JP7122233B2 - 3D printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a method of forming a three-dimensional model by ejecting a curing liquid onto a powder material to form a thin cured layer having a desired cross-sectional shape, and sequentially laminating the cured layers. When forming a three-dimensional object by such a method, a new powder material layer is formed by supplying powder material on the formed powder material layer including the hardened layer. Surplus powder material that is not laminated as a new powder material layer at this time is often collected.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a modeling tank in which a three-dimensional object is modeled, a covering member (here, a flattening roller) that supplies powder material to the modeling tank, and a collection tank in which surplus powder material is collected. and a three-dimensional modeling apparatus is disclosed. The collection tank disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is provided in parallel with the modeling tank and has an internal space for dropping surplus powder material. The internal space is open at the top. The spreading member is configured to convey excess powder material and drop it into the interior space of the collection tank.

JP 2018-47570 A

By the way, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, after the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object is completed, a large amount of powder material exists in the modeling tank. Conventionally, the user returned the powder material remaining in the modeling tank to the supply tank using a scoop, or sucked it using a suction device and returned it to the supply tank.

However, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive for the user to manually return the powder material to the supply tank, which places a heavy burden on the user. In addition, if the powder material is dug up or returned to the supply tank, and the powder material floats in the air, there is a risk of adverse effects on the operator and predetermined parts of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. By returning the powder material to the supply tank using the suction device, the burden on the operator can be reduced. Separation of the powder material is accelerated. If the separated powder material is used to form a three-dimensional structure, the strength of the three-dimensional structure may be partially reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus capable of easily returning the powder material remaining in the modeling tank to the supply tank.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by curing a powder material to form a hardened layer and sequentially stacking the layers. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus has a main body part in which the three-dimensional modeled object is stored, and a modeling space in which the powder material is stored and the three-dimensional modeled object is modeled. a first table arranged in the modeling tank on which the powder material is placed; a first elevating device arranged in the modeling tank for raising and lowering the first table; and the modeling a supply tank provided in the main body so as to be positioned on one side in the first direction with respect to the tank and having a storage space in which the powder material supplied to the modeling tank is stored; a second table on which the powdery material is placed; a second elevating device arranged in the supply tank for lifting and lowering the second table; A spreading member that conveys the powder material to the modeling tank and spreads the powder material in the modeling space, a support member that supports the spreading member, and a discharge head that discharges a hardening liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space. a moving mechanism for moving one of the main body portion and the support member relative to the other in the first direction; the first lifting device, the second lifting device, the ejection head, and the moving mechanism; and a control device for controlling the After completing the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object, the control device raises the first table, lowers the second table, and moves the support member to the other side of the first direction with respect to the main body. to the one side, and the spreading member returns the powder material placed on the first table to the storage space of the supply tank.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present invention, the control device controls the first elevating device to raise the first table after the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object is completed. As a result, the powder material placed on the first table moves to a position beyond the modeling space. Also, the control device controls the second lifting device to lower the second table. This increases the storage space of the supply tank. Then, the control device relatively moves the support member from the other side in the first direction to the one side with respect to the main body. At this time, the spread member supported by the support member conveys the powder material placed on the first table from the other side to the one side in the first direction, and returns the powder material to the storage space of the supply tank. In this way, the powder material remaining in the modeling tank after completing the modeling of the three-dimensional model can be easily returned to the supply tank by controlling the first table, the second table and the moving mechanism.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which can return the powder material which remains in a modeling tank to a supply tank easily can be provided.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus showing a state when modeling of a three-dimensional modeled object is completed; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus showing a state after the three-dimensional modeled object is taken out from the modeling tank; It is a sectional view of a three-dimensional modeling device showing a state after raising the 1st table concerning one embodiment and lowering the 2nd table. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus showing a state after a support member according to one embodiment has been moved in a return direction; It is a sectional view of a three-dimensional fabrication device showing a state after further raising the 1st table concerning one embodiment and further lowering the 2nd table. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus showing a state after a support member according to one embodiment has been moved in a return direction; It is a top view showing the board member concerning other one embodiment. It is a top view showing the board member concerning other one embodiment. It is a sectional view showing a plate member concerning other one embodiment.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to specifically limit the present invention. Further, members and portions having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted or simplified.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Reference character F in the drawings indicates the front, and reference character Rr indicates the rear. In the present embodiment, the left, right, top, and bottom of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 are the left, right, top, and bottom of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, respectively, when the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is viewed from the direction of symbol F. Here, symbols L, R, U, and D in the drawings mean left, right, up, and down, respectively. In this embodiment, symbols X, Y, and Z indicate the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, respectively. The front-rear direction X is the scanning direction X and corresponds to the "first direction" of the invention. The vertical direction Z coincides with the stacking direction of the hardening layers 91 in three-dimensional modeling. Also, the rear side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is called the upstream side, and the front side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is called the downstream side. The upstream side corresponds to "one side in the first direction" in the present invention, and the downstream side corresponds to "the other side in the first direction" in the present invention. In this embodiment, the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side is defined as the forward direction X1, and the direction from the downstream side to the upstream side is defined as the return direction X2. However, these directions are merely directions determined for convenience of explanation, and do not limit the manner of installation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in any way.

As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 hardens a powder material 90 with a hardening liquid to form a hardening layer 91, and sequentially and integrally stacks these in the vertical direction Z to form a three-dimensional model 92. It is a device for modeling. In the present embodiment, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, based on a cross-sectional image showing the cross-sectional shape of a desired three-dimensional modeled object 92, a curing liquid is discharged onto the powder material 90 to cure the powder material 90 so that the cross-sectional image A hardened layer 91 is formed along the . Then, the desired three-dimensional modeled object 92 is formed by successively laminating the cured layers 91 .

Here, the "cross-sectional shape" means that the three-dimensional modeled object 92 to be modeled has a predetermined thickness (eg, 0.1 mm) in a predetermined direction (eg, horizontal direction). The predetermined thickness is not necessarily limited to a constant thickness. ) is the shape of the cross section when sliced for each.

The powder material 90 is not particularly limited in its composition, form, etc., and can be powder made of various materials such as inorganic materials, metal materials, and resin materials. Examples of the powder material 90 include inorganic materials such as alumina, silica, titania, and zirconia; metal materials such as iron, aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof (typically stainless steel, titanium alloys, and aluminum alloys); Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), water-soluble acrylic resin, water-soluble urethane resin, water-soluble resin materials such as water-soluble polyamide, hemihydrate gypsum (α-type calcined gypsum, β-type calcined gypsum), apatite , salt, starch, plastics, and the like. The powder material 90 may be composed of any one of the above materials, or may be a combination of two or more. For example, the powder material 90 is mixed powder containing a first powder having a first average particle diameter D1 [μm] and a second powder having a second average particle diameter D2 [μm]. The second average particle size D2 is smaller than the first average particle size D1. The first average particle diameter D1 is approximately five to ten times the second average particle diameter D2. The first powder is, for example, an inorganic material, and the second powder is, for example, a water-soluble resin material. Unless otherwise specified, the average particle size means the particle size at 50% of the integrated value in the particle size distribution measured based on the particle size distribution measuring device based on the laser scattering/diffraction method, that is, the 50% volume average particle size. do.

The hardening liquid is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable of fixing the powder materials 90 together. For example, as the hardening liquid, a liquid (including a viscous body) capable of binding particles constituting the powder material 90 is used according to the powder material 90 . Examples of curable liquids include liquids containing water, wax, binders, and the like. When the powder material 90 contains a water-soluble resin material, for example, water is used as the hardening liquid.

As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a main body 10, a modeling tank 20, a supply tank 30, a collection tank 40, a spreading member 50, a head unit 60, a support member 70, A plate member 80 and a control device 88 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 is an exterior body of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 having a shape elongated in the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. The body portion 10 is formed in a box shape. A three-dimensional modeled object 92 that has been modeled is housed in the main body 10 . A modeling tank 20 , a supply tank 30 and a collection tank 40 are provided in the body part 10 . The upper surface 10A of the body portion 10 is flat, and the modeling tank 20, the supply tank 30, and the collection tank 40 are independently arranged side by side so as to be recessed from the upper surface 10A. The body portion 10 supports the support member 70 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the modeling bath 20 is provided in the main body 10 . The modeling bath 20 has a modeling space 20A. The powder material 90 supplied from the supply tank 30 is accommodated in the modeling space 20A. In the modeling space 20A, a hardening liquid is discharged to the powder material 90, and a three-dimensional modeled object 92 is modeled.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 includes a first table 24 . The first table 24 is arranged in the modeling bath 20 . A space surrounded by the modeling tank 20 and the first table 24 is the modeling space 20A. A powder material 90 is placed on the first table 24 . A three-dimensional modeled object 92 is modeled on the first table 24 . The first table 24 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The shape of the first table 24 is, for example, rectangular in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 includes a first lifting device 25 . The first lifting device 25 is a device for lifting and lowering the first table 24 . That is, the first lifting device 25 moves the first table 24 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The first lifting device 25 is provided on the main body 10 . The configuration of the first lifting device 25 is not particularly limited. The first lifting device 25 includes a first support member 26, a first drive motor 27 (see also FIG. 3), and a ball screw (not shown). The first support member 26 is connected to the bottom surface of the first table 24 . The first support member 26 supports the first table 24 from below. The first support member 26 extends in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The first support member 26 is connected to the first drive motor 27 via a ball screw. The first support member 26 moves in the vertical direction Z by driving the first drive motor 27 . Thereby, the first table 24 moves in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The first drive motor 27 is electrically connected to and controlled by the controller 88 . That is, the first lifting device 25 is controlled by the control device 88 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply tank 30 is provided in the body portion 10 . The supply tank 30 is arranged behind the modeling tank 20 . The supply tank 30 has a storage space 30A. The powder material 90 supplied to the modeling tank 20 is accommodated in the storage space 30A. The maximum volume of the storage space 30A is larger than the maximum volume of the modeling space 20A. That is, the powder material 90 contained in the storage space 30A is larger than the powder material 90 contained in the modeling space 20A.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 has a second table 34 . A second table 34 is arranged in the supply tank 30 . A space surrounded by the supply tank 30 and the second table 34 is a storage space 30A. A powder material 90 is placed on the second table 34 . The second table 34 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The shape of the second table 34 is, for example, rectangular in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 includes a second lifting device 35 . The second lifting device 35 is a device for lifting and lowering the second table 34 . That is, the second lifting device 35 moves the second table 34 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The second lifting device 35 is provided on the main body 10 . The configuration of the second lifting device 35 is not particularly limited. The second lifting device 35 includes a second support member 36, a second drive motor 37 (see also FIG. 3), and a ball screw (not shown). The second support member 36 is connected to the bottom surface of the second table 34 . The second support member 36 supports the second table 34 from below. The second support member 36 extends in the up-down direction Z. As shown in FIG. The second support member 36 is connected to a second drive motor 37 via a ball screw. The second support member 36 moves in the vertical direction Z by driving the second drive motor 37 . Thereby, the second table 34 moves in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The second drive motor 37 is electrically connected to and controlled by the controller 88 . That is, the second lifting device 35 is controlled by the control device 88 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the collection tank 40 is provided in the main body 10 . The collection tank 40 is arranged in front of the modeling tank 20 . The recovery tank 40 has a recovery space 40A. In the collection space 40A, the remaining powder material 90 that has not been laid out in the modeling space 20A is collected. The maximum volume of the collection space 40A is smaller than the maximum volume of the modeling space 20A. That is, the powder material 90 accommodated in the recovery space 40A is less than the powder material 90 accommodated in the modeling space 20A. The maximum volume of the storage space 30A, the maximum volume of the modeling space 20A, and the maximum volume of the recovery space 40A are, for example, 3:2:1. The maximum volume of the storage space 30A, the maximum volume of the modeling space 20A, and the maximum volume of the recovery space 40A are the volumes when the second table 34 and the first table 24 are positioned at the lowest position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body portion 10 is provided with a left guide rail 12L and a right guide rail 12R. The left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R guide the movement of the support member 70 in the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. The left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R extend in the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. The left guide rail 12L is arranged to the left of the right guide rail 12R. The front end of the left guide rail 12L and the front end of the right guide rail 12R are located forward of the collection tank 40. As shown in FIG. The rear end of the left guide rail 12L and the rear end of the right guide rail 12R are located behind the supply tank 30. As shown in FIG. A modeling tank 20, a supply tank 30 and a collection tank 40 are provided between the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R. Although the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R are provided in this embodiment, the installation position and number of the guide rails are not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 70 is arranged on the upper surface 10A of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. The support member 70 is slidably engaged with the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R. The support member 70 is configured to be movable in the scanning direction X along the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R. The support member 70 connects the left leg 70L engaged with the left guide rail 12L, the right leg 70R engaged with the right guide rail 12R, and the upper ends of the left leg 70L and the right leg 70R. and a connecting portion 70C. The left leg portion 70L and the right leg portion 70R extend in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 70 C of connection parts are extended in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. The support member 70 reciprocates in the scanning direction X along the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R by a moving mechanism 72, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 has a moving mechanism 72 . The moving mechanism 72 is a mechanism that relatively moves the support member 70 in the scanning direction X with respect to the main body 10 . The moving mechanism 72 includes a pulley 73F arranged on the front end side of the left guide rail 12L, a pulley 73R arranged on the rear end side of the left guide rail 12L, and a pulley 74F arranged on the front end side of the right guide rail 12R. , a pulley 74R arranged on the rear end side of the right guide rail 12R, a connecting rod 75A connecting the pulley 73F and the pulley 74F, a connecting rod 75B connecting the pulley 73R and the pulley 74R, the pulley 73F and the pulley 73R, a right belt 76R wound around pulleys 74F and 74R, and a first motor 77 (see FIG. 3) that rotates the connecting rod 75A. Note that the first motor 77 may be configured to rotate the connecting rod 75B. The left belt 76L is fixed to the left leg 70L. The right belt 76R is fixed to the right leg 70R. The first motor 77 is electrically connected to the control device 88 and controlled by the control device 88 . That is, the moving mechanism 72 is controlled by the controller 88 . When the first motor 77 is driven, the connecting rod 75A rotates and the left belt 76L and the right belt 76R run. Thereby, the support member 70 reciprocates in the scanning direction X along the left guide rail 12L and the right guide rail 12R. For convenience of explanation, the moving mechanism 72 is illustrated only in FIG. 2 and is omitted in the other drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the head unit 60 includes three line heads 62 arranged in the scanning direction X and a case 64 that houses the line heads 62 . The line head 62 is a device that discharges a curable liquid to the powder material 90 accommodated in the modeling space 20A. The line head 62 is an example of an ejection head. The line head 62 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that eject curable liquid. The plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG. The curable liquid ejection mechanism in the line head 62 is not particularly limited, and may be an inkjet method, for example. The line head 62 is arranged on the main body 10 so as to be positioned above the modeling bath 20 . The head unit 60 is fixed to the connecting portion 70</b>C of the support member 70 . That is, the line head 62 does not move in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG. A lower end of the line head 62 is positioned below the lower surface of the case 64 . Line head 62 is electrically connected to controller 88 . A controller 88 controls the discharge of the curable liquid from the nozzles of the line head 62 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the spreading member 50 is arranged above the body portion 10 . A lower end 50B of the covering member 50 is placed slightly above the main body 10 so as to form a predetermined clearance (gap) with the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 . The spreading member 50 is arranged in front of the line head 62 . The spread member 50 is supported by the support member 70 . More specifically, the flooring member 50 is rotatably supported by the left leg 70L and the right leg 70R. The spreading member 50 has an elongated cylindrical shape. The spreading member 50 is arranged so that the rotating shaft is parallel to the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the length L1 of the spreading member 50 in the left-right direction Y is longer than the length L2 of the supply tank 30 in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. The spreading member 50 conveys the powder material 90 placed on the second table 34 to the modeling bath 20 . The spreading member 50 spreads the powder material 90 in the modeling space 20A. The spreading member 50 flattens the surface of the powder material 90 supplied onto the first table 24 to form a uniform powder material layer. The spreading member 50 is configured to be capable of transporting the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 to the supply tank 30, as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2 , the 3D modeling apparatus 100 has a second motor 52 . The second motor 52 is provided on the left leg 70L. The second motor 52 is electrically connected to and controlled by the controller 88 . As shown in FIG. 1, by driving the second motor 52, the flooring member 50 rotates in the forward direction R1 or the reverse direction R2. The flooring member 50 of this embodiment reciprocates in the scanning direction X as the support member 70 moves. When forming the three-dimensional structure 92, the spreading member 50 rotates in the forward direction R1 when moving in the forward direction X1. As will be described later, when returning the powder material 90 to the supply tank 30, the spreading member 50 rotates in the reverse direction R2 when moving in the returning direction X2.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the plate member 80 is arranged above the body portion 10 . A lower end 80B of the plate member 80 is placed slightly above the main body 10 so that a predetermined clearance (gap) is formed between the lower end 80B and the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 . The lower end 80B of the plate member 80 is located above the lower end 50B of the covering member 50. As shown in FIG. The lower end 80B of the plate member 80 is located below the upper end 50T of the covering member 50. As shown in FIG. The plate member 80 is arranged behind the line head 62 . The plate member 80 is supported by the support member 70 . More specifically, the plate member 80 is fixed to the connecting portion 70C. The plate member 80 extends in the horizontal direction Y and the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The length of the plate member 80 in the vertical direction Z is longer than the diameter of the covering member 50 . The length L3 of the plate member 80 in the left-right direction Y is longer than the length L2 of the supply tank 30 in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the length L3 of the plate member 80 in the left-right direction Y is the same as the length L1 of the flooring member 50 in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. The plate member 80 is formed in a C shape when viewed from the side. That is, the plate member 80 is curved rearward as it goes downward from the connecting portion 70C and is curved rearward as it goes upward. The upper end 80T of the plate member 80 is located above the upper end 50T of the covering member 50. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the upper end 80T of the plate member 80 is located above the head unit 60. As shown in FIG. The plate member 80 conveys the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 to the supply tank 30 . The plate member 80 supplies the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 . Since the lower end 80B of the plate member 80 is located above the lower end 50B of the spreading member 50, the plate member 80 does not come into contact with the powder material 90 spread in the modeling space 20A by the spreading member 50. In addition, since the upper end 80T of the plate member 80 is positioned above the head unit 60, it is possible to convey more powder material 90 at a time than the spreading member 50 does. The plate member 80 of this embodiment reciprocates in the scanning direction X as the support member 70 moves.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the overall operation of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 is controlled by a control device 88 . The configuration of the control device 88 is not particularly limited. The control device 88 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited. (central processing unit), ROM (read only memory) that stores programs executed by the CPU, RAM (random access memory) that is used as a working area for developing programs, and memory that stores programs and various data. a storage device; As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 88 is provided inside the body portion 10 . However, the control device 88 may not be provided inside the main body 10 . For example, the control device 88 may be a computer or the like installed outside the main unit 10 . In this case, the control device 88 is communicably connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 via wire or wireless.

As shown in FIG. 3, controller 88 is communicatively connected to and controls line head 62, first drive motor 27, second drive motor 37, first motor 77 and second motor 52. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 88 includes a head control section 88A, a movement control section 88B, a rotation control section 88C, a first table control section 88D, and a second table control section 88E. The function of each part of the control device 88 is implemented by a program. This program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD. Note that this program may be downloaded through the Internet. Also, the function of each part of the control device 88 may be implemented by a processor and/or circuit. The specific functions of these units will be described later.

The head controller 88 A controls the line head 62 . The head controller 88A controls the amount and timing of the curable liquid ejected from the nozzles of the line head 62 . The movement control section 88B controls the first motor 77 to move the support member 70 in the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. The rotation control unit 88C controls the second motor 52 to rotate the spreading member 50 in the forward direction R1 or the reverse direction R2. The first table control section 88D controls the first drive motor 27 to move the first table 24 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The first table control unit 88D moves the first table 24 only downward when the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is being modeled. When the powder material 90 is returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30, the first table control section 88D moves the first table 24 only upward. The second table control unit 88E controls the second drive motor 37 to move the second table 34 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The second table control unit 88E moves the second table 34 only upward when the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is being modeled. When the powder material 90 is returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30, the second table control section 88E moves the second table 34 only downward.

The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 has been described above. Next, the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 after the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is completed will be described. In this embodiment, a desired three-dimensional structure 92 is formed by sequentially laminating hardening layers 91 along a cross-sectional image showing the cross-sectional shape of the desired three-dimensional structure 92 . In the following description, a case will be described in which the powder material 90 remaining in the modeling space 20A and the recovery space 40A is returned to the storage space 30A by moving the support member 70 twice in the return direction X2. The powder material 90 may be returned to the storage space 30A by moving in the direction X2 once, or the powder material 90 may be returned to the storage space 30A by moving three or more times.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is completed, the support member 70 returns to the home position HP. Here, the home position HP is a position where the support member 70 (that is, the head unit 60) stands by when waiting for modeling, that is, when three-dimensional modeling is not performed. The home position HP is positioned behind the supply tank 30 . At this time, a three-dimensional modeled object 92 is buried in the powder material 90 in the modeling space 20</b>A of the modeling tank 20 . In addition, in the collection space 40A of the collection tank 40, the powder material 90 that is left over from being spread over the modeling space 20A during the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is stored. Here, all of the powder material 90 in the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 has been transported to either the modeling space 20A or the recovery space 40A. In addition, it is naturally possible that the powder material 90 remains in the storage space 30A when the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the modeling of the three-dimensional structure 92 is completed, the operator takes out the three-dimensional structure 92 from the modeling space 20A. The operator digs out the three-dimensional structure 92 from the powder material 90 using, for example, a scoop. A powder material 90 that has not been used for three-dimensional modeling remains in the modeling space 20A.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is taken out from the modeling space 20A, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 executes control to return the powder material 90 remaining in the modeling space 20A and the recovery space 40A to the supply tank 30. do. The timing of starting control is determined by, for example, an operator. First, the movement control section 88B controls the first motor 77 to move the support member 70 in the forward direction X1 of the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. As a result, the support member 70 moves from the home position HP to the standby position SP. Here, the standby position SP is a position where the support member 70 (that is, the head unit 60 ) waits just before the powder material 90 is returned to the supply tank 30 . The standby position SP is positioned forward of the collection tank 40 . Next, the first table control section 88D controls the first drive motor 27 to raise the first table 24 by a predetermined amount, and the second table control section 88E controls the second drive motor 37 to raise the second table. 34 is lowered by a predetermined amount. As a result, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 is positioned above the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 . The lifting amount (for example, 1 cm) of the first table 24 and the lowering amount (for example, 1 cm) of the second table 34 when the support member 70 is moved once in the return direction X2 are the support values for forming the three-dimensional structure 92. It is larger than the descending amount (for example, 0.1 cm) of the first table 24 and the ascending amount (for example, 0.1 cm) of the second table 34 when the member 70 is moved once in the forward direction X1. Also, the lift amount of the first table 24 when the support member 70 is moved once in the return direction X2 is smaller than the length in the vertical direction Z from the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 to the upper end 80T of the plate member 80. The lift amount of the first table 24 when the support member 70 is moved once in the return direction X2 is smaller than the length of the plate member 80 in the vertical direction Z, for example. The amount of descent of the second table 34 when the support member 70 is moved once in the return direction X2 is determined to be a value that allows all of the powder material 90 conveyed in one move to be stored in the storage space 30A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the movement control section 88B controls the first motor 77 to move the support member 70 in the return direction X2 of the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. At this time, the rotation control unit 88C controls the second motor 52 to rotate the flooring member 50 in the reverse direction R2. As a result, among the powder materials 90 placed on the first table 24 , the powder materials 90 positioned above the upper surface 10 A of the main body 10 are moved to the storage space 30 A of the supply tank 30 by the plate member 80 and the covering member 50 . returned to

As shown in FIG. 8, the movement control section 88B controls the first motor 77 again to move the support member 70 in the forward direction X1 of the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. As a result, the support member 70 moves from the home position HP to the standby position SP. Next, the first table control section 88D controls the first drive motor 27 to raise the first table 24 by a predetermined amount, and the second table control section 88E controls the second drive motor 37 to raise the second table. 34 is lowered by a predetermined amount. As a result, the remaining powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 is positioned above the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 .

As shown in FIG. 9, the movement control section 88B controls the first motor 77 to move the support member 70 in the return direction X2 of the scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. At this time, the rotation control unit 88C controls the second motor 52 to rotate the flooring member 50 in the reverse direction R2. As a result, all of the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 is returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 by the plate member 80 and the covering member 50 . By detecting that the first table 24 has moved to the highest movable position, the control device 88 terminates the control of returning the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A.

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the control device 88 controls the first drive motor 27 of the first lifting device 25 after the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is completed, and 1 Raise the table 24 . As a result, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 moves to a position beyond the modeling space 20A. The control device 88 also controls the second drive motor 37 of the second lifting device 35 to lower the second table 34 . Thereby, 30 A of storage space of the supply tank 30 become large. Then, the control device 88 moves the support member 70 in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body portion 10 . At this time, the spread member 50 supported by the support member 70 conveys the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 in the return direction X2, and returns the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30. . In this way, the powder material 90 remaining in the modeling tank 20 and the collection tank 40 after the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 92 is completed can be easily removed by controlling the first table 24, the second table 34 and the moving mechanism 72. can be returned to the supply tank 30 immediately.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a plate member 80 extending in the horizontal direction Y and the vertical direction Z and capable of conveying the powder material 90 . In this manner, since the plate member 80 extends in the horizontal direction Y and the vertical direction Z, a large amount of powder material 90 can be conveyed at once. Here, the plate member 80 is arranged behind the line head 62 . When the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10, the plate member 80 first comes into contact with the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24, so that the powder material 90 does not reach the line head 62. contact can be suppressed. In addition, the lower end 80B of the plate member 80 is positioned above the lower end 50B of the covering member 50 and below the upper end 50T of the covering member 50 . Therefore, when the powder material 90 is spread in the modeling space 20</b>A by the spreading member 50 , the plate member 80 does not come into contact with the spread powder material 90 . Moreover, when the powder material 90 is returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30, the plate member 80 can convey most of the powder material 90. As shown in FIG. Thus, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 is easily returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 by the spreading member 50 and the plate member 80. As shown in FIG.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the amount of upward movement of the first table 24 per time when the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10 is the plate member 80 is smaller than the length in the vertical direction Z. This can prevent the powder material 90 from exceeding the upper end 80T of the plate member 80 and contacting the line head 62 .

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, every time the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10, the control device 88 performs the second movement before returning the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A. The table 34 is lowered by a predetermined amount. For example, the second table 34 may be lowered to its lowest position before returning the powdered material 90 to the storage space 30A of the supply tub 30 . In this case, since the length in the vertical direction Z between the drop start position and the drop point of the powder material 90 becomes large, there is a possibility that the powder material 90 may fly into the air each time the powder material 90 is returned to the storage space 30A. . Therefore, by lowering the second table 34 by a predetermined amount each time the powder material 90 is returned to the storage space 30A, the length in the vertical direction Z between the drop start position and the drop point of the powder material 90 can be made relatively small. As a result, it is possible to suppress the powder material 90 from flying in the air.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the powder material 90 includes an inorganic material having a first average particle size, a water-soluble resin material having a second average particle size smaller than the first average particle size, including. When the length in the vertical direction Z between the drop start position and the drop point of the powder material 90 is relatively large, separation between the inorganic material and the water-soluble resin material may be facilitated during the drop of the powder material 90. be. Therefore, by making the vertical length between the drop start position and the drop point of the powder material 90 relatively small, separation of the inorganic material and the water-soluble resin material during the drop of the powder material 90 is suppressed. The occurrence of re-kneading of the powder material 90 can be suppressed.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

In the above-described embodiment, the control device 88 moves the second table 34 by a predetermined amount before returning the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A each time the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10. Although it was lowered, it is not limited to this. Each time the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 a predetermined number of times with respect to the main body 10, the control device 88 lowers the second table 34 by a predetermined amount before returning the powder material 90 to the storage space 30A. may Further, the control device 88 may lower the second table 34 by a predetermined amount only before the support member 70 is moved in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10 for the first time.

It should be noted that the shape of the plate member 80 is not limited to that of the embodiment described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the plate member 80 includes a first portion 81A supported by the support portion 70C, a first side wall 81B extending rearward and obliquely leftward from the left end of the first portion 81A in the horizontal direction Y, A second side wall 81C extending rearward and obliquely to the right from the right end of the first portion 81A in the left-right direction Y may be provided. That is, the plate member 80 may be formed in a substantially V shape in plan view. Thereby, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 can be reliably returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 by the plate member 80 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the plate member 80 includes a first portion 81A that extends in the left-right direction Y and is supported by the support portion 70C, and a first portion 81A extending rearward from the left end of the first portion 81A in the left-right direction Y. It may have a first side wall 81B extending and a second side wall 81C extending rearward from the right end in the left-right direction Y of the first portion 81A. That is, the plate member 80 may be formed in a substantially U shape in plan view. Thereby, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 can be reliably returned to the storage space 30A of the supply tank 30 by the plate member 80 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the plate member 80 extends rearward from the upper end of the first portion 81A and is connected to the upper ends of the first side wall 81B and the second side wall 81C (see FIG. 10 or 11). It may further have a top wall 81D. As a result, even when a relatively large amount of the powder material 90 is placed on the first table 24, it is possible to prevent the material from exceeding the plate member 80 and contacting the line head 62. FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes the plate member 80 in order to increase the transport amount of the powder material 90 per movement of the support member 70 in the return direction X2 with respect to the main body 10. However, the plate member 80 may not be provided. In this case, the powder material 90 placed on the first table 24 is returned to the storage space 30A by the spreading member 50 .

In each of the embodiments described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes the line head 62 as the ejection head, but is not limited to this. For example, a so-called shuttle type ink head having a plurality of nozzles linearly arranged in the scanning direction X and configured to be movable in the horizontal direction Y may be provided as the ejection head.

In each of the embodiments described above, the support member 70 is relatively moved in the scanning direction X with respect to the main body 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support member 70 may be fixed to the main body 10 , and the modeling tank 20 , the supply tank 30 and the collection tank 40 may be moved in the scanning direction X relative to the support member 70 .

In the above-described embodiment, the spreading member 50 is configured to be movable integrally with the line head 62, but the spreading member 50 is configured to be independently movable with respect to the line head 62. may

In the above-described embodiment, the spreading member 50 rotates in the forward direction R1 when moving in the forward direction X1 when forming the three-dimensional modeled object 92. good. In addition, when returning the powder material 90 to the supply tank 30, the spreading member 50 rotates in the reverse direction R2 when moving in the return direction X2, but may rotate in the forward direction R1.

10 Body Part 20 Modeling Tank 20A Modeling Space 24 First Table 25 First Lifting Device 30 Supply Tank 30A Storage Space 34 Second Table 50 Covering Member 62 Line Head (Ejection Head)
70 support member 72 moving mechanism 80 plate member 88 control device 90 powder material 92 three-dimensional object 100 three-dimensional modeling apparatus

Claims (8)

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by hardening a powder material to form a hardened layer and sequentially stacking the hardened layers,
a main body in which the shaped three-dimensional modeled object is accommodated;
a modeling tank provided in the main body, having a modeling space in which the powder material is accommodated and the three-dimensional modeled object is modeled;
a first table arranged in the modeling tank and on which the powder material is placed;
a first lifting device arranged in the modeling tank for lifting and lowering the first table;
a supply tank provided in the main body so as to be positioned on one side in the first direction with respect to the modeling tank and having a storage space in which the powder material supplied to the modeling tank is stored;
a second table disposed in the supply tank and on which the powder material is placed;
a second lifting device arranged in the supply tank for lifting and lowering the second table;
a spreading member that conveys the powder material placed on the second table to the modeling tank and spreads the powder material in the modeling space;
a support member that supports the covering member;
a discharge head for discharging a curing liquid onto the powder material contained in the modeling space;
a moving mechanism that relatively moves one of the body portion and the support member in the first direction with respect to the other;
a control device that controls the first lifting device, the second lifting device, the ejection head, and the moving mechanism;
After completing the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object, the control device raises the first table, lowers the second table, and moves the support member to the other side of the first direction with respect to the main body. to the one side to return the powder material placed on the first table by the spreading member to the storage space of the supply tank. a plate member extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in a plan view and in a vertical direction and capable of conveying the powder material;
The support member includes the ejection head arranged on the one side in the first direction relative to the covering member, and the plate member arranged on the one side in the first direction relative to the ejection head. support,
the lower end of the plate member is positioned above the lower end of the covering member and below the upper end of the covering member;
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder material placed on the first table is returned to the storage space of the supply tank by the spreading member and the plate member. The amount of upward movement of the first table per movement when the support member is moved relative to the main body from the other side in the first direction to the one side is defined by the plate member 3. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, which is smaller than the length in the vertical direction. Each time the control device relatively moves the support member from the other side in the first direction to the one side with respect to the main body, the controller controls the first movement before returning the powder material to the storage space. 4. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the two tables are lowered by a predetermined amount. The three-dimensional modeling according to claim 4, wherein the powder material includes an inorganic material having a first average particle size and a water-soluble resin material having a second average particle size smaller than the first average particle size. Device. The plate member
a first portion supported by the support member;
a first side wall extending from an end of the first portion on one side in the second direction to the one side in the second direction and the one side in the first direction;
and a second sidewall extending from the end of the first portion on the other side in the second direction to the other side in the second direction and the one side in the first direction. or the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to item 1. The plate member
a first portion extending in the second direction and supported by the support member;
a first sidewall extending from an end of the first portion on one side in the second direction toward at least the one side in the first direction;
and a second sidewall extending from the end of the first portion on the other side in the second direction toward at least the one side in the first direction. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus described. The plate member
8. A top wall according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a top wall extending from a top end of said first portion to said one side in said first direction and connected to top ends of said first side wall and top ends of said second side wall. Three-dimensional modeling device.

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