WO2018079626A1

WO2018079626A1 - Three-dimensional printing apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional printed object

Info

Publication number: WO2018079626A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/038578
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伊藤　宏; 新一朗原
Original assignee: コニカミノルタ株式会社
Priority date: 2016-10-26
Filing date: 2017-10-25
Publication date: 2018-05-03

Abstract

A three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided with: a powder layer-forming unit (120) for forming a powder layer made of a powder material on a printing stage (110); a laser-irradiating unit (130) for irradiating a laser on the printing region of the powder layer to sinter or melt-solidify the printing region and form a printed layer; a heat-dissipating material-supplying unit (123) for supplying heat-dissipating material on the printing stage (110); and a control unit (150) for controlling the powder layer-forming unit (120), the heat-dissipating material-supplying unit (123) and the laser-irradiating unit (130) to repeat the processes of disposing the heat-dissipating material while forming powder layers and printed layers and laminate multiple printed layers so that at least a portion has the heat-dissipating material disposed therearound.

Description

3D modeling apparatus and 3D manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional modeled object.

Conventionally, three-dimensional modeling technology for modeling a three-dimensional model by irradiating a powder material with a laser is known. In this technique, (i) a predetermined layer (hereinafter referred to as “modeling region”) of a powder layer is irradiated with a laser, that is, by applying heat, the powder material in the modeling region is sintered or melted and solidified. And (ii) laying a new powder layer on the formed modeling layer and irradiating the laser in the same manner to further form a modeling layer to model a three-dimensional modeled object. In the following, for convenience of explanation, a structure in which a modeling layer before being completed as a three-dimensional structure is laminated is also referred to as a “three-dimensional structure”.

In relation to the above three-dimensional modeling technique, verification of temperature distribution characteristics in a powder layer (hereinafter referred to as “powder deposition layer”) formed when modeling a three-dimensional model is performed. (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature distribution of a three-dimensional structure within a powder deposition layer.

The manufacturing process of modeling a three-dimensional structure includes a modeling phase in which modeling layers are sequentially stacked, and a cooling phase in which the modeling layers are stacked and then left for a certain period of time for air cooling.

The surface layer of the powder deposition layer in the modeling phase is repeatedly heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the powder material by being irradiated with a laser, and is in a high temperature state (for example, about 180 ° C.) (FIG. 1A). As the modeling process proceeds, the three-dimensional model is buried in the powder accumulation layer, and a temperature difference occurs in the model in the vertical / horizontal direction (FIG. 1B). FIG. 1B shows a state in which the surface layer and the central region of the powder deposition layer reach a high temperature of about 170 ° C., and the deep layer on the lower layer side and the left and right ends are lowered to about 150 ° C. In the cooling phase after modeling, the heat in the central part in the powder accumulation layer is difficult to escape, and the temperature distribution different from that during modeling spreads in the modeled object (FIG. 1C). In FIG. 1C, the central region of the powder deposition layer becomes high at about 150 ° C., and the upper, lower, left and right end portions thereof are about 100 ° C., and the temperature is lowered from the central region toward the periphery. Such a temperature distribution characteristic is generally caused by the fact that the thermal conductivity of the powder material is low and heat tends to be trapped in the powder deposition layer.

As described above, when the three-dimensional structure is buried in the powder deposition layer (FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C), uneven temperature distribution occurs in each part of the three-dimensional structure. Thermal distortion such as warpage due to partial shrinkage occurs. As a result, there has been a problem that the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional structure deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and suppresses unevenness of temperature distribution generated in a three-dimensional structure within a powder accumulation layer, thereby improving a modeling accuracy and a three-dimensional structure. It aims at providing the manufacturing method of.

The main present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.
A powder layer forming part for forming a powder layer made of a powder material;
A laser irradiation unit that irradiates a laser to a modeling region of the powder layer, and forms a modeling layer by sintering or melting and solidifying the modeling region;
A heat-dissipating material supply section for supplying the heat-dissipating material;
Control the powder layer forming unit, the heat dissipation material supply unit and the laser irradiation unit,
Control to dispose the heat dissipating material so that the heat dissipating material is disposed on at least a part of the periphery of the modeling layer by repeating the process of forming the powder layer and the modeling layer while disposing the heat dissipating material. And
Is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

In other aspects,
Forming a powder layer made of a powder material on the modeling stage;
Irradiating a laser to the modeling region of the powder layer, and sintering or melting and solidifying the modeling region to form a modeling layer;
Providing a heat dissipating material on the modeling stage,
Repeating the step of forming the powder layer and the modeling layer while disposing the heat dissipating material, and laminating the plurality of modeling layers so that the heat dissipating material is disposed around at least a part of the layer;
It is a manufacturing method of a three-dimensional structure.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the uneven temperature distribution generated in the three-dimensional modeled object in the powder accumulation layer and improve the modeling accuracy.

1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams schematically illustrating a temperature distribution of a three-dimensional structure in a powder deposition layer. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a model apparatus for a verification experiment. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a model apparatus for a verification experiment. FIG. 5 is a graph showing a temporal change in the temperature distribution in the powder deposition layer in the model apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation flow process of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement position of the heat dissipating material in the stacking direction. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement position of the heat dissipating material in the stacking direction. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to Modification 3.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a modeling stage 110 located in the opening, a powder layer forming unit 120 that forms a powder layer made of a powder material on the modeling stage 110, and a heat dissipation material on the modeling stage 110. The laser radiation unit 130 that supplies the laser to the modeling region of the powder layer, the laser irradiation unit 130 that forms the modeling layer by sintering or melting and solidifying the powder material in the modeling region, and the vertical of the modeling stage 110 A stage support unit 140 that variably supports a position in the direction and a base 145 that supports the above-described units are provided.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 does not induce a dust explosion (a phenomenon in which a certain concentration of combustible dust floats in a gas such as the atmosphere and is ignited by a spark to cause an explosion). An inert gas supply unit (not shown) that supplies an inert gas (such as nitrogen) into the apparatus under the control of the control unit 150 may be provided. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 may include a heater (not shown) that preliminarily heats the inside of the apparatus (in particular, the upper surface of the powder layer made of a powder material) under the control of the control unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 3, the 3D modeling apparatus 100 includes a control unit 150 that controls the entire 3D modeling apparatus 100, a display unit 160 that displays various types of information, and a pointing that receives instructions from the user. An operation unit 170 including a device and the like, a storage unit 180 that stores various types of information including a control program executed by the control unit 150, and various types of information such as three-dimensional modeling data between the computer device 200 and the like. A data input unit 190 including an interface and the like is provided. The computer device 200 generates data for three-dimensional modeling and transmits the data to the data input unit 190.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 forms a powder layer by the powder layer forming unit 120 on the modeling stage 110, and forms a modeling layer by sintering or melting and solidifying the powder in the modeling region by laser irradiation by the laser irradiation unit 130. To do. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 models a three-dimensional model by repeating the process of laying a new powder layer on the formed modeling layer and irradiating the laser in the same manner to further form a modeling layer. At this time, the heat dissipating material supply unit 123 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 arranges the heat dissipating material so as to surround the modeling region at the same time when the powder layer forming unit 120 forms the powder layer or before forming the powder layer. (It will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7).

The powder layer forming unit 120 includes a powder supply unit 121 and a recoater driving unit 122.

The powder supply unit 121 supplies the powder material onto the modeling stage 110. The powder supply unit 121 includes, for example, a supply nozzle 121a, a powder material tank (not shown) that stores the powder material, and a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. The powder supply unit 121 supplies, for example, the powder material supplied from the powder material tank onto the modeling stage 110 by operating a valve body provided at the tip of the supply nozzle 121a.

The powder material is a material that is sintered or melted and solidified by a laser irradiated from the laser irradiation unit 130 to form a three-dimensional structure. The powder material is typically a resin material such as polyamide or polystyrene.

The recoater driving unit 122 flatly spreads the powder material supplied on the modeling stage 110 using the recoater 122a to form a powder layer made of the powder material. The recoater drive unit 122 includes, for example, the recoater 122a and a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor, and drives the drive mechanism to move the recoater 122a horizontally with respect to the modeling stage 110, thereby generating powder. Lay the material flat.

It should be noted that the powder layer forming unit 120 may supply the powder material by other methods as long as the powder layer can be laid flat on the modeling stage 110. For example, instead of the supply nozzle 121a, the powder supply unit 121 may provide a powder material storage unit at the outer edge of the modeling stage 110 and supply the powder material so as to flow from the powder material storage unit onto the modeling stage 110. Good. Further, as a means for spreading the powder material flat on the modeling stage 110, a roller or the like may be used instead of the recoater 122a.

The heat dissipation material supply unit 123 supplies the heat dissipation material onto the modeling stage 110. The heat dissipation material supply unit 123 includes, for example, a supply roller 123a, a heat dissipation material setting unit (not shown) for sequentially setting the heat dissipation material on the supply roller 123a, and a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor for moving the supply roller 123a. ). And the heat radiating material supply part 123 makes the supply roller 123a hold | maintain heat radiating materials, such as copper foil, for example, drives the supply roller 123a, and slides the said heat radiating material, and is arrange | positioned on the modeling stage 110. FIG.

The heat dissipating material is disposed on the modeling stage 110 so as to surround the periphery of the modeling area. And when the three-dimensional structure is buried in the powder accumulation layer, the heat dissipation material radiates heat from the structure and the surrounding powder material, and suppresses the occurrence of uneven temperature distribution in the three-dimensional structure. .

As the heat dissipation material, a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the powder material is used, and typically, a material having a thermal conductivity of 10 times or more that of the powder material is used. More preferably, a metal material such as silver, copper, aluminum, or stainless steel is used as the heat dissipation material. The metal material has high thermal conductivity and can prevent welding with the powder material. Therefore, it is possible to reuse the heat dissipation material or the powder material.

As an example, the thermal conductivity of the powder material is polyamide: 0.25 (W / mK), polystyrene: 0.1 to 0.14 (W / mK). The heat conductivity of the heat dissipating material was as follows: silver: 420 (W / mK), copper: 398 (W / mK), aluminum: 236 (W / mK), stainless steel: 16.7 to 20.9 (W / m mK).

It is desirable that the heat dissipating material has a thickness equal to or less than the lamination pitch (for example, 0.1 mm) of the powder layer, and for example, a foil or powder is used.

In addition, the heat radiating material supply part 123 arrange | positions the said heat radiating material on the modeling stage 110 using the above-mentioned supply roller 123a or a robot arm, when a heat radiating material is foil shape. On the other hand, when the heat dissipating material is in a powder form, the heat dissipating material supply unit 123 disposes the heat dissipating material on the modeling stage 110 using a supply nozzle or the like.

The laser irradiation unit 130 includes a laser light source 131 and a galvano mirror driving unit 132 having a galvano mirror 132a. Examples of the laser light source 131 include a fiber laser light source and a CO ₂ laser light source. The laser light source 131 emits a laser toward the galvanometer mirror 132a.

The galvanometer mirror 132a is composed of an X mirror that reflects the laser from the laser light source 131 and scans the laser in the X direction, and a Y mirror that reflects the laser from the laser light source 131 and scans the laser in the Y direction. The The galvanometer mirror driving unit 132 drives the galvanometer mirror 132a and irradiates the modeling region of the powder layer with laser. The laser irradiation unit 130 may include a lens (not shown) for adjusting the focal length of the laser to the surface of the powder layer.

The stage support unit 140 variably supports the position of the modeling stage 110 in the vertical direction. That is, the modeling stage 110 is configured to be precisely movable in the vertical direction by the stage support unit 140. Although various configurations can be adopted as the stage support unit 140, for example, it is related to a holding member that holds the modeling stage 110, a guide member that guides the holding member in the vertical direction, and a screw hole provided in the guide member. It can be constituted by a ball screw or the like to be combined. The modeling stage 110 is surrounded by a guide member, and a tank for depositing a powder material is formed by the guide member and the modeling stage 110.

The display unit 160 displays various information and messages that should be recognized by the user under the control of the control unit 150.

The operation unit 170 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, an execution key, and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation to the control unit 150. For example, the three-dimensional structure to be modeled is displayed on the display unit 160 to check whether a desired shape is formed. If the desired shape is not formed, the three-dimensional modeling is performed via the operation unit 170. Modifications may be made to the data.

The storage unit 180 stores various types of information including a control program executed by the control unit 150. The storage unit 180 is, for example, various storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, an HDD, and an SSD. The storage unit 180 stores, for example, three-dimensional modeling data input via the data input unit 190.

The control unit 150 is a control device that controls the entire 3D modeling apparatus 100 and includes, for example, a hardware processor such as a central processing unit. The control unit 150 performs data communication with the powder layer forming unit 120, the heat radiating material supply unit 123, the laser irradiation unit 130, the stage support unit 140, the display unit 160, the operation unit 170, the storage unit 180, and the data input unit 190. To control the operation.

[Verification experiment]
As a result of intensive studies, the inventors of the present application have found that by arranging the heat dissipating material so as to surround the modeling region, it is possible to suppress uneven temperature distribution that occurs in the three-dimensional modeled object, and arrive at the present invention. It came to.

Hereinafter, the experimental results of the effect verification by applying the heat radiating material will be described.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing model devices T1 and T2 for the verification experiment.

The model devices T1 and T2 of FIGS. 4A and 4B are provided with heaters Th1 to Th3 around a powder tank containing a powder deposition layer Ta made of a powder material, and temperature sensors TL1 at a plurality of positions in the powder tank. To TL3. The model device T1 in FIG. 4A is a model device in which a plurality of heat dissipating materials Tb (here, copper foils) are disposed in the entire powder tank, and the model device T2 in FIG. 4B is a heat dissipating material in the powder accumulation layer Ta. This is a model device without Tb.

In the verification experiment, in the model devices T1 and T2, the temperature distribution and the cooling rate in the powder deposition layer Ta when the powder deposition layer Ta was heated using the heaters Th1 to Th3 and then naturally cooled were confirmed. In this verification experiment, the temperature distribution at each time is measured by regarding the time during which the powder deposition layer Ta is heated as the modeling phase and the time during which the powder deposition layer Ta is naturally cooled as the cooling phase.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing temporal changes in the temperature distribution in the powder deposition layer Ta in the model devices T1 and T2 in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 5, T1mid is the temperature of the central portion in the powder deposition layer Ta of the model apparatus T1, T1max is the temperature at which the maximum temperature in the powder deposition layer Ta of the model apparatus T1 is detected, and T1min is the model apparatus. The temperature at which the minimum temperature in the powder deposition layer Ta of T1 is detected, T2mid is the temperature of the central portion in the powder deposition layer Ta of the model device T2, and T2max is the maximum temperature in the powder deposition layer Ta of the model device T2. The temperature at which the temperature is detected, T2min, indicates the temperature at the position where the minimum temperature in the powder deposition layer Ta of the model apparatus T2 is detected.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the following effects can be obtained by disposing the heat dissipating material Tb in the powder deposition layer Ta.

First, since the difference between the maximum value T1max and the minimum value T1min in the modeling phase is about 1/3 compared to the difference between the maximum value T2max and the minimum value T2min, the heat dissipation material Tb is placed in the powder deposition layer Ta. It can be seen that the uneven distribution of the temperature distribution in the modeling phase can be suppressed by the arrangement.

In addition, since the difference between the maximum value T1max and the minimum value T1min in the cooling phase is about 1/3 compared to the difference between the maximum value T2max and the minimum value T2min, the heat dissipation material Tb is contained in the powder accumulation layer Ta. It can be seen that the uneven distribution of the temperature distribution in the cooling phase can also be suppressed by arranging.

Furthermore, since the cooling gradient in the cooling phase is steeper than T2max, T2min, and T2mid for all of T1max, T1min, and T1mid, cooling is achieved by disposing the heat dissipation material Tb in the powder deposition layer Ta. It can be seen that the cooling time in the phase can be shortened.

In addition, since the three-dimensional structure is formed by sintering or melting and solidifying a powder material, the temperature distribution of the three-dimensional structure is the same even in the process of actually forming the three-dimensional structure. It is estimated that the same tendency as the result of the verification experiment is shown.

In other words, this experimental result shows that by disposing the heat dissipating material so as to surround the modeling layer that is the center of heat generation, heat dissipation from the modeling layer buried in the powder deposition layer is promoted in each direction, and the modeling phase and In any of the cooling phases, it is suggested that the uneven temperature distribution generated in the three-dimensional structure can be suppressed.

[Manufacturing process of 3D objects]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, an example of an operation flow when the 3D modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment manufactures a 3D model will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The operation flow shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 150 according to a computer program, for example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the processing of steps S4 to S6 in the operation flow of FIG. In FIG. 7, La, Lb, and Lc are regions of the powder layer that are sintered or melt-solidified (modeling regions), regions of the powder layer that are not sintered or melt-solidified (non-modeling regions), The area | region where the heat radiating material was arrange | positioned is represented. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement position of the heat dissipating material in the stacking direction.

The control unit 150 first creates slice data (step S1). For example, the control unit 150 converts the three-dimensional modeling shape data acquired by the data input unit 190 from the computer device 200 into a plurality of slice data sliced thinly in the stacking direction of the modeling layer, and stores the data in the storage unit 180. . The slice data is modeling data of each modeling layer for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object. Data for one layer of slice data corresponds to one layer for the powder layer and the modeling layer.

Next, the control unit 150 determines a region in which the heat dissipating material is disposed based on the slice data (step S2).

Specifically, the control unit 150 determines the disposition region of the heat radiation material so as to surround the periphery of the modeling region based on the slice data so as not to cause uneven temperature distribution in the three-dimensional structure. At this time, it is desirable that the disposition position of the heat dissipating material be as close as possible to the modeling region, for example, close to the distance between them is about 2 mm. However, since there exists a possibility that both may weld if a heat sink and a molded article contact, the arrangement | positioning position of a heat sink shall be a position where both do not contact.

Further, the heat dissipating material may be disposed in each layer as shown in FIG. 8A in the stacking direction, or may be disposed at intervals of a plurality of layers as shown in FIG. 8B. . In FIGS. 8A and 8B, TL corresponds to the thickness of one layer of the modeling layer (for example, 0.1 mm).

On the other hand, of course, the disposition positions of the heat dissipating materials do not have to be equal. In addition, the heat dissipating material may be disposed at least in a part of the stacking direction of the plurality of modeling layers as long as the heat dissipating material surrounds the surroundings. It is good also as what arrange | positions a thermal radiation material in the right and left of a modeling area | region in the odd-numbered layer. Further, depending on the shape of the three-dimensional structure, a heat dissipating material may be provided only on the side where heat is accumulated, and a balance with the area where the heat is not accumulated may be achieved.

The control unit 150 repeatedly executes the following steps S3 to S7 for each layer based on the data set in steps S1 and S2.

First, the control unit 150 determines whether or not there is a region where the heat dissipating material is disposed in the layer to be stacked (step S3). When disposing a heat dissipating material (step S3: YES), the disposing process of the heat dissipating material in the subsequent step S4 is performed. On the other hand, when the heat dissipating material is not disposed (step S3: NO), the control unit 150 performs the powder layer forming process in the subsequent step S5 without disposing the heat dissipating material.

Next, the control unit 150 outputs a control signal to the heat dissipation material supply unit 123 to operate the heat dissipation material supply unit 123 (step S4).

The heat dissipation material supply unit 123 drives the supply roller 123a according to the control signal output from the control unit 150, and disposes the heat dissipation material in the corresponding region Lc on the modeling stage 110.

Next, the control unit 150 outputs control signals to the powder supply unit 121 and the recoater driving unit 122 to form a powder layer, and operates them (step S5).

The powder supply unit 121 supplies the powder material to the entire modeling stage 110 while moving the supply nozzle 123 a on the modeling stage 110 according to the control signal output from the control unit 150. At this time, the powder supply unit 121 is more powdery than the regions La and Lb in which the heat dissipating material is not provided in the region Lc in which the heat dissipating material is provided so that the height in the stacking direction is uniform as a whole. The amount of material supply may be reduced.

Thereafter, the recoater driving unit 122 moves the recoater 122a in the horizontal direction on the modeling stage 110 in accordance with the control signal output from the control unit 150, and presses the powder material so that the thickness becomes one layer of the powder layer. And leveling.

At this time, the heat dissipating material is made of a foil-like or powdery material having a thickness equal to or less than one layer of the powder layer, so that the heat dissipating material disposed in step S4 is embedded in the powder layer. Become. In other words, the recoater driving unit 122 can form a flat powder layer without being disturbed by the heat dissipation material. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of the three-dimensional structure from being deteriorated due to the deterioration of the accuracy of the laser irradiation position in the subsequent step S6.

Next, the control unit 150 outputs a control signal to the laser irradiation unit 130 to operate the laser irradiation unit 130 (step S6).

The laser irradiation unit 130 emits a laser from the laser light source 131 according to the control signal output from the control unit 150, and drives the galvano mirror 132a by the galvano mirror driving unit 132, so that the modeling region La on the powder layer is applied. Irradiate the laser. Then, the powder material is sintered or melted and solidified by laser irradiation, and a modeling layer is formed in the modeling region La.

Next, the control unit 150 determines whether or not all the modeling layers have been formed based on the slice data (step S7). Here, when it determines with all the modeling layers having been formed (step S7: YES), the control part 150 complete | finishes a series of processes. On the other hand, when it determines with not forming all the modeling layers (step S7: NO), the control part 150 outputs a control signal with respect to the stage support part 140, and while operating the stage support part 140, step Returning to the process of S3, a modeling layer according to the next layer is formed.

The stage support unit 140 drives the motor and the drive mechanism in response to a control signal output from the control unit 150, and moves the modeling stage 110 downward in the vertical direction by the stacking pitch.

As described above, by repeating the operations of steps S3 to S7, a plurality of modeling layers are stacked on the modeling stage 110, and a three-dimensional modeled object is modeled. And after a three-dimensional structure is modeled, the said three-dimensional structure is completed by cooling by natural cooling etc. for a predetermined time.

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a three-dimensional modeled object is formed while disposing a heat dissipation material around the modeling region. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 can stack the modeling layers while eliminating unevenness of the temperature distribution of the model buried in the powder deposition layer. Thereby, it can suppress that a thermal distortion arises in a three-dimensional structure, and can improve the modeling precision of a three-dimensional structure. This also improves the heat dissipation characteristics and shortens the cooling time of the cooling phase.

Moreover, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the heat radiation material is constituted by a foil-like or powder-like member having a thickness equal to or less than one layer of the powder layer, and thus the accuracy of the three-dimensional modeled object is high. It can also prevent deterioration. Here, when a foil-like heat dissipation material is used, there is an advantage in that it is easy to dispose on the modeling stage 110, and in addition, recovery and reuse are easy. On the other hand, when a powdery heat dissipation material is used, the arrangement position can be finely adjusted in accordance with the shape of the three-dimensional structure, and the modeling accuracy can be further improved and the cooling time can be shortened. There are advantages in terms. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately select the aspect of the heat dissipation material according to the shape of the three-dimensional structure.

Further, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, since the heat radiating material is made of a metal material, it is possible to ensure good heat radiating characteristics and the heat radiating material is welded to the powder material. There is nothing. Therefore, it becomes possible to reuse both the heat dissipation material and the powder material.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the first modification.

FIG. 9 is different from the above embodiment in that the supply nozzle 121a for supplying the powder material and the supply roller 123a for supplying the heat dissipating material are integrally moved.

Further, the supply nozzle 121a and the supply roller 123a are disposed on the modeling stage 110 by shifting the positions for supplying the powder material and the heat dissipation material in the horizontal direction.

When forming a three-dimensional structure, the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100 according to Modification 1 executes the process of supplying the powder material by the supply nozzle 121a and the process of supplying the heat dissipation material by the supply roller 123a simultaneously. To do. At this time, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to Modification 1 is configured to supply the powder material so as to cover the heat dissipation material after the heat dissipation material is disposed.

With this configuration, the modeling time for the entire modeling phase can be shortened. In addition, since the powder supply unit 121 and the heat dissipation material supply unit 123 can share a motor and a drive mechanism for moving the supply nozzle 121a and the supply roller 123a on the modeling stage 110, cost reduction and size reduction are achieved. Etc.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the second modification.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to Modification 2 is different from Modification 1 in that a supply nozzle 123b is used instead of the supply roller 123a in the heat dissipation material supply method of the heat dissipation material supply unit 123.

The heat dissipating material supply unit 123 according to Modification 2 uses a powder heat dissipating material, and discharges the heat dissipating material from the supply nozzle 123b. Similarly to the first modification, the supply nozzle 121a for supplying the powder material and the supply nozzle 123b for supplying the heat dissipating material are held in a state where the discharge ports are shifted in the horizontal direction on the modeling stage 110 so as to be integrated. It is configured to move.

When forming a three-dimensional structure, the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100 according to the modified example 2 simultaneously performs a process in which the supply nozzle 121a supplies the powder material and a process in which the supply nozzle 123b supplies the heat dissipation material, thereby radiating heat. After disposing the material, a powder material is supplied so as to cover the heat dissipation material.

Even with this configuration, the modeling time of the entire modeling phase can be shortened as in the first modification. In addition, since the powder supply unit 121 and the heat dissipation material supply unit 123 can share the motor and the drive mechanism for moving the supply nozzle 121a and the supply nozzle 123b on the modeling stage 110, the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Etc.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the third modification.

3D modeling apparatus 100 according to Modification 3 is different from Modification 2 in that the supply nozzle of the heat dissipation material supply unit 123 and the supply nozzle of the powder supply unit 121 are shared.

The supply nozzle 121c of the powder supply unit 121 according to Modification 3 is a line nozzle having a plurality of discharge ports b1 to b5. The supply nozzle 121c includes a storage chamber (not shown) that holds a discharge target discharged from each of the plurality of discharge ports b1 to b5, and a valve (not shown) for switching the discharge target held in the storage chamber. Is provided. Then, the supply nozzle 121c selectively discharges the powder material or the powder heat radiation material from each of the plurality of discharge ports b1 to b5 by switching the discharge target in the storage chamber that communicates with each of the plurality of discharge ports b1 to b5. .

When forming a three-dimensional structure, the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100 according to Modification 3 supplies a powder material and a heat dissipation material while moving the supply nozzle 121c in the horizontal direction on the modeling stage 110. The process to perform is performed simultaneously. At this time, the supply nozzle 121c selectively supplies the powder material or the heat radiating material from each of the plurality of discharge ports b1 to b5 according to the position on the modeling stage 110. And the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 supplies a powder material so that the said heat radiating material may be covered, after arrange | positioning a heat radiating material.

Even with such a configuration, the modeling time of the entire modeling phase can be shortened. In addition, since the supply nozzle 121c can be shared by the powder supply unit 121 and the heat dissipation material supply unit 123, it contributes to cost reduction and downsizing.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be considered.

In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, the aspect of forming one three-dimensional modeled object has been described. However, of course, the 3D modeling apparatus 100 may form a plurality of 3D models in a series of modeling phases. In that case, the control part 150 should just determine the area | region which arrange | positions a thermal radiation material based on the slice data of each of the said some three-dimensional structure.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which implement | achieves control of the powder layer formation part 120, the heat radiating material supply part 123, and the laser irradiation part 130 with one computer as an example of the control part 150 was shown. However, it goes without saying that the control may be realized by a plurality of computers. For example, a plurality of computers for controlling the powder layer forming unit 120, the heat radiation material supply unit 123, and the laser irradiation unit 130 may be separately provided. In that case, what is necessary is just to control the powder layer formation part 120, the thermal radiation material supply part 123, and the laser irradiation part 130 in cooperation by the said some computer communicating data mutually.

In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the control unit 150, slice data creation and modeling layer formation processing are illustrated as being executed in a series of flows, but some of these processing are performed in parallel. It may be executed. In addition, the control unit 150 may determine a region where the heat dissipation material is disposed based on slice data of a corresponding layer every time when forming each powder layer.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

The disclosure of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in the Japanese application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-209739 filed on Oct. 26, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 110 Modeling stage 120 Powder layer forming part 121 Powder supply part 122 Recoater drive part 123 Heat radiation material supply part 130 Laser irradiation part 131 Laser light source 132 Galvano mirror drive part 140 Stage support part 145 Base 150 Control part 160 Display part 170 Operation Unit 180 Storage Unit 190 Data Input Unit 200 Computer Device

Claims

A powder layer forming part for forming a powder layer made of a powder material;
A laser irradiation unit that irradiates a laser to a modeling region of the powder layer, and forms a modeling layer by sintering or melting and solidifying the modeling region;
A heat-dissipating material supply section for supplying the heat-dissipating material;
Control the powder layer forming unit, the heat dissipation material supply unit and the laser irradiation unit,
Control to dispose the heat dissipating material so that the heat dissipating material is disposed on at least a part of the periphery of the modeling layer by repeating the process of forming the powder layer and the modeling layer while disposing the heat dissipating material. And
3D modeling device.
The thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation material is 10 times or more the thermal conductivity of the powder material.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1.
The heat dissipation material is a foil-shaped material.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The heat dissipation material is a powdery material,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The heat dissipation material is composed of a metal material,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The heat dissipation material is constituted by a member having a thickness equal to or less than one layer of the powder layer.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The heat dissipation material is disposed for each layer or a plurality of layers of the powder layer.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The heat dissipation material supply unit has a supply roller that holds the heat dissipation material,
The heat dissipation material is slid by driving the supply roller, and the heat dissipation material is disposed on the modeling stage.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3.
The heat dissipation material supply unit has a supply nozzle for holding the heat dissipation material inside,
The heat dissipation material is discharged from the supply nozzle, and the heat dissipation material is disposed on the modeling stage.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 4.
The supply nozzle further holds the powder material inside,
The discharge target is configured to be switchable to the heat dissipation material or the powder material.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 9.
The control unit determines an area where the heat dissipation material is disposed using slice data obtained by slicing the modeling shape data of the three-dimensional structure in each layer.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The heat dissipating material supply unit supplies the heat dissipating material so that the heat dissipating material does not contact a laser irradiation region by the laser irradiation unit.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
Forming a powder layer made of a powder material on the modeling stage;
Irradiating a laser to the modeling region of the powder layer, and sintering or melting and solidifying the modeling region to form a modeling layer;
Providing a heat dissipating material on the modeling stage,
Repeating the step of forming the powder layer and the modeling layer while disposing the heat dissipating material, and laminating the plurality of modeling layers so that the heat dissipating material is disposed around at least a part of the layer;
A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional structure.