JP2015150804A - Stereoscopic molding device and drive control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic molding device, which can be manufactured at low cost with a reduced number of parts and can form two layers in one reciprocating motion of a discharge part and a roller part; and a drive control method thereof.SOLUTION: An CPU allows a second roller disposed on the front side of a discharge head to be brought close to the top face of a second stage (S10). In a forward path for moving the roller part from the second stage to a third stage, while powder in an amount corresponding to 2 powder layers is leveled with the second roller so as to form a powder layer on a first stage, a molding liquid is discharged from a discharge head so that a molding layer is formed (S11). The CPU allows the second roller to recede away from the top of the third stage (S12). The roller part passes above the powder layer (S13). The first roller is brought close to the top face of the third stage (S17). In a backward path, the CPU allows a molding layer to be formed in a similar way, while the powder in an amount corresponding to the remaining one layer is leveled.

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that molds a three-dimensional model by discharging a modeling liquid onto a three-dimensional model powder and solidifying it, and a drive control method thereof.

  Conventionally, a modeling liquid is discharged into a powder layer obtained by leveling a three-dimensional modeling powder (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “powder”) into a thin layer, and the modeling layer in which the powder layer and the modeling liquid are mixed and solidified is laminated. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional model is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is a thin layer in which a pair of stretching rollers that level powder and a pair of powder supply mechanisms that supply powder are arranged on both sides of a nozzle head that discharges a modeling liquid. The forming unit is configured to move in the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction in which the axis of the extension roller extends. When moving in the + X direction, the thin layer forming unit supplies powder onto the stage from a powder supply mechanism arranged on the + X direction side of the nozzle head, and smoothes the powder with an extension roller arranged on the + X direction side. A powder layer is formed, and a modeling liquid is discharged from the nozzle head to the powder layer to form a modeling layer. Similarly, when moving in the −X direction, the thin layer forming unit supplies powder onto the stage from a powder supply mechanism disposed on the −X direction side of the nozzle head, and extends on the −X direction side. The powder is leveled to form a powder layer, and the modeling liquid is discharged from the nozzle head to the powder layer to form the modeling layer. Since the modeling layer for two layers can be formed in the process in which the thin layer forming portion reciprocates once in the X direction, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can increase the modeling speed of the three-dimensional modeled object.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-334581

  However, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the thin layer forming unit includes two extension rollers, two powder supply mechanisms, and a nozzle head, which increases the number of parts. In addition, since the thin layer forming unit including the two powder supply mechanisms becomes heavy, the driving unit that moves the thin layer forming unit in the X direction requires a large torque to move the thin layer forming unit. In addition, it was necessary to use a high output motor or the like.

  The present invention provides a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that can reduce the number of parts, can be manufactured at low cost, and can perform modeling for two layers while the discharge section and the roller section make one reciprocation, and a drive control method thereof. Objective.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the powder that solidifies when mixed with the modeling liquid is configured to be accommodated therein, the powder supply unit that supplies the powder to the outside, and the powder is formed in layers. A first stage having a stage surface on which a plurality of powder layers are stacked, connected to the first stage on one side in a first direction parallel to the stage surface, and supplied from the powder supply unit A second stage on which powder is arranged, a stage portion having a third stage connected to the first stage on the other side in the first direction, and the powder layer laminated on the stage surface A discharge unit that discharges the modeling liquid and forms a modeling layer obtained by solidifying the powder layer, a first drive unit that drives the discharge unit to discharge the modeling liquid, and is parallel to the stage surface and the first Has a rotation axis extending in the second direction perpendicular to one direction A roller unit; a second drive unit that relatively moves the discharge unit and the roller unit and the stage unit along the first direction; the powder supply unit; the first drive unit; A control unit that controls the driving of the two driving units, and the control unit controls the driving of the powder supply unit to form one powder layer that covers the entire stage surface. First control means for supplying the second stage with an amount of the powder required to form at least two layers, and controlling the second drive unit so that the discharge unit and the roller unit are connected to the second stage. In the process of moving from the first stage to the third stage, the powder of two layers of the powder layer supplied by the first control means is leveled by the roller part and the first layer is moved to the first stage. Forming a powder layer and controlling the first drive unit; A second control unit configured to form the first modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the first powder layer formed by the roller unit; In the process of moving the discharge unit and the roller unit from the third stage to the second stage by controlling the unit, the roller unit removes the powder remaining from the formation of the first powder layer. And forming the second powder layer on the first stage, and controlling the first driving unit to form the second powder layer formed by the roller unit on the second powder layer. There is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a third control unit configured to eject the modeling liquid from a discharge unit to model the second modeling layer.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first aspect, one powder supply unit can supply the amount of powder required for forming at least two powder layers at a time. In the process of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus moving the discharge part and the roller part to the other side in the first direction, the roller part discharges while the powder of two layers is leveled to form one powder layer. The part discharges the modeling liquid onto the powder layer to form a first modeling layer. In the process of moving the discharge powder and the roller portion to one side in the first direction, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is configured to form a single powder layer while the discharge portion and the roller portion move to one side in the first direction. A modeling liquid can be discharged to the powder layer to form a second modeling layer. As described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect can form two modeling layers while the discharge portion and the roller portion reciprocate once in the first direction, and can increase the speed. Furthermore, as described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect can supply powder with a single powder supply unit, so that the number of parts can be reduced. Moreover, since it is the structure which can be modeled without moving a heavy powder supply part, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of a 1st aspect does not need to use a high output motor etc. for a drive source, and is inexpensive. Can be manufactured.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of a 1st aspect moves the roller part and the stage part relatively in the 3rd direction orthogonal to the stage surface, and changes the distance between the roller part and the stage part. A moving mechanism may be further provided. In this case, the roller portion is provided on one side in the first direction with respect to the discharge portion, and has a rotation shaft extending in the second direction, and the first direction with respect to the discharge portion. A second roller having a rotation shaft provided on the other side and extending in the second direction. Further, the control unit moves the second roller at the first position where the second roller and the second stage face in the third direction by the moving mechanism before the control by the second control unit. After the first abutting means that abuts on the second stage and the control by the second control means, the second mechanism and the third stage are in the second position where the second roller and the third stage face in the third direction by the moving mechanism. Separating means for separating the second roller from the third stage and disposing the second roller at a position higher than at least the height of the powder remaining in the formation of the first powder layer; A third position by controlling the second drive unit so that the roller unit is positioned on the other side in the first direction with respect to the second position, and the first roller and the third stage face in the third direction. Move to move And means, and controls the second drive unit, in the third position, and a second abutment means for abutting the first roller to the third stage may include.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, in the process in which the discharge unit and the roller unit move to the other side in the first direction, the amount of powder corresponding to two layers is obtained by the second roller on the other side in the first direction from the discharge unit. An average powder layer is formed, and a discharge unit discharges a modeling liquid to the powder layer to form a first modeling layer. In the process of moving the discharge part and the roller part to one side in the first direction, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus averages one layer of the powder by the first roller on the one side in the first direction from the discharge part. A powder layer can be formed, and a discharge part can discharge a modeling liquid to a powder layer, and can form the 2nd modeling layer. In this way, the first roller and the second roller are provided on both sides in the front-rear direction of the discharge unit, and the discharge unit and the roller unit are configured with a simple configuration by properly using the discharge unit and the roller unit according to the moving direction. During one reciprocation in the first direction, two modeling layers can be formed.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first aspect may further include a rotation mechanism that rotates the first roller and the second roller. In this case, the second control means further rotates the second roller in the rotation direction when the second roller rolls from the other side of the first direction to the one side by the rotation mechanism. Also good. The third control unit may further rotate the first roller in a rotation direction when the first roller rolls from one side of the first direction to the other side by the rotation mechanism. The rotation speed at which the second control means rotates the second roller by the rotation mechanism may be slower than the rotation speed at which the third control means rotates the first roller by the rotation mechanism.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, when the first roller and the second roller level the powder, the first roller and the second roller are just leveled by leveling the powder while rotating. The shear stress applied to the body layer can be lowered. The first roller and the second roller reduce the shear stress, and drag or stretch the modeling layer formed in the powder layer formed below the leveled powder layer in the moving direction. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of “expansion”. On the other hand, as the first roller and the second roller have a higher rotational speed with respect to the moving speed, the powder is more easily involved in the rotation. In addition, the higher the powder before leveling, the easier it is for the entrained powder to get over the first and second rollers, and the powder can fly or fall onto the leveled powder layer. There is sex.

  In the forward path, the second roller pushes the remaining powder in the moving direction while leveling the amount of powder required for forming the two powder layers supplied by the powder supply unit with the second roller. To increase the powder pile, the powder pile rises higher when the amount of powder is large. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus rotates the second roller for leveling the powder on the forward path slower than the first roller for leveling the powder on the return path. As a result, the second roller can suppress the entrainment of the highly raised powder, and can prevent the powder from flying or falling on the powder layer after leveling. In the return path, when the first roller levels the powder toward the rear side in the front-rear direction, the amount of the powder is an amount for one layer. Since the peak of the powder is lower than that of the forward path, the 3D modeling apparatus can rotate the first roller for leveling the powder on the return path faster than the second roller for leveling the powder on the forward path. The possibility of falling or falling on the powder layer after leveling can be reduced. Further, the first roller can rotate faster so that the shear stress applied to the powder layer that has been leveled can be reduced as compared with the forward path. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can move the roller portion faster than the forward path while suppressing the occurrence of dragging and expansion on the return path. Therefore, the 3D modeling device can adjust the moving speed of the roller part in accordance with the rotation speed of the first roller and the second roller, so that the powder can be leveled faster than the forward path on the return path. Can be modeled faster.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, the second control unit controls the second driving unit to relatively move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the second stage to the third stage. The three control means may be slower than the speed at which the second drive unit is controlled to relatively move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the third stage to the second stage.

  In the forward path, the second roller pushes the remaining powder in the moving direction while leveling the amount of powder required for forming the two powder layers supplied by the powder supply unit with the second roller. Enhance the pile of powder. The raised pile of powder collapses, spreads along the slope of the pile in the axial direction and the moving direction of the second roller, and is leveled to the second roller. If the amount of powder is large and the second roller moves before the powder pile breaks down, the powder will move over the second roller and fly or fall on the finished powder layer there is a possibility. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect can make the second roller surely entangle the powder and level the powder in the forward path by making the moving speed of moving the roller portion in the forward path slower than the return path. it can. On the other hand, in the return path, the first roller carries the powder on the stage surface while carrying the amount of powder necessary for forming the powder layer for one layer remaining in the formation of the first powder layer. Level. Since the amount of powder is smaller than that of the forward path and the mountain of powder is lower than that of the forward path, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect has the first powder even if the moving speed of the roller portion on the return path is higher than that of the forward path. It is possible to reduce the possibility of jumping over the rollers and falling on the finished powder layer. Therefore, by making the moving speed of the roller part faster in the return path than in the forward path, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can level the powder at a higher speed than in the forward path and can model the three-dimensional model faster. it can.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, the diameter of the second roller may be larger than the diameter of the first roller. When the second control means levels the powder with the second roller in the forward path, the amount of the powder is two layers, whereas when the third control means levels the powder with the first roller in the return path The amount of the powder is one layer. The height of the powder in the third direction is higher on the forward path than on the return path. Therefore, the diameter of the second roller is made larger than the diameter of the first roller. Thereby, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, when the powder gets over the second roller when the second roller leveles the powder, the powder adheres to the discharge part (particularly, the nozzle surface that discharges the modeling liquid). Can be prevented. Also, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus disturbs the flatness of the surface of the powder layer leveled by the second roller when the powder gets over the second roller, or the amount of powder forming the powder layer is insufficient. It can also be prevented from disappearing.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, the first control means is based on the amount of surplus powder remaining on the second stage after the third control means moves the roller part to the second stage. The amount of the powder newly supplied to the second stage may be adjusted. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus can model a three-dimensional model efficiently without waste by adjusting the amount of powder to be newly supplied based on the amount of surplus powder.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first aspect may further include a measuring unit that measures the amount of the excess powder of the second stage. In this case, the control unit includes a fourth control unit that causes the measurement unit to measure the amount of the excess powder after the third control unit moves the roller unit to the second stage, and the measurement Calculation means for calculating the amount of the powder newly supplied to the second stage based on the amount of the excess powder measured by the unit. The first control unit may supply the powder in the amount of the powder calculated by the calculation unit to the second stage.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus newly supplies the second stage with the amount of powder calculated by the calculating unit based on the amount of surplus powder measured by the measuring unit, so that the second control unit uses the second roller to When leveling the body, it is always possible to supply two layers of powder, so that a three-dimensional model can be efficiently modeled without waste.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect includes the number of reciprocations in which the discharge unit and the roller unit reciprocate the stage surface under the control of the second control unit and the third control unit, and the first control unit includes the powder. You may further provide the memory | storage part which matches and memorize | stores the supply amount of the said powder supplied to said 2nd stage from a supply part. In this case, the control unit may further include a counting unit that counts the number of reciprocations. Further, the supply amount of the powder stored in the storage unit corresponding to the number of reciprocations counted by the counting unit is the second time each time the discharge unit and the roller unit reciprocate the stage surface. It may be a preset amount based on the estimated amount of the surplus powder remaining on the stage.

  If a certain amount of powder is supplied from the powder supply unit, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus increases the surplus powder by a predetermined amount as the number of reciprocations increases. For example, a table in which the amount of powder supplied from the powder supply unit and the increase amount of excess powder are associated with the number of reciprocations is created and stored in the storage unit in advance. In this way, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can stably adjust the amount of powder supplied from the powder supply unit according to the number of reciprocations, or thin it out, so that it is stably configured for two layers. An amount of powder can be supplied, and a three-dimensional model can be efficiently modeled without waste. And by controlling the supply amount of powder and not supplying more than necessary, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can compare the case where a certain amount of powder is supplied each time when the powder is leveled by the roller part. It is possible to prevent the powder from getting over the roller part and the powder from flying.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the powder that solidifies when mixed with the modeling liquid is configured to be accommodated therein, the powder supply unit that supplies the powder to the outside, and the powder is formed in layers. A first stage having a stage surface on which a plurality of powder layers are stacked, connected to the first stage on one side in a first direction parallel to the stage surface, and supplied from the powder supply unit A second stage on which powder is arranged, a stage portion having a third stage connected to the first stage on the other side in the first direction, and the powder layer laminated on the stage surface A discharge unit that discharges the modeling liquid and forms a modeling layer obtained by solidifying the powder layer, a first drive unit that drives the discharge unit to discharge the modeling liquid, and is parallel to the stage surface and the first Has a rotation axis extending in the second direction perpendicular to one direction A roller unit; a second drive unit that relatively moves the discharge unit and the roller unit and the stage unit along the first direction; the powder supply unit; the first drive unit; A control unit that controls the drive of the two drive units, and a drive control method that the control unit executes to control the drive of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and controls the drive of the powder supply unit, A first control step for supplying the second stage with an amount of the powder required to form at least two layers of the powder layer that covers the entire stage surface; and the second driving unit. In the process of moving the discharge unit and the roller unit from the second stage to the third stage by controlling the powder, the powder for two layers of the powder layer supplied in the first control step Leveling at the roller The first powder layer is formed on the first stage, and the first driving unit is controlled, and the first powder layer formed by the roller unit is transferred from the discharge unit to the first powder layer. A second control step of forming a first modeling layer by discharging a modeling liquid; and controlling the second driving unit to move the discharging unit and the roller unit from the third stage to the second stage. In the process of moving, the powder remaining from the formation of the first powder layer is leveled by the roller portion to form the second powder layer on the first stage, and A third control step of controlling the first driving unit to form the second modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the second powder layer formed by the roller unit. And a drive control method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. By controlling the drive of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus by the drive control method according to the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modeling table 6, a powder supply unit 14, a roller unit 16, and a discharge head 42. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the modeling stand 6 and the powder supply part 14 seen in the arrow direction in the dashed-dotted line AA of FIG. 2, and the side surface of the roller part 16 and the discharge head 42 seen from the left. FIG. 4 is a right side view of a portion (a roller portion 16 and a discharge head 42) surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line B in FIG. 3. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. It is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 2nd roller 18 contact | abuts to the upper surface of the 2nd stage 92 in the process of S10 of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 2nd roller 18 forms the 1st powder layer 71 and the discharge head 42 models the 1st modeling layer 73 in the process of S11 of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 2nd roller 18 spaces apart from the upper surface of the 3rd stage 93 in the process of S12 of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the roller part 16 and the discharge head 42 move to a return path origin in the process of S13 of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 1st roller 17 contact | abuts to the upper surface of the 3rd stage 93 in the process of S17 of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 1st roller 17 forms the 2nd powder layer 72 in the process of S18 of a three-dimensional modeling process, and the discharge head 42 models the 2nd modeling layer 74. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first roller 17 places an excess powder 77 on the measurement unit 54. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows the example of the table referred in the modification of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a three-dimensional modeling process. It is a figure which shows the modification of the roller part. It is a figure which shows the modification of the roller part.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used for explaining technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the apparatus, the flowcharts of various processes, and the like described in the drawings are not intended to be limited to these, but are merely illustrative examples.

  In the following description, the endless belt 4 spanned between the support portions 39 and 40 in the direction parallel to the stage surface 91A of the first stage 91 included in the stage portion 9 of the modeling table 6 shown in FIG. The direction in which the roller portion 16 moves along the front and rear directions is the front-rear direction of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The first roller 17 and the second roller 18 provided in the roller portion 16 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, and the second roller 18 side is the front side and the first roller 17 side is the rear side. A direction parallel to the stage surface 91A and perpendicular to the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, and a side where the endless belt 4 is provided is defined as the left side with respect to the stage surface 91A. And the direction where the 1st stage 91 raises / lowers with respect to the base 2 is made into an up-down direction, and the side by which the powder supply part 14 is arrange | positioned with respect to the stage part 9 is made into the upper side.

  The mechanical configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 drives a discharge head 42 that discharges a colorless modeling liquid (colorless modeling liquid) and a colored modeling liquid (color modeling liquid) according to the modeling data, and models a three-dimensional modeled object. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 receives modeling data from a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) 100 via a wired or wireless local connection or a network. The PC 100 creates modeling data based on the three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape and color of the object, and transmits the modeling data to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. Note that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may acquire modeling data from another device. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may acquire three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape and color of the object from the PC 100 and create modeling data based on the acquired three-dimensional data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 mainly includes a base 2, support units 39 and 40, a modeling table 6, a powder supply unit 14, a roller unit 16, a discharge head 42, a powder collection unit 13, and a tank 31. Prepare for. The base 2 has a rectangular plate shape in which the vertical direction is the thickness direction and the front-rear direction is the longitudinal direction, and supports the entire three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The base 2 includes two support portions 39 and 40 that are erected upward at both ends in the front-rear direction. The front support part 40 includes a circuit part (see FIG. 5) that electrically controls the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 inside. The support unit 40 includes, on the left side, an operation panel 53 having an input unit that receives an operation input from an operator and a display unit that displays an instruction to the operator.

  The modeling table 6 is disposed between the support part 39 and the support part 40 on the base 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the modeling table 6 includes a base portion 7 that supports the modeling table 6 and a plate-shaped stage portion 9 that is supported on the upper portion of the base portion 7. The shape of the base portion 7 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The base portion 7 includes a concave portion 7A (see FIG. 3) having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with an upper portion opened. The stage unit 9 includes a first stage 91, a second stage 92, and a third stage 93. The first stage 91 is a plate body having a substantially square shape (for example, 100 mm × 100 mm) in plan view, and is located on the upper portion of the base portion 7. The first stage 91 is a table on which the 3D modeling apparatus 1 models a 3D model. The size of the first stage 91 is substantially the same as the opening of the recess 7A. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 7 includes a lifting mechanism 8 and a stage lifting motor 46 in the recess 7A. The elevating mechanism 8 moves the first stage 91 up and down in the recess 7 </ b> A by the power of the stage elevating motor 46. The stage surface 91A, which is the upper surface of the first stage 91, is kept horizontal.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plate bodies 91 </ b> B are provided on both sides of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction so as to project narrowly toward the side. The plate body 91 </ b> B is connected to the front end portion of the second stage 92 and the rear end portion of the third stage 93 to align the upper surface horizontally. The recess 7A of the base 7 is exposed to the outside through an opening surrounded by the plate body 91B, the second stage 92, and the third stage 93.

  The second stage 92 is a rectangular plate that is connected to the rear side of the first stage 91 and projects rearward from the upper end of the base portion 7. The second stage 92 includes a measurement unit 54 extending in the left-right direction at a position near the first stage 91 in the front-rear direction. The measuring unit 54 is, for example, a so-called electronic balance that detects a change in resistance value of a strain gauge and measures the weight of an object placed on the measuring unit 54. The length of the measurement unit 54 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. Note that the length of the measurement unit 54 in the left-right direction may be longer than the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. The third stage 93 is a rectangular plate-like portion that protrudes forward from the upper end of the base portion 7 on the front side of the first stage 91.

  The first stage 91 includes an upper stage and a lower stage (not shown). The upper stage and the lower stage are plate-like members having substantially the same shape, and are arranged horizontally. Each of the upper stage and the lower stage includes a plurality of holes penetrating in the thickness direction. The upper stage and the lower stage are arranged by shifting the position of the hole of the upper stage and the position of the hole of the lower stage so as not to overlap in a plan view. Therefore, the three-dimensionally shaped powder (hereinafter referred to as “powder”) is deposited on the first stage 91 when the first stage 91 is stationary. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 models the three-dimensional modeled object while gradually lowering the first stage 91 from the upper part of the ascending / descending range.

  The powder recovery unit 13 is provided in the lower part of the support 39 on the rear side. The powder recovery unit 13 is connected to the inside of the recess 7 </ b> A of the base 7 through a cylindrical recovery path 10. The powder solidifies when mixed with the modeling liquid. Excess 3D modeling powder (hereinafter referred to as “uncured powder”) remaining around the 3D modeling object without solidifying falls from the first stage 91 through the holes of the upper stage and the lower stage. Uncured powder is deposited below the first stage 91 in the recess 7A. The powder recovery unit 13 sucks and recovers the uncured powder from the recess 7 </ b> A through the recovery path 10.

  The powder supply unit 14 is a case for storing powder in the storage unit 14A. The powder supply unit 14 is fixed at a position above the measurement unit 54 provided on the second stage 92 of the modeling table 6. The shape of the powder supply unit 14 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends long in the up-down direction and the left-right direction and is short in the front-rear direction. The length of the powder supply unit 14 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. The length of the powder supply unit 14 in the left-right direction may be longer than the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. The powder accommodated in the accommodating portion 14A is, for example, a known gypsum powder. The gypsum is preferably calcined gypsum. The particle diameter of the powder is preferably 10 μm to 500 μm.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the powder supply unit 14 is formed with a small thickness in the front-rear direction at the lower portion of the storage unit 14 </ b> A. A cylindrical supply rod 14B whose axial direction is the left-right direction is provided at the lower end of the accommodating portion 14A, and closes between the accommodating portion 14A and the opening provided at the lower end of the powder supply portion 14. The supply rod 14B includes a groove portion 14C extending in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface. The powder supply unit 14 includes a powder supply motor 41 (see FIG. 2) that rotates the supply rod 14B on the right side surface. When the supply rod 14B is rotated by the powder supply motor 41 and the opening of the groove portion 14C is directed into the accommodating portion 14A, the powder in the accommodating portion 14A is taken into the groove portion 14C. For example, 0.1 g of powder is taken into the groove 14C. When the supply rod 14B is further rotated by the powder supply motor 41 and the opening of the groove portion 14C is directed to the opening at the lower end of the powder supply portion 14, the powder taken into the groove portion 14C falls, and the second stage 92 Is supplied to the measurement unit 54. The powder supply unit 14 can adjust the amount of powder supplied to the second stage 92 according to the number of rotations of the supply rod 14B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes an endless belt 4 extending in the front-rear direction at a position on the upper left side of the modeling table 6. The endless belt 4 is constructed between pulleys 4A that are supported rotatably by the support portions 39 and 40, respectively. The drive shaft of the roller unit forward / backward movement motor 43 is connected to the rotation shaft of the front pulley 4A. The endless belt 4 is rotated by the power of the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 and moves in the front-rear direction on the roller unit 16 fixed via a fixing unit 25 (described later). Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a guide rail (not shown) that guides the movement of a roller unit 16 (described later) in the front-rear direction along the endless belt 4. The guide rail maintains a state where a shaft rod 19 (described later) of the roller unit 16 is separated from the upper surface of the stage unit 9 by a predetermined distance when the roller unit 16 moves in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the roller portion 16 includes a first roller 17 and a second roller 18 in which shafts 17 </ b> A and 18 </ b> A extend in the left-right direction and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The first roller 17 and the second roller 18 are leveling rollers that level and flatten the powder on the stage unit 9. The roller portion 16 includes a rod-like shaft bar 19 extending in the left-right direction at an upper position between the first roller 17 and the second roller 18. The second roller 18 is disposed in front of the first roller 17. Both ends of the shaft 17A of the first roller 17, the shaft 18A of the second roller 18, and the shaft rod 19 are plate-like and supported by a pair of pressing plates 20, respectively. The length of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. The lengths of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 in the left-right direction may be longer than the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the first roller 17 and the outer diameter of the second roller 18 are the same diameter.

  The roller unit 16 includes a fixing unit 25 that fixes the roller unit 16 to the endless belt 4 on the upper side of the left pressing plate 20. The fixing portion 25 can rotate relative to the pressing plate 20 with the left-right direction as an axis. A roller unit swing motor 44 is assembled to the fixed unit 25. The drive shaft of the roller unit swing motor 44 is connected to the shaft rod 19. The retainer plate 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the shaft rod 19 by the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44. Therefore, the outer surface of the second roller 18 positioned below and in front of the shaft rod 19 is the upper surface of the stage unit 9 when the roller unit 16 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the left side (the front side in FIG. 3). Is moved away from the upper surface of the stage portion 9 when rotated counterclockwise. Similarly, the outer surface of the first roller 17 located below and behind the shaft rod 19 is separated from the upper surface of the stage portion 9 when the roller portion 16 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the left, and is counterclockwise. When it rotates around, it approaches the upper surface of the stage unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the roller unit 16 includes four gears 21 to 24 having a right and left direction as an axial direction and a roller rotation motor 45 on the right pressing plate 20. The first gear 21 is provided coaxially with the shaft 17 </ b> A of the first roller 17. The second gear 22 is provided coaxially with the shaft 18 </ b> A of the second roller 18. The third gear 23 has a rotation shaft disposed at a position between the position of the shaft 19 and the position of the shaft 17 </ b> A of the first roller 17, and meshes with the first gear 21 and the fourth gear 24. The fourth gear 24 has a rotating shaft disposed at a position between the position of the shaft 19 and the position of the shaft 18 </ b> A of the second roller 18, and meshes with the second gear 22 and the third gear 23. The drive shaft of the roller rotation motor 45 is connected to the rotation shaft of the fourth gear 24.

  Although details will be described later, at the time of modeling, the roller unit 16 moves the powder from the second stage 92 to the third stage 93 across the first stage 91 from the second stage 92 to the front. It is flattened to form a powder layer (hereinafter referred to as “powder layer”). Further, the roller portion 16 moves rearward from above the third stage 93, and on the return path crossing the first stage 91 and reaching the second stage 92, the powder is leveled and flattened by the first roller 17, A body layer is formed. When the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 level the powder, the roller rotation motor 45 rotates the drive shaft counterclockwise when viewed from the right side (the front side in FIG. 4). Thereby, the first roller 17 levels the powder while rotating counterclockwise when viewed from the right side (the front side in FIG. 4) in the return path. Similarly, the second roller 18 levels the powder while rotating clockwise in the forward path. In the present embodiment, the gears 21 to 24 have the same diameter, and the rotation speeds of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 are the same speed.

  The discharge head 42 discharges the modeling liquid (colorless modeling liquid and color modeling liquid) to the powder layer formed on the stage surface 91A of the first stage 91. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shape of the ejection head 42 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends long in the left-right direction. The length of the discharge head 42 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the left-right direction of the first stage 91. Note that the length of the ejection head 42 in the left-right direction may be longer than the length of the first stage 91 in the left-right direction. The discharge head 42 is an inkjet head that can discharge the modeling liquid downward by, for example, a piezo method. The powder layer is solidified by mixing with the modeling liquid discharged from the discharge head 42. Hereinafter, the layer formed by discharging the modeling liquid onto the powder layer and solidifying is referred to as a “modeling layer”. The colorless modeling liquid is a colorless modeling liquid. The color modeling liquid is a modeling liquid obtained by previously coloring a colorless modeling liquid with ink, and can solidify and color the powder layer.

  The discharge head 42 has at least five nozzle rows (not shown) in which a plurality of nozzles that discharge the modeling liquid are arranged in the left-right direction on the lower surface. The ejection head 42 is a line-type inkjet head (so-called line head) in which the length in the left-right direction of the nozzle row is substantially the same as the length in the left-right direction of the first stage 91. Since the line head can deposit the modeling liquid on the entire left and right direction of the first stage 91 by discharging the modeling liquid from the nozzle row once, it can linearly move in the front-rear direction. Each of the plurality of nozzle arrays ejects a color modeling liquid colored cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and a colorless modeling liquid. The ejection head 42 may have a configuration including one or more nozzle rows that eject a monochromatic modeling liquid.

  The discharge head 42 is disposed below the shaft rod 19 between the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 of the roller portion 16 with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the stage portion 9, and is positioned with respect to the shaft rod 19. Has been. That is, the ejection head 42 moves in the front-rear direction together with the roller unit 16 when the roller unit 16 moves in the front-rear direction. However, even if the roller unit 16 rotates about the shaft bar 19, the lower side of the shaft bar 19 And the state where the lower surface is directed to the upper surface of the stage portion 9 is maintained. Note that the distance between the lower surface of the ejection head 42 and the upper surface of the stage unit 9 (the distance between the nozzle and the powder layer surface during ejection of the modeling liquid) is, for example, 15 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a tank 31 that stores a modeling liquid in an upper part of a support part 39 on the rear side. The tank 31 is connected to the discharge head 42 by a connecting pipe (not shown) composed of a plurality of tubes (five tubes for transporting the color modeling liquid of each color of C, M, Y, and K and the colorless modeling liquid). Then, the modeling liquid is supplied to the ejection head 42. Although details will be described later, at the time of modeling, the ejection head 42 ejects the modeling liquid on the upper surface of the powder layer flattened by the second roller 18 positioned in front of the ejection head 42 in the forward path. Similarly, the ejection head 42 ejects the modeling liquid on the upper surface of the powder layer flattened by the first roller 17 located on the rear side of the ejection head 42 in the return path.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a CPU 50 that controls the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The CPU 50 is connected to a RAM 51, a ROM 52, an operation panel 53, a measurement unit 54, an external communication interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 55, motor drive units 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, via a bus 59. In addition, the head drive unit 62 is electrically connected. The RAM 51 temporarily stores various data such as modeling data received from the PC 100. The ROM 52 stores a control program and initial values for controlling the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1.

  In the operation panel 53, the input unit receives an operation input from the worker, and the display unit displays an instruction to the worker. As described above, the measurement unit 54 measures the weight of an object (extra powder to be described later) placed on the measurement unit 54. The external communication I / F 55 electrically connects the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 to an external device such as the PC 100. Note that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can also acquire various data from other devices (for example, a USB memory, a server, etc.) via a USB interface, the Internet, or the like. The motor drive units 61 and 63 to 66 control the operations of the powder supply motor 41, the roller unit swinging motor 44, the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43, the roller rotation motor 45, and the stage elevating motor 46, respectively, according to the control of the CPU 50. To do. The head driving unit 62 is electrically connected to the ejection head 42 and drives a piezoelectric element provided in each ejection channel to eject the modeling liquid from each nozzle.

  The three-dimensional model | molding apparatus 1 of this embodiment which has such a structure models a three-dimensional molded item roughly as follows. The CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 controls the drive of the powder supply motor 41 of the powder supply unit 14 to rotate the supply rod 14 </ b> B, so that two layers of powder are formed on the measurement unit 54 of the second stage 92. Supply the amount of powder required to form the layer. The CPU 50 lowers the first stage 91 by the thickness of one modeling layer by driving control of the stage lifting motor 46. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44, the roller rotation motor 45, and the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43, and in the forward path in which the roller unit 16 moves forward in the front-rear direction, The first powder layer is formed on the first stage 91. At the same time, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the ejection head 42 to eject the modeling liquid onto the powder layer formed by the second roller 18. The portion where the modeling liquid is deposited on the powder layer is solidified to form a modeling layer, and the portion where the modeling liquid is not deposited is not solidified and remains as an uncured powder.

  When the second roller 18 arrives at the third stage 93, the second roller 18 retains the amount of powder necessary for forming the one powder layer remaining in the formation of the first powder layer in the forward path. Push the body onto the third stage 93. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 and the roller unit back and forth motor 43 to move the roller unit 16 to the front side of the powder on the third stage 93. The CPU 50 lowers the first stage 91 by the thickness of one modeling layer by driving control of the stage lifting motor 46. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44, the roller rotation motor 45, and the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 so that the first roller 17 supplies powder on the return path in which the roller unit 16 moves backward in the front-rear direction. A second powder layer is formed on the first stage 91. At the same time, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the discharge head 42 to discharge the modeling liquid onto the powder layer formed by the first roller 17. When the first roller 17 reaches the second stage 92, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 and the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 to move the roller unit 16 to the rear side of the measuring unit 54. . The CPU 50 executes the three-dimensional modeling process, repeats the above operations, forms the modeling layer one layer at a time from the lower layer to the upper layer, and models the three-dimensional modeling object in which the modeling layers are stacked.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the three-dimensional modeling process which CPU50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 performs is demonstrated, referring FIG. 3, FIG. When the modeling data is received from the PC 100, the three-dimensional modeling process is started when the modeling data is stored in the RAM 51, and the program stored in the ROM 52 is read and executed by the CPU 50.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 first executes an initial layer forming process (S1). As shown in FIG. 3, the initial layer 70 (so-called “fill bed”) is a powder layer formed in the lowest layer in the formation of the modeling layer. When a thin powder layer is directly formed on the stage surface 91A, even if the powder is spread by the second roller 18, the powder slides on the stage surface 91A and spreads in a patchy shape, or a uniform thickness can be obtained. There may be no. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is thicker than the powder layers 71 and 72 (see FIGS. 8 and 12), which are the modeling objects of the modeling layers 73 and 74 (see FIGS. 8 and 12), as the initial layer 70. A powder layer is formed in advance to ensure a uniform and flat powder layer. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can form the powder layers 71 and 72 on the initial layer 70 without directly forming them on the stage surface 91A, it is possible to obtain a powder layer that spreads smoothly with a uniform thickness. Further, by forming the initial layer 70, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 ejected the powder layer 71 when forming the modeling layer 73 in the first powder layer 71 directly formed on the initial layer 70. The modeling liquid can be prevented from adhering to the stage surface 91A. In the initial layer formation process, the CPU 50 performs a process of returning the roller unit 16 to the forward path origin position on the second stage 92 after the initial layer 70 is formed in the forward path. The forward path origin position is the position of the roller unit 16 when the second roller 18 is positioned rearward of the measurement unit 54 in the front-rear direction, and is hereinafter referred to as a first position P1. If there is surplus powder 77 (see FIG. 13) that is excessive in the formation of the initial layer 70, the surplus powder 77 is placed on the measurement unit 54 by the first roller 17 in the return path. Further, when moving the roller unit 16 to the forward path origin position, the CPU 50 swings the roller unit so that the position of the shaft 17A of the first roller 17 and the shaft 18A of the second roller 18 are the same in the vertical direction. The drive of the dynamic motor 44 is controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 determines, from the RAM 51, the two-layer powder formed on the initial layer 70 by the forward path and the return path from the discharge position information of the modeling liquid with respect to a plurality of powder layers included in the modeling data. Out of the layers 71 and 72, the discharge position information for the first powder layer 71 is read (S2). The CPU 50 controls the drive of the stage elevating motor 46 to move the first stage 91 downward by one layer (for example, 0.1 mm) (S3). CPU50 measures the weight of the excess powder deposited on the measurement part 54, and acquires a measurement result (S5). The CPU 50 subtracts the weight of the excess powder from the weight of the powder necessary for forming two powder layers (for example, 3.2 g), and substitutes it for the variable X stored in the RAM 51 ( S6). If X is equal to or less than 0 (S7: NO), the amount of powder necessary for forming two powder layers is placed on the measurement unit 54 as an excess powder, so that the CPU 50 does not change. The process proceeds to S10. If X is larger than 0 (S7: YES), the CPU 50 controls the driving of the powder supply motor 41, adjusts the number of rotations of the supply rod 14B, and supplies X (g) powder onto the measurement unit 54. (S8), and the process proceeds to S10. As shown in FIG. 3, on the measurement unit 54, the total amount of powder added in addition to the surplus powder and the amount of powder necessary for forming two powder layers is added. 75 is placed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 to rotate the roller unit 16 clockwise as viewed from the left (S10). As shown in FIG. 7, the second roller 18 located on the forward side (front side in the front-rear direction) in the traveling direction in the forward path is close to the stage portion 9, and the outer peripheral surface of the second roller 18 is the upper surface of the second stage 92. Abut. The first roller 17 is separated from the upper surface of the second stage 92. As described above, the discharge head 42 disposed below the shaft rod 19 of the roller unit 16 maintains a state in which the lower surface faces the upper surface of the stage unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 starts a forming layer forming process in the outward path (S11). The CPU 50 controls driving of the roller rotation motor 45 (see FIG. 4), and rotates the second roller 18 counterclockwise as viewed from the left side. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit forward / backward movement motor 43 to rotate the endless belt 4. The roller portion 16 connected to the endless belt 4 starts moving toward the front side in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the second roller 18 moves on the first stage 91 while pushing the powder 75 of two powder layers placed on the measurement unit 54 forward by the movement of the roller unit 16. Evenly flattened to form the powder layer 71 in the forward path. The discharge head 42 disposed below the shaft rod 19 of the roller portion 16 moves forward together with the roller portion 16. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the ejection head 42 according to the modeling data, and forms the modeling layer 73 by discharging the modeling liquid from the nozzle associated with the ejection position information to the powder layer 71 formed by the second roller 18. . As described above, since the discharge head 42 is a line head, the modeling liquid can be discharged while moving linearly. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment moves the roller unit 16 integrally assembled with the discharge head 42, and forms the powder layer 71 by leveling the second roller 18, while The modeling layer 73 can be modeled by discharging the modeling liquid.

  The CPU 50 can determine the position of the roller unit 16 in the front-rear direction according to the driving amount of the roller unit front-rear movement motor 43. As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 50 moves the roller unit 16 to the second position P <b> 2 where the outer peripheral surface of the second roller 18 reaches the rear end of the third stage 93. The second roller 18 pushes the powder 76 for one layer remaining by forming the powder layer 71 in the forward path from the first stage 91 and places it on the third stage 93. The CPU 50 stops driving the roller rotation motor 45. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 and rotates the roller unit 16 counterclockwise when viewed from the left (see S12 in FIG. 6). The roller unit 16 swings to separate the second roller 18 from the upper surface of the third stage 93. The CPU 50 controls driving of the roller portion swing motor 44 so that the position of the shaft 17A of the first roller 17 and the shaft 18A of the second roller 18 are in the same position in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 to rotate the endless belt 4 to move the roller unit 16 further forward in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the roller unit 16 passes over one layer of the powder 76 placed on the rear end of the third stage 93 and moves to the home position of the return path. The home position of the return path is the position of the roller portion 16 when the first roller 17 is positioned on the front side in the front-rear direction with respect to the position of the powder 76 placed on the rear end portion of the third stage 93. This is referred to as a third position P3. The CPU 50 stops the driving of the roller unit longitudinal movement motor 43.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 determines, from the RAM 51, the next layer (the powder layer 72 formed on the powder layer 71 in the return path) from the ejection position information of the modeling liquid with respect to the plurality of powder layers included in the modeling data. ) Is read out (S15). The CPU 50 controls the drive of the stage elevating motor 46 to move the first stage 91 downward by one layer (S16). The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 to rotate the roller unit 16 counterclockwise when viewed from the left (S17). As shown in FIG. 11, the first roller 17 located on the front side in the traveling direction (rear side in the front-rear direction) on the return path is close to the stage portion 9, and the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 17 is the third stage 93. Abuts the top surface. The second roller 18 is separated from the upper surface of the third stage 93.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 starts a forming layer forming process in the return path (S18). The CPU 50 controls driving of the roller rotation motor 45 (see FIG. 4) to rotate the first roller 17 clockwise as viewed from the left side. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit forward / backward movement motor 43 to rotate the endless belt 4. The roller portion 16 connected to the endless belt 4 starts moving toward the rear side in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the first roller 17 is flattened on the first stage 91 while pushing the powder 76 placed on the third stage 93 backward by the movement of the roller portion 16. A powder layer 72 in the return path is formed. The ejection head 42 moves rearward together with the roller unit 16. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the ejection head 42 according to the modeling data, and forms the modeling layer 74 by discharging the modeling liquid from the nozzle associated with the ejection position information to the powder layer 72 formed by the first roller 17. .

  As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 50 moves the roller unit 16 to a fourth position P <b> 4 where the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 17 reaches the front end of the second stage 92. If there is surplus powder 77 remaining by forming the powder layer 72 in the return path, the first roller 17 pushes it out from the first stage 91 and places it on the measurement unit 54 of the second stage 92. The CPU 50 stops driving the roller rotation motor 45. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit swing motor 44 to rotate the roller unit 16 clockwise as viewed from the left (S20). The roller unit 16 swings to separate the first roller 17 from the upper surface of the second stage 92. The CPU 50 controls driving of the roller portion swing motor 44 so that the position of the shaft 17A of the first roller 17 and the shaft 18A of the second roller 18 are in the same position in the vertical direction.

  The CPU 50 controls the driving of the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 to rotate the endless belt 4 and further move the roller unit 16 rearward in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the roller unit 16 passes above the surplus powder 77 placed on the measurement unit 54 of the second stage 92 and moves to the first position P <b> 1 that is the forward path origin position. The CPU 50 stops the driving of the roller unit longitudinal movement motor 43.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the three-dimensional modeling process is completed by determining whether or not the modeling liquid ejection process for all the ejection position information included in the modeling data is completed (S22). . When there is discharge position information on which the modeling liquid discharge process has not yet been performed and the three-dimensional modeling process has not been completed (S22: NO), the CPU 50 determines the next layer (the powder layer formed on the powder layer 72 in the forward path). ) Is read (S23). The CPU 50 controls the drive of the stage elevating motor 46 to move the first stage 91 downward by one layer (S25). The CPU 50 returns the process to S5, measures the weight of the surplus powder 77 (S5), and places the amount of powder necessary for forming two powder layers on the measurement unit 54, as described above. To do. CPU50 performs the process of S5-S22, and repeats and performs a series of processes which model the modeling layers 73 and 74 for two layers, forming the powder layers 71 and 72 for two layers in an outward path and a return path. Each layer of the modeling layer is formed in order from the lower layer. When all the modeling layers based on the modeling data have been modeled and the modeling of the three-dimensional model has been completed (S22: YES), the CPU 50 ends the three-dimensional modeling process. The stage part 9 will be in the state which mounted the solid modeling thing and the unhardened powder which remain | survives in the periphery of a solid modeling thing without solidifying on the stage surface 91A. When an instruction to collect a three-dimensional structure is input via the input unit of the operation panel 53, the CPU 50 drives the vibration motor (not shown) to vibrate the stage unit 9. Uncured powder falls from holes (not shown) in the upper stage and the lower stage, and is sucked into the powder recovery unit 13 through the recovery path 10. As a result, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is in a state where only the three-dimensional modeled object is placed on the stage unit 9 and is collected by the operator.

  As described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can supply the amount of powder required for forming at least two powder layers by one powder supply unit 14 at a time. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, in the process in which the ejection head 42 and the roller unit 16 move to the front side in the front-rear direction, the roller unit 16 forms a single powder layer by leveling the amount of powder of two layers. The discharge head 42 discharges the modeling liquid onto the powder layer to form a first modeling layer. Then, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is configured so that the roller unit 16 forms a single powder layer in a process in which the discharge head 42 and the roller unit 16 move to the rear side in the front-rear direction while the surplus powder is moved. The discharge head 42 can discharge a modeling liquid to a powder layer, and can form the 2nd modeling layer. As described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can form two modeling layers while the ejection head 42 and the roller unit 16 reciprocate once in the front-rear direction, and can increase the speed. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can supply the powder with one powder supply unit 14 as described above, the number of parts can be reduced. Moreover, since it is the structure which can model without moving the heavy powder supply part 14, the three-dimensional model | molding apparatus 1 does not need to use a high output motor etc. for a drive source, and manufactures it cheaply. be able to.

  In the process in which the ejection head 42 and the roller unit 16 move to the front side in the front-rear direction, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 levels the amount of powder for two layers with the second roller 18 on the front side of the ejection head 42. The first powder layer is formed, and the discharge head 42 discharges the modeling liquid onto the powder layer to form the first modeling layer. Then, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 equalizes one layer of the excess powder by the first roller 17 on the rear side of the ejection head 42 in the process in which the ejection head 42 and the roller unit 16 move to the rear side in the front-rear direction. The powder layer is formed, and the discharge head 42 discharges the modeling liquid onto the powder layer to form the second modeling layer. As described above, the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 are provided on both sides of the ejection head 42 in the front-rear direction, respectively, and the ejection head 42 and the roller unit 16 are selectively used according to the direction in which the ejection head 42 moves. Two modeling layers can be formed while the head 42 and the roller portion 16 reciprocate once in the front-rear direction.

  In addition, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can efficiently model a three-dimensional model without waste by adjusting the amount of powder to be newly supplied based on the amount of surplus powder. For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 supplies a new amount of powder calculated based on the amount of surplus powder measured by the measurement unit 54 to the second stage 92. As a result, when the powder is leveled by the second roller 18 in the forward path, the amount of powder of two layers can always be supplied, so that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can efficiently perform three-dimensional modeling without waste. An object can be shaped.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. The amount of powder necessary for forming one powder layer depends on the size of the first stage 91 in plan view and the thickness set when forming one powder layer (below the first stage 91). The amount of movement). In the present embodiment, as an example, the size of the first stage 91 in plan view is 100 mm × 100 mm, the thickness of the powder layer is 0.1 mm, and the weight of the powder required to form the two powder layers is 3 The weight is set by taking a case where gypsum is used as the three-dimensional modeling powder as an example. Specifically, the weight of the powder is set as follows. The volume of the powder necessary for forming one powder layer is 100 mm × 100 mm × 0.1 mm = 1000 mm ³ = 1 cm ³ . The bulk density of gypsum is an actual measurement value of about 1.4 g / cm ³ . Therefore, at least 1.4 g of gypsum is required to form one powder layer. Here, in the process in which the roller unit 16 conveys the powder between the stages, the weight of the powder that does not contribute to the formation of the powder layer due to flying or flowing to the side of the stage surface 91A is considered. In the embodiment, the weight of gypsum required for forming one powder layer is set to 1.6 g. Therefore, the weight of gypsum required for forming two powder layers is set to the above 3.2 g. Not limited to this, the thickness of the powder layer may be set arbitrarily in consideration of the modeling speed and accuracy of the three-dimensional modeled object, and is required for forming two powder layers according to the thickness of the powder layer. What is necessary is just to set the weight of powder. Of course, for example, by setting the size and rotation speed of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 and installing a barrier, the volume necessary for forming a powder layer for one layer is prevented by preventing the powder from flowing or flowing out. You may set the weight of the minute. Needless to say, the powder is not limited to gypsum, and any powder that can be solidified by mixing with a modeling liquid to form a modeling layer can be used.

  Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may not include the measurement unit 54 in the stage unit 9. In this case, the amount of powder supplied by the powder supply unit 14 each time the roller unit 16 reciprocates the first stage 91 in the front-rear direction may be the same as the amount required to form two layers of powder layers. It may be good or more. However, when the amount of powder supplied by the powder supply unit 14 is larger than the amount required to form two powder layers, the excess powder increases each time the roller unit 16 reciprocates the first stage 91. Become. In this case, when the amount of surplus powder is the same as the amount required to form two powder layers, the powder supply unit 14 does not have to supply the powder. For example, the CPU 50 controls the driving of the powder supply motor 41 of the powder supply unit 14 and the weight of the powder necessary for forming two powder layers is, for example, 3.2 g. 4.0 g is supplied at a time.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the CPU 50 moves the first stage 91 downward by one layer in the process of S <b> 3 (see FIG. 6) in executing the three-dimensional modeling process program, the CPU 50 stores the variable C stored in the RAM 51. 0 is substituted as an initial value (S31), and 1 is added to the value of C and overwritten (S32). If C is less than 5 (S33: NO), the CPU 50 controls the drive of the powder supply motor 41, and the amount sufficient to form two powder layers from the powder supply unit 14 (4.0 g). ) Is supplied (S35). The CPU 50 performs the processing of S10 to S25 (see FIG. 6), leveles the powder supplied by the powder supply unit 14 and forms two modeling layers as in the present embodiment. In this case, the weight of the surplus powder is 4.0-3.2 = 0.8 (g). After the process of S25, the CPU 50 returns the process to S32. When the CPU 50 performs the process of S32 after the roller unit 16 reciprocates the first stage 91 four times to form the eight modeling layers, the value of C becomes 5 (S32). At this time, the surplus powder has a weight of 0.8 × 4 = 3.2 g, and an amount necessary to form two powder layers is placed on the second stage 92. Since the value of C is 5 or more (S33: YES), the CPU 50 substitutes 0 for the variable C (S36). The CPU 50 performs the processing of S10 to S25 (see FIG. 6) without supplying new powder, and levels the surplus powder to form two modeling layers. Thus, if the amount of surplus powder increases each time the roller section 16 makes a round trip to the first stage 91, the amount of surplus powder becomes the amount necessary to form two powder layers. For example, the CPU 50 may form the two modeling layers by reciprocating the first stage 91 in the roller portion 16 without supplying new powder.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, a table T that associates the number of times the roller unit 16 makes one reciprocation with the first stage 91 and the supply amount of the powder is created in advance and is combined with a three-dimensional modeling process program. The data may be stored in the ROM 52. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, when the CPU 50 moves the first stage 91 downward by one layer in the process of S <b> 3 (see FIG. 6) in the execution of the three-dimensional modeling process program, the CPU 50 stores it in the RAM 51. 0 is substituted for the variable C as an initial value (S41), and 1 is added to the value of C to overwrite it (S42). The CPU 50 reads the powder supply amount (4.0 g) according to the value C from the table T (see FIG. 15) in the ROM 52. The CPU 50 controls the driving of the powder supply motor 41 and supplies the read amount of powder from the powder supply unit 14 (S43).

  Next, if C is less than 5 (S45: NO), the CPU 50 performs the processing of S10 to S25 (see FIG. 6), and the powder supplied by the powder supply unit 14 is the same as in the present embodiment. Leveling and forming two modeling layers. In this case, the estimated weight of the surplus powder is 4.0-3.2 = 0.8 (g). After the process of S25, the CPU 50 returns the process to S42. After the roller unit 16 reciprocates the first stage 91 four times to form eight modeling layers, when the CPU 50 returns the process to S42, the value of C is incremented by 1 to 5 (S42). At this time, the surplus powder has an estimated weight of 0.8 × 4 = 3.2 g, and an amount necessary to form two powder layers is placed on the second stage 92. Yes. The CPU 50 reads the powder supply amount (0 g) according to the value of C from the table T. The CPU 50 does not supply new powder according to the table T. Since C is 5 or more, the CPU 50 advances the process to S46 (S45: YES), and after substituting 0 for the variable C (S46), performs the processes of S10 to S25 (see FIG. 6) to obtain the surplus powder. Equally, two modeling layers are formed. As described above, the CPU 50 may control the amount of powder supplied from the powder supply unit 14 according to the table T created in advance.

  As described above, when the powder supply unit 14 supplies a certain amount of powder, the surplus powder increases by a predetermined amount as the number of reciprocations of the stage surface 91A increases. For example, a table in which the amount of powder supplied from the powder supply unit 14 and the increase amount of excess powder are associated with the number of reciprocations is created and stored in the storage unit in advance. By doing this, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can stably adjust the amount of the powder supplied from the powder supply unit 14 according to the number of reciprocations, or thin it out, so that two layers can be stably formed with a simple configuration. Minute amount of powder can be supplied, and a three-dimensional model can be efficiently modeled without waste. Then, by controlling the supply amount of the powder and not supplying more than necessary, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 applies a constant amount of powder each time when the roller unit 16 leveles the powder (especially in the forward path). Compared with the case of supplying, it is possible to prevent the powder from getting over the roller portion 16 and the powder from flying.

  Further, in the present embodiment, there is no provision for the speed at which the roller unit 16 moves in the front-rear direction on the forward path and the return path. For example, the speed at which the roller portion 16 moves forward (for example, 50 mm / sec.) In the forward path is slower than the speed (for example, 100 mm / sec.) At which the roller section 16 moves backward in the backward path. The CPU 50 may control the rotational speed of the rotation shaft of the roller unit forward / backward movement motor 43 in the forward path and the backward path. In the forward path, the second roller 18 moves the remaining powder while moving the amount of powder required for forming the two powder layers supplied by the powder supply unit with the second roller 18. Extrude into a powder pile. The raised powder pile collapses, spreads in the axial direction and the moving direction of the second roller 18 along the slope of the mountain, and is leveled by the second roller 18. If the amount of powder is so large that the second roller 18 moves before the powder pile collapses, the powder will move over the second roller 18 and fall on the powder layer that has finished leveling. There is a possibility. Therefore, by making the moving speed of moving the roller portion 16 in the forward path slower than that in the backward path, the second roller 18 can surely entangle the powder and level the powder in the forward path. On the other hand, on the return path, the first roller 17 carries on the stage surface 91A while carrying the amount of powder necessary for forming the powder layer for one layer remaining in the formation of the first powder layer. Level the powder. Since the amount of the powder is smaller than that of the forward path and the mountain of the powder is lower than that of the forward path, even if the moving speed of the roller portion 16 in the backward path is faster than that of the forward path, the powder can get over the first roller 17 and fluctuate. The possibility of falling on the powder layer that has been leveled can be reduced. Therefore, by making the moving speed of the roller portion 16 faster than the forward path on the return path, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can level the powder at a higher speed than the forward path on the return path and model the three-dimensional model faster. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, no regulation is provided for the rotational speeds of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18, but the rotational speeds of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the diameter of the first gear 121 provided on the shaft 117A of the first roller 117 is made smaller than the diameter of the second gear 122 provided on the shaft 118A of the second roller 118. That's fine. The diameter of the third gear 123 interposed between the fourth gear 124 whose rotation shaft is connected to the drive shaft of the roller rotation motor 45 and the first gear 121 may be the same as that of the fourth gear 124, for example. . In this way, the rotation speed (for example, 2400 rpm) of the first roller 117 for leveling the powder in the return path is rotated faster than the rotation speed (for example, 1200 rpm) of the second roller 118 for leveling the powder in the forward path. be able to.

  When the first roller 117 and the second roller 118 level the powder, the first roller 117 and the second roller 118 level the powder while rotating, so that the first roller 117 and the second roller 118 The applied shear stress can be lowered. The first roller 117 and the second roller 118 are formed by dragging a modeling layer formed in a powder layer formed below the leveled powder layer in the moving direction by reducing shear stress. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of “expansion” to be extended. On the other hand, as the first roller 117 and the second roller 118 rotate faster with respect to the moving speed, it becomes easier to entrain the powder in the rotation. In addition, the higher the powder before leveling, the easier it is for the entrained powder to get over the first roller 117 and the second roller 118, and the powder will fly or fall on the leveled powder layer. there's a possibility that.

  In the forward path, the second roller 118 moves the remaining powder while moving the amount of powder required for forming the two powder layers supplied by the powder supply unit with the second roller 118. When the amount of powder is large, the powder pile rises high. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 rotates the second roller 118 for leveling the powder on the forward path slower than the first roller 117 for leveling the powder on the return path. As a result, the second roller 118 can suppress the entrainment of the powder that has risen to a high level, and can prevent the powder from flying or falling on the powder layer that has been leveled. In the return path, when the first roller 117 levels the powder toward the rear side in the front-rear direction, the amount of the powder is an amount for one layer. Since the peak of the powder is lower than the forward path, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can rotate the first roller 117 for leveling the powder on the return path faster than the second roller 118 for leveling the powder on the forward path. It is possible to reduce the possibility of the powder flying or falling on the powder layer that has been leveled. Further, the first roller 117 can rotate faster so that the shear stress applied to the powder layer that has been leveled can be lowered as compared with the forward path. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can move the roller unit 116 faster than the forward path while suppressing the occurrence of dragging and expansion on the return path. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can level the powder on the return path faster than the forward path by adjusting the moving speed of the roller unit 116 according to the rotation speed of the first roller 117 and the second roller 118. A three-dimensional model can be modeled faster.

  In the present embodiment, the outer diameters of the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 are not defined, but the diameters may be different. For example, like the roller part 216 shown in FIG. 18, the diameter D1 (for example, φ15 mm) of the first roller 217 may be smaller than the diameter D2 (for example, φ20 mm) of the second roller 218. In the forward path, the amount of powder when the powder is leveled by the second roller 218 is two layers, whereas in the return path, the amount of powder when the powder is leveled by the first roller 217 is one layer. Minutes. The height of the powder in the vertical direction is higher in the forward path than in the return path. Therefore, the diameter D2 of the second roller 218 is made larger than the diameter D1 of the first roller 217. As a result, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 allows the powder to reach the discharge head 42 (particularly, the nozzle surface that discharges the modeling liquid) when the second roller 218 leveles the powder and the powder gets over the second roller 218. It can prevent adhesion. In addition, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 disturbs the flatness of the surface of the powder layer leveled by the second roller 218 or the powder that forms the powder layer when the powder gets over the second roller 218. It is possible to prevent the amount from becoming insufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the powder layers 71 and 72 are formed on the initial layer 70 in the forward path and the return path, respectively, and the modeling layers 73 and 74 are modeled. For example, the initial layer 70 may be the first layer of the powder layer in the outward path, and the modeling liquid may be discharged to form the lowermost modeling layer.

  Further, the ejection head 42 of the present embodiment is a line head, but may be a scanning head. However, in the case of the scanning type, it is difficult to linearly move the ejection head in the front-rear direction, and when assembled integrally with the roller unit 16, the roller unit 16 also moves stepwise, It is desirable to use it.

  The powder supply unit 14 supplies a desired amount of powder according to the number of rotations of the supply rod 14B provided with the groove portion 14C. For example, two powders are arranged in parallel, and the container is provided from the nip portion between the rollers. The form which extrudes and supplies the powder in 14A may be sufficient. In this case, the powder supply unit 14 can adjust the supply amount of the powder by the rotation amount of the roller. Alternatively, by providing an outer lid and an inner lid at the opening at the lower end of the powder supply unit 14, first closing the outer lid, storing powder in the outer lid, closing the inner lid, and then opening the outer lid. Alternatively, a fixed amount of powder may be measured and supplied between the inner lid and the outer lid. Or it is good also as a form which provides the groove part 14C of the supply rod 14B in a spiral shape, and supplies the quantity of powder according to the rotation angle of the supply rod 14B.

  In the present embodiment, the roller unit 16 is moved away from the upper surface of the stage unit 9 from the fourth position P4 to the first position P1 in the processes of S20 to S21 on the return path. If the amount of powder at the time of supply is strictly controlled and no excess powder is generated, the first roller 17 may be moved to the fourth position P4 while being in contact with the upper surface of the second stage 92. . Alternatively, an opening communicating with the base 7 is provided on the upper surface of the second stage 92 on the rear side in the front-rear direction with respect to the measurement unit 54, and after the excess powder is introduced into the opening by the first roller 17 and collected, the roller The part 16 may be moved to the first position P1.

  Further, the roller unit 16 may be provided with a single roller so that the roller can be mechanically moved between a front position and a rear position of the discharge head 42. For example, the modeling table 6 is provided with a guide rail extending in the front-rear direction. The guide rail guides the roller unit 16 so that the roller unit 16 is positioned above the position of the first stage 91 at the position of the second stage 92 and the third stage 93. In this state, for example, if the roller moves through the lower part of the discharge head 42 with the shaft rod 19 of the roller portion 16 as a fulcrum, it can be moved between the front position and the rear position of the discharge head 42. Good.

  Moreover, the powder supply part 14 rotated the supply rod 14B provided with the groove part 14C with the powder supply motor 41, and adjusted the quantity of the powder supplied. Not limited to this, the powder supply unit 14 does not include the powder supply motor 41, and in accordance with the relative movement in the front-rear direction of the stage unit 9 and the roller unit 16 by the rotation of the endless belt 4, A mechanism for mechanically supplying the above may be provided. In this case, for example, the powder supply unit 14 rotates the supply rod 14B by the power of the roller unit back-and-forth motion motor 43 transmitted by the endless belt 4 via a gear that meshes with the gear teeth provided on the endless belt 4 and rotates. You can do it. Further, the gear teeth of the endless belt 4 are partially provided in accordance with the position of the roller portion 16 in the front-rear direction and the moving direction, and power is transmitted only on the forward path using a one-way clutch. In this way, the powder supply unit 14 can supply the powder only when the roller unit 16 moves forward from the first position P1 in the forward path.

  The roller portion 16 is configured such that the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 move up and down as the pressing plate 20 swings about the shaft rod 19. For example, the roller portion 16 may be configured such that the portions supporting the shaft 17A of the first roller 17 and the shaft 18A of the second roller 18 are moved up and down by a drive motor. Alternatively, the roller unit 16 may be configured such that the first roller 17 and the second roller 18 move up and down independently by two drive motors. In this case, the roller unit 16 can move only the second roller 18 up and down on the forward path and can move only the first roller 17 up and down on the return path.

  Alternatively, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 does not include the roller unit swing motor 44, and the stage unit 9 and the roller according to the relative movement of the stage unit 9 and the roller unit 16 in the front-rear direction due to the rotation of the endless belt 4. A mechanism for mechanically approaching / separating the vertical distance from the portion 16 may be provided. For example, a guide rail (not shown) that guides the movement of the roller unit 16 reduces the distance between the stage unit 9 and the roller unit 16 when the first position P1 is passed and away from the second position P2 in the forward path. Thus, the position of the roller portion 16 in the vertical direction may be guided. In the return path, the vertical position of the roller portion 16 may be guided so that the distance between the stage portion 9 and the roller portion 16 is reduced when the third position P3 is passed, and the distance is moved away after the fourth position P4. .

  Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 does not include the roller rotation motor 45, and may be provided with a mechanical mechanism that rotates the shaft 17 </ b> A of the first roller 17 and the shaft 18 </ b> A of the second roller 18 by the rotation of the endless belt 4. Good. For example, a rack and pinion structure is applied to the guide rail (not shown) of the roller portion 16 and the shafts 17A and 18A so that the shafts 17A and 18A are guided along the guide rail, and the second roller 18 is used in the forward path. The first roller 17 may be configured to rotate in the return path.

  In the above embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the “first direction”. The ejection head 42 corresponds to the “ejection unit”. The head driving unit 62 corresponds to a “first driving unit”. The left-right direction corresponds to the “second direction”. The motor drive unit 63 corresponds to a “second drive unit”. The CPU 50 corresponds to a “control unit”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S8 and supplies the amount of powder corresponding to two powder layers corresponds to the “first control means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S11, moves the roller unit 16 and the discharge head 42 forward, and discharges the modeling liquid from the discharge head 42 corresponds to the “second control unit”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S18, moves the roller unit 16 and the discharge head 42 rearward, and discharges the modeling liquid from the discharge head 42 corresponds to the “third control unit”.

  The vertical direction corresponds to the “third direction”. The shaft rod 19 and the pressing plate 20 correspond to a “moving mechanism”. The CPU 50 that performs the processing of S10 and brings the second roller 18 into contact with the second stage 92 corresponds to “first contact means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S12 and separates the second roller 18 from the third stage 93 corresponds to the “separating means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S17 and brings the first roller 17 into contact with the third stage 93 corresponds to “second contact means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S13 and moves the roller portion 16 to the third position P3 corresponds to the “moving means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S5 and measures the amount of excess powder corresponds to the “fourth control means”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S6 and calculates the amount (X) of the newly supplied powder corresponds to the “calculation means”. The ROM 52 corresponds to a “storage unit”. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S42 and counts the number of times (C) the roller unit 16 reciprocates the first stage 91 corresponds to the “counter”.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 9 Stage part 14 Powder supply part 16,116,216 Roller part 17,117,217 1st roller 18,118,218 2nd roller 19 Shaft bar 20 Holding plate 42 Discharge head 43 Roller part back-and-forth movement motor 44 Roller part swing motor 45 Roller rotation motor 50 CPU
51 RAM
52 ROM
54 Measurement unit 63, 64 Motor drive unit 62 Head drive unit 71, 72 Powder layer 73, 74 Modeling layer 75, 76 Powder 77 Extra powder 91 First stage 91A Stage surface 92 Second stage 93 Third stage

Claims (9)

A powder supply unit configured to be able to accommodate powder that solidifies when mixed with the modeling liquid, and to supply the powder to the outside,
A first stage having a stage surface that is a surface on which a plurality of powder layers in which the powder is formed in a layer form is laminated; connected to the first stage on one side in a first direction parallel to the stage surface; A second stage on which the powder supplied from the body supply unit is arranged, and a stage unit having a third stage connected to the first stage on the other side in the first direction;
A discharge unit that discharges the modeling liquid to the powder layer laminated on the stage surface and forms a modeling layer obtained by solidifying the powder layer;
A first drive unit that drives the discharge unit to discharge the modeling liquid;
A roller portion having a rotation axis extending in a second direction parallel to the stage surface and perpendicular to the first direction;
A second drive unit that relatively moves the discharge unit, the roller unit, and the stage unit along the first direction;
A control unit that controls driving of the powder supply unit, the first driving unit, and the second driving unit;
With
The controller is
By controlling the driving of the powder supply unit, the amount of the powder required to form at least two powder layers of one layer covering the entire stage surface is applied to the second stage. First control means to supply;
In the process of controlling the second driving unit to move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the second stage to the third stage, the two powder layers supplied by the first control unit The first powder layer is formed on the first stage by leveling the powder at the first stage, and the first driving unit is controlled to form the first layer formed by the roller section. Second control means for forming the first modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the powder layer of the eye;
In the process of controlling the second driving unit to move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the third stage to the second stage, the powder remaining from the formation of the first powder layer The second powder layer formed on the first stage by controlling the first drive unit and the second powder layer formed by the roller unit. A third control means for modeling the second modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the body layer;
3D modeling apparatus characterized by including. In a third direction orthogonal to the stage surface, further comprising a moving mechanism that relatively moves the roller unit and the stage unit to change the distance between the roller unit and the stage unit,
The roller portion is provided on one side in the first direction with respect to the discharge portion, and has a rotation shaft extending in the second direction, and on the other side in the first direction with respect to the discharge portion. A second roller having a rotational axis provided and extending in the second direction;
The controller is
Before control by the second control means,
A first abutting means for abutting the second roller against the second stage at the first position where the second roller and the second stage face in the third direction by the moving mechanism;
After control by the second control means,
At the second position where the second roller and the third stage face in the third direction by the moving mechanism, the second roller is separated from the third stage, and at least the first powder layer Separating means for disposing the second roller at a position higher than the height of the powder remaining in the formation of
The third driving unit controls the third driving unit so that the first roller and the third stage face the third direction at a position on the other side in the first direction with respect to the second position. Moving means for moving to a position;
A second abutting means for controlling the second driving unit to abut the first roller against the third stage at the third position;
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A rotation mechanism for rotating the first roller and the second roller;
The second control means further rotates the second roller in a rotation direction when the second roller rolls from the other side of the first direction to the one side by the rotation mechanism,
The third control means further rotates the first roller in a rotation direction when the first roller rolls from one side of the first direction to the other side by the rotation mechanism,
The rotation speed at which the second control means rotates the second roller by the rotation mechanism is slower than the rotation speed at which the third control means rotates the first roller by the rotation mechanism. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in 1.   The second control unit controls the second driving unit to relatively move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the second stage to the third stage. The third control unit controls the second driving unit. 4. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is slower than a speed at which the discharge unit and the roller unit are moved relative to each other from the third stage to the second stage.   5. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of the second roller is larger than a diameter of the first roller.   The first control means newly supplies the second stage based on the amount of surplus powder remaining on the second stage after the third control means moves the roller part to the second stage. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the powder to be adjusted is adjusted. A measuring unit for measuring the amount of the surplus powder of the second stage;
The controller is
Fourth control means for causing the measurement part to measure the amount of the excess powder after the third control means has moved the roller part to the second stage;
Calculation means for calculating the amount of the powder newly supplied to the second stage based on the amount of the excess powder measured by the measurement unit;
Including
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first control unit supplies the powder in the amount of the powder calculated by the calculation unit to the second stage. The number of reciprocations in which the discharge unit and the roller unit reciprocate the stage surface by the control of the second control unit and the third control unit, and the first control unit supplies the second stage from the powder supply unit A storage unit that stores the supply amount of the powder in association with each other;
The controller is
Further comprising a counting means for counting the number of reciprocations,
Corresponding to the number of reciprocations counted by the counting means, the supply amount of the powder stored in the storage unit is applied to the second stage each time the discharge unit and the roller unit reciprocate the stage surface. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is a preset amount based on an estimated amount of the remaining surplus powder. A powder supply unit configured to be able to accommodate powder that solidifies when mixed with a modeling liquid, and to supply the powder to the outside, and a surface on which a plurality of powder layers in which the powder is formed in layers are stacked A first stage having a stage surface, a second stage connected to the first stage on one side in a first direction parallel to the stage surface, on which the powder supplied from the powder supply unit is disposed, And the stage part having a third stage connected to the first stage on the other side in the first direction, and the molding liquid is discharged to the powder layer laminated on the stage surface, and the powder A discharge unit that forms a modeling layer that has solidified the layer; a first drive unit that drives the discharge unit to discharge the modeling liquid; and extends in a second direction parallel to the stage surface and perpendicular to the first direction. A roller portion having a rotation shaft; And a second driving unit that relatively moves the roller unit and the stage unit along the first direction, and controls driving of the powder supply unit, the first driving unit, and the second driving unit. A drive control method executed by the control unit in order to control the driving of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising:
By controlling the driving of the powder supply unit, the amount of the powder required to form at least two powder layers of one layer covering the entire stage surface is applied to the second stage. A first control step to supply;
In the process of controlling the second drive unit to move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the second stage to the third stage, the two powder layers supplied in the first control step The first powder layer is formed on the first stage by leveling the powder at the first stage, and the first driving unit is controlled to form the first layer formed by the roller section. A second control step of forming the first modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the powder layer of the eye;
In the process of controlling the second driving unit to move the discharge unit and the roller unit from the third stage to the second stage, the powder remaining from the formation of the first powder layer The second powder layer formed on the first stage by controlling the first drive unit and the second powder layer formed by the roller unit. A third control step of modeling the second modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the discharge unit to the body layer;
A drive control method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising:

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