JP2018089956A - Three-dimensional shaping apparatus and cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem caused by abrasion or damage of an extrusion end portion due to contact with a cleaning material.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus comprises: a material discharging member 110 for discharging a material 4 used upon shaping a three-dimensional shaping material in a predetermined processing space in a molten or softened state from a discharge unit 111; and cleaning means for cleaning the discharge unit. The cleaning means removes a foreign matter adhering to the discharge unit by spraying gas, thereby solving the above-described problem.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a cleaning apparatus.

  Conventionally, a material such as a resin in a molten or softened state is discharged from the discharge portion of the material discharge member to form a three-dimensional structure in a predetermined processing space, and the foreign matter attached to the discharge portion is cleaned by a cleaning unit. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus for cleaning is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a construction material, a support material, and the like that can flow from an extrusion end (discharge portion) of an extrusion head (material discharge member) in a production chamber (process space) heated by a heater. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional structure by extruding a material is disclosed. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a cleaning assembly (cleaning means) that periodically cleans the extrusion end of the extrusion head in order to remove the material remaining on the extrusion end. The cleaning assembly cleans the extrusion end of the extrusion head by bringing the contact head into contact with the extrusion end of the extrusion head and wiping away material remaining at the extrusion end.

  However, when the extrusion end is cleaned by using a contact-type cleaning means for cleaning the contact member or the like by bringing the cleaning member into contact with the extrusion end of the material discharge member, the extrusion end is worn or damaged by contact. Thus, there is a problem that the proper discharging operation cannot be performed, or the cleaning performance is deteriorated due to wear or damage of the cleaning member due to contact.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a material discharge member that discharges from a discharge unit in a state where a material used when a three-dimensional structure is formed in a predetermined processing space is melted or softened, and the discharge In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus provided with a cleaning means for cleaning the part, the cleaning means removes foreign matter adhering to the discharge part by injecting gas.

  According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to eliminate a problem that occurs when the extrusion end portion or the cleaning member is worn or damaged by contact.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the same three-dimensional modeling apparatus typically. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the chamber provided in the inside of the same three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a perspective view of the state which cut and excluded the front part of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a control block diagram of the same three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the pre-heat processing and modeling process in the same three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows typically schematic structure of the nozzle cleaning part in the same three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a top view which shows typically schematic structure of the nozzle cleaning part. It is a front view which shows typically schematic structure of the nozzle cleaning part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device in the nozzle cleaning part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the foreign material collection | recovery device in the nozzle cleaning part, and the collection device holding part holding this. It is a front view which shows typically a part of transfer path main body pipe | tube in the nozzle cleaning part of the modification 1. It is the schematic diagram which expanded an example of the foreign material collection | recovery container which shows an example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 1. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery apparatus which shows the other example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 1. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device which shows the further another example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 1. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device which shows the further another example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 1. It is the schematic diagram which expanded an example of the foreign material collection | recovery container which shows an example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 2. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery apparatus which shows the other example of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 2. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a nozzle cleaning unit according to a third modification when the vicinity of a foreign matter collecting device is viewed from below the modeling head 110. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a nozzle cleaning unit according to Modification 3 as viewed from below the modeling head 110 in the vicinity of a foreign material collector. It is a perspective view which shows typically schematic structure of the nozzle cleaning part in the modification 4. It is a schematic diagram which shows a part of transfer path provided on the modeling head in the modification 4, and an air injection nozzle. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of nozzle cleaning processing in Modification 5. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in this modification 6. It is a graph which shows an example of the viscosity temperature characteristic of the filament which is a modeling material. It is a front view which shows typically the modeling head and nozzle cleaning part of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus in the modification 7. It is an expansion schematic diagram of the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device in the nozzle cleaning part of the modification 8. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of nozzle cleaning processing in Modification 8. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of basic timings of “feed” and “return” of a filament and opening / closing operation of an electromagnetic valve in Modification 8. It is the enlarged front view which showed typically the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device in the nozzle cleaning part of the modification 9. FIG. 10 is an enlarged top view schematically showing the vicinity of a foreign material recovery device in a nozzle cleaning unit according to Modification 9; It is explanatory drawing of the nozzle cleaning part of the modification 10. FIG.

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

[Overall description]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a material supply unit 100, a three-dimensional modeling unit 200, a driving unit 300, and a control unit 400. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, each unit is driven by the driving unit 300 under the control of the control unit 400, and the three-dimensional modeling unit 200 models a three-dimensional modeled object using the material supplied from the material supply unit 100. .

[Material supply section]
The material supply unit 100 includes at least a modeling head 110 as a material discharge member, and a filament supply unit 120 that supplies a filament as a modeling material to the modeling head 110. The filament is an elongated wire-shaped solid, is set in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in a wound state, and is supplied to the nozzle 111 on the modeling head 110 by the filament supply unit 120. The filament supplied by the filament supply unit 120 is heated and melted by the modeling head 110, and the filament in the molten state is pushed out from the nozzle 111 by inserting the filament in the solid state from behind.

  The material pushed out from the nozzle 111 on the modeling head 110 includes not only a modeling material constituting the three-dimensional modeled object but also a support material that does not constitute the three-dimensional modeled object. This support material is usually formed of a material different from the modeling material (filament) constituting the three-dimensional modeled object, and finally removed from the three-dimensional modeled object formed of the filament. This support material is also heated and melted by the modeling head 110, and the support material in the molten state is pushed out from the nozzle 111 by inserting the filament of the solid support material from behind.

[Three-dimensional modeling department]
The three-dimensional modeling unit 200 includes at least a placement unit 210, a chamber 220, and a heating unit 230. The interior of the chamber 220 in the three-dimensional structure 200 is a processing space for modeling a three-dimensional structure. The melted filaments extruded from the modeling head 110 in the material supply unit 100 are supplied onto the stage of the placement unit 210 inside the chamber 220 heated by the heating unit 230 and are sequentially stacked in layers.

[Drive part]
The drive unit 300 includes at least an X-axis drive mechanism 310, a Y-axis drive mechanism 320, and a Z-axis drive mechanism 330. The driving unit 300 relatively moves the modeling head 110 of the material supply unit 100 and the stage of the mounting unit 210 in the three-dimensional modeling unit 200 by using these driving mechanisms 310, 320, and 330. Thereby, the filament extruded from the modeling head 110 of the material supply part 100 is supplied to the target position on a stage.

[Other functional parts]
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the material supply unit 100, the three-dimensional modeling unit 200, the driving unit 300, and the control unit 400, but other functional units are also added as appropriate.

[Details of 3D modeling equipment]
Next, details of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing details of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a chamber provided inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the front portion of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is cut and excluded.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a three-dimensional modeling chamber (hereinafter referred to as “chamber”) 220 inside the main body frame 2. Inside the chamber 220, a stage 211 of the placement unit 210 is provided. In the present embodiment, the modeling plate 212 is held on the stage 211 and a three-dimensional modeled object is modeled on the modeling plate 212.

  Most or all of the wall portion surrounding the processing space in the chamber 220 is formed of a heat insulating wall having a heat insulating function. Specifically, the ceiling wall portion of the chamber 220 is a heat insulating wall constituted by a plurality of slide heat insulating members 221 and 222, as will be described later. Further, the side wall portion 223 of the chamber 220, that is, both wall portions in the apparatus left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 = X-axis direction) is provided with a heat insulating material containing glass wool or the like between the inner and outer plates. It is a heat insulating wall with a sandwiched structure. The bottom wall 224 of the chamber 220 is also a heat insulating wall having a structure in which a heat insulating material containing glass wool or the like is sandwiched between an inner plate and an outer plate. The rear wall portion and the front wall portion 225 of the chamber 220 are also heat insulating walls having a structure in which a heat insulating material containing glass wool or the like is sandwiched between an inner plate and an outer plate.

  In the present embodiment, an opening / closing door 226 is provided on the front wall 225 of the chamber 220 as shown in FIG. The open / close door 226 constitutes a heat insulating wall in the same manner as the front wall portion 225, and is configured to exhibit a sufficient heat insulating function. Further, a window 227 is provided in the front wall 225 of the chamber 220 as shown in FIG. This window 227 has a double glass structure with an air layer interposed therebetween, and constitutes a heat insulating wall in the same manner as the front wall portion 225.

  A modeling head 110 of the material supply unit 100 is provided above the stage 211 inside the chamber 220. The modeling head 110 has a nozzle 111 that pushes the filament below. In the present embodiment, four nozzles 111 are provided on the modeling head 110, but the number of nozzles 111 is arbitrary. The modeling head 110 is provided with a head heating unit 112 that heats the filament supplied to each nozzle 111. Further, the modeling head 110 is provided with a head cooling unit 113 that cools the opposite side of the nozzle 111 with respect to the head heating unit 112, that is, the upstream side in the filament transfer direction with respect to the head heating unit 112.

  The filament may be different for each nozzle 111 or may be the same. In the present embodiment, the filament supplied from the filament supply unit 120 is heated and melted or softened by the head heating unit 112, and the molten filament is pushed out from the predetermined nozzle 111, thereby being held on the stage 211. A layered modeling structure is sequentially laminated on the modeling plate 212 to model a three-dimensional modeled object. In addition, the support material which does not comprise a three-dimensional structure may be supplied to the nozzle 111 on the modeling head 110 instead of the filament of the modeling material.

  The modeling head 110 is connected to the X-axis drive mechanism 310 extending in the left-right direction of the apparatus (left-right direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 = X-axis direction) via the connecting member 311 in the longitudinal direction of the X-axis drive mechanism 310 ( (Movable along the X axis direction). The modeling head 110 can move in the left-right direction of the apparatus (X-axis direction) by the driving force of the X-axis driving mechanism 310. Since the modeling head 110 is heated by the head heating unit 112 and becomes high temperature, it is preferable that the connecting member 311 has a low heat conductivity so that the heat is not easily transmitted to the X-axis drive mechanism 310.

  Both ends of the X-axis drive mechanism 310 are in the longitudinal direction (Y of the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 with respect to the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 extending in the front-rear direction of the apparatus (the front-rear direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 = Y-axis direction). It is held so as to be slidable along the axial direction. As the X-axis drive mechanism 310 moves along the Y-axis direction by the driving force of the Y-axis drive mechanism 320, the modeling head 110 can move along the Y-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom wall portion 224 of the chamber 220 is fixed to the main body frame 2 with respect to the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 that extends in the apparatus vertical direction (vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 = Z-axis direction). The Z-axis drive mechanism 330 is held so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction). The bottom wall portion 224 of the chamber 220 can be moved in the vertical direction of the apparatus (Z-axis direction) by the driving force of the Z-axis driving mechanism 330. Since the stage 211 is fixed on the bottom wall portion 224, the stage 211 and the modeling plate 212 held by the stage 211 can be moved in the Z-axis direction by the driving force of the Z-axis driving mechanism 330.

  In the present embodiment, the chamber heater 231 of the heating unit 230 that heats the inside of the chamber 220 is provided in the chamber 220 (processing space). In this embodiment, in order to model a three-dimensional modeled object by the hot melt lamination method (FDM), it is desirable to perform the modeling process while maintaining the temperature in the chamber 220 at the target temperature. Therefore, in the present embodiment, pre-heat treatment is performed to raise the temperature in the chamber 220 to the target temperature in advance before starting the modeling process. The chamber heater 231 heats the chamber 220 to raise the temperature inside the chamber 220 to the target temperature during the pre-heat treatment, and maintains the temperature in the chamber 220 at the target temperature during the modeling process. Therefore, the inside of the chamber 220 is heated.

  The driving target of the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 in this embodiment is the modeling head 110, and a part of the modeling head 110 (the tip portion of the modeling head 110 including the nozzle 111) is disposed in the chamber 220. Has been. In the present embodiment, the interior of the chamber 220 is shielded from the outside even when the modeling head 110 is moved in the X-axis direction. Specifically, in the ceiling wall portion of the chamber 220, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of X-axis slide heat insulating members 221 elongated in the Y-axis direction are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. The adjacent X-axis slide heat insulating members 221 are configured to be slidable relative to each other in the X-axis direction. Thereby, even if the modeling head 110 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis drive mechanism 310, the plurality of X-axis slide heat insulating members 221 are slid in the X-axis direction accordingly, and the processing space in the chamber 220 is The upper part is always covered with the X-axis slide heat insulating member 221.

  Similarly, in the ceiling wall portion of the chamber, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of Y-axis slide heat insulating members 222 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The adjacent Y-axis slide heat insulating members 222 are configured to be slidable relative to each other in the Y-axis direction. Thereby, even if the modeling head 110 on the X-axis drive mechanism 310 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis drive mechanism 320, the plurality of Y-axis slide heat insulating members 222 slide in the Y-axis direction accordingly. The upper part of the processing space in the chamber 220 is always covered with the Y-axis slide heat insulating member 222.

  In addition, the driving target of the Z-axis driving mechanism 330 in the present embodiment is the bottom wall portion 224 of the chamber 220 or the stage 211 (or the modeling plate 212). In the present embodiment, the inside of the chamber 220 is shielded from the outside even if the bottom wall 224 or the stage 211 is moved in the Z-axis direction.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the in-device cooling device 3 for cooling the space inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 outside the chamber 220 and the nozzle cleaning unit 240 for cleaning the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110. A head cooling device 130 for cooling the head cooling unit 113 of the modeling head 110 is also provided.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, an X-axis position detection mechanism 315 that detects the position of the modeling head 110 in the X-axis direction is provided. The detection result of the X-axis position detection mechanism 315 is sent to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 controls the X-axis drive mechanism 310 based on the detection result to move the modeling head 110 to the target position in the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, a Y-axis position detection mechanism 325 that detects the Y-axis direction position of the X-axis drive mechanism 310 (the Y-axis direction position of the modeling head 110) is provided. The detection result of the Y-axis position detection mechanism 325 is sent to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 moves the modeling head 110 on the X-axis drive mechanism 310 to a target Y-axis direction position by controlling the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 based on the detection result.

  In the present embodiment, a Z-axis position detection mechanism 335 that detects the position in the Z-axis direction of the modeling plate 212 held on the stage 211 is provided. The detection result of the Z-axis position detection mechanism 335 is sent to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 controls the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 based on the detection result to move the modeling plate 212 on the stage 211 to a target Z-axis direction position.

  The control unit 400 controls the movement of the modeling head 110 and the stage 211 in this manner, so that the relative three-dimensional position between the modeling head 110 and the modeling plate 212 on the stage 211 in the chamber 220 is determined as a target. It can be located in a three-dimensional position.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of pre-heat treatment and modeling processing in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, when the modeling is started by a user instruction operation or the like, the control unit 400 first turns on the energization to the chamber heater 231, the head heating unit 112, and the stage heating unit 232 to operate them ( S1). Further, the control unit 400 controls the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 to raise the stage 211 from a predetermined standby position (for example, the lowest point) by the driving force of the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 (S2). When the stage 211 reaches the preheating position described above (Yes in S3), the driving of the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 is stopped (S4).

  When the temperature of the processing space reaches the target temperature (Yes in S5), the control unit 400 subsequently proceeds to modeling processing. The three-dimensional shape data of the three-dimensional structure to be modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is obtained from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 so that data communication can be performed by wire or wirelessly. Entered. The control unit 400 generates data (slice data for modeling) of a large number of layered structures decomposed in the vertical direction based on the input three-dimensional shape data. The slice data corresponding to each layered structure corresponds to each layered structure formed by the filaments extruded from the modeling head 110 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, and the thickness of the layered structure is the three-dimensional modeling It is appropriately set according to the capability of the device 1.

  In the modeling process, first, the control unit 400 creates a lowermost layered structure on the surface of the modeling plate 212 held on the stage 211 in accordance with the slice data of the lowermost layer (first layer) (S6). Specifically, the control unit 400 controls the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 based on the slice data of the lowermost layer (first layer), and sets the tip of the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 to the target position. The filament is pushed out from the nozzle 111 while sequentially moving to (target position on the XY plane). Thereby, a layered structure according to the slice data of the lowermost layer (first layer) is formed on the surface of the modeling plate 212 on the stage 211. In addition, although the support material which does not comprise a three-dimensional structure may be created together, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the control unit 400 controls the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 to lower the stage 211 by a distance corresponding to one layer of the layered structure, and the modeling plate 212 on the stage 211 is moved to the next layer (first layer). The position is lowered to a position for creating a (two-layer) layered structure and positioned (S8). Thereafter, the control unit 400 controls the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 based on the slice data of the second layer, and sequentially moves the tip of the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 to the target position, From 111, the filament is extruded. Thereby, the layered structure according to the slice data of the second layer is formed on the lowermost layered structure formed on the modeling plate 212 of the stage 211 (S6).

  In this way, the control unit 400 controls the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 to repeat the process of stacking and modeling each layered structure in order from the lower layer while sequentially lowering the stage 211. When the creation of the uppermost layered structure is completed (Yes in S7), a three-dimensional structure according to the input three-dimensional shape data is formed on the modeling plate 212.

  When the modeling process is completed in this way, the control unit 400 controls the Z-axis drive mechanism 330 to lower the stage 211 to a predetermined extraction position (the lowest point in the present embodiment) (S9). This take-out position is set at a position where the open / close door 226 provided on the front wall portion 225 of the chamber 220 is opened so that the three-dimensional structure on the stage 211 can be easily taken out of the chamber 220.

  Immediately after the modeling process is finished, the processing space in the chamber 220 is still hot, so the user cannot immediately open the open / close door 226 and take out the three-dimensional modeled object in the processing space. Therefore, after the temperature in the processing space is lowered to a temperature at which the user can take out, the user opens the door 226 and takes out the three-dimensional structure in the processing space while being fixed to the modeling plate 212. The control unit 400 provides a cooling period in which the door 226 is locked until the temperature in the processing space decreases to a temperature at which the processing space can be taken out. It is preferable to release the locked state.

[Details of nozzle cleaning section]
Next, the configuration and operation of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 provided in the chamber 220 will be described in detail.
In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment, cleaning (cleaning) of the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 is performed before the modeling process is started or when the nozzle 111 to be used is switched (when the filament to be extruded is switched). In particular, in the case of modeling by the hot melt lamination method (FDM) as in the present embodiment, foreign matter such as the drooping of the filament from the nozzle 111 and the residual filament adhering to the nozzle 111 is likely to be present, thereby preventing an appropriate extrusion operation. It is necessary to remove the foreign matter so as not to occur.

  As a cleaning method for removing such foreign matter, a contact-type cleaning method has been used in which a cleaning member such as a blade or a brush is brought into contact with the nozzle 111 to remove it. However, in the contact-type cleaning method, the nozzle 111 is worn or damaged, so that an appropriate push-out operation cannot be performed, or the cleaning member is worn or damaged by the contact, and the cleaning performance is deteriorated. There is a problem such as.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, air (gas) is blown to the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110, and the non-contact type cleaning method of removing foreign matters such as drooping of filaments and residual filaments attached to the nozzle 111 with the force of the gas. Is adopted. According to such a non-contact type cleaning method, it is not necessary to remove the foreign matter by bringing the cleaning member into contact with the nozzle 111. Therefore, the nozzle 111 does not cause a problem as in the contact type cleaning method described above. Can be cleaned.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a front view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment.
The nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the present embodiment includes a compression pump 241 serving as a compressed air generating unit that generates compressed air, a transfer path 242 that transfers the compressed air generated by the compression pump 241, and a transfer path 242. The air injection nozzle 243 that injects the compressed air and the foreign material collector 244 that receives and collects the foreign material removed by the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243.

  The compression pump 241 is disposed outside the chamber 220. The foreign material recovery device 244 is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position in the chamber 220. One end side of the transfer path 242 is connected to a compression pump 241 outside the chamber, and the other end side is connected to an air injection nozzle 243 attached to a foreign matter collector 244 in the chamber. The front end (injection port) of the air injection nozzle 243 is disposed inside the foreign material collector 244.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the nozzle cleaning process by the nozzle cleaning unit 240 is performed at the timing when preparation of the modeling process of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is completed (timing when pre-heat treatment is completed), the timing when there is a cleaning request from the system, and the like. Is done. In the nozzle cleaning process of the present embodiment, the control unit 400 drives the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 to move the modeling head 110 to the reference position (for example, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8). Position) (S1 to S3). Thereafter, the control unit 400 drives the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 to face the foreign matter collector 244 arranged in the chamber 220 from the reference position as indicated by the arrows shown in FIGS. The cleaning position is moved to (S4 to S6).

  When the modeling head 110 moves to the cleaning position, the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 is positioned at a position facing the air injection nozzle 243 disposed inside the foreign material collector 244, as shown in FIG. When the modeling head 110 moves to the cleaning position, the control unit 400 then controls the filament supply unit 120 and the like to perform an extrusion operation of pushing out a predetermined amount L1 of the filament 4 from the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110. (S7). As a result, a predetermined amount L1 of the melted or softened filament 4 is pushed out from the nozzle 111. At this time, the foreign matter adhering to the nozzle 111 (such as a filament once melted once cooled and fixed) is removed by the extruded filament 4. As shown in FIG. 11, the extruded filament 4 hangs down on the nozzle 111 due to the balance between its own viscosity and gravity.

  When the extrusion operation is completed, the control unit 400 then drives the compression pump 241 (S8 to S10) and sends the compressed air to the transfer path 242. The compressed air sent out is jetted from the air jet nozzle 243 in the foreign material collector 244 via the transfer path 242 and heads toward the nozzle 111. In more detail, it heads for the base part of the filament 4 in the state of hanging from the nozzle 111. When the compressed air jetted in this way hits, the root portion of the filament 4 in a state of hanging from the nozzle 111 is cut by the force or impact of the compressed air. The cut filaments (filaments to which foreign matter attached to the nozzle 111 is attached) are dropped into the foreign matter collector 244 and collected.

  The compressed air ejected from the air ejection nozzle 243 may be ejected continuously for a predetermined operating time t or may be ejected intermittently. However, since the cleaning effect (foreign matter removal effect) is higher when jetting intermittently, in this embodiment, compressed air is jetted intermittently for a predetermined operating time t.

  In addition, the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 is as high as possible, at least the temperature of the location of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 set with the filament 4 wound, that is, outside the chamber 220. It is preferable to heat to a temperature higher than the temperature (room temperature) in the space (inside the machine) inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. This is because it is effective in removing the filament 4 that melts or softens at a high temperature.

  The method for heating the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 is not particularly limited, and a dedicated heating means (gas heating means) may be provided in the compression pump 241, the transfer path 242, and the air injection nozzle 243, You may make it utilize the other heating means provided in this 3D modeling apparatus 1. FIG. In the present embodiment, the chamber 220 is heated by the chamber heater 231 during the nozzle cleaning process. Therefore, the heat in the chamber 220 is used to heat the portion of the transfer path 242 disposed in the chamber 220 and the air injection nozzle 243, and the compressed air inside is heated to inject high-temperature air into the air. It can be ejected from the nozzle 243.

  Further, since the jetted compressed air hits the outer wall of the nozzle 111, it is possible to blow away and remove the foreign matter adhering to the outer wall of the nozzle 111 by the force or impact of the compressed air. In particular, when the foreign matter adhering to the outer wall of the nozzle 111 is a residual filament, the residual filament is melted or softened by the heat of the head heating unit 112, and therefore is removed by the force or impact of compressed air. Is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the foreign material recovery device 244 in the present embodiment is configured to be detachable from a recovery device holding portion 245 fixedly disposed inside the chamber 220. The collector holding unit 245 is a cylindrical structure without an upper surface and a lower surface (bottom surface), and the transfer path 242 and the air injection nozzle 243 in the chamber 220 are arranged on the side surface where the opening 245a is formed. It is fixedly supported so as to face the inner wall of the chamber. On the other hand, the foreign matter collector 244 is a box-like structure without an upper surface, and the collector holder 245 so that the opening 244a formed on one side faces the opening 245a of the collector holder 245. Is inserted into the collector holder 245 from below. The recovery device holder 245 is provided with a stopper that holds the foreign material recovery device 244 so that it does not fall when the foreign material recovery device 244 is inserted, whereby the foreign material recovery device 244 is held by the recovery device storage device 245. The The transfer path 242 and the air injection nozzle 243 in the chamber 220 can be positioned inside the foreign material collector 244 through the opening 245a of the recovery device holder 245 and the opening 244a of the foreign material collector 244.

[Modification 1]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 1”) will be described.
The transfer path 242 according to the first modification includes a transfer path main body pipe 242A that is disposed outside the chamber 220 and connected to the compression pump 241 and an injection pipe 242B that is detachably attached to the transfer path main body pipe 242A. It is configured. An opening provided at the tip of the ejection pipe 242B is an air ejection nozzle 243.

FIG. 13 is a front view schematically showing a part of the transfer path main body pipe 242A in the first modification.
A plurality of (three in the illustrated example) injection pipe attachment ports 242a to which the injection pipes 242B can be attached are provided in the transfer path main body pipe 242A in the first modification. Thereby, the freedom degree of the structure of the nozzle cleaning part 240 can be raised, such as changing the mounting position of the injection pipe 242B and changing the injection position of compressed air, or increasing the number of the injection pipes 242B.

  For example, a linear injection tube 242B is attached to the injection tube attachment port 242a located in the center among the three injection tube attachment ports 242a formed in the transfer path main body tube 242A, and the other injection tube attachment ports 242a are sealed. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 11, the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the above-described embodiment can be configured. According to this structure, the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 at the tip of the injection pipe 242B can be applied to the filament 4 hanging from the nozzle 111 from the horizontal direction. In this case, a strong shearing force can be applied to the filament 4 struck by the compressed air, and the filament 4 can be cut by this shearing force.

  In addition, a bent injection tube 242B is attached to the upper injection tube attachment port 242a among the three injection tube attachment ports 242a formed in the transfer path main body tube 242A, and the other injection tube attachment ports 242a are sealed. If it does, it can be set as a structure as shown in FIG. According to this configuration, the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 at the tip of the injection pipe 242B can be applied to the filament 4 hanging from the nozzle 111 from obliquely above. In this case, an external force in the direction away from the nozzle 111 (downward) can also be applied to the filament 4 hit by the compressed air. As a result, both the tearing force and the shearing force can be applied to the filament 4 from the nozzle 111, and the filament 4 can be cut by these shearing forces.

  In addition, a bent injection tube 242B is attached to the lower injection tube attachment port 242a among the three injection tube attachment ports 242a formed in the transfer path main body tube 242A, and the other injection tube attachment ports 242a are sealed. If it does, it can be set as a structure as shown in FIG. According to this configuration, the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 at the tip of the injection pipe 242B can be applied to the filament 4 hanging from the nozzle 111 obliquely from below. In this case, it is also possible to apply an external force in the direction (upward) to return to the nozzle 111 to the filament 4 hit by the compressed air. This configuration is effective for cutting the base portion of the filament 4 that hangs closer to the nozzle 111.

  Further, the injection pipes 242B may be attached to two or more injection pipe attachment openings 242a among the three injection pipe attachment openings 242a formed in the transfer path main body pipe 242A. Thereby, for example, the injection pipe 242B is attached to each of the two injection pipe attachment openings 242a located at the center and the lower part of the three injection pipe attachment openings 242a formed in the transfer path main body pipe 242A, and the other injection pipes If the mounting opening 242a is sealed, the structure shown in FIG. 16 can be obtained. According to this configuration, the compressed air can be applied to the filament 4 hanging from the nozzle 111 from a plurality of directions of the horizontal direction and obliquely downward, and the filament 4 can be cut more satisfactorily. In particular, in the example of FIG. 16, the compressed air jetted from the air jet nozzles 243 of the two jet pipes 242 </ b> B is set so as to hit the same location on the filament 4 depending from the nozzle 111. Thereby, a stronger cutting ability can be exhibited, and the filament 4 can be cut better.

  In addition, for example, among the three injection tube mounting ports 242a formed in the transfer path main body tube 242A, the two injection tube mounting ports 242a positioned at the center and the lower portion are respectively mounted with the injection tubes 242B, and other injection tube mountings If the opening 242a is sealed, the structure shown in FIG. According to this configuration, since the compressed air can be simultaneously applied to the filaments 4 hanging from the two nozzles 111, the two nozzles 111 can be cleaned simultaneously. Similarly, three or more nozzles 111 can be cleaned at the same time.

[Modification 2]
Next, another modified example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 2”) will be described.
In the second modification, the opening area of the air injection nozzle 243 is configured to be smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area on the transfer path 242. Thereby, compressed air (air flow with a high flow velocity) with more momentum can be injected from the air injection nozzle 243, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the second modification.
In the example shown in FIG. 18, the transfer path 242 includes a transfer path main body pipe 242A disposed outside the chamber 220 and connected to the compression pump 241 and an injection pipe 242B connected to the transfer path main body pipe 242A. Has been. The cross-sectional area of the transfer path main body pipe 242A is substantially the same over the entire area of the transfer path main body pipe 242A, and the cross-sectional area of the injection pipe 242B is substantially the same over the entire area of the injection pipe 242B. However, the cross-sectional area of the injection pipe 242B is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the transfer path main body pipe 242A. According to this, the cleaning performance can be enhanced with a simple configuration.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the second modification.
In the example shown in FIG. 19 as well, the transfer path 242 includes a transfer path main body pipe 242A that is disposed outside the chamber 220 and connected to the compression pump 241 and an injection pipe 242B connected to the transfer path main body pipe 242A. Has been. In this example, the cross-sectional area of the transfer path main body pipe 242A is substantially the same over the entire area of the transfer path main body pipe 242A, but the cross-sectional area of the injection pipe 242B gradually decreases toward the tip of the injection pipe 242B. ing. According to this, it is possible to suppress the pressure loss of the compressed air to be small, and to eject more vigorous compressed air (air flow having a high flow velocity) from the air injection nozzle 243, thereby further improving the cleaning performance.

[Modification 3]
Next, still another modified example (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 3”) of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the third modification. This schematic diagram shows the two nozzles 111 provided on the modeling head 110 as viewed from below.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 20, the transfer path 242 includes a transfer path main body pipe 242A that is disposed outside the chamber 220 and connected to the compression pump 241 and an injection pipe 242B connected to the transfer path main body pipe 242A. Has been. As shown in FIG. 20, the injection pipe 242 </ b> B is branched into two, and each tip portion is an air injection nozzle 243. The two air injection nozzles 243 of the injection pipe 242B are arranged at positions facing the two nozzles 111 provided in the modeling head 110, respectively. Thereby, since the compressed air can be simultaneously applied to the filament 4 hanging from the two nozzles 111, the two nozzles 111 can be cleaned simultaneously. Similarly, three or more nozzles 111 can be cleaned at the same time.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the third modification. This schematic diagram shows the two nozzles 111 provided on the modeling head 110 as viewed from below.
Also in the example shown in FIG. 21, the injection pipe 242B is branched into two, but the branch angle is about 45 °, which is smaller than the example shown in FIG. 20 (the branch angle is about 90 degrees). Thereby, the pressure loss of the compressed air in the branch portion can be suppressed to a small level, and more vigorous compressed air (air flow having a high flow rate) can be injected from the air injection nozzle 243, which can further improve the cleaning performance. it can.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a valve may be provided in each of the branched injection pipes 242 </ b> B, and only the nozzle 111 side to be cleaned may be opened. Accordingly, the plurality of nozzles 111 can be cleaned without increasing the pressure of the compressed air in the transfer path main body pipe 242A.

[Modification 4]
Next, still another modified example (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 4”) of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment will be described.
In the fourth modification, the air injection nozzle 243 is disposed on the modeling head 110. By arranging the air injection nozzle 243 on the modeling head 110, the nozzle 111 and the air injection nozzle 243 are supported by a common support member called the modeling head 110. As a result, the positional relationship between the nozzle 111 and the air injection nozzle 243 is determined. Predetermined. Therefore, position control for appropriately applying the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 to the target position becomes unnecessary, and it is easy to appropriately apply the compressed air injected from the air injection nozzle 243 to the target position. is there.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the fourth modification.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the transfer path 242 and the air injection nozzle 243 provided on the modeling head 110 in the fourth modification.
In the fourth modification, the transfer path 242 extends from the compression pump 241 outside the chamber 220 to the upper wall portion of the chamber 220 (the X-axis slide heat insulating member 221 and the Y-axis slide heat insulating member 222) along the side wall portion 223 of the chamber 220. It extends from the upper part of the modeling head 110 to the lower part of the modeling head 110. As shown in FIG. 23, the tip of the transfer path 242 arranged at the lower part of the modeling head 110, that is, the air injection nozzle 243 is arranged to face the nozzle 111 arranged at the lower part of the modeling head 110. Thereby, the compressed air from the air injection nozzle 243 can be applied to the filament 4 hanging from the nozzle 111.

  In the fourth modification, since the air injection nozzle 243 is disposed on the modeling head 110 that moves in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the transfer path 242 that connects the air injection nozzle 243 and the compression pump 241 is provided. The structure is required to be deformable according to the movement of the modeling head 110. In the fourth modification, the portion of the transfer path 242 disposed on the upper wall portion of the chamber 220 is configured to be bendable and freely movable, and the portion of the transfer path 242 is configured as a modeling head. It bends or moves according to the movement of 110.

  Also in the case of the fourth modification, during the nozzle cleaning process, the modeling head 110 is moved to a cleaning position that faces the foreign material collector 244 disposed in the chamber 220, and the air injection nozzle 243 on the modeling head 110 is moved. The filaments dropped by the compressed air jetted from are collected by the foreign matter collector 244. At this time, in the configuration in which the air injection nozzle 243 is disposed on the foreign material collector 244 side, the positioning of the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 with respect to the air injection nozzle 243 requires appropriate accuracy, and the movement control of the modeling head 110 is complicated. Such as malfunction. On the other hand, according to the fourth modification in which the air injection nozzle 243 is provided on the modeling head 110, such a problem does not occur.

  According to the fourth modification in which the air injection nozzle 243 is provided on the modeling head 110, the position of the modeling head 110 is not limited to the position facing the foreign material recovery device 244, unless particularly harmful. A nozzle cleaning process can be performed.

[Modification 5]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning process in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 5”) will be described.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in the fifth modification.
In the fifth modified example, during the nozzle cleaning process, after performing an extruding operation for extruding the predetermined amount L1 of the filament 4 from the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110, the predetermined amount L2 of the filament 4 is pulled back to the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110. A return operation is executed (S11).

  According to the fifth modification, the filament 4 is pulled back after the filament 4 is pushed out, so that the portion of the filament 4 to which the compressed air is applied (the vicinity of the nozzle 111) can be easily cut. Can do. That is, the filament part pushed out from the nozzle 111 is in a state of receiving a downward external force due to gravity, and when the pulling back operation of the filament 4 is performed in this state, the root of the filament part pushed out from the nozzle 111 is performed. (Upper part) receives an upward external force due to the pull back operation. As a result, a larger tension can be generated in the filament portion pushed out from the nozzle 111 than before the pull-back operation is performed.

  Here, among the filament portions pushed out from the nozzle 111, the most softened portion is an upper end portion close to the head heating unit 112 of the modeling head 110, that is, a vicinity portion of the nozzle 111. Therefore, the filament portion in the vicinity of the nozzle 111 is elongated and thinned by the tension described above, and the strength of the filament portion is reduced. As a result, the filament 4 is easily cut by the compressed air by applying the compressed air to the filament portion in the vicinity of the nozzle 111 whose strength has dropped.

  The method of easily cutting the filament 4 with compressed air is not limited to the method of narrowing the filament portion in the vicinity of the nozzle 111 by performing the pull-back operation of the filament 4 as in the fifth modification. For example, there may be mentioned a method in which shaking or vibration is applied to the modeling head 110 by vibration means during the cleaning process. As the vibration means, for example, moving means such as an X-axis drive mechanism 310 and a Y-axis drive mechanism 320 that move the modeling head 110 can be used. According to the method of applying shaking or vibration to the modeling head 110, the vibration or vibration applied to the modeling head 110 is transmitted, and the filament portion pushed out from the nozzle 111 is shaken or vibrated from the nozzle 111 as a base point. The filament portion in the vicinity of the nozzle 111 extends and becomes thin, and the strength of the filament portion decreases. Also in this case, the filament 4 can be easily cut by the compressed air by applying the compressed air to the filament portion in the vicinity of the nozzle 111 whose strength has dropped.

[Modification 6]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning process in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 6”) will be described.
In the modified example 6, during the nozzle cleaning process, the filament 4 is extruded from the nozzle 111 and compressed toward the nozzle 111 that extrudes the filament 4 while the modeling head 110 is heated to a higher temperature than during the normal modeling process. Inject air.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in the sixth modification. FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating an example of a viscosity temperature characteristic of a filament that is a modeling material. In general, the viscosity (fluidity) of a molten modeling material is temperature-dependent, and as the temperature rises, the viscosity decreases and the fluidity increases.

  In the sixth modification, the target temperature of the head heating unit 112 is set to be higher than that during the normal modeling process before the extrusion operation for extruding the predetermined amount L1 of the filament 4 from the nozzle 111 of the modeling head 110 during the nozzle cleaning process. Change to high temperature (S12). The head heating unit 112 includes a temperature sensor. When the temperature of the head heating unit 112 reaches a target temperature that is higher than that during normal modeling processing (Yes in S13), a predetermined amount L1 of filament 4 is removed from the nozzle 111. An extrusion operation is performed (S7). Thereafter, after jetting compressed air for a predetermined time (S8 to S10), the target temperature of the head heating unit 112 is changed to a temperature during normal modeling processing (S14).

In the modified example 6, the temperature of the head heating unit 112 during the cleaning process is set to a temperature higher than the temperature during the normal modeling process, and heating is performed. The melted filament 4 extruded from the nozzle 111 is in a state where the extruded filament 4 is suspended from the tip of the nozzle as it is due to its viscosity, but the filament 4 in the cleaning process of this modification flows more than in the modeling process. The state is high (low viscosity). For this reason, it becomes easy to remove the foreign matter adhering to the nozzle 111 by the injection of compressed air, compared with the structure where the temperature of the head heating unit 112 during the cleaning process is the same as that during the modeling process.
Since the temperature dependence of the modeling material in the molten state varies depending on the material, the temperature to be raised is set according to the material extruded from the nozzle 111.

  When the extrusion operation is finished, the compression pump 241 as the compressed air generating means is operated to send the compressed air to the transfer path 242. The compressed air sent out is ejected from an ejection port of an air ejection nozzle 243 disposed in the foreign material collector 244 via a transfer path 242. The compressed air injected from the injection port toward the tip of the nozzle 111 (the base portion of the resin in a suspended state) becomes an air flow, and the residual resin of the nozzle 111 (the extra output from the nozzle that is not required for modeling) The resin). The air injection nozzle 243 and the transfer path 242 in the chamber 220 are made of a heat transfer material, and air heated up according to the temperature in the chamber 220 is injected from the injection port.

[Modification 7]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning process in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 7”) will be described.
In the modified example 7, during the extrusion operation of the filament 4 in the nozzle cleaning process, the modeling head 110 is reciprocated by a small distance within a range in which the nozzle 111 faces the foreign material collector 244.

FIG. 27 is a front view schematically showing the modeling head 110 and the nozzle cleaning unit 240 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 in Modification 7.
In the modified example 7, the modeling head 110 is reciprocally moved in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, or both the XY axial directions by moving actuators such as the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320.
An arrow “α” in FIG. 27 shows an example of reciprocating the modeling head 110 in the X-axis direction. At this time, the moving direction is reversed (switched) in a short time.

By reciprocating the modeling head 110 by a small distance, the melted filament 4 pushed out from the nozzle 111 sways greatly with the outlet of the nozzle 111 as a fulcrum, and the fulcrum is elongated and flattened by this sway, and the compressed compression injected It becomes easy to be cut by air.
The movement of the modeling head 110 during the nozzle cleaning process is not limited to the reciprocating movement, and may be other than the reciprocating movement as long as the molten filament 4 extruded from the nozzle 111 has an action of thinly extending.

[Modification 8]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 8”) will be described.
FIG. 28 is an enlarged schematic view of the vicinity of the foreign material collector 244 in the nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to Modification 8.
The nozzle cleaning unit 240 according to the modified example 8 includes an injection port that injects compressed air, a transfer path 242 that transfers gas to the injection port, and an electromagnetic valve 250 that is an opening and closing unit that opens and closes the transfer path 242. In the modification 8, the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 250 is controlled by the control unit 400.
As shown in FIG. 28, the nozzle cleaning part 240 of the modification 8 has provided the electromagnetic valve 250 in the vicinity of the foreign material collection | recovery device 244 in the transfer path 242 which transfers compressed air.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the nozzle cleaning process in the present modification 8.
In the modified example 8, the electromagnetic valve 250 is normally closed, and when the nozzle cleaning process is started, as shown in FIG. 29, the compression pump 241 as compressed air generating means is operated (S8). At this time, since the electromagnetic valve 250 is closed and the transfer path 242 is also closed, the compressed air is not injected from the injection nozzle 243.

  Next, the modeling head 110 is moved to the reference position (S1 to S3), and further moved to the cleaning position (S4 to S6). Next, the filament is fed by a predetermined amount L1 by filament feeding means such as an extruder provided in the filament supply unit 120 (S7). Thereby, the melted filament 4 is pushed out for cleaning. Next, while pulling back the filament 4 by a predetermined amount L2 (S11), the electromagnetic valve 250 is controlled to open the transfer path 242 (S15), and compressed air is jetted to the tip of the nozzle 111. After opening the electromagnetic valve 250 for a predetermined operating time t (Yes in S9), the electromagnetic valve 250 is closed (S16) to stop the injection of compressed air. Further, the compression pump 241 as the compressed air generating means is stopped (S10), and the nozzle cleaning process is ended.

FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing an example of basic timings of “feed” and “return” of the filament and the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 250 in Modification 8.
In the modification 8, the injection timing at which the extruded filament 4 can be removed can be adjusted by controlling the injection of compressed air using the electromagnetic valve 250. By using the electromagnetic valve 250, it is possible to control the compressed air injection time or intermittently inject compressed air.

[Modification 9]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 9”) will be described.
FIG. 31 is an enlarged front view schematically showing the vicinity of the foreign material collector 244 in the nozzle cleaning unit 240 of the modified example 9, and FIG. 32 is the vicinity of the foreign material collector 244 in the nozzle cleaning unit 240 of the modified example 9. It is the enlarged top view which showed typically.
The nozzle cleaning unit 240 of Modification 9 includes a plurality of air injection nozzles 243, and a plurality of air injections so as to sandwich the nozzles 111 in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical downward direction, which is the discharge direction of the filaments from the nozzles 111. A nozzle 243 is disposed. Each of the plurality of air injection nozzles 243 is arranged such that the injection ports are directed toward the tip of the nozzle 111 and the compressed air injected from the injection port is directed from the upper part of the nozzle 111 toward the tip of the nozzle 111.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, in Modification 9, the two injection ports are arranged to sandwich the nozzle 111 from the left-right direction (X-axis direction) in the drawing.
When the injection port is on one side (one) of the nozzle 111, even if compressed air is injected onto the filament 4 that hangs down from the nozzle 111, the suspended filament 4 sways to the opposite side of the injection port, so that the shearing force of the injection air is increased. There is a possibility of running away.
On the other hand, as in the modified example 9, by arranging the two injection ports so as to sandwich the nozzle 111 and injecting the compressed air, the shearing force by the compressed air can be efficiently used for the material.

  Further, in the modified example 9, as shown in FIG. 31, the air injection nozzle 243 is disposed to be inclined downward from the horizontal direction, and the compressed air traveling obliquely downward is injected from the injection port to form a downward air flow. doing. Thereby, a downward pulling force acts on the filament 4 and the filament 4 is easily removed.

In the modification 9, the air injection nozzle 243 is installed so as to crawl on the upper or side surface of the foreign material collector 244.
Similarly, even when there are three or more injection ports, the air injection nozzle 243 is stretched around the foreign material collector 244 so that the air injection nozzle 243 sandwiches the tip of the nozzle 111 from above.

[Modification 10]
Next, a modified example of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 10”) will be described.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 of the tenth modification. FIG. 33A is an enlarged schematic view of the vicinity of the foreign material collector 244 in the nozzle cleaning unit 240 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 33B shows the region indicated by “β” in FIG. It is an expansion explanatory view of the tip of jet tube 242B seen from the left side in 33 (a).

As shown in FIG. 33 (a), the length of the air injection nozzle 243 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) is gradually reduced toward the tip where the injection port 243a is provided. On the other hand, the length of the air injection nozzle 243 in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) is substantially constant. Thereby, as shown in FIG.33 (b), the shape of the injection port 243a of the front-end | tip of the air injection nozzle 243 has the diameter of the direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the discharge direction (Z-axis direction) of the filament 4, The shape is longer than the diameter of the filament 4 in the discharge direction (Z-axis direction).
The shape of the injection port 243a is made as shown in FIG. 33B, and the air flow of compressed air such as a knife edge is blown onto the extruded filament 4, thereby increasing the shearing force acting on the filament 4, It is easy to remove.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above is a molten resin extrusion type three-dimensional modeling apparatus that melts a filament (thermoplastic resin yarn) and extrudes it from a nozzle 111. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a nozzle cleaning unit 240 that is a cleaning device for the nozzle 111 that is the tip nozzle unit of the modeling head 110 that is a resin extrusion head. The nozzle cleaning unit 240 includes a compression pump 241 that is a compressed air generation unit, and a foreign matter recovery device 244 that is a residual (disposal) molten resin recovery device that recovers residual filaments and the like attached to the surface of the nozzle 111. Furthermore, the nozzle cleaning unit 240 includes a transfer path 242 through which compressed air flows and an air injection nozzle 243 having an injection port for injecting compressed air sent by the transfer path 242.

  The compression pump 241 is provided outside the chamber 220 that forms a processing space for modeling. During the nozzle cleaning process, the compressed pump 241 is operated to generate compressed air, and the generated compressed air is injected toward the nozzle 111 by the air injection nozzle 243.

During the nozzle cleaning process, a predetermined amount of a material such as a filament may be extruded by an extrusion operation, and compressed air may be injected to the nozzle 111 in a state where the molten material is extruded from the nozzle 111. Thereby, removal of the material adhering to the nozzle 111 by the dead weight of the extruded material becomes easy.
As the transfer path main body pipe 242A, the injection pipe 242B, and the air injection nozzle 243 forming the transfer path 242 in the chamber 220, those made of a heat transfer material may be used. As a result, heat from the surroundings of the chamber 220 and the like is transmitted, and air whose temperature is increased according to the temperature of the chamber 220 is ejected from the ejection port of the air ejection nozzle 243. For this reason, the warm air heated up moderately can be injected, and the fall of the temperature of the nozzle 111 by air injection can be prevented.

When the nozzle is a multi-nozzle capable of discharging multiple types of materials, with the conventional contact-type cleaning method, when cleaning is performed with a single cleaning member, a material different from the material discharged from the nozzle during cleaning adheres. There is a risk of contamination. In order to prevent this mixture, it is necessary to use different cleaning members such as blades and brushes depending on the material. In order to properly use the cleaning member, the number of cleaning members corresponding to the material is required, and a driving mechanism such as a switching mechanism for switching the cleaning member is required, and the cleaning assembly is enlarged. Problems arise.
Further, in the case of a configuration in which a driving mechanism such as a switching mechanism that switches the cleaning member according to the material is disposed, there is a problem that it is difficult to operate the driving mechanism at a high temperature such as inside the chamber 220.

  On the other hand, the configuration according to the present embodiment in which cleaning is performed with compressed air is a cleaning configuration in which the nozzle can be cleaned in a non-contact manner, and thus a drive mechanism such as a switching mechanism for properly using the cleaning member according to the material is not necessary. Therefore, an increase in the size of the cleaning assembly can be suppressed. In addition, since a driving mechanism such as a cleaning member switching mechanism is not required, it is possible to maintain the nozzle cleaning performance while suppressing an increase in the size of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

  In a configuration using a cleaning member such as a blade or a brush, the cleaning member is brought into contact with the nozzle and rubbed to remove the extra material that adheres to the outer wall of the nozzle or hangs down, thereby cleaning the nozzle. For this reason, the material removed from the nozzle adheres to the tip of the cleaning member, and the cleaning means may not function unless the cleaning member is frequently replaced.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the cleaning member is not brought into contact with the nozzle 111, and the residual material such as the filament removed from the nozzle does not stick to the member constituting the cleaning unit. For this reason, it is possible to maintain the function of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 that is the cleaning unit without frequently replacing the members constituting the cleaning unit.

  In the configuration in which the cleaning member is brought into contact with the nozzle, when the nozzle and the cleaning member are brought too close to each other during cleaning, the contact pressure becomes excessive and wear of the parts is accelerated. . For this reason, at the time of cleaning, it is necessary to perform control for adjusting the positional relationship between the nozzle and the cleaning member with high accuracy. On the other hand, in the configuration according to the present embodiment, each part of the nozzle cleaning unit 240 is not in contact with the nozzle. Therefore, the positional relationship between the nozzle 111 and the nozzle cleaning unit 240 during the cleaning is adjusted as much as the configuration in which the nozzle is in contact. The accuracy of is unnecessary.

  The various configurations and operations described in the above-described embodiments and the above-described modifications can be combined as appropriate.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described hot melt lamination method (FDM), but three-dimensional modeling is performed by discharging the melted or softened material from the discharge portion of the material discharge member in a predetermined processing space. If a thing is modeled, it is applicable also to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which models a three-dimensional modeled object with another modeling method. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an ink jet three-dimensional modeling apparatus in which molten resin is ejected from a nozzle in a droplet state by pressure, and droplets are stacked and solidified on a stage.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect A)
A modeling head 110 that discharges from a discharge unit such as the nozzle 111 in a state where a material such as the filament 4 used when modeling a three-dimensional model in a predetermined processing space such as the internal space of the chamber 220 is melted or softened. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 including a material discharge member and a cleaning unit such as a nozzle cleaning unit 240 for cleaning the discharge unit, the cleaning unit adheres to the discharge unit by injecting a gas such as compressed air. It is characterized in that it removes foreign matters such as drooping of filaments and residual filaments.
According to this aspect, by applying the gas injected by the cleaning means to the foreign matter adhering to the discharge portion of the material discharge member, the foreign matter can be separated from the discharge portion and removed by the force of the gas. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the foreign matter by bringing the cleaning member into contact with the discharge portion. Therefore, there is a problem that the extrusion end part is worn or damaged by the contact and the proper discharging operation cannot be performed, or the cleaning member is worn or damaged by the contact and the cleaning performance is deteriorated. Can be resolved.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, a three-dimensional structure is formed on a mounting table such as the stage 211 and the modeling plate 212 while moving the material discharging member, and an air injection nozzle 243 that injects gas by the cleaning unit, etc. The injection port is fixedly arranged in the processing space.
In the configuration in which the three-dimensional structure is formed on the mounting table while moving the material discharge member, the material discharge member can be moved to an arbitrary position in the processing space. Can be adopted that is fixedly arranged in the processing space. Thereby, since a mechanism such as a transfer path for transferring the gas to the injection port can be fixedly arranged, a simple cleaning means can be realized.

(Aspect C)
The aspect A is characterized in that an injection port for injecting gas by the cleaning means is provided on the material discharge member.
According to this, since the ejection port of the cleaning means and the discharge portion to be cleaned on the material discharge member are supported by the same material discharge member, the positional relationship between the injection port and the discharge portion can be determined in advance. . Thereby, position control for appropriately applying the gas injected from the injection port to the target position becomes unnecessary, and it becomes easy to appropriately apply the gas injected from the injection port to the target position.

(Aspect D)
In any one of the aspects A to C, the cleaning unit ejects gas intermittently.
According to this, it becomes possible to obtain a higher cleaning effect (foreign matter removal effect) than when gas is continuously ejected.

(Aspect E)
In any one of the aspects A to D, gas heating means such as a chamber heater 231 and a head heating unit 112 for heating the gas ejected by the cleaning means are provided.
According to this, it becomes possible to soften the filament portion to which the gas is applied according to the temperature of the gas to reduce the strength, and it is possible to obtain a higher cleaning effect (foreign matter removing effect).

(Aspect F)
In the aspect E, the processing space heating means such as a chamber heater 231 for heating the inside of the processing space is provided, and the cleaning means injects the gas transferred by the transfer path 242 from the injection port such as the air injection nozzle 243. The gas heating means heats at least a part of the transfer path with heat in the processing space heated by the processing space heating means.
According to this, it becomes possible to obtain a higher cleaning effect (foreign matter removing effect) without providing a dedicated gas heating means.

(Aspect G)
In any one of the aspects A to F, the cleaning unit has a plurality of injection ports for injecting gas.
According to this, a plurality of discharge parts are simultaneously cleaned by gas respectively injected from a plurality of injection ports, or a single discharge part is cleaned from different directions by gas respectively injected from a plurality of injection ports. Can do.

(Aspect H)
In the aspect G, the cleaning unit injects gas from the plurality of injection ports toward the same point of the discharge unit.
According to this, gas can be applied from different directions, and a higher cleaning effect (foreign matter removing effect) can be obtained.

(Aspect I)
In the aspect G or H, a plurality of injection ports are arranged so as to sandwich the discharge part in a direction (X-axis direction or the like) orthogonal to the discharge direction of the material from the discharge part.
According to this, as described in the modification 9, by directing a plurality of injection ports toward the tip of the discharge part, the material discharged from the discharge part is injected to the material without being scattered around. The shearing force by gas can be made to act efficiently. Thereby, the foreign matter removal effect by gas can be heightened.
Further, as in Modification 9, the gas injection direction is set to a direction inclined in the material discharge direction with respect to the direction orthogonal to the material discharge direction, so that the material discharged from the discharge portion is discharged. The pulling force of can be increased. Thereby, the capability of removing the material adhering to the discharge part can be improved, and the foreign matter removing effect by the gas can be enhanced.

(Aspect J)
In any one of the aspects G to I, the material discharge member includes a plurality of discharge portions that discharge each of the same or different materials in a melted or softened state, and the cleaning unit is provided with the plurality of injection ports. Gases are respectively injected toward the plurality of discharge portions.
According to this, a plurality of discharge parts can be cleaned at the same time by gas respectively injected from a plurality of injection ports, and the nozzle cleaning processing time for all the discharge parts can be shortened.

(Aspect K)
In any one of the above aspects A to J, the material discharge member includes a discharge operation such as an extrusion operation for discharging the molten or softened material from the discharge portion, and a pull back for pulling the material back into the discharge portion. The cleaning means performs a pull-back operation for pulling a predetermined amount L2 of material into the discharge portion following the discharge operation, and then injects a gas toward the discharge portion. It is characterized by.
According to this, it is possible to easily cut the material by performing the pulling-back operation of the material after the material discharging operation. That is, the material portion discharged from the discharge portion is in a state of receiving an external force in a direction away from the discharge portion due to gravity, and when the material pulling operation is performed in this state, the material portion discharged from the discharge portion The root of the is subjected to an external force toward the discharge part by the pull back operation. As a result, it is possible to generate a greater tension on the material portion discharged from the discharge portion than before the pull back operation is performed. Thereby, the weakest portion of the material portion discharged from the discharge portion is elongated and thinned by the tension described above, and the strength of the portion further decreases. Therefore, when the gas hits the reduced strength portion, the material is easily cut by the gas, and the cleaning performance is improved.

(Aspect L)
In any one of the above aspects A to K, the cleaning unit sprays the gas transferred by the transfer path 242 from one or more injection ports, and the opening of the one or more injection ports. The total area is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area on the transfer path through which the compressed gas is transferred to the injection port through the transfer path.
According to this, more vigorous gas (gas having a high flow rate) can be injected from the injection port, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

(Aspect M)
In any one of the aspects A to L, the cleaning unit includes a collection member such as a foreign substance collection unit 244 that collects the foreign substance removed by the gas injected toward the discharge unit. .
According to this, it is possible to prevent the inside of the processing space from being contaminated with the foreign matter removed by the gas.

(Aspect N)
In the aspect M, the collection member is configured to be detachable from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.
According to this, the maintenance work which takes out the collection member which collected the foreign material out of the 3D modeling device, exchanges the collection member, or returns the collection member from which the collected foreign material is removed becomes easy.

(Aspect O)
In any one of the above aspects A to N, there is provided vibration means such as an X-axis drive mechanism 310 and a Y-axis drive mechanism 320 that vibrate the discharge portion when gas is ejected by the cleaning means. .
According to this, the vibration or vibration applied to the discharge part is transmitted, weakening the adhesive force between the discharge part and the foreign matter adhering to it, or reducing the strength of the foreign substance attached to the discharge part, The foreign matter removal effect by gas can be heightened.

(Aspect P)
In any one of the modes A to O, the apparatus includes a material discharge member heating unit such as a head heating unit 112 that heats the material discharge member to melt or soften the material, and the cleaning unit In a state where the temperature of the material discharge member when cleaning the discharge portion (such as during nozzle cleaning processing) is heated to be higher than when forming the three-dimensional structure (such as during modeling processing), The cleaning means injects gas.
According to this, by raising the temperature of the material discharge member at the time of cleaning, it is possible to increase the melting state of the material compared to modeling, and it is possible to easily remove foreign matters attached to the discharge portion by gas injection.

  Moreover, in the modification 6, it is the structure which injects the gas to a discharge part in the state which extruded the predetermined amount of material fuse | melted at the time of a nozzle cleaning process from a discharge part, so that a material discharge member becomes high temperature from the time of a modeling process. The material is discharged from the discharge part in a heated state. And gas is injected toward the discharge part which discharged | emitted material. As a result, the degree of melting of the discharged material can be increased, and the material can be easily removed from the discharge portion by gas injection.

(Aspect Q)
In any one of the modes A to P, when the discharge unit is cleaned by the cleaning unit, the discharge unit reciprocates such as the X-axis drive mechanism 310 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 320 that reciprocate the material discharge member. A mechanism is provided.
According to this, when the material discharge member is reciprocated by the reciprocating mechanism of the discharge part, the foreign matter attached to the discharge part is shaken like a pendulum, and the foreign matter is removed by jetting the gas toward the fulcrum. make it easier. Further, in the configuration in which the molten material is discharged for cleaning, the molten material swings like a pendulum with the outlet of the discharge portion serving as a fulcrum, and a gas is blown toward the fulcrum, thereby Easy to remove.
Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which reciprocates a material discharge | emission member in the state heated so that the temperature of the material discharge | emission member at the time of cleaning a discharge part may become high temperature rather than the time of modeling a three-dimensional structure. According to this, it will be reciprocated in the state raised rather than the time of modeling the melting condition of material, and it will become easy to remove material from a discharge part.

(Aspect R)
In any of the above aspects A to Q, the cleaning means includes an injection port for injecting gas, a transfer path for transferring gas to the injection port, and an opening / closing means such as an electromagnetic valve 250 for opening and closing the transfer path; And a transfer path opening / closing control means such as a control unit 400 for controlling opening / closing of the opening / closing means.
According to this, by controlling the opening / closing of the opening / closing means by the transfer path opening / closing control means, it is possible to adjust the timing and the injection period of the gas from the injection port. Therefore, it is possible to finely adjust the gas injection timing and the injection period in accordance with the desired timing such as the timing of pulling back the filament 4 without being affected by the length of the transfer path, thereby realizing efficient cleaning.
In addition, the material discharge member is heated so that the temperature of the material discharge member when cleaning the discharge portion is higher than that during modeling, and the opening / closing means is controlled by the transfer path opening / closing control means, and the gas from the injection port is controlled. The injection timing and the injection period may be adjusted. Thereby, it is possible to finely adjust the gas injection timing and the injection period with respect to the material in a state in which the melting state is further increased as compared with the case of modeling, thereby realizing more efficient cleaning.
Further, when the discharge unit is cleaned, the material discharge member is reciprocated, and the opening / closing means is controlled by the transfer path opening / closing control means to adjust the timing and period of gas injection from the injection port. Good. By finely adjusting the gas injection timing and the injection period while reciprocating the material discharge member, it becomes easy to remove foreign substances such as material adhering to the discharge portion and realizes efficient cleaning.
Further, when cleaning, the temperature of the material discharge member is heated to be higher than that at the time of modeling, and the material discharge member is reciprocated, and the opening / closing control means is controlled by the transfer path opening / closing control means. It is good also as a structure. In this configuration, the material discharge member can be reciprocated in a state in which the material is melted more than at the time of modeling, and the timing and period of gas injection from the injection port can be finely adjusted. Thereby, it becomes easy to remove foreign substances such as materials adhering to the discharge portion, and more efficient cleaning is realized.

(Aspect S)
In any one of the modes A to R, the opening shape of the injection port for injecting the gas of the cleaning unit is a direction (Y-axis) orthogonal to the discharge direction (Z-axis direction or the like) of the material from the discharge unit. The opening diameter in the direction and the like is larger than the opening diameter in the discharge direction.
According to this, the force which shears material can be increased and it can be made easy to remove material from a discharge part.

(Aspect T)
A modeling head 110 that discharges from a discharge unit such as the nozzle 111 in a state where a material such as the filament 4 used when modeling a three-dimensional model in a predetermined processing space such as the internal space of the chamber 220 is melted or softened. In a cleaning device such as a nozzle cleaning unit 240 that cleans the discharge part of the material discharge member, foreign matter adhering to the discharge part is removed by jetting gas.
According to this aspect, since the foreign matter adhering to the discharge part of the material discharge member can be removed by the force of the injected gas, it is not necessary to remove the foreign object by bringing the cleaning member into contact with the discharge part. Therefore, there is a problem that the extrusion end part is worn or damaged by the contact and the proper discharging operation cannot be performed, or the cleaning member is worn or damaged by the contact and the cleaning performance is deteriorated. Can be resolved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D modeling apparatus 2 Main body frame 3 In-apparatus cooling device 4 Filament 100 Material supply part 110 Modeling head 111 Nozzle 112 Head heating part 113 Head cooling part 120 Filament supply part 130 Head cooling device 200 Three-dimensional modeling part 210 Mounting part 211 Stage 212 Modeling plate 220 Chamber 230 Heating unit 231 Chamber heater 232 Stage heating unit 240 Nozzle cleaning unit 241 Compression pump 242 Transfer path 242A Transfer path main body pipe 242B Injection pipe 242a Injection pipe mounting port 243 Air injection nozzle 244 Foreign matter collector 245 Recovery Holding unit 300 Drive unit 310 X-axis drive mechanism 320 Y-axis drive mechanism 330 Z-axis drive mechanism 400 Control unit

Japanese Patent No. 4860769

Claims (20)

A material discharge member that discharges from the discharge unit in a state where the material used when modeling the three-dimensional structure in a predetermined processing space is melted or softened;
In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus provided with a cleaning means for cleaning the discharge portion,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning means removes foreign matter adhering to the discharge portion by injecting gas. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
While modeling the three-dimensional structure on the mounting table while moving the material discharge member,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein an injection port for injecting gas by the cleaning means is fixedly arranged in the processing space. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein an injection port for injecting gas by the cleaning means is provided on the material discharge member. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit intermittently ejects gas. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising gas heating means for heating the gas ejected by the cleaning means. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5,
A processing space heating means for heating the inside of the processing space;
The cleaning means is for injecting the gas transferred by the transfer path from the injection port,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the gas heating unit heats at least a part of the transfer path by heat in the processing space heated by the processing space heating unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning means has a plurality of injection ports for injecting gas. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 7,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit injects gas from the plurality of injection ports toward the same point of the discharge unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the plurality of injection ports are arranged so as to sandwich the discharge portion in a direction orthogonal to a discharge direction of the material from the discharge portion. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The material discharge member has a plurality of discharge portions that discharge each of the same or different materials in a melted or softened state,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit injects gas from the plurality of injection ports toward the plurality of discharge units. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The material discharging member is capable of executing a discharging operation for discharging the material in a molten or softened state from the discharging unit and a pulling back operation for pulling the material back into the discharging unit,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit performs a pulling back operation for drawing a predetermined amount of material back into the discharging unit following the discharging operation, and then jets gas toward the discharging unit. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The cleaning means is for injecting the gas transferred by the transfer path from one or more injection ports,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the sum of the opening areas of the one or more injection ports is smaller than a maximum cross-sectional area on a transfer path through which gas is transferred to the injection port via the transfer path. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit includes a recovery member that recovers foreign matter removed by gas injected toward the discharge unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 13,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the collection member is configured to be detachable from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising: a vibrating unit that vibrates the discharge unit when gas is jetted by the cleaning unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
A material discharge member heating means for heating the material discharge member to melt or soften the material;
The cleaning means injects the gas in a state where the temperature of the material discharge member when the discharge portion is cleaned by the cleaning means is heated to be higher than when the three-dimensional structure is formed. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus characterized by this. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising: a discharge unit reciprocating mechanism that reciprocates the material discharge member when the discharge unit is cleaned by the cleaning unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The cleaning means has an injection port for injecting gas, a transfer path for transferring gas to the injection port, and an opening / closing means for opening and closing the transfer path,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising a transfer path opening / closing control means for controlling opening / closing of the opening / closing means. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The opening shape of the injection port for injecting the gas of the cleaning means is such that the opening diameter in the direction orthogonal to the discharging direction of the material from the discharging portion is larger than the opening diameter in the discharging direction. Characteristic 3D modeling equipment. In the cleaning device that cleans the discharge part in the material discharge member that discharges from the discharge part in a state where the material used when modeling the three-dimensional structure in a predetermined processing space is melted or softened,
A cleaning apparatus that removes foreign matter adhering to the discharge portion by injecting gas.

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