JP2015202595A - Molding device and molding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a molding device that has good heat energy efficiency and can be reduced in size, and a molding method.SOLUTION: A molding device 1 includes a tape conveying mechanism 6 that conveys a flexible molding material 10 to a molding position P on a stage 2, a press-molding mechanism 7 that brings a heated heat probe 71 into contact with and parting from a tip portion, for example, of the molding material 10 conveyed to the molding position P, and a moving mechanism 4 that relatively moves the molding position P to the stage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a modeling apparatus and a modeling method for modeling a three-dimensional model by stacking modeling materials.

Conventionally, a modeling apparatus (so-called 3D printer) that generates a three-dimensional modeled object based on input data is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a substrate and a dispensing head, and these substrate and dispensing head are relatively movable. A solid rod, which is a modeling material, is supplied to the dispensing head, the solid rod is heated to the melting point in the dispensing head, and is dispensed from the nozzle of the dispensing head in a flowing state.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-158228

  By the way, in an apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, a solid rod (modeling material) supplied into a dispensing head is melted, and a molten material is dispensed at a predetermined position to form a three-dimensional structure. . In such a configuration, it is necessary to surely melt the modeling material, there is a problem that the configuration of the heating unit is increased, and furthermore, the amount of heat necessary for melting is also increased, so that the energy efficiency is also deteriorated There is. Moreover, since it is necessary to extrude modeling material in a molten state, there also exists a subject that the heating time for making it melt completely becomes long.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a modeling apparatus and a modeling method that have good thermal energy efficiency and can be miniaturized.

  The modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes a feeding mechanism that conveys a flexible modeling material to a modeling position on a stage, and a pressure that makes a heating probe contacted and separated from the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position. A modeling mechanism and a moving mechanism for moving the modeling position relative to the stage are provided.

In the present invention, the modeling material is conveyed to the modeling position on the stage, the heated heat probe is brought into contact with, for example, the tip of the conveyed modeling material, the modeling material is melted, and the heat probe is Separate from. Thereby, only the required part of modeling material can be fuse | melted, and the fuse | melted modeling material can be laminated | stacked on a modeling position. And the modeling position with respect to a stage is moved by a moving mechanism, the lamination position of modeling material is changed one by one, and the modeling object of a desired shape can be modeled by repeating said modeling processing. In addition, the modeling position on the stage in the present invention includes not only the predetermined position on the stage as the modeling position but also the predetermined position in the modeled object modeled on the stage as the modeling position.
In such this invention, the heat probe heated locally is made to contact the modeling position of the front-end | tip part of modeling material, and it is not necessary to fuse | melt all the modeling material. Therefore, for example, less thermal energy is required and energy efficiency is better than a configuration in which a molten modeling material is extruded. Therefore, a large heating mechanism for melting the modeling material is not required, and the apparatus can be downsized.

In the modeling apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the press modeling mechanism may include the heat probe provided to face the modeling position, a heating unit that heats the heat probe, and the heat probe heated by the heating unit. It is preferable to include a pressing drive unit that advances and retreats the position of the modeling material.
In the present invention, the heat probe is heated by the heating unit, and the heat probe heated by the pressing drive unit is advanced and retracted with respect to the modeling position. In such a configuration, the heating unit only needs to heat the heat probe, and is a simple configuration in which the heat probe is advanced and retracted in one direction by the pressing drive unit, so that downsizing can be achieved by simplifying the device configuration.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, the modeling material is preferably a tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section.
In the present invention, a tape-shaped modeling material is used. In a modeling material having a circular cross section or an elliptical cross section, the thickness dimension varies depending on the position, and the thickness of the modeling material stacked at the modeling position varies. On the other hand, since the thickness dimension is uniform in the tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section, the thickness dimension when laminated at the modeling position is also uniform, and a modeled object with high accuracy can be modeled.
Further, the modeling material that is sequentially sent out is usually stored by being wound around a cylindrical core (bobbin), but when a modeling material having a circular cross section or an elliptical cross section is wound around the bobbin, as described above. Since the cross-sectional thickness dimension of the modeling material having a circular cross section or an elliptical cross section varies depending on the position, a gap is generated even when the modeling material is wound around the bobbin so as to be adjacent to each other. On the other hand, when a tape-shaped modeling material is wound around a bobbin, the tape surface and the back surface of the tape can be closely attached and wound around the bobbin. The volume occupancy can be improved as compared with the case of using. That is, as compared with the case of using a modeling material having a circular cross section or an elliptical cross section, the space for storing the modeling material can be reduced, and the apparatus can be further miniaturized.

In the modeling material of the present invention, the modeling material preferably has an aspect ratio of 10 or more in a tape thickness dimension and a tape width dimension in a cross-sectional view.
In the present invention, the aspect ratio (tape width dimension / tape thickness dimension) is 10 or more. Here, when the aspect ratio is less than 10, it can be considered that the tape thickness dimension is too large with respect to the tape width dimension and the tape width dimension is too small with respect to the tape thickness dimension. In the former case, the flexibility of the modeling material is insufficient, and the conveyance handling property of the modeling material by the feeding mechanism is deteriorated. In the latter case, twisting or the like occurs, and conveyance handling properties deteriorate. On the other hand, by setting the aspect ratio to 10 or more as described above, the conveyance efficiency of the flexible modeling material can be improved, and the modeling material can be efficiently conveyed to a desired modeling position. Can do.

The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said press modeling mechanism is equipped with the scanning part which moves the contact position of the said heat probe along the tape width direction of the said modeling material.
In the present invention, the heat probe is locally brought into contact with a part of the tape-shaped modeling material in the width direction and melted. At this time, a scanning unit is provided in the press modeling mechanism, and the position where the heat probe contacts is moved in the width direction of the tape. Thus, for example, compared to a configuration in which a part in the tape width direction is melted, and then the tape is transported and a part in the tape width direction is melted again, the modeling material in the tape width direction is all in the modeling position. It can be laminated and a tape-shaped modeling material can be used without waste.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the press modeling mechanism includes a plurality of heat probes.
In the present invention, since a plurality of heat probes are provided, for example, a plurality of parts of the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position can be melted simultaneously as compared with a configuration including a single heat probe. Thereby, the modeling speed of a model can be improved.

The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said press modeling mechanism is equipped with the press drive part which advances / retreats with respect to the said modeling material of the said modeling position each independently of these heat probes.
In the present invention, since the plurality of heat probes are independently driven, only the heat probes corresponding to the portions required for modeling can be driven, and a highly accurate modeled object can be modeled.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, the modeling material is a tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section, and the plurality of heat probes are arranged along the tape width direction of the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position. Preferably it is.
In the present invention, since a plurality of heat probes are arranged along the tape width direction of the modeling material, for example, a scanning drive is unnecessary as compared with a configuration in which a single heat probe is scanned along the tape width direction of the modeling material. Thus, modeling of a model can be performed more quickly.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the press modeling mechanism separates the heat probe from the modeling material at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed after the heat probe is brought into contact with the modeling material.
Here, the predetermined speed is set in advance according to the viscosity when the modeling material is melted, the adhesion to the heat probe, the wettability, etc., and when the heat probe is pulled away from the modeling material, the modeling material to the heat probe is set. It is the speed which can suppress. In this invention, since the said structure can suppress adhesion to the heat probe of modeling material, the frequency | count of processing, such as a maintenance, can be reduced. Moreover, the fluctuation | variation of the lamination amount of the modeling material laminated | stacked on a modeling position can be suppressed, and a molded article can be modeled with high precision.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the moving mechanism moves the modeling position relative to the stage when the press modeling mechanism separates the heat probe from the modeling material.
In the present invention, when the heat probe is pulled away from the modeling material, the modeling position is moved by the moving mechanism. Thereby, a shearing stress can be made to act on the modeling material in a molten state that has adhered to the heat probe immediately before the separation, and adhesion of the modeling material to the heat probe can be more effectively suppressed.

In the modeling apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the heat probe includes a ventilation hole facing the modeling position, and the pressing modeling mechanism separates the heat probe from the ventilation hole when the heat probe is separated from the modeling material. It is preferable that a gas introduction part for introducing a gas between the modeling positions is provided.
In the present invention, a ventilation hole is provided at the tip of the heat probe, and gas is introduced from the ventilation hole by the gas introduction part. In such a configuration, after the heat probe is pressed against the modeling material and melted, the gas is introduced between the heat probe and the melted modeling material from the blow hole, and the modeling material is peeled off from the heat probe by the introduced gas. It is possible to suppress the adhesion of the modeling material to the heat probe more effectively.

The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said press modeling mechanism makes the said heat probe contact | abut on the said modeling material in inert gas atmosphere.
In the present invention, the modeling material is heated and melted by contact of a heated heat probe in an inert gas atmosphere. For this reason, a modeling material does not change with chemical changes etc., and can model a high quality molded article. For example, when a metal material is used as the modeling material, it is considered that the modeled material is altered by oxidation or the like by heating, but in the present invention, metal oxidation can be prevented by an inert gas.

In the modeling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the press modeling mechanism causes the heat probe to abut on the modeling material in a dehumidified gas atmosphere.
In the present invention, the modeling material is heated and melted in a dehumidified gas atmosphere. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the modeling material chemically changes with water molecules and changes its quality, and it is possible to model a high-quality modeled object.
The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said modeling material is comprised with the metal.
Since the present invention uses a metal material as a modeling material, a high-strength modeling object can be modeled.

The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said modeling material is made incombustible or incombustible.
In the present invention, the metal modeling material is subjected to flame retardant treatment or non-flammability treatment. Therefore, when the heated heat probe is brought into contact, the metal material is less likely to cause a chemical reaction due to combustion, and a high-quality model can be modeled.

The modeling apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said modeling material is comprised with resin.
In the present invention, a resin material is used as the modeling material. The resin material has a lower melting point than the metal material, and can also lower the heating temperature of the heat probe. Therefore, the energy efficiency can be further improved and the configuration of the heating unit can be further simplified, so that the apparatus can be further reduced in size.

In the modeling method of the present invention, a modeling material having flexibility is conveyed to a modeling position on a stage, a heated heat probe is brought into contact with the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position, and is melted. The modeling material is stacked and the modeling position is moved to change the stacking position of the modeling material to model the modeled object.
In the present invention, similarly to the above-described invention, the modeling material is transported to the modeling position on the stage, and a heated heat probe is brought into contact with, for example, the tip of the transported modeling material, and then heated. A modeling material is laminated | stacked on a modeling position by pulling apart a probe. By repeating this by moving the modeling position, a modeled object having a desired shape can be modeled. In addition, since the heat probe is locally brought into contact with the modeling position of, for example, the tip of the modeling material, it is not necessary to melt all of the modeling material. Can be improved. Further, the apparatus can be downsized without requiring a large heating mechanism for melting the modeling material.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the modeling apparatus of 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the modeling material used by 1st embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the cassette of 1st embodiment. The end view which shows schematic structure of the press drive part in the press modeling mechanism of 1st embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the joint part of 1st embodiment. The flowchart which shows the modeling method (modeling process) of the molded article using the modeling apparatus of 1st embodiment. The perspective view which shows the process in which a molded article is formed by modeling process in 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the contact pulse input into the press drive part from the controller in 1st embodiment, the distance of a heat probe and modeling material, and the moving speed of a heat probe. The figure which shows schematic structure of the press molding mechanism in 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows the contact position where the contact part of each heat probe contacts with respect to the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position in 3rd embodiment which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the heat probe of 4th embodiment which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the press modeling mechanism in other embodiment. The figure which shows the other example of the press drive part of a press modeling mechanism. The perspective view which shows the storage structure of the modeling material in other embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sending roller at the time of using the thread-shaped modeling material in other embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, the modeling apparatus of 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention is demonstrated based on drawing.
[Schematic configuration of modeling equipment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the modeling apparatus 1 (laminated modeling apparatus) includes a stage 2, a modeling head 3, a moving mechanism 4, and a controller 5.
The modeling apparatus 1 is an apparatus that models a three-dimensional structure by stacking modeling materials on the stage 2 in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the modeling data input from the data output device such as a personal computer to the controller 5. is there. Specifically, the controller 5 controls the movement mechanism 4 based on the modeling data to move the modeling head 3 to a predetermined modeling position P. The controller 5 controls the modeling head 3 to melt and laminate the modeling material 10 at the modeling position P on the stage 2.
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in this embodiment, the stage 2, the modeling head 3, and the moving mechanism 4 are provided in sealed modeling chambers, such as a chamber, and are filled with the inert gas.
Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

[Configuration of stage 2]
The stage 2 is a pedestal for modeling a modeled object, and includes, for example, a plane on which the modeled object is placed.

[Configuration of modeling head 3]
The modeling head 3 is provided so as to be movable by the moving mechanism 4 with respect to the stage 2 and includes a tape transport mechanism 6 and a pressing modeling mechanism 7 as shown in FIG.
[Configuration of Tape Transport Mechanism 6]
The tape transport mechanism 6 constitutes the feed mechanism of the present invention, and transports the modeling material 10 to the modeling position P on the stage 2. The tape transport mechanism 6 includes a cassette 61 that stores the modeling material 10 and a delivery unit 62 that transports the modeling material 10 supplied from the cassette 61 to a predetermined modeling position P on the stage 2.

(Configuration of modeling material 10)
Here, the modeling material 10 stored in the cassette 61 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the modeling material 10 used in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the modeling material 10 has a flat cross section with a short side (tape thickness dimension) a and a long side (tape width dimension) b, and a thin-walled shape with an aspect ratio (b / a) of 10 or more ( Tape). Here, when the aspect ratio is less than 10, the conveyance handling property of the modeling material 10 is deteriorated. That is, when the tape thickness dimension a is increased with respect to the tape width dimension b, the conveyance efficiency of the delivery roller pair 621 and the drive roller pair 622 described later decreases due to the decrease in flexibility of the modeling material 10, and handling properties during conveyance are reduced. (Ease of transport) decreases. Moreover, in this embodiment, the surface of the modeling material 10 on the stage 2 side (tape back surface) and the upper surface of the modeling object at the modeling position P (or the surface of the stage 2) using the flexibility of the modeling material 10 Abut. Therefore, when it does not have sufficient flexibility, a gap is generated between the upper surface of the modeling object (or the surface of the stage 2) and the tape back surface of the modeling material 10 at the modeling position P, and the modeling material 10 is melted. Then, the adhesiveness when laminated is reduced. Further, even when the tape thickness dimension a is sufficiently small, if the tape width dimension b is small, the modeling material 10 may be twisted during conveyance, and conveyance handling properties are deteriorated.
In contrast, by setting the aspect ratio to 10 or more as described above, the conveyance efficiency of the flexible modeling material 10 can be improved, and the modeling material is efficiently conveyed to a desired modeling position. be able to.

Examples of such a modeling material 10 include metals and resins.
When a metal is used as the modeling material 10, the strength of the modeled object obtained by modeling becomes higher than that of the resin. On the other hand, the modeling material 10 needs to be transported to the modeling position P on the stage 2 and is required to be flexible. In the metallic modeling material 10, it is preferable that the tape thickness dimension is a ≦ 0.1 mm in order to ensure the flexibility. When the tape thickness dimension is a> 0.1 mm, the modeling material 10 is difficult to bend, and it is difficult to transport the modeling material 10 to a desired modeling position P during conveyance.
As described above, the tape width dimension b is set in consideration of the transport handling property. When the tape thickness dimension a is 0.1 mm, the tape width dimension is preferably 1 mm or more. Although it depends on the set value of the tape thickness dimension a, the set value of the tape width dimension b is more preferably 5 mm ≦ b ≦ 15 mm. In the tape-shaped modeling material 10 formed in the dimensions a and b as described above, sufficient flexibility can be maintained, and a reduction in handling properties due to twisting or the like can be suppressed.

When using the metal modeling material 10, it is more preferable to use Mg. For example, Mg has a smaller specific gravity than Al or the like (Mg specific gravity is 1.7 with respect to Al specific gravity 2.7), and the modeling material 10 can be reduced in weight.
Further, the metallic modeling material 10 is preferably subjected to a flame retardant treatment or an incombustible treatment so that oxidation does not occur when heated to the vicinity of the melting point. A well-known technique can be used as a flame-retardant treatment or an incombustible treatment.
The metal modeling material 10 as described above can be manufactured in a large amount and at a low cost by cutting one formed by rolling or extruding, for example.

  On the other hand, when resin is used as the modeling material 10, the melting point is lower than that of metal, the heating temperature of the heat probe 71 in the press modeling mechanism 7 described later can be set low, and the heating mechanism can be further simplified. When such a resinous modeling material 10 is used, it is preferable that the tape thickness dimension is a ≦ 1 mm and the tape width dimension is 5 mm ≦ b. The resinous modeling material 10 can easily ensure flexibility as compared with metal and can increase the thickness dimension. However, when the tape thickness dimension is a> 1 mm, the flexibility is insufficient and the handling property is deteriorated. Further, when the tape width dimension is 5 mm> b, twisting is likely to occur, and handling properties are deteriorated. From the above, it is preferable to configure the modeling material 10 so that the aspect ratio becomes 10 or more in the range of the dimensions a and b as described above.

(Configuration of cassette 61)
Next, the cassette 61 of the tape transport mechanism 6 will be specifically described.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the cassette 61 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 61 includes a case 611, a bobbin 612, and a pinch roller 613.
The case 611 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an internal space, and the bobbin 612, the modeling material 10 wound around the bobbin 612, and the pinch roller 613 are stored therein.
In addition, a delivery port 611A is provided in a part of the case 611 (in this embodiment, a corner of a rectangular parallelepiped), and the modeling material 10 housed inside is taken out from the delivery port 611A.

The bobbin 612 is a shaft-like member, and is rotatably supported on surfaces facing each other in the case 611. One end of the modeling material 10 described above is fixed to the bobbin 612, and the modeling material 10 is wound along the peripheral surface of the bobbin 612. More specifically, the tape-shaped modeling material 10 has a tape back surface (a surface facing the stage 2 when the tape is transported onto the stage 2) on the surface of the modeling material 10 wound around the bobbin 612 ( It is wound concentrically so as to be in close contact with the surface opposite to the back surface of the tape, and is stored in a roll shape.
In such a configuration, for example, the volume occupancy is higher than when a modeling material having a circular cross section is wound around the bobbin 612. Accordingly, when the modeling material having a circular cross section and the tape-shaped modeling material 10 of the present embodiment are wound on the bobbin by the same amount, in the case of using the modeling material 10 of the present embodiment, the circular cross section is formed. Compared with the case of using a modeling material, the volume can be reduced, the cassette 61 can be miniaturized, and the number of turns on the bobbin 612 is reduced, so that the manufacturing efficiency is also improved. Further, in the case where the size of the cassette 61 is defined, when the tape-shaped modeling material 10 of the present embodiment is used, the volume occupancy is large. Therefore, compared with the case where the modeling material having a circular cross section is used, the cassette It becomes possible to store more modeling material 10 in 61.

  The pinch roller 613 is provided in the vicinity of the delivery port 611A, and the modeling material 10 guides the conveyance direction. A pair of pinch rollers 613 is provided, and the modeling material 10 is sandwiched between the pair of pinch rollers 613 and guided to the delivery port 611A. Moreover, the modeling material 10 is inserted | pinched by the pinch roller 613, the slackness of the wound modeling material 10 can be suppressed, and the runability (conveyance) of the modeling material 10 sent out from the delivery port 611A improves.

  Further, the cassette 61 is provided with positioning portions such as locking pins and guide projections (not shown) on the exterior portion of the case 611, for example, and by positioning these positioning portions at predetermined positions in the modeling head 3, the cassette 61 61 can be attached to the modeling head 3.

(Configuration of sending unit 62)
As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery unit 62 sends the modeling material 10 provided from the cassette 61 to the modeling position P on the stage 2.
The delivery unit 62 includes a delivery roller pair 621 configured by a pair of delivery rollers 621A and 621B, a drive roller pair 622 configured by a drive roller 622A and a driven roller 622B, and a guide unit 622. In this embodiment, an example in which one delivery roller pair 621 is provided is shown. However, two or more delivery roller pairs 621 may be provided, the delivery roller pair 621 is not provided, and only the drive roller pair 622 is provided. It is good. Furthermore, although an example in which only one driving roller pair 622 is provided is shown, a configuration in which two or more driving roller pairs are provided may be used.

  The pair of delivery rollers 621 sandwiches the modeling material 10 by the delivery rollers 621A and 621B and guides the conveyance of the modeling material 10. Here, the pair of delivery rollers 621 conveys the modeling material 10 while curving the modeling material 10 to the opposite side to the curl of the modeling material 10 delivered from the cassette 61 (winding direction around the bobbin 612). . Thereby, it becomes possible to correct the curl of the modeling material 10.

The drive roller pair 622 draws the modeling material 10 and sends it out toward the modeling position P. Specifically, the drive roller pair 622 includes a drive roller 622A that is rotationally driven by a drive amount of a motor or the like, and a driven roller 622B that follows the drive of the drive roller 622A (the motor drive force is not transmitted). . The driving roller 622A and the driven roller 622B can transport the modeling material 10 at a constant speed.
Here, the driving roller 622A is preferably in contact with the tape back surface of the modeling material 10. Thereby, the said modeling material 10 is urged | biased by the driving roller 622A with the curl of the modeling material 10, the slip at the time of conveyance etc. can be suppressed, and conveyance efficiency can be improved.
The drive roller 622A may be in contact with the tape surface.
Moreover, it is good also as a structure which drives both a pair of roller which comprises the drive roller pair 622 as a drive roller. In this case, the curl of the modeling material 10 can be more reliably corrected by slightly increasing the rotational speed of the drive roller in contact with the tape back surface with respect to the drive roller in contact with the tape surface.

The guide portion 622 is configured, for example, in a plate spring shape from a highly durable metal material whose surface is subjected to wear resistance, and includes guide walls (not shown) at both ends along the transport direction.
The guide unit 622 guides the conveyance of the modeling material 10 to the modeling position P on the stage 2 by removing the slack of the modeling material 10 and correcting the conveyance direction of the modeling material 10.
The modeling material 10 guided by the guide portion 622 is biased and brought into contact with the modeling position P by bending, and a portion heated by the press modeling mechanism 7 described later is melted and stacked at the modeling position P. That is, the modeling material 10 of the present embodiment is not pressed against the modeling material on the stage 2 or the stage 2 with a strong stress, and only the tip portion thereof is brought into contact with the modeling position P by bending. Then, the modeling material 10 is conveyed.

[Configuration of Press Modeling Mechanism 7]
As shown in FIG. 1, the press modeling mechanism 7 includes a heat probe 71, a heating unit 72, a press driving unit 73, a joint unit 74, and a scanning driving unit 75.
The heat probe 71 is a cylindrical metal member (for example, iron or the like), and has a tapered shape with a tip end portion on the stage 2 side that decreases in cross-sectional area toward the tip. The contact portion 711 facing the modeling position P of the heat probe 71 is a flat surface, and is formed in, for example, a circular shape. The contact diameter of the abutment portion 711 (the diameter of a plane perpendicular to the normal direction D ₂ of stage 2) is set as appropriate by the accuracy of the shaped object to be shaped in the shaping device 1, for example, 50μm or more Is formed.

The heating unit 72 heats the heat probe 71 to a temperature necessary for melting the modeling material 10 under the control of the controller 5. At this time, a temperature sensor may be provided in the heat probe 71, and the heating temperature of the heating unit 72 may be feedback-controlled based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
Examples of the heating unit 72 include dielectric heating in which a coil is wound around the heat probe 71 and a high-frequency alternating current is passed through the coil to generate eddy current in the heat probe 71 and heat it. In addition, as the heating unit 72, a configuration in which the heat probe 71 is heated using a ceramic heater, a configuration in which the heat probe 71 is heated by a heating wire, or the like may be used, and the heat probe 71 is heated to a desired required temperature. Any configuration may be used as long as it is possible, but by adopting the above configuration, the configuration of the heating unit 72 can be simplified, and the downsizing of the apparatus can be promoted.

Press drive portion 73 along the heat probe 71 in the axial direction (along the normal direction D ₂ of stage 2) is moved forward and backward.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the pressing drive unit 73.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing drive unit 73 of the present embodiment includes a frame 731, a core 732, a solenoid coil 733, a yoke 734, an urging spring 735, and a drive transmission shaft 736. .
The frame 731 is made of a magnetic material and includes a bottom portion 731A and a yoke connection portion 731B rising from the bottom portion 731A. The core 732 is made of a magnetic material and is installed on the bottom 731A of the frame 731. The solenoid coil 733 is wound around the core 732, and current is supplied from a power supply (not shown) under the control of the controller 5.
The yoke 734 is formed in a longitudinal shape, and a base end portion is rotatably held by a yoke connection portion 731B of the frame 731. The yoke 734 includes an armature 734 </ b> A that faces the core 732. When the solenoid coil 733 is energized, a + − magnetic pole appears between the core 732 and the armature 734A. As a result, the yoke 734 rotates around the base end portion in the direction in which the armature 734A approaches the core 732.
The biasing spring 735 is provided between the yoke 734 and the bottom 731A of the frame 731 and biases the yoke 734 away from the frame 731 (the direction of the initial position).
The drive transmission shaft 736 is swingably provided at the tip of the yoke 734, and the rotation movement of the yoke 734 is converted into a forward / backward movement along the normal direction D ₂ of the stage 2 to convert the heat probe 71. Drive.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the joint portion 74 that connects the drive transmission shaft 736 and the heat probe 71.
As shown in FIG. 5, the joint portion 74 is provided at the support shaft side plate 736 </ b> A provided at the distal end portion of the drive transmission shaft 736 and the base end portion of the heat probe 71 (on the side opposite to the contact portion 711). The probe plate 712 is connected via a heat insulating material 741. Examples of the heat insulating material 741 include a heat resistant ceramic. Thereby, the heat deformation of each member in the press drive part 73 and the change of the drive characteristic by a heat influence by the heat of the heat probe 71 transmitting to the press drive part 73 can be suppressed.

The scanning drive unit 75 is a scanning unit of the present invention, and moves the heating unit including the heat probe 71, the heating unit 72, the pressing drive unit 73, and the joint unit 74 along the tape width direction of the modeling material 10. Thereby, it becomes possible to scan and move the contact part of the contact part 711 along the tape width direction of the modeling material 10, and the tape-shaped modeling material 10 can be consumed without waste.
Although not shown, the scanning drive unit 75 includes, for example, a guide disposed along the tape width direction, a holding member that holds the heating unit movably along the guide, and drives an actuator or the like, for example. The structure which moves a heating unit with a mechanism can be illustrated.

[Configuration of moving mechanism 4]
The moving mechanism 4 moves the modeling head 3 with respect to the stage 2 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and transports the modeling material 10 of the tape transport mechanism 6 in the modeling head 3 (modeling position). P) and the press molding mechanism 7 are moved to desired positions. That is, the moving mechanism 4 moves the modeling position P with respect to the stage.
As a specific configuration, for example, a column movable on a Y guide laid along the Y-axis direction, a slider provided with an X guide provided on the column and extending in the X-axis direction, and moved along the X guide An example is a configuration in which a ram having a Z guide along the Z direction is provided and the modeling head 3 is provided so as to be movable along the Z guide of the ram. Moreover, it is good also as a structure etc. which can move the modeling head 3 in a three-dimensional space by connecting a some arm member and controlling the connection angle of an arm.
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the structure which moves the modeling head 3 with respect to the stage 2 by the moving mechanism 4 is illustrated, it is not limited to this, For example, as a structure etc. which move the stage 2 with respect to the modeling head 3 Good. Furthermore, the stage 2 may be moved along the Z direction, and the modeling head 3 may be moved along the XY axes.

[Configuration of controller 5]
The controller 5 includes a storage unit such as a memory, an arithmetic circuit with a CPU, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the modeling apparatus 1. Various programs and various data for controlling the modeling apparatus 1 are recorded in the storage circuit. The arithmetic circuit of the controller 5 functions as a data acquisition unit 51, a movement control unit 52, and a modeling control unit 53 as shown in FIG. 1 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit. In the present embodiment, each functional configuration is an example realized by cooperation of an arithmetic circuit that is hardware and a program (software). For example, an integrated circuit (hardware) having each function is combined. It is good also as a structure implement | achieved by this.
For example, the data acquisition unit 51 acquires modeling data from an external device such as a personal computer that is communicably connected to the controller 5. The controller 5 may include a drive device that reads a recording medium, and may directly acquire modeling data from the recording medium mounted on the drive device.
The movement control means 52 controls the movement mechanism 4 based on the modeling data and moves the modeling head 3.
The modeling control unit 53 controls the modeling head 3. Specifically, the modeling control means 53 controls the drive roller pair 622 of the delivery unit 62 and the press modeling mechanism 7 to melt and laminate the modeling material 10 at the modeling position P to model the modeled object.

[Method for Manufacturing Modeled Object by Modeling Apparatus 1]
Next, a modeling method of a modeled object using the modeling apparatus 1 as described above will be described based on the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modeling method (modeling process) of a modeled object using the modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which a model is formed by the modeling process.
In order to model a modeled object with the modeling apparatus 1, first, the data acquisition means 51 of the controller 5 acquires modeling data (step S1). Specifically, the data acquisition means 51 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or modeling data input from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the controller 5 based on the operation of the operator. Data for modeling, data for modeling acquired via a communication line such as the Internet, and the like are acquired.

Next, the movement control means 52 analyzes the cross-sectional shape of the modeling object from the modeling data, and moves the modeling head 3 to the modeling position P corresponding to the modeling object cross section as shown in FIG. 9 (step S2).
Specifically, the position of the modeling head 3 is set by controlling the moving mechanism 4 so that the tip of the modeling material 10 conveyed by the tape conveyance mechanism 6 is positioned at the modeling position P indicated based on the modeling data. And the contact position of the contact part 711 in the tape width direction of the modeling material 10 is set by controlling the scanning drive part 75.

Thereafter, the modeling control means 53 controls the modeling head 3 and the like, melts and laminates the modeling material 10 at the modeling position P, and forms a modeled object as shown in FIG. 7 (step S3).
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a command (contact pulse) input from the controller 5 to the pressing drive unit 73, a distance between the heat probe 71 and the modeling material 10, and a moving speed of the heat probe 71 in the present embodiment. It is.
As shown in FIG. 8, the modeling control unit 53 inputs a contact pulse to the pressing drive unit 73. Thereby, the solenoid coil 733 is energized, and the heat probe 71 is moved to the stage 2 side at a predetermined speed. Then, the contact part 711 heated to the required temperature by the heating part 72 is brought into contact with a predetermined contact position in the tape width direction of the modeling material 10 conveyed to the modeling position, and melted by the heat and the pressing force. The formed modeling material 10 is laminated at the modeling position.

Thereafter, the modeling control unit 53 controls the pressing drive unit 73 to separate the heat probe 71 (separate from the stage 2), and at the same time, the movement control unit 52 controls the moving mechanism 4 to model the stage 2 The position (position of the modeling head 3) is moved by a predetermined amount in the X and Y directions, for example.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing drive unit 73 moves the heat probe 71 at a separation speed faster than the contact speed when the heat probe 71 is brought into contact with the modeling material 10. As this separation speed, the molten modeling material 10 in close contact with the heat probe 71, which is preset according to various requirements such as the viscosity of the molten modeling material 10 and the wettability with respect to the heat probe 71, is determined from the heat probe 71. It is set to be faster than the speed for pulling apart. The speed is determined based on experimental data, for example.
In addition, as described above, the movement mechanism 4 is driven by the movement control means 52, and the modeling head 3 is moved by a predetermined amount in the XY directions relative to the stage 2. The amount of this movement, with respect to building material 10 in a molten state adheres to the heat probe 71, the shearing force in the shearing direction perpendicular to the normal direction D ₂ of the stage 2 is applied, heat probe 71 by the shearing force The modeling material 10 is peeled off.
As described above, the modeling material 10 attached to the heat probe 71 can be suitably peeled off, and an appropriate amount of the melted modeling material 10 is laminated at the modeling position P.

Thereafter, the modeling control means 53 determines whether or not the modeling processing of the modeled object based on the modeling data is completed (Step S4).
If “No” is determined in step S4, the process returns to step S2 and step S3, and the movement of the modeling head 3 and the melt lamination of the modeling material are repeated.
At this time, the modeling control unit 53 controls the scanning drive unit 75 to move the contact position of the heat probe 71 along the tape width direction and move the moving mechanism 4 so that the contact position is the modeling data. The position of the modeling head 3 is controlled so that the modeling position P is based on the above.
In addition, when the modeling material 10 along the tape width direction is melted and laminated, the modeling control unit 53 drives the driving roller 622A of the sending unit 62 to send out the modeling material 10 by a predetermined amount, and the tip portion is moved. Move to modeling position P. Since the modeling material 10 delivered by the delivery unit 62 has flexibility, it is bent by its own weight and is urged against the modeling position P. Thereafter, similarly to step S3, the modeling material 10 is melted and stacked on the modeling position P.
And if it determines with "Yes" in step S4, a modeling process will be complete | finished.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
The modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a stage 2 on which a model is modeled, a tape transport mechanism 6 that transports a flexible modeling material 10 to a predetermined modeling position P on the stage 2, and a modeling position P. A press modeling mechanism 7 for bringing the heated heat probe 71 into contact with the transported modeling material 10 and melting it, and a modeling head 3 in which the press modeling mechanism 7 is incorporated is a desired position based on the modeling data P And a moving mechanism 4 that moves so as to be positioned at the position.
In such a configuration, the conveyance supply of the modeling material 10 and the contact of the heated heat probe 71 are performed by separate mechanisms, and only the necessary portions of the modeling material 10 are locally melted by the heat probe 71. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the molten modeling material 10 is extruded and laminated | stacked on the modeling position P, the melting amount and melting area (volume) of the modeling material 10 are small, and thermal energy is also sufficient. Therefore, the structure of the heating mechanism can be reduced, and the modeling apparatus 1 can be reduced in size and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the modeling material 10 is formed in a tape shape having a rectangular cross section. Since the tape-shaped modeling material 10 has a uniform thickness dimension, a highly accurate modeled object can be modeled without the thickness of the modeling material 10 laminated at the modeling position P changing.
Moreover, when bobbin 612 winds modeling material 10 concentrically, a gap can be eliminated by bringing the back surface of the tape and the tape surface into close contact with each other, for example, compared with a case where a modeling material having a circular cross section is used. Thus, the volume occupancy becomes high. That is, when the same amount of modeling material is stored in the cassette 61, the cassette 61 can be reduced in size as compared with the modeling material having a circular cross section. When the size of the cassette 61 is fixed, more modeling material 10 can be wound around the bobbin than in the case of using a modeling material having a circular cross section.
In addition, although there is a configuration using powder as a modeling material, since such powder is spherical, the volume occupancy becomes small when stored in the cassette 61, as in the modeling material having a circular cross section, It is also necessary to provide a lid for closing the cassette outlet 611A. On the other hand, in the modeling material 10 of this embodiment, the volume occupation ratio can be made larger than that of the powdered modeling material, and it is not necessary to provide a lid portion on the delivery port 611A, and the handling becomes easy.

  In this embodiment, the aspect ratio (a / b) which is the ratio of the tape thickness dimension a and the tape width dimension b of the tape-shaped modeling material 10 is 10 or more. For this reason, the flexibility of the modeling material 10 can be sufficiently ensured, and deterioration of the transport handling property of the modeling material 10 due to twisting, bending, or the like can be suppressed.

Here, as the modeling material 10 of this embodiment, either metal or resinous can be selected.
When using the metallic modeling material 10, it is possible to model a model with a higher durability than the resinous modeling material 10, and when using the resinous modeling material 10, In comparison, the heating temperature required for melting is low, and the heating temperature of the heat probe 71 can be lowered.
Moreover, when using the metal modeling material 10, weight reduction of the modeling material 10 can be achieved by using Mg with small specific gravity, and the modeling object modeled also becomes a lightweight thing. Moreover, when using such a metal, in order to suppress the oxidation reaction by heating, a flame retarding process or an incombustible process is performed. Thereby, when the heat probe 71 is brought into contact with the heat probe 71, metal oxidation can be effectively suppressed, and deterioration of the quality of the shaped article due to alteration can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the press modeling mechanism 7 includes a scanning drive unit 75. For this reason, the contact position of the contact part 711 can be scanned along the tape width direction of the modeling material 10 by driving the scanning drive part 75 by the controller 5. Thereby, the tape-shaped modeling material 10 can be used without waste.

In the present embodiment, the stage 2, the modeling head 3, and the moving mechanism 4 are disposed in a modeling chamber such as a chamber maintained in an inert gas atmosphere. That is, the press modeling mechanism 7 brings the heat probe 71 into contact with the modeling material 10 in an inert gas atmosphere.
For this reason, the modeling material 10 is heated by the heat probe 71 in an inert gas atmosphere, and the modeling material 10 does not change due to a chemical change or the like at the time of heating and melting, and a high-quality modeling object is modeled. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the press modeling mechanism 7 increases the separation speed of the heat probe 71 as compared with the pressing speed under the control of the controller 5, and the separation speed adheres to the heat probe 71 obtained in advance by experiments or the like. It is set at a speed higher than that necessary for peeling off the molten modeling material 10. For this reason, when moving the heat probe 71 to the initial position in the direction away from the stage 2, the modeling material 10 attached to the heat probe 71 can be peeled off, and a desired amount of the modeling material 10 with respect to the modeling position P can be removed. Can be laminated. Moreover, since adhesion of the modeling material 10 with respect to the heat probe 71 can be suppressed, the frequency | count of a maintenance can also be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 4 moves the modeling head 3 in the XY directions with respect to the stage 2 when the pressing modeling mechanism 7 is separated from the modeling material 10. For this reason, when the modeling material 10 in a molten state and the heat probe 71 stacked at the modeling position are in close contact with each other, a shearing force can be applied and peeled off.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention is described based on drawing.
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the press modeling mechanism 7 includes one heat probe 71 is exemplified. On the other hand, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the press modeling mechanism includes a plurality of heat probes.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the press modeling mechanism 7A in the second embodiment according to the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations already described, and the description is omitted or simplified. In FIG. 9, the configuration of the scanning drive unit 75 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 9, the press modeling mechanism 7 </ b> A of this embodiment includes two heat probes 71, and each is connected to a press drive unit 73 via a joint portion 74. Further, the drive transmission shaft 736 is guided by a shaft guide 737 so that the parallelism is maintained.

  In the configuration as described above, since the two heat probes 71 are provided, by bringing these two heat probes 71 into contact with the modeling position P at the same time, the modeling material 10 is placed at two locations at the modeling position. Can be melted and laminated. Thereby, compared with 1st embodiment, a molded article can be modeled more efficiently.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, a plurality of heat probe 71 is an example arranged along the conveying direction D ₁ of the build material 10, in the present embodiment differs in that it is arranged in the tape width direction.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a position 11 where the contact portion 711 of each heat probe 71 can contact the tape-shaped modeling material 10 conveyed to the modeling position in the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, as shown to FIG. 10 (A), the heat probe 71 is arrange | positioned along the tape width direction, and each heat probe 71 can be driven independently.
In such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the scanning drive unit 75 in the press modeling mechanism 7. For example, the modeling material 10 in the tape width direction can be obtained by sequentially moving the heat probe 71 arranged in the tape width direction from one end side. Can be melted without waste and stacked at the modeling position P.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), the column of the tape width direction, in the conveying direction D ₁ to the row, in each row, (two in FIG. 10 (B)) a predetermined number which can abut at an interval It is good also as a structure by which the position 11 is arrange | positioned. Even in this case, the scanning drive unit 75 becomes unnecessary by adjusting the conveyance amount of the modeling material 10 conveyed to the conveyance position. In this case, it is good also as a structure which can be reversed as the drive roller pair 622 of the sending part 62. FIG.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, 4th embodiment which concerns on this invention is described based on drawing.
The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that the gas is introduced between the contact portion and the modeling material when the heat probe is pulled away from the stage. It is different from the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the heat probe 71A in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the contact part 711 of the heat probe 71A is provided with an air blowing hole 713, and the air blowing hole 713 passes through the central axis of the heat probe 71A and is a gas introduction part. 714. The gas introduction unit 714 is a compressor, and introduces (sprays) compressed gas from the air blowing hole 713.

  In this embodiment, in step S3 in FIG. 6, the controller 5 presses the heat probe 71 against the modeling material 10 to melt the modeling material 10 and separates the heat probe 71 in the direction away from the stage 2. The gas introduction part 714 is controlled to blow a gas from the air blowing hole 713. Thereby, gas enters between the contact portion 711 and the molten modeling material 10 attached to the contact portion 711, and the modeling material 10 is peeled off from the contact portion 711. Thereby, compared with each embodiment mentioned above, adhesion of the modeling material 10 to the contact part 711 and a residue can be suppressed further.

Moreover, as the gas introduced from the air blowing hole 713, an inert gas is preferable. By spraying the inert gas, chemical changes such as oxidation of the modeling material 10 can be suppressed, and a high-quality modeled object can be modeled.
Further, in the air atmosphere, a gas such as air may be sprayed. In this case, it is preferable to introduce a dehumidified gas. Thereby, the quality change of the modeling material 10 by a water molecule can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the above, the example which introduce | transduces gas from the ventilation hole 713 when separating the heat probe 71 was shown, However, heating gas is sprayed on the modeling material 10 just before making the heat probe 71 contact | abut to the modeling material 10. Alternatively, the heated gas may be introduced both at the time of contact and at the time of separation. When the heated gas is blown at the time of contact, the adhesion between the stacked modeling material 10 and the modeled object can be improved by preheating the modeled object at the modeling position where the modeling material 10 is stacked, and high-quality modeling. An object can be shaped. Also at this time, as described above, the alteration of the modeled object or the modeling material 10 can be suppressed by blowing the inert gas or the dehumidified gas.

In addition, in FIG. 11, the configuration in which one air blowing hole 713 is provided in the central portion of the contact portion 711 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of air blowing holes along the outer peripheral edge of the contact portion 711. It is good also as a structure provided.
The heat probe 71A of this embodiment can be applied to the various heat probes 71 of the first to third embodiments.

[Other Embodiments]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the circular shape is exemplified as the shape of the contact portion of the heat probe 71. However, for example, it may be formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. In the case of a rectangular shape, the modeling material 10 can be used more efficiently by scanning the contact position in the tape width direction.
Moreover, although the example in which the contact portion is a flat surface has been shown, it may be formed in a convex shape such as a conical shape or a hemispherical shape. In such a configuration, adhesion of the melted modeling material 10 to the abutting portion can be more reliably suppressed, and the area of the abutting portion is reduced, so that a modeled object with higher accuracy can be modeled. .

In the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, it is not limited to this which illustrated the scanning drive part 75 which moves the press drive part 73 to a tape width direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, it is good also as a structure etc. which hold | maintain so that the press drive part 73 can be rock | fluctuated by the rocking | fluctuation shaft 751 parallel to a conveyance direction. In this case, the contact position is moved in the tape width direction by swinging the pressing drive unit 73 with a driving force of a motor or the like.
In such a configuration, when the abutting portion 711 is a flat surface, the area where the abutting portion 711 abuts on the modeling material 10 may change depending on the swing inclination angle. Thus, when employing this configuration, the person a contact portion 711 for example hemispherical or cone-shaped, by the like conveying direction D ₁ and cylindrical shape around an axis parallel abutment area by swinging It is preferable to adopt a configuration that suppresses fluctuations in the above.
Furthermore, for example, the tape transport mechanism 6 may be configured to include a width direction moving mechanism that moves the delivery unit 62 in the tape width direction, for example. In this case, since the modeling material 10 can be moved in the tape width direction by the tape transport mechanism 6, the configuration of the scanning unit (scanning drive unit 75) that moves the press modeling mechanism 7 in the tape width direction can be eliminated.

In the first embodiment, the drive mechanism using the magnetic circuit as shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated as an example of the configuration of the pressing drive unit 73, but is not limited thereto.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the pressing drive unit 73.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, for example, a cam member 732A having an elliptical cross section is driven to rotate, thereby pushing the protrusion 734B of the yoke 734 and moving the drive transmission shaft 736 forward and backward. Also good.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, a drive transmission shaft 736 is connected to the piston of the pneumatic cylinder 738, and air is alternately taken into and exhausted into the pneumatic cylinder 738 from the intake / exhaust ports 738A, 738B. Alternatively, a pressing drive unit 73B that drives the drive transmission shaft 736 to advance and retract may be used.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, the rotational drive shaft of the servomotor 739 is converted into a forward / backward drive using a conversion gear 739A, and the converted drive force is transmitted to the drive transmission shaft 736. Alternatively, a pressing drive unit 73C that moves forward and backward may be used.
In addition, the drive transmission shaft 736 may be driven forward and backward by any configuration.

In said 1st embodiment, when separating the heat probe 71 from a modeling position, the example which moves the moving mechanism 4 with respect to XY direction was shown, However, It is not limited to this. For example, the heat probe 71 may be further moved in the Z direction (the direction in which the heat probe 71 is separated from the stage 2).
In this case, by adding the moving speed of the moving mechanism 4 to the moving speed of the heat probe 71 by the pressing drive unit 73, the adhesion between the heat probe 71 and the molten modeling material 10 is cut off with a stronger force. The adhesion of the modeling material 10 to the heat probe 71 can be more reliably suppressed. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

In the said embodiment, although the structure in which the modeling chamber was maintained under inert gas atmosphere was illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be maintained in a dehumidified air atmosphere. Even in this case, the modeling material 10 is not oxidized by water molecules, and a high-quality modeled object can be modeled.
Furthermore, although the example in which the stage 2, the modeling head 3, and the moving mechanism 4 are provided in the modeling chamber is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. When a material that does not change quality by heating or the like is used as the modeling material 10, there may be no modeling room. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provides the gas ejection part which blows inactive gas (or dehumidified air) with respect to the contact position of the heat probe 71. FIG. As this gas ejection part, for example, as in the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which the air blowing hole 713 is provided in the contact part 711 may be provided, or a nozzle for air blowing may be separately provided.

  As the modeling material 10, a tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section with an aspect ratio of 10 or more is illustrated, but the modeling material 10 is not limited thereto. For example, a tape-shaped material having an aspect ratio of less than 10 is used as long as it has sufficient flexibility depending on the material of the modeling material 10 and the conveyance handling property of the modeling material 10 in the tape conveyance mechanism 6 is good. May be.

In the first embodiment, the separation speed is made faster than the pressing speed. However, the separation speed and the pressing speed may be the same speed or may be slow. However, the speed is preferably equal to or higher than the speed for peeling off the molten modeling material 10 from the heat probe 71.
Moreover, in 1st embodiment, although the separation speed of the heat probe 71 was set to the predetermined speed or more, and the structure which moves the moving mechanism 4 at the time of separation was illustrated, only one of the processes is applied to the heat probe 71. The adhesion of the modeling material 10 may be suppressed.

  In the said embodiment, although the modeling material 10 was set as the structure accommodated in the cassette 61, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the modeling material 10 may be held in a roll shape by winding the modeling material 10 around the shaft core 614. In this case, the mounting hole 615 is provided along the central axis of the shaft core 614, and the shaft core 614 around which the modeling material 10 is wound is formed by, for example, inserting a locking pin provided in the modeling head 3 into the mounting hole 615. Can be attached to the modeling head 3. In addition, by providing the flange portions 616 that hold both end edges of the modeling material 10 in the tape width direction at both ends in the axial direction of the shaft core 614, loosening of the modeling material 10 can be prevented.

In the said embodiment, although the example whose modeling material 10 is a tape-shaped material was shown, you may be comprised, for example in the shape of a thread | yarn. Even in this case, the modeling material can be held by winding the thread-shaped modeling material around the bobbin 612 of the cassette 61 as shown in FIG. 3 or the shaft core 614 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when such a thread-shaped modeling material is used, twisting at the time of conveyance is likely to occur, and conveyance handling properties may deteriorate.
In this case, it is preferable to use rollers 624A and 624B having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. The surface of the driving roller 624A is a roller configured by an elastic member having a hole friction coefficient such as rubber or elastomer. Further, the driven roller 624B is a roller that is in contact with the thread-shaped modeling material 10A at two points and has a triangular cross-section groove 624B1 into which more than half of the thread-shaped modeling material 10A enters. In such a configuration, stable quantitative conveyance becomes possible by feeding the thread-shaped modeling material 10A to the groove 624B1 with an elastic force while feeding it in the conveyance direction.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which moves the modeling head 3 to ZYZ triaxial direction was shown as the moving mechanism 4, it is not limited to this, For example, as mentioned above, the stage 2 is moved to triaxial direction. It is good also as a structure, It is good also as a structure which moves the stage 2 to a Z-axis direction and moves a modeling head to an XY-axis direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when modeling a model with a circular cross section (cylindrical shape), the modeling head 3 can be rotated relative to the stage 2 by providing a rotation mechanism on the stage 2. It is good also as a simple structure.

  In addition, the specific structure for carrying out the present invention can be appropriately changed to other structures and the like within a range in which the object of the present invention can be achieved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Modeling apparatus, 2 ... Stage, 3 ... Modeling head, 4 ... Movement mechanism, 5 ... Controller, 6 ... Tape conveyance mechanism, 7, 7A ... Pressing modeling mechanism, 10 ... Modeling material, 10A ... Filamentous modeling material, 61 ... Cassette, 62 ... delivery unit, 71, 71A ... heat probe, 72 ... heating unit, 73, 73A, 73B, 73C ... press drive unit, 74 ... joint unit, 75 ... scan drive unit, 622A ... drive roller, 622B ... driven Roller, 624A ... Driving roller, 624B ... Driven roller, 711 ... Abutting part, 712 ... Probe plate, 713 ... Air blowing hole, 714 ... Gas introduction part, 731 ... Frame, 731A ... Bottom part, 731B ... Yoke connecting part, 732 ... Core, 733 ... solenoid coil, 734 ... yoke, 734A ... armature, 734B ... projection, 735 ... biasing spring, 73 ... drive transmission shaft, 738 ... pneumatic cylinder, 738a ... intake and exhaust port, 738 ... intake and exhaust port, 739 ... servomotor, 739a ... conversion gear, D1 ... conveying direction, D2 ... normal direction, P ... molding position.

Claims (17)

A feeding mechanism for conveying a modeling material having flexibility to a modeling position on the stage;
A press modeling mechanism for contacting and separating the heated heat probe from the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position;
A moving mechanism for moving the modeling position relative to the stage;
A modeling apparatus comprising: The modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
The press modeling mechanism includes the heat probe provided to face the modeling position, a heating unit that heats the heat probe, and a heat probe heated by the heating unit with respect to the modeling material at the modeling position. And a pressing drive part that moves forward and backward. In the modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The modeling apparatus is a tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section. The modeling apparatus according to claim 3,
The modeling material is characterized in that an aspect ratio of a tape thickness dimension and a tape width dimension in a sectional view is 10 or more. In the modeling apparatus of Claim 3 or Claim 4,
The press molding mechanism includes a scanning unit that moves a contact position of the heat probe along a tape width direction of the modeling material. In the modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The press molding mechanism includes a plurality of heat probes. The modeling apparatus according to claim 6,
The press molding mechanism includes a press drive unit that advances and retracts the plurality of heat probes independently of the modeling material at the modeling position. In the modeling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
The modeling material is a tape-shaped material having a rectangular cross section,
The plurality of heat probes are arranged along a tape width direction of the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position. The modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The press molding mechanism separates the heat probe from the modeling material at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed after the heat probe is brought into contact with the modeling material. The modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The said moving mechanism moves the said modeling position relatively with respect to the said stage, when separating the said heat probe from the said modeling material by the said press modeling mechanism. The modeling apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the modeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The heat probe includes a ventilation hole facing the modeling position,
The press modeling mechanism includes a gas introduction part that introduces gas between the heat probe and the modeling position from the air blowing hole when the heat probe is separated from the modeling material. apparatus. In the modeling apparatus of any one of Claims 1-11,
The press modeling mechanism causes the heat probe to abut on the modeling material in an inert gas atmosphere. The modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The press molding mechanism causes the heat probe to contact the modeling material in a dehumidified gas atmosphere. The modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The modeling material is made of metal. The modeling apparatus according to claim 14,
The modeling apparatus, wherein the modeling material is flame-retardant or incombustible. The modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The modeling material is made of a resin. Transport the modeling material with flexibility to the modeling position on the stage,
Lamination position of the modeling material by abutting and melting the heated heat probe in contact with the modeling material conveyed to the modeling position, laminating the modeling material at the modeling position, and moving the modeling position A modeling method characterized by modeling a modeled object by changing the shape.

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