JP2016155273A - Molding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a molding apparatus capable of increasing formation efficiency of a molded object.SOLUTION: The molding apparatus includes: a powder layer formation part 21 where a powder layer is formed by flattening powder deposited on a stage 30; a curing liquid discharge part 22 where a curing liquid is discharged to the powder layer; a light irradiation part 23 where the curing liquid discharged to the powder layer is cured; a control part that regards at least two in the powder layer formation part 21, the curing liquid discharge part 22 and the light irradiation part 23 as separate control targets and controls the process carried out by each control target; and a revolting shaft 40 to simultaneously rotate the control targets in the same direction. While each control target rotates in one or less than one turn around the revolving shaft 40, the control part controls the control targets to sequentially carry out the processes once in the same region on the stage 30 and to simultaneously carry out the processes in different regions on the stage 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional object.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by stacking layered structures is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). One of these modeling apparatuses is a process of forming a powder layer by spreading a powdery forming material on a stage, and a curable liquid made of an ultraviolet curable resin or the like in a part of the powder layer that becomes a modeled object. The molded object is formed by repeating the step of discharging the liquid and the step of irradiating the powder layer with light such as ultraviolet light and curing the curable liquid that has penetrated the powder layer.

JP 2000-280357 A

  By the way, in the modeling apparatus, a unit including a mechanism for forming a powder layer is disposed above the stage to form the powder layer, and a unit including a mechanism for discharging the curable liquid is disposed above the stage. The curable liquid is discharged after being disposed. Furthermore, in the modeling apparatus, a unit having a configuration for irradiating light is arranged above the stage and irradiated with light, and the formation of the powder layer, the discharge of the curable liquid, and the irradiation of light are repeated. On the other hand, in a configuration in which these units are arranged in a straight line along only one forward direction and move relative to the stage in the forward direction, the processing proceeds to ensure the above-described processing order. The direction is limited to the forward direction. In other words, in order for a unit or stage that has once moved along the forward direction to perform the process again in the order described above, the process by the unit is stopped once and the unit or stage is moved along the opposite direction opposite to the forward direction. Need to return. As a result, the time required to move the unit or stage is a factor that reduces the formation efficiency of the shaped object.

  An object of this invention is to provide the modeling apparatus which can improve the formation efficiency of a molded article.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
The modeling apparatus that solves the above problems includes a powder layer forming unit that forms a powder layer by leveling the powder stacked on the stage, a curable liquid discharge unit that discharges a curable liquid to the powder layer, At least two of the curing unit that cures the curable liquid discharged to the powder layer, the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit are separate control targets, A control unit that controls processing by the control target; and a rotation shaft that simultaneously rotates each control target in the same direction, and the control unit rotates each control target about one rotation or less about the rotation axis. During the process, each control target is caused to execute the process once for the same area on the stage in order, and simultaneously execute the process for different areas on the stage.

  According to this configuration, at least two of the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharging unit, and the curing unit rotate around the rotation axis, and perform separate processing on the area where the model is formed, Repeat in the same order. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which these processing units are arranged in a straight line, the formation efficiency of a modeled object can be increased.

  In addition, since at least two processing units among the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit rotate, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the stage during the processing of these processing units. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the powder supplied on the stage from dancing or the leveled powder from being disturbed as compared with the configuration in which the stage rotates during the processing of these processing units. As a result, formation of a shaped article is smoothly advanced.

Moreover, in the modeling apparatus, it is preferable that each of the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit is the control target.
According to this configuration, the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit rotate around the rotation axis, and repeat different processes on the region where the modeled object is formed in the same order. Therefore, the formation efficiency of a shaped article can be further increased.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said modeling apparatus is further equipped with the powder supply part which supplies the said powder on the said stage, and the said powder supply part is the said control object.
According to this configuration, the powder supply unit also rotates about the rotation axis, and the powder supply unit, the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit are regions in which the shaped article is formed. Repeat the different processes for in the same order. Therefore, the formation efficiency of a shaped article can be further increased.

  The modeling apparatus may further include a changing unit that changes a distance between the stage and each control target, and the control unit rotates each time the control target rotates about the rotation axis. The distance between the stage and each control target may be changed by the changing unit.

  According to this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the distance between the control target and the stage is changed while the control target is rotating, the timing for changing the position of the stage, the stage moving speed, and the like are set. Is easy.

  The modeling apparatus further includes a changing unit that changes a distance between the stage and each control target, and the control unit rotates each control target one time around the rotation axis. In the meantime, the distance between the stage and each control object may be changed by the changing unit.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to continue the formation of the modeled object without stopping the rotation of the controlled object. Therefore, the formation efficiency of a molded article is further improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a modeling apparatus. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the powder layer formation part seen from the direction facing a stage, a hardening liquid discharge part, and a light irradiation part. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the maintenance part seen from the direction facing a stage. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a modeling apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which has a modeling part in a standby position. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a modeling apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the modeling part rotated 1/3 from the standby position. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a modeling apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the modeling part rotated 2/3 from the standby position. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a modeling apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state before the modeling part makes one rotation from a standby position. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a modeling apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the modeling part rotated 1 time from the standby position. It is a figure which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of a powder layer forming part, a hardening liquid discharge part, and a light irradiation part. It is a figure which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of a powder layer forming part, a hardening liquid discharge part, and a light irradiation part.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, one Embodiment of a modeling apparatus is described.
[Configuration of modeling equipment]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the modeling apparatus 10 includes a modeling unit 20 that forms a modeled object and a stage 30 that supports the modeled object being formed. The modeling unit 20 and the stage 30 are arranged at positions facing each other, and the modeling apparatus 10 further includes a rotary shaft 40 arranged at a position connecting the approximate center of the modeling unit 20 and the approximate center of the stage 30, and the modeling unit. 20 and a control unit 50 for controlling the operation of the stage 30.

  The modeling unit 20 includes a powder layer forming unit 21, a curable liquid discharging unit 22, a light irradiation unit 23 as an example of a curing unit, the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and a light. And a carriage 24 that supports the irradiation unit 23.

  The powder layer forming unit 21 includes a mechanism for supplying ceramic powder or the like toward the stage 30 and a mechanism for leveling the supplied powder with a squeegee to form a layer. The powder layer PL is formed by the powder layer forming unit 21. The powder layer PL to be formed first is formed on the surface of the stage 30, and thereafter, the powder layer PL is repeatedly formed on the top of the modeled object being formed on the surface of the stage 30. Thus, a stacked body LS composed of a plurality of powder layers PL is formed.

  The curable liquid discharge unit 22 includes a mechanism for discharging a curable liquid containing a photocurable resin such as an ultraviolet curable resin toward the powder layer PL. For example, the curable liquid discharge unit 22 has an inkjet discharge head. The curable liquid discharger 22 discharges the curable liquid to a part that constitutes a modeled object in the uppermost powder layer PL in the stacked body LS.

  The light irradiation unit 23 includes a mechanism for irradiating the powder layer PL that has received the discharge of the curable liquid with light for curing the curable liquid. That is, the light irradiation unit 23 is light having a wavelength at which the photocurable resin contained in the curable liquid is cured, for example, ultraviolet light when the curable liquid contains an ultraviolet curable resin, and the uppermost powder layer PL in the laminate LS. Irradiate. By irradiating with light, the curable liquid that has penetrated into the powder layer PL is cured, and in the powder layer PL, the molded article component CA that is a portion into which the curable liquid has permeated hardens.

  The carriage 24 has, for example, a circular shape, and a powder layer forming unit 21, a curable liquid discharge unit 22, and a light irradiation unit 23 are mounted on the stage 30 side of the carriage 24, and these units are connected to the stage 30. Opposite. The carriage 24 is driven to rotate about the rotation shaft 40, whereby the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are simultaneously rotated about the rotation shaft 40 in the same direction. To do.

  The stage 30 has, for example, a circular plate shape, and the stacked body LS is formed on a forming surface that is a surface on the modeling unit 20 side of the stage 30. The rotating shaft 40 penetrates the center part of the stage 30, and the stage 30 is comprised so that raising / lowering is possible along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 40, ie, the up-down direction in FIG.

For example, each of the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30 has a drive mechanism, and is configured such that the stage 30 moves up and down independently of the rotation of the modeling unit 20. At this time, stage 30
Does not rotate, and descends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 40 while maintaining the circumferential position.

  Alternatively, the stage 30 may move up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the modeling unit 20. For example, a spiral groove is formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 40, and the stage 30 is provided with a thrust bearing through which the rotating shaft 40 passes. Then, when the rotation shaft 40 is rotated, the modeling unit 20 is rotated together with the rotation shaft 40, and the stage 30 is lowered in conjunction with the rotation of the modeling unit 20. Even in such a case, the stage 30 does not rotate and descends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 40 while maintaining the position in the circumferential direction.

  The control unit 50 includes a CPU that executes various calculations, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a processing area of the CPU, and the like. The control unit 50 executes a control program stored in the ROM, thereby driving the carriage 24 and the stage 30, the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23. A control signal for controlling each processing is generated and output. The control unit 50 controls the movements of the carriage 24 and the stage 30 via a driver that is the output destination of the control signal, and also controls the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit. The process of each part of 23 is controlled. In such a configuration, the driving unit for moving the carriage 24 and the stage 30 functions as a changing unit that changes the distance between the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30.

  Specifically, the control unit 50 uses data obtained by cutting a model to be formed into layers in a plurality of cross sections, and in accordance with the data of each layer, the curable liquid is discharged to each powder layer PL, and the curable liquid is cured. The movement timing and movement of each part of the powder layer forming part 21, the curable liquid discharge part 22, and the light irradiating part 23, and the movement speed and movement of each of the carriage 24 and the stage 30, so that a modeled object is formed. Control the amount, timing of movement, etc.

  Further, the modeling apparatus 10 includes a maintenance unit 60. The maintenance unit 60 includes a mechanism that is disposed between the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30 and performs maintenance of the curable liquid discharge unit 22. For example, the maintenance unit 60 includes a region for the discharge head included in the curable liquid discharge unit 22 to perform flushing, and a cap that covers the discharge head. The maintenance unit 60 may have a mechanism driven by electric power. In this case, the drive of the maintenance unit 60 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[Configuration of modeling part]
With reference to FIG. 2, arrangement | positioning of each part which comprises the modeling part 20 is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a view of the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30 as viewed from the direction facing the forming surface of the stage 30. In FIG. 2, in order to easily understand the arrangement of each unit constituting the modeling unit 20, the carriage 24 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a circle centering on the rotation shaft 40. . The powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are arranged in this order in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the carriage 24. That is, by the rotation of the modeling unit 20, the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 pass in this order on the same region on the forming surface of the stage 30.

Each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiating unit 23 is located on a region where a modeled object is formed on the forming surface of the stage 30 while the modeling unit 20 rotates once. It is arranged so that it can pass through. For example, each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 is disposed in a region extending along a radial direction of a circle centering on the rotation shaft 40, and the arrangement of these units. The formed region preferably extends radially from the rotation axis 40. According to such a configuration, each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiating unit 23 is disposed on almost the entire area on the forming surface of the stage 30 while the modeling unit 20 rotates once. Can pass through.

[Configuration of maintenance section]
The arrangement of the maintenance unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a view of the maintenance unit 60 and the stage 30 as viewed from the direction facing the formation surface of the stage 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance unit 60 is disposed at a position facing the curable liquid discharge unit 22 while the modeling unit 20 rotates once. For example, when the curable liquid discharger 22 is disposed in a region extending along the radial direction of the circle centered on the rotation axis 40, the maintenance unit 60 is also between the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30. It arrange | positions in the area | region extended along the radial direction of the circle | round | yen centering on the rotating shaft 40. FIG. The maintenance unit 60 is fixed to the rotating shaft 40 or a base supporting the rotating shaft 40 so that neither the rotation about the rotating shaft 40 nor the raising / lowering along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 40 is performed. Has been.

In the region on the formation surface of the stage 30, the region where the maintenance unit 60 is not located when viewed from the direction facing the formation surface is a formation region S that is a region where a modeled object can be formed.
[Operation of modeling equipment]
With reference to FIGS. 4-8, operation | movement of the modeling apparatus 10 is demonstrated. 4 to 8 are views of the modeling unit 20, the maintenance unit 60, and the stage 30 as viewed from the direction facing the forming surface of the stage 30, and the carriage 24 is omitted. 4 to 8, in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of the modeling apparatus 10, different patterns are attached to the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23. As shown.

  In the following, among the regions on the formation surface of the stage 30, as viewed from the direction facing the formation surface, the region Sa sandwiched between the powder layer forming unit 21 and the light irradiation unit 23 shown in FIG. The operation of each part when a modeled object is formed in a fan-shaped region located on the right side of the rotation shaft 40 in FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a state before the powder layer PL is formed in the region Sa, and the positions where the powder layer forming part 21, the curable liquid discharge part 22, and the light irradiation part 23 are arranged are shown. The standby position. At this time, the distance between the stage 30 and the modeling unit 20 is determined by the modeling unit 20 to form the powder layer PL for one layer on the formation surface, discharge of the curable liquid to the powder layer PL, and light. It is set to a distance that can be irradiated.

  When the curable liquid discharge unit 22 is positioned at the standby position, the maintenance unit 60 is positioned below the curable liquid discharge unit 22. The distance between the curable liquid discharge unit 22 and the maintenance unit 60 is set to a distance at which the curable liquid discharge unit 22 can perform maintenance processing using the maintenance unit 60.

  From the state shown in FIG. 4, the modeling part 20 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 4, so that the powder layer forming part 21 passes above the region Sa. At this time, the powder layer forming unit 21 supplies the powder to the region Sa and leveles the supplied powder.

  As shown in FIG. 5, as a result of passing through the powder layer forming unit 21, one powder layer PL is formed in the region Sa. Subsequently, the molding unit 20 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 5 from the state shown in FIG. 5, so that the curable liquid discharge unit 22 passes above the region Sa. At this time, the curable liquid discharger 22 discharges the curable liquid to a predetermined portion of the powder layer PL in the region Sa.

As shown in FIG. 6, as a result of passing through the curable liquid discharge unit 22, the curable liquid penetrates into a part of the powder layer PL in the region Sa, and a modeled object configuration CA is formed. Subsequently, when the modeling unit 20 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 6 from the state shown in FIG. 6, the light irradiation unit 23 passes above the region Sa. At this time, the light irradiation part 23 irradiates light to the powder layer PL.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the light irradiation unit 23 is passing over the area Sa. At this time, as viewed from the direction facing the forming surface, the maintenance unit 60 is disposed at a position ahead of the curable liquid discharge unit 22 in the rotational direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, as a result of passing through the light irradiation unit 23, the molded article component CA, which is a portion in which the curable liquid penetrates, is cured in the powder layer PL in the region Sa. The light irradiation unit 23 passes over the region Sa, and the positions of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are returned to the standby position. At this time, the curable liquid discharge unit 22 is positioned above the maintenance unit 60 and performs maintenance processing such as flushing using the maintenance unit 60.

  Thereby, formation of the part which comprises the molded article in one powder layer PL is completed. Thereafter, the stage 30 is lowered by a height corresponding to one layer of the powder layer PL, and a new powder layer PL is formed on the previously formed powder layer PL, and the curable liquid is discharged. The light irradiation is repeated. As a result, a stacked body LS including the stacked modeled structure component CA is formed, and an uncured portion in the powder layer PL, that is, a part other than the modeled object configuring unit CA is removed from the stacked body LS. As a result, a shaped object is formed.

  When the rotation of the modeling unit 20 and the raising / lowering of the stage 30 are controlled separately, the modeling unit 20 stops every time it is positioned at the standby position, and the stage 30 is stopped while the modeling unit 20 is stopped. You may descend. In this case, the maintenance process may be performed while the modeling unit 20 is stopped at the standby position. Alternatively, the maintenance process may be performed in a state where the modeling unit 20 is rotating. In this case, the maintenance process is performed during the period in which the modeling unit 20 rotates once, that is, the curable liquid is discharged. The stage 30 may be lowered while the part 22 passes over the maintenance part 60.

Further, the stage 30 may be gradually lowered while the modeling unit 20 is rotating by the stage 30 being lowered in conjunction with the rotation of the modeling unit 20.
In short, the stage 30 corresponds to one layer of the powder layer PL after the modeling unit 20 starts rotating from the standby position, and then rotates once, returns to the standby position, and starts rotating again from the standby position. It only has to descend by the height. When the stage 30 is lowered while the modeling unit 20 is rotating, the modeling unit 20 continues to rotate without stopping while forming the modeled object, and the powder layer PL is formed on the region Sa. Then, the discharge of the curable liquid and the light irradiation are repeated. The stage 30 may be configured such that only the formation region S moves up and down.

  Further, the maintenance unit 60 may be used for maintenance processing by being positioned below the curable liquid discharge unit 22 on a region other than the formation region S while the curable liquid discharge unit 22 makes one rotation. When the discharge unit 22 is in the initial position, it is not necessary to be positioned below the curable liquid discharge unit 22.

  Further, in the above description, as viewed from the direction facing the forming surface, the region that can be sandwiched between two adjacent portions of the powder layer forming portion 21, the curable liquid discharge portion 22, and the light irradiation portion 23. The case where a modeling thing was formed only in Sa was illustrated.

Not limited to this, as long as it is an area included in the formation area S, one shaped article may be formed in an area larger than the area Sa. Alternatively, a plurality of shaped objects are formed in a region larger than the region Sa, and the portion constituting the plurality of shaped objects is the stage 30 while the modeling unit 20 rotates once.
Each may be formed on the upper part. In such a case, the processes of the formation of the powder layer PL by the powder layer forming unit 21, the discharge of the curable liquid by the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation by the light irradiation unit 23 are different from each other on the upper part of the stage 30. Runs simultaneously on the region.

  For example, the powder layer forming unit 21 forms the powder layer PL in the region Sa, and at the same time, the curable liquid discharging unit 22 discharges the curable liquid to the region in the rotation direction before the region Sa. At the same time, the light irradiating unit 23 irradiates the area ahead of the area Sa in the rotation direction with light.

[Action]
The effect | action of the modeling apparatus 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated. In the modeling apparatus 10, each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 rotates about the rotation axis 40, so that the powder layer PL with respect to the region above the stage 30 is rotated. Formation, discharge of the curable liquid, and light irradiation are repeated to form a shaped article. The region above the stage 30 is a region including a region on the surface of the formation surface and a region above the formation surface.

  According to such a configuration, the configuration arranged above the region where the shaped article is formed by rotating in one direction is from the powder layer forming unit 21 to the curable liquid discharging unit 22 and from the curable liquid discharging unit 22. The light irradiation unit 23 is repeatedly moved in order from the light irradiation unit 23 to the powder layer forming unit 21.

  Therefore, in order to arrange the powder layer forming part 21, the curable liquid discharging part 22, and the light irradiation part 23 on a straight line and arranging these parts repeatedly above the stage 30 as in the prior art. Compared with a configuration in which reciprocation is required for movement of each part or stage 30, the efficiency of movement is improved. As a result, the formation efficiency of the shaped object can be increased.

  In addition, the processes of forming the powder layer PL by the powder layer forming unit 21, discharging the curable liquid by the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and irradiating the light by the light irradiation unit 23 are different areas on the stage 30. Therefore, the formation efficiency of the modeled object can be increased.

  Moreover, in the modeling apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the stage 30 does not rotate but the modeling part 20 rotates. In the configuration in which the stage 30 rotates, there is a possibility that the powder supplied to the area above the stage 30 may dance or the leveled powder may be disturbed, thereby obstructing the formation of the shaped object. On the other hand, in the modeling apparatus 10 of this embodiment, since the stage 30 does not rotate, formation of a modeled object is smoothly advanced.

  Further, the weight of the stage 30 and the stacked body LS stacked on the formation surface of the stage 30 varies depending on the formation state of the powder layer PL and the discharge state of the curable liquid. On the other hand, the weight of the modeling part 20 hardly changes. Therefore, the rotation stability is higher when the modeling unit 20 is rotated than when the stage 30 is rotated. As a result, a decrease in uniformity of the powder layer PL, a shift in the discharge position of the curable liquid, and the like can be suppressed, so that the accuracy of the formed object is increased.

  In the present embodiment, each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 is an example of a control target that is controlled by the control unit 50 while performing processing while rotating. is there.

As described above, according to the modeling apparatus 10, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 rotates around the rotation shaft 40, and the modeling unit 20 rotates once based on the control of the control unit 50. In the meantime, the respective processes of leveling the powder, discharging the curable liquid, and curing the curable liquid are executed once in order for the same region on the stage 30. And these processes are simultaneously performed with respect to a mutually different area | region on the stage 30. FIG. According to such a configuration, each of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 is separated from the region where the modeled object is formed by rotating in one direction of the modeling unit 20. Since the processing is repeated in the same order, the formation efficiency of the modeled object can be increased as compared with a configuration in which each of these parts moves along a straight line.

  In addition, since the modeling unit 20 rotates and the stage 30 does not rotate, it is possible to prevent the powder supplied to the region on the stage 30 from dancing or the leveled powder from being disturbed. As a result, formation of a shaped article is smoothly advanced.

  (2) In the configuration in which the distance between the stage 30 and the modeling unit 20 is changed every time the modeling unit 20 rotates once, the stage 30 and the modeling unit 20 are rotated while the modeling unit 20 is rotating. Compared to the configuration in which the distance is changed, it is easy to set the timing for changing the position of the stage 30, the moving speed, and the like.

  (3) In the configuration in which the distance between the stage 30 and the modeling unit 20 is changed while the modeling unit 20 makes one rotation around the rotation axis 40, the modeling unit 20 does not stop rotating, and modeling is performed. It is possible to continue the formation of objects. Therefore, the formation efficiency of a molded article is further improved.

The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications.
As shown in FIG. 9, if the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are arranged on the circumference of a circle centering on the rotation axis 40, Each part does not need to be arranged at equal intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the modeling unit 20 may include a plurality of powder layer forming units 21, a plurality of curable liquid discharge units 22, or a plurality of light irradiation units. 23 may be provided. The number of the powder layer forming units 21, the number of the curable liquid discharge units 22, and the number of the light irradiation units 23 do not have to coincide with each other. If these are arranged, the order in which these parts are arranged is arbitrary.

  When the modeling unit 20 includes a plurality of combinations of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharge unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23, the formation of the powder layer PL and the powder are performed while the modeling unit 20 rotates once. The discharge of the curable liquid to the layer PL and the light irradiation to the powder layer PL are repeated a plurality of times. In this case, while the shaping unit 20 performs less than one rotation, the respective processes of powder leveling, curing liquid discharge, and curing liquid curing are performed on the same region on the stage 30. Are performed once in order.

  The modeling apparatus 10 may include a maintenance unit for the powder layer forming unit 21. The maintenance unit for the powder layer forming unit includes a mechanism for performing maintenance of the powder layer forming unit 21, such as a mechanism for scraping off the powder adhered to the squeegee included in the powder layer forming unit 21.

  The maintenance unit for the powder layer forming unit is disposed between the modeling unit 20 and the stage 30. Specifically, the maintenance unit for the powder layer forming unit is a position facing the powder layer forming unit 21 while the modeling unit 20 makes one rotation as viewed from the direction facing the forming surface of the stage 30, It is arranged at a position different from the maintenance unit 60. The maintenance unit for the powder layer forming unit does not perform either rotation around the rotation shaft 40 or ascending and descending along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 40, and the powder layer forming unit 21 is for the powder layer forming unit. When positioned above the maintenance unit, the maintenance process of the powder layer forming unit 21 is performed.

  In such a configuration, in the region on the formation surface of the stage 30, a region where the maintenance unit 60 and the maintenance unit for the powder layer formation unit are not located can be formed as viewed from the direction facing the formation surface. This is a formation region S that is a large region.

  If at least two of the powder layer forming unit 21, the curable liquid discharging unit 22, and the light irradiation unit 23 are configured to rotate around the rotation axis 40 as the control target by the control unit 50, these are straight lines Compared to the configuration lined up above, the formation efficiency of the shaped object can be increased. For example, the light irradiation unit 23 may be provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 40 without rotating and illuminate the entire upper portion of the stage 30 at a time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the powder layer forming unit 21 functions to level the powder stacked on the stage 30 to form the powder layer PL, and to supply the powder toward the stage 30. Although serving also as a supply unit, the powder supply unit may rotate around the rotation shaft 40 separately from the powder layer forming unit 21 as the control target by the control unit 50, or the rotation shaft It is not necessary to rotate around 40.

  The material for the powder, the material for the curable liquid, and the method for curing the curable liquid may be known materials and methods used for three-dimensional modeling. For example, the powder may be supplied to the upper portion of the stage 30 in a state of being mixed with a solvent to form a paste, or heat may be used for curing the curable liquid.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Modeling apparatus, 20 ... Modeling part, 21 ... Powder layer forming part, 22 ... Curing liquid discharge part, 23 ... Light irradiation part, 30 ... Stage, 40 ... Rotating shaft, 50 ... Control part, 60 ... Maintenance part, LS ... laminate, PL ... powder layer, S ... formation region.

Claims (5)

A powder layer forming section for leveling the powder stacked on the stage to form a powder layer;
A curable liquid discharger for discharging a curable liquid to the powder layer;
A curing portion for curing the curable liquid discharged to the powder layer;
At least two of the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit are separate control targets, and a control unit that controls processing by each control target;
A rotating shaft for simultaneously rotating the respective controlled objects in the same direction;
With
The controller is
While each control object rotates about one rotation or less about the rotation axis, each control object is caused to execute processing once in order for the same region on the stage, and the stage A modeling device that simultaneously performs processing on different areas above. The modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the powder layer forming unit, the curable liquid discharge unit, and the curing unit is the control target. A powder supply unit for supplying the powder on the stage;
The modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder supply unit is the control target. A change unit for changing a distance between the stage and each control target;
The controller is
4. The distance between the stage and each control object is changed by the changing unit each time the control object makes one rotation about the rotation axis. 5. Modeling equipment. A change unit for changing a distance between the stage and each control target;
The controller is
4. The distance between the stage and each control target is changed by the changing unit while each control target makes one rotation around the rotation axis. 5. The modeling apparatus of description.