater means.

As the solidifiable substance used in the present invention, for example, powders such as sand coated with a thermosetting resin, powders formed of a thermosetting resin, metal powders, and the like can be used. . The size of the granular material does not matter.

[0010] In the present invention, when irradiating the radiation energy, Ru using a mask. The mask has a function of transmitting the irradiation energy and a function of blocking the transmission of the irradiation energy. Therefore, the mask has a transmission pattern through which the irradiation energy is transmitted, and a blocking unit that blocks the transmission. The transmission pattern can be formed by an opening, but it is sufficient if the irradiation energy can be transmitted without the opening. For example, quartz glass is Y
Since it has a property of transmitting an AG laser, a transmission pattern of a mask may be formed by laminating a light shielding film on quartz glass having no opening.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Reference Example) Hereinafter, a first reference example will be described with reference to the drawings . This is a case where the present invention is applied to an additive manufacturing technique of obtaining a model by solidifying by irradiation with a laser beam of a CO ₂ laser (infrared region).

(Overall Configuration) First, the overall configuration of the additive manufacturing technology will be described, and the configuration of the main parts will be described later. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the additive manufacturing technology . A horizontal two-dimensional directions X direction, a Y direction, the height direction and the Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions orthogonal to each other . FIG.
As can be understood from FIG. 1, a lifting device 2 having a placement table 1 functioning as a placement device capable of ascending and descending in the direction of arrow Z, first driving means 3 for moving the placement table 1 up and down, and resin-coated sand as a solidifiable substance are accommodated. In addition, a spraying device 5 for spraying the resin-coated sand on the placement table 1 to form a spray layer on the placement table 1, and a second device for moving the spraying device 5 along the guide rail 6 in the arrow Y direction (arrows Y1 and Y2 directions). 2 driving means 7 and laser oscillator 8 for oscillating a laser beam
(CO ₂ laser, invisible light), a mirror device 10 for changing the direction of a laser beam, a mask supply table 13 on which many types of masks 12 are stacked, a mask collection table 15 on which many used masks 12 are stacked, The apparatus has a mask changing device 17 that transports the used mask 12 to the mask collection table 15 and holds the new mask 12 on the mask supply table 13 and arranges the new mask 12 above the arrangement table 1. The laser oscillator 8 oscillates a laser beam as irradiation energy, and thus functions as an energy supply unit.

The mask 12 is made of a steel plate, an aluminum plate or the like having durability against a laser beam. Mask 1
2, a transmission window 11 functioning as a predetermined transmission pattern through which the laser beam passes is formed. Transmission window 11
Should have the property of transmitting a laser beam. The mask 12 is placed on a mask holder 14 that can move along the guide rail 6.

The mask exchanging device 17 has a suction unit 17r for magnetically or vacuum-sucking the masks 12 one by one, and a third drive unit 19 for moving the suction unit 17r.

When the first driving means 3 shown in FIG. 1 is driven,
When the arrangement table 1 of the lifting device 2 is in the height direction,
1. It is possible to move up and down along the Z2 direction to adjust the height position of the scatter layers stacked on the arrangement table 1.

The first driving means 3 is connected via a signal line 3x, and the second driving means 7 is connected via a signal line 7x.
Is controlled by the control device 32 via the signal line 19x.

As the first driving means 3, the second driving means 7, and the third driving means 19, a cylinder mechanism such as a hydraulic pressure or a pneumatic pressure can be adopted, but in some cases, a motor mechanism (for example, a stepping motor mechanism) may be used.

FIG. 2 shows a spray device 5 functioning as a spray layer forming means. As shown in FIG. 2, the spraying apparatus 5 includes a storage container 53 having a storage chamber 51 and discharge ports 52a and 52c,
A cut-out roller 54 rotatably mounted on the bottom of the storage container 53 is provided. The storage chamber 51 is loaded with resin-coated sand HA as a solidifiable substance. The resin-coated sand HA is formed by using a thermosetting resin that is thermoset and solidified when irradiated with a laser beam, and the thermosetting resin is coated on sand particles. The material of the thermosetting resin is a phenolic resin.

The cutting roller 54 has a large number of cutting grooves 54m arranged in a row along the circumferential direction. The cut-out roller 54 has a horizontal axis shape, and extends in a long axis shape in the arrow X direction as can be understood from FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sprinkling device 5 has a thickness detecting sensor 50t functioning as a non-contact type thickness detecting means.
Is installed. The thickness detection sensor 50t is connected to the ejection port 52 in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 in which the spraying device 5 moves.
a, 52c. The reason is to cope with both the forward movement and the backward movement of the spraying device 5. The thickness detection sensor 50t has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, emits detection light such as a laser beam for distance detection from the light-emitting portion toward the scattering layer 55, and detects light reflected by the scattering layer 55 by the light-receiving portion. By receiving the light, the distance h between the light emitting unit and the scattering layer 55 is detected.

The height position of the spraying device 5 guided by the guide rail 6 is defined by the guide rail 6. Therefore, even if the spraying device 5 moves in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2,
The height position of the thickness detection sensor 50t is a constant value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height position KC of the surface to be sprayed (see FIG. 2)
Is always constant. Therefore, if the distance h is detected, the thickness of the scatter layer 55 is detected in a non-contact manner.

As can be understood from FIG. 2, arrows Y1, Y
Linear potentiometer 70 functioning as a moving distance detecting means for detecting a moving distance of the spraying device 5 in two directions.
Are arranged. The spraying device 5 is equipped with a detector 50x that slides along the linear potentiometer 70. Thereby, the moving distance of the spraying device 5 is detected.

As can be seen from FIG.
Is moved forward and backward by the second driving means 7 while its height position is defined by the guide rail 6. Therefore, at the time of spraying, the spraying device 5 is maintained in a non-contact state with the spraying layer 55.
Therefore, the guide rail 6 and the second driving means 7 are
It functions as a non-contact moving means for moving the spraying device 5 while keeping the spraying device 5 in non-contact.

FIG. 3 shows a laser beam irradiation process. The beam diameter of the laser beam oscillated from the laser oscillator 8 is adjusted by the beam expander 9a, and reaches the rotating mirror device 10 via the mirrors 9b to 9d. The rotating mirror device 10
An X-galvano scanner 22 having an X-rotating mirror 21 oscillating and oscillating in the direction of the arrow XA, and a Y-galvano scanner 25 having a Y-rotating mirror 24 oscillating and oscillating in the YA direction.

When the X rotating mirror 21 vibrates at a predetermined frequency in the direction of the arrow XA, the laser beam vibrates at the frequency in the direction of the arrow X. Y rotation mirror 24 is arrow YA
When the laser beam oscillates in one of the directions, the laser beam vibrating in the direction of the arrow X moves in the direction Y1 of the direction of the arrow Y. Therefore, the laser oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror device 10 constitute a laser irradiation device 20. The control device 32 is connected to the signal line 1
The X-galvano scanner 22 of the rotary mirror device 10 is controlled via the signal line 10a, the Y-galvano scanner 25 is controlled via the signal line 10b, and the output of the laser oscillator 8 is controlled via the signal line 8a .

As can be understood from FIG . 3, upon irradiation, the laser beam M is irradiated at the irradiation end Ma in the direction of the arrow X.
During the reciprocating movement and vibration of the laser beam M many times from the scanning end to the irradiation end Mc, the vibrating laser beam M
Moves once from the irradiation end Ma to the irradiation end Me in the direction of the arrow Y1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, a continuous wave-like irradiation locus by the laser beam M is formed. In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 3, the continuous wave-shaped irradiation trajectory is a continuous trajectory of a triangular wave or a pseudo-triangular wave in which vertices functioning as irradiation ends Ma and Mc are connected in a substantially triangular shape. In FIG. 3, the spot diameter of the laser beam is indicated by D, and the scan pitch is indicated by P.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 further, the temperature sensor 30 as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the sprayed layer 55 was sprayed to the arrangement table 1 is equipped. Temperature sensor 30
Detects in a non-contact manner a region of the scatter layer 55 corresponding to a portion which is shielded by the mask 12 and not irradiated with the laser beam. The detection signal of the temperature sensor 30 is transmitted to the control device 32 via the signal line 30f, and the control device 32 controls the irradiation of the laser beam according to the detection signal of the temperature sensor 30.

[0028] is, the three-dimensional shaped object is formed by layered manufacturing. In this case, first, a sand scattering process is performed.
That is, as can be understood from FIG. 2, the sprinkling device 5 is moved forward at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow Y1 along the mounting surface 1w of the placement table 1 while rotating the cutout roller 54 in the direction of the arrow R1. The coated sand HA is sprayed on the placement surface 1 w of the arrangement table 1. The thickness t of the scatter layer 55 can be appropriately selected according to the type of the shaped object, but is, for example, 0.1 to 0.1.
It can be 4 mm, especially about 0.2 mm, but is not limited to this. As described above, when the spraying device 5 moves forward in the direction of the arrow Y1, the thickness detection sensor 50t emits detection light such as a laser beam for distance measurement every predetermined time to the scattering layer 55.
And the distance h between the thickness detection sensor 50t and the scatter layer 55 is detected. As a result, the thickness of the scatter layer 55 is detected.

When the spraying device 5 moves forward in the direction of arrow Y1, the spraying device 5 is moved along the linear potentiometer 70.
The detector 50x slides, and the moving distance of the spraying device 5 in the arrow Y1 direction is grasped. Accordingly, the distribution of the thickness of the scatter layer 55 in the direction of the arrow Y1 in which the scatter device 5 moves is detected.

When the forward movement of the sand spraying process is completed as described above, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the mask changing device 17 is driven by the third driving means 19 to perform the mask changing process, and the new mask 12 is used for spraying. The upper part of the layer 55 is covered.

Next, a laser beam irradiation process is performed. In the laser beam irradiation process, as can be understood from FIG.
The upper surface of the scattering layer 55 formed on the arrangement table 1 is masked
In the state covered with 2, the scattering layer 55 is scanned and irradiated with the laser beam M through the mask 12. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the scanning irradiation is performed over a wider area than the transmission window 11 of the mask 12.

In the laser beam irradiation process, the irradiated laser beam M passes through the transmission window 11 of the mask 12,
The spray layer 55 is reached and heated. The sand portion of the scattered layer 55 irradiated with the laser beam M is thermally cured and solidified, and a thin solidified layer 55A is formed. On the other hand, the spraying layer 5
Among 5, the portions which are shielded from light by the mask 12 and not irradiated with the laser beam M are not solidified without being thermally cured and can be removed.

As described above, the solidified layer 55A having a planar shape corresponding to the planar shape of the transmission window 11 is formed by the laser beam irradiation process.

When the laser beam irradiation processing is completed, the arrangement table 1 is lowered in the direction of arrow Z2 by the amount of the lowering pitch K. The descending pitch amount K substantially corresponds to the thickness of the scatter layer 55. Therefore, the height position of the spray layer 55 to be newly sprayed becomes constant every time.

Then, in order to return to the sand spraying process, FIG.
As can be understood from FIG.
The solidified layer 55 on the arrangement table 1 is rotated in the reverse direction.
The spraying device 5 is moved back in the direction of the arrow Y2 along A, whereby the sand is sprayed and a new spraying layer 55 is formed.

When the spraying device 5 moves back in the direction of arrow Y2, the thickness detecting sensor 50t irradiates the scattering layer 55 with a detection light such as a laser beam for distance measurement at predetermined time intervals as described above, A thickness of 55 is detected. When the spraying device 5 moves back in the direction of the arrow Y2, the detector 50x of the spraying device 5 slides along the linear potentiometer 70, and the moving distance of the spraying device 5 in the direction of the arrow Y2 is grasped. Therefore, when the spraying device 5 moves back in the arrow Y2 direction,
The distribution of the thickness of the scatter layer 55 is detected.

After the return of the sand spraying process as described above, the mask replacement process is performed again as can be understood from FIG. 1, and the upper portion of the spraying layer 55 is covered with a new mask 12.

Thereafter, in order to execute the laser beam irradiation process again, a new scattering layer 55 is irradiated with a laser beam through the mask 12. When such a sand scattering process, a mask exchange process, and a laser beam irradiation process are repeated many times in order, the additive manufacturing proceeds, and a three-dimensional object is formed.

The finished description of the overall configuration of a product layer modeling techniques (main structure) or more, 4 principal part configuration in the following, with reference to FIG. 5 will be described. As can be understood from FIG. 4, a plurality of lifting / lowering devices 2 having the above-described arrangement table 1 and the first driving means 3 are arranged in series, and
p. That is, a plurality of stations (hereinafter, also referred to as S _T) is arranged in series with. The laser oscillator 8 functions as a shared irradiation device is shared S _T 1~S _T 4.

The rotating mirror apparatus 10 is provided above the lifting device 2 of each S _T is provided separately, further dusting device 5 in the vicinity of the lifting device 2 is provided separately. Mirror 9d is provided in each of the S _T 1 to S _T 4 is swingable, and retracted from the laser beam passage when the swing in the arrow U1 to U4, if the swing in the arrow D1~D4 direction The laser beam can be reflected.

As can be understood from FIG. 4, S _T 2 to S _T
4 upwardly, ie, arrows U2 to U4
While evacuating swings in the direction of S _T 1 mirror 9d
Is swung downward, that is, in the direction of arrow D1 to enable laser reflection. In this state, when the laser beam M is oscillated from a laser oscillator 8 which functions as an energy supply unit, the laser beam M, as can be understood from FIG. 4, it is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 1, the laser next beam M1, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 1. As a result, the laser beam M1 is emitted to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 1, the irradiation process is executed. At this time, the other S _T 2~S _T 4, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0042] After the irradiation treatment with S _T 1 is completed as described above, a laser beam can reflect by swinging the mirror 9d of S _T 2 in the direction of arrow D2. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, a laser beam M2 next is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 2, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 2. As a result, the laser beam M2 is irradiated to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 2. At this time, the other _ST3 , S
In _T 4, S _T 1, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0043] After the irradiation process in S _T 2 as described above has been completed, with retracting the mirror 9d of S _T 2 in the arrow U2 direction, the laser beam by oscillating the mirror 9d of S _T 3 in the direction of an arrow D3 It can be reflected. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, a laser beam M3 next is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 3, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 3. As a result, the laser beam M3 is irradiated to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 3, the irradiation process is performed. At this time, the other S _T 4, the S _T 1, S _T 2, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0044] After the irradiation treatment with S _T 3 as described above has been completed, with retracting the mirror 9d of S _T 3 in the arrow U3 direction, the laser beam by oscillating the mirror 9d of S _T 4 in the arrow direction D4 It can be reflected. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, next to the laser beam M4, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 4. As a result, the laser beam M4 to scatter layer 55 of S _T 4
Is irradiated, and an irradiation process is performed. At this time, other S
In _{T 1, S T 2, S} T 3, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0045] By this manner in turn swings each mirror 9d of S _T 1~S _T 2, the shaped object is shaped by the respective S _T 1~S _T 2. Therefore, S _T 1~S _T 4
Each mirror 9d in function of the laser beam M supplied from the laser oscillator 8 as distributor for distributing individually S _T 1~S _T 4.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the main part of FIG.
As can be understood from FIG. 5, the mask circulating device 16 for circulating the mask 12 between S _T 1 to S _T 4 are provided. As the mask circulation device 16, for example, a conveyor means such as a belt or a chain can be adopted. Mask 12 used in S _T 1 is being withdrawn from the S _T 1 in the arrow Y1 direction placed on the mask circulating device 16, it is conveyed in the arrow Rs direction S _T 2 by a mask circulating device 16, further arrow Y2 Go to be charged to S _T 2, it is used in S _T 2.

The mask 12, which is used in the S _T 2 is, S _T 2
From the mask circulating device 1
6 is transferred to _ST 3 by the mask circulating device 16 in the direction of arrow Rs, and is used in _ST 3.

As described above, the same mask 12 is provided as S _T 1 → S
Used by being conveyed _{T 2 → S T 3 → S} T 4 and sequentially. That is, the mask 12 is shared S _T 1~S _T 4.

[0049] Figure 6 shows the operating cycle of each S _T in the example shown in FIGS. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the laser beam irradiation processing by the laser oscillator 8 is performed as follows.
Time _{T 1 ~T 3, T 3 ~T} 5, T 5 ~T 7, T 7 ~T 9
… Is performed between. In S _T 1, sand spraying treatment at time T ₀ through T _4, mask exchange is performed, the time T ₄ through T ₅
And the mask is turned on, and the mask 12 for performing the irradiation process is S
Charged in _T1 . The time T ₅ toward through T ₇ irradiation of the laser beam is performed, the time T ₇ through T ₈ irradiation processed mask 12 is "out" and the irradiation processed mask 12 is retracted from S _T 1 . Then, as it can be understood from FIG. 6, similarly, sand spraying treatment to time T ₈ through T _12, the mask exchange operation is performed.

[0050] As can be understood from FIG. 6, the S _T 2 is provided adjacent to S _T 1, sand spraying treatment at time T ₂ through T _6, mask exchange is executed at time T ₆ through T ₇ mask " on ", and the mask 12 for irradiation treatment is charged to S _T 2. The irradiation process of laser beams to time T ₇ through T ₉ is executed, irradiation treated mask to time T ₉ through T ₁₀ is "out", and the mask 1 of the irradiation processed
2 is withdrawn from the S _T 2. After that, spraying sand again
A mask replacement process is performed. In other S _T 3, S _T 4, the operation cycle proceeds as shown in FIG.

As can be understood from FIG. 6, the times T _{5 to} T ₅
When irradiation with S _T 1 is running over the _7, the S _T 2 and S _T 3, sand spraying treatment, charged and exit of the mask, the mask replacement process is executed. Also at time T ₈
When sand spraying treatment and mask exchange process in S _T 1 over the T ₁₂ is running, the S _T 2 and S _T 3, the irradiation process is performed. Therefore the station several are installed such, the irradiation process and sand sprayed mask exchange can be executed in parallel at the same time, thus contributing to the improvement of productivity.

[0052] Further, the laser oscillator 8 one may, S _T. 1 to
The irradiation capability of the laser oscillator 8 is effectively used because it is shared by the _ST 4. Therefore, while saving the number of installation of the very expensive laser oscillator 8 can be shaped in parallel shaped object in S _T 1~S _T 4. Therefore, it is advantageous for securing productivity while suppressing a sharp rise in equipment costs.

(Second Reference Example) FIGS. 7 to 10 show a second reference example. The second reference example is the first reference.
The considered examples basically have the same configuration, basically the same effects. As can be understood from FIG. 7, the lifting device 2 having the above-described arrangement table 1 and the first driving means 3
Are arranged side by side on the floor Fp. That is, two stations ( _ST ) are provided. Sprinkling device 5 is provided separately for each S _T.

[0054] les over The oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror device 10
Is shared by the two S _T, which functions as a shared illumination apparatus.

The laser oscillator 8 is extremely expensive as described above. Further, as can be understood from FIG. 3, the rotating mirror device 10 has an X galvanometer scanner 22 and a Y galvanometer scanner 25, and is similarly expensive, and causes a rise in equipment costs. Therefore, in this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 7, both the expensive laser oscillator 8 and the rotary mirror device 10 are shared by two stations ( _ST ). That is,
The laser oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror device 10 function as a common irradiation device shared by two stations. Therefore, while saving the number of expensive laser oscillators 8 and expensive rotary mirror devices 10 to be installed, two stations (S
_{In T} ), the objects can be individually formed. Therefore, it is advantageous to secure productivity while suppressing a rise in equipment costs .

[0056] As can be understood from FIG. 9, while the irradiation process of laser beam is performed by S _T 1, sand spraying process is executed in S _T 2. Conversely, while the irradiation process in S _T 1 is running, sand spraying process is performed by sprinkling device 5 at S _T 2. Note FIG 8 shows the locus of the laser beam M emitted toward S _T 1, S _T 2. As can be understood from FIG. 9, the mask 12 used in this embodiment is for putting four masks, and has four transmission windows 11. Therefore, at each station (ST), four models are formed, which can further contribute to improvement in productivity .

As shown in FIG . 10, three mask changing devices 75, 76 and 77 are provided. The mask exchanging device 75 includes a mask 12 loaded on the mask supply table 13.
Is sucked and held by the suction unit 75k, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow E1.
It is intended to change transferred to the mask holder 14 of S _T 1. Mask changer 76, a mask 12 which is held in a mask holder 14 of S _T 1 is sucked and held by the suction unit 76k, and conveyed in the arrow E2 direction, in which change was transferred to the mask holder 14 of S _T 2. Mask changer 77, S _T 2 of the mask suction portion 7 of the mask 12 held by the holder 14
At 7k, the wafer is sucked and held, transported in the direction of arrow E3, and transferred to the mask recovery table 15.

[0058] The main part of the (real施例) real施例shown in FIGS. 11-12. Real施例the first participants
The considered examples basically have the same configuration, basically the same effects.

As described above, the lamination molding technique is to laminate and form a large number of solidified layers 55A in the thickness direction in order. Therefore, the modeled object is configured by stacking the solidified layer 55A in the thickness direction in the order of odd number → even number → odd number → even number.

The mask holder 14 used in this embodiment is an odd-numbered holder portion 14 for holding an odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd forming an odd-numbered one of the solidified layers 55A.
_Odd and an even-numbered holder portion 14 _even for holding an _even- numbered mask 12 _even forming an even-numbered one of the solidified layers 55A. In this embodiment, the mask holder 14 is integrally connected to the spraying device 5 and is moved by the second driving means 7 in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2.

The second driving means 7 moves the mask holder 14 together with the spraying device 5 in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, and functions as a mask holder driving means. As can be understood from FIG. 11, when the mask holder 14 moves in the arrow Y2 direction, the even-numbered mask 12 _even held in the _even- numbered holder portion 14 _even is moved to the station (S).
_T) to be charged, while facing the spray layer 55 of the arrangement table 1, the mask 12 _Odd for odd held in odd-numbered holder portion 14 _Odd has left the station (S _T), spraying layer 55 is not faced.

Conversely, when the mask holder 14 moves in the direction of the arrow Y1, the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd held in the odd-numbered holder 14 is moved to the station (ST).
And the even-numbered mask 12 which faces the scatter layer 55 and is held by the _even- numbered holder 14 _even.
even leaves the station (ST) and becomes non-facing with the scatter layer 55.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, on one side of the arrangement table 1, there is provided an even-numbered mask exchange device 81 for exchanging the even-numbered mask 12 _even . On the other side of the arrangement table 1, an odd number mask is provided.
Odd mask changer 82 to exchange the _Odd is provided.

As can be understood from FIG. 12, the even-numbered mask changing device 81 has a suction portion 81k capable of sucking a mask.
The rice cake, and a function of transferring the even numbered holder portion 14 _{the even} and conveyed in the arrow direction F1 mask 12 _{the even} adsorbed by the mask supply table 13, the even-numbered holder portion 14 _{the even} mask 1
2 _even is sucked, transported in the direction of arrow F2, and transferred to the mask collection table 15. The odd-numbered mask changing device 82 has the same configuration and functions as those of the even-numbered mask changing device 81.

In this embodiment, the even-numbered holder 1
When the irradiation process is being performed over the even-numbered mask 12 _{even of} 4 _even , the mask replacement process of replacing the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd of the odd-numbered holder unit 14 _Odd can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is advantageous for improving productivity.

FIG. 13 shows an operation cycle in the example shown in FIGS. As can be understood from FIG. 13, the origin movement for returning the laser beam M to the irradiation start position is performed during the time T _{0 to} T ₂ , and the arrangement table 1
And the spraying process by the spraying device 5 is performed.
In addition the time T ₀ through T _2, and exit the mask 12 _Odd for odd numbered from S _T, and the charging of the mask 12 _{the even} of S _T for even-numbered executed. From time T _{2 to} T ₆ , since the laser beam M is emitted from the laser oscillator 8, the irradiation process is performed using the _even- numbered mask 12 _even, and the mask replacement process for the odd-numbered mask 12 is performed in parallel. And executed.

At time T _{6 to} T ₈ , the origin of the laser beam is moved, and at the same time, the disposition table 1 is lowered and the spraying device 5 performs the sand spraying process. Further, at times T _{6 to} T
And charged to the S _T of the mask 12 _Odd for odd-numbered At _8, S
_Withdrawal of the even-numbered mask 12 _even from _T is executed. Hereinafter, the operation cycle is repeated as shown in FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, FIG.
As can be understood from the above, the laser beam irradiation process is performed on the _even- numbered mask 12 _even in parallel with the mask replacement process on the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd . Conversely, the mask replacement process is performed on the _even- numbered mask 12 _even in parallel with the execution of the laser beam irradiation process on the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd . Therefore, it is advantageous to effectively use one laser oscillator 8 and can contribute to improvement in productivity.

[0069]

According to the apparatus according to the 請 Motomeko 1 according to the present invention irradiates an irradiation energy solidifiable material beyond the mask faces the solidifiable material, the mask is a non-facing solidifiable material mask Replace with an exchange device. That is, while the irradiation process of irradiating the irradiation energy to one of the plurality of masks is being performed, the mask replacement process of replacing the mask that is not facing the solidifiable substance can be performed in parallel.
In other words, both the irradiation process and the mask replacement process can be performed in parallel, which is advantageous for improving productivity.

According to the apparatus of claim 2 , the mask holder comprises an even-numbered mask forming an even-numbered solidified layer laminated in the thickness direction and an odd-numbered solidified layer laminated in the thickness direction. The odd-numbered masks to be formed can be held side by side. Further, the mask changing device is composed of an even-number mask changing device for changing an even-number mask and an odd-number mask changing device for changing an odd-number mask. Therefore, the odd-numbered mask and the even-numbered mask can be replaced independently.

In other words, according to the device of claim 2 ,
This is advantageous in that the irradiation process is performed using the odd-numbered mask and the mask replacement process for replacing the even-numbered mask is performed in parallel. Therefore, it is advantageous for improving productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the concept of the additive manufacturing technology.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a sand scattering process.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a form in which scanning irradiation is performed by a rotating mirror device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a side surface in a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side according to the first reference example;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side in the first reference example.

FIG. 6 is a cycle diagram showing an operation cycle according to the first reference example;

[7] relates to the second reference example, it is a configuration diagram showing a side of a state in which a plurality of stations (S _T) are juxtaposed.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a mode of irradiating a plurality of stations ( _ST ) with a laser beam according to the second reference example.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are juxtaposed according to the second reference example;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing mask replacement in a plurality of stations according to the second reference example.

[11] relates to the actual施例is a plan view schematically showing a configuration that irradiation using a mask for the even-numbered.

[12] relates to the actual施例is a side view schematically showing a mask exchange processing mask for the even-numbered.

[13] relates to the actual施例a cycle diagram showing the operation cycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a placement table (placement device), 8 is a laser oscillator (shared irradiation device, energy supply means), 9d is a mirror (distributor), 10 is a mirror device, 11 is a transmission window, 12 is a mask, and 12 _Odd. Is an odd-numbered mask, 12 _even is an _even- numbered mask, 14 is a mask holder, 17 is a mask changing device, 55 is a scatter layer, 55 A is a solidified layer, 81 is an even-numbered mask changing device, and 82 is an odd-numbered mask. 1 shows a mask replacement device for use.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B29C 67/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A solidifiable substance having a property of solidifying when irradiated with irradiation energy such as a laser beam or ultraviolet light,
A solid-state molding apparatus that forms a solidified layer by irradiating an irradiation energy to a solidifiable substance and stacks the solidified layer in a thickness direction to form a three-dimensional modeled object, wherein an arrangement in which the solidifiable substance is arranged Irradiating the device and the solidifiable substance of the arrangement device with irradiation energy
Energy supply means, a mask holder capable of holding a plurality of masks in a side-by-side state, one of the plurality of masks facing the solidifiable substance of the placement device, and another mask being placed in the placement device. Mask holder driving means for operating the mask holder so as not to face the solidifiable substance, and a mask exchange device for exchanging a non-faced mask with the solidifiable substance of the placement device. An additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein irradiation energy is applied to the solidifiable substance through the mask facing the mask, and the mask not facing the solidifiable substance is replaced by the mask exchanging apparatus. 2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the mask holder comprises:
An even-numbered mask that forms an even-numbered solidified layer stacked in the thickness direction and an odd-numbered mask that forms an odd-numbered solidified layer stacked in the thickness direction can be held in a side-by-side state. Wherein the mask exchange device is constituted by an even-number mask exchange device for exchanging an even-number mask, and an odd-number mask exchange device for exchanging an odd-number mask. apparatus.