JP7718124B2 - Three-dimensional modeling device and three-dimensional modeling method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling device and a three-dimensional modeling method.

Conventionally, as described in Patent No. 4639087, for example, a known three-dimensional modeling device and method involves spreading powder material evenly on a table installed inside a modeling tank, preheating the powder material, irradiating the powder material with an energy beam to heat and solidify it, and repeating these steps to form layers to model a three-dimensional object.

Patent No. 4639087

However, when manufacturing large three-dimensional objects, the manufacturing process takes a long time. For this reason, it is possible to set up areas around the table where each process is performed, rotate the table, and simultaneously perform the processes of spreading the powder material, preheating, and beam irradiation. This would allow for efficient manufacturing of objects and shorten the manufacturing time. However, in this case, the table and the modeling tank must be rotated, and the table must be gradually moved downward as the object is being modeled. This requires the installation of a table rotation mechanism to rotate the table, a tank rotation mechanism to rotate the modeling tank, and a table movement mechanism to move the table up and down. This raises concerns that the device may become larger.

Therefore, it is desirable to develop a three-dimensional modeling device and a three-dimensional modeling method that can increase the efficiency of object manufacturing while preventing the device from becoming too large.

A three-dimensional printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure supplies powder material onto a table installed in a modeling tank and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to form a three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a first shaft, which is a cylindrical shaft extending in the axial direction and rotatably supported, joined to the modeling tank, and rotates with the modeling tank; a second shaft, which is inserted inside the first shaft, arranged coaxially with the first shaft, and is axially movable relative to the first shaft, joined to the table, and rotates with the table; a first drive unit that applies a rotational force to one of the first shaft and the second shaft; a second drive unit that moves the second shaft in the axial direction; and a drive force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other, allowing relative axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft. This three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a drive force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other, allowing relative axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft, allowing the first drive unit to rotate the first shaft and the second shaft, and allowing only the second shaft to move in the axial direction. This allows the table to be rotated using a small number of drive sources, allowing for efficient object formation and preventing the device from becoming too large.

Furthermore, in a three-dimensional modeling device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the drive force transmission unit may form a convex portion on one of the first shaft and the second shaft and a concave portion on the other of the first shaft and the second shaft, the convex portion protruding toward the concave portion and being housed in the concave portion, and the concave portion may be a groove extending in the axial direction. In this case, by configuring the convex portion of the drive force transmission unit to be housed in the concave portion, it is possible to transmit rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other and allow relative axial movement of the second shaft with respect to the first shaft.

A three-dimensional modeling method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional modeling method performed using a three-dimensional modeling device that supplies powder material onto a table installed in a modeling tank and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to model a three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional modeling device includes: a first shaft, which is a cylindrical shaft extending in the axial direction and rotatably supported, joined to the modeling tank, and rotates together with the modeling tank; a second shaft, which is inserted inside the first shaft, arranged coaxially with the first shaft, and is axially movable relative to the first shaft, joined to the table, and rotates together with the table; a first drive unit that applies a rotational force to one of the first shaft and the second shaft; a second drive unit that moves the second shaft in the axial direction; and a drive force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other, allowing relative axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft. This three-dimensional modeling method allows the table to be rotated to model an object, thereby enabling efficient modeling of objects. Furthermore, the table and modeling tank can be rotated via the first and second shafts by driving the first drive unit, and the table can be moved axially by moving the first shaft in the axial direction by driving the second drive unit, thereby performing modeling. This eliminates the need to provide two drive units, one for rotating the first shaft and one for rotating the second shaft, and prevents the three-dimensional modeling device from becoming larger. Therefore, objects can be modeled even in small spaces.

This disclosure makes it possible to efficiently create objects and prevent the device from becoming too large.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outline of the configuration of a second driving unit of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second drive unit taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a driving force transmission mechanism in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1 . 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the driving force transmission portion taken along line V-V in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a processing unit of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1 .

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the description of the drawings, identical elements will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is an apparatus that irradiates powder material A with an energy beam to melt or sinter the powder material A and form a three-dimensional object O. For example, this three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is applicable to a powder bed type apparatus that irradiates a spread powder material A with an electron beam to form a shape. The powder material A is a metal powder, such as titanium-based metal powder, Inconel powder, or aluminum powder. Furthermore, the powder material A is not limited to a metal powder, but may also be, for example, a resin powder or a powder containing carbon fiber and resin, such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). Furthermore, the powder material A may be any other electrically conductive powder. The powder material in the present disclosure is not limited to electrically conductive materials. For example, if a laser is used as the energy beam, the powder material does not need to be electrically conductive.

The three-dimensional modeling device 1 includes a drive unit 3, a control unit 4, a processing unit 6, a frame 7, and a chamber 8. The frame 7 is a framework for supporting and installing the drive unit 3, the processing unit 6, and the chamber 8. For example, the frame 7 is configured by multiple flat plate members arranged vertically. Specifically, the frame 7 includes a first member 71, a second member 72, a third member 73, and a fourth member 74, which are flat plate-shaped and arranged horizontally. The first member 71 is located at the lowest position of the frame 7. The second member 72 is located above the first member 71 at a predetermined distance, the third member 73 is located above the second member 72 at a predetermined distance, and the fourth member 74 is located above the third member 73 at a predetermined distance. The second member 72, the third member 73, and the fourth member 74 are supported by pillar members or wall members extending vertically. The drive unit 3 is assembled to the frame 7, and the chamber 8 is located above the frame 7. The processing unit 6 is located within the chamber 8. The structure of the frame 7 is not limited to that described above, and may be a different structure as long as it can support and install the drive unit 3, processing unit 6, and chamber 8.

The drive unit 3 is a drive mechanism that rotates and raises and lowers the table 13 and rotates the modeling tank 14. The table 13 and modeling tank 14 are provided inside the chamber 8. The table 13 is a platform for modeling the object O and is composed of, for example, a horizontally placed plate. The modeling tank 14 is a container for modeling, and is cylindrical with an open top, with the table 13 located inside.

The drive unit 3 includes a first shaft 31, a second shaft 32, a first drive unit 33, a second drive unit 34, and a drive force transmission unit 35. The first shaft 31 is a cylindrical shaft extending in the axial direction, rotatably supported by the frame 7, and joined to the modeling tank 14 so as to rotate together with the modeling tank 14. In other words, the first shaft 31 functions as a shaft for rotating the modeling tank 14. The first shaft 31 is provided, for example, vertically penetrating the third member 73 and the fourth member 74, attached to the third member 73 via a rolling bearing 311, and rotatably supported by the frame 7.

The upper part of the first shaft 31 passes through the fourth member 74 and is joined to the modeling tank 14. For example, the upper part of the first shaft 31 is joined to the modeling tank 14 via a support member 131. The support member 131 is formed integrally with the modeling tank 14 and is a member that supports the modeling tank 14 from below. The support member 131 is, for example, a cylindrical body formed with approximately the same diameter as the modeling tank 14, and is positioned between the modeling tank 14 and the first shaft 31 to transmit the rotational force of the first shaft 31 to the modeling tank 14. Therefore, when the first shaft 31 rotates, the support member 131 and the modeling tank 14 rotate together.

The second shaft 32 is inserted through the first shaft 31 and is arranged coaxially with the first shaft 31. The second shaft 32 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft 31, and is joined to the table 13 so as to rotate together with the table 13. For example, the second shaft 32 is supported by a plain bearing 312 provided on the inner periphery of the first shaft 31. Therefore, the second shaft 32 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft 31.

The upper part of the second shaft 32 is joined to the underside of the table 13. Therefore, when the second shaft 32 rotates, the table 13 rotates, and when the second shaft 32 moves in the axial direction, the table 13 also moves in the axial direction. The second shaft 32 may be joined directly to the table 13 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be joined to the table 13 via a separate member. The lower part of the second shaft 32 is joined to the lifting body 345 via a thrust bearing 346. The thrust bearing 346 is a bearing member that supports the second shaft 32 while allowing it to rotate. The lifting body 345 is a member that constitutes part of the second drive unit 34 and is movable in the axial direction. The second shaft 32 moves in the axial direction as the lifting body 345 moves.

The first drive unit 33 is a mechanism that applies rotational force to the first shaft 31 and is attached to, for example, the third member 73 and located near the outer periphery of the first shaft 31. The first drive unit 33 is composed of, for example, a first motor 331, a reducer 332, a gearbox 333, and a gear 334. The first motor 331 is an electric motor that generates rotational force, has a horizontal rotation axis, and is attached to the third member 73 via the reducer 332. The reducer 332 is a reduction device that reduces the rotational speed of the first motor 331 and can be one equipped with a known reduction mechanism such as a planetary reducer or a parallel axis reducer. The reducer 332 is fixed to the third member 73. The gearbox 333 has a gear mechanism that converts the direction of the rotation axis and has a horizontal input shaft and a vertical output shaft. The input shaft of the gearbox 333 is connected to the reducer 332, and a gear 334 is attached to the output shaft. Gear 334 is a spur gear that transmits the rotational force of first motor 331 to first shaft 31. Gear 334 meshes with gear 313 formed on the outer periphery of first shaft 31. Gear 313 is composed of multiple teeth formed along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of first shaft 31. First drive unit 33 reduces the rotational force of first motor 331 using reducer 332, converts the direction of the rotation axis from horizontal to vertical using gear box 333, and rotates first shaft 31 via gear 334.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the general configuration of the second drive unit 34. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second drive unit 34 taken along line III-III in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the second drive unit 34 is a drive mechanism for moving the second shaft 32 in the axial direction. The second drive unit 34 includes, for example, a second motor 341, a reducer 342, a rotational force transmission mechanism 343, a ball screw mechanism 344, and an elevator 345. The second motor 341 is an electric motor that generates rotational force, has a horizontal rotation axis, and is attached to the second member 72 via the reducer 342. The reducer 342 is a reduction device that reduces the rotational speed of the second motor 341, and can be one equipped with a known reduction mechanism such as a planetary reducer or a parallel axis reducer. The reducer 342 is fixed to the second member 72. The rotational force transmission mechanism 343 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the reducer 342 to the two ball screw mechanisms 344. The rotational force transmission mechanism 343 is provided, for example, on the second member 72 and has a first gear box 343a, two second gear boxes 343b, and two third gear boxes 343c. The first gear box 343a, the second gear box 343b, and the two third gear boxes 343c are connected by a shaft 343d, and transmit rotational force via the shaft 343d.

The first gearbox 343a is equipped with a gear mechanism that converts the direction of the input rotational axis to vertical and outputs it in two directions, left and right, so that rotation input from the front is output in both directions. The second gearbox 343b is equipped with a gear mechanism that converts the direction of the input rotational axis to vertical and outputs it, so that rotation input from the side is output to the rear side. The two third gearboxes 343c are respectively provided on either side of the second shaft 32, sandwiching the second shaft 32. The third gearboxes 343c are equipped with gear mechanisms that convert the direction of the input rotational axis to vertical and output it, so that rotation input from the front is output to the bottom side.

As shown in FIG. 3, a ball screw mechanism 344 is provided below the third gear box 343c. The ball screw mechanism 344 is a mechanism for moving the lifting body 345 up and down in response to the rotation of the rotational force transmission mechanism 343, and includes a screw shaft 344a and a nut 344b. The screw shaft 344a is joined to the third gear box 343c and is provided below the third gear box 343c, facing vertically. The lower end of the screw shaft 344a is journaled on the first member 71. A nut 344b is threadedly engaged with the screw shaft 344a. The nut 344b is attached to the lifting body 345. Therefore, when the screw shaft 344a rotates, the nut 344b and the lifting body 345 move up and down. The movement of the lifting body 345 moves the second shaft 32 in the axial direction. Note that multiple balls (not shown) are provided inside the nut 344b. As shown in FIG. 2, a guide shaft 347 is provided on the frame 7. The guide shaft 347 is a shaft for guiding the lifting body 345 in the up and down direction, and is provided, for example, between the first member 71 and the second member 72 in the axial direction. Multiple guide shafts 347 are provided, and for example, they pass through the vicinity of each corner of the lifting body 345 and are provided as bearings.

In this way, because the ball screw mechanisms 344 are provided on both the left and right sides of the second shaft 32, the lifting body 345 can be supported on both the left and right sides. Therefore, even when printing a heavy object O, the lifting body 345, table 13, and object O can be reliably supported and moved smoothly. Furthermore, by arranging the second drive unit 34 to the side of the second shaft 32, the three-dimensional printing device 1 can be configured lower than when the second drive unit 34 is arranged below the second shaft 32, allowing the three-dimensional printing device 1 to be configured more compactly.

A position sensor 41 is attached to the frame 7. The position sensor 41 detects the vertical (axial) position of the table 13. A linear encoder, for example, is used as the position sensor 41, and includes a main scale 41a and a detection unit 41b. The main scale 41a is elongated and is located below the second shaft 32, facing vertically at its center. For example, the main scale 41a is attached to the first member 71, passing through the lifting body 345 and into the second shaft 32. The detection unit 41b is attached to the lifting body 345, for example. The detection signal from the position sensor 41 is input to the control unit 4. When the lifting body 345, second shaft 32, and table 13 move together, the position sensor 41 detects their movement, and the position of the table 13 is detected by the control unit 4. Because the position sensor 41 is installed below the center of the second shaft 32 and the center of the table 13, the position of the table 13 can be accurately detected. The position sensor 41 can be any type of sensor, such as an electromagnetic or optical type. Furthermore, sensors other than those mentioned above can also be used as the position sensor 41, as long as they can detect the position of the table 13.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the driving force transmission section, and Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the driving force transmission section taken along line V-V in Figure 1.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the driving force transmission unit 35 is a mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft 31 to the second shaft 32 and allows the second shaft 32 to move axially relative to the first shaft 31. For example, the driving force transmission unit 35 is configured with a convex portion 351 and a concave portion 352. The convex portion 351 is provided on the first shaft 31 and is a member that protrudes toward the second shaft 32 located inside. The convex portion 351 is provided, for example, at the lower end of the first shaft 31 and is formed to protrude toward the inner periphery. The convex portion 351 is housed within the concave portion 352 and functions as a latch member. In addition, for example, a transmission roller 351a is provided at the tip of the convex portion 351. The transmission roller 351a is a roller that rotates with its axis aligned in the protruding direction. By providing the transmission roller 351a, sliding resistance between the convex portion 351 and the concave portion 352 can be reduced when the second shaft 32 moves axially relative to the first shaft 31, allowing the second shaft 32 to move smoothly. The recess 352 is a groove formed by recessing the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft 32, and is an elongated groove extending in the axial direction. The recess 352 is formed with a width and depth sufficient to accommodate the protrusion 351.

As shown in Figure 5, the convex portion 351 is housed within the concave portion 352, so that when the first shaft 31 rotates, the convex portion 351 abuts against the inner wall of the concave portion 352, causing the second shaft 32 to rotate as well. On the other hand, when the second shaft 32 moves in the axial direction, the concave portion 352 moves in the axial direction relative to the convex portion 351, so that no moving force is transmitted from the second shaft 32 to the first shaft 31, and only the second shaft 32 is allowed to move.

In the above-described driving force transmission unit 35, the convex portion 351 is provided on the first shaft 31 side and the concave portion 352 is provided on the second shaft 32 side. However, the concave portion 352 may be provided on the first shaft 31 side and the convex portion 351 may be provided on the second shaft 32 side. Furthermore, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the inner circumference of the first shaft 31 may be non-circular, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the outer circumference of the second shaft 32 may be non-circular, with the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft 31 functioning as the concave portion 352 and the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft 32 functioning as the convex portion 351. For example, by making the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the inner circumference of the first shaft 31 rectangular and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the outer circumference of the second shaft 32 rectangular, the rotational force of the first shaft 31 may be transmitted to the second shaft 32, allowing relative axial movement of the second shaft 32 with respect to the first shaft 31.

In FIG. 1, the processing unit 6 processes powder material A to obtain an object O. The processing of powder material A includes, for example, supplying powder material A, preheating powder material A (preheating), and modeling powder material A. The chamber 8 is formed above the frame 7. The interior of the chamber 8 forms a modeling space S. The modeling space S is an airtight space that can be decompressed and that contains powder material A and is used for processing powder material A by the processing unit 6.

A table 13 and a modeling tank 14 are arranged in the modeling space S. The table 13 is a processing stage where the modeling process is carried out. The table 13 is, for example, disk-shaped, and powder material A, the raw material for the object O, is placed on the table 13. The second shaft 32 of the drive unit 3 is connected to the table 13. Therefore, the table 13 rotates and moves linearly along the rotation axis due to the drive unit 3.

Figure 6 shows the main components used in the modeling process. The processing unit 6 is arranged to face the table 13. For example, the processing unit 6 is arranged above the table 13 and faces the modeling surface (main surface or upper surface) 13a of the table 13. The processing unit 6 includes, for example, a feeder 61, a heater 62, and a beam source 63 as processing units. The feeder 61 supplies powder material A. The heater 62 preheats powder material A. The beam source 63 models powder material A.

The feeder 61 functions as a supply unit that supplies powder material A onto the table 13. For example, the feeder 61 has a raw material tank and a leveling unit, not shown. The raw material tank stores powder material A and supplies powder material A onto the table 13. The leveling unit levels the surface of the powder material A on the table 13. Note that the three-dimensional modeling device 1 may have a roller unit, a rod-shaped member, a brush unit, etc. instead of the leveling unit.

The heater 62 functions as a heating unit that preheats the powder material A supplied onto the table 13, and preheats the powder material A before it is irradiated with the beam. For example, the heater 62 is placed above the table 13 and uses radiant heat to raise the temperature of the powder material A. The heater 62 may also use other methods of heating, such as an infrared heater.

The beam source 63 functions as a beam emission section that emits an electron beam and irradiates the powder material A with the electron beam. For example, an electron gun is used as the beam source 63. The beam source 63 generates an electron beam according to the potential difference generated between the cathode and anode, and adjusts the electric field to converge the electron beam and irradiate it at the desired position.

The feeder 61, heater 62, and beam source 63 are arranged along the rotation direction of the table 13. That is, the feeder 61, heater 62, and beam source 63 are provided above the table 13 along the rotation direction of the table 13. For example, when an XY coordinate system is defined with the rotation axis C as the origin, the feeder 61 is arranged along the positive Y axis of the second quadrant, the heater 62 is arranged in the second and third quadrants, and the beam source 63 is arranged in the first and fourth quadrants.

In this way, by arranging the feeder 61, heater 62, and beam source 63 that perform the modeling process along the rotational direction of the table 13 and rotating the table 13 to perform modeling, the processes of supplying powder material A onto the table 13, preheating powder material A, and modeling by beam irradiation can be performed in parallel. In other words, powder material A is supplied at the position of the feeder 61, preheating powder material A at the position of the heater 62, and beam irradiation is performed at the position of the beam source 63 to form object O. Therefore, object O can be modeled more efficiently and the time required to model object O can be shortened compared to when supplying powder material A, preheating powder material A, and beam irradiation are performed sequentially. This is particularly effective when manufacturing large objects O.

In FIG. 1, the control unit 4 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire 3D printing apparatus 1, and is configured to include a computer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control unit 4 controls the elevation and rotation of the table 13, the rotation of the printing tank 14, the operation of the feeder 61, the operation of the heater 62, and the operation of the beam source 63. The control unit 4 also functions as a setting unit that, for example, acquires slice data of a horizontal cross section of the object O, acquires multiple pieces of divided data by dividing the slice data circumferentially around the rotation axis C, and sets the irradiation position of the electron beam for each piece of divided data.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the first motor 331 and the second motor 341, outputs control signals to the first motor 331 and the second motor 341, and controls the rotation of the table 13 and the modeling tank 14 through the operation of the first motor 331 and the second motor 341, and controls the elevation (movement) of the table 13 in the axial direction.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the feeder 61 and outputs a control signal to the feeder 61 to control the supply of powder material A. For example, the control unit 4 operates the feeder 61 to supply powder material A onto the table 13 and spread the powder material A evenly.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the heater 62 and outputs a control signal to the heater 62 to control the preheating of powder material A. For example, the control unit 4 activates the heater 62 to heat powder material A on the table 13, thereby preheating powder material A. The amount of heat applied to powder material A may be set according to the material and type of powder material A, the rotation speed of the table 13, etc.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the beam source 63 and outputs a control signal to the beam source 63 to control the beam emission. For example, the control unit 4 activates the beam source 63 to emit an electron beam and irradiate a predetermined position of the powder material A with the electron beam. The position to be irradiated with the electron beam is the area where the object O is to be formed, and the electron beam is irradiated according to a preset irradiation position. Note that although the control unit 4 is installed within the frame 7 in FIG. 1, it may also be installed outside the frame 7.

Next, we will explain the operation of the 3D printing device 1 according to this embodiment and the 3D printing method according to this embodiment.

First, in FIG. 1, the table 13 is moved upward and positioned above the modeling tank 14. That is, a control signal is output from the control unit 4 to the second motor 341, causing the second motor 341 to be driven. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotational speed of the second motor 341 is reduced by the reducer 342, and the rotational output of the reducer 342 is transmitted to the ball screw mechanism 344 via the rotational force transmission mechanism 343. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the screw shaft 344a is rotated, causing the nut 344b to move upward, which in turn causes the lifting body 345 and second shaft 32 to move upward. As a result, the table 13 joined to the second shaft 32 moves upward.

At this time, the second shaft 32 is connected to the first shaft 31 via the driving force transmission part 35, but the driving force transmission part 35 allows the second shaft 32 to move axially relative to the first shaft 31, allowing only the second shaft 32 to move smoothly upward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the table 13 and the modeling tank 14 are rotated around the rotation axis C. That is, a control signal is output from the control unit 4 to the first motor 331, and the first motor 331 is driven. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the rotational speed of the first motor 331 is reduced by the reducer 332, and the rotational output of the reducer 332 is transmitted to the gear 334 via the gear box 333. Then, the rotation of the gear 334 rotates the first shaft 31, and the modeling tank 14 connected to the first shaft 31 rotates.

Furthermore, as the first shaft 31 rotates, the second shaft 32 also rotates in the same direction at the same rotational speed. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotational force of the first shaft 31 is transmitted to the second shaft 32 via the drive force transmission unit 35, causing the second shaft 32 to also rotate. Therefore, the table 13 and the modeling tank 14 rotate in the same direction at the same rotational speed.

In FIG. 1, powder material A is supplied onto table 13 by feeder 61. That is, a control signal is output from control unit 4 to feeder 61, causing feeder 61 to operate, and powder material A is supplied onto table 13 by feeder 61 and spread evenly.

In addition, the heater 62 preheats the powder material A. That is, a control signal is output from the control unit 4 to the heater 62, which activates the heater 62, heating the powder material A that moves below the heater 62 as the table 13 rotates.

In addition, the beam source 63 irradiates the powder material A with an electron beam, thereby forming the object O. That is, a control signal is output from the control unit 4 to the beam source 63, which activates it, and the electron beam is irradiated onto the powder material A below the beam source 63 as the table 13 rotates. This melts or sinters the powder material A, thereby forming the object O.

The table 13 is then lowered as the formation of the object O progresses. That is, a control signal is output from the control unit 4 to the second motor 341, and the table 13 is lowered along the axial direction by operating the second motor 341. Specifically, the control unit 4 outputs a control signal to the second motor 341, driving the second motor 341. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotational speed of the second motor 341 is reduced by the reducer 342, and the rotational output of the reducer 342 is transmitted to the ball screw mechanism 344 via the rotational force transmission mechanism 343. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the screw shaft 344a is rotated, causing the nut 344b to move downward, which in turn causes the lifting body 345 and the second shaft 32 to move downward. As a result, the table 13, which is joined to the second shaft 32, moves downward.

At this time, the second shaft 32 is connected to the first shaft 31 via the drive force transmission unit 35, but the drive force transmission unit 35 allows relative axial movement of the second shaft 32 with respect to the first shaft 31, so only the second shaft 32 can be moved downward. The descent of the table 13 may be synchronized with the rotation of the table 13, but does not have to be completely synchronized.

In this way, the object O can be formed by rotating the table 13, simultaneously carrying out the processes of supplying powder material A onto the table 13, preheating the powder material A, and irradiating it with a beam, and then gradually lowering the table 13 to repeat the processes of supplying powder material A, preheating the powder material A, and irradiating it with a beam.

As described above, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a drive force transmission unit 35 that transmits rotational force from one of the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 to the other and allows relative axial movement of the second shaft 32 relative to the first shaft 31. This allows the first drive unit 33 to rotate the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32, and moves only the second shaft 32 in the axial direction. Therefore, the table 13 can be rotated with a small number of drive sources to efficiently model the object O, and the device can be prevented from becoming too large.

In other words, because the first drive unit 33 can rotate both the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32, there is no need to provide separate drive units for rotating the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32. This makes it possible to prevent the device from becoming too large. Furthermore, by allowing the second shaft 32 to rotate and move axially, the table 13 can be rotated and moved axially, allowing the object O to be efficiently formed on the table 13.

Furthermore, with the three-dimensional modeling device 1 according to this embodiment, by configuring the convex portion 351 of the drive force transmission unit 35 to be housed in the concave portion 352, it is possible to transmit rotational force from one of the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 to the other, and to allow relative axial movement of the second shaft 32 with respect to the first shaft 31.

Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional printing method of this embodiment, the table 13 can be rotated to print the object O, thereby enabling efficient object printing. Furthermore, the table 13 and the printing tank 14 can be rotated via the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 by driving the first drive unit 33, and the table 13 can be moved in the axial direction by moving the first shaft 31 in the axial direction by driving the second drive unit 34, thereby enabling printing to be performed. This prevents the three-dimensional printing device from becoming too large, allowing for a compact configuration. Therefore, the object O can be printed even if the printing space is small.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is described as having one feeder 61, one heater 62, and one beam source 63. However, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may have multiple feeders 61, heaters 62, and multiple beam sources 63. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, two feeders 61, two heaters 62, and two beam sources 63 may be provided. That is, two sets of feeders 61, heaters 62, and beam sources 63 may be provided circumferentially around the table 13. In this case, powder material A can be supplied, preheated, and irradiated with a beam on one half of the table 13, and simultaneously, powder material A can be supplied, preheated, and irradiated with a beam on the other half of the table 13. This allows for more efficient modeling of the object O. The apparatus may also have three or more feeders 61, heaters 62, and multiple beam sources 63.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an electron beam is irradiated onto the powder material A on the table 13 using one beam source 63, but beam irradiation may also be performed using multiple beam sources 63.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an electron beam is used as an energy beam to form the object O, but the object O may also be formed using an energy beam other than an electron beam. For example, the object O may be formed by irradiating it with an ion beam, laser beam, ultraviolet light, or the like. Furthermore, the object O may also be formed using a method other than the powder bed method.

Reference Signs List 1 Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 3 Drive unit 4 Control unit 6 Processing unit 7 Frame 8 Chamber 13 Table 14 Modeling tank 31 First shaft 32 Second shaft 33 First drive unit 34 Second drive unit 35 Driving force transmission unit 61 Feeder 62 Heater 63 Beam source 351 Convex portion 352 Concave portion A Powder material C Rotation axis O Object S Modeling space

Claims (3)

1. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that supplies a powder material onto a table installed in a modeling tank and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to model a three-dimensional object,
a first shaft, which is a cylindrical shaft extending in an axial direction, rotatably supported, joined to the modeling tank, and rotates together with the modeling tank;
a second shaft that is inserted inside the first shaft, arranged coaxially with the first shaft, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft, and is joined to the table and rotates together with the table;
a first drive unit that applies a rotational force to one of the first shaft and the second shaft;
a second drive unit for moving the second shaft in the axial direction;
a driving force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other and allows relative movement of the second shaft in the axial direction with respect to the first shaft;
Equipped with
The second drive unit is
a lifting body joined to a lower portion of the second shaft;
a ball screw mechanism for supporting the lifting body;
a motor disposed laterally of the second shaft;
a rotational force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the motor to the ball screw mechanism, thereby moving the lifting body together with the second shaft in the axial direction . the driving force transmission portion has a convex portion formed on one of the first shaft and the second shaft, and a concave portion formed on the other of the first shaft and the second shaft;
the protrusion protrudes toward the recess and is accommodated in the recess,
The recess is a groove extending in the axial direction.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 . A three-dimensional modeling method using a three-dimensional modeling device that supplies a powder material onto a table installed in a modeling tank and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to model a three-dimensional object, comprising:
The three-dimensional modeling device includes:
a first shaft, which is a cylindrical shaft extending in an axial direction, rotatably supported, joined to the modeling tank, and rotates together with the modeling tank;
a second shaft that is inserted inside the first shaft, arranged coaxially with the first shaft, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft, and is joined to the table and rotates together with the table;
a first drive unit that applies a rotational force to one of the first shaft and the second shaft;
a second drive unit for moving the second shaft in the axial direction;
a driving force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force from one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the other and allows relative movement of the second shaft in the axial direction with respect to the first shaft ,
The second drive unit is
a lifting body joined to a lower portion of the second shaft;
a ball screw mechanism for supporting the lifting body;
a motor disposed laterally of the second shaft;
a rotational force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the motor to the ball screw mechanism to move the lifting body together with the second shaft in the axial direction,
Three-dimensional modeling method.