JP6930371B2 - Three-dimensional model manufacturing equipment and three-dimensional model manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional model manufacturing method.

As a technique in this field, there is an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model by arranging a linear continuous material containing fibers and resins on a stage and curing the material (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3). For example, the rigidity of the three-dimensional model can be improved by introducing reinforcing fibers such as carbon fiber and glass fiber to manufacture the three-dimensional model.

Special Table 2016-531020 Special Table 2016-536178 International Publication No. 2015/182675

However, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 6, in the portion where the continuous member is curved, the length in the longitudinal direction is different between the inner portion 102 in the radial direction of the radius of curvature and the outer portion 101, so that the inner portion is formed. The fibers placed in the part of are meandering. Therefore, in the portion where the fibers meander, the fibers are less likely to be in a tense state, which may lead to a decrease in the rigidity of the three-dimensional component. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional model manufacturing method capable of suppressing the meandering of fibers and suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of a three-dimensional component.

The three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model by arranging filaments containing continuous fibers and resin materials, and the filaments are arranged. A holding portion and a filament feeding portion for supplying the filament to the holding portion are provided, and the filament feeding portion includes a twisting portion that twists the filament about a first axis extending in the longitudinal direction.

In the three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure, since the filament can be twisted around the first axis, the fibers are arranged while changing the position around the first axis. Therefore, in the curved portion of the filament, it is prevented that the same fiber continues to be arranged inside the radial direction of the radius of curvature. The fibers arranged on the inner side in the radial direction are arranged so as to change the position on the outer side in the radial direction, and the fibers arranged on the outer side in the radial direction are arranged so as to change the position on the inner side in the radial direction. In the cross section intersecting the longitudinal direction of the filament, the difference between the path length of the fiber arranged radially inside the radius of curvature and the path length of the fiber arranged outside the radial direction is reduced to suppress the meandering of the fiber. do. As a result, a decrease in the rigidity of the three-dimensional component, which is not easily subjected to force by the fiber, is suppressed.

In some embodiments, the filament feeder comprises a reel rotation support that rotatably supports the reel around which the filament is wound around a second axis extending in a direction intersecting the direction of the reel's rotation axis. May be. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary twisting of the filament on the upstream side of the twisted portion.

In some embodiments, it comprises a heater that heats the filament, and the twisted portion may be located upstream of the heater in the direction of movement of the filament. As a result, the part of the filament before being heated can be twisted, and the amount of rotational movement around the first axis of the heated part is lower than that of the part before being heated. Twisting deformation can be imparted to the filament depending on the difference.

In some embodiments, the twisting portion may include a twist roller that abuts on the side surface of the filament to rotate and twist the filament about the first axis. As a result, by rotating the twist roller, the filament can be rotated around the first axis and twisted.

In some embodiments, it further comprises a control unit that controls the filament supply, which twists a feed control that controls the movement of the filament in the longitudinal direction and a portion that includes a position on the holding where the filament bends. As described above, a twist control unit that controls the twist portion may be included. Thereby, the movement of the filament in the longitudinal direction can be controlled so that the twisted and deformed portion is arranged at the position where the filament is curved.

The three-dimensional model manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional model manufacturing method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by arranging filaments containing fibers and resin materials continuous in the longitudinal direction, and the filament is used. It includes a twisting step of twisting around the first axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a filament placement step of supplying the filament after the twisting step and arranging the filament on the holding portion.

In the three-dimensional model manufacturing method of the present disclosure, since the filament is twisted around the first axis, the fibers are arranged while changing the position around the first axis. Therefore, in the curved portion of the filament, it is prevented that the same fiber continues to be arranged inside the radial direction of the radius of curvature. The fibers arranged on the inner side in the radial direction are arranged so as to change the position on the outer side in the radial direction, and the fibers arranged on the outer side in the radial direction are arranged so as to change the position on the inner side in the radial direction. In the cross section intersecting the longitudinal direction of the filament, the difference between the path length of the fiber arranged inside the radial direction and the path length of the fiber arranged outside the radial direction is reduced to suppress the meandering of the fiber. As a result, the fibers are more susceptible to force, and the decrease in rigidity of the three-dimensional component is suppressed.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional model manufacturing direction capable of suppressing the meandering of fibers and suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of a three-dimensional component.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the 3D model manufacturing apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the 3D model manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the curved part of a filament. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the filament is twisted. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the 3D model manufacturing method. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the state which the reinforcing fiber meanders.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same parts or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The three-dimensional model manufacturing device (hereinafter referred to as “manufacturing device”) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called 3D printer, in which linearly continuous filaments 2 are arranged in a predetermined area to form a three-dimensional component (three-dimensional modeling). Thing) is manufactured. The three-dimensional component 3 is, for example, a mechanical component or the like, and may be another structure. The filament 2 contains fibers and resin materials that are continuous in the longitudinal direction. Examples of the resin material include thermoplastic resins such as PLA resin (polylactic acid), ABS resin, nylon resin, PET resin (polyethylene terephthalate), and acrylic resin. Examples of the fiber include reinforcing fibers such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, and aramid fiber. The fibers are continuous along the longitudinal direction of the filament 2. In the cross section of the filament 2, for example, 1000 to 5000 fibers are arranged.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a work table (holding unit) 4, a filament supply unit 5, and a control unit 31. The work table 4 is, for example, a plate-shaped holding portion on which the filament 2 is arranged. In FIG. 1, the three orthogonal directions are shown as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The filament 2 is arranged on the work table 4 so as to extend in the Y direction, is folded back at a predetermined position, and extends in the opposite direction. The filaments 2 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the X direction, are arranged so as to form a predetermined shape on the XY planes (planes along the X direction and the Y direction), and a plurality of layers are laminated in the Z direction. As a result, the three-dimensional component 3 is formed. The work table 4 is movable in the Z direction.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes an elevating device 6 for elevating and lowering the work table 4. The elevating device 6 includes, for example, a rack and pinion type drive mechanism, and moves the work table 4 in the Z direction. The elevating device 6 includes a rod-shaped vertical member (rack) 6a connected to the bottom surface of the work table 4 and extending downward, and a drive source 6b for driving the vertical member 6a. As the drive source 6b, for example, an electric motor can be used. A pinion is provided on the output shaft of the electric motor, and a tooth profile that meshes with the pinion is provided on the side surface of the vertical member 6a. The electric motor is driven, the pinion rotates and power is transmitted, and the vertical member 6a moves in the vertical direction. By stopping the rotation of the electric motor, the vertical member 6a is positioned, the position of the work table 4 in the Z direction is determined, and the position is held. The elevating device 6 is not limited to the rack and pinion type drive mechanism, and may be provided with other drive mechanisms such as a ball screw and a cylinder.

The filament supply unit 5 includes a head 7, an XY stage unit 8, a supply reel 9, and a turntable (reel rotation support unit) 10. The filament supply unit 5 feeds the filament 2 to the work table 4. The head 7 includes a discharge nozzle 7a that discharges the filament 2. Further, the head 7 includes a heater 11 and a feed unit 12. The heater 11 heats the filament 2. The heater 11 is, for example, a resistance heating heater. The heating of the filament 2 is not limited to that by the heater 11, and can be performed by other methods such as high frequency heating, induction heating, ultrasonic heating, and laser heating. Further, the head 7 includes a cutter (not shown) for cutting the filament 2.

The feed unit 12 includes a pair of feed rollers that feed the filament 2. The feed roller is rotationally driven by an electric motor and abuts on the side surface of the filament 2 to move the filament 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The feed roller rotates, for example, around an axis extending in the X direction. The feed portion 12 is arranged on the upstream side of the heater 11 in the moving direction of the filament 2. Further, the feed unit 12 is provided with a feed amount detection sensor 13 (see FIG. 2) that detects the feed amount (movement amount) of the filament 2. The feed amount detection sensor 13 includes, for example, an encoder that detects the rotation angle of the feed roller.

The XY stage unit 8 is a moving mechanism that moves the head 7 in the X direction and the Y direction. The XY stage portion 8 includes, for example, a guide portion extending in the X direction, a guide portion extending in the Y direction (for example, a guide rail, a guide groove, etc.), a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force (for example, a power transmission shaft, a gear, etc.). ), And a drive source (for example, an electric motor) and the like.

The supply reel 9 is a reel 9 around which a filament 2 supplied to the head 7 is wound. The rotary shaft 9a of the supply reel 9 extends in the X direction, for example, and is rotatably supported by the bearing 9b. The bearing holding portion 9c that holds the bearing 9b is connected to the turntable 10. The turntable 10 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 10a. The rotation shaft 10a is arranged along, for example, an axis (second axis) L2 extending in the Z direction. The rotating shaft 10a rotates by transmitting a rotational driving force from the electric motor 10b, which is a driving source.

Here, the filament supply portion 5 includes a twist portion 14 that twists the filament 2. The twisted portion 14 includes, for example, a plurality of twist rollers 14a. The twist roller 14a rotates about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the filament 2. The twisting portion 14 includes a driving portion (for example, an electric motor) that rotates the twist roller 14a. The outer peripheral surface of the twist roller 14a is in contact with the side surface of the filament 2. By rotating the twist roller 14a, the filament 2 is rotated around the axis (first axis) L1. As a result, the resin and fibers that are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the filament 2 are twisted. The cross-sectional shape of the filament 2 intersecting in the longitudinal direction is, for example, circular at a position corresponding to the twisted portion 14.

The control unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 is a control unit that controls the entire device of the manufacturing device 1. The control unit 31 is a computer composed of hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and software such as a program stored in the ROM. The control unit 31 includes an input signal circuit, an output signal circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like. The control unit 31 includes a calculation unit 32, a twist control unit 33, a feed amount control unit (feed control unit) 34, a turntable control unit 35, and a storage unit 36. The control unit 31 is electrically connected to the elevating device 6, the XY stage unit 8, the twist roller 14a, the feed unit 12, the feed amount detection sensor 13, the turntable 10, and the like.

The calculation unit 32 performs data processing necessary for molding the three-dimensional component 3. The calculation unit 32 creates, for example, data regarding the arrangement of the filament 2 on the work table 4. The data regarding the arrangement includes the position where the filament 2 is arranged, the length of the straight portion 2a (see FIG. 3) of the filament 2, the position of the curved portion 2b of the filament 2, the radius of curvature at the curved portion 2b of the filament 2, and the filament 2. Data on the length (angle) and the like of the curved portion 2b of the above are included. The calculation unit 32 reads the data stored in the storage unit 36 and creates data regarding the arrangement of the filament 2. The calculation unit 32 creates data regarding the movement of the head 7 based on the data regarding the arrangement of the filament 2. The data relating to the movement of the head 7 includes a movement start position, a stop position, a movement direction, a movement distance, and the like of the head 7.

The calculation unit 32 sends a command signal to, for example, the elevating device 6 to elevate and elevate the work table 4 to control the position of the work table 4 in the Z direction. The calculation unit 32 transmits a command signal to the XY stage unit 8 to move the head 7 and control the position of the head 7.

The twist control unit 33 controls the rotation of the twist roller 14a to control the twist amount of the filament 2. The twist control unit 33 twists and applies to the portion corresponding to the curved portion 2b according to the position of the curved portion 2b of the filament 2 on the work table 4, for example.

The feed amount control unit 34 transmits a command signal to the feed unit 12 to control the feed amount of the filament 2. Further, the control unit 31 inputs a signal from the feed amount detection sensor 13 to acquire data regarding the feed amount of the filament 2. The twist control unit 33 twists the filament 2 by setting a position to apply the twist based on the feed amount of the filament 2 and the data regarding the curved portion 2b of the filament 2. The twist control unit 33 sets the twist direction and the twist amount of the filament 2. The amount of twist is, for example, the angle of rotation around the axis L1. The twist control unit 33 may determine the twist direction according to, for example, the bending direction of the bending portion 2b of the filament 2. For example, when the filament 2 is curved to the right when viewed from above, the twisted portion 14 may be twisted clockwise when viewed from above.

The turntable control unit 35 transmits a command signal to the turntable 10 to drive the electric motor 10b to control the rotation of the turntable 10. The turntable control unit 35 rotates the turntable 10 in response to the twisting of the filament 2 by the twisting unit 14, for example.

Next, a manufacturing method of three-dimensional parts (three-dimensional model manufacturing method) will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional part. The method for manufacturing the three-dimensional component 3 is executed using, for example, the manufacturing apparatus 1.

First, the calculation unit 32 of the control unit 31 determines the arrangement of the filament 2 on the work table 4 (step S1). The calculation unit 32 reads, for example, data related to the design of the three-dimensional component 3 stored in the storage unit 36, and determines the arrangement of the filament 2. Next, the calculation unit 32 determines the movement path of the head 7 based on the arrangement of the filament 2 on the work table 4 (step S2). The calculation unit 32 identifies the curved portion 2b of the filament 2 on the work table 4 based on the movement path of the head 7 (step S3). The twist control unit 33 specifies a corresponding position in the longitudinal direction of the filament 2 according to the position where the curved portion 2b is formed, and plans to generate a twist at this corresponding position.

Next, the feed amount control unit 34 operates the feed unit 12 to start feeding the filament 2 (step S4). The twist control unit 33 operates the twist roller 14a to twist the filament 2 at a position corresponding to the curved portion 2b of the filament 2 in order to cause a twist deformation (step S5; twisting step). The position of twisting by the twist roller 14a and the position where twisting deformation occurs in the filament 2 may be coincident or separated from each other. The twist control unit 33 operates the twist roller 14a so as to correspond to a position where the twist deformation is desired to occur. Further, the rotation angle (twisting amount) when twisting the filament 2 may be set according to the radius of curvature of the curved portion 2b. For example, when the radius of curvature of the curved portion 2b is small, the rotation angle when twisting the filament 2 may be larger than when the radius of curvature is large.

Further, the turntable control unit 35 rotates the turntable 10 in accordance with the operation of the twist roller 14a (step S6). The turntable 10 is rotated (step S6).

The heater 11 heats a portion of the filament 2 introduced into the heater 11 (step S7). The control unit 31 moves the head 7 along the determined movement path of the head 7 (step S8). The filament 2 is continuously transferred by the feed unit 12, heated by the heater 11, discharged from the discharge nozzle 7a of the head 7, and placed on the work table 4 (step S9; filament placement step). The control unit 31 arranges the head 7 at a predetermined position and arranges the filament 2 on the work table 4. The head 7 moves so as to correspond to the curved portion 2b to form the curved portion 2b on the work table 4. At this time, a portion where the torsional deformation has occurred is arranged in the curved portion 2b. When the placement of the filament 2 on the work table 4 is completed, the filament 2 is cut. When the temperature of the heated filament 2 is lowered, the resin of the filament 2 is cured.

In the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present disclosure, since the filament 2 can be twisted around the axis L1, the fibers 21 are arranged while changing the position around the axis L1. As shown in FIG. 4, in the curved portion 2b of the filament 2, the same fiber 21 is prevented from being continuously arranged on the radial inner side 2c of the radius of curvature. The fibers 21 arranged on the radial inner side 2c are arranged so as to change their positions on the radial outer side 2d, and the fibers 21 arranged on the radial outer side 2d are arranged so as to change their positions on the radial inner side 2c. Will be done. According to the manufacturing apparatus 1, the difference between the path length of the fiber 21 arranged on the inner side 2c in the radial direction and the path length of the fiber 21 arranged on the outer side 2d in the radial direction is reduced to suppress the meandering of the fiber 21. be able to. As a result, the fibers can easily receive the force, and the decrease in the rigidity of the three-dimensional component 3 is suppressed. For example, when a force acts on the three-dimensional component 3, since the fibers 21 do not meander, the fibers 21 can receive the force and the deformation of the three-dimensional component 3 is suppressed.

Further, since the filament supply unit 5 includes the turntable 10, the turntable 10 can be rotated to rotate the supply reel 9. As a result, unnecessary twisting of the filament 2 on the upstream side of the twisted portion 14 can be prevented.

Since the twisted portion 14 is arranged on the upstream side of the heater 11 in the moving direction of the filament 2, the portion of the filament 2 before being heated can be twisted. Since the amount of rotational movement around the axis L1 is lower in the heated portion than in the portion before being heated, it is possible to impart torsional deformation to the filament 2 according to the difference in the amount of rotational movement.

Since the twisted portion 14 includes a twist roller 14a that abuts on the side surface of the filament 2 and rotates the filament 2 around the axis L1 to twist the filament 2, the filament 2 can be twisted by rotating the twist roller 14a.

Further, since the control unit 31 of the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a twist control unit 33 and a feed amount control unit 34, the movement amount of the filament 2 is controlled and twisted at a position corresponding to the curved portion 2b of the filament 2. The deformed part can be arranged.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications as described below are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the twist is applied corresponding to the curved portion 2b of the filament 2, but the portion to which the twist is applied is not limited to the curved portion 2b, and even if the twist is applied in the straight portion 2a. good. In the above embodiment, the twist roller 14a is used to rotate the filament 2 around the axis L1 to impart a twist, but the twist portion 14 is not limited to the one provided with the twist roller 14a. For example, the filament 2 may be sandwiched from the side (direction intersecting the axis L1), and the filament 2 may be rotated and twisted. For example, the filament 2 may be sandwiched and rotated by the transport roller of the feed unit 12 and twisted. Further, the filament 2 may be twisted by rotating the turntable 10 and rotating the supply reel 9. Further, the filament 2 may be twisted by rotating the nozzle 7a around the axis L1. The cross-sectional shape of the filament 2 after being discharged from the nozzle 7a may be circular, rectangular, or any other shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the filament 2 may be changed depending on the opening shape of the nozzle 7a.

Further, a plurality of twisted portions 14 may be provided in the direction of the axis L1 of the filament 2. Further, the twisted portion 14 is not limited to the one provided on the upstream side of the heater (heating portion) 11, and the twisted portion 14 may be provided on the downstream side of the heater 11.

1 Manufacturing equipment (three-dimensional model manufacturing equipment)
2 Filament 3 3D parts (3D model)
4 Work table (holding part)
5 Filament supply section 9 Supply reel (reel)
10 Turntable (reel rotation support)
11 Heater 14 Twisting unit 14a Twist roller 21 Fiber 31 Control unit 33 Twisting control unit 34 Feed amount control unit (feed control unit)
L1 axis (first axis)
L2 axis (second axis)

Claims (5)

A three-dimensional model manufacturing device that manufactures a three-dimensional model by arranging filaments containing fibers and resin materials that are continuous in the longitudinal direction.
The holding part on which the filament is placed and
A filament supply unit that supplies the filament to the holding unit is provided.
The filament supply portion extends a twisting portion that twists the filament around the first axis extending in the longitudinal direction and a reel around which the filament is wound in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the reel. A three-dimensional model manufacturing device including a reel rotation support portion that rotatably supports around the second axis. The filament supply unit includes a heater that heats the filament.
The three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the twisted portion is arranged on the upstream side of the heater in the moving direction of the filament. The three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the twisted portion abuts on a side surface of the filament and includes a twist roller that rotates the filament around the first axis and twists the filament. A control unit for controlling the filament supply unit is further provided.
The control unit includes a feed control unit that controls the movement of the filament in the longitudinal direction.
The three-dimensional model manufacturing according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a twist control unit that controls the twisted portion so as to twist the portion including the curved position of the filament on the holding portion. Device. It is a three-dimensional model manufacturing method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by arranging filaments containing fibers and resin materials that are continuous in the longitudinal direction.
The process of feeding the filament and
A twisting step of twisting the filament around the first axis extending in the longitudinal direction,
Including a filament placement step of feeding out the filament after the twisting step and arranging the filament on the holding portion.
In the step of feeding the filament, a filament supply provided with a reel rotation support portion that rotatably supports the reel on which the filament is wound around a second axis extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the reel. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model in which the filament is supplied from a portion to a feed portion for feeding the filament.

Images