JP2002205339A - Powder material removing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder material removing apparatus capable of properly judging whether an unnecessary powder material is completely removed from a three-dimensional shaped article. SOLUTION: A three-dimensional shaping system 1 is equipped with a powder removing apparatus which is equipped with an air blast part WS having an air blast drive part and a suction part WR having a suction drive part 75. Air sent to the three-dimensional shaped article 91, wherein a powder material is laminated on a shaping stage 62 to be shaped while a binder is selectively added to the powder material, from an air blast opening 70b by driving the air blast drive part 73 and the powder blown off by air blasting is sucked from a suction opening 70C. Herein, when the weight of the loaded article on a reticulated tray 9 including the three-dimensional shaped article 91 measured by a weight sensor 79 reaches a predetermined weight by removing the powder, powder removing operation is stopped. By this constitution, it can be properly judged whether the unnecessary powder material is completely removed from the three-dimensional shaped article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a powder material removing apparatus for selectively binding powder materials and removing unbound powder materials from a three-dimensional model produced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a powder material is stretched in a thin layer on a molding stage, and a binder is selectively applied to a predetermined portion of the layer to repeatedly perform an operation of forming a combined body in which powder is combined. There is known a three-dimensional printing apparatus for generating a three-dimensional printing object.

[0003] The three-dimensional object produced by this three-dimensional object is completed in a state in which unbonded powder material is present and is buried in the unnecessary powder material. Excavation work is required. Here, the removal completion determination as to whether or not the unbound powder material has been removed from the three-dimensional structure is visually performed.

[0004]

However, it is considered that it is not appropriate to directly apply the above-described determination of completion of removal to a powder removing apparatus that automatically removes unbonded powder from a three-dimensional structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a powder material removing apparatus capable of appropriately determining whether or not unnecessary powder material has been completely removed from a three-dimensional structure. And

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a binder is selectively applied to a layer of a powdered material to bind the powdered material. An apparatus for removing unbonded powder material from the periphery of the three-dimensional structure, for a three-dimensional structure generated by sequentially forming a body, and (a) the unbonded powder material from the three-dimensional structure Removing means for removing, (b) measuring means for measuring a predetermined measurement value reflecting the progress of removal of the unbound powder material, and (c) the measured value after activating the removing means And control means for disabling said removing means when a predetermined completion condition is reached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the measuring means remains as the measured value in the three-dimensional structure and its surroundings. Means for measuring the total weight with the unbound powder material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the measuring means includes, as the measured value, an unbonded powder remaining around the three-dimensional structure and the surroundings. It has means for measuring the amount of change per unit time of the total weight with the material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the measuring means includes, as the measured value, the unbonded powder material removed. Means for measuring the volume of

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the powder removing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the measuring means includes, as the measured value, a value of the unbound powder material removed. It has means for measuring the amount of change in volume per unit time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the measuring means activates the removing means as the measured value. Means for measuring the elapsed time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the three-dimensional structure is generated based on three-dimensional shape data. The predetermined completion condition is set based on the three-dimensional shape data.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the predetermined completion condition is determined based on the three-dimensional shape data of the three-dimensional structure itself. This is a condition determined based on the weight.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the predetermined completion condition is determined based on the three-dimensional shape data. It is determined based on the time required for removal.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, (d) changing the attitude of the three-dimensional structure according to the measured value. And a posture changing means for changing the posture.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder material removing apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the removing means has a blowing means for generating an air flow for blowing the three-dimensional structure, The posture changing means has a posture control means for controlling a posture of the three-dimensional structure according to a relative positional relationship between the three-dimensional structure and the airflow.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment <Main Configuration of Three-Dimensional Modeling System 1> FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional modeling system 1 incorporating a powder removing device 70 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of FIG. The three-dimensional modeling system 1 sequentially forms a combination of powder materials by selectively providing a binder to the powder material and binding the powder material, and finally forms a three-dimensional structure as a final combination. Is generated.

The three-dimensional printing system 1 includes a control unit 10
The control unit 10 includes a binder providing unit 20, a modeling unit 6, a powder supply unit 40, a powder extension unit 50, and a powder recovery mechanism 80 that are electrically connected to the control unit 10. In addition, modeling part 6
The molding mechanism 60 and the powder removing device 70 are integrally configured.

<Configuration of Control Unit 10> The control unit 10 includes a computer 11, a drive control unit 12 electrically connected to the computer 11, and a nozzle head drive unit 13 electrically connected to the drive control unit 12. Have.

The computer 11 is a general desk-top type computer or the like which is internally provided with a CPU, a memory, a timer and the like. The computer 11 converts a three-dimensional object to be formed into data as shape data, and outputs to the drive control unit 12 cross-sectional data obtained by slicing the data into thin parallel cross-sections.

The drive control section 12 controls the operation of each section based on the section data obtained from the computer. When the drive control unit 12 obtains the cross-sectional data from the computer 11, the drive control unit 12 gives a drive command to each of the above-described units based on the cross-sectional data, and thereby the shaping mechanism unit 60 of the shaping unit 6
In the above, the operation of sequentially forming a combined body of powders for each layer of the powder material is generally controlled. The unbonded powder that has not been bonded after the completion of modeling is removed by the powder removing device 7 of the modeling unit 6.
At 0, each operation for removing is collectively controlled.

<Structure of Binder Provision Section 20> The binder provision section 20 includes a tank section 21 containing a liquid binder serving as a binder for binding the powder material, and a tank section 21.
Nozzle head 22 for discharging the binder in the XY direction driving unit 2 for moving the nozzle head 22 on a horizontal XY plane
3 is provided.

The tank section 21 has a plurality of tanks (four tanks in this example) 21a to 21d each containing a binder of a different color. More specifically, Y (yellow), M
(Magenta), three primary colors of C (cyan) colorant and W
(White) colored binder is accommodated.
Here, the colored binder does not discolor even when combined with the powder, and it is desirable to use a binder that does not discolor or fade even after a long time.

The nozzle head 22 includes an XY direction driving unit 23
And is movable together with the XY-direction drive unit 23 in the XY plane. The nozzle head 22 has the same number of discharge nozzles 22a to 22d as the number of tanks in the tank unit 21.
a to 22d are individually connected to the tanks 21a to 21d by four tubes. Each of the discharge nozzles 22a to 22d
Is a nozzle that ejects (spouts) each binder as minute droplets by, for example, an inkjet method. The discharge of the binder by each of the discharge nozzles 22a to 22d is individually controlled by the nozzle head drive unit 13, and the binder discharged from each of the discharge nozzles 22a to 22d is provided at a position facing the nozzle head 22. Mechanism 6
0 powder layer 92.

The XY-direction drive unit 23 includes a drive unit main body 23a
And a guide rail 23b. Drive unit body 2
3a is capable of reciprocating movement in the X direction along the guide rail 23b, and is capable of reciprocating movement in the Y direction. Therefore, the nozzle head 22 can be moved by the XY-direction drive unit 23 in a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis. That is, the XY direction driving unit 23 can move the nozzle head 22 to an arbitrary position within the driving range on the plane based on the driving command from the nozzle head driving unit 13. Then, the nozzle head driving unit 13 controls the selection of the plurality of discharge nozzles 22 a to 22 d to perform the binder discharge in accordance with the position of the nozzle head 22 on the XY plane, and controls the powder layer 92 of the molding mechanism unit 60. A binder is selectively provided to a necessary part of the above.

<Structure of Modeling Unit 6> The modeling unit 6 includes a modeling tank 61 having a concave portion, a modeling stage 62 provided to form the bottom surface of the concave portion of the modeling tank 61, and a molding stage 62 in the Z direction. And a driving unit 64 for driving the Z-direction moving unit 63.

The shaping tank 61 serves to provide a working area for producing a three-dimensional shaped object 91 using a powder material. In addition, the modeling tank 61 has an upper end on one side,
It has a powder temporary storage section 61b for temporarily holding the powder material supplied from the powder supply section 40.

The molding stage 62 has a rectangular shape having a net-like cross section shown in FIG. 2B in the XY cross section, and its side surface is in contact with the vertical inner wall 61 a of the concave portion in the molding tank 61. The net-shaped tray 9 having a sectional shape shown in FIG.

The molding stage 62 has a 2
It has two electromagnets 62m. This electromagnet 62m
It plays a role of fixing the mesh tray 9 formed of metal.

The molding stage 62 and the molding tank 6
The rectangular parallelepiped three-dimensional space (that is, the space of the concave portion) formed by the first vertical inner wall 61a functions as a modeling region for generating the three-dimensional modeled object 91. Then, a thin layer of the powder material is sequentially formed on the mesh tray 9 of the molding stage 62 for each layer, and the binder is discharged from each of the discharge nozzles 22a to 22d for each layer to form a powder layer on the molding stage 62. The required part of the material is joined to form a model.

The Z-direction moving section 63 has a support bar 63a connected to the modeling stage 62. And the support rod 6
3a is moved in the vertical direction by the drive unit 64, so that the Z of the modeling stage 62 connected to the support rod 63a is moved.
The movement in the direction becomes possible.

<Structure of Powder Removing Apparatus 70> The powder removing apparatus 70 has a collection chamber 71 for collecting the removed powder, a processing chamber 72 for removing the powder, and a blowing section W.
S and a suction unit WR.

The blowing section WS is composed of a blowing driving section 73 for generating an air flow, and a portion of the vertical inner wall 61a which branches off from a blowing outlet of the blowing driving section 73 and is separated from each other (in this embodiment, vertically separated from each other). A pipe 74 connected to the three blow openings 70b provided at the (arranged portions) and three blow valves 74v inserted into the pipe 74 are provided.

The blow driving unit 73 has a blow blower, and blows air to the processing chamber 72 via a pipe 74.

Each of the blower valves 74v responds to a command signal from the control unit 10 so that the respective blower opening 7
This is an electromagnetic valve that automatically opens and closes Ob. here,
By selectively opening and closing the three ventilation valves 74v, it is possible to select the ventilation opening 70b that blows air to the processing chamber 72.

The suction section WR includes a suction drive section 75 for sucking air in the processing chamber 72, and a portion of the vertical inner wall 61a branched from the suction inlet of the suction drive section 75 and separated from each other (in this embodiment, up and down). Pipes 76 connected to the three suction openings 70c provided in
Are provided with three suction valves 76v and a flow sensor 78a interposed therebetween. A flow sensor 78b similar to the flow sensor 78a is provided in the middle of a powder conveying pipe 81 described later. Further, the suction unit WR functions as a collection unit for transporting the sucked powder material to the powder supply unit 40.

The suction drive unit 75 is a part for generating an air flow in the processing chamber 72 through the pipe 76 and sucking unbound powder.

Each of the suction valves 76v responds to a command signal from the control unit 10 and controls the suction port 7v.
0c is an electromagnetic valve that automatically opens and closes. here,
By selectively opening and closing the three suction valves 76v, it becomes possible to select a suction opening 70c for sucking from the processing chamber 72.

Further, the powder removing device 70 is provided with the vertical inner wall 6.
It has a weight sensor 79 provided on the projection 61t of 1a, a shutter 67 provided near the center of the vertical inner wall 61a, and three drive rollers 68 for driving the shutter 67 in the X direction.

The weight sensor 79 is a sensor for measuring the loaded weight including the three-dimensional structure 91 on the mesh tray 9.

When the three-dimensional object 91 buried in the unbonded powder is moved into the processing chamber 72 by the lowering of the molding stage 62, the blower driving unit 73 is activated and the blowing valve 7 is started.
4v is opened, and air is blown into the processing chamber 72 from the blow opening 70b. In addition, the suction drive unit 75 is started, the suction valve 76v is opened, and suction is performed from the suction opening 70c.

In this powder removal, the three-dimensional object 91
The powder material dropped from the container passes through the mesh tray 9 and the holes H1 and H2 (FIG. 2) of the modeling stage 62 and is deposited in the collection chamber 71.

<Main Configuration of Powder Collection Mechanism 80> Collection Room 7
A screw 82 for conveying powder is provided at the bottom of 1. The powder conveying screw 82 has a powder collecting mechanism 80 for conveying the collected powder material to the powder supply unit 40.
A part of.

The powder collecting mechanism 80 includes a powder conveying pipe 81 and a drive unit 83 in addition to the powder conveying screw 82. The powder conveying pipe 81 is arranged from the bottom of the collection chamber 71 to the inside of the tank 41 of the powder supply unit 40. Inside the powder transfer pipe 81, a powder transfer screw 82 formed of a flexible member is provided.
From the bottom to the vicinity of the pipe end 84 inside the tank 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the powder conveying pipe 81 has bent portions 81a and 81b at two places. However, since the powder conveying screw 82 is formed of a flexible member, the powder conveying pipe 81 has such bent portions 81a and 81b. Powder transfer tube 8
1 and are arranged in a bent state. However, it is preferable that the bent portions 81a and 81b are set so as to have a large radius of curvature, so that the torque of the screw is effectively transmitted as the torque of the screw before and after the bent portion.

One end of the powder conveying screw 82 is connected to a rotating shaft of a driving section 83 constituted by a motor or the like, and the driving section 83 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction. The screw 82 also rotates in a predetermined direction about the center axis of the screw. This rotational force is effectively transmitted to the powder conveying screw 82 even at the bent portions 81a and 81b, and the powder conveying screw 82 provided inside the powder conveying pipe 81 is entirely driven by the driving unit 8
In conjunction with No. 3, a rotation operation about the center axis is performed.

As a result, the powder material deposited in the recovery chamber 71 is transferred to the powder transfer pipe 81 by the powder transfer screw 82.
Of the tank 4 in the powder supply unit 40
1 and the powder material can be reused.

<Principal Configuration of Powder Supply Unit 40> The powder supply unit 40 is provided at a tank unit 41 for storing a powder material, and at a powder supply port (outlet) from the tank unit 41. And a shut-off plate 42 for opening and closing the powder supply port of the tank 41 in accordance with a command.

The tank 41 contains, for example, a white powder material. This powder material is a three-dimensional object 91
For example, starch powder, resin powder and the like are used.

On the upper side of the tank portion 41, a container mounting portion 43 for mounting the powder material container 30 for storing unused powder material is provided.

The shut-off plate 42 is slidable in the horizontal direction (X direction) based on a drive command from the drive control unit 12. Supply and stop of the contained powder.

The powder extending section 50 includes a blade 51, a guide rail 52 for regulating the operation of the blade 51, and a driving section 53 for moving the blade 51.

The blade 51 is long in the Y direction and has a blade-like shape with a sharp lower end. The length of the blade 51 in the Y direction is a length that can cover the width of the concave portion of the modeling tank 61 in the Y direction. In order to smoothly spread (diffuse) the powder material by the blade 51, a vibration mechanism for giving a minute vibration to the blade may be added.

The drive unit 53 can move the blade 51 up and down in the vertical direction (Z direction) and reciprocate in the horizontal direction (X direction). When the drive unit 53 operates based on a command from the drive control unit 12, the blade 51 can move in the X direction and the Z direction.

<Operation of Three-Dimensional Modeling System 1> FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the three-dimensional printing system 1. This operation is automatically executed by the control unit 10.

In step S1, the computer 11
Model data representing a three-dimensional object having a color pattern or the like on its surface is created. Color three-dimensional model data created by general three-dimensional CAD modeling software can be used as the three-dimensional shape data on which the modeling is based. It is also possible to use shape data and texture measured by the three-dimensional shape input device.

In the model data, color information is given only to the surface of the three-dimensional model, or color information is given to the inside of the model. In the latter case, it is possible to use only the color information of the model surface at the time of modeling, and it is also possible to use the color information inside the model. For example, when generating a three-dimensional structure such as a human body model, there is a case where it is desired to apply a different color to each internal organ, and in that case, color information inside the model is used.

In step S2, the computer 11 generates section data for each section obtained by slicing the modeling object in the horizontal direction from the model data. In particular,
A cross-sectional body sliced at a pitch corresponding to the thickness of one layer of powder to be laminated is cut out from the model data, and cross-sectional data including shape data and coloring data is created. In addition, the pitch for slicing can be changed within a predetermined range (a range of a thickness capable of binding the powder).

In step S 3, information on the powder stacking thickness (slice pitch at the time of creating cross-sectional data) and the number of stacks (the number of cross-sectional data sets) at the time of shaping the object to be modeled are sent from the drive control unit 12 is input.

The operation from the next step S4 is performed by the control unit 10 controlling each unit.

In step S 4, the molding stage 62 is moved from the computer 11 by the Z-direction moving unit 63 in order to form a combined body of the Nth layer (N = 1, 2,...) Of the powder on the molding stage 62. Based on the input laminated thickness, it is lowered and held by a distance corresponding to the thickness. As a result, a new powder layer is placed above the powder layer that has been stacked on the modeling stage 62 and the necessary bonding has been completed.
A space for forming layers is formed. Where N
Since the case of = 1 corresponds to the formation of the first layer, a space is formed on the upper surface of the mesh tray 9 itself.

Here, the mesh tray 9 is arranged on the molding stage 62 so as to cover the hole H1 (FIG. 2).
The mesh tray 9 is fixed to the modeling stage 62 by the energization of the electromagnet 62m. As a result, the powder can be held on the modeling stage 62 without falling through the holes.

In step S5, powder, which is a material in forming a three-dimensional structure, is supplied. The shutoff plate 42 of the powder supply unit 40 slides from the closed position to drop a predetermined amount of the powder material in the tank unit 41 onto the temporary powder placement unit 61b of the modeling unit 6. This predetermined amount is set to be slightly larger than the volume of the space (the required amount of powder in the molding). In addition, at the time of forming the first layer (when N = 1), the gap between the mesh trays 9 is filled with a powder material, so that it is slightly more than when other layers are formed (when N> 1). It is preferable to set a relatively large value. After the supply of the predetermined amount of the powder material is completed, the shut-off plate 42 returns to the closed position and stops supplying the powder.

In step S6, the powder material supplied in step S5 is extended on the molding stage 62 to form one thin layer of the powder material. In other words, the powder deposited on the powder temporary storage portion 61b is moved in the X direction by the blade 51, so that the powder material enters a space for forming a thin layer formed on the modeling stage 62, and a thin uniform powder layer is formed. 92
Is formed. At this time, the lower end of the blade 51 is moved along the uppermost surface of the modeling part 6. Thus, a thin layer of the powder material having a predetermined thickness can be accurately formed.

After the powder layer 92 is formed, the blade 51 is separated upward from the uppermost surface by the driving unit 53, and returns to the initial position after passing above the powder layer 92.

In step S7, the nozzle head 22 is driven in the XY direction by driving the XY direction driving unit 23 in accordance with the shape data and the coloring data created in step S2.
Move in the plane. At that time, the time is shortened by scanning only the area where the shape data exists. Then, the colored binder is selectively discharged from each of the discharge nozzles 22a to 22d in accordance with the movement. This produces a combination of powdered materials. The powder material (unbonded powder) to which the binder is not applied is kept in an independent state.

Here, when discharging the binder for the portion corresponding to the surface portion of the three-dimensional structure 91, the Y, M, C and W binders are applied based on the coloring information derived from the forming object. Discharge selectively. Accordingly, the surface of the three-dimensional object 91 can be colored in the process of forming the three-dimensional object 91, and color modeling can be performed.
On the other hand, in a portion of the three-dimensional structure that does not need to be colored (coloring unnecessary region), modeling is performed by discharging a binder of W that does not hinder the coloring state of the colored portion.

Further, in order to make the spread of the binder attached to the powder layer 92 uniform and to secure the strength of the formed object, it is preferable to uniformly apply the same amount of binder per unit area to the formed portion. For example, a value obtained by multiplying the moving speed of each of the ejection nozzles 22a to 22d by the XY direction driving unit 23 by the amount of the binder ejected from each of the ejection nozzles 22a to 22d per unit time (for example, the number of binder droplets) is used. If it is constant, the same amount of binder can be uniformly applied per unit area.

After the discharge of the binder is completed, the discharge operation of the binder is stopped, and the XY-direction driving unit 23 is driven.
The nozzle head 22 returns to the initial position.

It should be noted that after the binder is discharged, a step of drying the binder may be interposed. For example,
A step of irradiating an infrared lamp or the like from above the powder layer 92 may be performed. Thus, the binder attached to the powder layer 92 can be quickly dried. However, in the case of a binder that is quickly cured by natural drying, a drying step is not particularly necessary.

When the modeling for one layer is completed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the processing for the number of layers is completed based on the number of layers input in step S3. That is, it is determined whether or not the modeling of the three-dimensional structure 91 is completed. Here, when it is determined that modeling is completed, the process proceeds to step S9, and when it is determined that modeling is not completed, the processing from step S4 is repeated.

When returning to step S4, the operation of forming a new combined body of the powder material of the (N + 1) th layer on the upper side of the (N) th layer is performed. By such a repetitive operation, the colorized combined body for each layer is sequentially stacked on the modeling stage 62, and finally a three-dimensional modeled object 91 of the modeling object is generated on the modeling stage 62. . Then, in step S8, it is determined that modeling is completed.

In the above-described molding operation, in consideration of powder removal in the next step S9, for example, in the molding of the box-shaped three-dimensional molded object 91 having a concave portion, the uncoupled powder is dropped using gravity. It is preferable to control the formation of the three-dimensional structure 91 so that the opening of the concave portion faces vertically downward. When there are a plurality of concave portions and the concave portions are oriented in various directions, it is preferable to form the three-dimensional structure 91 in a direction such that more unbound powder can be dropped and removed by gravity.

In step S9, powder removal, which will be described in detail later, is performed.

In step S10, the three-dimensional structure 91 from which the unbound powder has been removed in step S9 is taken out. Here, as shown in FIG.
The three-dimensional object 91 can be lifted and removed.

Thus, a series of operations in the three-dimensional printing system 1 is completed. According to the three-dimensional modeling system 1 described above, since the unbonded powder attached to the three-dimensional modeling object 91 is configured to be automatically removed, the powder material is scattered to the environment around the apparatus. The three-dimensional structure 91 can be taken out without causing the three-dimensional structure 91 to be taken out.

In the three-dimensional modeling system 1, the unbound powder removed by the powder removing device 70 is collected by the collection chamber 71.
, And the collected unbound powder is re-supplied to the powder supply unit 40 by the powder recovery mechanism 80. That is, the unbonded powder is configured to be able to be automatically reused, and the user does not need to perform an operation to reuse the unbound powder.

<Powder Removal Operation> FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the powder removal operation corresponding to step S9 described above.

In step S 11, the molding stage 62 is lowered by the Z-direction moving unit 63, and the three-dimensional object 91 is moved to the powder removing device 70. At this time, the mesh tray 9 on the modeling stage 62, the three-dimensional model 91, and the unsolidified powder around the three-dimensional model 91 fall down in the modeling tank 61 together.

Further, in association with the above operation, the nozzle head 22 is evacuated from above the molding stage 62, and a mechanism (not shown) for protecting the nozzle head 22 prevents dust from entering from the outside and also prevents drying. Protected from.

In step S12, as shown in FIG. 5, when the molding stage 62 is lowered to a position where the uppermost layer of the powder layer 92 is located below the shutter, the shutter 67 at the retracted position moves to the molding tank 61. Cover.

The closing operation of the shutter 67 can prevent unbound powder from scattering upward and floating in the atmosphere, and can prevent powder from adhering to the nozzle head 22 and other mechanism parts. It is desirable that the processing chamber 72 be sealed by closing the shutter 67.

When the shaping stage 62 descends to a position where the mesh tray 9 contacts the weight sensor 79 in the shaping tank 61, the energization of the electromagnet 62m for fixing the mesh tray 9 on the shaping stage 62 is stopped. 9 and the molding stage 62 can be separated. When the modeling stage 62 further descends, the net tray 9 is caught by the weight sensor 79 of the modeling tank 61 and is held apart from the modeling stage 62. The mesh tray 9 and the molding stage 62
And a part of the unbound powder is removed from the mesh tray 9
And it falls down through the holes H1 and H2 (FIG. 2) of the modeling stage 62 (FIG. 6).

In step S13, as shown in FIG.
The blower driving unit 74 is driven to generate a plurality of airflows Af from the blower opening 70 b and blow the airflow to the three-dimensional structure 91. Here, the following ventilation control is performed by selectively opening and closing the ventilation valve 74v.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the air blowing control in the processing chamber 72. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates time t, and the vertical axis indicates airflow Q.

During a period from the start of air blowing t = 0 to a time Ta, air is blown from the upper air blowing opening A, the middle air blowing opening B, and the lower air blowing opening C at a constant air volume. Thereby, unbound powder can be uniformly removed from the three-dimensional structure 91, and rough powder removal can be performed.

At the next time Tb, air is blown sequentially from the upper opening A to the lower opening C. Thus, the powder can be removed from the upper part to the lower part of the three-dimensional structure 91, so that the powder can be removed using gravity.

At time Tc, the air volume is increased and air is blown from the upper opening A. As a result, the time Ta, Tb
In the air blowing in the above, air can be intensively blown to the upper inclined portion where it is difficult to remove unbound powder. That is, according to the shape of the three-dimensional structure 91, intensive powder removal can be performed on an area where powder removal is difficult.

As described above, the dust removal can be efficiently performed by controlling the air volume and the like by the control unit 10 in consideration of the shape of the three-dimensional structure 91, the amount of the unbonded powder to be attached, and the like.

In step S14, the suction drive unit 76 is driven to generate a plurality of airflows Ag from the suction opening 70c.
The unbonded powder around the three-dimensional structure 91 is sucked. Here, as shown in the figure, the three suction valves 76v are opened, and suction is performed from the processing chamber 72.

Here, it is preferable to perform suction control in consideration of the shape and the like of the three-dimensional structure 91 in the same manner as the above-described air blowing control.

In step S15, the unbound powder dropped through the mesh tray 9 and the molding stage 62 is recovered by the powder recovery mechanism 80. Here, the dropped powder accumulates in the collection chamber 71, is extruded by the rotation of the powder conveying screw 82, and returns to the powder supply unit 40.

In step S16, it is determined whether the removal of the unbound powder around the three-dimensional structure 91 has been completed.

More specifically, a time corresponding to a predetermined margin corresponds to an elapsed time measured from the start of powder removal by a timer in the computer 11 and an expected time required until powder removal is completed. It is calculated by adding values.

The following five factors can be considered as factors affecting the length of the required time To.

1. The size of the volume of the powder material used for forming the three-dimensional structure 91.

(Number of layers n × layer thickness t in modeling tank 61) 2. Large amount of unbonded powder.

(Number of layers n × layer thickness t in modeling tank 61−volume of three-dimensional object 91) 3. Complexity of surface shape of three-dimensional object 91.

(Ratio between surface area and volume of three-dimensional structure) 4. Number of recesses on the surface of three-dimensional structure 91.

5. The size of the area behind the three-dimensional structure 91 and where the air does not reach.

In consideration of the above five factors, the required time To is
For example, when the size of the margin is Tm,
It can be calculated as (1). This calculation is executed by the control unit 10.

To = k 1 · D 1 + k 2 · D 2 + k 3 · D 3 + k 4 · D 4 + k 5 · D 5 + Tm (1) Here, D 1 to D 5 are specific values representing the above “1.” to “5.” And k1 to k5 are weighting factors for each element. These values are obtained experimentally in advance.

Then, based on the three-dimensional shape data, the required time To is read from a data table in which the calculation result of the above equation (1) is recorded in advance, and this is set as a reference time for operating the powder removing device 70. . Note that the required time To may be obtained by sequential calculation instead of reading from the data table.

The factors affecting the required time To include the flow rate of the powder material due to temperature, humidity, etc., in addition to the above five factors. It is preferable to calculate the required time To taking these factors into consideration.

In the operation of step S16, if the powder removal is completed, the process proceeds to step S17, and if not, the process returns to step S13.

In step S17, the powder removing device 70 is stopped, and the shutter 67 performs the opening operation from the closed position and moves to the retracted position as shown in FIG.

In step S 18, the driving section 64 of the Z-direction moving section 63 is driven to move up the molding stage 62, and the three-dimensional object 91 is carried out from the powder removing device 70. Then, when the modeling stage 62 moves up to the position shown in FIG.
The three-dimensional structure 91 can be taken out.

By the operation of the powder removing device 70, in the powder removal, the three-dimensional object is blown from a plurality of openings and sucked from the plurality of openings, so that unnecessary powder material can be efficiently removed. In addition, a three-dimensional structure can be easily removed from the unbound powder.

Also, by the operation of the three-dimensional printing system 1 described above, it is possible to automatically remove the unbonded powder as a part of a series of operations in the three-dimensional printing system 1, so that the three-dimensional printing object is removed. There is no need for the user to remove unbound powder himself after the generation of 91, and the hands and clothes are not stained.

The conditions for determining the completion of the removal in step S16 based on the measured value reflecting the progress of the removal of the unbound powder material are not limited to the determination of the completion of the removal based on the required time. It is preferable to use the determination method described below in combination.

<Judgment Based on Change in Weight of Three-Dimensional Object 91> In the powder removing device 70, it is determined whether or not the removal of unbound powder around the three-dimensional object 91 is completed.
Weight sensor 7 for the load on the mesh tray 9 including
The method of making the determination by comparing the weight measurement value according to No. 9 with a preset threshold value will be described below.

In this determination method, in order to calculate the above-mentioned threshold value, first, the control unit 10 calculates an expected weight of the three-dimensional structure 91.

The weight Ma of the three-dimensional structure can be calculated from the three-dimensional shape data on which the three-dimensional structure 91 is based, the volume and specific gravity of the powder material, and the volume and specific gravity of the adhesive. That is, if the volume of the three-dimensional model derived from the three-dimensional shape data is Va, the filling rate of the powder is φp, the specific gravity of the powder is pp, the volume of the adhesive used is Vb, and the specific gravity of the adhesive is ρb, The weight of the object is calculated by the following equation (2).

Ma = ρp × Va × φp + ρb × Vb (2) The weight sensor 79 measures a threshold value obtained by using the weight of the three-dimensional structure 91 calculated from the above equation. When the measured value of the total weight of the three-dimensional object 91 to be formed and the unbonded powder material remaining adhered to the periphery thereof satisfies the following condition, the control unit 10 stops the powder removing operation.
Will be instructed. (Measured value of weight sensor−weight of mesh tray) <(weight of molded object Ma) × (1 + α1) Here, α1 includes a small error in the filling rate of powder in three-dimensional object 91. Since it is difficult to accurately calculate the weight of the three-dimensional structure 91 by the above equation (2), this is taken into account. (Change rate of measurement value of weight sensor) <β1 The change rate of measurement value is a change amount of the measurement value by the weight sensor 79 per unit time.

In the completion determination, the above conditions may be determined independently. Further, predetermined values α1, β1
May be a value empirically obtained in advance, or a value obtained by modifying the value by the operator.

Although the determination based on the change in weight can be used alone, it is preferable to use it together with another determination criterion, in particular, the determination based on the required time described above. This is because, in the weight change determination, if an error occurs, the removal completion determination enters an infinite loop, and a completion command may not be issued. The determination of the required time is based on timer measurement and is resistant to errors. Therefore, by using this together, a removal completion command is always issued. Note that the merits of the combined use with the required time determination are the same when the following other determination criteria are adopted.

<Judgment Based on Change in Flow Rate of Removed Powder> In the powder removing apparatus 70, it is determined whether the removal of the unbound powder around the three-dimensional structure 91 is completed based on the removed powder calculated based on the flow rate sensor 78. A method of making a determination by comparing the volume of the data with a preset threshold will be described below.

In this determination method, in order to calculate the above threshold value, first, the controller 10 calculates an expected volume Ve of the removed powder.

The volume Ve of the removed powder is represented by Va, the volume of the three-dimensional object derived from the three-dimensional shape data, and the volume of the molding tank 6.
Assuming that the cross-sectional area of the concave portion on the XY plane of 1 is Sa, the number of stacked powder layers is n, and the thickness of the powder layer is t, the volume of the removed powder is calculated by the following equation (3).

Ve = Sa × n × t−Va (3) With respect to the threshold value obtained by using the volume of the removed powder calculated from the above equation, the flow rate sensor 78 When the integrated value (cumulative value) of the measurement values measured by the above, that is, the volume of the removed powder satisfies the following two conditions, the control unit 10 issues an instruction to stop the powder removing operation. (Volume of removed powder obtained from flow rate sensor)> (Volume of powdered powder Ve) × (1−α2) Here, α2 takes into account measurement errors of the flow rate sensor 78 and the like. (Measured value of flow sensor) <β2 Here, the measured value of the flow sensor 78 indicates the amount of change in the volume of the removed powder per unit time.

In the completion determination, the above condition may be determined alone. In addition, the above-mentioned predetermined value α
2, β2 may use values empirically obtained in advance,
The value may be modified by the operator.

The flowchart of each judgment described above
FIG. 20 shows the details of step S16.

<Second Embodiment><Main Configuration of Three-Dimensional Modeling System> FIG. 9 shows a main configuration of a three-dimensional modeling system 1A incorporating a powder removing device 70A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

The three-dimensional printing system 1A has a configuration similar to that of the three-dimensional printing system 1 of the first embodiment, but differs in the blowing unit WT of the powder removing device 70A.

The blower WT includes a blower driving unit 73 similar to that of the first embodiment, a pipe 74A branched from the blower outlet of the blower driving unit 73 and connected to the vertical inner wall 61a, and a pipe 7A.
4A is provided with two blowing valves 74v interposed in 4A.

The blower WT has a nozzle 700 connected to the end of the pipe 74A, and a shutter 703.

The nozzle unit 700 has a blowable nozzle 701 that can be raised and lowered, and a nozzle driving unit 702.
It is activated in response to a command signal from 0. The blowing direction of the blowing nozzle 701 can be changed in the XZ plane by a motor or the like in the nozzle driving unit 702.

The shutter 703 is configured to be movable in the Z direction.

<Operation of Three-Dimensional Modeling System 1A> The three-dimensional modeling system 1A performs an operation similar to that of the three-dimensional modeling system 1 of the first embodiment, but the operation of powder removal in the powder removing device 70A (see FIG. 3). Step S9) is different.

In this powder removing operation, the three-dimensional structure 9
After the molding of FIG. 1 (FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. 10, the molding stage 62 is lowered, the shutter 67 is closed, and the shutter 703 of the blower WT is opened.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the mesh tray 9 and the molding stage 62 are separated, the blowing nozzle 7
From 01, the air is blown by the airflow Af, and the powder is sucked from the suction opening 70c by the airflow Ag. In this blowing, the nozzle driving unit 702 is driven to control the direction of the airflow Af so as to follow the position of the three-dimensional structure 91.

As described above, the air flow A from the blowing nozzle 701
Since the direction of f is variable, powder removal can be efficiently performed by performing discharge control based on the shape of the three-dimensional structure 91 and the relative position between the formation stage 62 and the blowing nozzle 701.

By the operation of the powder removing device 70A,
In the powder removal, since the air can be effectively blown from the plurality of openings to the three-dimensional structure 91, unnecessary powder materials can be removed more efficiently.

It is not essential that the direction of the blowing nozzle 701 be freely changeable in the XZ plane, but may be changeable in the XY plane. Also,
It is not essential to change the direction of the blowing nozzle 701 following the movement of the three-dimensional structure 91, and the direction may be changed at random. By making it possible to change the direction of at least one of the plurality of blowing nozzles 701, the same operation as in this embodiment can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing the important section composition of three-dimensional modeling system 1B which incorporated powder removal device 70B concerning an embodiment.

The three-dimensional printing system 1B has a configuration similar to that of the three-dimensional printing system 1 of the first embodiment, but differs in a powder removing device 70B. Hereinafter, a description will be given mainly of a portion different from the powder removing device 70 of the first embodiment.

The powder removing device 70B comprises a processing chamber 72B wider than the vertical inner wall 61a above the modeling tank 61,
It has a posture changing unit 65 that can change the posture of the three-dimensional structure 91 on the forming stage 62B, and a weight sensor 79B provided between the support bar 63a and the forming stage 62. Since the shaping stage 62B does not place the mesh tray 9, the electromagnet 62m is omitted from the shaping stage 62 of the first embodiment and the hole H2 (FIG. 2B).
It is formed as a flat plate without any.

The posture changing section 65 has an inclined table 65a and a rotating table 65b.

The inclined base 65a has a movable portion and a base portion connected to the movable portion by an arc surface, and the movable portion can slide in a direction SL along the arc surface. Thus, the three-dimensional structure 91 on the posture changing unit 65 can be tilted.

[0139] The turntable 65b has a disk-like shape, and has an upper portion rotatable about an axis Rc. Accordingly, the three-dimensional structure 91 on the posture changing unit 65 can be rotated (turned) in a plane parallel to the bottom surface.

The weight sensor 79B replaces the weight sensor 79 of the first embodiment, and measures the weight of the three-dimensional object 91 on the modeling stage 62, including the three-dimensional object 91.

<Operation of Three-Dimensional Modeling System 1B> The three-dimensional modeling system 1B performs an operation similar to that of the three-dimensional modeling system 1 of the first embodiment, but operates to remove powder in the powder removing device 70B (see FIG. 3). Step S9) is different.

In this powder removing operation, after forming the three-dimensional object 91 without using the mesh tray 9 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Close.

Then, the blowing opening 70 in the blowing section WS
Air is blown toward the three-dimensional object 91 from b by the airflow Af, and powder is sucked from the suction opening 70c by the airflow Ag. Here, by tilting the three-dimensional structure 91 as shown in FIG. 13 and applying rotation about the axis Rc, powder removal can be performed more efficiently.

When the completion of powder removal is determined using the value measured by the weight sensor 79B, the following determination formula is used.
It is determined in (4).

(Measured Value of Weight Sensor−Weight of Modeling Stage and Posture Changing Unit) <(Weight of Three-Dimensional Modeled Object) × (1 + α1) (4) Also, such a posture changing unit 65 Three-dimensional object 9
In addition to the change in the posture, the relative position between the three-dimensional structure 91 and the airflow direction from the blow opening 70b can be changed by moving the three-dimensional structure 91 by moving the modeling stage 62 up and down. Removal can be performed.

The powder can be more effectively removed by further adding the nozzle 700 of the second embodiment to the powder removing device 70B.

As described above, in order to facilitate powder removal, it is preferable to form the concave portion of the three-dimensional structure 91 so as to face vertically downward. However, in the powder additive manufacturing method, the surface on the upper surface side is preferable. Are more likely to produce a smoother surface with better surface accuracy than the surface on the downstream side.
In some cases, it may be desirable to perform modeling with the surface to be finished with high accuracy facing vertically upward. In such a case as well, after forming the opening of the concave portion upward, the powder removal can be appropriately performed by driving the posture changing portion 65 that can change the relative position between the three-dimensional forming portion 91 and the blowing opening 70b. You can do it.

By the above operation of the powder removing device 70B,
In powder removal, the posture of the three-dimensional structure can be changed, so that unnecessary powder material can be removed more efficiently.

<Modification> The three-dimensional printing system according to the third embodiment described above may include a printing unit 6A (FIG. 14) having a configuration in which the attitude changing unit 65 on the printing stage 62B is removed.

In the powder removing operation of the molding section 6A, the molding stage 62 is moved down while
From 0b, air is blown by the airflow Af, and powder is sucked by the airflow Ag from the upper suction opening 70c (FIG. 14A). Then, as the descent of the modeling stage 62 progresses, the airflow Af from the air blow opening 70b and the airflow Ag to the suction opening 70c are added from the middle stage to the lower stage (FIG. 14B).

By such selective operation of the airflows Af and Ag, the powder removal can be appropriately performed while the powder removal efficiency is slightly lower than when the posture of the three-dimensional structure 91 is changed. Also,
With the above configuration, the configuration of the modeling unit can be simplified.

◎ Regarding the blower of each of the above embodiments,
A blowing unit WU having a configuration as shown in FIG. 15 may be used.

The blower WU has a blower nozzle 711 and a robot arm 712.

The robot arm 712 is
3, a horizontal drive unit 714 for moving the arm 713,
Rotary drive unit 715 for changing the direction of blowing nozzle 711
And

The horizontal drive unit 714 and the rotary drive unit 7
By driving the nozzle 15, the blowing nozzle 711 can slide in the direction FB and can rotate in the direction RO.

The robot arm 712 can blow air to the three-dimensional structure 91 from various angles, for example, in the direction of the air flow Af shown in FIG.

[0157] By the blowing unit WU having the above configuration,
Further, unbound powder can be more effectively removed.

The suction may be performed by the above-mentioned robot arm. In this case, blowing is not necessarily required.

The powder recovery mechanism 80 in each of the above embodiments may be provided with a device 85 for refreshing unbound powder material (see FIG. 17).

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the refresh device 85.

The refreshing device 85 includes a vibrator 851
A sieve 852 vibrated by the vibrator 851, a foreign matter collection container 853, a transport belt 854, a heat source 855,
And a transfer container 856.

In the refreshing device 85, first, the powder that has fallen on the sieve 852 is dropped by the sieve 852 vibrated by the vibrator 851 so that the reusable powder having a small particle size falls on the conveyor belt 854. The powder whose particle diameter increases and is treated as foreign matter is discharged to the foreign matter collection container 853.

Next, the powder is moved in the direction TR by the transport belt 854 to be driven, dried by the heat source 855, and stored in the transport container 856. The powder in the transfer container 856 is supplied to the powder supply unit 40 by a powder transfer screw 82.
Will be transported.

The powder returned to the tank section 41 of the powder supply section 40 is mixed with unused powder stored in the powder material container 30 and reused for molding. In addition, for example, the powder collected in the tank unit 41 is supplied to the modeling unit 6 until the powder becomes insufficient, and if it is insufficient, unused powder is replenished from the powder material container 30.
The recovered powder may be used in preference to unused powder.

By the operation of the refreshing device 85 described above, the reusable powder can be returned to the powder supply section 40, and an economical and high-quality three-dimensional structure 91 can be formed.

Also, a refresh device 86 described below.
May be applied to the powder recovery mechanism 80.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the refresh device 86.

The refreshing device 86 includes a blower 861
, A heater 862, a foreign substance collection container 863, and a transport container 864.

In the refreshing device 86, first, the powder dropped through the introduction path 865 is dried by hot air generated by the blower 861 and heated by the heater 862, and is treated as a foreign substance having a large weight. The powder falls into the foreign matter collection container 863. On the other hand, the reusable light powder is blown off by the warm air and falls into the transport container 654. Then, the powder in the transfer container 654 is transferred to the powder supply unit 40 by the powder transfer screw 82.

By the above-described operation of the refreshing device 86, the reusable powder can be returned to the powder supply section 40 as in the case of the above-described refreshing device 85, and an economical and high-quality three-dimensional structure 91 can be manufactured. Becomes possible.

In each of the above embodiments, in the modeling tank, the ventilation opening is provided on one of the inner walls, and the suction opening is provided on the opposing inner wall. However, the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. The arrangement may be such that a suction opening is provided, or a ventilation opening and a suction opening are alternately provided in the vertical direction.

[0172] Further, it is also possible to provide an air vent on each surface around the modeling tank and to operate them in order to blow air to the entire circumference of the modeled object.

The powder removing devices in the above-described first and second embodiments are configured to connect a vibrator to the net-like tray to give a minute vibration to efficiently drop unbound powder, thereby enhancing the fluidity of the powder. You may do it. As the vibrator, a pager motor in which a weight is eccentrically mounted on a rotating shaft of a motor, a piezoelectric ceramic, or the like can be applied. In this case, it is desirable to change the setting of the vibration frequency to be applied to the mesh tray in accordance with the particle size, mass, etc. of the powder material, to provide optimal vibration and to enhance the fluidity of the powder particles.

In each of the above embodiments, it is not essential to provide a ventilation opening to blow air into the processing chamber. For example, a plurality of ventilation fans may be provided in the processing chamber to generate a plurality of airflows to form a three-dimensional object. You may send air to the thing.

Regarding the determination of the completion of powder removal in each of the above-described embodiments, if the termination is forcibly terminated due to the time limit being exceeded, the forced removal of powder removal and manual removal are performed on the monitor of the control device or on the surface of the molding section. It is preferable to display a warning prompting the user to perform the powdering operation.

In each of the above embodiments, if it is determined that the rate of change of the flow rate of the removed powder or the rate of change of the weight of the three-dimensional object is lower than expected and the efficiency of the powder removal is deteriorated, It is also possible to perform control such as increasing the wind speed and wind pressure of the air to perform efficient powder removal control.

In the above embodiments, it is not essential to measure the amount of the removed powder with the flow rate sensor 78, but the amount of the removed powder may be measured with a weight sensor.

When there are a plurality of suction openings 70c, a flow sensor may be provided in each of the pipes connected to the suction openings 70c.

The ventilation openings in the first and third embodiments may have a slit-like shape parallel to the molding stage. In this case, since the molding stage is moved up and down while ejecting air from the ventilation opening, air can be uniformly blown from around the three-dimensional object,
Effective for removing unbound powder.

Regarding the fixing of the mesh tray in the above-described first and second embodiments, it is not essential to provide an electromagnet on the modeling stage, but a mechanism capable of mechanically fixing / releasing may be applied. .

For removing powder in the three-dimensional printing system, a powder removing device 70C shown in FIG. 21 may be applied. In the powder removing device 70C, unlike the above embodiments, the powder is removed not in the modeling tank 61 but in another processing chamber 72C.

The transport mechanism 73 is provided in the powder removing device 70C.
A plurality of transport rollers 721 for transporting the mesh tray 9 carried in from 0 (described later) are provided. The transport roller 721 also has a function of supporting the mesh tray 9 received by the transport mechanism 730 at a position near the center of the processing chamber 72C. The transport roller 721 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by a drive unit 722. The drive unit 722 is configured by a motor or the like, and is controlled by the drive control unit 12.

Processing chamber 72C in powder removing apparatus 70C
A blower 72 for blowing air downwards
3 are provided. Further, a collecting section 71C for the powder material is provided below the transport roller 721.

Further, the powder removing device 70C has a weight sensor C for measuring the weight of a load such as the net-like tray 9 and the three-dimensional structure 91 placed on the transport roller 721, and also has the powder material removed therefrom. Has a flow rate sensor 78C for measuring the flow rate in the powder conveying pipe 81 of the first embodiment.

The transport mechanism section 730 includes a transport drive section 731, a telescopic member 732, and two pushing members 733. These extruded members 733 are respectively
32, and an interval is provided between the two pushing members 733 such that the mesh tray 9 can be set. A mounting table 61c for mounting the mesh tray 9 is formed in the modeling tank 61. By the transport mechanism 730, the three-dimensional object 91 on the modeling stage 62 that has descended is extruded in the SD direction together with the mesh tray 9, and is carried out to the powder removing device 70C.

In the powder removing device 70C, in order to remove the unbound powder to which no binder is applied from the three-dimensional structure 91 transported near the center of the processing chamber 72C, a transport roller 721 is provided with a net-shaped upper portion. The reciprocating rotation is performed with the tray 9 placed. By this reciprocating motion,
Vibration is applied to the mesh tray 9 and the three-dimensional structure 91 in the X direction, and unbound powder adhering to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 91 is shaken off. The shaken-down powder material passes through the gap of the mesh tray 9 and the space between the transport rollers 721 and accumulates on the collection unit 71C. When the uncoupled powder material is shaken off by the vibration of the transport roller 721 as described above, the processing chamber 72
By operating the blower blower 723 provided in the upper part of C, unbonded powder adhering to a portion that is difficult to remove by vibration is blown down by wind power.

In this powder removing operation, the completion of powder removal can be determined by using the measured values of the weight sensor 79C and the flow rate sensor 78C as in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, in the three-dimensional structure system 1C, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the removal of the unnecessary powder material from the three-dimensional structure 91 is completed.

[0188]

As described above, according to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, after the activation of the removing means, the measured value reflecting the progress of the removal of the unbound powder material is a predetermined value. To disable the removal means when the completion condition is reached,
It is possible to appropriately determine whether the removal of the unnecessary powder material from the three-dimensional structure is completed.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the total weight of the three-dimensional structure and the unbonded powder material remaining around the three-dimensional structure is measured, the measurement for determining the completion of removal is simplified. I can do it.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the completion of removal is determined because the total weight of the three-dimensional object and the unbound powder material remaining around the three-dimensional object per unit time is measured as a measurement value. Measurement can be performed easily.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the volume of the unbound powder material removed as a measured value is measured, the measurement for determining the completion of the removal can be easily performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the amount of change in the volume of the unbound powder material removed as a measurement value per unit time is measured, the measurement for determining the completion of the removal can be easily performed.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the elapsed time since the activation of the removing means is measured as the measured value, the measurement for determining the completion of removal can be easily performed.

According to the invention of claim 7, since the predetermined completion condition is set based on the three-dimensional shape data, the completion condition can be set with high accuracy.

In the invention of claim 8, the predetermined completion condition is a condition determined based on the weight of the three-dimensional structure itself calculated based on the three-dimensional shape data. Can be set.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined completion condition is determined based on the time required for removing the unbound powder material calculated based on the three-dimensional shape data. Can be set appropriately.

According to the tenth aspect, the posture of the three-dimensional structure is changed in accordance with the measured value, so that the powder can be efficiently removed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the posture of the three-dimensional object is controlled in accordance with the relative positional relationship between the three-dimensional object and the airflow blown to the three-dimensional object, powder removal is further reduced. It can be done efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a powder removing apparatus 70 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a three-dimensional printing system 1 in which is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section of a mesh tray 9 and a molding stage 62.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the three-dimensional printing system 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of powder removal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of powder removal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of powder removal.

FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the operation of powder removal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of powder removal.

FIG. 9 shows a powder removing device 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a three-dimensional printing system 1A in which A is incorporated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of powder removal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of powder removal.

FIG. 12 shows a powder removing apparatus 7 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a three-dimensional printing system 1B incorporating the OB.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation of powder removal.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modeling section 6 according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a blower unit WU according to a modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of powder removal.

FIG. 17 shows a refresh device 85 according to a modification of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a refresh device 85.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a refresh device 86.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining completion of powder removal.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a powder removing device 70C according to a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Three-dimensional modeling system 40 Powder supply part 65 Attitude change part 70, 70A, 70B, 70C Powder removal device 70b Blow opening 70c Suction opening 71 Collection room 72 Processing room 73 Blow driving unit 75 Suction driving unit 78 , 78C Flow sensor 79, 79B, 79C Weight sensor 80 Powder recovery mechanism 85, 86 Refresh device 91 Three-dimensional structure 700 Nozzle unit 712 Robot arm WS, WT, WU Blower WR Suction Af, Ag Airflow

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Motohiro Nakanishi 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Wada Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-1-3 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4F213 AC04 WA25 WA97 WB01 WL02 WL15 WL26 WL55 WL85 WL87 WL96

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A three-dimensional structure that is formed by sequentially forming a combination of the powder materials by selectively applying a binder to a layer of the powder material and binding the powder material to the three-dimensional structure. An apparatus for removing unbound powder material from the periphery of: (a) removing means for removing the unbound powder material from the three-dimensional structure, (b) removing the unbound powder material Measuring means for measuring a predetermined measurement value reflecting the progress, and (c) control means for disabling the removal means when the measurement value reaches a predetermined completion condition after activating the removal means. And a powder material removing device. 2. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures, as the measured value, a total weight of the three-dimensional structure and unbound powder material remaining around the three-dimensional structure. Means for removing a powder material. 3. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit calculates, as the measured value, a total of the three-dimensional structure and unbonded powder material remaining around the three-dimensional structure. Means for measuring a change in weight per unit time. 4. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit includes: a unit configured to measure a volume of the unbonded powder material removed as the measurement value. A powder material removing device, comprising: 5. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit changes the volume of the removed unbound powder material per unit time as the measured value. A powder material removing apparatus, comprising: means for measuring an amount. 6. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures, as the measured value, an elapsed time since activation of the removing unit. A powder material removing device comprising: 7. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional structure is generated based on three-dimensional shape data, and the predetermined completion condition is: A powder material removing apparatus set based on the three-dimensional shape data. 8. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined completion condition is a condition determined based on a weight of the three-dimensional structure itself calculated based on the three-dimensional shape data. An apparatus for removing a powder material, comprising: 9. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined completion condition is based on a time required for removing the unbonded powder material calculated based on the three-dimensional shape data. A powder material removing device, characterized in that the device is defined as follows. 10. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) a posture changing unit that changes a posture of the three-dimensional structure according to the measured value. A powder material removing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 11. The powder material removing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the removing unit includes a blowing unit that generates an airflow that blows the three-dimensional structure, and the posture changing unit includes the three-dimensional structure. Attitude control means for controlling the attitude of the three-dimensional object according to a relative positional relationship between the object and the airflow,
A powder material removing device comprising: